STAT1-activating cytokines limit Th17 responses through both T-bet–dependent and–independent mechanisms

AV Villarino, E Gallo, AK Abbas - The Journal of Immunology, 2010 - journals.aai.org
AV Villarino, E Gallo, AK Abbas
The Journal of Immunology, 2010journals.aai.org
Given the association with autoimmune disease, there is great interest in defining cellular
factors that limit overactive or misdirected Th17-type inflammation. Using in vivo and in vitro
models, we investigated the molecular mechanisms for cytokine-mediated inhibition of Th17
responses, focusing on the role of STAT1 and T-bet in this process. These studies
demonstrate that, during systemic inflammation, STAT1-and T-bet–deficient T cells each
exhibit a hyper-Th17 phenotype relative to wild-type controls. However, IL-17 production …
Abstract
Given the association with autoimmune disease, there is great interest in defining cellular factors that limit overactive or misdirected Th17-type inflammation. Using in vivo and in vitro models, we investigated the molecular mechanisms for cytokine-mediated inhibition of Th17 responses, focusing on the role of STAT1 and T-bet in this process. These studies demonstrate that, during systemic inflammation, STAT1-and T-bet–deficient T cells each exhibit a hyper-Th17 phenotype relative to wild-type controls. However, IL-17 production was greater in the absence of T-bet, and when both STAT1 and T-bet were deleted, there was no further increase, with the double-deficient cells instead behaving more like STAT1-deficient counterparts. Similar trends were observed during in vitro priming, with production of Th17-type cytokines greater in T-bet−/− T cells than in either STAT1−/− or STAT1−/− T-bet−/− counterparts. The ability of IFN-γ and IL-27 to suppress Th17 responses was reduced in T-bet–deficient cells, and most importantly, ectopic T-bet could suppress signature Th17 gene products, including IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γT, even in STAT1-deficient T cells. Taken together, these studies formally establish that, downstream of IFN-γ, IL-27, and likely all STAT1-activating cytokines, there are both STAT1 and T-bet–dependent pathways capable of suppressing Th17 responses.
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