Use of gene expression profiling to identify a novel glucocorticoid sensitivity determining gene, BMPRII

FASEB J. 2007 Feb;21(2):402-14. doi: 10.1096/fj.06-7236com. Epub 2006 Dec 21.

Abstract

Wide variation in glucocorticoid (Gc) sensitivity exists between individuals which may influence susceptibility to, and treatment response of, inflammatory diseases. To determine a genetic fingerprint of Gc sensitivity 100 healthy human volunteers were polarized into the 10% most Gc-sensitive and 10% most Gc-resistant following a low dose dexamethasone (0.25 mg) suppression test. Gene expression profiling of primary lymphocytes identified the 98 most significantly Gc regulated genes. These genes were used to build a subnetwork of Gc signaling, with 54 genes mapping as nodes, and 6 non-Gc regulated genes inferred as signaling nodes. Twenty four of the 98 genes showed a difference in Gc response in vitro dependent on the Gc sensitivity of their donor individuals in vivo. A predictive model was built using both partial least squares discriminate analysis and support vector machines that predicted donor glucocorticoid sensitivity with 87% accuracy. Discriminating genes included bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type II (BMPRII). Transfection studies showed that BMPRII modulated Gc action. These studies reveal a broad base of gene expression that predicts Gc sensitivity and determine a Gc signaling network in human primary T lymphocytes. Furthermore, this combined gene profiling, and functional analysis approach has identified BMPRII as a modulator of Gc signaling.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II / genetics*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Glucocorticoids / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Least-Squares Analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone
  • BMPR2 protein, human
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II