RNA editing of interleukin-12 receptor beta2, 2451 C-to-U (Ala 604 Val) conversion, associated with atopy.
BACKGROUND
The production of IgE in B lymphocytes is down-regulated by IFN-gamma. IL-12 induces IFN-gamma production by T lymphocytes and natural killer cells by binding to its specific receptor. RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification.


OBJECTIVE
Here we show that the RNA editing of IL-12 receptor (R) beta2 is associated with atopy.


METHODS
Atopic patients and non-atopic healthy controls were studied. Fragments of IL-12R beta2 cDNA and genomic DNA were amplified and sequenced. Furthermore, the function of the IL-12R beta2 chain was investigated.


RESULTS
Sequence analysis of the cDNA clones representing IL-12R beta2 mRNA transcripts revealed a C-to-U conversion at nucleotide 2451 (Ala 604 Val) on exon 13 in some atopic patients. Surprisingly, sequence analysis of their genomic DNA showed no 2451 C-to-T (Ala 604 Val) mutation. We concluded that the observed C-to-U mismatch in the cDNA clone is due to a post-transcriptional modification, RNA editing. The C-to-U conversion was observed in 21 (20.6%) of 102 atopic patients, whereas this conversion was observed in only 4 (3.8%) of 104 non-atopic subjects (P<0.001). IFN-gamma production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with IL-12 in the subjects with the C-to-U conversion was significantly lower than that in the subjects without the C-to-U conversion. In atopic patients with the C-to-U conversion, PBMCs faintly showed the tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat4, and the IgE production by PBMCs was not suppressed by IL-12 whereas it was suppressed by IFN-gamma.


CONCLUSIONS
The RNA editing of IL-12R beta2, 2451 C-to-U (Ala 604 Val) conversion causes impairment of the IL-12 signal cascade and the subsequent reduction in IFN-gamma production, resulting in the impaired down-regulation of IgE production. This is the first report indicating that atopy is associated with RNA editing.
Kondo
N
N
Department of Pediatrics, Gifu University School of Medicine, Tsukasa-machi 40, Gifu 500-8705, Japan. nkondo@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp
Matsui
E
E
Kaneko
H
H
Aoki
M
M
Kato
Z
Z
Fukao
T
T
Kasahara
K
K
Morimoto
N
N
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D015536:Down-Regulation; D018274:Electroporation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005785:Gene Conversion; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology; D017393:RNA Editing; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000235:genetics*; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
C508439:IL12RB2 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma