title: Early growth response transcription factors and the modulation of immune response: implications towards autoimmunity.
abstract: Early Growth Response (EGR) zinc finger transcription factors are induced under diverse mitogenic signals on different cell types such as lymphocytes. Their genetic expression does not require de novo protein synthesis, which suggests its role as immediate response mediators between cell surface receptor signaling and gene expression regulation. EGR factors are involved in modulating the immune response, by means of the induction of differentiation of lymphocyte precursors, activation of T and B cells, as well as their involvement in central and peripheral tolerance. The maturation state, particularly for B cells, and signaling through the T or B cell receptors seems to be quite relevant for the induction of the expression of these transcription factors. EGR-1 functions as a positive regulatory factor for B and T cells mediated by transcriptional regulation of key cytokines and costimulatory molecules, and its interaction with NFAT. On the opposite, EGR-2 and 3 act as negative regulators involved in anergy induction and apoptosis. EGR-2 and 3 deficiency has been related to the development of lupus like disease in murine models. The deficiency of these transcription factors has been associated to deficient Cbl-b expression, a resistant to anergy phenotype, and expansion of effector and activated T cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Tlalpan 14000, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gómez-Martín
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Díaz-Zamudio
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galindo-Campos
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alcocer-Varela
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D051765:Early Growth Response Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D056747:Immunomodulation; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D011946:Receptors, Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051765:Early Growth Response Transcription Factors; D011946:Receptors, Antigen