Tuning T helper cell differentiation by ITK

Biochem Soc Trans. 2020 Feb 28;48(1):179-185. doi: 10.1042/BST20190486.

Abstract

CD4+ effector T cells effectuate T cell immune responses, producing cytokines to orchestrate the nature and type of immune responses. The non-receptor tyrosine kinase IL-2 inducible T cell kinase (ITK), a mediator of T cell Receptor signaling, plays a critical role in tuning the development of these effector cells. In this review we discussed the role that signals downstream of ITK, including the Ras/MAPK pathway, play in differentially controlling the differentiation of TH17, Foxp3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells, and Type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells, supporting a model of ITK signals controlling a decision point in the effector T cell differentiation process.

Keywords: Itk; T-cells; cytokines; kinase; signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / immunology*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Th17 Cells / immunology*
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • emt protein-tyrosine kinase