| First Author | Ravindran R | Year | 2005 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 175 |
| Issue | 7 | Pages | 4603-10 |
| PubMed ID | 16177105 | Mgi Jnum | J:118948 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3700859 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.175.7.4603 |
| Citation | Ravindran R, et al. (2005) Expression of T-bet by CD4 T cells is essential for resistance to Salmonella infection. J Immunol 175(7):4603-10 |
| abstractText | Despite the recognized role of the T-bet transcription factor in the differentiation of Th1 cells, T-bet-deficient mice can develop small numbers of IFN-gamma-producing CD4 T cells. Although these are not sufficient to allow normal handling of some pathogens, T-bet-deficient mice do resolve infection with the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. In contrast, we report that expression of T-bet is required for resistance to Salmonella infection. T-bet-deficient mice succumbed to infection with attenuated Salmonella and did not generate IFN-gamma-producing CD4 T cells or isotype-switched Salmonella-specific Ab responses. Spleen cells from Salmonella-infected T-bet-deficient mice secreted increased levels of IL-10, but not IL-4, upon in vitro restimulation. A Salmonella-specific TCR transgenic adoptive transfer system was used to further define the involvement of T-bet expression in the development of Salmonella-specific Th1 cells. Wild-type Salmonella-specific CD4 T cells activated in T-bet-deficient recipient mice displayed no defect in clonal expansion, contraction, or IFN-gamma production. In contrast, T-bet-deficient, Salmonella-specific CD4 T cells activated in wild-type recipient mice produced less IFN-gamma and more IL-2 upon in vivo restimulation. Therefore, expression of T-bet by CD4 T cells is required for the development of Salmonella-specific Th1 cells, regulation of IL-10 production, and resistance to Salmonella infection. |
