Abstract
RT-PCR combined with immunoblotting showed the expression of group-I (mGlu1 and 5) and group-II (mGlu2 and 3) metabotropic glutamate receptors in whole mouse thymus, isolated thymocytes and TC-1S thymic stromal cell line. Cytofluorimetric analysis showed that mGlu-5 receptors were absent in CD4(-)/CD8(-) but present in more mature CD4(+) CD8(+) and CD4(+)CD8(-) thymocytes. mGlu-1a receptors showed an opposite pattern of expression with respect to mGlu5, whereas mGlu2/3 receptor expression did not differ between double negative and double positive cells. mGlu receptors expressed in both thymic cell components were functional, as indicated by measurements of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis or cAMP formation. These data suggest a possible role for mGlu receptor signalling in the thymus.
MeSH terms
-
Animals
-
Blotting, Western
-
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
-
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
-
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
-
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
-
Cell Line
-
Cyclic AMP / metabolism
-
Cycloleucine / analogs & derivatives
-
Cycloleucine / pharmacology
-
Flow Cytometry
-
Gene Expression / immunology
-
Hydrolysis
-
Male
-
Mice
-
Mice, Inbred C57BL
-
Neuroimmunomodulation / genetics*
-
Neuroimmunomodulation / immunology
-
Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
-
Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates / metabolism
-
RNA, Messenger / analysis
-
Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / agonists
-
Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / analysis
-
Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / genetics*
-
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
-
Signal Transduction / immunology
-
Stromal Cells / chemistry
-
Stromal Cells / cytology
-
Stromal Cells / immunology*
-
Thymus Gland / cytology*
-
Thymus Gland / immunology
Substances
-
Neuroprotective Agents
-
Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates
-
RNA, Messenger
-
Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
-
Cycloleucine
-
1-amino-1,3-dicarboxycyclopentane
-
Cyclic AMP