[PDF][PDF] MicroRNA-29 regulates T-box transcription factors and interferon-γ production in helper T cells

DF Steiner, MF Thomas, JK Hu, Z Yang, JE Babiarz… - Immunity, 2011 - cell.com
DF Steiner, MF Thomas, JK Hu, Z Yang, JE Babiarz, CDC Allen, M Matloubian, R Blelloch
Immunity, 2011cell.com
MicroRNA (miRNA)-deficient helper T cells exhibit abnormal IFN-γ production and
decreased proliferation. However, the contributions of individual miRNAs to this phenotype
remain poorly understood. We conducted a screen for miRNA function in primary T cells and
identified individual miRNAs that rescue the defects associated with miRNA deficiency.
Multiple members of the miR-17 and miR-92 families enhanced miRNA-deficient T cell
proliferation whereas miR-29 largely corrected their aberrant interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression …
Summary
MicroRNA (miRNA)-deficient helper T cells exhibit abnormal IFN-γ production and decreased proliferation. However, the contributions of individual miRNAs to this phenotype remain poorly understood. We conducted a screen for miRNA function in primary T cells and identified individual miRNAs that rescue the defects associated with miRNA deficiency. Multiple members of the miR-17 and miR-92 families enhanced miRNA-deficient T cell proliferation whereas miR-29 largely corrected their aberrant interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression. Repression of IFN-γ production by miR-29 involved direct targeting of both T-bet and Eomes, two transcription factors known to induce IFN-γ production. Although not usually expressed at functionally relevant amounts in helper T cells, Eomes was abundant in miRNA-deficient cells and was upregulated after miR-29 inhibition in wild-type cells. These results demonstrate that miR-29 regulates helper T cell differentiation by repressing multiple target genes, including at least two that are independently capable of inducing the T helper 1 (Th1) cell gene expression program.
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