p38γ and p38δ Are Involved in T Lymphocyte Development

• Published in: Frontiers in immunology Vol. 9; p. 65
• Main Authors: Risco, Ana, Martin-Serrano, Miguel A., Barber, Domingo F., Cuenda, Ana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 29.01.2018
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers; Cell Differentiation; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Immunology; lymph node; Lymphoid Tissue - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 12 - genetics; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 12 - metabolism; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 13 - genetics; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 13 - metabolism; p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase; p38γ; p38δ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; thymocyte development; Thymocytes - cytology; Thymocytes - metabolism; thymus; thymocyte development; thymus; p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase; p38δ; p38γ; lymph node
• ISSN: 1664-3224; 1664-3224
• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00065

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathways are essential regulators of the immune response. Particularly, p38γ and p38δ regulate many immune cell functions such as cytokine production, migration, or T cell activation; however, their involvement in immune cell development is largely unknown. Here, we analysed the role of p38 MAPK isoforms p38γ and p38δ in T cell differentiation in the thymus and in lymph nodes, using mice deficient in p38γ, p38δ, or in both. We found that the T cell differentiation program in the thymus was affected at different stages in p38γ-, p38δ-, and p38γ/δ-deficient mice, and also peripheral T cell homaeostasis was compromised. Particularly, p38δ deletion affects different stages of early CD4 CD8 double-negative thymocyte development, whereas lack of p38γ favours thymocyte positive selection from CD4 CD8 double-positive to CD4 or CD8 single-positive cells. Our results identify unreported functions for p38γ and p38δ in T cells.