Abstract

Th17 lymphocytes protect mucosal barriers from infections, but also contribute to multiple chronic inflammatory diseases. Their differentiation is controlled by RORγt, a ligand-regulated nuclear receptor. We identified the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX5 as a RORγt partner that coordinates transcription of selective Th17 genes and is required for Th17-mediated inflammatory pathologies. Surprisingly, the ability of DDX5 to interact with RORγt and co-activate its targets depends on its intrinsic RNA helicase activity and binding of a conserved nuclear long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), Rmrp, which is mutated in Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia (CHH) patients. A targeted Rmrp mutation in mice, corresponding to one in CHH patients, abrogated the lncRNA’s chromatin recruitment, ability to potentiate DDX5-RORγt interaction and RORγt target gene transcription. Elucidation of the link between Rmrp and the DDX5-RORγt complex reveals a role for RNA helicases and lncRNAs in tissue-specific transcriptional regulation and promises new opportunities for therapeutic intervention in Th17-dependent diseases.

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