Expression of the interleukin-4 receptor alpha in human conjunctival epithelial cells.

Abstract

AIM:

To investigate the expression and function of interleukin-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Ralpha) in human conjunctival epithelial cells (HCjECs).

METHODS:

The presence of IL-4Ralpha mRNA and protein was examined by reverse transcription (RT) PCR and immunohistology, respectively. Cell surface expression was examined by flow cytometry. The effects of interleukin (IL)-4 or IL-13 on the tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducer and the activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) were evaluated by immunoblot analyses. The transcripts upregulated upon IL-4 stimulation were examined using GeneChip, and confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTS:

IL-4Ralpha mRNA and protein were detected in human conjunctival epithelium. IL-4Ralpha protein was expressed on the cell surface of HCjECs. IL-4 and IL-13 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT6. GeneChip analysis showed that nine transcripts were upregulated more than fourfold by IL-4 stimulation in the primary HCjECs from two individuals. Quantitative RT-PCR assay confirmed the upregulation of these transcripts: lecithin retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), calpain (CAPN14), tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 6 (TNFAIP6), RAS guanyl-releasing protein 1 (RASGRP1), endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA), hyaluronan synthase 3 (HAS3), cathepsin C (CTSC), carbonic anhydrase II (CA2) and cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH).

CONCLUSIONS:

HCjECs expressed functioning IL-4Ralpha, and IL-4 stimulation induced the expression of several genes.

• Authors: Mayumi Ueta, Katsura Mizushima, Norihiko Yokoi, Yuji Naito, Shigeru Kinoshita
• Journal: The British journal of ophthalmology (Br J Ophthalmol) Vol. 94 Issue 9 Pg. 1239-43 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1468-2079 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20610477 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-13
• Receptors, Interleukin-4
• STAT6 Transcription Factor
• STAT6 protein, human
• Transcription Factors
• Interleukin-4
• CAPN14 protein, human
• Calpain

Topics

• Calpain (metabolism)
• Conjunctiva (cytology, metabolism)
• Epithelial Cells (metabolism)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Interleukin-13 (pharmacology)
• Interleukin-4 (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (metabolism)
• Phosphorylation
• Receptors, Interleukin-4 (metabolism, physiology)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• STAT6 Transcription Factor (metabolism)
• Transcription Factors (metabolism)
• Up-Regulation