Abstract
The Tec kinases Rlk and Itk are critical for full T cell receptor (TCR)-induced activation of phospholipase C-γ and mitogen-activated protein kinase. We show here that the mutation of Rlk and Itk impaired activation of the transcription factors NFAT and AP-I and production of both T helper type I (THI) and TH2 cytokines. Consistent with these biochemical defects, Itk-/- mice did not generate effective TH2 responses when challenged with Schistosoma mansoni eggs. Paradoxically, the more severely impaired Rlk-/-Itk-/- mice were able to mount a TH2 response and produced TH2 cytokines in response to this challenge. In addition, Rlk-/-Itk-/- cells showed impaired TCR-induced repression of the TH2-inducing transcription factor GATA-3, suggesting a potential mechanism for TH2 development in these hyporesponsive cells. Thus, mutations that affect Tec kinases lead to complex alterations in CD4+TH cell differentiation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1183-1188 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Nature Immunology |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology