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MUC1 epithelial mucin (CD227) is expressed by activated dendritic cells.
M Wykes1, K P A MacDonald, M Tran
1Dendritic Cell, Mater Medical Research Institute, Mater Misericordiae Hospitals, South Brisbane, Australia.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|October 16, 2002
Summary
The MUC1 mucin (CD227) is now found on activated human dendritic cells (DC) and T cells, not just epithelial tissues. Its cytoplasmic domain is phosphorylated, suggesting a signaling role in these immune cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Glycobiology
Background:
- The MUC1 mucin (CD227) was traditionally considered restricted to epithelial tissues.
- Its expression and function in immune cells were largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of CD227 on immune cells, specifically dendritic cells (DC) and T cells.
- To explore the potential signaling role of CD227 in activated immune cells.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were used to detect CD227 expression on human and murine immune cells.
- Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation were employed to analyze the phosphorylation status and protein associations of the CD227 cytoplasmic domain.
Main Results:
- CD227 is expressed on human blood dendritic cells and monocyte-derived DC upon in vitro activation.
- Murine splenic DC showed low basal CD227 levels, increasing significantly after in vitro culture.
- CD227 expression was confirmed on activated human T cells, and its cytoplasmic domain was found to be tyrosine-phosphorylated and associated with other phosphoproteins.
Conclusions:
- CD227 is expressed on activated human and murine dendritic cells and activated human T cells.
- Tyrosine phosphorylation of the CD227 cytoplasmic domain in activated T cells and DC suggests a role in cellular signaling.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the function of CD227 in DC and T cell biology.