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Review
. 2020 Feb 14:11:206.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00206. eCollection 2020.

c-MAF, a Swiss Army Knife for Tolerance in Lymphocytes

Claire Imbratta  1 , Hind Hussein  2 , Fabienne Andris  2 , Grégory Verdeil  1
Affiliations
Review

c-MAF, a Swiss Army Knife for Tolerance in Lymphocytes

Claire Imbratta et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Beyond its well-admitted role in development and organogenesis, it is now clear that the transcription factor c-Maf has owned its place in the realm of immune-related transcription factors. Formerly introduced solely as a Th2 transcription factor, the role attributed to c-Maf has gradually broadened over the years and has extended to most, if not all, known immune cell types. The influence of c-Maf is particularly prominent among T cell subsets, where c-Maf regulates the differentiation as well as the function of multiple subsets of CD4 and CD8 T cells, lending it a crucial position in adaptive immunity and anti-tumoral responsiveness. Recent research has also revealed the role of c-Maf in controlling Th17 responses in the intestine, positioning it as an essential factor in intestinal homeostasis. This review aims to present and discuss the recent advances highlighting the particular role played by c-Maf in T lymphocyte differentiation, function, and homeostasis.

Keywords: T cells; c-Maf; gut; interleukin-10; tolerance.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Structures of the human Maf family proteins and the c-Jun bZIP transcription factor. EHR, extended homology region; TAD, transactivation domain. *The short isoform (isoform 1) of human c-Maf is represented.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Role of c-Maf in various T cell subtypes. Level of expression of c-Maf, signals regulating its expression, partners of c-Maf and c-Maf target genes in each indicated T cell subtype are shown.
Figure 3
Figure 3
c-Maf regulates pro/anti-inflammatory properties of Th17 cells. Under the control of STAT3, c-Maf level in Th17 cells leads to differential expression of pro-inflammatory genes (Ilr1, Tnfa, Ifng,…) and immune-regulatory genes (Il10, Ctla4, Pdcd1,…) in Th17 cells.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Expression of c-Maf in T cells regulates tolerance/sensitivity to microbiota in the gut. Expression of c-Maf in regulatory T cells (Foxp3+ RORγt− or Foxp3+ RORγt+) as well as in Th17 cells (RORγt+ Foxp3−) regulates the expression level of IL-10 in the colon and is central in the regulation of tolerance to gut microbiota.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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