Transcription factors of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) fam
ily are thought to regulate the expression of a variety of inducible genes
such as Interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Howeve
r, It remains unresolved whether NFAT proteins play a role In regulating tr
anscription of the Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) gene. Here it is shown that
the transcription factor NFAT1 (NFATc2) is a major regulator of IFN-gamma
production in vivo. Compared with T cells expressing NFAT1, T cells lacking
NFAT1 display a substantial IL-4-independent defect in expression of IFN-g
amma mRNA and protein. Reduced IFN-gamma production by NFAT1(-/-)x IL-4(-/-
) T cells is observed after primary in vitro stimulation of naive CD4(+) T
cells, Is conserved through at least 2 rounds of T-helper cell differentiat
ion, and occurs by a cell-intrinsic mechanism that does not depend on overe
xpression of the Th2-specific factors GATA-3 and c-Maf. Concomitantly, NFAT
1(-/-) x IL-4(-/-) mice show increased susceptibility to infection with the
intracellular parasite Leishmania major. Moreover, IFN-gamma production in
a murine T-cell clone Is sensitive to the selective peptide inhibitor of N
FAT, VIVIT. These results suggest that IFN-gamma production by T cells is r
egulated by NFAT1, most likely at the level of gene transcription. (C) 2001
by The American Society of Hematology.