Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.7.49 (reverse transcriptase)
31,746 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Studies on the development and function of CD4+ TH1 and TH2 cells during the progression to AIDS may increase the understanding of AIDS pathogenesis. The preferential replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in either TH1 or TH2 cells could alter the delicate balance of the immune response. TH1 (gamma interferon [IFN-gamma] positive, interleukin-4 [IL-4] and IL-5 negative) and TH2 (IFN-gamma negative, IL-4 and IL-5 positive) clones, developed from several healthy donors, pedigreed by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay have similar levels of cell surface expression of CD4 and several chemokine receptor cofactors necessary for viral entry. After activation by specific antigens and infection with T-cell-tropic strains of HIV type 1 (HIV-1), TH1 and TH2 clones showed similar levels of viral entry and reverse transcription. At days 3 through 14 postinfection, HIV replicated to similar levels in several TH1 and TH2 clones as measured by release of HIV p24 and total number of copies of gag RNA/total cell RNA as measured by RT-PCR. When values were normalized for viable cell number in three clones of each type, there was up to twofold more HIV RNA in TH1 than TH2 cells. In addition, several primary monocytotropic HIV-1 strains were able to replicate to similar levels in TH1 and TH2 cells. These studies suggest that the importance of TH1 and TH2 subsets in AIDS pathogenesis transcends clonal differences in their ability to support HIV replication.
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PMID:Similar levels of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in human TH1 and TH2 clones. 957 96

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a chronic subepidermal blistering disease, in which a perivascular cellular infiltrate, composed mainly of CD4+ T lymphocytes together with a varying number of neutrophils and eosinophils, is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of blister formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of cytokines such as the interleukins IL-4 and IL-5 and to quantify the distribution of T cells as well as their state of activation using alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) procedures in seven patients with typical clinical and histological features of DH. A strong extracellular staining with anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody was detected in the upper dermis with a prevalent perivascular pattern in perilesional areas, whereas in the dermal-epidermal separation sites there was an intense, scattered distribution. IL-5 was intensely expressed, mainly at the intracellular level, by eosinophils and lymphocytes. Concerning RT-PCR, five DH patients showed a strong positive signal for both IL-4 and IL-5 cytokines while two patients showed a faint signal for both IL-4 and IL-5; these last two cases were histologically poor in inflammatory cells. In view of these results, it can be hypothesized that the recruitment of eosinophils and neutrophils in DH may be induced not only by granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IL-8 as previously demonstrated, but also by Th2 cytokines as well.
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PMID:Th2-like cytokine activity in dermatitis herpetiformis. 960 68

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) has a major effect on the two compartments of the retro-orbital (RO) space, leading to enlargement of the extraocular muscles and other RO tissues. T lymphocyte infiltration of RO tissue is a characteristic feature of TAO and there is current interest in whether these T cells are specifically and selectively reactive to RO tissue itself. We recently established 18 T cell lines (TCL) from RO adipose/connective tissue of six patients with severe TAO by using IL-2, anti-CD3 antibodies and irradiated autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to maintain the growth of T cells reactive to autologous RO tissue protein fractions. Here we report on the phenotype characteristics and cytokine gene expression profiles of these orbital TCL and on their immunoreactivity to the organ-specific thyroid antigens thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R), thyroidal peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (TG). Flow cytometry revealed that 10 TCL were predominantly of CD4+ phenotype, three being mostly CD8+ and five neither CD4+ nor CD8+. Analysis with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of cytokine gene expression revealed both Th1- and Th2-like products in all TCL: IL-2 product (in 17 TCL), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (n = 10), tumour necrosis factor-beta (TNF-beta) (n = 15), IL-4 (n = 12), IL-5 (n = 17), IL-6 (n = 13), TNF-alpha (n = 12) and IL-10 (n = 4). Reactivity to thyroid antigens was observed only in two TCL, the other 16 being uniformly unreactive. Although 10 out of 18 RO tissue-reactive TCL were predominantly CD4+ there were no significant relationships between TCL phenotype, cytokine gene profile, magnitude of reactivity to RO tissue protein or the (rare) occurrence of thyroid reactivity. The findings of both Th1- and Th2-like cytokine gene expression in all RO tissue-reactive TCL support the concept that TAO is a tissue-specific autoimmune disease, distinct immunologically from the thyroid, and involving both T cell and B cell autoimmune mechanisms in disease pathogenesis.
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PMID:Analysis of orbital T cells in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. 964 11

