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Using histone deacetylase inhibitors to enhance Foxp3 + regulatory T‐cell function and induce allograft tolerance
Author(s) -
Wang Liqing,
Tao Ran,
Hancock Wayne W
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.2008.106
Subject(s) - histone deacetylase , function (biology) , foxp3 , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , histone , cell function , cell , biology , biochemistry , genetics , gene , immune system
The histone/protein deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), trichostatin A (TsA), increases the production and suppressive function of Foxp3 + regulatory T cells (T regs ), at least in part, by promoting the acetylation of Foxp3 protein itself. Acetylation of Foxp3 is required for effective binding of Foxp3 to the promoter of the interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) gene and the suppression of IL‐2 expression. We have sought to identify agents that had similar effects on T regs , but without the associated toxicity of TsA. This review summarizes the contrasting effects of various HDACis on T reg functions in vitro and in vivo . Agents that block primarily class I HDAC had minimal or no effect on T reg suppression, whereas multiple inhibitors of both class I and class II HDAC enhanced T reg suppression in vitro and in vivo . These data indicate tools for further analysis of T reg functions, and point to a critical role of class II HDAC in the regulation of T regs . Such knowledge has direct implications for the development of in vivo approaches to treat autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.