Open AccessAltered expression of Butyrophilin ( BTN ) and BTN‐like ( BTNL ) genes in intestinal inflammation and colon cancer
Author(s) -
LebreroFernández Cristina,
Wenzel Ulf Alexander,
Akeus Paulina,
Wang Ying,
Strid Hans,
Simrén Magnus,
Gustavsson Bengt,
Börjesson Lars G.,
Cardell Susanna L.,
Öhman Lena,
QuidingJärbrink Marianne,
BasForsberg Anna
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
immunity, inflammation and disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2050-4527
DOI - 10.1002/iid3.105
Subject(s) - inflammation , colorectal cancer , ulcerative colitis , carcinogenesis , gene , cancer , gene expression , biology , colitis , cancer research , medicine , immunology , genetics , disease
Abstract Several Butyrophilin (BTN) and Btn‐like (BTNL) molecules control T lymphocyte responses, and are genetically associated with inflammatory disorders and cancer. In this study, we present a comprehensive expression analysis of human and murine BTN and BTNL genes in conditions associated with intestinal inflammation and cancer. Using real‐time PCR, expression of human BTN and BTNL genes was analyzed in samples from patients with ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and colon tumors. Expression of murine Btn and Btnl genes was examined in mouse models of spontaneous colitis ( Muc2 −/− ) and intestinal tumorigenesis ( Apc Min/+ ). Our analysis indicates a strong association of several of the human genes with ulcerative colitis and colon cancer; while especially BTN1A1 , BTN2A2 , BTN3A3 , and BTNL8 were significantly altered in inflammation, colonic tumors exhibited significantly decreased levels of BTNL2 , BTNL3 , BTNL8 , and BTNL9 as compared to unaffected tissue. Colonic inflammation in Muc2 −/− mice significantly down‐regulated the expression of particularly Btnl1 , Btnl4 , and Btnl6 mRNA, and intestinal polyps derived from Apc Min/+ mice displayed altered levels of Btn1a1 , Btn2a2 , and Btnl1 transcripts. Thus, our data present an association of BTN and BTNL genes with intestinal inflammation and cancer and represent a valuable resource for further studies of this gene family.