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Moradi L, Cheraghi T, Yazdani R, Azizi G, Rasouli S, Zavareh F, Parvaneh L, Parvaneh N, Sohani M, Delavari S, Abolhassani H, Rezaei N, Aghamohammadi A. Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease: Clinical and immunological findings of patients suspected for IL12Rβ1 deficiency. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2019; 47:491-498. [PMID: 31350062 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD) is characterized by increased susceptibility to weakly virulent mycobacteria (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin [BCG] vaccines and environmental mycobacteria), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Candida spp. and Salmonella spp. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical features and immunological findings of MSMD patients with interleukin 12 receptor beta 1 (IL12Rβ1) deficiency. METHODS Among 117 screened patients with BCG infection following vaccination, 23 suspected MSMD subjects were recruited to this study by the exclusion of severe combined immunodeficiencies and chronic granulomatous diseases. Flow cytometric assessment for surface expression of IL12Rβ1 was performed. Moreover, the clinical and immunological data from the patients was evaluated. RESULTS A significant decrease (less than 1%) in the surface expression of IL12Rβ1 was reported in six cases which showed a significant increase in the count of lymphocytes (p=0.009) and CD8+ T cells (p=0.008) as compared to MSMD subjects with normal expression of surface IL12Rβ1. The frequency of disseminated BCGosis (50% vs. 20%, p=0.29), recurrent infection (83.3% vs. 40%, p=0.14) and salmonellosis (33.3% vs. 0.0%, p=0.07) was higher in IL12Rβ1 deficient subjects than IL12Rβ1 sufficient individuals. CONCLUSION MSMD patients with childhood onset of mycobacteriosis (mostly after BCG vaccination) and recurrent salmonellosis could be evaluated for IL12Rβ1 expression with flow cytometry for punctual diagnosis.
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Khairallah AS, Genestie C, Auguste A, Leary A. Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the immune microenvironment in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: Prognostic and therapeutic implications. Int J Cancer 2017; 143:8-15. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aya S. Khairallah
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Gustave Roussy Cancer Center; Villejuif France
| | - Catherine Genestie
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Gustave Roussy Cancer Center; Villejuif France
| | - Aurélie Auguste
- INSERM U981 Gynaecological Tumours, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center; Villejuif France
| | - Alexandra Leary
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Gustave Roussy Cancer Center; Villejuif France
- Department of Medical Oncology; Gustave Roussy Cancer Center; Villejuif France
- Faculty of Sciences; University Paris-Sud; Orsay France
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Robinson RT. IL12Rβ1: the cytokine receptor that we used to know. Cytokine 2014; 71:348-59. [PMID: 25516297 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human IL12RB1 encodes IL12Rβ1, a type I transmembrane receptor that is an essential component of the IL12- and IL23-signaling complex. IL12RB1 is well-established as being a promoter of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), the immunological reaction that limits tuberculosis. However, recent data demonstrate that in addition to promoting DTH, IL12RB1 also promotes autoimmunity. The contradictory roles of IL12RB1 in human health raises the question, what are the factors governing IL12RB1 function in a given individual, and how is inter-individual variability in IL12RB1 function introduced? Here we review recent data that demonstrate individual variability in IL12RB1 function is introduced at the epigenetic, genomic polymorphism, and mRNA splicing levels. Where and how these differences contribute to disease susceptibility and outcome are also reviewed. Collectively, recent data support a model wherein IL12RB1 sequence variability - whether introduced at the genomic or post-transcriptional level - contributes to disease, and that human IL12RB1 is not as simple a gene as we once believed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard T Robinson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States.
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Taramasso L, Boisson-Dupuis S, Garrè ML, Bondi E, Cama A, Nozza P, Morana G, Casanova JL, Marazzi MG. Pineal germinoma in a child with interferon-γ receptor 1 deficiency. case report and literature review. J Clin Immunol 2014; 34:922-7. [PMID: 25216720 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-014-0098-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Interferon-γ receptor 1 (IFN-γR1) deficiency is one of the primary immunodeficiencies conferring Mendelian Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Disease (MSMD). Some cases of neoplasms have been recently reported in patients with MSMD, underlying the already known link between immunodeficiency and carcinogenesis. We report the first case of intracranial tumour, i.e. pineal germinoma, in a 11-year-old patient with complete IFN-γR1 deficiency. The first clinical presentation of the genetic immunodeficiency dates back to when the child was aged 2 y and 10 mo, when he presented a multi-focal osteomyelitis caused by Mycobacterium scrofulaceum. The diagnosis of IFN-γR1 deficiency (523delT/523delT in IFNGR1 gene) was subsequently made. The child responded to antibiotic therapy and remained in stable clinical condition until the age of 11 years, when he started complaining of frontal, chronic headache. MRI revealed a solid pineal region mass lesion measuring 20 × 29 × 36 mm. Histological findings revealed a diagnosis of pineal germinoma. The patient received chemotherapy followed by local whole ventricular irradiation with boost on pineal site, experiencing complete remission, and to date he is tumor-free at four years follow-up. Four other cases of tumors have been reported in patients affected by MSMD in our knowledge: a case of Kaposi sarcoma, a case of B-cell lymphoma, a case of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and a case of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In conclusion, in patients with MSMD, not only the surveillance of infectious diseases, but also that of tumors is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Taramasso
- Infectious Disease Department, San Martino Hospital, University of Genova, 16100, Genoa, Italy,
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Reich NC. STATs get their move on. JAKSTAT 2013; 2:e27080. [PMID: 24470978 PMCID: PMC3891633 DOI: 10.4161/jkst.27080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that regulate dynamic localization of a protein within a cell can provide critical insight to its functional molecular interactions. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) play essential roles in development, proliferation, and immune defense. However the consequences of STAT hyperactivity can predispose to diseases including autoimmunity and cancer. To function as transcription factors STATs must gain access to the nucleus, and knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate STAT nuclear trafficking can provide a means to control STAT action. This review presents a synopsis of some of the studies that address the nuclear dynamics of the STAT proteins. Evidence suggests that not all STATs are the same. Nuclear import of STAT1 and STAT4 appears linked to their tyrosine phosphorylation and the formation of parallel dimers via reciprocal phosphotyrosine and Src homology 2 domain interactions. This dimer arrangement generates a conformational nuclear localization signal. STAT2 is imported continually to the nucleus in an unphosphorylated state due to its association with IRF9, but the dominant nuclear export signal of STAT2 shuttles the complex back to the cytoplasm. Following STAT2 tyrosine phosphorylation, it can form dimers with STAT1 to affect nuclear import as the trimeric complex (ISGF3). Distinctly, STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6 are continually imported to the nucleus independent of tyrosine phosphorylation. Mutational studies indicate the nuclear localization signals in these STATs require the conformational structure of their coiled-coil domains. Increases in STAT nuclear accumulation following cytokine stimulation appear coordinate with their ability to bind DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy C Reich
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY USA
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Araki M, Hirayama M, Azuma E, Kumamoto T, Iwamoto S, Toyoda H, Ito M, Amano K, Komada Y. Prediction of reactivity to noninherited maternal antigen in MHC-mismatched, minor histocompatibility antigen-matched stem cell transplantation in a mouse model. