title: The ligands of Numb proteins X1 and X2 are specific markers  for chronic Q fever.
abstract: Q fever is a disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, an obligate intracellular bacterium. Acute Q fever is spontaneously resolutive and is characterized by an efficient immune response. In contrast, chronic Q fever is characterized by dysregulated immune response, as demonstrated by the failure of C. burnetii to induce lymphoproliferation and the lack of granulomas. Recently, it has been demonstrated that when co-expressed in heterologous mammalian cell lines, the ligands of Numb proteins X1 and X2 (LNX1 and LNX2) regulate the level of the T-cell co-receptor CD8, which plays an essential role in T-cell-mediated immune response. We decided to investigate the expression of LNX1 and LNX2 genes in patients with acute or chronic Q fever. Interestingly, we found a high level of LNX1 and LNX2 mRNAs in endocarditis, the principal manifestation of chronic Q fever, but not in acute Q fever. Our data suggest that LNXs may be used as complementary biomarkers to follow the prognosis of chronic Q fever.
authors: URMITE, CNRS UMR 6236-IRD 198, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille Cedex, France.
authors: Vikram
authors: V
authors: Mehraj
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Boucherit
authors: Amira
authors: A
authors: Ben Amara
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Capo
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Bonatti
authors: Jean-Louis
authors: JL
authors: Mege
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Mottola
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Ghigo
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011778:Q Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; C570847:LNX2 protein, human; C484733:LNX1 protein, human