Characterization of a novel human scavenger receptor cysteine-rich molecule SCART1 expressed by lymphocytes.

The scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) superfamily is a group of membrane bound and secreted proteins expressed by cells of the immune system. Several members act as pattern recognition receptors that bind to conserved molecular structures of pathogens. We have previously characterized a member of the SRCR superfamily, mSCART1, which primarily is expressed on a large subset of γδ T cells in mice. Here we report the cloning and characterization of human SCART1 (hSCART1) mainly expressed by CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes. The hSCART1 gene maps to chromosome 10, region q26.3, a region that displays synteny to the position of mSCART1 in the murine genome. The primary structure of hSCART1 was established by molecular cloning. The longest cDNA sequence of hSCART1 that was found is 2200bp and encodes a protein composed of a signal peptide, 5 SRCR domains, and an in-frame potential cytoplasmic domain. Shorter splice forms have also been isolated. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis on human blood-fractions has shown that hSCART1 is expressed primarily by CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes with either αß or γδ T cell receptors, and real-time PCR on 22 different human tissues showed high expression of hSCART1 in the small intestine and colon. An antibody raised against an N-terminal hSCART1 peptide stains a subset of cells in the small intestine, stomach, and gall bladder, and it also stains placental villi. In conclusion, the characterization of hSCART1 at the mRNA and protein level suggests that the protein plays a role in the immune system, perhaps as a co-receptor on αß and γδ T cells.

Elevated numbers of SCART1+ gammadelta T cells in skin inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease.

The members of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) superfamily group B have diverse functions, including roles in the immune system. For years it has been known that the WC1 protein is expressed on the surface of bovine gammadelta T cells, and more recent studies indicate that WC1(+) gammadelta T cells respond to stimulation with bacterial antigens by producing interferon-gamma. The SRCR proteins CD5, CD6, Sp alpha, CD163, and DMBT1/gp-340 are also involved in the immune response, since they are pattern recognition receptors capable of binding directly to bacterial and/or fungal components. Here, we investigate a novel murine SRCR protein named SCART1. The ectodomain and the full-length SCART1 were expressed in mammalian cells and used to raise monoclonal antibodies against the ectodomain for immunohistochemical and FACS analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis shows that SCART1 is expressed in a range of lymphoid organs and epithelial-rich tissues by a subset of T cells identified as being gammadelta T cells by FACS analysis. SCART1 was present in 86% of the gammadelta T cells and was not found in CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells. The numbers of SCART1(+) cells were elevated in two mouse models of human diseases: skin inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease. In the skin inflammation model, an 8.6-fold increase in SCART1(+) cells was observed. Finally, recombinant SCART1 protein was found not to bind to selected bacterial or fungal components or to whole bacteria. Our results show that SCART1 is a novel gammadelta T cell marker and it is therefore likely that SCART1 plays a role in the immune response.

Cloning and characterization of SCART1, a novel scavenger receptor cysteine-rich type I transmembrane molecule.

We have cloned and characterized a novel murine transmembrane molecule, mSCART1 belonging to the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich superfamily. The cDNA encodes a polypeptide chain of 989 amino acids, organized as a type I transmembrane protein that contains eight extracellular SRCR domains followed by a transmembrane region and a cytoplasmic domain. The cytoplasmic domain contains two putative src kinase consensus substrate sequences, three additional potential phosphorylation sites, and two potential internalization motifs. Two possible secreted forms that lack the transmembrane region arise by alternative splicing. The murine SCART1 gene maps to chromosome 7 band F5 and the analysis of the genomic organization showed that the gene spans 12.86 kb and contains 14 exons. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses on murine tissues showed high mSCART1 mRNA expression in the lymph node, the trachea, and the lung, and low expression was found in the thymus, the spleen, the skin, and in tissues throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Comparative studies of the domain organization as well as the cytoplasmic domain of mSCART1 with the other members of the SRCR superfamily show that mSCART1 is highly related to the WC1 family of the SRCR superfamily. Finally, a novel human scavenger receptor cysteine-rich molecule with high homology to mSCART1 was identified by searching in the human genomic databases using the mSCART1 cDNA sequence.