The production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody is largely dependent on the ratio between interleukin-4 (IL-4) (a T helper 2 (Th2)-type cytokine) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (a T helper 1 (Th1)-type cytokine). Interleukin-5 (IL-5) (also a Th2-type cytokine) is an important eosinophil differentiation factor and also co-stimulates B-cell growth and differentiation. The present study was designed to evaluate and compare the expression of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA in the nasal mucosal membrane of sensitized Brown-Norway (BN) rats. Fourteen BN rats were divided into two groups: non-sensitized (control) and sensitized. The sensitized group was injected with ovalbumin (OA) intraperitoneally on three consecutive days. Twenty-one days later, rats were exposed to 1% OA aerosol. Twenty-four hours after exposure to aerosol, nasal mucosa was extracted from both groups and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed. The densities of the bands of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma mRNA were expressed as percentages against beta-actin mRNA. Our results showed that the mean values for IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA were increased significantly in sensitized rats compared with control rats. In contrast, the mean value for IFN-gamma mRNA was significantly lower in sensitized rats compared with those of the control group. Our data therefore suggest that sensitization of rat nasal mucous membranes results in the predominant expression of Th2-type cytokines.
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PMID:Expression of interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 mRNA in the nasal mucosal membrane of rats with allergic rhinitis. 965 23

Nasal polyps are the most common mass lesion of the nasal cavity. Various pathogenetic mechanisms have been proposed. However, the cause is still largely unknown, and treatment methods have not been changed for several hundred years. In order to investigate the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps, expression of cytokine messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in nasal polyps was investigated. We performed reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot to examine gene expression of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, IL-4, IL-5, and interferon (IFN)-gamma and compared the results with the gene expressions of these cytokines in normal nasal mucosa. Nasal polyp tissues were obtained from 14 patients undergoing polypectomy for nasal obstruction. Among them, 4 patients suffered from associated perennial allergic rhinitis. The mRNAs of IL-4 and IL-5 (Th2 cytokines) as well as IFN-gamma (Th1 cytokine) were expressed in all of the nasal polyps obtained from the 14 patients, irrespective of the presence or absence of allergy, while 2, 0, and 4 of 6 normal turbinate mucosae expressed IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma mRNAs, respectively. The mRNAs of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-beta were expressed in 6, 1, 2, and 3 of 6 normal turbinate mucosae, respectively, while the mRNAs of these cytokines were expressed in all of the 14 polyp tissues except IL-6 mRNA, which was expressed in 13 nasal polyp tissues. There were no differences in the mean density ratios of each cytokine band on Southern blot between polyp tissues with allergy and those without allergy. These results suggest that many cytokines are produced in nasal polyps, that they may play important roles in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps, and that allergy per se may not play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.
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PMID:Cytokine gene expression in nasal polyps. 971 68

The cytokine profiles of mononuclear cells freshly isolated from Peyer's patch (PPMC), adjacent ileal lamina propria lymphocytes (LPMC) and peripheral blood (PBMC) in children without histological evidence of gastrointestinal disease has been investigated by single-cell enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent spot forming assay (ELISPOT) and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR. In the blood, interferon gamma and IL-4 ELISPOTs were regularly detected albeit at low frequency (< 50/10(5) cells). IL-5 and IL-10 ELISPOTs were not seen in most patients. In Peyer's patches and lamina propria there was a dramatic increase in cytokine secreting cells of all types compared to blood, reaching a very high frequency for interferon gamma in the lamina propria (1000-3000/10(5) cells). IL-4 and IL-5 ELISPOTs were 20-100-fold less common in both PP and LPL. At all sites, cytokine secretion depended on protein synthesis and enrichment for CD4+ cells in PP increased the frequency of all cytokine-secreting cells. Quantification of messenger RNA for cytokines using RT-PCR demonstrated that IL-4 and IL-10 transcripts were significantly greater than interferon gamma transcripts in PP and in lamina propria, IL-4, IL-10 and interferon gamma transcripts were equivalent. IL-5 transcripts were not detected in most samples of PP and lamina propria. These results clearly show that cells secreting interferon gamma predominate in human PP and LPL. However the high mRNA concentrations for IL-4 and IL-10 shows that although these cells are quantitatively few, they are highly transcriptionally active.
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PMID:An analysis of interferon gamma, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 production by ELISPOT and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR in human Peyer's patches. 972 36

Using in situ hybridization and the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) we show that messenger RNA for IL-4, IL-5 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is induced by cross-linkage of high-affinity Fc(epsilon) receptors (Fc(epsilon)RI) on human skin mast cells, but that only TNF-alpha mRNA is selectively induced by substance P. Skin mast cells were purified using the Percoll density technique. T cells were removed by serial negative selection using a CD2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to achieve a final mast cell purity >95%. Purified mast cells were precultured with recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF; 10 ng/ml) and myeloma IgE (3 microg/ml) for 16 h before challenge with sheep polyclonal antihuman IgE antibody (anti-IgE; 1 or 10 microg/ml) in the presence of rhSCF (50 ng/ml). Using in situ hybridization, we demonstrated that IgE-dependent stimulation induces the expression of IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-alpha mRNA in skin mast cells. We have investigated the expression of IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-alpha mRNA by substance P, with the result that substance P, 0.003-30 microM, selectively induced TNF-alpha mRNA. However, substance P did not induce IL-4 mRNA and did not enhance IL-5 mRNA. Furthermore, we confirmed the release of TNF-alpha by substance P from skin mast cells using an ELISA technique. These findings demonstrate the capacity of human skin mast cells to transcribe IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-alpha by immunological activation and to transcribe and release TNF-alpha by substance P.
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PMID:Human skin mast cells produce TNF-alpha by substance P. 975 97

