title: Cutting edge: direct action of thymic stromal lymphopoietin on activated human CD4+ T cells.
abstract: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that promotes CD4(+) T cell homeostasis and contributes to allergic and inflammatory responses. TSLP can act directly on mouse CD4(+) T cells, but in humans, the available data have indicated that TSLP receptors are not expressed on CD4(+) T cells and that TSLP instead activates dendritic cells, which in turn promote the proliferation and differentiation of CD4(+) T cells. We now unexpectedly demonstrate the presence of TSLP receptors on activated human CD4(+) T cells. Strikingly, whereas freshly isolated peripheral blood human T cells show little if any response to TSLP, TCR stimulation allows a potent response to this cytokine. Moreover, TSLP increases the sensitivity of human CD4(+) T cells to low doses of IL-2, augmenting responsiveness of these cells to TCR engagement. Our results establish that human CD4(+) T cells are direct targets for TSLP.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rochman
authors.forename: Norihiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arima
authors.forename: Yong-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Warren J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Leonard
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D050799:STAT5 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D050799:STAT5 Transcription Factor; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin