Roles of PKCα on the biological functions of T cells

Abstract:

Objective To study the roles of PKCα on the proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, cytokine production and inducible regulatory T cell (iTreg) induction of T cells. Methods T cells from WT (PKCα+/+) or PKCα knockout (PKCα-/-) mice were isolated and cultured in vitro. T cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using 3H thymidine incorporation and CSFE/Annexin V staining. Cytokines production (IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17) was detected using ELISA. CD4+T cells were isolated and cultured in vitro via Th17 or iTreg biased condition. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell differentiation. Results The production of IL-2 upon TCR stimulation increased, while the contents of IL-4 and IL-17 decreased in the PKCα-/- group compared with the PKCα+/+ group. The differentiation rate of Th17 cells decreased, while the iTreg production increased in the PKCα-/- group compared with the PKCα+/+ group. Conclusions PKC-α is proinflammatory.