Gene regulation mediated by calcium signals in T lymphocytes

S Feske, J Giltnane, R Dolmetsch, LM Staudt… - Nature …, 2001 - nature.com
Nature immunology, 2001nature.com
Modulation of many signaling pathways in antigen-stimulated T and B cells results in global
changes in gene expression. Here we investigate the contribution of calcium signaling to
gene expression in T cells using cell lines from two severe-combined immunodeficiency
patients with several cytokine deficiencies and diminished activation of the transcription
factor NFAT nuclear factor of activated T cells. These T cells show a strong defect in
transmembrane calcium influx that is also apparent in their B cells and fibroblasts. DNA …
Abstract
Modulation of many signaling pathways in antigen-stimulated T and B cells results in global changes in gene expression. Here we investigate the contribution of calcium signaling to gene expression in T cells using cell lines from two severe-combined immunodeficiency patients with several cytokine deficiencies and diminished activation of the transcription factor NFAT nuclear factor of activated T cells. These T cells show a strong defect in transmembrane calcium influx that is also apparent in their B cells and fibroblasts. DNA microarray analysis of calcium entry–deficient and control T cells shows that Ca 2+ signals both activate and repress gene expression and are largely transduced through the phosphatase calcineurin. We demonstrate an elaborate network of signaling pathways downstream of the T cell receptor, explaining the complexity of changes in gene expression during T cell activation.
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