Interleukin 2 plays a central role in Th2 differentiation

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Abstract
Differentiation of naïve CD4 T cells into T helper (Th) 2 cells requires signaling through the T cell receptor and an appropriate cytokine environment. IL-4 is critical for such Th2 differentiation. We show that IL-2 plays a central role in this process. The effect of IL-2 on Th2 generation does not depend on its cell growth or survival effects. Stat5a-/-cells show diminished differentiation to IL-4 production, and forced expression of a constitutively active form of Stat5a replaces the need for IL-2.In vivoIL-2 neutralization inhibits IL-4 production in two models. Studies of restriction enzyme accessibility and binding of Stat5 to chromatin indicate that IL-2 mediates its effect by stabilizing the accessibility of theIl4gene. Thus, IL-2 plays a critical role in the polarization of naive CD4 T cells to the Th2 phenotype.