A Role for the Cytoplasmic Adaptor Protein Act1 in Mediating IL-17 Signaling
Anders Lindén*
Department of Internal Medicine/Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Sweden.
Gloss: Interleukin (IL)–17 (also known as IL-17A) plays an important role in host defense against bacteria and in inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, gut, joints, and lungs. IL-17 is produced by specific CD3+ lymphocytes (T cells), including the CD4+ T helper 17 (Th17) subset. The most prominent action of IL-17 is to stimulate the production and secretion of IL-6, various growth factors, and chemokines that mobilize neutrophils. However, our understanding of the signaling downstream of IL-17 receptors is poor. This STKE Review, with 2 figures and 114 references, discusses studies that provide evidence that the cytoplasmic adaptor protein Act1 [nuclear factor-
B (NF-B) activator 1] is essential for linking stimulation of the heterodimeric IL-17 receptor complex to downstream signaling, suggesting that Act1 might play a role in controlling local inflammatory responses in Th17 cells. These findings have increased our understanding of host defense against bacteria and of pathogenic mechanisms in inflammatory disease.
*E-mail: anders.linden{at}gu.se
