A Key Role for NF-κB Transcription Factor c-Rel in T-Lymphocyte-Differentiation and Effector Functions

The transcription factors of the Rel/NF-κB family function as key regulators of innate and adoptive immunity. Tightly and temporally controlled activation of NF-κB-signalling pathways ensures prevention of harmful immune cell dysregulation, whereas a loss of control leads to pathological conditions...

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Main Authors: Alexander Visekruna, Anton Volkov, Ulrich Steinhoff
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Clinical and Developmental Immunology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/239368
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author Alexander Visekruna
Anton Volkov
Ulrich Steinhoff
author_facet Alexander Visekruna
Anton Volkov
Ulrich Steinhoff
author_sort Alexander Visekruna
collection DOAJ
description The transcription factors of the Rel/NF-κB family function as key regulators of innate and adoptive immunity. Tightly and temporally controlled activation of NF-κB-signalling pathways ensures prevention of harmful immune cell dysregulation, whereas a loss of control leads to pathological conditions such as severe inflammation, autoimmune disease, and inflammation-associated oncogenesis. Five family members have been identified in mammals: RelA (p65), c-Rel, RelB, and the precursor proteins NF-κB1 (p105) and NF-κB2 (p100), that are processed into p50 and p52, respectively. While RelA-containing dimers are present in most cell types, c-Rel complexes are predominately found in cells of hematopoietic origin. In T-cell lymphocytes, certain genes essential for immune function such as Il2 and Foxp3 are directly regulated by c-Rel. Additionally, c-Rel-dependent IL-12 and IL-23 transcription by macrophages and dendritic cells is crucial for T-cell differentiation and effector functions. Accordingly, c-Rel expression in T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) controls a delicate balance between tolerance and immunity. This review gives a selective overview on recent progress in understanding of diverse roles of c-Rel in regulating adaptive immunity.
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spelling doaj-art-2f0204d528184f8caf90a3e39b1a79302025-08-20T03:55:16ZengWileyClinical and Developmental Immunology1740-25221740-25302012-01-01201210.1155/2012/239368239368A Key Role for NF-κB Transcription Factor c-Rel in T-Lymphocyte-Differentiation and Effector FunctionsAlexander Visekruna0Anton Volkov1Ulrich Steinhoff2Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Philipps University of Marburg, Hans Meerwein Straße 2, 35032 Marburg, GermanyInstitute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Philipps University of Marburg, Hans Meerwein Straße 2, 35032 Marburg, GermanyInstitute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Philipps University of Marburg, Hans Meerwein Straße 2, 35032 Marburg, GermanyThe transcription factors of the Rel/NF-κB family function as key regulators of innate and adoptive immunity. Tightly and temporally controlled activation of NF-κB-signalling pathways ensures prevention of harmful immune cell dysregulation, whereas a loss of control leads to pathological conditions such as severe inflammation, autoimmune disease, and inflammation-associated oncogenesis. Five family members have been identified in mammals: RelA (p65), c-Rel, RelB, and the precursor proteins NF-κB1 (p105) and NF-κB2 (p100), that are processed into p50 and p52, respectively. While RelA-containing dimers are present in most cell types, c-Rel complexes are predominately found in cells of hematopoietic origin. In T-cell lymphocytes, certain genes essential for immune function such as Il2 and Foxp3 are directly regulated by c-Rel. Additionally, c-Rel-dependent IL-12 and IL-23 transcription by macrophages and dendritic cells is crucial for T-cell differentiation and effector functions. Accordingly, c-Rel expression in T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) controls a delicate balance between tolerance and immunity. This review gives a selective overview on recent progress in understanding of diverse roles of c-Rel in regulating adaptive immunity.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/239368
spellingShingle Alexander Visekruna
Anton Volkov
Ulrich Steinhoff
A Key Role for NF-κB Transcription Factor c-Rel in T-Lymphocyte-Differentiation and Effector Functions
Clinical and Developmental Immunology
title A Key Role for NF-κB Transcription Factor c-Rel in T-Lymphocyte-Differentiation and Effector Functions
title_full A Key Role for NF-κB Transcription Factor c-Rel in T-Lymphocyte-Differentiation and Effector Functions
title_fullStr A Key Role for NF-κB Transcription Factor c-Rel in T-Lymphocyte-Differentiation and Effector Functions
title_full_unstemmed A Key Role for NF-κB Transcription Factor c-Rel in T-Lymphocyte-Differentiation and Effector Functions
title_short A Key Role for NF-κB Transcription Factor c-Rel in T-Lymphocyte-Differentiation and Effector Functions
title_sort key role for nf κb transcription factor c rel in t lymphocyte differentiation and effector functions
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/239368
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