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Using RNA-interference to Investigate the Innate Immune Response in Mouse Macrophages
Published on: November 3, 2014
Immunologic control of C3 gene expression in tissue macrophages
M B Goldman1, M A Knovich, J N Goldman
1Department of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey 17033.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|December 15, 1991
Summary
Antigenic suppression of complement components like C3 involves complex immune regulation. This study reveals that immune control of C3 production primarily occurs post-transcriptionally, likely involving translation interference.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Antigenic suppression can be induced for complement components (C3, C4, C5) using antibodies.
- This process involves regulatory lymphocytes and soluble factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of antigenic suppression on complement component C3 production.
- To determine if regulation occurs at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of newborn animals or cells in tissue culture with antibodies against complement components.
- Analysis of C3 protein and C3 mRNA levels following antibody treatment.
Main Results:
- Antigenic suppression of C3 is primarily mediated by post-transcriptional regulation.
- C3 mRNA levels initially increase then decrease after antibody treatment, independent of C3 protein levels.
- Decreased C3 synthesis is not fully explained by reduced C3 mRNA levels.
Conclusions:
- The rate-limiting step in immune regulation of C3 production occurs after transcription.
- Regulation may involve altered mRNA stability, processing, or translation.
- Interference with translation is the most probable predominant regulatory mechanism.
