Methyl-CpG-Binding Domain Protein 2 is Involved in Th17 Cell Differentiation by Negatively Regulating Leptin Expression.

Abstract

Background: Among Th lineages from naïve CD4+T cells, Th17 cells producing IL-17 are strongly related to the pathogenesis of neutrophilic asthma. Leptin is involved in inflammation and immunity. Little is known about MBD2's epigenetic regulation in CD4+T cell differentiation.

Objective: Our study is intended to delve into the mode by which MBD2 interacts with Leptin to govern Th17 cell differentiation.

Methods: CD4+T cells were harvested from the spleen tissue of C57BL/6 mice. Th17 cell differentiation was determined by flow cytometry, and ELISA measured IL-17. Western blot and RT-qPCR were employed to detect the expression of MBD2, Leptin and RORγt. CO-IP was utilized to assess the relationship between MBD2 and Leptin.

Results: Under the overexpression or silencing of the MBD2 and Leptin genes, the differentiation of Th17 cells, IL-17 secretion, and RORγt expression all manifested positive changes. Leptin expression showed a positive variance upon overexpression or silencing of the MBD2 gene; however, there was no significant disparity in the expression of MBD2 under the overexpression or silencing of the Leptin gene. MBD2 can interact directly with Leptin.

Conclusion: MBD2 is capable of inducing the differentiation of naïve CD4+T cells into Th17 cells by augmenting the expression of Leptin.