[PDF][PDF] MicroRNA-17 modulates regulatory T cell function by targeting co-regulators of the Foxp3 transcription factor

HY Yang, J Barbi, CY Wu, Y Zheng, PDA Vignali, X Wu… - Immunity, 2016 - cell.com
HY Yang, J Barbi, CY Wu, Y Zheng, PDA Vignali, X Wu, JH Tao, BV Park, S Bandara
Immunity, 2016cell.com
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are important in maintaining self-tolerance and immune
homeostasis. The Treg cell transcription factor Foxp3 works in concert with other co-
regulatory molecules, including Eos, to determine the transcriptional signature and
characteristic suppressive phenotype of Treg cells. Here, we report that the inflammatory
cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) actively repressed Eos expression through microRNA-17 (miR-
17). miR-17 expression increased in Treg cells in the presence of IL-6, and its expression …
Summary
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are important in maintaining self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. The Treg cell transcription factor Foxp3 works in concert with other co-regulatory molecules, including Eos, to determine the transcriptional signature and characteristic suppressive phenotype of Treg cells. Here, we report that the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) actively repressed Eos expression through microRNA-17 (miR-17). miR-17 expression increased in Treg cells in the presence of IL-6, and its expression negatively correlated with that of Eos. Treg cell suppressive activity was diminished upon overexpression of miR-17 in vitro and in vivo, which was mitigated upon co-expression of an Eos mutant lacking miR-17 target sites. Also, RNAi of miR-17 resulted in enhanced suppressive activity. Ectopic expression of miR-17 imparted effector-T-cell-like characteristics to Treg cells via the de-repression of genes encoding effector cytokines. Thus, miR-17 provides a potent layer of Treg cell control through targeting Eos and additional Foxp3 co-regulators.
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