[The transcription levels of linker for activation of T cell and its upstream regulatory factors in T cells of asthmatic patients].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the mRNA expression of the linker for activation of T cell (LAT) and its upstream regulatory factors (Syk, Lck and ZAP-70) in the peripheral blood T cells of asthmatic patients.


METHODS
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of LAT and its upstream regulatory factors (Syk, Lck and ZAP-70) in 20 asthmatic patients and 20 nonallergic subjects. The results of LAT transcription level were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR Results were expressed as x +/- s. Differences between groups were assessed for significance by t test.


RESULTS
Compared with nonallergic subjects, a significant decrease of mRNA expression of LAT gene was observed in T cells of asthmatic patients (0.54 +/- 0.14 vs 0.72 +/- 0.17, t = 3.11, P <0.01), which was verified by real-time RT-PCR (0.0065 +/- 0.0066 vs 0.0124 +/- 0.0045, t =0.0022, P <0.01). The Lck and ZAP-70 gene transcription levels were significantly up-regulated (Lck: 0.71 +/- 0.16 vs 0.53 +/- 0.17, t = 3.18, P<0.01; ZAP-70: 1.05 +/- 0.41 vs 0.82 +/- 0.27, t = 2.10, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A significant decrease of mRNA expression of LAT gene in T cells of asthmatic patients may be due to the up-regulation of its upstream regulatory factors (Lck and ZAP-70). The abnormal mRNA expression of LAT, Lck and ZAP-70 genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Guo
Xue-Jun
XJ
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200092, China.
Li
Jian
J
Ni
Pei-Hua
PH
Ren
Lian-Ping
LP
Xu
Wei-Guo
WG
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019860:Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck) / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D055815:Young Adult; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism*
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C110810:LAT protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D019860:Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck); D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase; C497261:ZAP70 protein, human