Dysregulation of T lymphocyte function in itchy mice: a role for Itch in TH2 differentiation

D Fang, C Elly, B Gao, N Fang, Y Altman… - Nature …, 2002 - nature.com
D Fang, C Elly, B Gao, N Fang, Y Altman, C Joazeiro, T Hunter, N Copeland, N Jenkins…
Nature immunology, 2002nature.com
Itch is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that is disrupted in nonagouti-lethal or itchy mice. Itch deficiency
leads to severe immune and inflammatory disorders and constant itching of the skin. Here
we show that Itch−/− T cells show an activated phenotype and enhanced proliferation.
Production of the type 2 T helper (TH2) cell cytokines interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-5 by Itch−/−
T cells was augmented upon stimulation, and the TH2-dependent serum concentrations of
immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE in itchy mice were also increased. Molecularly, Itch …
Abstract
Itch is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that is disrupted in nonagouti-lethal or itchy mice. Itch deficiency leads to severe immune and inflammatory disorders and constant itching of the skin. Here we show that Itch−/− T cells show an activated phenotype and enhanced proliferation. Production of the type 2 T helper (TH2) cell cytokines interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-5 by Itch−/− T cells was augmented upon stimulation, and the TH2-dependent serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE in itchy mice were also increased. Molecularly, Itch associated with and induced ubiquitination of JunB, a transcription factor that is involved in TH2 differentiation. These results provide a molecular link between Itch deficiency and the aberrant activation of immune responses in itchy mice.
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