Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2007 Jun;27(2):90-97.

Expression of GATA-3, c-maf and T-bet in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells according to Atopic Status

Abstract

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: GATA-3 and T-bet are now considered as master transcriptional factors involving Th cell differentiation, but the roles of these factors are still uncertain in vivo. The study was to investigate the expression of these transcription factors in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) according to atopic status. METHOD: PBMCs were obtained from non-atopic controls, atopic controls, allergic rhinitis patients, atopic asthmatics, and non-atopic asthmatics. PBMCs were cultured for 48 hours, and then 12-o-tetracanoylphorbol-13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore (ionomycin) were added. Expressions of mRNA of cytokines, GATA-3, c-maf and T-bet were measured by RT-PCR. RESULT: T-bet was expressed higher in the non-atopic controls that in the other groups. GATA-3 was expressed higher in the atopic controls, allergic rhinitis patients and atopic asthmatics, but lower in the non-atopic controls. Non-atopic asthmatics showed similar levels of expression of T-bet with atopic asthmatics, but significantly lower level of expression of GATA-3 than atopic groups.
CONCLUSION
This study suggest that transcription factors, especially GATA-3, reflect or may be related to atopic status.

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Calcium
Cell Differentiation
Cytokines
Humans
Rhinitis
RNA, Messenger
Transcription Factors
Calcium
Cytokines
RNA, Messenger
Transcription Factors