title: Single-cell analysis of Ets-1 transcription factor expression during lymphocyte activation and apoptosis.
abstract: The Ets-1 proto-oncogene is a prototype member of Ets family of transcription factors. It is preferentially expressed in lymphoid cells, where it is essential for the maintenance of the normal pool of resting T and B cells. We have investigated the protein expression of the Ets-1 transcription factor during the activation and apoptosis of T and B cells by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Cells of the thymus, spleen and bursa expressed high levels of Ets-1 protein, while resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells had lower Ets-1 expression. Activation and proliferation of T cells induced the upregulation of Ets-1. alphabeta-T cells were found to upregulate Ets-1 expression more than gammadelta-T cells. Increased Ets-1 protein expression was located predominantly in the perinuclear area. In contrast, during apoptosis, Ets-1 expression was downregulated. Collectively, our results indicate that Ets-1 expression can be accurately determined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Ets-1 expression level and distribution are differentially controlled in resting, activated and apoptotic lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Turku Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. kimmo.koskela@utu.fi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koskela
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lassila
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002060:Bursa of Fabricius / Q000166:cytology; D002645:Chickens; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D050783:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D050783:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets; D014157:Transcription Factors