Gene expression profile of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and their receptors in human and nonhuman primates.
BACKGROUND
To date comparative knowledge concerning gene expression profiles of T-helper 1(Th1)/Th2 cytokines and their receptors between human and non-human primates is scarce.


METHODS
We assessed the gene expression level of both Th1 [interleukin-4(IL-4)] and Th2 [IL-12, interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma)] cytokines and the receptors (IL-4Ralpha, IFN-gammaR1, IFN-gammaR2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from humans, chimpanzee, baboon, and macaque by a quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).


RESULTS
The expression level of the IFN-gamma gene was markedly lower in humans than that in non-human primates. The IL-4 gene expression was significantly higher, whereas that of IL-12 was distinctly lower, in human/chimpanzee than in baboon/macaque. The IFN-gammaR2 gene expression was especially higher in the macaque than in the other three primates.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate distinct gene expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines and their receptors in primates. These also suggest characteristic differences in Th1/Th2 immune responses affecting host defense and/or disease susceptibility among these primates.
Jeong
A Ram
AR
Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan.
Nakamura
Shin
S
Mitsunaga
Fusako
F
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008252:Macaca fascicularis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D010215:Papio / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger