转录因子Gata3在Th2细胞分化过程中的作用

The Essential Role of Gata3 in Th2 Cell Differentiation

CD4^+辅助性T细胞根据其所分泌的细胞因子主要分为Th1、Th2、Th17和调节性T细胞(Treg)四个细胞亚群,它们对机体的免疫功能有着重要的调节作用。作为Th2细胞特异性的转录因子,Gata3能选择性地诱导幼稚性(na(?)ve)CD4^+T细胞朝着Th2方向分化,这一作用不仅体现在Gata3对IL-5和IL-13在转录水平上的调节,更表现在对CD4+T细胞染色质的重塑(chromatinremodeling)。Gata3除了在早期调控Th2细胞的分化,其对终末分化的Th2细胞的主要表型的维持也必不可少。本文主要就Gata3调节Th2细胞分化的作用和具体机制以及它自身在这一过程中所受到的调控做一综述。

The naive CD4^＋ T cells can undergo a differentiation program leading to at least four distinct effector subsets, termed Thl, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cells, based upon their cytokine expression profile, as well as lineage specific transcription factors. Besides directly binding to critical elements in the IL-5 and IL-13 promoters, GATA-3 also influences Th2 lineage commitment through creation of heritable epigenetic patterns. GATA- 3 is not only critical for establishment of the Th2 lineage, but also necessary for maintaining the stability of the Th2 phenotype. In this review, we will mainly focus on the mechanisms underlying the promotion of Th2 differentiation mediated by Gata3 and the regulation of Gata3 expression and function in this process.