NFATc2 and NFATc3 transcription factors play a crucial role in suppression of CD4+ T lymphocytes by CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells

T Bopp, A Palmetshofer, E Serfling, V Heib… - The Journal of …, 2005 - rupress.org
T Bopp, A Palmetshofer, E Serfling, V Heib, S Schmitt, C Richter, M Klein, H Schild, E Schmitt…
The Journal of experimental medicine, 2005rupress.org
The phenotype of NFATc2−/− c3−/−(double knockout [DKO]) mice implies a disturbed
regulation of T cell responses, evidenced by massive lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and
autoaggressive phenomena. The population of CD4+ CD25+ T cells from DKO mice lacks
regulatory capacity, except a small subpopulation that highly expresses glucocorticoid-
induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family–related gene (GITR) and CD25. However,
neither wild-type nor DKO CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (T reg cells) are able to suppress …
The phenotype of NFATc2−/− c3−/− (double knockout [DKO]) mice implies a disturbed regulation of T cell responses, evidenced by massive lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and autoaggressive phenomena. The population of CD4+ CD25+ T cells from DKO mice lacks regulatory capacity, except a small subpopulation that highly expresses glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family–related gene (GITR) and CD25. However, neither wild-type nor DKO CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (T reg cells) are able to suppress proliferation of DKO CD4+ CD25 T helper cells. Therefore, combined NFATc2/c3 deficiency is compatible with the development of CD4+ CD25+ T reg cells but renders conventional CD4+ T cells unresponsive to suppression, underlining the importance of NFAT proteins for sustaining T cell homeostasis.
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