Casein kinase 2 is a critical determinant of the balance of Th17 and Treg cell differentiation.
- Author:
Sung Woong JANG
1
;
Soo Seok HWANG
;
Hyeong Su KIM
;
Keoung Oh LEE
;
Min Kyung KIM
;
Wonyong LEE
;
Kiwan KIM
;
Gap Ryol LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- MeSH: Casein Kinase II*; Casein Kinases*; Caseins*; Central Nervous System; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; In Vitro Techniques; RNA, Small Interfering; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory*; Th17 Cells
- From:Experimental & Molecular Medicine 2017;49(9):e375-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Th17 cells promote inflammatory reactions, whereas regulatory T (Treg) cells inhibit them. Thus, the Th17/Treg cell balance is critically important in inflammatory diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this balance are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a critical determinant of the Th17/Treg cell balance. Both the inhibition of CK2 with a specific pharmacological inhibitor, CX-4945, and its small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown suppressed Th17 cell differentiation but reciprocally induced Treg cell differentiation in vitro. Moreover, CX-4945 ameliorated the symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and reduced Th17 cell infiltration into the central nervous system. Mechanistically, CX-4945 inhibited the IL-6/STAT3 and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Thus, CK2 has a crucial role in regulating the Th17/Treg balance.