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 185:7739-45. [PMID: 21078914 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1001226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The immunologic effects of developmental exposure to noninherited maternal Ags (NIMAs) are quite variable. Both tolerizing influence and inducing alloreaction have been observed on clinical transplantation. The role of minor histocompatibility Ags (MiHAs) in NIMA effects is unknown. MiHA is either matched or mismatched in NIMA-mismatched transplantation because a donor of the transplantation is usually limited to a family member. To exclude the participation of MiHA in a NIMA effect for MHC (H-2) is clinically relevant because mismatched MiHA may induce severe alloreaction. The aim of this study is to understand the mechanism of NIMA effects in MHC-mismatched, MiHA-matched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although all offsprings are exposed to the maternal Ags, the NIMA effect for the H-2 Ag was not evident. However, they exhibit two distinct reactivities, low and high responder, to NIMA in utero and during nursing depending on the degree of maternal microchimerism. Low responders survived longer with less graft-versus-host disease. These reactivities were correlated with Foxp3 expression of peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+) cells after graft-versus-host disease induction and the number of IFN-γ-producing cells stimulated with NIMA pretransplantation. These observations are clinically relevant and suggest that it is possible to predict the immunological tolerance to NIMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Araki
- Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
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Meyer T, Vinkemeier U. STAT nuclear translocation: potential for pharmacological intervention. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2007; 11:1355-65. [PMID: 17907964 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.11.10.1355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are extracellular ligand-responsive transcription factors that mediate broadly diverse biological processes, including cell proliferation, transformation, apoptosis, differentiation, fetal development, inflammation and immune response. Stimulation with multiple cytokines or growth factors all result in the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT proteins and the subsequent gene regulation via their direct binding to the promoters of responsive genes. Cytokine-regulated gene activation is dependent on the continuous nucleocytoplasmic cycling of STAT signal transducers. The STATs use intricately intertwined karyopherin-dependent and -independent translocation mechanisms to coordinate the activation step at the cell membrane and gene expression in the nucleus. In addition, STATs appear to have cytokine-independent gene regulatory functions that may also depend on their regulated nucleocytoplasmic transfer. Numerous studies have implicated aberrant STAT signalling in cancer, immune defects and inflammatory diseases. Given the central role of intracellular trafficking for the proper signal processing by STAT proteins, pharmacological targeting of STAT nucleocytoplasmic translocation appears to be an attractive strategy to interfere with dysregulated cytokine signalling. This review will discuss possible scenarios that would result from the use of novel modulators of STAT shuttling, which may both increase or decrease STAT activation and, hence, transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Meyer
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Klinik für Kardiologie und Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Baldingerstrasse 1, 35033 Marburg, Germany.
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Chen W, Khurana Hershey GK. Signal transducer and activator of transcription signals in allergic disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007; 119:529-41; quiz 542-3. [PMID: 17336608 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2007.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2006] [Revised: 01/03/2007] [Accepted: 01/05/2007] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are a group of transcription factors that transmit signals from the extracellular milieu of cells to the nucleus. They are crucial for the signaling of many cytokines that are mediators of allergic inflammation and impact various cell types critical to allergy including epithelial cells, mast cells, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and eosinophils. Dysregulation of STAT signaling has been implicated in allergic disease, highlighting the importance of these ubiquitous molecules in allergic inflammation and the potential of these pathways as a target for therapeutic intervention. This review will summarize the current understanding of the roles of STAT signaling in allergic disease and the potential of targeting STATs for the treatment of allergic disorders, emphasizing recent observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Chen
