title: Bcl-3 puts the brakes on contact hypersensitivity.
abstract: B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-3 is a nonclassical member of the IκB protein family known to interact with transcriptionally inactive NF-κB1 and NF-κB2 homodimers to modulate gene expression. Besides its action as an oncoprotein, Bcl-3 has been shown to have both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions depending on the cell-type affected. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Tassi et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2015. 45: 1059-1068] report that Bcl-3 inhibits the production of the proinflammatory chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 in keratinocytes, thereby restricting the influx of CD8(+) effector T cells in a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis. In addition, mice with a global deficiency of Bcl-3 show enhanced ear swelling responses in the late phase of contact hypersensitivity responses. Besides keratinocytes, other radioresistant cell types appear to also utilize Bcl-3 to dampen the inflammatory response. This Commentary will discuss the evidence supporting Bcl-3 as a critical player in limiting inflammation during the later stages of contact hypersensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; IUF Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weighardt
authors.forename: Irmgard
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Förster
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000081242:B-Cell Lymphoma 3 Protein; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D054370:Chemokine CXCL9 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D004423:Ear / Q000473:pathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D052003:NF-kappa B p52 Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000081242:B-Cell Lymphoma 3 Protein; C000631345:Bcl3 protein, mouse; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D054370:Chemokine CXCL9; C485433:Cxcl10 protein, mouse; C485969:Cxcl9 protein, mouse; D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit; D052003:NF-kappa B p52 Subunit; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Bcl-3; CXCL10; CXCL9; Contact hypersensitivity; Keratinocytes; NF-κB