IFITM proteins drive type 2 T helper cell differentiation and exacerbate allergic airway inflammation
DC Yánez, H Sahni, S Ross, A Solanki… - European journal of …, 2019 - Wiley Online Library
European journal of immunology, 2019•Wiley Online Library
The interferon‐inducible transmembrane (Ifitm/Fragilis) genes encode homologous proteins
that are induced by IFNs. Here, we show that IFITM proteins regulate murine CD4+ Th cell
differentiation. Ifitm2 and Ifitm3 are expressed in wild‐type (WT) CD4+ T cells. On activation,
Ifitm3 was downregulated and Ifitm2 was upregulated. Resting Ifitm‐family‐deficient CD4+ T
cells had higher expression of Th1‐associated genes than WT and purified naive Ifitm‐
family‐deficient CD4+ T cells differentiated more efficiently to Th1, whereas Th2 …
that are induced by IFNs. Here, we show that IFITM proteins regulate murine CD4+ Th cell
differentiation. Ifitm2 and Ifitm3 are expressed in wild‐type (WT) CD4+ T cells. On activation,
Ifitm3 was downregulated and Ifitm2 was upregulated. Resting Ifitm‐family‐deficient CD4+ T
cells had higher expression of Th1‐associated genes than WT and purified naive Ifitm‐
family‐deficient CD4+ T cells differentiated more efficiently to Th1, whereas Th2 …
Abstract
The interferon‐inducible transmembrane (Ifitm/Fragilis) genes encode homologous proteins that are induced by IFNs. Here, we show that IFITM proteins regulate murine CD4+ Th cell differentiation. Ifitm2 and Ifitm3 are expressed in wild‐type (WT) CD4+ T cells. On activation, Ifitm3 was downregulated and Ifitm2 was upregulated. Resting Ifitm‐family‐deficient CD4+ T cells had higher expression of Th1‐associated genes than WT and purified naive Ifitm‐family‐deficient CD4+ T cells differentiated more efficiently to Th1, whereas Th2 differentiation was inhibited.
Ifitm‐family‐deficient mice, but not Ifitm3‐deficient mice, were less susceptible than WT to induction of allergic airways disease, with a weaker Th2 response and less severe disease and lower Il4 but higher Ifng expression and IL‐27 secretion. Thus, the Ifitm family is important in adaptive immunity, influencing Th1/Th2 polarization, and Th2 immunopathology.
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