The transcription factor XBP1 in dendritic cells promotes the TH2 cell response in airway allergy

Sci Signal. 2023 Jun 27;16(791):eabm9454. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.abm9454. Epub 2023 Jun 27.

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) that express T cell immunoglobulin domain molecule-4 (TIM4), a cell surface receptor for phosphatidylserine, induce T helper 2 (TH2) cell responses and allergic reactions. We elucidated the role of the transcription factor X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP1) in the induction of the TH2 cell response through its role in generating TIM4+ DCs. We found that XBP1 was required for TIM4 mRNA and protein expression in airway DCs in response to the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) and that this pathway was required for TIM4 expression on DCs in response to the allergens PM2.5 and Derf1. The IL-2-XBP1-TIM4 axis in DCs contributed to Derf1/PM2.5-induced, aberrant TH2 cell responses in vivo. An interaction between the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Son of sevenless-1 (SOS1) and the GTPase RAS promoted XBP1 and TIM4 production in DCs. Targeting the XBP1-TIM4 pathway in DCs prevented or alleviated experimental airway allergy. Together, these data suggest that XBP1 is required for TH2 cell responses by inducing the development of TIM4+ DCs, which depends on the IL-2-XBP1-SOS1 axis. This signaling pathway provides potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of TH2 cell-dependent inflammation or allergic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity* / genetics
  • Hypersensitivity* / metabolism
  • Interleukin-2* / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Particulate Matter / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1 / genetics

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Transcription Factors
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Particulate Matter
  • XBP1 protein, human
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1