Neural adrenergic/cyclic AMP regulation of the immunoglobulin E receptor alpha-subunit expression in the mammalian pinealocyte: a neuroendocrine/immune response link?
The high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (FcepsilonRI) complex is dedicated to immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic responses. Expression of the FcepsilonRI receptor is thought to be relatively stable and limited to mast cells, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes, Langerhans cells, platelets, and neutrophils. We now report that the FcepsilonRIalpha and FcepsilonRIgamma polypeptides are expressed in the pinealocyte, the melatonin-secreting cell of the pineal gland. Moreover, Fcer1a mRNA levels increased approximately 100-fold at night to levels that were higher than in other tissues examined. Pineal FcepsilonRIalpha protein also increased markedly at night from nearly undetectable daytime levels. Our studies indicate that pineal Fcer1a mRNA levels are controlled by a well described neural pathway that controls pineal function. This pathway includes the master circadian oscillator in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and passes through central and peripheral structures. The circadian expression of FcepsilonRIalpha in the pineal gland is driven by this neural circuit via an adrenergic/cyclic AMP mechanism. Pineal FcepsilonRIalpha and FcepsilonRIgamma may represent a previously unrealized molecular link between the neuroendocrine and immune systems.
Ganguly
Surajit
S
Section on Neuroendocrinology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Grodzki
Cristina
C
Sugden
David
D
Møller
Morten
M
Odom
Sandra
S
Gaildrat
Pascaline
P
Gery
Igal
I
Siraganian
Reuben P
RP
Rivera
Juan
J
Klein
David C
DC
D018663:Adrenergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
D018663:Adrenergic Agents; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D000242:Cyclic AMP