title: Th17 cell differentiation proceeds independently of IRF8.
abstract: The transcriptional repressor/activator interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) modulates the differentiation of a multitude of hematopoietic lineages. However, the role of IRF8 in CD4(+) T-cell development is less well defined, with a recent study implicating IRF8 as an intrinsic repressor of interleukin-17 (IL-17) expressing T helper type 17 (Th17) cell differentiation. Using an IRF8-EGFP reporter strain we have confirmed that IRF8 is expressed in all T helper lineages, including Th17 cells. The loss of IRF8 did not affect Th17 differentiation in vitro, beyond a small increase in IL-22 expression. Moreover, IRF8 deficiency did not enhance the Th17 immune response in experimental T-cell transfer colitis. Together, these results suggest that IRF8 does not play an essential intrinsic role in Th17 cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Dane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.affiliation: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Patrick Sk
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Putoczki
authors.affiliation: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Nutt
authors.affiliation: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cretney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003092:Colitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D050835:Interferon Regulatory Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099185:Interferon Regulatory Factor-8
chemical_list: D050835:Interferon Regulatory Factors; D000099185:Interferon Regulatory Factor-8