Modulation of bullous pemphigoid antigen gene expression by gamma-interferon in cultured keratinocytes.
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is characterized by the production of autoantibodies against BP antigens. gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN), a T-cell lymphokine, is known to enhance the expression of several cell-surface proteins. In this study, keratinocytes were cultured in the presence of gamma-IFN, the expression of BP antigen protein was examined by flow cytometry and BP antigen messenger RNA (mRNA) (encoding 230-kDa protein) was quantified by slot-blot hybridization. The results indicated that BP antigen gene expression by keratinocytes was upregulated by gamma-IFN. This enhancement of gene expression was detected at both the protein and mRNA level, suggesting pretranslational regulation. These results imply the involvement of not only humoral immunity but also cell-mediated immunity in the development of BP.
Sugita
Y
Y
Department of Dermatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Nagatani
T
T
Ikezawa
Z
Z
Nomura
K
K
Watanabe
Y
Y
Uitto
J
J
Nakajima
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000235:genetics; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007371:Interferon-gamma