Notch regulates IL-10 production by T helper 1 cells

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Mar 4;105(9):3497-502. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0712102105. Epub 2008 Feb 21.

Abstract

T helper 1 (Th1) cells mediate powerful cellular immune responses. However, if unbalanced, Th1 immunity eventually may cause pathology. Recently, it has been shown that IL-10, an antiinflammatory cytokine strongly antagonizing Th1-mediated effects, can be produced by Th1 cells and is indeed essential for self-regulation of Th1 immunity. Here, we show that Notch induces IL-10 production in newly developing and already established Th1 cells via a signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4)-dependent process. Notch signaling in the presence of the cytokines IL-12 or IL-27 induces Th1 cells to produce large amounts of IL-10 without diminishing IFN-gamma production. Notch-modified Th1 cells completely lose their inflammatory capacity and instead are able to actively suppress a Th1 cell-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in an IL-10-dependent fashion. IL-10 production can be elicited by active forms of all four mammalian Notch receptors but was found to be specific for the Delta-like family of Notch ligands. Dendritic cells (DC) selectively acquire Delta-like 4 expression upon stimulation with various Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands and concomitantly induce IL-10 production by Th1 cells in vitro and in vivo. This effect can be selectively reversed by pharmacological inhibitors of Notch signaling (gamma-secretase inhibitor). Our data suggest that Notch regulates IL-10 production in Th1 cells by a STAT4-dependent process that converts proinflammatory Th1 cells into T cells with regulatory activity. This pathway may provide unique opportunities for therapeutic intervention in Th1-driven immune diseases and for Th1-associated vaccination strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cytokines
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-12 / physiology*
  • Interleukins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Notch / physiology*
  • STAT4 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • Th1 Cells / cytology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Il27 protein, mouse
  • Interleukins
  • Receptors, Notch
  • STAT4 Transcription Factor
  • Stat4 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-12