Characterization of immune functions in TRAF4-deficient mice.
Tumour necrosis factor receptor associated factor 4 (TRAF4) is a member of the TRAF family of proteins which are cytoplasmic adaptor molecules strongly implicated in multiple immune functions. A previous investigation of TRAF4 biological functions by gene targeting in mice has shown a role for TRAF4 in embryonic development and neurulation in vivo. However, unlike other TRAF family members, the role of TRAF4 in the immune system is still unknown. To address this question, we performed an extensive characterization of the immune development and immune functions of TRAF4-deficient mice. Our analyses did not reveal any defects in development of T and B lymphocytes, granulocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, and no defects in reactive oxygen species production and phagocytosis by neutrophils. Cellular and humoral responses against T-cell-dependent antigens were normal, as was dendritic cell maturation in response to microbial components and antigen uptake by dendritic cells. However, we demonstrated that dendritic cells from TRAF4-deficient mice exhibited reduced migration both in transwell experiments and in vivo. These results suggest that TRAF4 is not strictly required for immune development and functions but could participate in immune functions by facilitating immune cell migration.
Cherfils-Vicini
Julien
J
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de recherche des Cordeliers, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Vingert
Benoit
B
Varin
Audrey
A
Tartour
Eric
E
Fridman
Wolf-Herman
WH
Sautès-Fridman
Catherine
C
Régnier
Catherine H
CH
Cremer
Isabelle
I
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D007107:Immune System / Q000254:growth & development; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D053449:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 4 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D022603:Shiga Toxins; D053449:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 4; C506368:Traf4 protein, mouse; C077239:stxB toxin; D010047:Ovalbumin