DUSP8 induces TGF-β-stimulated IL-9 transcription and Th9-mediated allergic inflammation by promoting nuclear export of Pur-α
Journal
The Journal of clinical investigation
Journal Volume
133
Journal Issue
21
Date Issued
2023-11-01
Author(s)
Chuang, Huai-Chia
Hsueh, Chia-Hsin
Hsu, Pu-Ming
Tsai, Ching-Yi
Shih, Ying-Chun
Chen, Yi-Ming
Yu, Wen-Kuang
Chen, Ming-Han
Tan, Tse-Hua
Abstract
Dual-specificity phosphatase 8 (DUSP8) is a MAPK phosphatase that dephosphorylates and inactivates the kinase JNK. DUSP8 is highly expressed in T cells; however, the in vivo role of DUSP8 in T cells remains unclear. Using T cell-specific Dusp8 conditional KO (T-Dusp8 cKO) mice, mass spectrometry analysis, ChIP-Seq, and immune analysis, we found that DUSP8 interacted with Pur-α, stimulated interleukin-9 (IL-9) gene expression, and promoted Th9 differentiation. Mechanistically, DUSP8 dephosphorylated the transcriptional repressor Pur-α upon TGF-β signaling, leading to the nuclear export of Pur-α and subsequent IL-9 transcriptional activation. Furthermore, Il-9 mRNA levels were induced in Pur-α-deficient T cells. In addition, T-Dusp8-cKO mice displayed reduction of IL-9 and Th9-mediated immune responses in the allergic asthma model. Reduction of Il-9 mRNA levels in T cells and allergic responses of T-Dusp8-cKO mice was reversed by Pur-α knockout. Remarkably, DUSP8 protein levels and the DUSP8-Pur-α interaction were indeed increased in the cytoplasm of T cells from people with asthma and patients with atopic dermatitis. Collectively, DUSP8 induces TGF-β-stimulated IL-9 transcription and Th9-induced allergic responses by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of the transcriptional repressor Pur-α. DUSP8 may be a T-cell biomarker and therapeutic target for asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Subjects
Inflammation
Phosphoprotein phosphatases
Signal transduction
T cells
SDGs
Type
journal article