title: Upregulation of alpha-synuclein by lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-1 in human macrophages.
abstract: Alpha-synuclein was originally identified as the presynaptic nerve terminal protein. Recently, we reported that alpha-synuclein is also expressed in cultured human astrocytes and that its levels are increased by stimulation with interleukin-1beta, suggesting that it may be involved in inflammatory processes. We therefore investigated the effect of inflammatory stimuli on alpha-synuclein expression in human macrophages. Alpha-synuclein mRNA and protein were detected in cultured human macrophages and levels of alpha-synuclein protein were increased by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and interleukin-1beta in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Immunofluorescent staining showed that alpha-synuclein protein was expressed within the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, alpha-synuclein immunoreactivity was present in alveolar macrophages from human lung tissues. These findings suggest that the function of alpha-synuclein is not exclusive to the nervous system and that alpha-synuclein may play a role in inflammatory processes and immune responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Brain Science, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan. kunikazu@cc.hirosaki-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kunikazu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanji
authors.forename: Fumiaki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Tadaatsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imaizumi
authors.forename: Hidemi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Tomoh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsumiya
authors.forename: Wakako
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tamo
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshimoto
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Odagiri
authors.forename: Mutsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Satoh
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wakabayashi
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051843:Synucleins; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C497604:SNCA protein, human; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein