Biomedical subjects

Luc A Otten

Publications and source records attributed to Luc A Otten.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Deregulated MHC class II transactivator expression leads to a strong Th2 bias in CD4+ T lymphocytes.

The MHC class II (MHC-II) transactivator (CIITA) is the master transcriptional regulator of genes involved in MHC-II-restricted Ag presentation. Fine tuning of CIITA gene expression determines the cell type-specific expression of MHC-II genes. This regulation is achieved by the selective usage of multiple CIITA promoters. It has recently been suggested that CIITA also contributes to Th cell differentiation by suppressing IL-4 expression in Th1 cells. In this study, we show that endogenous CIITA is expressed at low levels in activated mouse T cells. Importantly CIITA is not regulated differentially in murine and human Th1 and Th2 cells. Ectopic expression of a CIITA transgene in multiple mouse cell types including T cells, does not interfere with normal development of CD4(+) T cells. However, upon TCR activation the CIITA transgenic CD4(+) T cells preferentially differentiate into IL-4-secreting Th2-type cells. These results imply that CIITA is not a direct Th1-specific repressor of the IL-4 gene and that tight control over the expression of CIITA and MHC-II is required to maintain the normal balance between Th1 and Th2 responses.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Can MMTV exploit TLR4?

The recognition of microbial pathogens based on their molecular patterns is essential for host defense. Recently, Toll-like receptors have been shown not only to recognize viruses as well as bacteria and fungi, but also to trigger an efficient immune response. A recent publication proposed that the retrovirus mouse mammary tumor virus exploits the pattern-recognition receptor Toll-like receptor 4 to achieve more efficient infection.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Experimental models of transcription factor-associated maturity-onset diabetes of the young.

Six monogenic forms of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) have been identified to date. Except for MODY2 (glucokinase), all other MODY subtypes have been linked to transcription factors. We have established a MODY3 transgenic model through the beta-cell-targeted expression of dominant-negative HNF-1alpha either constitutively (rat insulin II promoter) or conditionally (Tet-On system). The animals display either overt diabetes or glucose intolerance. Decreased insulin secretion and reduced pancreatic insulin content contribute to the hyperglycemic state. The conditional approach in INS-1 cells helped to define new molecular targets of hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1alpha. In the cellular system, nutrient-induced insulin secretion was abolished because of impaired glucose metabolism. Conditional suppression of HNF-4alpha, the MODY1 gene, showed a similar phenotype in INS-1 cells to HNF-1alpha. The existence of a regulatory circuit between HNF-4alpha and HNF-1alpha is confirmed in these cell models. The MODY4 gene, IPF-1 (insulin promoter factor-1)/PDX-1 (pancreas duodenum homeobox-1), controls not only the transcription of insulin but also expression of enzymes involved in its processing. Suppression of Pdx-1 function in INS-1 cells does not alter glucose metabolism but rather inhibits insulin release by impairing steps distal to the generation of mitochondrial coupling factors. The presented experimental models are important tools for the elucidation of the beta-cell pathogenesis in MODY syndromes.

Animals↗