No association between transmembrane protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C (CD45) exon A point mutation (77C>G) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

To investigate whether a 77C>G polymorphism in exon A of the CD45 gene causing a variant CD45RA expression pattern is associated with the development of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), we studied a total of 414 individuals (104 patients and 310 controls). CD45RA expression pattern on lymphocytes was examined by flow cytometric analysis and subsequently the CD45 77C>G polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-allele specific restriction enzyme analysis (PCR-ASRA). We found 5 patients and 8 control individuals displaying the variant CD45RA expression pattern. All identified individuals carried the heterozygous CD45 77C>G polymorphism. The frequency of the 77G allele in the patient group was 2.4%, which was not significantly different from 1.3% found in the control group (p=0.327). In conclusion, the data of this preliminary study could not reveal any association between the CD45 77C>G polymorphism and susceptibility to idiopathic DCM in a German population.     

Altered CD45 isoform expression in C77G carriers influences cytokine responsiveness and adhesion properties of T cells

The C77G polymorphism in exon A of the human CD45 gene occurs with low frequency in healthy individuals. An enhanced frequency of C77G individuals has been reported in cohorts of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, systemic sclerosis, autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1. C77G individuals overexpress CD45RA isoforms on activated/memory T cells. We have shown previously that aberrant expression of CD45RA isoforms enhances the intensity of T cell receptor (TCR) signalling. Here we report that the C77G polymorphism also influences the responsiveness of T cells to cytokines and alters their adhesion properties. When stimulated by interleukin (IL)-2, C77G T cells proliferated more strongly than wild-type controls and showed accelerated phosphorylation of Janus kinase (Jak1). Furthermore, C77G T cells exhibited a higher tendency to form homotypic aggregates in culture which could be enhanced significantly by antibody-mediated triggering of the variant CD45RA molecules. These data indicate that the changes in CD45 isoform combination resulting from C77G may not only affect TCR signalling but also cytokine-driven T cell responses and cellular adhesion. Altered immune responsiveness may enhance susceptibility of C77G carriers for certain diseases.     

Unusual case presentations associated with the CD45 C77G polymorphism

CD45, the leucocyte common antigen, is a haematopoietic cell specific tyrosine phosphatase. Human polymorphic CD45 variants are associated with autoimmune and infectious diseases and alter the phenotype and function of lymphocytes, establishing CD45 as an important regulator of immune function. Here we report four patients with diverse diseases with unusual clinical features. All four have the C77G polymorphism of CD45 exon 4, which alters the splicing and CD45RA/CD45R0 phenotype of lymphocytes. We suggest that C77G may be a contributing factor in these unusual cases.     

PTPRC (CD45) variation and disease association studied using single nucleotide polymorphism tagging

CD45 is a haemopoietic tyrosine phosphatase, crucial for lymphocyte signalling. Two polymorphisms (C77G and A138G), which alter CD45 isoform expression, are associated with autoimmune and infectious diseases. Using HapMap data, we show that there is substantial linkage disequilibrium across the CD45 gene (PTPRC), with similar patterns in different populations. Employing a set of single nucleotide polymorphisms, correlated with a substantial proportion of variation across this gene, we tested for association with type 1 diabetes, Graves' disease in a Japanese population, hepatitis C in UK population and tuberculin response in a Chinese population. A limited number of common haplotypes was found. Most 138G alleles are present on only one haplotype, which is associated with Graves' disease, supporting previous data that A138G is a functionally important CD45 polymorphism.     

Phenotypical and biochemical characterization of a variant CD45R expression pattern in human leukocytes.

As a result of a regulatory polymorphism a variant pattern of CD45R expression can be found in 8% of healthy individuals. We have previously reported that all resting T cells of these individuals react with CD45RA monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that are directed to the high-molecular mass isoforms (220 and 205 kDa) of the leukocyte common antigen (CD45). In addition, their T cells remain CD45RA+ after in vitro activation. In this report we studied the regulatory CD45R polymorphism in more detail. Flow cytometry studies revealed that CD45RA antigens are weakly expressed on normal monocytes but are absent from granulocytes. In individuals displaying the variant CD45R pattern both monocytes and granulocytes were CD45RA+. In controls and variant T cells CD45RA mAb precipitated two chains with molecular masses of about 220 and 205 kDa. In activated T cells from controls (CD45RA-) neither p220 nor the p205 chain of CD45RA could be detected. However, activated T cells from variant individuals (CD45RA+) did not express p220 but expressed p205 of CD45RA. These data indicate that there is a failure to down-regulate p205 CD45RA in individuals displaying the variant CD45R expression pattern. Since their T cells lost p220 CD45RA during activation the data also suggest that the two isoforms detected by CD45RA mAb can be regulated independently.     

A point mutation in the human CD45 gene associated with defective splicing of exon A

CD45 is a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase involved in the regulation of lymphocyte activation. Different CD45 isoforms are generated by alternative splicing of three variable exons (A, B and C). The pattern of CD45 splicing depends upon cell type and state of activation. CD45RA isoforms (containing exon A-encoded sequences) can usually be found on a subset of resting T cells, but not on activated T cells. We have recently described a variant pattern of CD45RA expression which is characterized by continuous expression of CD45RA molecules on activated and memory T cells. Here, we demonstrate that this phenotype is associated with heterozygosity for a point mutation at nucleotide position 77 of exon A, leading to a C → G transition. This mutation does not change the protein sequence of the CD45RA isoform. We conclude that position 77 is part of a motif necessary for splicing of exon A, which supports the hypothesis that sequences within exons have significant effects on alternative splicing. The mutation of this motif might prevent binding of a transacting splice factor. In the heterozygous state, this mutation is not associated with impaired T cell reactivity. Functional consequences of the homozygous state remain to be elucidated.     

PTPRC (CD45) is not associated with multiple sclerosis in a large cohort of German patients

Background  

Since contradictory results have been reported, we reanalysed the 77C→G transition in exon 4 of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type C (PTPRC also known as CD45) in a large cohort of German MS patients and controls. Different isoforms of the protein are expressed, depending on alternative splicing of exons 4 (CD45RA), 5 (CD45RB) and 6 (CD45RC) (CD45RO, exons 4–6 spliced out). The 77C→G transition does not change the amino acid sequence, but it is probably part of a motif necessary for splicing leading to the isoform CD45RA. The expression of CD45RA is increased in 77C/G heterozygous individuals. The aim of the study was to clarify the importance of the PTPRC 77C→G transition in our German cohort of MS patients.     

Altered CD45 expression in C77G carriers influences immune function and outcome of hepatitis C infection

Background

A polymorphism in exon 4 (C77G) of CD45 that alters CD45 splicing has been associated with autoimmune and infectious diseases in humans.

Objective

To investigate the effect of C77G in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals and study the phenotype and function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy and hepatitis C infected C77G carriers.

Results

C77G individuals showed an increased proportion of primed CD45RA and effector memory CD8 T cells and more rapid activation of the lymphocyte specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck) following CD3 stimulation. Transgenic mice with CD45 expression mimicking that in human C77G variants had more activated/memory T cells, more rapid proliferative responses, and activation of Lck.

Conclusions

Changes in CD45 isoform expression can alter immune function in human C77G variants and CD45 transgenic mice. The C77G allele may influence the outcome of HCV infection.     

Homozygosity of the interleukin-10 receptor 1 G330R allele is associated with schizophrenia.

Infections of unknown origin and an altered immune response have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We have previously identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL-10 receptor 1 (IL-10R1) causing a substitution of glycine 330 to arginine (G330R) and of serine 138 to glycine (S138G). A possible association between these IL-10R1 variants and schizophrenia has been investigated in the present study. DNA of 101 unrelated Austrian patients with a DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) consensus diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 70) or schizoaffective disorder (n = 31) and DNA of 121 German schizophrenic patients (DSM-III-R) was analyzed for the presence of S138G and G330R by allele-specific multiplex PCRs. Data from patients were compared with 250 unrelated, psychiatric healthy controls. No difference in allele frequency was detected between patients and controls (G330R: 34.0% vs. 30.0%, P = 0.208; S138G: 19.7% vs. 16.6%, P = 0.235; by Fisher's exact test). However, there was a significant difference in genotype distribution (wt/wt, wt/mut, mut/mut) for G330R between patients (46.8%, 38.3%, 14.9%) and controls (47.6%, 44.8%, 7.6%; Fisher's test P = 0.032). No such difference was seen for S138G. Our results suggest that homozygosity of the IL-10R1 G330R allele is associated with schizophrenia and may contribute to the expression of disease phenotype in susceptible individuals.     

