| First Author | Ogawa C | Year | 2014 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 192 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 475-83 |
| PubMed ID | 24298014 | Mgi Jnum | J:207084 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5554449 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.1301892 |
| Citation | Ogawa C, et al. (2014) TGF-beta-mediated Foxp3 gene expression is cooperatively regulated by Stat5, Creb, and AP-1 through CNS2. J Immunol 192(1):475-83 |
| abstractText | Foxp3 plays an important role in the development and the function of regulatory T cells (Treg). Both the induction and maintenance of Foxp3 gene expression are controlled by several regulatory regions including two enhancers in the conserved noncoding sequences (CNS). The functions of Enhancer 1 in CNS1 are well established, whereas those of Enhancer 2 in CNS2 remain unclear. Although CNS2 contains enhancer activity, methylated CpG sequences in this region prevent Foxp3 gene expression in Foxp3(-) T cells. These sequences are, however, demethylated in Foxp3(+) Treg by mechanisms as yet unknown. To investigate the role of CNS2, we have determined the Enhancer 2 core sequence by luciferase reporter assays in the absence of methylation to exclude the inhibitory effect and shown that transcription factors AP-1, Stat5, and Creb cooperate in regulating Enhancer 2 activity. We have then determined the methylation sensitivity of each of the transcription factors. AP-1 was found to be methylation sensitive as has previously been described for Creb. However, Stat5 was active even when its binding site in CNS2 was methylated. Stat5 binding to Enhancer 2 occurred early and preceded that of AP-1 and Creb during Treg induction. In addition, Stat5 activation is itself dependent on TGF-beta signaling through Smad3-mediated blockade of Socs3 expression. These findings suggest that Stat5 is a key regulator for opening up the CNS2 region during induced Treg induction, whereas AP-1 and Creb maintain Enhancer 2 activity. |
