Gene expression profiles of T cells from hepatitis E virus infected patients in acute and resolving phase.

Background And Aims: Approximately 50% of acute viral hepatitis in young adults and in pregnant women is due to hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in developing countries. T cell-mediated immune injury probably plays a key role in the pathogenesis of acute hepatitis illness. However, there is a paucity of data on the global gene expression programs activated on T cells, which are subsequently responsible for T cell recruitment to the liver and triggering of immune injury.

Inflammation in vivo is modulated by GPR83 isoform-4 but not GPR83 isoform-1 expression in regulatory T cells.

Most recently, we have described the G-protein coupled receptor 83 (GPR83), which is highly expressed by CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) to be involved in the induction of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs in the course of an ongoing immune response. Four GPR83 isoforms have been described. Here, we have shown that GPR83 isoform-4, which differs from GPR83 isoform-1 by 20 additional aminoacids in the second cytoplasmatic loop, is predominantly expressed by Tregs.

Gene expression signatures of peripheral CD4+ T cells clearly discriminate between patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B infection.

Unlabelled: CD4+ T and regulatory T cells (Tregs) seem to play a key role in persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the molecular events by which Tregs exert their modulatory activity are largely unknown. The transcriptional profiles of CD4+ T cells of healthy controls (HCs) and patients affected by acute hepatitis B (AVH-B) or chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection were established using a custom expression array consisting of 350 genes relevant for CD4+ T cell and Treg function.

Signatures of human regulatory T cells: an encounter with old friends and new players.

Background: Naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (TReg) are involved in the control of autoimmune diseases, transplantation tolerance, and anti-tumor immunity. Thus far, genomic studies on TReg cells were restricted to murine systems, and requirements for their development, maintenance, and mode of action in humans are poorly defined.

Results: To improve characterization of human TReg cells, we compiled a unique microarray consisting of 350 TReg cell associated genes (Human TReg Chip) based on whole genome transcription data from human and mouse TReg cells.

Cellular retinoic acid binding protein I: expression and functional influence in renal cell carcinoma.

Despite the known anti-proliferative and tumor-suppressive effects seen with retinoic acid (RA), treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) failed to meet the initial expectations. As the exact mechanisms of action of RA and especially the role of the cellular RA binding proteins (CRABP) have not been elucidated yet, we investigated the expression of CRABP-I and its potential influence on RA response in RCC. Real-time RT-PCR analysis disclosed a significant lack of CRABP-I expression in four RCC cell lines and 12 primary RCC samples; in contrast, high expression levels were found in the respective adjacent normal kidney tissue.