Research from Kyushu University, Medical Institute of Bioregulation in the area of antisense technology published
2007 NOV 20 -- Current study results from the report, 'Ifi202, an IFN-inducible candidate gene for lupus susceptibility in NZB/W F1 mice, is a positive regulator for NF-kappaB activation in dendritic cells,' have been published. "Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies and lupus nephritis. The [New Zealand black (NZB) x New Zealand white (NZW)]F1 (BWF1) mouse has been recognized as an important animal model of human SLE," researchers in Fukuoka, Japan report. "The T(h)1-prone phenotype of BWF1 mice has been shown to contribute to the development of the lupus. However, the molecular basis for T(h)1 skewing in BWF1 mice has not been clarified. We noticed that IL-6, IL-12 and other proinflammatory cytokines as well as IkappaB-zeta induction were higher in mature bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) from NZB and BWF1 mice than those from NZW mice. The expression of an IFN-inducible gene Ifi202, a candidate gene for lupus, was almost undetectable in NZW BMDCs. Thus, we hypothesized that Ifi202 is involved in elevated IL-12 production from BWF1 BMDCs. Overexpression of Ifi202 enhanced the LPS-induced IkappaB-zeta, IL-12p40 and NF-kappaB promoter activities, while anti-sense (AS) RNA against Ifi202 strongly suppressed them in a monocytic cell line, RAW 264.7. Furthermore, overexpression of Ifi202 enhanced LPS-induced IL-12p40 and IkappaB-zeta mRNA induction while Ifi202 AS RNA suppressed these in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, forced expression of Ifi202 enhanced IL-12p40 mRNA induction in NZW BMDCs," wrote M. Yamauchi and colleagues, Kyushu University, Medical Institute of Bioregulation. The researchers concluded: "Thus, Ifi202 is an important NF-kappaB activator in DCs and involved in IL-12 production, which may account for a T(h)1-prone phenotype of BWF1 mice." Yamauchi and colleagues published their study in International Immunology (Ifi202, an IFN-inducible candidate gene for lupus susceptibility in NZB/W F1 mice, is a positive regulator for NF-kappaB activation in dendritic cells. International Immunology, 2007;19(8):935-42). For additional information, contact M. Yamauchi, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. Publisher contact information for the journal International Immunology is: Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon St., Oxford OX2 6DP, England. Keywords: Japan, Fukuoka, Antisense Technology, Biotechnology, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Lupus. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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