Blimp-1 and c-Maf regulate Il10 and negatively regulate common and unique proinflammatory gene networks in IL-12 plus IL-27-driven T helper-1 cells [in vitro]

CD4+ Th1 cells producing IFN-g are required to eradicate intracellular pathogens, however if uncontrolled these cells can mediate immunopathology. The cytokine IL-10 is produced by multiple immune cells including Th1 cells during infection and regulates the immune response to minimise collateral host damage. In this study we aimed to elucidate the transcriptional network of genes controlling the expression of Il10 and proinflammatory cytokines, including Ifng in Th1 cells. RNA-seq analysis (in 2-4 biological replicates) of flow cytometry sorted naïve CD4+ T cells activated in vitro with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies and differentiated in the presence of Medium (no cytokines), IL-12, IL-12+IL-27, or IL-27 until Day 4, with Cd4Cre-mediated deletion of either Prdm1, Maf or both Prdm1 and Maf on Day 3