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Role Of The Cyclosporin-sensitive Transcription Factor NFAT1 In The Allergic Response
Viola, Joao P.B. & Rao, Anjana
Abstract
Proteins belonging to the NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells)
family of transcription factors are expressed in most immune cell types,
and play a central role in the transcription of cytokine genes, such as
IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and GM-CSF. The activity of
NFAT proteins is regulated by the calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase
calcineurin, a target for inhibition by CsA and FK506. Recently, two
different groups have described that mice lacking the NFAT1 transcription
factor show an enhanced immune response, with tendency towards the
development of a late Th2-like response. This review evaluates the possible
role of NFAT proteins in the Th2 immune response and in the
eosinophil-mediated allergic response.
Keywords
nuclear factor of activated T cells - interleukin - cyclosporin
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