RGC-32 Promotes Th17 Cell Differentiation and Enhances Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Abstract

Abstract Th17 cells play a critical role in autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Response gene to complement (RGC)-32 is a cell cycle regulator and a downstream target of TGF-β that mediates its profibrotic activity. In this study, we report that RGC-32 is preferentially upregulated during Th17 cell differentiation. RGC-32−/− mice have normal Th1, Th2, and regulatory T cell differentiation but show defective Th17 differentiation in vitro. The impaired Th17 differentiation is associated with defects in IFN regulatory factor 4, B cell–activating transcription factor, retinoic acid–related orphan receptor γt, and SMAD2 activation. In vivo, RGC-32−/− mice display an attenuated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis phenotype accompanied by decreased CNS inflammation and reduced frequency of IL-17– and GM-CSF–producing CD4+ T cells. Collectively, our results identify RGC-32 as a novel regulator of Th17 cell differentiation in vitro and in vivo and suggest that RGC-32 is a potential therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis and other Th17-mediated autoimmune diseases.