Regulation of MHC class II expression by interferon-gamma mediated by the transactivator gene CIITA.
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes are expressed constitutively in only a few cell types, but they can be induced in the majority of them, in particular by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The MHC class II transactivator gene CIITA is defective in a form of primary MHC class II deficiency. Here it is shown that CIITA expression is controlled and induced by IFN-gamma. A functional CIITA gene is necessary for class II induction, and transfection of CIITA is sufficient to activate expression of MHC class II genes in class II-negative cells in the absence of IFN-gamma. CIITA is therefore a general regulator of both inducible and constitutive MHC class II expression.
Steimle
V
V
Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Geneva Medical School, Switzerland.
Siegrist
C A
CA
Mottet
A
A
Lisowska-Grospierre
B
B
Mach
B
B
D002460:Cell Line; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16; D005347:Fibroblasts; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; C083728:MHC class II transactivator protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015534:Trans-Activators; D007371:Interferon-gamma