JunB regulates homeostasis and suppressive functions of effector regulatory T cells

Nat Commun. 2018 Dec 17;9(1):5344. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07735-4.

Abstract

Foxp3-expressing CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells need to differentiate into effector Treg (eTreg) cells to maintain immune homeostasis. T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent induction of the transcription factor IRF4 is essential for eTreg differentiation, but how IRF4 activity is regulated in Treg cells is still unclear. Here we show that the AP-1 transcription factor, JunB, is expressed in eTreg cells and promotes an IRF4-dependent transcription program. Mice lacking JunB in Treg cells develop multi-organ autoimmunity, concomitant with aberrant activation of T helper cells. JunB promotes expression of Treg effector molecules, such as ICOS and CTLA4, in BATF-dependent and BATF-independent manners, and is also required for homeostasis and suppressive functions of eTreg. Mechanistically, JunB facilitates the accumulation of IRF4 at a subset of IRF4 target sites, including those located near Icos and Ctla4. Thus, JunB is a critical regulator of IRF4-dependent Treg effector programs, highlighting important functions for AP-1 in Treg-mediated immune homeostasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity / genetics
  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / biosynthesis
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein / biosynthesis
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors / metabolism*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Ctla4 protein, mouse
  • Icos protein, mouse
  • Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors
  • JunB protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • interferon regulatory factor-4