Molecular cloning of a novel human gene (SIRP-B2) which encodes a new member of the SIRP/SHPS-1 protein family

A full-length cDNA encoding a novel protein was isolated and sequenced from a human placental cDNA library. This cDNA consists of 1735 base pairs and has a predicted open reading frame (ORF) encoding 354 amino acids. It possesses a putative signal sequence, a long extracellular domain, a transmembrane region, a short intracellular domain, and no catalytic domain, which is highly homologous to signal-regulatory protein (SIRP)-β, suggesting that it seems to be a new member of the SIRP family. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based mapping with both a monochromosomal hybrid panel and radiation hybrid cell panels placed the gene to human chromosome 20p13 near the marker D20S906. Received: August 11, 2000 / Accepted: September 21, 2000     

Effects of interleukin (IL)-13 on immediate-early response gene expression,phenotype and differentiation of human mast cells. Comparison with IL-4

The recently cloned interleukin 13 (IL-13) shares most investigated biological activities on B lymphocytes and monocytes with IL-4. In this study we investigated the potential role of IL-13 in regulating human mast cell activities. The effects of IL-13 on the expression of an immediate-early response gene (c-fos), proliferation, expression of mast cell-associated cell surface antigen (CD54 and Kit), and in vitro differentiation of human mast cells, were investigated. We compared the effect of IL-13 with that of IL-4. Both IL-13 and IL-4 induced expression of c-fos in cells from the human mast cell line HMC-1. This indicates that mast cells express functional receptors for IL-13. IL-13 and IL-4 decreased the proliferation rate of HMC-1 cells. However, IL-13 was less potent than IL-4. Human mast cells constitutively express the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 (CD54) and the receptor for stem cell factor (Kit) (CD117). The expression of CD54 was increased after treatment with IL-13 or IL-4, whereas the expression of Kit was decreased. Also in this action IL-4 was more potent than IL-13. By culturing mononuclear cells from cord blood in the presence of stem cell factor there is a differentiation of tryptase-positive mast cells in the cultures. This process was inhibited when IL-4 was present. In contrast, IL-13 did not affect the expression of tryptase during differentiation of stem cell factor dependent cord blood-derived mast cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that IL-13 has regulatory effects on human mast cells. The effect overlaps with but is also different from that of IL-4.     

IL-13及其变异体真核表达载体的构建表达与亚细胞定位

目的：体外构建野生型人白细胞介素-13（whIL-13）及变异型人白细胞介素-13（mhIL-13）与增强型绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）融和蛋白真核表达载体，分析其在COS-7细胞中的表达和亚细胞定位。方法：以RT-PCR方法扩增whIL-13、mhIL-13全长编码基因，构建EGFP-whIL-13、EGFP-mhIL-13融和蛋白真核表达载体，转染COS-7细胞，以激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察融合蛋白的表达及其在细胞内的分布情况。结果：两种融和蛋白表达载体均构建正确，将其转染COS-7细胞后，在阳性克隆胞浆内均可见明亮的绿色荧光，胞核空虚。结论：成功构建EGFP-whIL-13、EGFP-mhIL-13融和蛋白表达载体，并在COS-7细胞中得到表达，表达的两种融和蛋白细胞内分布特征没有区别，均位于胞浆内。     

Age-related changes in gene expression patterns of matrix metalloproteinases and their collagenous substrates in mandibular condylar cartilage in rats

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in physiological cartilage matrix remodelling as well as in pathological and invasive extracellular matrix remodelling of tissue. Age-related changes in the gene expression patterns of MMPs in mandibular condylar cartilages (MCCs) were analysed. We examined the gene expression patterns of Mmp-8 and -13 and their substrates, Col1a1, Col2a1 and Col10a1, in MCC of growing and ageing rats. Temporomandibular joints of male Wistar rats aged 4, 8, 16 and 32 weeks were subjected to in situ hybridization analysis. Histologically, MMCs showed characteristics of growth plate cartilage at ages 4 and 8 weeks, and more closely resembled articular cartilage thereafter. Mmp-8 was expressed in the cells in all cartilaginous cell layers at ages 4 and 8 weeks, and then was localized only in the mature cells at ages 16 and 32 weeks. Whereas Mmp-13 expression was limited to the lowermost hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth stage, mature chondrocytes instead of hypertrophic chondrocytes expressed Mmp-13 in adult non-hypertrophic MCC. Because Mmp-8 and -13 expression overlapped with Col2a1 and Col10a1, chondrocytes could play a pivotal role in degradation as well as production of the cartilaginous matrix in MCC.     

PMX2B,a new candidate gene for Hirschsprung's disease

Hirschsprung's (HSCR) disease is a congenital intestinal malformation of the enteric nervous system. It is a multigenic malformation and until now, eight genes have been involved in the etiology of this disease: genes encoding proteins of the RET signaling pathway (RET, GDNF and NTN), genes participating in the endothelin (EDN) type B receptor pathway (EDNRB, EDN3 and ECE-1), the SOX10 gene and the SIP1 gene that is mutated in syndromic forms of HSCR. Mutations of these genes are found in not more than 50-60% of affected individuals. Here, we report on the results of a molecular cytogenetic study performed in a girl who presented with a syndromic short segment HSCR associated with a de novo t(4;8)(p13;p22) translocation. A comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) study found a 4p12p13 deletion. A molecular characterization of this rearrangement showed that the 4p13 deletion was 5 Mb in length and included the paired mesoderm homeobox gene (PMX2B) (MIM 603851), a gene expressed in the human embryonic gut and essential for the development of autonomic neural crest derivatives. The present observation suggests that PMX2B haploinsuffciency might predispose to HSCR.     

Mapping of gene loci in the Q13–Q15 region of chromosome 12

The gene loci CDK4, GLI, CHOP and MDM2 have been mapped to the q13–q15 region of chromosome 12. Using fluorescencein situ hybridization onto simultaneously DAPI-banded metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei, we have more precisely mapped and ordered these loci, together with a number of Genethon microsatellite markers. GLI and CHOP localize to 12q13.3–14.1, CDK4 to 12q14 and MDM2 to 12q14.3–q15, and the gene order is cen-GLI/CHOP-CDK4-MDM2. The Genethon microsatellites D12S80 and D12S83 flank MDM2.     

白细胞介素13抑制肾小球系膜细胞增殖及白细胞介素6表达

目的:探讨白细胞介素13(IL-13)对体外培养的大鼠系膜细胞的增殖及其产生白细胞介素6(IL-6)的影响。方法:用四甲基偶氮唑(MTT)法测定系膜细胞增殖,用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)及酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定系膜细胞IL-6mRNA表达及其蛋白水平。结果:IL-13在1、10、100μg/L浓度范围呈剂量依赖性地抑制系膜细胞的增殖;5%FCSRPMI1640培养条件下系膜细胞IL-6mRNA表达及IL-6分泌水平较低,脂多糖(LPS)可刺激系膜细胞IL-6mRNA的表达及提高IL-6分泌水平,而IL-13可抑制LPS诱导的系膜细胞IL-6分泌及其mRNA表达。结论:IL-13抑制体外培养的系膜细胞增殖及LPS诱导的系膜细胞IL-6的产生,IL-13可能对于肾小球肾炎的系膜细胞炎症反应具有拮抗作用。     

The association between serum levels of Th cytokines and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride

Background There are few epidemiologic studies on the association between serum levels of T helper (Th) cytokines and allergic symptoms caused by sensitizing agents.
Methods A population of 147 workers from two condenser plants using epoxy resin with methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) underwent a questionnaire survey and serologic investigations. Total and MTHPA-specific IgE levels were measured by the Pharmacia CAP System, and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by enzyme immunoassay.
Results A significant association was found between work-related eye and nasal symptoms and a range of atopic characteristics, including the frequency of positive specific IgE, specific and total IgE levels, and IL-4 levels. A positive correlation was observed between levels of IL-4 and IL-13 (r=0.42). Furthermore, multiple logistic analysis revealed significant contributions of specific IgE and I H3 to the work-related symptoms. A similar but nonsignificant association was also found for IL-4 (P=0.07). On the other hand, a multiple regression model with specific IgE levels as a dependent variable showed a significant association with total IgE, but not with IL-4, IL-13, and IFN-γ.
Conclusions These results suggest that work-related eye and nasal symptoms are closely related to specific IgE antibodies, and that allergic responses, mediated by IgE, to MTHPA may lead to a shift in the balance between Thl and Th2 cells.     

A case of de novo interstitial deletion of chromosome 9(p12p13)

The present paper describes a girl with a small de novo deletion of chromosome 9(p12p13). This deletion has not been published previously. The deleted fragment is clearly outside the region involved in the so-called deletion 9p syndrome. The patient had mild dysmorphic features and feeding problems during the first weeks of life, but is now developing well. Because of the lack of severe clinical features in this patient, we speculate that the deletion may be prevalent in other patients who have no clinical indication for chromosome investigation.