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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Takahashi H, Amagai M, Tanikawa A, Suzuki S, Ikeda Y, Nishikawa T, Kawakami Y, Kuwana M. T Helper Type 2-Biased Natural Killer Cell Phenotype in Patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris. J Invest Dermatol 2007; 127:324-30. [PMID: 16946717 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoantibody-mediated bullous disease, but the role of natural killer (NK) cells in its pathogenic process has never been examined in detail. Circulating CD56+ CD3- NK cells as well as CD69+-activated NK cells were increased in PV patients compared with healthy controls and patients with other autoantibody-mediated autoimmune diseases, including immune thrombocytopenic purpura and myasthenia gravis. Gene expression analysis of highly purified NK cells demonstrated an increased expression of IL-10 and decreased expression of IL-12Rbeta2, perforin, and granzyme B ex vivo in PV patients versus healthy controls. The NK cells from PV patients also showed impaired signal transducer and activator of transduction4 phosphorylation upon in vitro IL-12 stimulation. Moreover, NK cells from PV patients exhibited reduced IL-10 production in response to in vitro stimulation with IL-2/IL-12. Finally, IL-5 expression in NK cells was exclusively detected ex vivo in PV patients with active disease, and was lost in subsequent analyses performed during disease remission. Together these findings suggest that NK cells contribute to a T helper type 2-biased immune response in PV patients through impaired IL-12 signaling and an upregulation of IL-10 and IL-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayato Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Liu Z, Kharmate G, Patterson E, Khan MM. Role of H1 receptors in histamine-mediated up-regulation of STAT4 phosphorylation. Int Immunopharmacol 2006; 6:485-93. [PMID: 16428084 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2005.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2005] [Revised: 04/11/2005] [Accepted: 09/23/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Histamine shifts TH1/TH2 cytokine balance from TH1 to TH2 cytokines and regulates the function of lymphocytes after binding to histamine receptors. The phosphorylation of STAT factors and the translocation to the nucleus are important steps in the regulation of TH1/TH2 cytokine balance. This study was designed to investigate the effects of histamine on the phosphorylation of STAT4. C57BL/6 splenocytes were isolated and treated with histamine (10(-4) to 10(-9) M) after activation with either PMA (phorbol 12 myristate 13-acetate) plus ionomycin or IL-12. The phosphorylated STAT4 levels were analyzed by Western Blot Analysis. Unstimulated splenocytes expressed both STAT4 and phosphorylated STAT4. However, phosphorylated STAT4 gradually declined within 24 h. Histamine increased the phosphorylation of STAT4 at lower concentrations (10(-6) to 10(-9) M), and had no effect at higher concentrations (10(-4) and 10(-5) M) after the cells were stimulated with PMA + ionomycin. Histamine did not affect IL-12-induced phosphorylation of STAT4. To characterize the histamine receptor subtypes involved in the up-regulation of STAT4 phosphorylation, various H1, H2 and H3/H4 receptor antagonists and/or agonists were employed. H1 receptor agonist (betahistine), but not H2 receptor agonist (amthamine), induced phosphorylation of STAT4. H1 receptor antagonist (pyrilamine) inhibited histamine-mediated phosphorylation of STAT4. However, H2 receptor antagonist (ranitidine) and H3/H4 receptor antagonist (thioperamide) did not alter this effect. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (tyrphostin) failed to block histamine-mediated phosphorylation of STAT4. These observations suggest that histamine up-regulated the phosphorylation of STAT4 via H1 receptors, and that the Ca2+-PKC pathway, but not the tyrosine kinase pathway, was involved in this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongfeng Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
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11
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Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) is a central mediator in generating inflammation during protective immune responses and immune-mediated diseases. In the 8 yr since their first description, STAT4-deficient mice have defined the role of STAT4 in a variety of in vivo model systems. Despite the extensive study and use of these mice, the exact role of STAT4 in vivo is still unclear. In this review, I focus on describing the phenotypes of STAT4-deficient immune responses to pathogens and in diseases. Comparing the effects of STAT4 deficiency among numerous model systems will further enhance the development of a systemic model of STAT4 function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark H Kaplan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Walther Oncology Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 West Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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Shin HJ, Park HY, Jeong SJ, Park HW, Kim YK, Cho SH, Kim YY, Cho ML, Kim HY, Min KU, Lee CW. STAT4 expression in human T cells is regulated by DNA methylation but not by promoter polymorphism. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 175:7143-50. [PMID: 16301617 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.11.7143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
