title: Functional expression of the TrkC gene, encoding a high affinity receptor for NT-3, in antigen-specific T helper type 2 (Th2) cells.
abstract: Neurotrophins, including nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are essential factors for the development of the nervous system. In this report, we demonstrate gene expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells induced from naïve CD4+ CD45RB+ T cells of ovalbumin-specific DO11.10 T cell receptor transgenic mice. Interestingly, the TrkC gene, which encodes a high affinity receptor for NT-3, was expressed in Th2 cells, but not in Th1 and naïve CD4+ T cells. Expression of the TrkC gene was markedly augmented by addition of anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody (mAb) into the culture, whereas it was blocked by anti-IL-4 mAb. Moreover, NT-3 synergistically enhanced anti-CD3 mAb-induced IL-4 production by Th2 cells, but did not affect IFN-gamma production by Th1 cells. These data suggest that NT-3, through its receptor TrkC, plays a critical role in regulating the Th1/Th2 balance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunoregulation, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15, Nishi-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0815, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sekimoto
authors.forename: Takemasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Jyunko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chamoto
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koda
authors.forename: Kiyomitsu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.forename: Masakuni
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Degawa
authors.forename: Shin-ichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishimura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D020933:Neurotrophin 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D020812:Receptor, trkC / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017252:CD3 Complex; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020812:Receptor, trkC