HVEM: An unusual TNF receptor family member important for mucosal innate immune responses to microbes

Jr-Wen Shui1, Mitchell Kronenberg

  • 1Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Gut Microbes
|January 22, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in epithelial cells. This discovery highlights HVEM's role in mucosal host defense and cellular regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), also known as TNFRSF14, is part of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily.
  • HVEM's role in cellular signaling and host defense is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate a novel signaling pathway downstream of HVEM in epithelial cells.
  • To understand the regulatory function of HVEM in mucosal host defense.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated signaling pathways involving HVEM.
  • Analyzed the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3).

Main Results:

  • Identified a novel pathway where HVEM activation leads to STAT3 activation in epithelial cells.
  • STAT3 activation by HVEM influences genes critical for host defense and immune cell differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • HVEM plays a significant role in mucosal host defense by activating STAT3.
  • HVEM regulates epithelial cell responses, including immune cell differentiation, highlighting its potential as a key regulator in cellular immunity.

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