The Th17 Immune Response is Controlled by the Rel-RORγ-RORγ T Transcriptional Axis

Overview

Journal J Exp Med

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
General Medicine

Date 2011 Oct 19

PMID 22006976

Citations 141

Authors

Qingguo Ruan

Vasumathi Kameswaran

Yan Zhang

Shijun Zheng

Jing Sun

Junmei Wang

Jennifer DeVirgiliis

Hsiou-Chi Liou

Amer A Beg

Youhai H Chen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The Th17 cells use the retinoid-related orphan receptor-γ (Rorg or Rorc) to specify their differentiation and lineage-specific function. However, how Rorg is switched on during Th17 differentiation is unknown. We report here that c-Rel and RelA/p65 transcription factors drive Th17 differentiation by binding to and activating two distinct Rorg promoters that control RORγT and RORγ expression, respectively. Similar to RORγT, RORγ is selectively expressed in Th17 cells and is effective in specifying the Th17 phenotype. T cells deficient in c-Rel or RelA are significantly compromised in Th17 differentiation, and c-Rel-deficient mice are defective in Th17 responses. Thus, Th17 immunity is controlled by a Rel-RORγ-RORγT axis, and strategies targeting Rel/NF-κB can be effective for controlling Th17 cell-mediated diseases.

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