Abstract
Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 13 is a transcription factor that positively regulates expression of the chemokine RANTES 3-5 d after activation of T cells. In this study, we document a key role for KLF13 in the expression of IL-4 in CD4(+) T cells. Gene expression analysis in activated T cells from Klf13(-/-) mice showed that IL-4, along with other Th2 cytokine genes, was downregulated when compared with cells from wild-type mice. The decreased levels of IL-4 were not associated with changes in expression of the Th2-inducing transcription factors GATA3 or c-Maf. Additional analysis revealed that KLF13 directly binds to IL-4 promoter regions and synergizes with c-Maf to positively regulate IL-4 expression. These results indicate that KLF13 is a positive regulator for differentiation of Th2 cells, as part of the transcriptional machinery that regulates IL-4 production in Th2 cells.
Publication types
-
Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
MeSH terms
-
Animals
-
Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
-
Cell Cycle Proteins / immunology*
-
Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
-
Gene Expression Regulation / immunology*
-
Interleukin-4 / genetics
-
Interleukin-4 / immunology*
-
Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
-
Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / immunology*
-
Mice
-
Mice, Inbred BALB C
-
Mice, Knockout
-
Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
-
Promoter Regions, Genetic / immunology*
-
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-maf / genetics
-
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-maf / immunology*
-
Repressor Proteins / genetics
-
Repressor Proteins / immunology*
-
Th2 Cells / cytology
-
Th2 Cells / immunology*
-
Transcription, Genetic / genetics
-
Transcription, Genetic / immunology
Substances
-
Cell Cycle Proteins
-
Klf13 protein, mouse
-
Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
-
Maf protein, mouse
-
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-maf
-
Repressor Proteins
-
Interleukin-4