Induction of IL-4 expression in CD4(+) T cells by thymic stromal lymphopoietin.
The cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has been implicated in the development and progression of allergic inflammation in both humans and mice. Although the underlying mechanism is not known, TSLP-stimulated dendritic cells have been shown to prime human CD4(+) T cells into Th2 cytokine-producing cells. However, its direct effect on CD4(+) T cells has not been extensively investigated. In this study, we show that TSLP can drive Th2 differentiation in the absence of exogenous IL-4 and APCs. IL-4 blockade inhibited TSLP-mediated Th2 differentiation, demonstrating that IL-4 is involved in this process. Further analysis has shown that TSLP-induced Th2 differentiation is dependent on Stat6 and independent of IL-2 and that TSLP treatment leads to immediate, direct Il-4 gene transcription. Taken together, these data demonstrate that TSLP is directly involved in Th2-mediated responses via the induction of IL-4 production.
Omori
Miyuki
M
Immunology Program, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.
Ziegler
Steven
S
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
D016207:Cytokines; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; C494100:Stat6 protein, mouse; D015847:Interleukin-4; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin; C000721967:TSLP protein, mouse