Neutrophil differentiation into a unique hybrid population exhibiting dual phenotype and functionality of neutrophils and dendritic cells.

Neutrophils have been reported to acquire surface expression of MHC class II and co-stimulatory molecules as well as T-cell stimulatory activities when cultured with selected cytokines. However, cellular identity of those unusual neutrophils showing antigen presenting cell (APC)-like features still remains elusive. Here we show that both immature and mature neutrophils purified from mouse bone marrow differentiate into a previously unrecognized "hybrid" population showing dual properties of both neutrophils and dendritic cells (DCs) when cultured with granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor but not with other tested growth factors.

Immunoglobulin A antibodies against desmoglein 1, envoplakin, periplakin and BP230 in a patient with atypical bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease associated with autoantibodies against BP180 and BP230. We report herein a rare case of bullous pemphigoid with newly formed annular erythematous lesions when bullous skin lesions were in remission. Various immunological studies revealed immunoglobulin (Ig)A antibodies against desmoglein 1, envoplakin, periplakin and BP230 in addition to IgG antibodies against BP180 and BP230.

IL-33 promotes DC development in BM culture by triggering GM-CSF production.

Short-term DC cultures generated with GM-CSF and other cytokines have markedly improved our ability to study the immunobiology of DC. Here, we tested 65 cytokines individually for their potential to promote the generation of CD11c+ cells in a murine BM culture system. In addition to several cytokines known to promote DC survival and/or growth, IL-33 was found to augment DC development time- and dose-dependently.

Role of Sp1 in transcription of human ATP2A2 gene in keratinocytes.

The ATP2A2 gene encodes Ca2+-dependent ATPase, the dysfunction of which causes Darier disease. In this study, we analyzed the promoter structure of the human ATP2A2 gene using primary normal human keratinocytes (NHK). Reporter assays showed that deletion of -550/-529, -488/-472, -390/-362, or -42/-21 resulted in a significant decrease in human ATP2A2 promoter activity.

Transcriptional regulation of ATP2C1 gene by Sp1 and YY1 and reduced function of its promoter in Hailey-Hailey disease keratinocytes.

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is a blistering skin disease caused by malfunction of the Ca2+-dependent ATPase, ATP2C1. In this study, key regulatory regions necessary for the expression of the gene encoding human ATP2C1 were investigated. The transient reporter assay demonstrated that region +21/+57 was necessary for activation of the ATP2C1 promoter, and the electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that the region was recognized by the transcription factors, Sp1 and YY1.