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Differential expression of heat shock protein 27 and 70 in renal papillary collecting duct and interstitial cells - implications for urea resistance.

The adaptation of renal medullary cells to their hyperosmotic environment involves the accumulation of compatible organic osmolytes and the enhanced synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSP) 27 and 70. While the mechanisms leading to osmolyte accumulation are similar in papillary collecting duct (PCD) and papillary interstitial (PI) cells, the present data demonstrate that HSP27 and HSP70 are expressed differentially in these cells both in vivo and in vitro. HSP70 is abundant in PCD, but not expressed in PI cells in the papilla in situ, while HSP27 is expressed in both PCD and PI cells. These observations could be reproduced by non-permeant solutes in cultured cells. Osmotic stress strongly induced HSP70 in MDCK cells (as a model for PCD cells), but not in PI cells, while HSP27 was constitutively expressed in MDCK cells and was up-regulated in PI cells. Since prior hypertonic stress (NaCl addition) protects MDCK against subsequent exposure to high urea concentrations, this effect was also assessed in PI cells. In both cell lines, hypertonic pretreatment prior to urea exposure (400 mm) strongly attenuated caspase-3 activation. Inhibition of HSP27 expression by antisense transfection diminished the protective effect of hypertonic preconditioning in PI cells, while attenuation of HSP70 expression in MDCK cells diminished the protective effect of hypertonic preconditioning in these cells. These observations indicate that PCD and PI cells employ cell-specific mechanisms for protection against high urea concentrations as present in the renal papilla during antidiuresis.

Animals↗

Cell-specific differential expression of Na(+)-channel beta 1-subunit mRNA in the olfactory system during postnatal development and after denervation.

Activity-dependent mechanisms have been implicated in olfactory system development but, although such activity requires ion channels, few reports have described their expression in the olfactory system. We investigated the developmental and denervation-induced regulation of the Na(+)-channel beta 1 subunit (Na beta 1) in rat olfactory bulb (OB) and piriform cortex (PC). In situ hybridization shows that Na beta 1 mRNA expression is upregulated developmentally, but with different time courses in mitral, tufted, and pyramidal cells. In mitral cells, label was detected at postnatal day 4 (P4) and gradually increased to P14. Tufted cells were devoid of Na beta 1 mRNA before P14, when most cells expressed adult levels. In pyramidal cells of PC, Na beta 1 expression was not detectable clearly until P14, with maximal expression at P28. To examine the regulation of Na beta 1 mRNA, we surgically deafferented the OB at P30 and compared the effects on Na beta 1 with those for Na(+)-channel alpha-subunit (Na alpha) mRNAs. Within 5 d of surgery, the Na beta 1 and Na alpha II signals within tufted cells disappeared almost completely. Na beta 1 and Na alpha II expression was decreased in mitral cells to low-to-moderate levels. In pyramidal cells, Na beta 1 mRNA expression was decreased moderately without significant changes in Na alpha II mRNA. Deafferentation had no detectable effects on Na alpha I or III mRNAs in either OB or PC. These data indicate that Na beta 1 mRNA is expressed differentially in subpopulations of cells in the olfactory system during development and after deafferentation and suggest that the expression of Na beta 1 is regulated independently of Na alpha mRNAs via cell-specific and pathway-specific mechanisms.

Animals↗

Differential Expression of Virulence Genes and Motility in Ralstonia (Pseudomonas) solanacearum during Exponential Growth.

A complex network regulates virulence in Ralstonia solanacearum (formerly Pseudomonas solanacearum); central to this system is PhcA, a LysR-type transcriptional regulator. We report here that two PhcA-regulated virulence factors, endoglucanase (Egl) and acidic exopolysaccharide I (EPS I), and motility are expressed differentially during exponential growth in batch cultures. Tests with strains carrying lacZ fusions in a wild-type genetic background revealed that expression (on a per-cell basis) of phcA was constant but expression of egl and epsB increased 20- to 50-fold during multiplication from 1 x 10(sup7) to 5 x 10(sup8) CFU/ml. Expression of xpsR, an intermediate regulator downstream of PhcA in the regulatory cascade for eps expression, was similar to that of epsB and egl. Motility track photography revealed that all strains were essentially nonmotile at 10(sup6) CFU/ml. As cell density increased, 30 to 50% of wild-type cells were motile between 10(sup7) and 10(sup8) CFU/ml, but this population was again nonmotile at 10(sup9) CFU/ml. In contrast, about 60% of the cells of phcB and phcA mutants remained motile at 10(sup9) CFU/ml. Expression of phcB, which is not positively regulated by PhcA, was the inverse of epsB, egl, and xpsR (i.e., it decreased 20-fold at high cell density). PhcB is essential for production of an extracellular factor, tentatively identified as 3-hydroxypalmitic acid methyl ester (3-OH PAME), that might act as an exponential-phase signal to activate motility or expression of virulence genes. However, growth of the lacZ fusion strains in medium containing excess 3-OH PAME did not result in motility or expression of virulence genes at dramatically lower cell densities, suggesting that 3-OH PAME is not the only factor controlling these traits.

Journal Article↗

Differential expression of suppressors of cytokine signaling-1 and -3 and related cytokines in central nervous system during remitting versus non-remitting forms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

SJL mice exhibit a relapsing-remitting course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), whereas C57BL/6 (B6) mice display a more chronic course without complete remissions. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1 and SOCS-3 are members of a family of inducible intracellular proteins that negatively regulate cytokine signaling in cells of hematopoietic origin and may influence the Th1 to Th2 balance. SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 are induced by cytokines that are known to be up-regulated during EAE, including IFN-gamma (IFN-g) and IL-6, respectively. To test the hypothesis that the level of induction of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 correlates with the course of EAE, mRNA levels were compared in spinal cords of SJL and B6 mice during discrete stages of disease. SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 were elevated throughout active disease in both strains. At peak EAE, SOCS-1 was higher and SOCS-3 was lower in B6 cords compared with SJL cords. This correlated with greater expression of the Th1 cytokine, IFN-g, and less of the Th2 cytokine, IL-10, in B6 cords relative to SJL cords during onset and peak disease. SOCS-3 inducers in the IL-6 family were expressed differentially between the strains. IL-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor were higher at onset in B6 cords whereas ciliary neurotrophic factor was increased in SJL cords during peak disease. Expression of fibroblast growth factor-2, which may be involved in remyelination, was higher in SJL cords at peak. Comparison of these models suggests that cytokine autoregulatory mechanisms involving SOCS may play a role in determining the course of EAE.

Animals↗

Differential expression of alpha, mu, and pi classes of glutathione S-transferases in chemosensory mucosae of rats during development.

The expression of three classes of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), Alpha, Mu, and Pi was investigated in the nasal mucosae of rats during development using immunohistochemical methods. GST Alpha and Mu were first detected in the supranuclear region of sustentacular cells on embryonic days 16. The Bowman's glands expressed differential patterns of immunoreactivity during development, beginning at postnatal day (P) 2 and P6 for Alpha and Mu classes, respectively and being greatest at P11 for both. The acinar cells of vomeronasal glands in the vomeronasal organ expressed Alpha and Mu classes of GSTs from P11 onwards. In the septal organ of Masera, the supranuclear region of sustentacular cells expressed GSTs from P11 with little or no variation during development. In the respiratory mucosa, Alpha and Mu classes of GSTs were detected at the brush borders of ciliated cells and in the acinar cells of posterior septal glands, but not in anterior septal or respiratory glands located on the turbinates. Compared to olfactory mucosa, the changes in immunoreactivity for GSTs were less pronounced in the respiratory mucosa during development. Specific GST Pi immunoreactivity was not detected in the nasal mucosae at any stage of development studied. The occurrence of GSTs in the nasal mucosa, including olfactory, vomeronasal, septal, and respiratory epithelia, suggests that the GSTs are actively involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics including odorants and pheromones, and may also participate in perireceptor processes such as odorant clearance. In addition, we have developed a working model describing the cellular localization of certain phase I (e.g., cytochrome P-450s) and phase II (e.g., GSTs, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) biotransformation enzymes in the olfactory mucosa and their proposed roles in xenobiotic metabolism.

Animals↗

Identification of differentially expressed genes in murine mesothelioma cell lines of differing tumorigenicity using suppression subtractive hybridization.

We have previously prepared two B7-1 transfectant clones (AC29 B7-6 and AC29 B7-7) from the AC29 murine mesothelioma (MM) cell line which displayed markedly different in vivo growth rates and susceptibility to cytotoxic T cell killing. Using suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH), we searched for factors which may determine the biological distinction seen in these clones. We isolated 19 cDNA clones from two SSH generated libraries by screening using subtracted cDNA probes and characterised them using Northern hybridisation, sequencing, RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR. The 19 cDNA clones comprised 16 different transcripts of which 15 were identified by homology to known genes and one was novel. Expression of a murine endogenous retroviral (mERV) transcript mERV-AC29 was found in the immunogenic AC29 B7-6 clone and parental AC29 but absent in AC29 B7-7. Real-time RT-PCR was used to confirm that galectin-1, the disintegrin/metalloproteinase MDC9 and ribonucleotide reductase M1 were overexpressed in AC29 B7-7. Our results show that SSH is a powerful method for the identification of genes expressed differentially between phenotypically different tumour cell lines or clones. Characterisation of the role of those identified here will provide useful information in understanding genes responsible for differential tumorigenicity.

Animals↗

A differentially expressed prion gene mRNA is found in prion-infected mouse brains and in N2A cells but not in uninfected mice.

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies comprise a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by the conversion of the normal host cellular prion protein (PrPC) to the abnormal protease-resistant isoform PrPSC. Distinct alterations of transcriptional regulation during disease progression could not be observed. The regulation of transcription 5' and 3' to the previously described cap sites of the prion gene mRNA as well as usage of internal short ORF's was investigated. We identified a mRNA species which is expressed differentially in prion-infected mice and in N2A cells. This mRNA is detectable neither in uninfected mice nor in early stages of the disease. The novel mRNA contains two short open reading frames which encode two small peptides with a calculated molecular weight of 2.1 kDA and 0.7 kDa. These peptides were also found to be expressed in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗

Differential expression of cell surface glycoproteins on various organ-derived microvascular endothelia and endothelial cell cultures.

Glycoproteins expressed on the luminal surfaces of microvascular endothelium derived from various murine organs were analyzed and compared with those expressed by cultured vascular endothelial cells. Cell-surface vascular proteins were radiolabeled in situ via intracardiac perfusion with lactoperoxidase/Na125I. Autoradiography confirmed that the radiolabel was restricted to the vessel lumen in most tissues. Controls contained 125I-labeled serum proteins to identify adsorbed serum components. Glycoproteins were analyzed by western enzyme-linked lectin analysis using detergent extracts of 125I-labeled microvessels isolated from different organs. The western transfers were probed with a panel of lectin-peroxidase conjugates to determine differences in protein glycosylation. The same transfers were also screened for exposed 125I-labeled cell-surface proteins by autoradiography. This dual analysis detected glycoprotein patterns unique for each organ. At least seven major proteins (Mr approximately 180 K, 130 K, 95 K, 80 K, 75 K, 60 K, 12 K) were common to microvessels derived from each organ; however, certain glycoproteins appeared to be expressed differentially in particular organs. For example, a Mr approximately 135 K WGA-binding glycoprotein was detected in brain microvessels, whereas another WGA-binding glycoprotein of Mr approximately 40 K was detected only in kidney. In lung microvessels, a Mr approximately 140 K WGA binding glycoprotein and a Mr approximately 55 K RCA-I-binding galactoprotein were expressed preferentially, and liver microvessels displayed Mr approximately 220 K protein and a Mr approximately 35 K PNA-binding galactoprotein. The cell-surface-iodinated protein profiles from in situ labeled microvessels were similar to profiles derived from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells and several short-term endothelial cell cultures isolated from different organs. The results from this study suggest that organ-associated endothelia express glycoprotein fingerprints unique to each organ.

Animals↗

Differential expression of oestrogen receptor and oestrogen inducible genes in gastric mucosa and cancer.

