Identification of human thioredoxin as a novel IFN-gamma-induced factor: Mechanism of induction and its role in cytokine production

摘要

BackgroundIFN-γ is a multifunctional peptide with a potent immune defense function which is also known as a prototypic Th1 cytokine. While screening for genes differentially expressed by Th1 and Th2 cytokines, human thioredoxin was identified as a novel target gene induced by IFN-γ. The mechanism by which thioredoxin is induced by IFN-γ and the signaling pathways involved in its induction were analyzed. In addition, the effects of thioredoxin on immune cell survival and cytokine production were examined by thioredoxin over-expression and recombinant thioredoxin treatment.