title: Alternative spliced CD1d transcripts in human bronchial epithelial cells.
abstract: CD1d is a MHC I like molecule which presents glycolipid to natural killer T (NKT) cells, a group of cells with diverse but critical immune regulatory functions in the immune system. These cells are required for optimal defence against bacterial, viral, protozoan, and fungal infections, and control of immune-pathology and autoimmune diseases. CD1d is expressed on antigen presenting cells but also found on some non-haematopoietic cells. However, it has not been observed on bronchial epithelium, a site of active host defence in the lungs. Here, we identify for the first time, CD1D mRNA variants and CD1d protein expression on human bronchial epithelial cells, describe six alternatively spliced transcripts of this gene in these cells; and show that these variants are specific to epithelial cells. These findings provide the basis for investigations into a role for CD1d in lung mucosal immunity.
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kambez Hajipouran
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Benam
authors.forename: Wai Ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Kok
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: McMichael
authors.forename: Ling-Pei
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing / Q000235:genetics*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D055610:Antigens, CD1d / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; C526877:CD1D protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger