Overlapping and distinct roles of STAT4 and T-bet in the regulation of T cell differentiation and allergic airway inflammation

T-bet and STAT4 play critical roles in helper T cell differentiation, especially for Th1 cells. However, it is still unknown about the relative importance and redundancy of T-bet and STAT4 for Th1 differentiation. It is also unknown about their independent role of T-bet and STAT4 in the regulation of allergic airway inflammation. In this study, we addressed these issues by comparing T-bet-deficient (T-bet−/−) mice, STAT4−/− mice, and T-bet- and STAT4-double-deficient (T-bet−/−STAT4−/−) mice on the same genetic background. Th1 differentiation was severely decreased in T-bet−/− mice and STAT4−/− mice as compared with that in wild-type mice, but Th1 differentiation was still observed in T-bet−/− mice and STAT4−/− mice. However, Th1 cells were hardly detected in T-bet−/−STAT4−/− mice. In contrast, the maintenance of Th17 cells was enhanced in T-bet−/− mice but was reduced in STAT4−/− mice and T-bet−/−STAT4−/− mice. In vivo, Ag-induced eosinophil and neutrophil recruitment into the airways was enhanced in T-bet−/− mice but was attenuated in STAT4−/− mice and T-bet−/−STAT4−/− mice. Ag-induced IL-17 production in the airways was also diminished in STAT4−/− mice and T-bet−/−STAT4−/− mice. These results indicate that STAT4 not only plays an indispensable role in T-bet-independent Th1 differentiation but also is involved in the maintenance of Th17 cells and the enhancement of allergic airway inflammation.