Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.7.48 (transcriptase)
 9,479 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Distinct cytokine-producing T cell subsets are well known to play a major role in IgE production and to be differentially regulated in allergic patients, although the characterization of the type 1/type 2 cytokine pattern in PBMC during allergic responses remains to be clearly defined. The aim of this study was to determine whether different cytokine profiles are observed directly in PBMC of atopic donors. We attempted to study several cytokines (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13) using not only ELISA but also polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, because the frequency of cytokine-producing cells in peripheral blood is very low. All the patients were selected during their acute symptomatologic phase. Data showed a significantly higher production of IL-4 (P = 0.05) and IL-10 (P < 0.005) as determined by ELISA in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)/phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated mononuclear cells of atopic donors compared with controls, although spontaneous IL-4 production without stimulation was never detected within either atopic or control groups. The reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR technique appeared to be advantageous in that it allowed the detection of the spontaneous expression of cytokine mRNA in cells without stimulation. We found a clear expression of IL-4 mRNA spontaneously in all atopic patients, whereas normal donors in most cases did not show specific signals (P < 0.0001). Less differences between atopic subjects and controls were found in IL-10 mRNA expression. Although the technique of RT-PCR amplification used in this study is semiquantitative, a reproducible and significant (P < 0.001) enhancement of IL-10 mRNA expression was observed in atopic donors. A heterogeneous expression of IL-13 mRNA was observed in individuals from the two groups studied, although mean levels in atopic donors were slightly enhanced compared with controls (P = 0.02). Furthermore, we did not observe any alteration in the expression of the type 1-derived cytokines such as IFN-gamma and IL-2. In addition, we showed a lack of correlation between the expression of serum IgE (total or specific) and spontaneous IL-4 mRNA expression. This study showed a tendency of PBMC from atopic donors to express a type 2-like cytokine pattern, with IL-4 as the most discriminatory cytokine. Additionally, as the level of serum IgE has a low predictive value in allergic disease, and as the elevated expression of IL-4 that we found was not correlated with serum IgE, we could strongly suggest that the measurement of IL-4 in blood mononuclear cells may be of great value in the analysis of allergic responses in atopic donors.
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PMID:Differential spontaneous expression of mRNA for IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from atopic patients. 856 69

Nontransformed stromal colony-derived cell lines (CDCLs) consist of a pure stromal cell population that differentiates following a vascular smooth muscle cell repertoire, and whose in vivo counterpart is that of myoid cells found in adult and fetal human bone marrow cords. We studied the cytokine expression by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from pooled fast-growing clones from 10 different bone marrow samples. RT-PCR indicated that 30 cytokines (out of 42 studied) were expressed by CDCLs (20 after medium renewal and hydrocortisone renewal, three after addition of interleukin I beta (IL-1 beta) and seven in only part of the CDCL layers examined). The cytokines expressed comprised mediators known to be involved in the maintenance of early and late hematopoiesis (IL-1 alpha and IL-beta, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-11 and IL-13; colony-stimulating factors, thrombopoietin, erythropoietin, stem cell factor, fit 3-ligand, hepatocyte cell growth factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha, leukemia inhibitory factor, transforming growth factors beta 1 and beta 3; and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha), angiogenic factors (fibroblast growth factors 1 and 2, vascular endothelial growth factor) and mediators whose usual target (and source) is the connective tissue-forming cells (platelet-derived growth factor A, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factors alpha and beta 2, oncostatin M and insulin-like growth factor 1), or neuronal cells (nerve growth factor). The cytokines not expressed were lymphokines (IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, and IL-12 and interferon gamma) or mediators synthesized by macrophages (inhibin, activin, platelet-derived growth factor B, and IL-1 receptor antagonist). This study complements the description of the phenotype of the myoid cells, confirming that these cells are the marrow connective tissue-forming cells; moreover, this work suggests that stromal control of hematopoiesis is multifactorial and that myoid cells are involved in the control of marrow angiogenesis and innervation.
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PMID:The broad spectrum of cytokine gene expression by myoid cells from the human marrow microenvironment. 909 Jul 90

