Comprehensive gene expression profile of human activated T(h)1-and T(h)2-polarized cells

In response to antigen stimulation, T-h cells differentiate into two types of effector cells, T(h)1 and T(h)2. T(h)1 cells predominantly mediate cellu lar immunity, whereas T(h)2 cells induce humoral allergic responses. We hav e conducted here serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) in human activat ed T(h)1- and T(h)2-polarized cells from cord blood, SAGE analysis of 64,51 0 tags (32,219 and 32,291 tags from T(h)1 and T(h)2 cells respectively) all owed identification of 22,096 different transcripts. In activated T(h)1 cel ls, many of the known genes (12 genes, P < 0.01; 56 genes, P < 0.05), inclu ding genes encoding IFN-gamma, lymphotactin, osteopontin, MIP-1 alpha, MIP- 1 beta, perforin, beta -catenin and CD55, are highly expressed. On the othe r hand, in activated T(h)2 cells rather limited numbers of known genes (fou r genes, P< 0.01; 10 genes; P< 0.05), such as genes encoding FUS, ILF-2, IL -13 and E2-EPF, are found to be selectively expressed. The comprehensive id entification of genes selectively expressed in human activated T(h)1 or T(h )2 cells should contribute to our understanding of the molecular basis of T (h)1/T(h)2-dominated human diseases and may provide genetic information to diagnose these diseases.