Role of SMAD and non-SMAD signals in the development of Th17 and regulatory T cells

J Immunol. 2010 Apr 15;184(8):4295-306. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.0903418. Epub 2010 Mar 19.

Abstract

Whereas TGF-beta is essential for the development of peripherally induced Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (iTreg cells) and Th17 cells, the intracellular signaling mechanism by which TGF-beta regulates development of both cell subsets is less understood. In this study, we report that neither Smad2 nor Smad3 gene deficiency abrogates TGF-beta-dependent iTreg induction by a deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A in vivo, although the loss of the Smad2 or Smad3 gene partially reduces iTreg induction in vitro. Similarly, SMAD2 and SMAD3 have a redundant role in development of Th17 in vitro and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In addition, ERK and/or JNK pathways were shown to be involved in regulating iTreg cells, whereas the p38 pathway predominately modulated Th17 and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induction. Therefore, selective targeting of these intracellular TGF-beta signaling pathways during iTreg and Th17 cell development might lead to the development of therapies in treating autoimmune and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / metabolism
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / pathology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Hydroxamic Acids / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Smad2 Protein / deficiency
  • Smad2 Protein / genetics
  • Smad2 Protein / physiology*
  • Smad3 Protein / deficiency
  • Smad3 Protein / genetics
  • Smad3 Protein / physiology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • Interleukin-17
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Smad2 Protein
  • Smad2 protein, mouse
  • Smad3 Protein
  • Smad3 protein, mouse
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • trichostatin A