Allergic diseases, such as asthma, are promoted by abnormal differentiation of T helper type 2 (Th2) cells. A recently described T cell subset (termed """"""""Th17"""""""" cells) has been found to promote inflammation and autoimmune disease, in large part due to their secretion of the cytokine IL-17. An important goal for the management of T cell-mediated diseases is to achieve a complete understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling the differentiation of Th2 and Th17 cell types. The BCL-6 gene, originally identified as an oncogene for B cell lymphoma, encodes a transcriptional repressor protein. We have shown previously that BCL-6 is a potent inhibitor of Th2 cell differentiation, and BCL-6-deficient mice develop greatly exaggerated Th2 responses and Th2-type inflammation. We have recently found that BCL-6-deficient T cells are severely impaired in their ability to undergo Th17 differentiation, indicating that BCL-6 function is required for normal Th17 differentiation. The cytokine IL-6 can promote Th17 differentiation, but the Th2 cytokine IL-4 strongly blocks Th17 differentiation. We have found that BCL-6 is necessary to repress IL-4 expression induced by IL-6 during Th17 differentiation. Further, we have found that BCL-6 is up-regulated in T cells stimulated under Th17 conditions, indicating a unique requirement for BCL-6 in Th17 differentiation. Our hypothesis is that BCL-6 is critically required for Th17 responses because BCL-6 represses IL-6-induced IL-4 and/or IL-4 signals that can block Th17 differentiation. We will test this hypothesis with four specific aims outlined below. The lethal Th2-type inflammatory disease that develops in BCL-6-deficient mice underscores the critical role of BCL-6 in T cell differentiation. Elucidating the molecular details of the role of BCL-6 in the Th2 and Th17 pathways will increase our understanding of how T helper cell differentiation is regulated and should promote the development of new drug targets for the treatment of human allergic and autoimmune diseases. Further, since BCL-6 is a major oncogene in human B cell lymphoma, increased knowledge of BCL-6 function will enhance our general understanding and treatment of B cell lymphoma. Public Health Relevance: Allergic diseases, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases are promoted by abnormal differentiation of T helper cells. In this study, we wish to increase our understanding of how T helper cell differentiation is regulated. This work should promote the development of new drug targets for the treatment of human allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Allergic diseases, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases are promoted by abnormal differentiation of T helper cells. In this study, we wish to increase our understanding of how T helper cell differentiation is regulated. This work should promote the development of new drug targets for the treatment of human allergic and autoimmune diseases.
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