Grail controls Th2 cell development by targeting STAT6 for degradation

Nat Commun. 2014 Aug 22:5:4732. doi: 10.1038/ncomms5732.

Abstract

T helper (Th)-2 cells are the major players in allergic asthma; however, the mechanisms that control Th2-mediated inflammation are poorly understood. Here we find that enhanced expression of Grail, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, in Th2 cells depends on interleukin (IL)-4-signalling components, signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6) and Gata3, that bind to and transactivate the Grail promoter. Grail deficiency in T cells leads to increased expression of Th2 effector cytokines in vitro and in vivo and Grail-deficient mice are more susceptible to allergic asthma. Mechanistically, the enhanced effector function of Grail-deficient Th2 cells is mediated by increased expression of Stat6 and IL-4 receptor α-chain. Grail interacts with Stat6 and targets it for ubiquitination and degradation. Thus, our results indicate that Grail plays a critical role in controlling Th2 development through a negative feedback loop.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-4 / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Th2 Cells / drug effects
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism*
  • Th2 Cells / physiology
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • Gata3 protein, mouse
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Stat6 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-4
  • RNF128 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases