Runx3 inhibits IL-4 production in T cells via physical interaction with NFAT

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Apr 3;381(2):214-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.02.026. Epub 2009 Feb 12.

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-4 plays a key role in T helper 2 (Th2) cell differentiation favoring humoral immune response. Regulation of IL-4 gene expression, therefore, is critically important for Th2 dependent responses and Th2 dominant disorders. In T cells, IL-4 gene expression is regulated positively or negatively by a combination of several transcription factors. Recently, enhanced IL-4 production was reported in Runx3 knockout mice; this implies negative regulation of IL-4 by Runx3. Runx proteins are transcription factors that have a Runt domain and have essential functions in development. In this study, the molecular mechanism that downregulates IL-4 expression was investigated. Runx3 inhibited IL-4 production in EL-4 T cells stimulated with PMA/ionomycin. Runx3-mediated IL-4 inhibition was NFAT-dependent, and Runx3 was physically associated with NFAT. Therefore, our results suggest that the interaction between NFAT and Runx3 is a mechanism that causes the negative regulation of IL-4, along with previously reported repression by T-bet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics*
  • Mice
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Nfatc2 protein, mouse
  • Runx3 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-4