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Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Immunoblot Analysis of Endogenous IRF5 Dimerization
Published on: October 6, 2019
Elevated interferon regulatory factor 4 levels in patients with allergic asthma
Xia Chen1, Ya-Dong Gao, Jiong Yang
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Summary
Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is elevated in allergic asthma patients, correlating with increased Th2 and Th17 cells. This suggests IRF4 plays a role in allergic asthma systemic inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Allergic asthma is a T helper (Th) cell-regulated inflammatory disease.
- Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is crucial for Th cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of IRF4 in systemic immune responses in allergic asthma patients.
Main Methods:
- Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from allergic asthmatics and healthy controls.
- Quantified IRF4 mRNA and protein levels using RT-PCR and Western blotting.
- Analyzed Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell frequencies via flow cytometry and measured related cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17) using ELISA.
- Examined transcription factors GATA3, RORγt, and FOXP3 mRNA levels via RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Elevated IRF4 levels observed in allergic asthmatics compared to healthy controls.
- Increased frequencies of Th2 and Th17 cells and their associated cytokines in asthma patients.
- Positive correlation between IRF4 mRNA and GATA3, RORγt, and FOXP3 mRNA levels in asthmatics.
Conclusions:
- IRF4 may contribute to systemic inflammation in allergic asthma.
- IRF4 appears to facilitate Th2 and Th17 cell differentiation at the transcriptional level.
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