Ligation of RARγ inhibits proliferation of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated T-cells via down-regulating JAK3 protein levels

The mechanisms whereby Vitamin A regulates the immune system are poorly understood. We have shown previously that retinoic acids, the Vitamin A derivatives, promote both apoptosis of neglected thymocytes and the activation-induced cell death of peripheral T-cells via ligating the nuclear retinoid receptor (RAR) gamma. In the present study, we found that human peripheral T-cells express RARα and γ, but not RARβ. Increasing concentrations of 9-cis RA inhibited phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced proliferation of T-cells, an effect that could be mimicked only by addition of RARγ agonists and could be inhibited by an RARγ antagonist. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) produced is known to mediate PHA-induced proliferation of T lymphocytes. Ligation of RARγ did not affect the PHA-induced high affinity IL-2 receptor expression, slightly reduced the PHA-induced IL-2 production, but interfered with the IL-2-mediated signal transduction resulting in inhibition of PHA-induced phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and of up-regulation of Bcl-2. Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK3 play a determinant role in IL-2-dependent signal transduction. Ligation of RARγ did not affect the levels of JAK1, but prevented IL-2-induced expression of JAK3 resulting in inhibition of PHA-induced phosphorylation of Stat5 molecules. Our data suggest that the previously observed toxic effect of high concentrations of retinoids on the immune system might be mediated via formation of 9-cis RA, which via ligation of RARγ not only induces cell death in immature thymocytes, but inhibits proliferation of T-cells as well.