Profiling of human CD4+ T-cell subsets identifies the T H2-specific noncoding RNA GATA3-AS1

摘要

Host defense against diverse pathogens involves the recruitment and differentiation of CD4+ T-cell effector subsets. After recognition of antigens presented by antigen-presenting cells, naive CD4+ T (NT) cells can differentiate into T effector subsets, including TH1 cells, TH2 cells, TH17 cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells. TH1 and TH2 cells are characterized by releasing IFN-gamma or IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, respectively. TH1 cells are involved in cellular immunity against intracellular microorganisms, whereas TH2 cells are involved in allergy and responses to helminth infection. T-bet controls TH1 cell differentiation, whereas TH2 cells are regulated by GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3). TH17 cells produce IL-17 and IL-17F and are critical in mucosal and epithelial host defense. Treg cells are characterized by the expression of the key transcription regulator forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) and express IL-10 and TGF-beta. Treg cells play important roles in the maintenance of immune homeostasis.1 Distinct CD4+ T-cell lineages are achieved and maintained through epige-netic processes that require chromatin remodeling by recruiting chromatin remodeling complexes after activation of lineage-specific transcription factors during differentiation.