Modulation of Cellular Response to Antigens by Uteroglobin and Transglutaminase

Tissue-specific expression of the gene coding for human Clara cell 10-kD protein, a phospholipase A2-inhibitory protein.

“…In the prostate and in the lung, it is clear that ccI0kD protein is specifically expressed in the epithelial cells. These data are similar to those obtained for rabbit UG, which is produced mainly by epithelial cells (for a review see references 9,48). In addition, the cellular distribution ofcc 1OkD protein in human prostatic and respiratory epithelia is virtually identical to that previously observed with an antibody directed against rabbit UG, which cross-reacts with human cc0OkD (40,41 ).…”

“…Several years ago we hypothesized that proteins of the UG family would be found in the epithelia of most mucosal organs communicating to the external environment (48). In view of the antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive properties of UG, it is tempting to speculate that local production of UG or cc10kD by epithelial cells may be a mechanism directed to prevent undue activation of inflammatory processes that may cause tissue injury.…”

Expression of uteroglobin in a murine model of allergic rhinitis

“…Reports show that UGB is a multifunctional protein. These include inhibition of phospholipase A2 and C [8Á10], immune regulatory activity [11], anti-inflammatory activity [12,13], inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha [14,15] and inhibition of chemotaxis. Some have described UGB as the ''natural immunosuppressor'' [15].…”

Human Uteroglobin Gene: Structure, Subchromosomal Localization, and Polymorphism

“…It has also been detected in the urine and has been called urine protein-1 (Jackson et al, 1988). This protein possesses varied biochemical and biological properties including phospholipase A2(PLAA)-inhibitory (Levin et al, 1986), immunomodulatory (Mukherjee et al, 1982(Mukherjee et al, , 1983)/antiinflammatory properties (Levin et al, 1984;Miele et al, 1988;Mukherjee et al, 1988;Camussi et al, 1990a,b,c;Chan et al, 1990Chan et al, , 1991Di Rosa and Ialenti, 1990;Ialenti et al, 1990;Facchiano et al, 199l;Tetta etal, 1991;Perretti etal, 1991;Cabre' et al, 1992;Moreno et al, 1995). It binds xenobiotic agents such as progesterone (Beato, 1976(Beato, , 1977Fridlansky and Milgrom, 1976;Alger etal., 1980;Bochskanl and Kirchner, 1981;Peter, 1992), polychlorinated biphenyls (Gillener et al, 1988;NordlundMoller et al, 1990), and retinol (Lopez de Haro et al, 1994).…”