Activation of telomerase is induced by a natural antigen in allergen-specific memory T lymphocytes in bronchial asthma.
The function of the immune system is known to be dependent on the cellular differentiation and clonal expansion of allergen-specific lymphocytes. Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein enzyme, is believed to be essential for the indefinite proliferation of human cells. To clarify whether telomerase is involved in the pathogenesis of immune diseases as well as of malignancies, we investigated the upregulation of telomerase activity in allergen-specific T lymphocytes. Upregulation of telomerase in allergen-sensitized lymphocytes was induced not only by artificial mitogenic stimulations but also by the natural antigen, house dust mite, which causes allergic diseases. Moreover, the upregulation of telomerase activity in memory T cells activated during allergen-specific immune responses might be associated with the enduring allergen-specific atopic propensity in asthmatics.
Haruta
Y
Y
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
Hiyama
K
K
Ishioka
S
S
Hozawa
S
S
Maeda
H
H
Yamakido
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D019098:Telomerase