CD4 + helper T (Th) cells differentiate toward distinct effector cell lineages characterized by their distinct cytokine expression patterns and functions. Multiple Th cell populations secrete IL-22 that contributes to both protective and pathological inflammatory responses. Although the differentiation of IL-22-producing Th cells is controlled by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), little is known about the regulatory mechanisms inducing physiological stimulators for AhR. Here, we show that Notch signaling enhances IL-22 production by CD4 + T cells by a mechanism involving AhR stimulation. Notch-mediated stimulation of CD4 + T cells increased the production of IL-22 even in the absence of STAT3. CD4 + T cells from RBP-J-deficient mice had little ability to produce IL-22 through T cell receptor-mediated stimulation. RBP-J-deficient mice were highly susceptible to the detrimental immunopathology associated with ConA-induced hepatitis with little IL-22 production by CD4 + T cells. Exogenous IL-22 protected RBP-J-deficient mice from ConA-induced hepatitis. Notch signaling promoted production of endogenous stimulators for AhR, which further augmented IL-22 secretion. Our studies identify a Notch–AhR axis that regulates IL-22 expression and fine-tunes immune system control of inflammatory responses.

Proximity ligation assay (PLA), also referred to as Duolink® PLA technology, permits detection of protein-protein interactions in situ (at distances < 40 nm) at endogenous protein levels. It exploits specific antibodies identifying (either directly or indirectly) the two proteins of interest and takes advantage of specific DNA primers covalently linked to the antibodies. A hybridization step followed by a PCR amplification with fluorescent probes then permit visualization of spots of proximity by fluorescence microscopy. Since the development of PLA in 2002, it has been increasingly popular to detect the interaction between two proteins with high sensitivity and specificity. It is a very simple and sensitive technique to study protein-protein interaction in cells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm characterized by a marked fibro-inflammatory microenvironment1, the presence of which can promote both cancer induction and growth2–4. Therefore, selective manipulation of local cytokines is an attractive if unrealized therapeutic approach. T cells possess a unique mechanism of activation of p38 MAPK downstream of T cell receptor (TCR) engagement by phosphorylation of Tyr-323 (pY323). This alternative p38 activation pathway is required for pro-inflammatory cytokine production5,6. Here we show in human PDAC that a high percentage of infiltrating pY323+ T cells was associated with large numbers of TNFα and IL-17-producing CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and aggressive disease. The growth of murine pancreatic tumors was inhibited by genetic ablation of the alternative p38 pathway, and transfer of wild type CD4+ T cells but not those lacking the alternative pathway enhanced tumor growth in T cell-deficient mice. Strikingly, a plasma membrane-permeable peptide derived from Gadd45α, the naturally-occurring inhibitor of p38 pY323+ (ref. 7), reduced CD4+ TIL production of TNFα, IL-17A, IL-10, and secondary cytokines, halted growth of implanted tumors, and inhibited progression of spontaneous K-ras-driven adenocarcinoma in mice. Thus, TCR-mediated activation of CD4+ TIL results in alternative p38 activation and production of pro-tumorigenic factors, and can be targeted for therapeutic benefit.