Abstract
Ceruloplasmin (CP) is a multicopper oxidase involved in the acute phase reaction to stress. Although the physiological role of CP is uncertain, its role in iron (Fe) homeostasis and protection against free radical-initiated cell injury has been widely documented. Previous studies showed the existence of two molecular isoforms of CP: secreted CP (sCP) and a membrane glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored form of CP (GPI-CP). sCP is produced mainly by the liver and is abundant in human serum whereas GPI-CP is expressed in mammalian astrocytes, rat leptomeningeal and Sertolli cells. Herein, we show using RT-PCR that human peripheral blood lymphocytes (huPBL) constitutively express the transcripts for both CP molecular isoforms previously reported. Also, expression of CP in huPBL is demonstrated by immunofluorescence with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis using cells isolated from healthy blood donors with normal Fe status. Importantly, the results obtained show that natural killer cells have a significantly higher CP expression compared to all other major lymphocyte subsets. In this context, the involvement of lymphocyte-derived CP on host defense processes via its anti/pro-oxidant properties is proposed, giving further support for a close functional interaction between the immune system and Fe metabolism.
Autores
:
Banha, J.; Marques, L., Oliveira, R., Martins, F., Paixão, E., Pereira, D., Malhó, R., Penque, D. and Costa, L.
Departamentos:
Promoção da Saúde e Doenças Crónicas / Genética
Áreas de trabalho:
Avaliação do Impacte em Saúde, Determinantes Imunológicos em Doenças Crónicas / Genómica Funcional