How All-Trans Retinoic Acid Helps Tregs Develop
Author Information
Author(s): Lu Ling, Ma Jilin, Li Zhiyuan, Lan Qin, Chen Maogen, Liu Ya, Xia Zanxian, Wang Julie, Han Yuanping, Shi Wei, Quesniaux Valerie, Ryffel Bernhard, Brand David, Li Bin, Liu Zhongmin, Zheng Song Guo
Primary Institution: Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Hypothesis
How does all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) promote the differentiation of TGF-β-induced regulatory T cells (iTregs)?
Conclusion
All-trans retinoic acid enhances the development and maintenance of iTregs through histone modification rather than DNA demethylation.
Supporting Evidence
- atRA increases Foxp3+ iTreg differentiation.
- atRA maintains Foxp3 expression by inhibiting apoptosis.
- atRA enhances histone methylation and acetylation at the Foxp3 gene locus.
- atRA promotes TGF-β-induced iTreg differentiation through ERK activation.
Takeaway
This study shows that a vitamin A derivative called all-trans retinoic acid helps certain immune cells called Tregs grow and stay healthy, which can help treat autoimmune diseases.
Methodology
The study involved adding atRA to CD4+ cells stimulated with TGF-β and analyzing the effects on Foxp3 expression and Treg differentiation.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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