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Isolation and Characterization of Dendritic Cells and Macrophages from the Mouse Intestine
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Published on: May 21, 2012

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
PubMed

Insights

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.

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