title: CD152 (CTLA-4) regulates effector functions of CD8+ T lymphocytes by repressing Eomesodermin.
abstract: CD8(+) T lymphocytes are required for effective host defense against pathogens and also for mediating effector responses against uncontrolled proliferating self-tissues. In this study, we determine that individual CD8(+) T cells are tightly controlled in their effector functions by CD152 (CTLA-4). We demonstrate that signals induced by CD152 reduce the frequency of IFN-gamma and granzyme B expressing CD8(+) T cells independently of the transcription factors T-bet or cKrox by selectively inhibiting accumulation of Eomesodermin mRNA and protein. Ectopic expression of Eomesodermin reversed the CD152-mediated inhibition of effector molecule production. Additionally, enhanced cytotoxicity of individual CD8(+) T cells differentiated in the absence of CD152 signaling was determined in vivo. These novel insights extend our understanding of how immune responses of CD8(+) T cells are selectively modulated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Hegel
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Knieke
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kolar
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Reiner
authors.forename: Monika C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Brunner-Weinzierl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D053804:Granzymes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556707:Ctla4 protein, mouse; C491198:Eomes protein, mouse; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D010047:Ovalbumin; D053804:Granzymes