FOXP3 and the regulation of Treg/Th17 differentiation

CD4 T cell lineages are marked by the signature transcription factor each lineage expresses. For example, regulatory T cells (Tregs) are characterized by expression of FOXP3, which is either induced during thymic development for natural Tregs (nTregs), or in the periphery in the presence of TGF-β and retinoic acid for induced Tregs (iTreg). Interestingly, recent work has shown that the signature transcription factor for Th17 cells, RORγt, is also induced by TGF-β, thus linking the differentiation of the Treg and Th17 lineages. In the absence of a second signal from a proinflammatory cytokine, FOXP3 can inhibit RORγt function and drive Treg differentiation. However, when the cell also receives a signal from a proinflammation cytokine (e.g., IL-6), FOXP3 function is inhibited and the Th17 differentiation pathway is induced. Therefore, it is the balance between FOXP3 and RORγt function that determines CD4 T cell fate and the type of immune response that will be generated.