LIGHT-related molecular network in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity
IMMUNOLOGIC RESEARCH
Authors: Xu, Yanhui; Tamada, Koji; Chen, Lieping
Abstract
The LIGHT-related molecular network is composed of at least seven interacting receptors and ligands. Recent studies reveal that this network has profound immune regulatory functions for both innate and adaptive immunity. Experimental data support the concept that this network may also play roles in he pathogenesis of human diseases including cancer, infection, transplantation tolerance, and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we attempt to dissect each molecular interaction in detail and assemble them in the context of their roles in the pathogenesis and possible therapeutic potential in human diseases.
PD1 as a common candidate susceptibility gene of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
HUMAN GENETICS
Authors: Ishizaki, Yoshito; Yukaya, Naoko; Kusuhara, Koichi; Kira, Ryutaro; Torisu, Hiroyuki; Ihara, Kenji; Sakai, Yasunari; Sanefuji, Masafumi; Pipo-Deveza, Judy R.; Silao, Catherine Lynn T.; Sanchez, Benilda C.; Lukban, Marissa B.; Salonga, Aida M.; Hara, Toshiro
Abstract
Although the exact pathogenesis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) remains to be determined, our previous data suggested a genetic contribution to the host susceptibility to SSPE. During chronic viral infection, virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes display poor effector functions. Since co-inhibitory molecules are involved in the suppression of T lymphocytes, we investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes encoding co-inhibitory molecules contributed to a susceptibility to SSPE. Association studies on a total of 20 SNPs in 8 genes (CTLA4, CD80, CD86, PD1, PDL1, PDL2, BTLA and HVEM) and subsequent haplotype analysis of 4 SNPs in the PD1 genes were performed in Japanese and Filipino SSPE patients and controls. Then, we investigated a functional difference in promoter activity of two haplotypes and compared the expression levels of PD1 between SSPE and controls. The frequency of GCG(C) haplotype of PD1 containing -606G allele was significantly higher in SSPE patients than in controls both in Japanese and in Filipinos. The promoter activity was significantly higher in the construct with -606G allele than in that with -606A allele. The expression levels of PD1 were significantly higher in SSPE patients than in the controls. Our results suggested that the PD1 gene contributed to a genetic susceptibility to SSPE.