Abstract
Background: Among several GATA family transcription factor-associating proteins, zinc finger protein, multitype 1 (ZFPM1), at least that of murine origin, has been shown to modulate the activity of GATA-3. However, the functional role of human ZFPM1 in the immune system has not been elucidated. Therefore, we here investigated the contribution of ZFPM1 to human Th1/Th2 differentiation. Methods: The cDNA of ZFPM1 was cloned and introduced into human cord blood CD4+ T cells by a lentiviral transduction system. Then, the expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ mRNA was determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The effect of ZFPM1 on the promoter activity of IL-4 and IFN-γ in Jurkat cells was also investigated. Results: Stimulation-induced expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ in human CD4+ T cells was suppressed and enhanced, respectively, by the introduction of ZFPM1. The transcriptional activity of IL-4 was also diminished by ZFPM1, whereas that of IFN-γ was not affected. Conclusion: ZFPM1 that facilitates human Th1 differentiation via the downregulation of IL-4 is a potential target for the treatment of allergic diseases.
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