Identification of granulocyte subtype-selective receptors and ion channels by high-density oligonucleotide probe array

Abstract

Rationale We sought to identify, for the first time, ion channels and receptors preferentially expressed by each granulocyte subtype. Methods Using GeneChip we compared approximately 20,000 transcripts present in 7 leukocyte types, platelets, mast cells and fibroblasts to identify granulocyte subtype-selective transcripts for receptors and ion channels. Granulocyte subtype selective transcripts were chosen based on several conditions such as the transcript having 5-fold or greater expression level compared to the maximum level of other leukocytes. Results Fifty-one transcripts were chosen to be preferentially expressed by each granulocyte subtype. Seventeen out of the 51 transcripts have not been previously reported as granulocyte subtype-selective. Among the 17 receptors and ion channels, six were basophil- and/or eosinophil-selective and were not highly expressed by other organs, indicating that they may be potential targets for anti-allergic drugs. Conclusions Utilization of this database of potential cell type-selective drug targets should minimize the efforts required for pharmaceutical development.