title: Nuclear factor of activated T (NFAT) cells activity within CD4+ T cells is influenced by activation status and tissue localisation.
abstract: Nuclear factor of activated T (NFAT) cells is a family of transcription factors important for the regulation of cytokine expression by CD4+ T cells. Whilst a number of studies have examined NFAT activity of in vitro generated CD4+ T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cells, regulation of NFAT during in vivo immune responses has yet to be elucidated. We show that NFAT activity in CD4+ T cells peaked at early time-points in the draining mediastinal lymph node of mice infected with influenza A (Flu) or Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nb). In contrast, low NFAT transcriptional activity was detected in CD4+ T cells isolated from the lung of either Flu or Nb infected mice, despite a greater proportion of cytokine-producing cells being present at this site. These findings indicate that the activation status and tissue microenvironment of effector CD4+ T cells can determine their requirement for NFAT-mediated transcription.
authors.affiliation: Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Central Services Building, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand. nharris@ethz.ch
authors.forename: Nicola L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacLenachan
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diehl
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Marsland
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rincon
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Gros
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009559:Nippostrongylus; D009928:Organ Specificity; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D011485:Protein Binding; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA