Korean J Parasitol.  2017 Dec;55(6):613-622. 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.6.613.

IL-12 and IL-23 Production in Toxoplasma gondii- or LPS-Treated Jurkat T Cells via PI3K and MAPK Signaling Pathways

• Ismail HA
• Kang BH
• Kim JS
• Lee JH
• Choi IW
• Cha GH
• Yuk JM
• Lee YH

• KMID: 2403712
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2017.55.6.613

Abstract

IL-12 and IL-23 are closely related in structure, and have been shown to play crucial roles in regulation of immune responses. However, little is known about the regulation of these cytokines in T cells. Here, we investigated the roles of PI3K and MAPK pathways in IL-12 and IL-23 production in human Jurkat T cells in response to Toxoplasma gondii and LPS. IL-12 and IL-23 production was significantly increased in T cells after stimulation with T. gondii or LPS. T. gondii and LPS increased the phosphorylation of AKT, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and JNK1/2 in T cells from 10 min post-stimulation, and peaked at 30-60 min. Inhibition of the PI3K pathway reduced IL-12 and IL-23 production in T. gondii-infected cells, but increased in LPS-stimulated cells. IL-12 and IL-23 production was significantly reduced by ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK inhibitors in T. gondii- and LPS-stimulated cells, but not in cells treated with a JNK1/2 inhibitor. Collectively, IL-12 and IL-23 production was positively regulated by PI3K and JNK1/2 in T. gondii-infected Jurkat cells, but negatively regulated in LPS-stimulated cells. And ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK positively regulated IL-12 and IL-23 production in Jurkat T cells. These data indicate that T. gondii and LPS induced IL-12 and IL-23 production in Jurkat T cells through the regulation of the PI3K and MAPK pathways; however, the mechanism underlying the stimulation of IL-12 and IL-23 production by T. gondii in Jurkat T cells is different from that of LPS.

Keyword

Toxoplasma gondii; LPS; IL-12; IL-23; PI3K/AKT; MAPK pathway

MeSH Terms

Cytokines
Humans
Interleukin-12*
Interleukin-23*
Jurkat Cells
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
Phosphorylation
T-Lymphocytes*
Toxoplasma*
Cytokines
Interleukin-12
Interleukin-23
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases