[HTML][HTML] Transcriptional mechanisms underlying lymphocyte tolerance

F Macián, F Garcı́a-Cózar, SH Im, HF Horton, MC Byrne… - Cell, 2002 - cell.com
F Macián, F Garcı́a-Cózar, SH Im, HF Horton, MC Byrne, A Rao
Cell, 2002cell.com
In lymphocytes, integration of Ca 2+ and other signaling pathways results in productive
activation, while unopposed Ca 2+ signaling leads to tolerance or anergy. We show that the
Ca 2+-regulated transcription factor NFAT has an integral role in both aspects of lymphocyte
function. Ca 2+/calcineurin signaling induces a limited set of anergy-associated genes,
distinct from genes induced in the productive immune response; these genes are
upregulated in vivo in tolerant T cells and are largely NFAT dependent. T cells lacking …
Abstract
In lymphocytes, integration of Ca2+ and other signaling pathways results in productive activation, while unopposed Ca2+ signaling leads to tolerance or anergy. We show that the Ca2+-regulated transcription factor NFAT has an integral role in both aspects of lymphocyte function. Ca2+/calcineurin signaling induces a limited set of anergy-associated genes, distinct from genes induced in the productive immune response; these genes are upregulated in vivo in tolerant T cells and are largely NFAT dependent. T cells lacking NFAT1 are resistant to anergy induction; conversely, NFAT1 induces T cell anergy if prevented from interacting with its transcriptional partner AP-1 (Fos/Jun). Thus, in the absence of AP-1, NFAT imposes a genetic program of lymphocyte anergy that counters the program of productive activation mediated by the cooperative NFAT:AP-1 complex.
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