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

J Immunol. 2010 Dec 1;185(11):6461-71. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1001343. Epub 2010 Oct 25.

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.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Cytokines / physiology*
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology
  • Interferon-gamma / deficiency
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / physiology
  • Interleukin-17 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukins / physiology
  • Lymphopenia / immunology
  • Lymphopenia / metabolism
  • Lymphopenia / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / deficiency
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / deficiency
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / genetics
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / physiology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism*
  • Th1 Cells / transplantation

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Il27 protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukins
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Stat1 protein, mouse
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma