title: The role of Qa-2, the functional homolog of HLA-G, in a Behcet's disease-like mouse model induced by the herpes virus simplex.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been suggested that the HLA-G molecule is a genetic risk factor for Behcet's disease (BD). In this study, we evaluated the level of Qa-2, a murine nonclassical class I MHC molecule and possible functional homolog of HLA-G, to determine if it was associated with various symptoms of BD-like mice. In addition, we investigated siRNA (small interfering RNA) treatment to determine if it inhibited Qa-2 expression, thereby changing the symptoms of mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  RNA interference (RNAi) and vector transfection were employed to manipulate gene expression in vivo in mice. siRNA (small interfering RNA) or Qa-2 expression vector was applied to inhibit or up-regulate Qa-2 expression, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Qa-2 levels in granulocytes were lower in BD-like mice than in normal controls. The silencing of Qa-2 by intravenous injection of siRNA (500 nmol/mouse, 4 times at 3-day intervals) specifically reduced the Qa-2 levels and worsened the BD-like symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Silencing Qa-2 by injecting siRNA into mice resulted in deterioration of symptoms in BD-like mice.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ajou University Institute for Medical Sciences, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Meeyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ajou University Institute for Medical Sciences, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Bunsoon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ajou University Institute for Medical Sciences, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyuk Jae
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ajou University Institute for Medical Sciences, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Ju A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Sungshin University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Sook
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-So
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ajou University Institute for Medical Sciences, Suwon, Korea.|Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seonghyang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sohn