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Glucocorticoids (GCs), immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory agents have various effects on T cells. However, the long-term influence of GCs on the T cell-mediated immune response remain to be elucidated. We demonstrated that the administration of GC during the TCR-mediated activation phase induced long-lasting suppression of glycolysis, even after the withdrawal of GC. The acquisition of the effector functions was inhibited, while the expression of PD-1 was increased in CD8 T cells activated in the presence of GC. Furthermore, adoptive transfer experiments revealed that GC-treated CD8 T cells reduced memory T cell formation and anti-tumor activity. These findings reveal that GCs have long-lasting influence on the T cell-mediated immune response via modulation of T cell metabolism.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.12.050

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The pathogenesis of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) requires the activation of Ag-specific T cells, including effector and regulatory T cells. The differentiation and function of these T cells is epigenetically regulated through DNA methylation and histone modifications. However, the roles of altered histone H3K27 methylation in T cells in the development of ACD remain unknown. Two types of histone H3K27 demethylases, Utx and Jmjd3, have been reported in mammals. To determine the role of the histone H3K27 demethylase expression of T cells in the development of ACD, we generated T cell-specific, Utx-deficient (Utx KO) mice or Jmjd3-deficient (Jmjd3 KO) mice. Unlike control mice, Utx KO mice had severer symptoms of ACD, whereas Jmjd3 KO mice showed symptoms identical to those in control mice. In Utx KO mice with ACD, the massive infiltration of myeloid cells, including neutrophils and dendritic cells, has been observed. In addition, the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in CD4+ T cells of the draining lymph nodes (LNs) and in CD8+ T cells of the skin was increased in Utx KO mice, whereas the ratio of Foxp3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells to Foxp3- conventional CD4+ T cells was decreased in both the draining LNs and the skin of Utx KO mice with ACD. Furthermore, Foxp3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells of Utx KO mice with ACD expressed a decreased level of CCR4 (a skin-tropic chemokine receptor) in comparison with control. Thus, in CD4+ T cells, Utx could potentially be involved in the regulation of the pathogenesis of ACD.

DOI： 10.4049/jimmunol.2001160

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Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

DOI： 10.1038/s42003-020-01122-w

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Other Link： http://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-020-01122-w

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Th2 cytokine such as IL-4, IL -5 and IL-13 are important therapeutic targets for Th2-type chronic inflammation. Several biologics targeting Th2 cytokine and its receptors are effective in clinical practice; however, the development of small-molecule compounds that inhibit Th2 cytokine productions is awaited. We found that an inhibitor for pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK) suppresses the differentiation of IL-5/IL-13-producing Th2 cells. The expression of the Th2-related transcriptional factors Pparγ was decreased by treatment with inhibitor, whereas Gata3, a master regulator of Th2 cell differentiation, remained unchanged. The oxygen consumption rate was unaffected, whereas the level of farnesylated proteins was decreased by the PDHK inhibitor. Furthermore, the inhibitors for farnesyltransferase and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase showed an inhibitory effect similar to that of the PDHK inhibitor. These results suggest that the mevalonate biosynthesis and subsequent protein prenylation may be novel therapeutic target for Th2 cell-dependent immune dysregulation, such as in allergic diseases.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.08.009

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DOI： 10.1038/s41598-019-53856-1

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：American Association of Immunologists  

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor BATF is expressed in multiple Th subsets and cooperates with other factors to regulate gene transcription. BATF activates lineage-specific cytokines in Th subsets, activating IL-9 in Th9 cells and IL-17 in Th17 cells, but not IL-9 or IL-17 in the reciprocal subset. The mechanism for this restricted activity is unclear. In this report, we define BATF binding partners that contribute to Th subset–specific functions. Although BATF and IRF4 are expressed in greater amounts in Th9 than Th17, increased expression of both factors is not sufficient to induce IL-9 in Th17 cells. BATF also requires heterodimer formation with Jun family members to bind DNA and induce gene expression. Using primary mouse T cell culture, we observed that JunB and c-Jun, but not JunD, promote IL-9 production in Th9 cells. Ectopic expression of BATF with either JunB or c-Jun generates modest, but significant, increases in IL-9 production in Th17 cells, suggesting that the low expression of Jun family members is one factor limiting the ability of BATF to induce IL-9 in Th17 cells. We further identified that Bach2 positively regulates IL-9 production by directly binding to the Il9 gene and by increasing transcription factor expression in Th9 cells. Strikingly, cotransduction of Bach2 and BATF significantly induces IL-9 production in both Th9 and Th17 cells. Taken together, our results reveal that JunB, c-Jun, and Bach2 cooperate with BATF to contribute to the specificity of BATF-dependent cytokine induction in Th subsets.

