APOBEC3G has the ability to programme T cell plasticity

Recently Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, Catalytic Polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) biology has assumed importance because of its role in oncogenesis. In this context, the present study was addressed to understand the immune-modulatory role of APOBEC3G through its effect upon the T-cell plasticity phenomenon. Such an attempt revealed that APOBEC3G has the inherent capacity to regulate genes coding for STAT3, NF-κB, CCL5, IL-6, IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-17 coupled with downregulation of Treg cells within human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) without any noticeable influence upon CD4+ and CD8+ cell number. On the basis of these findings, we propose that APOBEC3G has the ability to induce T cell plasticity and modulate immune response.