Targeted disruption of Stat6 DNA binding activity by an oligonucleotide decoy blocks IL-4–driven TH2 cell response

The transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 6, regulates TH2-lymphocyte activity by controlling the expression and responsiveness to interleukin (IL)–4, which plays a key role in numerous allergic maladies. Therefore, we sought to use a phosphorothiolate cis-element decoy to target disruption of Stat6 transcriptional activity. Here we showed that the Stat6 decoy potently ablated the messenger RNA expression and production of IL-4, but not of several other cytokines. The Stat6 decoy functionally disrupted IL-4–inducible cell proliferation of murine TH2 cells and primary human CD4+T lymphocytes. Specificity of the decoy was demonstrated by its ability to directly block Stat6 binding to a cis-element probe and transactivation, but not affect Stat6 tyrosine phosphorylation or expression of the IL-4 receptor chains. Moreover, the decoy failed to inhibit non–Stat6-dependent signaling pathways since IL-2 was competent to induce cell proliferation and activation of Stats 1, 3, and 5a/b. With the use of laser scanning confocal microscopy, fluorescently tagged Stat6 decoy was detectable in the cytoplasm and nucleus; however, greater levels of oligonucleotide were present in the latter following IL-4 treatment. Taken together, these data suggest that IL-4–driven TH2 cell activity can be preferentially restricted via targeted disruption of Stat6 by a novel and specific decoy strategy that may possess gene therapeutic potential.