RGD Reference Report - Ectopic expression of MHC class II genes (RT1.B(I) beta/alpha) in rat hepatocytes in vivo and in culture can be elicited by treatment with the pregnane X receptor agonists pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile and dexamethasone. - Rat Genome Database

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Ectopic expression of MHC class II genes (RT1.B(I) beta/alpha) in rat hepatocytes in vivo and in culture can be elicited by treatment with the pregnane X receptor agonists pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile and dexamethasone.

Authors: Jimenez, BD  Maldonado, L  Dahl, RH  Quattrochi, LC  Guzelian, PS 
Citation: Jimenez BD, etal., Life Sci. 2002 Jun 7;71(3):311-23.
RGD ID: 5147665
Pubmed: PMID:12034349   (View Abstract at PubMed)

The synthetic steroid, pregnenolone-16-alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), has served for decades as a probe for a postulated series of hepatic defenses activated under situations of environmental "stress". PCN, an antiglucocorticoid, and also such glucocorticoids as dexamethasone (Dex) appear to stimulate hepatic metabolism and elimination of xenobiotics by binding to the nuclear pregnane X receptor (PXR) which then interacts with a distinct DNA response element associated with induction of cytochrome P450 3A genes. To explore the full domain of genes controlled by PCN/PXR, we used differential display to detect rat liver mRNA species selectively induced by PCN or by Dex. Sequence analysis identified one of many PCN induced cDNA fragments as RT1.B(I)beta, a member of the major histocompatability class II (MHC) gene family usually found only in antigen presenting cells. Northern blot analysis of RNA from rat liver or from cultured hepatocytes confirmed that amounts of RT1.B(I)beta mRNA and also of its companion gene, RT1.B(I)alpha mRNA, became readily detectable within 3-6 hours following treatment with PCN or Dex, whereas no induction was observed in spleen RNA. Induction by PCN of RT1.B(I)beta immunoreactive protein was localized to the hepatocytes as judged by immunofluorescence. We conclude that ectopic expression of MHC II genes, an unprecedented effect of steroids or drugs, is rapidly evoked by PCN acting on the liver, directly. The concept of a set of genes coordinately controlled to maintain homeostasis in parenchymal tissues during toxic stress must now be extended to include the immune system.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
cellular response to glucocorticoid stimulus  IEP 5147665; 5147665 RGD 

Cellular Component
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
cell surface  IDA 5147665 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
RT1-Ba  (RT1 class II, locus Ba)
RT1-Bb  (RT1 class II, locus Bb)


Additional Information