Mutual expression of the transcription factors Runx3 and ThPOK regulates intestinal CD4(+) T cell immunity

作者：Reis Bernardo Sgarbi; Rogoz Aneta; Costa Pinto Frederico Azevedo; Taniuchi Ichiro; Mucida Daniel^*

来源：Nature Immunology, 2013, 14(3): 271-280.

DOI：10.1038/ni.2518

The gut mucosa hosts large numbers of activated lymphocytes that are exposed to stimuli from the diet, microbiota and pathogens. Although CD4(+) T cells are crucial for defense, intestinal homeostasis precludes exaggerated responses to luminal contents, whether they are harmful or not. We investigated mechanisms used by CD4(+) T cells to avoid excessive activation in the intestine. Using genetic tools to label and interfere with T cell development transcription factors, we found that CD4(+) T cells acquired the CD8-lineage transcription factor Runx3 and lost the CD4-lineage transcription factor ThPOK and their differentiation into the T(H)17 subset of helper T cells and colitogenic potential, in a manner dependent on transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and retinoic acid. Our results demonstrate considerable plasticity in the CD4(+) T cell lineage that allows chronic exposure to luminal antigens without pathological inflammation.

• 出版日期2013-3