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T helper (TH) cell polarization during priming is modulated by a number of signals, but whether polarization to a given phenotype also influences recall responses of memory TH cells is relatively unknown. Here we show that miR-181a is selectively induced in both human and mouse naive T cells differentiating into the TH17, but not TH1 or TH2 subset. In human memory TH17 cells, miR-181a regulates responses to cognate antigens through modulation of ERK phosphorylation. By enhancing the signalling cascade from the T-cell receptor, such molecular network reduces the threshold of TH17 cell activation. Moreover, at a late time point, the same network induces a self-regulatory mechanism dependent on ID3, a negative regulator of transcription factors that control RORC expression, thus modulating TH17 activity. Our results demonstrate that the phenotype acquired by TH cells during priming contributes to their threshold of activation to secondary antigenic stimulations, thus influencing memory responses.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/ncomms7431

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Commun

Publication Date

16/03/2015

Volume

6

Keywords

Animals, Antigens, Candida albicans, Cell Differentiation, Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases, Female, Humans, Immunologic Memory, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Transgenic, MicroRNAs, Phenotype, Phosphorylation, RNA Interference, Signal Transduction, Th17 Cells