The transcription cofactor Hopx is required for regulatory T cell function in dendritic cell-mediated peripheral T cell unresponsiveness

Nat Immunol. 2010 Oct;11(10):962-8. doi: 10.1038/ni.1929. Epub 2010 Aug 29.

Abstract

Induced regulatory T cells (iT(reg) cells) can be generated by peripheral dendritic cells (DCs) that mediate T cell unresponsiveness to rechallenge with antigen. The molecular factors required for the function of such iT(reg) cells remain unknown. We report a critical role for the transcription cofactor homeodomain-only protein (Hop; also known as Hopx) in iT(reg) cells to mediate T cell unresponsiveness in vivo. Hopx-sufficient iT(reg) cells downregulated expression of the transcription factor AP-1 complex and suppressed other T cells. In the absence of Hopx, iT(reg) cells had high expression of the AP-1 complex, proliferated and failed to mediate T cell unresponsiveness to rechallenge with antigen. Thus, Hopx is required for the function of T(reg) cells induced by DCs and the promotion of DC-mediated T cell unresponsiveness in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / immunology*
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Hop protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factor AP-1