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Published on: September 17, 2016
TH17 cell differentiation is regulated by the circadian clock
Xiaofei Yu1, Darcy Rollins, Kelly A Ruhn
1Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
The circadian clock directly controls the development of T helper 17 (T(H)17) cells, crucial for immunity. This regulation, mediated by NFIL3 and REV-ERBα, impacts inflammatory disease susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Chronobiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Circadian clocks govern daily physiological rhythms, but their role in adaptive immunity remains largely unknown.
- Interleukin-17-producing CD4(+) T helper (T(H)17) cells are key proinflammatory cells involved in mucosal defense.
- RORγt is a critical regulator of T(H)17 cell lineage specification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulation of T(H)17 cell development by the circadian clock.
- To identify molecular mechanisms linking circadian networks to T(H)17 cell lineage specification.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of transcription factor NFIL3's role in T(H)17 cell development.
- Investigating the interaction between NFIL3, REV-ERBα, and the Rorγt promoter.
- Studying T(H)17 cell dynamics in wild-type and Rev-erbα(-/-) mice under different light-dark cycles.
Main Results:
- NFIL3 directly represses the Rorγt promoter, thereby suppressing T(H)17 cell development.
- NFIL3 links T(H)17 cell development to the circadian clock component REV-ERBα.
- T(H)17 cell lineage specification exhibits diurnal variation and is disrupted in Rev-erbα(-/-) mice.
- Disrupted light cycles increase intestinal T(H)17 cells and susceptibility to inflammatory disease.
Conclusions:
- The lineage specification of T(H)17 cells is under direct circadian control.
- This circadian regulation plays a role in immune defense and inflammatory disease pathogenesis.
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