STAT4, which plays a pivotal role in Th1 immune responses, enhances IFN-gamma transcription in response to the interaction of IL-12 with the IL-12R. Mice deficient in STAT4 lack IL-12-induced IFN-gamma production and Th1 differentiation and display a predominantly Th2 phenotype. Although these findings indicate that STAT4 expression levels are important for the development of cytokine-producing Th1 cells, the transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms regulating STAT4 expression are unknown. We sought to identify and characterize the transcriptional regulatory elements in the promoter region of the human STAT4 gene. We found that disruption of multiple transcriptional regions covering the CREB, OCT1, and SP1 motifs significantly reduced STAT4 promoter activity. However, genomic DNA isolated from 91 patients with asthma or rheumatoid arthritis showed no evidence of mutations in the defined STAT4 essential promoter region. The 5' flanking region of the promoter was found to contain a -149A/G change in approximately 20-35% of patients, but this polymorphism had no effect on promoter activity. Interestingly, STAT4 expression was drastically increased in human T cells following treatment with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, and truncation of methylation sites in the proximal regulatory elements of the STAT4 promoter markedly enhanced transcriptional activity. Thus, our findings provide molecular insight into STAT4 expression and suggest that, in human T cells, STAT4 expressional regulation is associated with DNA hypermethylation, but not promoter polymorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jin Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea
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Watford WT, Hissong BD, Bream JH, Kanno Y, Muul L, O'Shea JJ. Signaling by IL-12 and IL-23 and the immunoregulatory roles of STAT4. Immunol Rev 2005; 202:139-56. [PMID: 15546391 DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2004.00211.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 395] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Produced in response to a variety of pathogenic organisms, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 are key immunoregulatory cytokines that coordinate innate and adaptive immune responses. These dimeric cytokines share a subunit, designated p40, and bind to a common receptor chain, IL-12R beta 1. The receptor for IL-12 is composed of IL-12R beta 1 and IL-12R beta 2, whereas IL-23 binds to a receptor composed of IL-12R beta 1 and IL-23R. Both cytokines activate the Janus kinases Tyk2 and Jak2, the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4), as well as other STATs. A major action of IL-12 is to promote the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into T-helper (Th) 1 cells, which produce interferon (IFN)-gamma, and deficiency of IL-12, IL-12R subunits or STAT4 is similar in many respects. In contrast, IL-23 promotes end-stage inflammation. Targeting IL-12, IL-23, and their downstream signaling elements would therefore be logical strategies for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy T Watford
- Molecular Immunology & Inflammation Branch, NIAMS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1820, USA
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Abstract
The interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)/interleukin-12 (IL-12) pathway is a pivotal player in the immune system and is central to controlling mycobacterial infections. We highlight the most recent and relevant advances in understanding this pathway and their repercussions on basic and clinical science. Human mutations in IFN-gamma receptor-1 (IFN-gammaR1), IFN-gammaR2, IL-12p40, IL-12 receptor-beta1, signal transducer and activator of transcription-1, and nuclear factor-kappaB essential modulator are analyzed in the context of genetic susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases. A diagnostic and therapeutic approach is described. The IFN-gamma/IL-12 pathway is central in immune control of both environmental and autochthonous challenges, as reflected in human mutations and animal models. Besides being crucial for mycobacterial control, the IFN-gamma/IL-12 pathway is also involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease as well as tumor development and control. Genotype-phenotype correlations have been established for certain genes in this pathway, some of which have therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio D Rosenzweig
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins have initially been described as cytoplasmic proteins that enter the nucleus only after cytokine treatment of cells. Contrary to this assumption, it was demonstrated that STATs are constantly shuttling between nucleus and cytoplasm irrespective of cytokine stimulation. This happens both via carrier-dependent as well as carrier-independent transportation. Moreover, it was also recognized that cytokine stimulation triggers nuclear retention of dimeric STATs, rather than affecting the rate of nuclear import. In summary, it is increasingly being appreciated that STAT nucleocytoplasmic cycling determines the quality of cytokine signaling and also constitutes an important area for microbial intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Meyer
- Abteilung Zelluläre Signalverarbeitung, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany
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