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 21.10.2018

Protein NFAT5, key for communication between macrophages and lymphocytes

In an article published in Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers at the Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS) of Pompeu Fabra University have described a new mechanism that promotes antigen presentation by macrophages, a process relevant to create immune responses, in transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases. This study has  involved scientists from the PCB-PRBB Animal Facility Alliance of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park and the Barcelona Science Park.

 

Macrophages are immune system cells that act as sensors within the tissues in which they are found. Thus, they regulate tissue integrity, both facilitating their functioning under normal conditions and when there is a disease. 

One of the functions of macrophages is to present the antigens that are found in the tissues – which are external substances that can trigger an immune reaction – to the T-lymphocytes. This process is necessary to create effective immune responses and memory and is also relevant in transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases.

In an article published in Journal of Experimental Medicine, a team led by Cristina López-Rodríguez and Jose Aramburu, researchers at the Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS) of Pompeu Fabra University, describes a new molecular mechanism that promotes antigen presentation by macrophages to T CD4 lymphocytes. Specifically, they found that the genes that are responsible for expressing antigen-presenting molecules in the macrophages are activated by the protein NFAT5. 

“Consistent with our observations in in vitro trials, our results show that when NFAT5 is eliminated, the communication between macrophages and T cells is interrupted, the latter are not activated and therefore the rejection of skin transplants is attenuated”, say Cristina López-Rodríguez and Jose Aramburu, who coordinate the NFAT5 Proteins and Immune Responses research group. 

► More information is available here [+]

► Reference article:

M Buxadé, H Huerga Encabo, M Riera-Borrull, L Quintana-Gallardo, P López-Cotarelo, M Tellechea, S Martínez-Martínez, JM Redondo, J Martín-Caballero, JM Flores, E Bosch, JL Rodríguez-Fernández, J Aramburu and C López-Rodríguez. “Macrophage-specific MHCII expression is regulated by a remote Ciita enhancer controlled by NFAT5” Journal of Experimental Medicine, October 2018. DOI: 10.1084/jem.20180314.