Expression of the myelin proteolipid protein gene in the human fetal thymus

We have analyzed human fetal thymus and spleen for expression of the proteolipid protein (PLP) gene. We demonstrate that the PLP gene is transcribed in both tissues, and that both the PLP and DM-20 mRNAs are produced. Western blot analyses revealed that both the PLP and DM-20 protein isoforms were p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuroimmunology 1996-07, Vol.67 (2), p.125-130
Main Authors: Pribyl, Thomas M., Campagnoni, Celia W., Kampf, Kathy, Kashima, Tsuyoshi, Handley, vance W., Mcmahon, James, Campagnoni, Anthony T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative Splicing - physiology
Autoimmunity
Blotting, Northern
Blotting, Western
Fetus - physiology
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - physiology
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Myelin proteins
Myelin Proteolipid Protein - analysis
Myelin Proteolipid Protein - genetics
Neural antigens
Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Messenger - analysis
Spleen - chemistry
Spleen - physiology
T-Lymphocytes - chemistry
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
Thymic expression
Thymus Gland - cytology
Thymus Gland - embryology
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Summary:We have analyzed human fetal thymus and spleen for expression of the proteolipid protein (PLP) gene. We demonstrate that the PLP gene is transcribed in both tissues, and that both the PLP and DM-20 mRNAs are produced. Western blot analyses revealed that both the PLP and DM-20 protein isoforms were present in the fetal thymus and spleen. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that the PLP/ DM-20 proteins were detected in cells which have the distribution and morphology of thymic macrophages. These results provide further evidence that the PLP and DM-20 proteins are expressed in cell types other than myelin forming cells and possess function(s) unrelated to myelin structure. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that the PLP and DM-20 proteins are not shielded from the immune system behind the blood-brain barrier. These observations directly impinge upon the debate concerning acquisition of tolerance and the recognition that the encephalitogenic nature of PLP in diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, may not simply be related to its ‘sequestration’ from a ‘naive’ immune system.
ISSN:0165-5728
1872-8421
DOI:10.1016/0165-5728(96)00058-6