[Role of CD69 in the pathogenesis of inflammation]

CD69 is a type II membrane protein expressed as a homodimer composed of heavily glycosylated subunits. CD69 is known as an early activation marker antigen of lymphocytes,and its selective expression in inflammatory infiltrates suggests that it plays a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. In order to address the role of CD69 in the pathogenesis of arthritis and allergic airway inflammation, we established CD69-deficient mice. CD69-deficient mice displayed a markedly attenuated arthritic inflammatory response and airway inflammation. The administration of anti-CD69 antibody inhibited the induction of the antigen-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. These results indicate that CD69 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of arthritis and allergic airway inflammation and that CD69 could be a possible therapeutic target for arthritis and asthma in human patients.