DOI： 10.4049/jimmunol.1900128

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DOI： 10.1111/cas.13827

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While menin plays an important role in preventing T-cell dysfunction, such as senescence and exhaustion, the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. We found that menin prevents the induction of dysfunction in activated CD8 T cells by restricting the cellular metabolism. mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling, glycolysis, and glutaminolysis are augmented by menin deficiency. Rapamycin treatment prevents CD8 T-cell dysfunction in menin-deficient CD8 T cells. Limited glutamine availability also prevents CD8 T-cell dysfunction induced by menin deficiency, and its inhibitory effect is antagonized by α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), an intermediate metabolite of glutaminolysis. α-KG-dependent histone H3K27 demethylation seems to be involved in the dysfunction in menin-deficient CD8 T cells. We also found that α-KG activates mTORC1-dependent central carbon metabolism. These findings suggest that menin maintains the T-cell functions by limiting mTORC 1 activity and subsequent cellular metabolism.

DOI： 10.1038/s41467-018-05854-6

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DOI： 10.1093/intimm/dxy020

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：AMER SOC BIOCHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY INC  

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a severe respiratory disease characterized by dyspnea caused by accumulation of surfactant protein. Dysfunction of alveolar macrophages (AMs), which regulate the homeostasis of surfactant protein, leads to the development of PAP; for example, in mice lacking BTB and CNC homology 2 (Bach2). However, how Bach2 helps prevent PAP is unknown, and the cell-specific effects of Bach2 are undefined. Using mice lacking Bach2 in specific cell types, we found that the PAP phenotype of Bach2-deficient mice is due to Bach2 deficiency in more than two types of immune cells. Depletion of hyperactivated T cells in Bach2-deficient mice restored normal function of AMs and ameliorated PAP. We also found that, in Bach2-deficient mice, hyperactivated T cells induced gene expression patterns that are specific to other tissue-resident macrophages and dendritic cells. Moreover, Bach2-deficient AMs exhibited a reduction in cell cycle progression. IFN- released from T cells induced Bach2 expression in AMs, in which Bach2 then bound to regulatory regions of inflammation-associated genes in myeloid cells. Of note, in AMs, Bach2 restricted aberrant responses to excessive T cell-induced inflammation, whereas, in T cells, Bach2 puts a brake on T cell activation. Moreover, Bach2 stimulated the expression of multiple histone genes in AMs, suggesting a role of Bach2 in proper histone expression. We conclude that Bach2 is critical for the maintenance of AM identity and self-renewal in inflammatory environments. Treatments targeting T cells may offer new therapeutic strategies for managing secondary PAP.

DOI： 10.1074/jbc.M117.808535

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：AMER ASSOC IMMUNOLOGISTS  

Menin, a tumor suppressor protein, is encoded by the MEN1 gene in humans. Certain germinal mutations of MEN1 induce an autosomal-dominant syndrome that is characterized by concurrent parathyroid adenomas and several other tumor types. Although menin is also expressed in hematopoietic lineages, its role in CD8(+) T cells remains unclear. We generated Menin(flox/flox) CD4-Cre (Menin-KO) mice by crossing Menin(flox/flox) mice with CD4-Cre transgenic (Tg) mice to determine the role of menin in CD8(+) T cells. Wild-type (WT) and Menin-KO mice were infected with Listeria monocytogenes expressing OVA to analyze the immune response of Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells. Menin deficiency resulted in an impaired primary immune response by CD8+ T cells. On day 7, there were fewer Menin-KO OVA-specific CD8(+) T cells compared with WT cells. Next, we adoptively transferred WT and Menin-KO OT-1 Tg CD8(+) T cells into congenic recipient mice and infected them with L. monocytogenes expressing OVA to determine the CD8(+) T cell-intrinsic effect. Menin-KO OT-1 Tg CD8(+) T cells were outcompeted by the WT cells upon infection. Increased expression of Blimp-1 and T-bet, cell cycle inhibitors, and proapoptotic genes was observed in the Menin-KO OT-1 Tg CD8(+) T cells upon infection. These data suggest that menin inhibits differentiation into terminal effectors and positively controls proliferation and survival of Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells that are activated upon infection. Collectively, our study uncovered an important role for menin in the immune response of CD8(+) T cells to infection.

DOI： 10.4049/jimmunol.1502295

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP  

Although Bach2 has an important role in regulating the Th2-type immune response, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We herein demonstrate that Bach2 associates with Batf and binds to the regulatory regions of the Th2 cytokine gene loci. The Bach2-Batf complex antagonizes the recruitment of the Batf-Irf4 complex to AP-1 motifs and suppresses Th2 cytokine production. Furthermore, we find that Bach2 regulates the Batf and Batf3 expressions via two distinct pathways. First, Bach2 suppresses the maintenance of the Batf and Batf3 expression through the inhibition of IL-4 production. Second, the Bach2-Batf complex directly binds to the Batf and Batf3 gene loci and reduces transcription by interfering with the Batf-Irf4 complex. These findings suggest that IL-4 and Batf form a positive feedback amplification loop to induce Th2 cell differentiation and the subsequent Th2-type immune response, and Bach2-Batf interactions are required to prevent an excessive Th2 response.