Similar to interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-5, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-4 can be secreted by several cell types involved in allergic inflammatory reactions, and therefore can affect eosinophil function similarly. In this study, we investigated the presence of an IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) on human eosinophils. When two different monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the IL-4R alpha-chain (IL-4Ralpha) were used, fluorescent-activated cell sorter analysis revealed the presence of an IL-4Ralpha on both eosinophils of normal donors and atopic dermatitis patients. In addition, the expression of the IL-2R gamma-chain, a functional component of the IL-4R in some cell types, was demonstrated. The IL-4Ralpha appeared to be expressed constitutively, and stimulation with cytokines IL-2, IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF, and interferon-gamma did not further increase IL-4Ralpha expression. Evidence for an IL-4Ralpha was further substantiated by mRNA analysis. Both Northern blot analysis and reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of mRNA for the IL-4Ralpha in eosinophils from normal individuals and AD patients. Furthermore, we demonstrated that both IL-4 and IL-13 were capable of inducing PI-3 kinase activity in human eosinophils. Because this activation could be inhibited by an IL-4Ralpha mAb, we conclude that both cytokines can activate human eosinophils through binding to a receptor complex comprising the IL-4Ralpha and-yet to be identified-associated proteins. In addition, the involvement of IL-4 in functional responses was studied. IL-4 appeared to "prime" eosinophils to respond chemotactically toward regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted, but did not affect platelet-activating factor-induced chemotaxis. Taken together, these data show the presence of a functional IL-4R on human eosinophils.
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PMID:Human eosinophils constitutively express a functional interleukin-4 receptor: interleukin-4 -induced priming of chemotactic responses and induction of PI-3 kinase activity. 976 67

The expression of cytokine mRNAs in tumor tissue, normal mucosa, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was studied in 12 patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgical resection, to characterize local immune conditions. mRNA transcripts for interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-2, IL-2-R(p55), IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 were detected using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. IL-6 mRNA was expressed in tumor tissue in 83% of the cases but only in one case in normal mucosa (p < 0.001); serum levels of IL-6 did not show any correlation with IL-6 mRNA; IL-1 beta transcripts were present in all tumor tissue samples; no IL-4 expression was detected; IL-2 mRNA was only present in two tumors; IL-2R(p55) mRNA was found in 58% of tumors but not in normal mucosae (p = 0.005). The expression of IL-10 suggests that it does not play a central role in colorectal cancer immunosuppression, and cytokine expression in PBMCs indicates a different and independent activation. This study suggests a pattern of expression of inflammatory cytokines in the tumor microenvironment, probably produced by infiltrating immune cells. The absence of the specific immune-activating cytokines, IL-2 and IL-4, could indicate an impairment of the anticancer immune response; IL-2R results confirm the dysregulation of the IL-2/IL-2R activation pathway. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the role of cytokines and especially IL-6 at the tumor site and hence their importance in developing an effective immunotherapy.
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PMID:Local expression of cytokines in human colorectal carcinoma: evidence of specific interleukin-6 gene expression. 992 96

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a genetic disorder of NADPH oxidase in which phagocytes are defective in generating reactive oxidants. CGD patients suffer from recurrent infections and exuberant and persistent tissue granuloma formation. We hypothesized that abnormal granulomata in CGD may result from aberrant T-cell-mediated cytokine responses. To assess Th-1-type cytokine responses and granulomata, we challenged p47(phox-/-) and wild-type mice with avirulent (SmD) or virulent (SmT) variants of Mycobacterium avium 2-151. To assess Th-2-type cytokine responses and granulomata, we used Schistosoma mansoni eggs (SME). Mononuclear cells were harvested, and cytokine responses were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or reverse transcriptase PCR. Following SmD or SmT challenge, splenocytes from p47(phox-/-) and wild-type mice generated similar polar Th-1 responses (increased levels of gamma interferon and basal levels of interleukin 4 [IL-4] and IL-5). By 8 weeks after SmT challenge, exuberant splenic granulomata developed in p47(phox-/-) and wild-type mice. After SME challenge, thoracic lymph node mononuclear cells from p47(phox-/-) and wild-type mice generated similar mixed Th-1 and Th-2 cytokine responses to SME antigen and concanavalin A. Peak lung granuloma sizes and rates of regression were similar in p47(phox-/-) and wild-type mice. These results suggest that exuberant granulomatous inflammation in CGD is probably not the result of skewing of T-cell responses toward the Th-1 or Th-2 pole. Appropriate regression of established tissue granulomata in p47(phox-/-) mice challenged with SME suggests that abnormal granuloma formation in CGD is stimulus dependent and is not an invariant feature of the disease.
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PMID:The p47(phox-/-) mouse model of chronic granulomatous disease has normal granuloma formation and cytokine responses to Mycobacterium avium and Schistosoma mansoni eggs. 1008


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