A novel isoform of the orphan receptor ROR gamma t suppresses IL-17 production in human T cells

作者：Rauen T; Juang Y T; Hedrich C M; Kis Toth K; Tsokos G C^*

来源：Genes and Immunity, 2012, 13(4): 346-350.

DOI：10.1038/gene.2011.85

• IL-17
• ROR gamma t
• autoimmunity
• gene regulation
• T cells

T helper (Th)17 cells constitute a distinct subset of CD4(+) helper T cells that is mainly characterized by abundant interleukin (IL)-17 production and is involved in the host defence against bacteria and fungi as well as in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The retinoic orphan receptor (ROR)gamma t directs the transcriptional activation of the IL17 gene. Here, we report the presence of a novel ROR gamma t isoform, ROR gamma t-Delta(5-8), which lacks the hinge-encoding exons 5-8 and represses potently IL17 and IL21 gene transcription. It thereby reduces the expression of multiple Th17-assigned cytokines. We propose that ROR gamma t-Delta(5-8) acts as a dominant-negative regulator of ROR gamma t-mediated gene regulation and the balance between the full-length ROR gamma t and the novel repressor isoform may arbitrate IL-17 production in human T cells.

• 出版日期2012-6