PAR-2 Deficient CD4+ T Cells Exhibit Downregulation of IL-4 and Upregulation of IFN-γ after Antigen Challenge in Mice

Abstract

Background: To investigate the functional role of protease activated receptor (PAR) -2 in T lymphocytes, we analyzed TCR-mediated inflammatory cytokine production using PAR-2 deficient (KO) and wild type (WT) mice. Methods: Production of serum IgE and cytokines by spleen CD4+ T cells was determined in OVA-sensitized and OVA-challenged mice of PAR-2 KO in contrast to WT mice. Phosphorylation of JNK1 and 2 was determined by Western blotting. Results: A reduction in serum levels of IgE and IL-4 production by splenic CD4+ T cells from OVA-sensitized and OVA-challenged KO mice compared to WT mice was observed. By contrast, IFN-γ production was upregulated after antigen stimulation in KO mice. Anti-CD3-mediated phosphorylation of JNK1 was upregulated in splenic CD4+ T cells from KO mice compared to WT mice. Conclusions: PAR-2 participates in the regulation of T cell cytokine production that may be caused by modulation of JNK1 phosphorylation.

Keywords

• CD4+ T cell
• GATA-3
• JNK1
• PAR-2
• T-bet