Signaling by the phosphatase MKP-1 in dendritic cells imprints distinct effector and regulatory T cell fates

Immunity. 2011 Jul 22;35(1):45-58. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2011.05.014. Epub 2011 Jun 30.

Abstract

Naive T cells respond to antigens by differentiating into effector and regulatory lineages. Whereas the roles of T cell-intrinsic pathways have been extensively studied, how T cell lineage choices are controlled by innate immune signals remains elusive. Here we report that dendritic cell (DC)-expressed phosphatase MKP-1, a negative regulator of the MAP kinases, programmed reciprocal T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 cell differentiation by modulating IL-12-STAT4 and IL-6-STAT3 axes and cytokine receptor expression at the DC-T cell interface. MKP-1 was regulated by innate recognition signals and its deficiency disrupted antimicrobial responses and promoted T cell-mediated inflammation. Moreover, MKP-1 inhibited induction of regulatory T cells by downregulating TGF-β2 production from DCs. Our findings identify a regulatory circuit linking MKP-1 signaling in DCs, production of polarizing cytokines, and integration of DC-derived signals in responding T cells, that bridges innate and adaptive immunity to coordinate protective immunity and immunopathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • Candidiasis / immunology*
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 / genetics
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 / immunology
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 / metabolism*
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 / pharmacology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Listeriosis / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • STAT4 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / pathology
  • Th1-Th2 Balance
  • Th17 Cells / immunology
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT4 Transcription Factor
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1