title: Differential requirements for IL-4/STAT6 signalling in CD4 T-cell fate determination and Th2-immune effector responses.
abstract: Improved analytical tools have revealed that the development and expression of a Th2 immune response can be broken down into distinct stages with respect to the cytokine microenvironment that is required. Although IL-4 and its STAT6-signalling pathway are critical for the expression of Th2 effector immune responses in peripheral tissues such as the skin, lung and gut, IL-4 and STAT6 signalling are not required for the initial generation of IL-4-producing Th2 cells in the lymph node. This finding reveals that we have yet to identify the key cytokine or microenvironment that stimulates the development of this most intriguing CD4(+) T-helper subset and emphasises the tissue specificity and timing of IL-4/STAT6-dependent Th2 effector responses.
authors.affiliation: Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van Panhuys
authors.forename: Booki
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Gros
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C508598:IL4 protein, human; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; C494101:STAT6 protein, human; D015847:Interleukin-4