Cutting edge: STAT1 is required for IL-6-mediated Bcl6 induction for early follicular helper cell differentiation.
J Immunol
; 190(7): 3049-53, 2013 Apr 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23447690
ABSTRACT
Bcl6 is required for CD4 T cell differentiation into T follicular helper cells (Tfh). In this study, we examined the role of IL-6 in early processes of in vivo Tfh differentiation, because the timing and mechanism of action of IL-6 in Tfh differentiation have been controversial in vivo. We found that early Bcl6(+)CXCR5(+) Tfh differentiation was severely impaired in the absence of IL-6; however, STAT3 deficiency failed to recapitulate that defect. IL-6R signaling activates the transcription factor STAT1 specifically in CD4 T cells. Strikingly, we found that STAT1 activity was required for Bcl6 induction and early Tfh differentiation in vivo. IL-6 mediated STAT3 activation is important for downregulation of IL-2Rα to limit Th1 cell differentiation in an acute viral infection. Thus, IL-6 signaling is a major early inducer of the Tfh differentiation program unexpectedly mediated by both STAT3 and STAT1 transcription factors.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cell Differentiation
/
Interleukin-6
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer
/
Germinal Center
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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STAT1 Transcription Factor
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
J Immunol
Year:
2013
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States