A critical role for the innate immune signaling molecule IRAK-4 in T cell activation

Science. 2006 Mar 31;311(5769):1927-32. doi: 10.1126/science.1124256.

Abstract

IRAK-4 is a protein kinase that is pivotal in mediating signals for innate immune responses. Here, we report that IRAK-4 signaling is also essential for eliciting adaptive immune responses. Thus, in the absence of IRAK-4, in vivo T cell responses were significantly impaired. Upon T cell receptor stimulation, IRAK-4 is recruited to T cell lipid rafts, where it induces downstream signals, including protein kinase C activation through the association with Zap70. This signaling pathway was found to be required for optimal activation of nuclear factor kappaB. Our findings suggest that T cells use this critical regulator of innate immunity for the development of acquired immunity, suggesting that IRAK-4 may be involved in direct signal cross talk between the two systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Membrane Microdomains / enzymology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / genetics
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / metabolism*
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase C-theta
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / metabolism

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase
  • Zap70 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases
  • Irak4 protein, mouse
  • Prkcq protein, mouse
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Protein Kinase C-theta