Spontaneous tumor regression, which is observed clinically and histologically in some primary melanomas, occurs in the absence of any effective therapy. It is probably immunologically mediated, because regressing melanomas are infiltrated with larger numbers of activated T cells, primarily CD4+, than nonregressing melanomas. To investigate the hypothesis that spontaneous regression of melanomas is caused by T-cell cytokine production, cytokine mRNA expression in 20 primary melanomas was examined using a noncompetitive, quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method. DNA standards were used to generate known numbers of molecules in each sample. Results were standardized to the internal control, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. mRNA for CD35, lymphotoxin (TNF-beta), and IL-2 were significantly elevated in the ten regressing melanomas compared to the ten nonregressing melanomas. IFN-gamma mRNA was also elevated in regressing melanomas but failed to reach statistical significance. The Th2 cytokines IL-10 and IL-13 did not show differences in the regressing melanomas compared to nonregressing melanomas; neither did the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha, nor the growth factors, bFGF and TGF-beta or GM-CSF. This study shows an association between Th1 cytokines and spontaneously regressing melanomas. Although we have not shown that these cytokines cause regression, these findings support our hypothesis that activated CD4+ T cells may mediate melanoma regression by secretion of Th1 cytokines.
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PMID:T helper 1 cytokine mRNA is increased in spontaneously regressing primary melanomas. 918 21

In the present study, we have analyzed the pattern of cytokines expressed by two independent dendritic cell (DC) subpopulations generated in vitro from human cord blood CD34+ progenitors cultured with granulocyte-macrophage CSF and TNF-alpha. Molecularly, we confirmed the phenotypic differences discriminating the two subsets: E-cadherin mRNA was only detected in CD1a+-derived DC, whereas CD68 and factor XIIIa mRNAs were observed exclusively in CD14+-derived DC. Semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR analysis revealed that both DC subpopulations spontaneously expressed IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12 (p35 and p40), IL-15, IL-18, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, macrophage CSF, and granulocyte-macrophage CSF, but not IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IFN-gamma transcripts. Both subpopulations were shown to secrete IL-12 after CD40 triggering. Interestingly, only the CD14+-derived DC secreted IL-10 after CD40 activation, strengthening the notion that the two DC subpopulations indeed represent two independent pathways of DC development. Furthermore, both DC subpopulations expressed IL-13 mRNA and protein following activation with PMA-ionomycin, but not with CD40 ligand, in contrast to IL-12 and IL-10, revealing the existence of different pathways for DC activation. Finally, we confirmed the expression of IL-7, IL-10, and IL-13 mRNA by CD4+ CD11c+ CD3- DC isolated ex vivo from tonsillar germinal centers. Thus, CD14+-derived DC expressing IL-10 and factor XIIIa seemed more closely related to germinal center dendritic cellsGCDC than to Langerhans cells.
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PMID:The cytokine profile expressed by human dendritic cells is dependent on cell subtype and mode of activation. 946 23

Although platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptors have been found on B lymphoblastoid cell lines, the action of PAF on freshly isolated human B cells has not been clearly demonstrated. Using a sensitive semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR, we have found PAF receptor mRNA expressed by tonsillar B lymphocytes, but little in T lymphocytes. Examination of Percoll-fractionated tonsillar B cells indicated that the low density (primarily germinal center cells) and medium density fractions had approximately twofold more PAF receptor mRNA relative to the high density fraction. PAF (10-7 M) stimulated increases in intracellular Ca2+ that were consistently higher in the low and medium density B lymphocytes compared with high density cells. The PAF receptor antagonist Web 2170 inhibited this. Addition of PAF, but not lyso- or enantio-PAF, induced four- to sixfold greater synthesis of IgM and IgG in low and medium density cells compared with unstimulated controls, but had little effect on Ig production by high density cells. To investigate how PAF may influence Ig synthesis, PAF-stimulated B cells were examined for production of the Th2-type cytokines IL-4 and IL-13. PAF induced IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA expression in 17% of CD20+ cells, and IL-4 was detected in cell supernatants after 48-72 h of culture. Together, these data strongly suggest that functional PAF receptors are expressed on B cells in tonsils.
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PMID:Detection of functional platelet-activating factor receptors on human tonsillar B lymphocytes. 1022 30

Derangement of cellular immunity is central in the pathophysiology of adult autoimmune/idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Herein we investigated cytokine gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of adult chronic ITP patients and attempted to correlate cytokine polarization with the degree of thrombocytopenia. We used semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure the expression of type-1 (interleukin-2 [IL-2], interferon gamma [IFN-gamma]) and type-2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-3, IL-13) cytokines by PBMCs from 21 patients and 11 controls. Plasma transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 ([IL-2 + IFN-gamma]/[IL-4 + IL-5]) cytokine mRNA ratios, thought to reflect the Th deviation of the pathogenic disease-specific T cells, and type-1/type-2 mRNA ratios, thought to reflect the overall immune response polarization, were significantly increased in ITP patients. The Th1/Th2 ratio was inversely correlated with platelet counts. TGF-beta1 levels appeared suppressed in patients with active disease, though not significantly. Our findings show a clear type-1 cytokine polarization of the autoimmune response in adult ITP that persists irrespective of disease status.
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PMID:Adult chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the manifestation of a type-1 polarized immune response. 1467 Sep 26

Photopheresis has been claimed to have immune-modulating effects, but the mechanisms of action are unknown. This study investigated the immune effect of photopheresis in children with type 1 diabetes, with a focus on the balance of Th1- and Th2-like cytokines. Ten children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (10-17 y) were treated with five double treatments of photopheresis and 10 children matched for disease, age, and gender were given placebo tablets and sham pheresis. Expression of IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA was determined by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and secretion of IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IL-13 in cell-culture supernatants by ELISA after stimulation with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) (a.a. 247-279), the ABBOS peptide (a.a. 152-169), insulin, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Photopheresis changed antigen-stimulated immune balance in line with a Th2-like shift. Thus, the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 mRNA expression after in vitro stimulation with a peptide of the autoantigen GAD65 was reduced after treatment in the photopheresis group. The IFN-gamma/IL-4 mRNA expression ratio after in vitro stimulation with insulin was also lower in children treated with photopheresis compared with the placebo group. Photopheresis has an immune-modulating effect in children with type 1 diabetes, causing a Th2-like deviation.
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PMID:The immunological effect of photopheresis in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. 1614 57

Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels (CaCCs) contribute to airway Cl(-) and fluid secretion, and were implicated in the modulation of disease severity and as a therapeutic target in cystic fibrosis (CF). Previous in vitro studies suggested that members of the CLCA gene family, including the murine mCLCA3, contribute to CaCCs. However, the role of mCLCA3 in ion transport in native airway epithelia has not been studied, to the best of our knowledge. In this study, we used mCLCA3-deficient mice and determined bioelectric properties in freshly excised tracheal tissue, airway morphology, and gene expression studies, to determine the role of mCLCA3 in airway ion transport and airway structure. Bioelectric measurements did not detect any differences in basal short-circuit current, amiloride-sensitive Na(+) absorption, cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent Cl(-) secretion, and activation of Ca(2+)-activated (uridine-5'-triphosphate-mediated) Cl(-) secretion in mCLCA3-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. Moreover, no histological changes were observed in the respiratory tract or any other tissues of mCLCA3-deficient mice when compared with wild-type control mice. The intratracheal instillation of IL-13 produced an approximately 30-fold up-regulation of mCLCA3 transcripts without inducing CaCC activity in wild-type airways, and induced goblet-cell hyperplasia and mucin gene expression to similar levels in both genotypes. Further, multiple specific reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR assays for other CaCC candidates, including mCLCA1, mCLCA2, mCLCA4, mCLCA5, mCLCA6, mCLCA7, mBEST1, mBEST2, mCLC4, mTTYH3, and mTMEM16A, failed to identify the differential expression of genes in the respiratory tract that may compensate for a lack of mCLCA3 function. Together, these findings argue against a role of mCLCA3 in CaCC-mediated Cl(-) secretion in murine respiratory epithelia.
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PMID:mCLCA3 does not contribute to calcium-activated chloride conductance in murine airways. 2236 87