title: Identification of DC21 as a novel target gene counter-regulated by IL-12 and IL-4.
abstract: The Th1 vs. Th2 balance is critical for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Therefore, the genes that are selectively-regulated by the Th1 and Th2 cytokines are likely to play an important role in the Th1 and Th2 immune responses. In order to search for and identify the novel target genes that are differentially regulated by the Th1/Th2 cytokines, the human PBMC mRNAs differentially expressed upon the stimulation with IL-4 or IL-12, were screened by employing the differential display polymerase chain reaction. Among a number of clones selected, DC21 was identified as a novel target gene that is regulated by IL-4 and IL-12. The DC21 gene expression was up-regulated either by IL-4 or IL-12, yet counterregulated by co-treatment with IL-4 and IL-12. DC21 is a dendritic cell protein with an unknown function. The sequence analysis and conserved-domain search revealed that it has two AU-rich motifs in the 3'UTR, which is a target site for the regulation of mRNA stability by cytokines, and that it belongs to the N-acetyltransferase family. The induction of DC21 by IL-12 peaked around 8-12 h, and lasted until 24 h. LY294002 and SB203580 significantly suppressed the IL-12-induced DC21 gene expression, which implies that PI3K and p38/JNK are involved in the IL-12 signal transduction pathway that leads to the DC21 expression. Furthermore, tissue blot data indicated that DC21 is highly expressed in tissues with specialized-resident macrophages, such as the lung, liver, kidney, and placenta. Together, these data suggest a possible role for DC21 in the differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells regulated by IL-4 and IL-12.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, SungKyunKwan University, Suwon 440-746, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Ah
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Ji-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Choong-Eun
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000123:Acetyltransferases; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002867:Chromones / Q000494:pharmacology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000099228:Diamine N-Acetyltransferase
chemical_list: D000123:Acetyltransferases; D002867:Chromones; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007093:Imidazoles; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D009025:Morpholines; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D011506:Proteins; D011725:Pyridines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000099228:Diamine N-Acetyltransferase; C085911:2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one; C093642:SB 203580