| First Author | Isomura I | Year | 2009 |
| Journal | J Exp Med | Volume | 206 |
| Issue | 13 | Pages | 3001-14 |
| PubMed ID | 19995950 | Mgi Jnum | J:155679 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4415089 | Doi | 10.1084/jem.20091411 |
| Citation | Isomura I, et al. (2009) c-Rel is required for the development of thymic Foxp3+ CD4 regulatory T cells. J Exp Med 206(13):3001-14 |
| abstractText | During thymopoiesis, a unique program of gene expression promotes the development of CD4 regulatory T (T reg) cells. Although Foxp3 maintains a pattern of gene expression necessary for T reg cell function, other transcription factors are emerging as important determinants of T reg cell development. We show that the NF-kappaB transcription factor c-Rel is highly expressed in thymic T reg cells and that in c-rel(-/-) mice, thymic T reg cell numbers are markedly reduced as a result of a T cell-intrinsic defect that is manifest during thymocyte development. Although c-Rel is not essential for TGF-beta conversion of peripheral CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells into CD4(+)Foxp3(+) cells, it is required for optimal homeostatic expansion of peripheral T reg cells. Despite a lower number of peripheral T reg cells in c-rel(-/-) mice, the residual peripheral c-rel(-/-) T reg cells express normal levels of Foxp3, display a pattern of cell surface markers and gene expression similar to those of wild-type T reg cells, and effectively suppress effector T cell function in culture and in vivo. Collectively, our results indicate that c-Rel is important for both the thymic development and peripheral homeostatic proliferation of T reg cells. |
