An Inhibitory Role for the Transcription Factor Stat3 in Controlling IL-4 and Bcl6 Expression in Follicular Helper T Cells.

ABSTRACT: The transcription factor Bcl6 is required for development of follicular helper T (TFH) cells. Cytokines that activate Stat3 promote Bcl6 expression and TFH cell differentiation. Previous studies with an acute virus infection model showed that TFH cell differentiation was decreased but not blocked in the absence of Stat3. In this study, we further analyzed the role of Stat3 in TFH cells. In Peyer's patches, we found that compared with wild-type, Stat3-deficient TFH cells developed at a 25% lower rate and expressed increased IFN-γ and IL-4. Whereas Peyer's patch germinal center B cells developed at normal numbers with Stat3-deficient TFH cells, IgG1 class switching was greatly increased. Following immunization with sheep RBCs, splenic Stat3-deficient TFH cells developed at a slower rate than

SUBMITTER: Wu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4546859 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature