c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase that pl
ays important regulatory roles in helper T cell differentiation. In the cur
rent study, we used Jnk1-deficient mice to examine the function of JNK duri
ng an in vivo pathogenic infection, leishmaniasis, which is strongly influe
nced by Th1/Th2 effector mechanisms. The data show that Jnk1-deficient mice
, despite their usually genetically resistant background, mere unable to re
solve Leishmania infections, Jnk1(-/-) mice displayed reduced delayed-type
hypersensitivity in response to the pathogen, which was associated with a T
cell defect,We found that, although these mice can direct an apparent Th1-
response, there is also simultaneous generation of Leishmania-specific Th2
responses, which possibly down-modulate protective Th1-mediated immune func
tion. These findings demonstrate that the negative regulation of Th2 cytoki
ne production by the JNK1 signaling pathway is essential for generating Th1
-polarized immunity against intracellular pathogens, such as Leishmania maj
or.