Although Th1 and Th2 cells are known to be involved in allergic inflammatory diseases, the molecular mechanisms underlying their differentiation are incompletely understood. In this study, we identified CD155 as a costimulatory molecule on CD4(+) T cells. Importantly, CD155-mediated signaling induced Th1 development in both humans and mice, as evidenced by production of IFN-γ and upregulation of Tbx21 transcription; these effects were independent of IL-12 but dependent on NF-κB-induced autocrine IFN-γ that triggered positive feedback via STAT1 activation. Mice genetically deficient in CD155 or treated with anti-CD155 Ab exhibited attenuated Th1-type contact hypersensitivity. Thus, CD155 plays an important regulatory role in helper T cell differentiation and allergic diseases.
Copyright © 2015 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.