title: LST1 and NCR3 expression in autoimmune inflammation and in response to IFN-gamma, LPS and microbial infection.
abstract: Many genes in the central region of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encode proteins involved in immune and inflammatory responses. In this study, we have further characterized two genes in the MHC class IV region, leucocyte-specific transcript (LST) 1 and natural cytotoxicity-triggering receptor 3 (NCR3) (also known as 1C7 and natural killer (NK)p30). The specific function of LST1 is not known, although expression analysis and functional data suggest an immunomodulatory role. The LST1 gene undergoes extensive alternative splicing, giving rise to both membrane-bound (encoded by exon 3) and soluble isoforms. The NCR3 protein is involved in NK-mediated cytotoxicity and plays a role in NK/dendritic cell crosstalk. Expression of these genes was examined, by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, in autoimmune-induced inflammation, specifically rheumatoid-arthritis-affected blood and synovium, and in response to stimulation with inflammatory mediators and bacterial agents. The expression of LST1, specifically splice variants encoding soluble isoforms and NCR3, was increased in rheumatoid-arthritis-affected blood and synovium and was associated with more severe inflammation in the synovium. Furthermore, both genes were significantly up-regulated in response to lipopolysaccharide, interferon (IFN)-gamma and bacterial infection. These findings suggest that NCR3 and soluble isoforms of LST1 may play a role in inflammatory and infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: BIOMERIT Research Centre, Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mulcahy
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Molloy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: O'Gara
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001483:Base Sequence; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D020298:U937 Cells
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C093604:LST1 protein, human; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C431710:NCR3 protein, human; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma