Identification of pancreatic glycoprotein 2 as an endogenous immunomodulator of innate and adaptive immune responses

J Immunol. 2012 Sep 15;189(6):2774-83. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103190. Epub 2012 Aug 13.

Abstract

Pancreatic autoantibodies are Crohn disease-specific serologic markers. The function and immunological role of their recently identified autoantigen, glycoprotein 2 (GP2), are unknown. We therefore investigated the impact of GP2 on modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses to evaluate its potential therapeutic use in mucosal inflammation. Our data indicate a previously unknown function for GP2 as an immunomodulator. GP2 was ubiquitously expressed on cells vital to mucosal immune responses. The expression of GP2 was upregulated on activated human T cells, and it was further influenced by pharmaceutical TNF-α inhibitors. Recombinant GP2 significantly decreased human intestinal epithelial cells, mucosal and peripheral T cell proliferation, apoptosis, and activation, and it distinctly modulated cytokine secretion. Furthermore, intestinal epithelial cells stimulated with GP2 potently attracted T cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel role for GP2 in immune regulation that could provide a platform for new therapeutic interventions in the treatment of Crohn disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Autoantigens / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / immunology
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / therapy
  • Crohn Disease / immunology*
  • Crohn Disease / therapy*
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Immunologic Factors / physiology*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • GP2 protein, human
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Immunologic Factors