title: T-helper Cell Type-1 Transcription Factor T-Bet Is Down-regulated in Type 1 Diabetes.
abstract: T cells have been identified as key players in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. However, the exact role of T-cell subpopulations in this pathway is presently unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the expression pattern of two lineage-specifying transcription factors GATA-3 and T-bet, which are important in T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cell development, respectively. Gene expression analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was performed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Plasma levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were also determined by ELISA. T-bet and IFN-γ gene expression was significantly lower in patients group compared with healthy controls (p<0.05). The expression of GATA-3 was relatively similar in patients and controls; however, IL-4 mRNAs were significantly increased in the PBMCs from patients as compared with normal controls (p<0.05). In addition, a marked increase in plasma IL-4 levels were observed in patient group compared with controls (p<0.001). To the contrary, IFN-γ protein levels were decreased in patients in comparison with controls (p<0.001). These data suggest additional implications of the role of Th1/Th2 imbalance for the immunopathogenesis of type 1 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.
authors.forename: Hajar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vaseghi
authors.affiliation: National  Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sanati
authors.affiliation: Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jadali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor
chemical_list: D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494749:GATA3 protein, human; C573415:IFNG protein, human; C508598:IL4 protein, human; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: Autoimmunity; Cytokine; T lymphocyte; Type 1 diabetes