BACKGROUND: Evidence exists for a role for oestrogen in gastric cancer. The incidence of gastric cancer is much higher in men than in woman, and a similar sex difference is also seen in a rat experimental model of gastric cancer. AIMS: Evidence for a functional oestrogen receptor in normal gastric mucosa and cancer has been sought. METHODS: Oestrogen receptor and the oestrogen inducible genes pS2 and ERD5 were sought by northern blot analysis and in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry. Oestrogen receptor protein was studied by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: mRNA for oestrogen receptor was detected in cancer and normal gastric mucosa. Enzyme immunoassay for oestrogen receptor showed a mean of 1.8 fmol/mg protein in cancer and 13.7 fmol/mg in paired normal mucosa. The oestrogen inducible genes pS2 and ERD5 were also detected in both cancer and normal mucosa, with expression localised to epithelium. Expression of pS2 was lower in cancer compared with normal mucosa, whereas ERD5 expression was higher in cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Significant amounts of oestrogen receptor were expressed in gastric mucosa with a lower amount in cancer. Oestrogen inducible genes were also expressed differentially but were not found to correlate closely with oestrogen receptor. Oestrogen receptor functionality remains to be demonstrated in the stomach.

Blotting, Northern↗

Differential expression of FIZZ1 and Ym1 in alternatively versus classically activated macrophages.

Alternatively activated macrophages (aaMphi) display molecular and biological characteristics that differ from those of classically activated macrophages (caMphi). Recently, we described an experimental model of murine trypanosomosis in which the early stage of infection of mice with a Trypanosoma brucei brucei variant is characterized by the development of caMphi, whereas in the late and chronic stages of infection, aaMphi develop. In the present study, we used suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) to identify genes that are expressed differentially in aaMphi versus caMphi elicited during infection with this T. b. brucei variant. We show that FIZZ1 and Ym1 are induced strongly in in vivo- and in vitro-elicited aaMphi as compared with caMphi. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the in vivo induction of FIZZ1 and Ym1 in macrophages depends on IL-4 and that in vitro, IFN-gamma antagonizes the effect of IL-4 on the expression of FIZZ1 and Ym1. Collectively, these results open perspectives for new insights into the functional properties of aaMphi and establish FIZZ1 and Ym1 as markers for aaMphi.

Animals↗

Differential expression of three Chlamydia trachomatis hsp60-encoding genes in active vs. persistent infections.

Real time RT-PCR was used to assess expression of the three Chlamydia trachomatis hsp60-encoding genes (Ct110, Ct604, Ct755) over time in in vitro systems of active vs. persistent infection, and in synovial samples from patients with Chlamydia-induced arthritis. In HEp-2 cells actively infected with C. trachomatis (serovar K), mRNA from Ct110 (groEL) was apparent by 8 h post-infection (p.i.) and increased more than 10-fold through 48 h p.i.; mRNA from Ct604 followed a similar pattern. Transcripts from Ct755 were abundant at 8 h p.i. and remained 2-3-fold higher than those from Ct110 at all times. In persistently infected human monocytes in culture, expression of Ct110 and Ct755 was low from 1 to 7d p.i., while mRNA from Ct604 was abundant at 1d p.i. and increased more than 3-fold from 1 to 3d p.i., as the organism transited to the persistent state. Those mRNA levels remained high through 7d p.i. Real time analyses of RNA/cDNA from synovial tissue of patients with Chlamydia-associated arthritis showed high Ct604 mRNA levels, consistent with results from the in vitro monocyte system of persistence. These data demonstrate that each chlamydial hsp60-encoding gene is expressed independently, and that the three genes are expressed differentially in active vs. persistent infection. The results further suggest that the Ct604 gene product may function importantly during chlamydial persistence.

Adult↗

Three differentially expressed survivin cDNA variants encode proteins with distinct antiapoptotic functions.

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family that is believed to play a role in oncogenesis. To elucidate further its physiologic role(s), we have characterized the murine survivin gene and complementary DNA (cDNA). The structural organization of the survivin gene, located on chromosome 11E2, is similar to that of its human counterpart, both containing 4 exons. Surprisingly, 3 full-length murine survivin cDNA clones were isolated, predicting the existence of 3 distinct survivin proteins. The longest open reading frame, derived from all 4 exons, predicts a 140-amino acid residue protein, survivin(140), similar to human survivin, which contains a single IAP repeat and a COOH-terminal coiled-coil domain that links its function to the cell cycle. A second cDNA, which retains intron 3, predicts the existence of a 121-amino acid protein, survivin(121) that lacks the coiled-coil domain. Removal of exon 2-derived sequences by alternative pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing results in a third 40-amino acid residue protein, survivin(40), lacking the IAP repeat and coiled-coil structure. Predictably, only recombinant survivin(140) and survivin(121) inhibited caspase-3 activity. All 3 mRNA species were variably expressed during development from 7.5 days postcoitum. Of the adult tissues surveyed, thymus and testis accumulated high levels of survivin(140) mRNA, whereas survivin(121)-specific transcripts were detected in all tissues, while those representing survivin(40) were absent. Human counterparts to the 3 survivin mRNA transcripts were identified in a study of human cells and tissues. The presence of distinct isoforms of survivin that are expressed differentially suggests that survivin plays a complex role in regulating apoptosis. (Blood. 2000;95:1435-1442)

Alternative Splicing↗

Differential expression of two cinnamate 4-hydroxylase genes in 'Valencia' orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck).

Two different full-length cDNAs for cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H1 and C4H2) were isolated from Citrus sinensis Osbeck cv. Valencia libraries. C4H1 (1708 bp) and C4H2 (1871 bp) share only 65% identity on nucleotide and 66% identity on the amino acid level, respectively. C4H1 is most homologous to a cinnamate 4-hydroxylase sequence from French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), but codes for a unique N-terminus. C4H2 shows highest similarity to a poplar (Populus kitakamiensis) sequence, but also shows a unique N-terminus. The two genes are expressed differentially in orange flavedo, C4H2 is constitutive, C4H1 is wound-induced. In competitive RT-PCR, the mRNA for both genes in wounded and untreated tissue was quantified. C4H1 is strongly wound-inducible from 'not detectable' to about 35 fg mRNA per 50 ng total RNA 8 h after wounding. The first detectable C4H1 mRNA was found 4 h after wounding. After reaching peak levels 4 h later the levels slightly declined, but stayed elevated until the end of the experiment (48 h). C4H2 is expressed 3-10 times higher than wound-induced C4H1 even in the control sample; wounding transiently increases the level of expression another 2-3 times. The existence of different N-termini and their effects on the possible role of both genes in phenylpropanoid pathways is discussed.

Citrus↗

Differential expression of genes at stages when regeneration can and cannot occur after injury to immature mammalian spinal cord.

Comprehensive screens were made for genes that change their expression during a brief critical period in development when neonatal mammalian central nervous system (CNS) loses its capacity to regenerate. In newly born opossums older than 12 days regeneration ceases to occur in the cervical spinal cord. It continues for 5 more days in lumbar regions. The mRNA's expressed in cords that do and do not regenerate were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-based subtractive hybridization. The mRNAs extracted from cervical cords of animals aged 9 and 12 days were subtracted reciprocally, old from young and young from old. Additional subtractions were made between lumbar regions of 12 day-old cords (which can regenerate) and cervical regions (which cannot). Mini libraries of approximately 2000 opossum cDNA clones resulted from each subtraction. Many sequences were novel. Others that were expressed differentially were related to cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, motility, adhesion, cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. A major task was to narrow the search and to eliminate genes that were not associated with regeneration. Clones from different subtractions were cross-hybridized. After those common to regenerating and nonregenerating cords were rejected, approximately 284 sequences of interest remained. Our results revealed novel sequences, as well as genes involved in transcription, cell signaling, myelin formation, growth cone motility, liver regeneration, and nucleic acid and protein management as the candidates important for neuroregeneration. For selected genes of potential interest for regeneration (for example cadherin, catenin, myelin basic protein), their temporal and spatial distributions and levels of expression in the CNS were measured by Northern blots, semiquantitative and real-time RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization. Our experiments set the stage for testing the efficacy of candidate genes in turning on or off the capacity for spinal cord regeneration. Opossum spinal cords in vitro provide a reliable and rapid assay for axon outgrowth and synapse formation.

Animals↗

The DNA puff BhB10-1 gene is differentially expressed in various tissues of Bradysia hygida late larvae and constitutively transcribed in transgenic Drosophila.

We extended the characterization of the DNA puff BhB10-1 gene of Bradysia hygida by showing that, although its mRNA is detected only at the end of the fourth larval instar, BhB10-1 expression is not restricted to the salivary gland, the tissue in which this gene is amplified. Different amounts of BhB10-1 mRNA were detected in other larval tissues such as gut, Malpighian tubules, fat body, brain and cuticle, suggesting that this gene is expressed differentially in the various tissues analyzed. Analysis of transgenic Drosophila carrying the BhB10-1 transcription unit and flanking sequences revealed that the tested fragment promotes transcription in a constitutive manner. We suggest that either cis-regulatory elements are missing in the transgene or factors that temporally regulate the BhB10-1 gene in B. hygida are not conserved in Drosophila.

Animals↗

Differential expression of calmodulin-binding proteins in B, T lymphocytes and thymocytes.

Changes in intracellular free Ca2+ are involved in the transmembrane signalling of different cells, including lymphocytes. Since calmodulin (CaM) is a primary receptor for Ca2+ (ref. 4), it may mediate the activation of crucial enzymes after antigen-induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+. Using a biotinylated-CaM (Bio-CaM) detection procedure to identify such proteins, we found that a peptide of relative molecular mass 59,000 (59K) was the predominant soluble CaM-binding protein (CaM-BP) in T cells and B lymphocytes from murine spleen; immunoblotting experiments identified it as a subunit of the CaM-dependent phosphatase, 'calcineurin' (CN). Smaller amounts of larger CaM-BPs, thought to be cytoskeletal-binding proteins, were also detected. CaM-BPs were expressed differentially, with B lymphocytes having four times more of the CN-like protein than T lymphocytes, while in thymocytes, a 65K polypeptide was the major CaM-BP. However, limited proteolysis analysis suggested that this thymus-specific peptide may be a precursor of CN. These data suggest that Ca2+-stimulated protein dephosphorylation may be an important and highly regulated function in lymphoid cells.

Animals↗

Differential expression of melatonin receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Quantitative autoradiography was used to compare melatonin receptors in brain areas and arteries of young (4 weeks old) and adult (14 weeks old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to those in age-matched normotensive controls, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Age and strain influenced the number of melatonin receptors in an anatomically selective manner, and the most striking changes occurred in arterial receptors. Melatonin receptors were not detectable in the anterior cerebral arteries of adult SHR. In the caudal artery, melatonin receptors decreased with age in both strains, but the decrease was more pronounced in SHR. When compared to age-matched WKY rats, the number of caudal artery receptors was higher in young and lower in adult SHR. The number of melatonin receptors was higher in the area postrema of adult SHR when compared to adult WKY rats, but in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, no such differences between the two strains were present. Alterations in receptor density were not accompanied by changes in binding affinity. Our results indicate that in the rat melatonin receptors show different developmental patterns according to location and that the receptors may be expressed differentially in genetic hypertension.

Age Factors↗

Molecular cloning of F4/80-like-receptor, a seven-span membrane protein expressed differentially by dendritic cell and monocyte-macrophage subpopulations.

A novel dendritic cell (DC) surface molecule termed F4/80-like-receptor (FIRE) has been selected based on its differential expression between DC subsets. The gene encoding FIRE has been cloned and sequenced, and mAbs specific for FIRE have been produced. FIRE is a seven-transmembrane-spanning molecule with two epidermal growth factor-like domains in the extracellular region. It is a novel member of the epidermal growth factor/transmembrane-7 protein subfamily and shows similarity to the macrophage marker F4/80. FIRE is expressed by CD8- DC, but not by CD8+ DC, and it is down-regulated on DC activation. It is expressed by blood monocytes and by some tissue macrophages, but not by most macrophage cell lines or by lymphoid cells. FIRE is a useful marker of myeloid cells with a DC developmental potential.

Amino Acid Sequence↗