Analysis of interleukin-21-induced Prdm1 gene regulation reveals functional cooperation of STAT3 and IRF4 transcription factors

Immunity. 2009 Dec 18;31(6):941-52. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2009.10.008.

Abstract

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a pleiotropic cytokine that induces expression of transcription factor BLIMP1 (encoded by Prdm1), which regulates plasma cell differentiation and T cell homeostasis. We identified an IL-21 response element downstream of Prdm1 that binds the transcription factors STAT3 and IRF4, which are required for optimal Prdm1 expression. Genome-wide ChIP-Seq mapping of STAT3- and IRF4-binding sites showed that most regions with IL-21-induced STAT3 binding also bound IRF4 in vivo and furthermore revealed that the noncanonical TTCnnnTAA GAS motif critical in Prdm1 was broadly used for STAT3 binding. Comparing genome-wide expression array data to binding sites revealed that most IL-21-regulated genes were associated with combined STAT3-IRF4 sites rather than pure STAT3 sites. Correspondingly, ChIP-Seq analysis of Irf4(-/-) T cells showed greatly diminished STAT3 binding after IL-21 treatment, and Irf4(-/-) mice showed impaired IL-21-induced Tfh cell differentiation in vivo. These results reveal broad cooperative gene regulation by STAT3 and IRF4.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors / genetics
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors / metabolism*
  • Interleukins / metabolism*
  • Introns
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • Interferon Regulatory Factors
  • Interleukins
  • Prdm1 protein, mouse
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Transcription Factors
  • interferon regulatory factor-4
  • Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1
  • interleukin-21

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE19198