Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-8-5
pubmed:abstractText
There is increasing evidence that factors originally identified due to their neurotrophic activity also function within the immune system. This study focused on the related molecules glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurturin (NTN) as well as their receptors. GDNF and NTN signaling is mediated by a two-component receptor: a signal-transducing component, RET, which is shared by both ligands, and a ligand-specific binding component, GFR alpha-1 (higher GDNF affinity) or GFR alpha-2 (higher NTN affinity). We report that human T cells, B cells, and monocytes produce NTN but not GDNF, as seen by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. RET was expressed by B cells, T cells, and monocytes. Exons 2-5 of RET encoding the cadherin-like domains 1-3 in the extracellular part and exons 16-19 encoding a section of the second tyrosine kinase domain were transcribed in CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, and monocytes. Different splice variants encoding the C-terminal intracellular part (exons 19-21) of RET were detected. The ligand-binding receptors GFR alpha-1 and GFR alpha-2 were transcribed in all immune cell subsets. Quantitative PCR showed that GFR alpha-2 is by far the dominant ligand binding chain in T cells, B cells, and monocytes. Addition of GDNF or NTN to activated PBMCs reduced the amount of detectable TNF protein without altering its transcription. Together, this suggests that immune cells communicate with each other via NTN. Production of NTN by immune cells might also contribute to the neuroprotective immunity in the CNS observed in different model systems.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
0022-1767
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
175
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2301-8
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
Expression and function of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family ligands and their receptors on human immune cells.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Neuroimmunology, Max-Planck-Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't