Up-Regulation of T-Cell Activation MicroRNAs in Drug-Specific CD4+ T-Cells from Hypersensitive Patients

Chem Res Toxicol. 2018 Jun 18;31(6):454-461. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.7b00330. Epub 2018 May 16.

Abstract

Dysregulation in the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), single-stranded RNAs which regulate gene expression, has been associated with diseases such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), although their cellular origin has not been explored. Thus, the focus of this work was to study expression patterns of reported miRNAs involved in T-cell activation following drug-specific stimulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and drug-specific CD4+ T-cell clones (TCC) from patients with different cutaneous manifestations of delayed-type drug hypersensitivity reactions. CD4+ T-cells from hypersensitive patients were stimulated to proliferate, secreted cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-22), cytolytic molecules (Granzyme B) and up-regulate miRNAs 24 to 48 h after drug exposure. Carbamazepine-specific CD4+ T-cells that proliferated to the greatest extent and secreted the highest levels of IFN-γ showed an up-regulation of miR-18a and miR-155. In contrast, piperacillin-specific CD4+ T-cells displaying high expression of miR-9 and miR-21 showed an association with the extent of proliferation, but not IFN-γ secretion. MiR-155 up-regulation was detected in PBMCs from all hypersensitive patients 24 h after drug treatment, while miR-18a and miR-21 expression was up-regulated after 48 h. These findings demonstrate that miRNAs are expressed during drug-specific CD4+ T-cell activation and shows a new regulation path for drug hypersensitivity reactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Carbamazepine / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lamotrigine / pharmacology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Piperacillin / pharmacology
  • Sulfamethoxazole / pharmacology
  • Up-Regulation*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • MicroRNAs
  • Carbamazepine
  • Sulfamethoxazole
  • Lamotrigine
  • Piperacillin