Transcription factor Foxo1 is essential for IL-9 induction in T helper cells. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malik, Sakshi; Sadhu, Srikanth; Elesela, Srikanth; Pandey, Ramendra; Chawla, Amanpreet; Sharma, Deepak; Panda, Lipsa; Rathore, Deepak; Ghosh, Balram; Ahuja, Vineet; Awasthi, Amit
• Is Part Of: Nature communications. Volume 8:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00674-6
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-1723

Abstract

Abstract Interleukin 9 (IL-9)-producing helper T (Th9) cells have a crucial function in allergic inflammation, autoimmunity, immunity to extracellular pathogens and anti-tumor immune responses. In addition to Th9, Th2, Th17 and Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells produce IL-9. A transcription factor that is critical for IL-9 induction in Th2, Th9 and Th17 cells has not been identified. Here we show that the forkhead family transcription factor Foxo1 is required for IL-9 induction in Th9 and Th17 cells. We further show that inhibition of AKT enhances IL-9 induction in Th9 cells while it reciprocally regulates IL-9 and IL-17 in Th17 cells via Foxo1. Mechanistically, Foxo1 binds and transactivates IL-9 and IRF4 promoters in Th9, Th17 and iTreg cells. Furthermore, loss of Foxo1 attenuates IL-9 in mouse and human Th9 and Th17 cells, and ameliorates allergic inflammation in asthma. Our findings thus identify that Foxo1 is essential for IL-9 induction in Th9 and Th17 cells. The transcription factor Foxo1 can control regulatory T cell and Th1 function. Here the authors show that Foxo1 is also critical for IL-9 production by Th9 cells and other IL-9-producing cells.