Our objective was to study gene expression related to cytokines and cytokine receptors in FLS. We were looking for any previously unidentified cytokines and receptors that may play a role in the pathogenesis of RA. Using a microarray-based approach to identify any potential expressed cytokine genes we found that two pro-inflammatory cytokines belonging to the IL-10 family of cytokines, IL-19 and IL-22, are constitutively expressed in cultured FLS, and this expression was independent of length of culture.
The other work in this thesis focused on identifying potential cytokine receptors expressed in FLS and other cells. From these studies, it was identified that FLS do not express membrane bound receptors for IL-19 or other IL-10 family members, but they are capable of expressing IL-22BP, a non membrane bound soluble form of the IL-22 receptor. This is the first indication that fibroblasts are capable of transcribing this gene.
The work presented in this thesis has addressed gene expression in FLS and the findings may prove to be important in understanding maintenance of inflammation in RA. The finding that FLS can transcribe mRNA for IL-19 and IL-22, may indicate that these cells are important sources of these pro-inflammatory cytokines in vivo. The receptor studies may also prove to be useful in expanding the knowledge of receptor expression in FLS. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uottawa.ca/oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/26705 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | MacDonald, Daniel Francis |
| Publisher | University of Ottawa (Canada) |
| Source Sets | Université d’Ottawa |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 124 p. |
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