Cutting edge: expression of the NF of activated T cells in eosinophils: regulation by IL-4 and IL-5

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 163; no. 1; pp. 21 - 24
• Main Authors: Jinquan, T, Quan, S, Jacobi, H H, Reimert, C M, Millner, A, Hansen, J B, Thygesen, C, Ryder, L P, Madsen, H O, Malling, H J, Poulsen, L K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.1999
• Subjects: AIDS/HIV; DNA-Binding Proteins - biosynthesis; DNA-Binding Proteins - blood; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - immunology; Eosinophils - immunology; Eosinophils - metabolism; Humans; Interleukin-4 - physiology; Interleukin-5 - physiology; Lymphocyte Activation; Multigene Family - immunology; NFATC Transcription Factors; Nuclear Proteins; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Th2 Cells - metabolism; Transcription Factors - biosynthesis; Transcription Factors - blood; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - immunology
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.163.1.21

We report that NF-AT1 and NF-AT4 are expressed cytoplasmically in resting eosinophils, whereas NF-AT2 and NF-AT3 have not been seen. Likewise, NF-AT1 mRNA and NF-AT4 mRNA have been detected in resting eosinophils, and their levels can be significantly up-regulated by the Th2-associated cytokines IL-4 and IL-5. There is no detectable NF-AT protein expression in the nuclei of resting eosinophils. However NF-ATs appear in the nuclei of IL-4-, IL-5-, or ionomycin-stimulated eosinophils. Only NF-AT1 and NF-AT4, but not NF-AT2 and NF-AT3, have translocated into the nuclei in IL-4- or IL-5-stimulated eosinophils. These findings delineate a novel pathway in the cytokine network in which Th2 lymphocytes "control" eosinophils via the release of IL-4 and IL-5, and activation of NF-AT in eosinophils. The findings also suggest that a later feedback "talking" may exist between eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes.