Characterization and expression of the transcription factor PU.1 during LPS-induced inflammation in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Citation

Ribas L, Roher N, Martinez M, Balasch JC, Donate C, Goetz FW, Iliev DB, Planas JV, Tort L & MacKenzie S (2008) Characterization and expression of the transcription factor PU.1 during LPS-induced inflammation in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 24 (1), pp. 35-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2007.07.009

Abstract
The transcription factor PU.1 plays a key role in hematopoietic lineage development and therefore in determining immune cell fate. A full length cDNA transcript of 1237 nucleotides encoding a highly conserved putative protein of 293 amino acids was identified by EST analysis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated trout macrophages. Phylogenetic analyses highlight the significant level of structural conservation of the PU.1 transcription factor reinforcing the importance of this molecule in animal immunity. In trout, the PU.1 mRNA shows a tissue-specific expression pattern and is induced in vivo by LPS in muscle, liver, intestine and brain. Furthermore PU.1 is highly expressed in trout macrophages in primary culture. In situ expression analysis in the head kidney describes a large number of PU.1+ve cells distributed through the tissue in both LPS-treated and control animals. Cellular proliferation examined by BrdU immunohistochemistry (IHC) shows that LPS regulates hematopoietic processes in adult fish by stimulating cellular proliferation 3 days after treatment. These studies provide initial insights into hematopoietic/cellular processes in the head kidney of rainbow trout after in vivo LPS challenge.

Keywords
PU.1; Hematopoiesis; Proliferation; Immune response

Journal
Fish and Shellfish Immunology: Volume 24, Issue 1