IFITM proteins drive type 2 T helper cell differentiation and exacerbate allergic airway inflammation.

ABSTRACT: The interferon-inducible transmembrane (Ifitm/Fragilis) genes encode homologous proteins that are induced by IFNs. Here, we show that IFITM proteins regulate murine CD4⁺ Th cell differentiation. Ifitm2 and Ifitm3 are expressed in wild-type (WT) CD4⁺ T cells. On activation, Ifitm3 was downregulated and Ifitm2 was upregulated. Resting Ifitm-family-deficient CD4⁺ T cells had higher expression of Th1-associated genes than WT and purified naive Ifitm-family-deficient CD4⁺ T cells differentiated more efficiently to Th1, whereas Th2 differentiation was inhibited. Ifitm-family-deficient mice, but not Ifitm3-deficient mice, were less susceptible than WT to induction of allergic airways disease, with a weaker Th2 response and less severe disease and lower

SUBMITTER: Yanez DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6396086 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature