Abstract
CD4⁺ T cell differentiation is regulated by specialized antigen-presenting cells. Dendritic cells (DCs) produce cytokines that promote naive CD4⁺ T cell differentiation into T helper 1 (Th1), Th17, and inducible T regulatory (iTreg) cells. However, the initiation of Th2 cell responses remains poorly understood, although it is likely that more than one mechanism might be involved. Here we have defined a specific DC subset that is involved in Th2 cell differentiation in vivo in response to a protease allergen, as well as infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. We have demonstrated that this subset is controlled by the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), which is required for their differentiation and Th2 cell-inducing function. IRF4 is known to control Th2 cell differentiation and Th2 cell-associated suppressing function in Treg cells. Our finding suggests that IRF4 also plays a role in DCs where it controls the initiation of Th2 cell responses.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication types
-
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Allergens / immunology
-
Animals
-
Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
-
Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
-
Bone Marrow Cells / parasitology
-
Cell Differentiation
-
Coculture Techniques
-
Dendritic Cells / immunology*
-
Dendritic Cells / parasitology
-
Dendritic Cells / pathology
-
Gene Expression Regulation
-
Immunity, Cellular*
-
Interferon Regulatory Factors / genetics
-
Interferon Regulatory Factors / immunology*
-
Mice
-
Mice, Transgenic
-
Nippostrongylus / immunology
-
Ovalbumin / immunology
-
Signal Transduction
-
Strongylida Infections / immunology*
-
Strongylida Infections / parasitology
-
Strongylida Infections / pathology
-
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
-
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / parasitology
-
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
-
Th1 Cells / immunology
-
Th1 Cells / parasitology
-
Th1 Cells / pathology
-
Th2 Cells / immunology*
-
Th2 Cells / parasitology
-
Th2 Cells / pathology
Substances
-
Allergens
-
Interferon Regulatory Factors
-
interferon regulatory factor-4
-
Ovalbumin