[HTML][HTML] JunB regulates homeostasis and suppressive functions of effector regulatory T cells

S Koizumi, D Sasaki, TH Hsieh, N Taira… - Nature …, 2018 - nature.com
S Koizumi, D Sasaki, TH Hsieh, N Taira, N Arakaki, S Yamasaki, K Wang, S Sarkar…
Nature communications, 2018nature.com
Abstract Foxp3-expressing CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells need to differentiate into effector
Treg (eTreg) cells to maintain immune homeostasis. T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent
induction of the transcription factor IRF4 is essential for eTreg differentiation, but how IRF4
activity is regulated in Treg cells is still unclear. Here we show that the AP-1 transcription
factor, JunB, is expressed in eTreg cells and promotes an IRF4-dependent transcription
program. Mice lacking JunB in Treg cells develop multi-organ autoimmunity, concomitant …
Abstract
Foxp3-expressing CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells need to differentiate into effector Treg (eTreg) cells to maintain immune homeostasis. T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent induction of the transcription factor IRF4 is essential for eTreg differentiation, but how IRF4 activity is regulated in Treg cells is still unclear. Here we show that the AP-1 transcription factor, JunB, is expressed in eTreg cells and promotes an IRF4-dependent transcription program. Mice lacking JunB in Treg cells develop multi-organ autoimmunity, concomitant with aberrant activation of T helper cells. JunB promotes expression of Treg effector molecules, such as ICOS and CTLA4, in BATF-dependent and BATF-independent manners, and is also required for homeostasis and suppressive functions of eTreg. Mechanistically, JunB facilitates the accumulation of IRF4 at a subset of IRF4 target sites, including those located near Icos and Ctla4. Thus, JunB is a critical regulator of IRF4-dependent Treg effector programs, highlighting important functions for AP-1 in Treg-mediated immune homeostasis.
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