Regulated On Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed And Secreted Gene Research Articles

Signaling of vitamin D receptor, 1 alpha-hydroxylase and RANTES genes in dairy cows with hypocalcaemia

The aim of the current study focused on screening the signal of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), 1-alpha-hydroxylase (1α-OHase) enzyme, and chemokine regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) genes in dairy cows with hypocalcaemia. A sample of 120 dairy cows (20 dairy cows per herd) in the transition period was studied. Blood samples were drawn from the selected dairy cows for both biochemical and molecular analysis. In cows with subclinical and clinical hypocalcemia, there was a significant (P<0.05) down-regulation of both VDR and RANTES genes, whereas there was a significant (P<0.05) up-regulation of the 1α-OHase enzyme. Moreover, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the levels of glucose, parathyroid hormone (PTH), sodium (Na), and chloride (Cl). Furthermore, there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the levels of phosphorous and potassium (K). On the animal level, there was a significant association between the expression pattern of the VDR gene and the cows’ breed, the cows’ age, parity number, body condition score, and history of previous transition period disorders. The increase in both the expression of 1α-OHase enzyme and the level of each of PTH, glucose, Na, and Cl in the serum were significant risk factors for the decreased expression of the VDR gene. Likewise, the decrease in both the expression of the RANTES gene and the level of calcium (Ca) and phosphorous in the serum were significant risk factors for decreased expression of the VDR gene. This study revealed that the expression of VDR, 1α-OHase enzyme, and RANTES genes in the blood was greatly affected in dairy cows with hypocalcemia, indicating the need for an extra dose of vitamin D to maintain the normal level of Ca in the blood, especially during periods of high need. Hence, this study provides an insight into the role of vitamin D and its related enzymes in promoting the productivity of dairy cows, especially during the critical production periods.

Yam storage protein dioscorins modulate cytokine gene expression in BALB/c and C57BL/6 lymphocytes

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dioscorins isolated from 2 yam species, Dioscorea alata (Da-dioscorins) and Dioscorea japonica (Dj-dioscorins), on mouse immune activities. Results from cytokine array indicated that Dj-dioscorins increased the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-13, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) in the spleen cells of BALB/c mice. In RAW264.7 macrophage, Da-dioscorins upregulated the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, RANTES, MCP-1, and GCSF genes to a greater extent than Dj-dioscorins did. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and RANTES gene expression was higher in spleen cells than in bone marrow and thymus cells in Da-dioscorin- or Dj-dioscorin-treated BALB/c and C57BL/6. Overall, our results suggest that dioscorins exert distinct immunomodulatory effects on mouse immune cells, and that different mouse strains respond differently to dioscorins.

Association Of Rantes Promoter Gene Polymorphisms With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis In The Japanese Population

RATIONALE: Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is reported to be characterized by enhanced chemokine activity. Several studies have linked increased regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) expression with severe RSV disease. We studied 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms, -28C/G and -403 G/A in the RANTES gene, which have been correlated with the gene's transcriptional activity, with severity of RSV infection.

Role of genetic polymorphisms in the progression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Role of genetic polymorphisms in the progression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Sulindac Suppresses Nuclear Factor-κB Activation and RANTES Gene and Protein Expression in Endometrial Stromal Cells from Women with Endometriosis

The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway is a critical mediator of RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) gene regulation and therefore represents a potential target for therapy of endometriosis-associated symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the antiinflammatory drug sulindac on NF-kappaB activation, NF-kappaB-mediated gene expression, RANTES gene and protein expression in endometrial stromal cells isolated from women with endometriosis, and unaffected controls. This was a clinical experimental study. The study was conducted at a university hospital. The inflammatory response in endometriosis is augmented by a 5-fold increased TNFalpha-induced RANTES secretion from ectopic endometriotic stromal cells, compared with normal endometrial stromal cells (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis revealed basal activation of NF-kappaB in endometriotic cells, which could be suppressed by sulindac. EMSAs showed that sulindac dramatically decreased NF-kappaB activation and diminished TNFalpha and IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. Sulindac pretreatment resulted in a significant decrease in TNFalpha-induced luciferase activity of NF-kappaB response element and -477 bp RANTES promoter constructs in normal and endometriotic stromal cells. The addition of sulindac to IL-1beta- and TNFalpha-treated endometriotic stromal cells also resulted in a 4-fold inhibition of RANTES protein secretion (P < 0.05). We have demonstrated that sulindac exerts strong antiinflammatory effects by suppression of NF-kappaB translocation, inhibition of NF-kappaB-mediated gene transcription, RANTES gene expression, and protein secretion in normal and endometriotic stromal cells. These results suggest that drugs targeting the NF-kappaB pathway may be beneficial in the treatment of endometriosis-associated symptoms.

Construction and in vitro characterization of a chimeric simian and human immunodeficiency virus with the RANTES gene

Chimeric simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) containing the env gene of HIV-1 infects macaque monkeys and provides basic information that is useful for the development of HIV-1 vaccines. Regulated-on-activation-normal-T-cell-expressed-and-secreted (RANTES), a CC-chemokine, enhances antigen-specific T helper type-1 responses against HIV-1. With the final goal of testing the adjuvant effects of RANTES in SHIV-macaque models, we constructed a SHIV having the RANTES gene (SHIV-RANTES) and characterized its properties in vitro. SHIV-RANTES replicated both in human and monkey T cell lines. Along with SHIV-RANTES replication, RANTES was detected in the supernatant of human and monkey cell cultures, at maximal levels of 98.5 and 4.1 ng/ml, respectively. A flow cytometric analysis showed that the expressed RANTES down-modulated CC-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) on PM1 cells, which was restored by adding anti-RANTES antibody. UV-irradiated culture supernatants from the SHIV-RANTES-infected cells suppressed replication of CCR5-tropic HIV-1 BaL in PM-1 cells. Differentiating real-time RT-PCR showed that pre-infection of SHIV-RANTES in C8166 cells expressing CCR5 suppressed the replication of HIV-1 BaL. Biological activity of the expressed RANTES and the inserted RANTES gene in SHIV-RANTES remained stable after 10 passages. These results suggest that SHIV-RANTES is worth testing in macaque models.