[PDF][PDF] Epidermal growth factor receptor expression licenses type-2 helper T cells to function in a T cell receptor-independent fashion

CM Minutti, S Drube, N Blair, C Schwartz, JC McCrae… - Immunity, 2017 - cell.com
CM Minutti, S Drube, N Blair, C Schwartz, JC McCrae, AN McKenzie, T Kamradt, M Mokry
Immunity, 2017cell.com
Gastro-intestinal helminth infections trigger the release of interleukin-33 (IL-33), which
induces type-2 helper T cells (Th2 cells) at the site of infection to produce IL-13, thereby
contributing to host resistance in a T cell receptor (TCR)-independent manner. Here, we
show that, as a prerequisite for IL-33-induced IL-13 secretion, Th2 cells required the
expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and of its ligand, amphiregulin,
for the formation of a signaling complex between T1/ST2 (the IL-33R) and EGFR. This …
Summary
Gastro-intestinal helminth infections trigger the release of interleukin-33 (IL-33), which induces type-2 helper T cells (Th2 cells) at the site of infection to produce IL-13, thereby contributing to host resistance in a T cell receptor (TCR)-independent manner. Here, we show that, as a prerequisite for IL-33-induced IL-13 secretion, Th2 cells required the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and of its ligand, amphiregulin, for the formation of a signaling complex between T1/ST2 (the IL-33R) and EGFR. This shared signaling complex allowed IL-33 to induce the EGFR-mediated activation of the MAP-kinase signaling pathway and consequently the expression of IL-13. Lack of EGFR expression on T cells abrogated IL-13 expression in infected tissues and impaired host resistance. EGFR expression on Th2 cells was TCR-signaling dependent, and therefore, our data reveal a mechanism by which antigen presentation controls the innate effector function of Th2 cells at the site of inflammation.
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