Correlation between mRNA expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines and their specific transcription factors in human helper T‐cell clones

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Abstract
The mechanisms that underlie Th1/Th2 differentiation of human T cells are incompletely defined. In the present study, a panel of human T‐cell clones was used to elucidate the relationship between Th1/Th2‐specific transcription factors and cytokine production in human helper T cells. The mRNA expression level of T‐bet, a Th1‐specific transcription factor, was higher in Th1 clones than in Th2 clones. In contrast, inducible expression of Th2‐specific transcription factors (GATA‐3 and c‐Maf) in Th2 clones was higher than that in Th1 clones. The expression level of T‐bet in various T‐cell clones was positively correlated with that of IFN‐γ and negatively correlated with that of Th2 cytokines, particularly IL‐4. Interestingly, the expression of IL‐3 and IL‐13, but not of other Th2 cytokines IL‐4 and IL‐5, was strongly correlated with GATA‐3 mRNA levels. A reduction of GATA‐3 using RNA interference technology suppressed, whereas overexpression of GATA‐3 enhanced, the expression of IL‐3 and IL‐13. In conclusion, the level of T‐bet expression is correlated with Th1/Th2 polarization status, whereas GATA‐3 is a crucial factor in determining the IL‐3 and IL‐13 producing capacity of human T cells.
Funding Information
  • Japan Health Science Foundation