DOI： 10.1038/ncomms12596

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE  

Gfi1 plays an important role in the development and maintenance of many hematopoietic linage cells. However, the impact of Gfi1-deficiency on the iNKT cell differentiation remains unclear. We herein demonstrate a critical role of Gfi1 in regulating the development of iNKT cell subsets. In the thymus of T cell-specific Gfi1-deficient mice, iNKT cells normally developed up to stage 2, while the number of stage 3 NK1.1(pos) iNKT cells was significantly reduced. Furthermore, CD4(pos) iNKT cells were selectively reduced in the peripheral organs of T cell-specific Gfi1-deficient mice. The alpha-GalCer-dependent production of IFN-gamma and Th2 cytokines, but not IL-17A, was severely reduced in T cell-specific Gfi1-deficient mice. In addition, a reduction of the alpha-GalCer-induced anti-tumor activity was observed in Gfi1-deficient mice. These findings demonstrate the important role of Gfi1 in regulating the development and function of NKT1- and NKT2-type iNKT cell subsets.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0157395

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：WILEY-BLACKWELL  

A transcriptional repressor Gfi1 promotes T helper type 2 (Th2) cell development and inhibits Th17 and inducible regulatory T-cell differentiation. However, the role of Gfi1 in regulating Th1 cell differentiation and the Th1-type immune response remains to be investigated. We herein demonstrate that Gfi1 inhibits the induction of the Th1 programme in activated CD4 T cells. The activated Gfi1-deficient CD4 T cells spontaneously develop into Th1 cells in an interleukin-12-and interferon-gamma-independent manner. The increase of Th1-type immune responses was confirmed in vivo in Gfi1-deficient mice using a murine model of nickel allergy and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). The expression levels of Th1-related transcription factors were found to increase in Gfi1-deficient activated CD4 T cells. Tbx21, Eomes and Runx2 were identified as possible direct targets of Gfi1. Gfi1 binds to the Tbx21, Eomes and Runx2 gene loci and reduces the histone H3K4 methylation levels in part by modulating Lsd1 recruitment. Together, these findings demonstrate a novel regulatory role of Gfi1 in the regulation of the Th1-type immune response.

DOI： 10.1111/imm.12580

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：OXFORD UNIV PRESS  

Infection with certain pathogens induces a shift of the T-h subset balance to a T(h)1 dominant state. This, in turn, results in the suppression of T(h)2 responses. We focused on the involvement of interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) in the suppression of T(h)2 cells during Listeria infection. We found that the inhibition of IL-4 production by T(h)2 cells is mediated by a soluble factor (LmSN) produced by Listeria-infected antigen-presenting cells. The inhibition is not observed with T cells from Irf1 gene-targeted mice. IRF-1 suppresses transcription of the Il4 gene in T(h)2 cells. Under the influence of the LmSN, IRF-1 binds to the 3 ' untranslated region (UTR) region of the Il4 gene and down-regulates Il4 gene transcription. Finally, we identified IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta as the mediator of the LmSN activity. Signaling through IL-1R induces the stabilization and/or nuclear translocation of IRF-1. We propose that IRF-1 functions to induce the T-cell subset shift via a novel mechanism. Under the influence of IL-1, IRF-1 translocates into the nucleus and acts on the 3 ' UTR region of the Il4 gene, thus inhibiting its transcription in T(h)2 cells. As a result, the immune system shifts predominantly to a T(h)1 response during Listeria infection, resulting in effective protection of the host.

DOI： 10.1093/intimm/dxu092

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Language：English   Publisher：(NPO)日本免疫学会  

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Language：English   Publisher：(NPO)日本免疫学会  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP  

Although CD4 T-cell senescence plays an important role in immunosenescence, the mechanism behind this process remains unclear. Here we show that T cell-specific Menin deficiency results in the premature senescence of CD4 T cells, which is accompanied by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype after antigenic stimulation and dysregulated cytokine production. Menin is required for the expansion and survival of antigen-stimulated CD4 T cells in vivo and acts by targeting Bach2, which is known to regulate immune homeostasis and cytokine production. Menin binds to the Bach2 locus and controls its expression through maintenance of histone acetylation. Menin binding at the Bach2 locus and the Bach2 expression are decreased in the senescent CD4 T cells. These findings reveal a critical role of the Menin-Bach2 pathway in regulating CD4 T-cell senescence and cytokine homeostasis, thus indicating the involvement of this pathway in the inhibition of immunosenescence.

DOI： 10.1038/ncomms4555

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IL-5 is a key cytokine that plays an important role in the development of pathological conditions in allergic inflammation. Identifying strategies to inhibit IL-5 production is important in order to establish new therapies for treating allergic inflammation. We found that SH-2251, a novel thioamide-related small compound, selectively inhibits the differentiation of IL-5-producing Th2 cells. SH-2251 inhibited the induction of active histone marks at the Il5 gene locus during Th2 cell differentiation. The recruitment of RNA polymerase II, and following expression of the Th2 cell-specific intergenic transcripts around the Il5 gene locus was also inhibited. Furthermore, Th2 cell-dependent airway inflammation in mice was suppressed by the oral administration of SH-2251. Gfi1, a transcriptional repressor, was identified as a downstream target molecule of SH-2251 using a DNA microarray analysis. The Gfi1 expression dramatically decreased in SH-2251-treated Th2 cells, and the SH-2251-mediated inhibition of IL-5-producing Th2 cell differentiation was restored by transduction of Gfi1. Therefore, our study unearthed SH-2251 as a novel therapeutic candidate for allergic inflammation that selectively inhibits active histone marks at the Il5 gene locus. © 2013 Suzuki et al.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0061785

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：AMER ASSOC IMMUNOLOGISTS  

IL-4 plays an important role in the induction of Th2 and Th9 cells, as well as in the inhibition of Th1 cell generation. We show that a combination of IL-4 and TGF-beta augments the development of Th1 cells that express CD103 (CD103(+) Th1 cells) if IFN-gamma is present. The T-box-containing transcription factor eomesodermin (Eomes) is preferentially expressed in CD103(+) Th1 cells and is involved in IFN-gamma production. The induction of T-bet during early T cell activation is essential for the formation of the active chromatin at both the Eomes and IFN-gamma gene loci. TGF-beta is required for the induction of Eomes and CD103, as well as the inhibition of Th2 cytokine expression. In addition, IL-4 induces Eomes transcription through activation of the Stat6-signaling pathway. IFN-gamma-producing CD103(+) Th1 cells are detected in the intraepithelial lymphocytes of normal mice, and their numbers significantly decrease in Tbet- and Stat6-deficient mice. To our knowledge, these results represent the first molecular mechanism of IL-4/TGF-beta-dependent augmentation of Th1 cell generation and raise the possibility that IL-4 and TGF-beta simultaneously enhance the Th1 cell-mediated immune responses under certain cytokine conditions. The Journal of Immunology, 2012, 188: 4846-4857.

DOI： 10.4049/jimmunol.1103799

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DOI： 10.1038/ni.2362

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：CELL PRESS  

The regulation of memory CD4(+) helper T (Th) cell function, such as polarized cytokine production, remains unclear. Here we show that memory T helper 2 (Th2) cells are divided into four subpopulations by CD62L and CXCR3 expression. All four subpopulations produced interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13, whereas only the CD62L(lo)CXCR3(lo) population produced IL-5 accompanied by increased H3-K4 methylation at the 115 gene locus. The transcription factor Eomesodermin (encoded by Eomes) was highly expressed in memory Th2 cells, whereas its expression was selectively downregulated in the IL-5-producing cells. 115 expression was enhanced in Eomes-deficient cells, and Eomesodermin was shown to interact with the transcription factor GATA3, preventing GATA3 binding to the 115 promoter. Memory Th2 cell-dependent airway inflammation was attenuated in the absence of the CD62L(lo)CXCR3(lo) population but was enhanced by Eomes-deficient memory Th2 cells. Thus, IL-5 production in memory Th2 cells is regulated by Eomesodermin via the inhibition of GATA3 activity.

DOI： 10.1016/j.immuni.2011.08.017

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DOI： 10.1084/jem.20100760

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DOI： 10.1074/jbc.M804174200

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DOI： 10.1084/jem.20072000

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper, summary (international conference)   Publisher：WILEY-BLACKWELL  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper, summary (international conference)   Publisher：WILEY-BLACKWELL  

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抑制性サイトカインであるTGF-βはTh2分化や機能を阻害することが知られているが、その分子機構は完全には解明されていない。最近、筆者らは、TGF-βによって発現が制御され、Th2分化やその機能を抑制する分子として、転写因子Sox4を見出した。T細胞特異的なSox4トランスジェニックマウス、Sox4欠損マウスの解析から、Sox4はTh2分化および機能を抑制することがわかった。さらに、Sox4をノックダウンすることで、TGF-βによるTh2分化の抑制が部分的に解除されたことから、Sox4がTGF-βによるTh2分化抑制に関与することが明らかとなった。(著者抄録)

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：鳥居薬品(株)  

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DOI： 10.3388/jspaci.26.30

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Language：Japanese   Publisher：(公社)日本生化学会  

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