Assessing the function of human UNC-93B in Toll-like receptor signaling and major histocompatibility complex II response

Hum Immunol. 2007 Nov;68(11):871-8. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2007.07.007. Epub 2007 Sep 24.

Abstract

The high sequence identity observed between UNC-93B of mouse and human imply common evolutionary ancestors and a conserved function. A nonconservative point mutation in the mouse Unc93b1 gene has been associated with defective Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and impaired major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I and II restricted antigen responses. Like murine UNC-93B, the human homologue is predicted to form 12 transmembrane domains, and it localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum. In human beings its expression is highest in professional antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. Interestingly, UNC-93B itself is specifically induced by TLR3 signaling in monocyte-derived dendritic cells and macrophages. To study the effect of UNC-93B deficiency in TLR signaling and antigen-presentation in human beings, UNC-93B message was knocked down in monocyte-derived dendritic cells and a reduced TNFalpha production in response to TLR3 agonists was observed. In the same experiment, the achieved knockdown had no effect on an MHC II-dependent antigen response, suggesting that the reduced quantity of human UNC-93B was still capable of supporting class II antigen presentation or that UNC-93B is not required for class II antigen presentation in human antigen-presenting cells.

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation*
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / cytology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology*
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / immunology*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Toll-Like Receptors / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • UNC93B1 protein, human
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1