Elevating calcium in Th2 cells activates multiple pathways to induce IL-4 transcription and mRNA stabilization

J Immunol. 2008 Sep 15;181(6):3984-93. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.181.6.3984.

Abstract

PMA and ionomycin cause T cell cytokine production. We report that ionomycin alone induces IL-4 and IFN-gamma, but not IL-2, from in vivo- and in vitro-generated murine Th2 and Th1 cells. Ionomycin-induced cytokine production requires NFAT, p38, and calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV). Ionomycin induces p38 phosphorylation through a calcium-dependent, cyclosporine A-inhibitable pathway. Knocking down ASK1 inhibits ionomycin-induced p38 phosphorylation and IL-4 production. Ionomycin also activates CaMKIV, which, together with p38, induces AP-1. Cooperation between AP-1 and NFAT leads to Il4 gene transcription. p38 also regulates IL-4 production by mRNA stabilization. TCR stimulation also phosphorylates p38, partially through the calcium-dependent pathway; activated p38 is required for optimal IL-4 and IFN-gamma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Calcium Signaling / genetics
  • Calcium Signaling / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism*
  • Ionomycin / pharmacology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • RNA Stability / immunology*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / immunology
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / metabolism
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / pathology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / parasitology
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Up-Regulation / immunology*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / physiology

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Interleukin-4
  • Ionomycin
  • Interferon-gamma
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases