STAT PROTEIN REGULATION OF FOXP3 EXPRESSION AND INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN T HELPER CELL SUBSETS

Abstract

The differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into subsets of T helper cells (Th) is an essential process that impacts host defense and the pathogenesis of immunemediated diseases. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins, activated downstream of instructive cytokines, dictate and perpetuate the lineage decision of Th cells through both positive and negative effects. This is accomplished by regulating transcription factors, surface receptors and promoting epigenetic changes in gene expression through chromatin remodeling. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) can induce Foxp3 in developing Th cells and these Foxp3-expressing adaptive T regulatory cells (aTregs) are able to suppress inflammation in vitro and in vivo. To define the mechanism by which STAT proteins regulate Th cell pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, we examined T cells deficient in Stat3, Stat4, and Stat6 as well as T cells expressing two STAT4 isoforms after being cultured in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 and cytokines known to be instructive in Th cell development. The negative effects of STAT proteins are demonstrated by our results indicating STAT3, STAT4 and STAT6 proteins activated downstream of the instructive cytokines IL- 6, IL-12 and IL-4, respectively, negatively regulate the development of TGF-β induced Foxp3 and aTreg development. STAT3, STAT4, and STAT6 utilize a vi Mark H. Kaplan, Ph.D., Chair common mechanism to inhibit aTreg generation by inhibiting STAT5, a positive regulator of Foxp3 expression, from binding to the Foxp3 gene. STAT proteins positively effecting inflammatory immunity are demonstrated by our analysis of STAT4 isoforms and their ability to regulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines downstream of IL-12. STAT4β, a STAT4 splice isoform that lacks a Cterminal domain, and STAT4α, a full-length isoform are both capable of mediating inflammatory cell development. However, STAT4β promotes greater inflammation in vivo than STAT4α independent of its ability to repress Foxp3. Instead, the inflammation correlates with STAT4 isoform-dependent expression of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, cytokine-stimulated STAT proteins orchestrate T helper cell pro- and anti-inflammatory cell phenotypes.