Synergy of IL-12 and IL-18 for IFN-γ gene expression: IL-12-induced STAT4 contributes to IFN-γ promoter activation by up-regulating the binding activity of IL-18-induced activator protein

Masakiyo Nakahira, Hyun Jong Ahn, Woong Ryeon Park, Ping Gao, Michio Tomura, Cheung Seog Park, Toshiyuki Hamaoka, Tsunetaka Ohta, Masashi Kurimoto, Hiromi Fujiwara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

192 Scopus citations

Abstract

IL-12 and IL-18 synergistically enhance IFN-γ mRNA transcription by activating STAT4 and AP-1, respectively. However, it is still unknown how STAT4/AP-1 elicit IFN-γ promoter activation. Using an IL-12/IL-18-responsive T cell clone, we investigated the mechanisms underlying synergistic enhancement of IFN-γ mRNA expression induced by these two cytokines. Synergy was observed in a reporter gene assay using an IFN-γ promoter fragment that binds AP-1, but not STAT4. An increase in c-Jun, a component of AP-1, in the nuclear compartment was elicited by stimulation with either IL-12 or IL-18, but accumulation of serine-phosphorylated c-Jun was induced only by IL-18 capable of activating c-Jun N-terminal kinase. The binding of AP-1 to the relevant promoter sequence depended on the presence of STAT4. STAT4 bound with c-Jun, and a phosphorylated c-Jun-STAT4 complex most efficiently interacted with the AP-1-relevant promoter sequence. Enhanced cobinding of STAT4 and c-Jun to the AP-1 sequence was also observed when activated lymph node T cells were exposed to IL-12 plus IL-18. These results show that STAT4 up-regulates AP-1-mediated IFN-γ promoter activation without directly binding to the promoter sequence, providing a mechanistic explanation for IL-12/IL-18-induced synergistic enhancement of IFN-γ gene expression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1146-1153
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume168
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Synergy of IL-12 and IL-18 for IFN-γ gene expression: IL-12-induced STAT4 contributes to IFN-γ promoter activation by up-regulating the binding activity of IL-18-induced activator protein'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this