CD45 in memory and disease

CD45 (the leukocyte common antigen) is known to function as a tyrosine phosphatase in leukocyte signaling. Biochemical studies indicate that CD45 is involved in the regulation both of T cell receptor-associated kinases and Janus kinases that transmit signals from cytokine receptors. However, the function of the different isoforms of CD45 generated by complex alternative splicing, and indeed the role of the whole extracellular domain of the molecule, remain mysterious. Analysis of CD45 knock-outs and of transgenic mice expressing single CD45 isoforms, as well as the disease associations of human polymorphisms, is providing new insights into CD45 function. Accumulating data from these genetic and biochemical studies promises to elucidate the role of high and low molecular weight isoforms of CD45 in the function of na?ve and memory T lymphocytes.     

77 C/G mutation in the tyrosine phosphatase CD45 gene and autoimmune hepatitis: evidence for a genetic link

Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic immune-mediated disease characterized by a loss of tolerance against liver resident antigens. The genetic background of autoimmune hepatitis is considered to be polygenic. Here we analyzed the genetic association of the tyrosine phosphatase CD45 and autoimmune hepatitis. CD45 plays an important role in normal antigen receptor mediated signaling in T and B cells. A point mutation at nucleotide position 77 of the CD45 gene results in abnormal CD45 splicing. In this study a significantly higher frequency of the 77 C/G genotype was observed in 190 autoimmune hepatitis patients when compared to 210 healthy blood donors. Our data identify CD45 as a gene associated with AIH, and further substantiates the hypothesis that CD45 represents a modifier gene of human autoimmunity.     

Interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha single nucleotide gene polymorphism frequency in paracoccidioidomycosis

Allelic variants of cytokine genes seem to be involved in mechanisms of resistance or susceptibility to several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of genotypes with the tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-alpha gene polymorphism G/A at position -308 and the IL-10 gene polymorphism G/A at position -1082, and to verify a possible association of these polymorphisms with paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Genotyping was performed by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (ASPCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) on genomic DNA isolated of granulocytes from 54 PCM patients and 31 noninfected individuals. The analysis of SNP at position -1082 IL-10 showed a high frequency of GA genotype in both patients and controls (51% and 55%, respectively), while the allelic frequency showed 54% of G allele in the patients and 66% of A allele in the controls. The GG genotype was more frequent in patients (85%) and controls (68%) when we analyze the SNP at position -308 of TNF-alpha gene. Otherwise, 91% of PCM patients and 84% of noninfected individuals carried the G allele in -308 TNF-alpha SNP. Stimulation of cells from individuals with PCM phenotyped as A+ (GA or AA genotypes) presented elevation of TNF-alpha producing cells when compared with IL-10-producer cells. These findings reinforce the critical role of IL-10 and TNF-alpha in the paracoccidioidomycosis and can strongly suggest that the genetic screening of the -308G/A and -1082G/A polymorphisms may be a valid tool for identification of subjects needing a more appropriate therapy.     

Detection of restricted isoform expression and tyrosine phosphatase activity of CD45 in murine dendritic cells

CD45 is a cell surface transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase. It is expressed as distinct protein isoforms via alternative splicing of exons 4, 5 and 6. In T and B lymphocytes, CD45 is thought to play a critical role in antigen-dependent signaling through their respective antigen receptor complexes. However, the isoform expression and enzymatic activity of CD45 in other leukocytes remains largely unknown. Here, we examine the isoform expression and phosphatase activity of CD45 in murine dendritic cells (DC). Flow cytometric double-labeling analysis and biochemical analysis of purified splenic DC CD45 demonstrate that DC express both the CD45RB and CD45RO isoforms. Flow cytometric analyses of freshly isolated splenic DC and thymic DC also indicate the expression of CD45RB and CD45RO on these DC populations. In addition, we find that purified splenic DC CD45 possesses a high level of intrinsic tyrosine phosphatase activity. These data therefore establish the restricted isoform expression pattern of CD45 in murine DC and demonstrate that cells lacking specific antigen receptor complexes have active tyrosine phosphatase activity associated with CD45.     

TPH基因-G1066A位点遗传多态性与抑郁症相关性的研究

目的调查色氨酸羟化酶基因-G1066A位点的遗传多态性在中国北方抑郁症群体中的分布。方法采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析方法,检测140名对照个体和73名抑郁症患者的TPH基因-G1066A位点。结果TPH基因-G1066A位点在对照组中其等位基因A的频率为0.186,G为0.814;抑郁症患者中等位基因A频率为0.205,G为0.795。结论TPH基因-G1066A位点等位基因A在中国北方抑郁症群体中有较高频率的分布,提示等位基因A可能是抑郁症的易感基因。     

Allelic polymorphisms in the FcγRIIC gene can influence its function on normal human natural killer cells

Natural killer (NK) cells are important in host defense against viruses and tumors and can induce death of virally infected cells following engagement of cell surface receptors. Human NK cells express receptors for the Fc portion of IgG which stimulate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and induce cytokine production. We have shown that NK cells from certain individuals can express, in addition to CD16 (FcgammaRIIIa), isoforms of CD32 (FcgammaRIIc1-4). Expression of CD32 on NK cells is dependent on an allelic polymorphism of the FcgammaRIIC gene. We analyzed the expression and function of CD32 on NK cells from 31 normal donors. Fourteen of the 31 (45%) donors expressed CD32 on their NK cells. Molecular characterization of FcgammaRIIc isoforms expressed by the CD32+ donors revealed that the majority of donors expressed the FcgammaRIIc1 isoform. Interestingly, 3 of the 14 positive donors did not express FcgammaRIIc1, and we identified a novel isoform, FcgammaRIIc5, expressed by these individuals. The expression of this isoform was correlated to a second allelic polymorphism that controls exon splicing. One of the three was found to express FcgammaRIIb on the NK cells. Biochemical analysis revealed that CD32+ donors of both types expressed a 40-kDa protein, specifically immunoprecipitated by anti-CD32 monoclonal antibodies. Functionally, only individuals expressing the FcgammaRIIc1 isoform were able to trigger reverse antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity via CD32 whereas a CD32+ individual expressing the FcgammaRIIb isoform was unable to trigger this function. These results demonstrate that the presence of multiple allelic polymorphisms in the FcgammaRIIC gene determine the expression and function of CD32 on NK cells.     

CD4+Ki67+ lymphocytes in HIV-infected patients are effector T cells accumulated in the G1 phase of the cell cycle

Entry into the cell cycle represents a fundamental step before generating an effector immune response. The relationship between the cell cycle and antigen-driven T cell response remains, however, poorly understood in virus infection, including HIV. We have identified a critical fraction of CD4+CD45RO+ memory T lymphocytes that express the Ki67 antigen in chronically HIV-infected patients. A high accumulation of Ki67 protein is detected in CD4+CD45RO+Ki67+ cells that are in the G1 phase of the cell cycle (92 ? 5 %) but not in S and G2 + M phases, in contrast to normal individuals. Of these cells, 20 - 60 % are spontaneously producing IL-2 and IFN-, unlike CD4+CD45RO+ that do not express Ki67. In addition, HIV-p24 antigen is detectable only in a small fraction CD4+Ki67+ cells. In conclusion, CD4+Ki67+ lymphocytes are circulating effector cells accumulated in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and may be involved in the immune surveillance during HIV infection.     

Neurexin 3 polymorphisms are associated with alcohol dependence and altered expression of specific isoforms

Neurexins are cell adhesion molecules that help to specify and stabilize synapses and provide receptors for neuroligins, neurexophilins, dystroglycans and alpha-latrotoxins. We previously reported significant allele frequency differences for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the neurexin 3 (NRXN3) gene in each of two comparisons between individuals who were dependent on illegal substances and controls. We now report work clarifying details of NRXN3's gene structure and variants and documenting association of NRXN3 SNPs with alcohol dependence. We localize this association signal with the vicinity of the NRXN3 splicing site 5 (SS#5). A splicing site SNP, rs8019381, that is located 23 bp from the SS#5 exon 23 donor site displays association with P = 0.0007 (odds ratio = 2.46). Including or excluding exon 23 at SS#5 produces soluble or transmembrane NRXN3 isoforms. We thus examined expression of these NRXN3 isoforms in postmortem human cerebral cortical brain samples from individuals with varying rs8019381 genotypes. Two of the splice variants that encode transmembrane NRXN3 isoforms were expressed at significantly lower levels in individuals with the addiction-associated rs8019381 'T' allele than in CC homozygotes. Taken together with recent reports of NRXN3 association with nicotine dependence and linkage with opiate dependence, these data support roles for NRXN3 haplotypes that alter expression of specific NRXN3 isoforms in genetic vulnerabilities to dependence on a variety of addictive substances.     

A transmembrane protein-tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C (CD45) exon A point mutation (77 C to G) is not associated with the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus in a German population.

To investigate whether a C to G transversion at position 77 in exon A of the CD45 gene is associated with the development of diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1D), we studied 165 patients and 220 control individuals. The frequency of the 77G allele in the control group was 1.1%, which was not significantly different from the 1.2% found in the patient group (P = 0.922). The C to G transversion does not seem to be associated with susceptibility for T1D.