From the diet to the nucleus: vitamin A and TGF-beta join efforts at the mucosal interface of the intestine

Semin Immunol. 2009 Feb;21(1):14-21. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2008.08.001. Epub 2008 Sep 21.

Abstract

The vitamin A metabolites, including retinoic acid (RA), form ligands for retinoic acid-related nuclear receptors and together they play pleiotropic roles in various biological processes. Recently, we described that RA also functions as a key modulator of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-driven immune deviation, capable of suppressing the differentiation of interleukin-17 secreting T helper cells (T(H)17) and conversely promoting the generation of Foxp3(+) T regulatory (Treg) cells. This review will focus on the role of RA in the reciprocal TGF-beta-driven differentiation of T(H)17 and Treg and on the importance of such regulatory mechanism to control a functional immune system, in particular at the mucosal interface of the intestine.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / immunology
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / immunology
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Diet
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / immunology
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
  • Tretinoin / immunology
  • Tretinoin / metabolism*
  • Vitamin A / immunology
  • Vitamin A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Interleukin-17
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Vitamin A
  • Tretinoin
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase