Lck mediates Th2 differentiation through effects on T-bet and GATA-3.
J Immunol. 2010 Apr 15;184(8):4178-84
Authors: Kemp KL, Levin SD, Bryce PJ, Stein PL
The Src family kinase Lck has been shown to be crucial in T cell signaling and development. However, its role in Th effector functions is not well understood. Lck has previously been shown to play a role in the cytokine expression of Th2 cells, but the mechanism by which Lck influences Th2 effector functions is unknown. Using a mouse model, we report that Lck is important in regulating the expression of IL-4 in Th2 skewed cells but is not as necessary for the expression of Th2 cytokines IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13. Furthermore, in the absence of Lck, T-bet and GATA-3 expression is aberrant. Moreover, this atypical expression pattern of T-bet and GATA-3 correlates with increased histone 3 acetylation at the Ifng locus and production of the Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma. We find overexpression of GATA-3 restores IL-4 expression in lck(-/-) Th2 cells; this indicates that the decreased IL-4 expression is due in part to reduced amounts of GATA-3. Taken together, these data imply that Lck mediates Th2 differentiation through effects on T-bet and GATA-3.
20237292
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Expression of interleukin 1-like cytokine interleukin 33 and its receptor complex (ST2L and IL1RAcP) in human pancreatic myofibroblasts.
Gut. 2010 Apr;59(4):531-41
Authors: Nishida A, Andoh A, Imaeda H, Inatomi O, Shiomi H, Fujiyama Y
OBJECTIVE: Interleukin 33 (IL33) is a cytokine belonging to the IL1 family and it binds to a complex of the ST2L/IL1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAcP). To define the role of IL33 in fibrogenesis of the pancreas, the expression of IL33, ST2L and IL1RAcP was examined in chronic pancreatitis tissues. The effects of IL33 on the functions of human pancreatic myofibroblasts were also investigated. METHODS: Tissue samples were obtained surgically. The expression of IL33, ST2L and IL1RAcP was evaluated by standard immunohistochemical procedures. Messenger RNA expression for IL33, ST2L and IL1RAcP was analysed by northern blotting and real-time PCR analyses, and protein expression was assessed by western blotting and ELISA. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by a (3)H-thymidine incorporation assay and the modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively. RESULTS: IL33, ST2L and IL1RAcP were expressed by alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts in the fibrosis of chronic pancreatitis. In human pancreatic myofibroblasts, IL33 was weakly immunoexpressed without any stimuli, and this was markedly enhanced by IL1beta, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent AP-1 activation pathway. ST2L mRNA was weakly detected in unstimulated cells, and IL4 and interferon gamma (IFNgamma) strongly enhanced ST2L expression via STAT6 and STAT1 signalling, respectively. IL33 rapidly induced the phosphorylation of MAPKs and IkappaBalpha, and enhanced the expression of inflammatory mediators (IL6, IL8, IP-10, Gro-alpha, Gro-beta and MCP-1) in IL4- or IFNgamma-pretreated cells. IL33 stimulated the proliferation and migration of pancreatic myofibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: IL33 and its receptor complex (ST2L and IL1RAcP) constitute a novel signalling system which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis.
19996325
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Vitamin D: a pleiotropic hormone.
Kidney Int. 2010 Feb 24;
Authors: Verstuyf A, Carmeliet G, Bouillon R, Mathieu C
The secosteroid hormone 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) is the natural ligand for the vitamin D receptor, a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Upon binding of the ligand, the vitamin D receptor heterodimerizes with the retinoid X receptor and binds to vitamin D response elements in the promoter region of target genes to induce/repress their expression. The target genes that have been identified so far are heterogeneous in nature and reflect the great spectrum of biological activities of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Within the last two decades, the receptor has been shown to be present not only in classical target tissues such as bone, kidney, and intestine, but also in many other nonclassical tissues, for example, in the immune system (T and B cells, macrophages, and monocytes), in the reproductive system (uterus, testis, ovary, prostate, placenta, and mammary glands), in the endocrine system (pancreas, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal cortex), in muscles (skeletal, smooth, and heart muscles), and in brain, skin, and liver. Besides the almost universal presence of vitamin D receptors, different cell types (for example, keratinocytes, monocytes, bone, placenta) are capable of metabolizing 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) by the enzyme 25(OH)D(3)-1alpha-hydroxylase, encoded by CYP27B1. The combined presence of CYP27B1 and the specific receptor in several tissues introduced the idea of a paracrine/autocrine role for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Moreover, it has been demonstrated that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) can induce differentiation and inhibit proliferation of normal and malignant cells. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk for nearly all major human diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. In addition to the treatment of bone disorders with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), these newly discovered functions open perspectives for the use of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) as an immune modulator (for example, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or prevention of graft rejection), inhibitor of cell proliferation, and inducer of cell differentiation (cancer).Kidney International advance online publication, 24 February 2010; doi:10.1038/ki.2010.17.
20182414
Here is the original:
Vitamin D: a pleiotropic hormone.
