title: Identification of genes predominantly expressed in human macrophages.
abstract: Identification of cell and tissue specific genes may provide novel insights to signaling systems and functions. Macrophages play a key role in many diseases including atherosclerosis. Using DNA microarrays we compared the expression of approximately 10,000 genes in 56 human tissues and identified 23 genes with predominant expression in macrophages. The identified genes include both genes known to be macrophage specific and genes previously not well described in this cell type. Tissue distribution of two genes, liver X receptor (LXR) alpha and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN), was verified by real-time RT-PCR. We conclude that comparison of expression profiles from a large number of tissues can be used to identify genes that are predominantly expressed in certain tissues. Identification of novel macrophage specific genes may increase our understanding of the role of this cell in different diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Research Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vita Stråket 12, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, S-41345 Göteborg, Sweden. per-arne.svensson@medic.gu.se
authors.forename: Per-Arne
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hägg
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jernås
authors.forename: Mikael C O
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Englund
authors.forename: Lillemor Mattsson
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hulten
authors.forename: Bertil G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Ohlsson
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hulthe
authors.forename: Olov
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wiklund
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fagerberg
authors.forename: Lena M S
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Carlsson
mesh_terms: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics*; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; C000605213:NR1H3 protein, human; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins