Differential chemokine expression patterns in tonsillar disease

Expression profiles of CXC- and CC-chemokines in various forms of tonsillar disease were studied to evaluate whether certain chemokines play a predominant role in a specific subset of tonsillar disease. Total RNA was isolated from 89 biopsies (21 hyperplastic palatine tonsils, 25 adenoids, 16 chronic inflammatory palatine tonsils and 27 chronic inflammatory palatine tonsils with histological prove of acute inflammation), reverse transcribed and subjected to PCR amplifying IL-8, Gro-alpha, eotaxin-1, eotaxin-2, MCP-3, MCP-4 and RANTES. 2% agarose gel electrophoresis revealed a predominance of IL-8 in the chronic inflammatory palatine tonsil group compared to tonsillar hyperplasia. Furthermore, eotaxin-2 was strongly overexpressed in adenoid samples compared to chronic inflammatory specimens. Our data suggest that the majority of diseases related to adenoid formation are mediated via an eotaxin-2 expression, whereas chronic inflammatory tonsillitis is associated with IL-8 upregulation. These data imply that adenoids are related to a Th-2, and chronic inflammatory tonsillitis to a Th-1 based immune response.

Histone/protein deacetylase inhibitor therapy for enhancement of Foxp3+ T-regulatory cell function posttransplantation

T-regulatory (Treg) cells are like other cells present throughout the body in being subject to biochemical modifications in response to extracellular signals. An important component of these responses involves changes in posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of histones and many nonhistone proteins, including phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, ubiquitination/deubiquitination, and acetylation/deacetylation. Foxp3, the key transcription factor of Tregs, is constantly being rapidly turned over, and a number of these PTMs determine its level of expression and activity. Of interest in the transplant setting, modulation of the acetylation or deacetylation of key lysine residues in Foxp3 can promote the stability and function, leading to increased Treg production and increased Treg suppressive activity. This mini-review focuses on recent data concerning the roles that histone/protein deacetylases (HDACs) play in control of Treg function, and how small molecule HDAC inhibitors can be used to promote Treg-dependent allograft survival in experimental models. These data are discussed in the light of increasing interest in the identification and clinical evaluation of isoform-selective HDAC inhibitors, and their potential application as tools to modulate Foxp3+ Treg cell numbers and function in transplant recipients.

Overexpression of the human myosin-binding protein-C1 mRNA in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

To compare gene expression patterns between laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells and their normal phenotypes to identify genes showing differential expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Messenger RNA was isolated from both kinds of cells, reversely transcribed and subjected to differential display reverse transcription (DDRT)-PCR. Gene fragments showing difference in the expression were recovered, reamplified, cloned and sequenced, enabling homology search. Total RNA was isolated from laryngeal SCC cells and adjacent normal mucosa and subjected to Northern hybridization.

RESULTS

A 159 bp gene fragment was detected, revealing 96% homology with the human myosin-binding protein-C1 (MYBPC-1) gene. Compared to the benign phenotypes the expression of MYBPC-1 was particularly increased in SCC cells, confirmed by Northern hybridization.

CONCLUSION

The results presented in this work may help to extend the diagnostic panoply available for the evaluation of laryngeal tissue conspicuous for malignancy.