Mef2d potentiates type-2 immune responses and allergic lung inflammation

Science. 2024 Jun 28;384(6703):eadl0370. doi: 10.1126/science.adl0370. Epub 2024 Jun 28.

Abstract

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and adaptive T lymphocytes promote tissue homeostasis and protective immune responses. Their production depends on the transcription factor GATA3, which is further elevated specifically in ILC2s and T helper 2 cells to drive type-2 immunity during tissue repair, allergic disorders, and anti-helminth immunity. The control of this crucial up-regulation is poorly understood. Using CRISPR screens in ILCs we identified previously unappreciated myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2d (Mef2d)-mediated regulation of GATA3-dependent type-2 lymphocyte differentiation. Mef2d-deletion from ILC2s and/or T cells specifically protected against an allergen lung challenge. Mef2d repressed Regnase-1 endonuclease expression to enhance IL-33 receptor production and IL-33 signaling and acted downstream of calcium-mediated signaling to translocate NFAT1 to the nucleus to promote type-2 cytokine-mediated immunity.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Cell Differentiation
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor* / genetics
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor* / metabolism
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein
  • Interleukin-33* / metabolism
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors* / genetics
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NFATC Transcription Factors* / metabolism
  • Pneumonia* / immunology
  • Th2 Cells* / immunology

Substances

  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • Interleukin-33
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • Mef2d protein, mouse
  • Gata3 protein, mouse
  • Il33 protein, mouse
  • Il1rl1 protein, mouse
  • Allergens
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein