What controls tissue-specific expression of the IL-4 gene?
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation by inducing Ig class switch to IgE. IL-4 is also the most potent factor that drives naive T helper (Th) cells to differentiate to the Th2 phenotype. Recently, efforts have been made to explore the molecular basis of the Th2-specific IL-4 expression in CD4 T cells. Transcription factors, such as GATA-3, NF-IL6 and c-Maf, were found to be preferentially expressed in Th2 cells and to play an important role in regulation of the IL-4 promoter activity. Yet, other transcription factors may be indirectly involved in Th2-specific expression of IL-4 even though they are present in both Th1 and Th2 cells. In conclusion, Th2-specific expression of the IL-4 gene appears to be controlled by a multi-factor-system.
Li-Weber
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M
Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany. m.li-weber@dkfz.heidelberg.de
Laur
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Davydov
I
I
Hu
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C
Salgame
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P
Krammer
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PH
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D015847:Interleukin-4