Dendritic cells can prime naïve CD4+ T cells, however we demonstrate that DC-mediated priming is insufficient for the development of TH2 cell-dependent immunity. We identify basophils as a dominant cell population that coexpressed MHC class II and Il4 message following helminth infection. Basophilia was promoted by thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and depletion of basophils impaired immunity to helminth infection. In vitro, basophils promoted antigen-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation and IL-4 production and transfer of basophils augmented the expansion of helminth-responsive CD4+ T cells in vivo. Collectively, these studies suggest that MHC class II-dependent interactions between basophils and CD4+ T cells promote TH2 cytokine responses and immunity against helminth infection.

The large mucin CD43 is actively excluded from T cell/APC interaction sites, concentrating in a membrane domain distal to the site of TCR engagement. The cytoplasmic region of CD43 was necessary and sufficient for this antipodal movement. ERM cytoskeletal adaptor proteins colocalized with CD43 in this domain. An ERM dominant-negative mutant blocked the distal accumulation of CD43 and another known ERM binding protein, Rho-GDI. Inhibition of ERM function decreased the production of IL-2 and IFNgamma, without affecting PKC(theta) focusing or CD69 upregulation. These results indicate that ERM proteins organize a complex distal to the T cell/APC interaction site and provide evidence that full T cell activation may involve removal of inhibitory proteins from the immunological synapse.

Brief Summary: Treatment of the autoimmune and immune-dysregulatory features of patients with STAT1 GOF or STAT3 GOF disease remains challenging. Jakinibs have been used to treat the severe immune-dysregulation in patients with either STAT1 GOF or STAT3 GOF mutations.

No abstract