Abstract
Imbalance of Th1/Th2 responses is associated with the development of human autoimmune diseases and allergic diseases. We have studied a role of Txk, a member of Tec family non-receptor tyrosine kinase for the Th1/Th2 cell development.
We found that Txk is expressed Th1/Th0 cells with IFN-γ producing potential. Txk transfection leads to severalfold increase in IFN-γ production; neither IL-2 nor IL-4 production were affected. Thus, Txk acts as a Th1 cell specific transcription factor.
Furthermore, we found that Txk expression is enhanced by Th1 cytokines but is inhibited by Th2 cytokines. Txk expression of the peripheral blood T cells is decreased in patients with allergic diseases. Collectively, Txk expression is modulated by with Th1/Th2 cytokines and is importantly involved in immune aberration in patients with immunological disorders. These results suggest that Txk is a possible therapeutic target of the diseases with Th1/Th2 imbalance.
