Chonnam National University Identifies Regulation of T Cell Homeostasis by Interferon Transcription Factor

Professor Jo Jae-ho's Collaborative Research Team Publishes Online Edition in International Journal on the 1st

A joint research team from Chonnam National University and Seoul National University discovered the homeostatic regulation mechanism of newly formed CD8 T cells linked to interferon signaling. Photo by Chonnam National University.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] A joint research team from Chonnam National University and Seoul National University has discovered a homeostatic regulation mechanism of newly generated CD8 T cells linked to interferon signaling.

According to Chonnam National University on the 2nd, Professor Jaeho Cho's team (Medical School MRC) at Chonnam National University confirmed through joint research with Professor Cheolhee Yoon's team at Seoul National University that the interferon signal transcription factor STAT1 protein acts as a homeostatic regulator of newly generated CD8 T cells in a non-infected normal physiological environment.

The research team found abnormally activated CD8 T cells in a mutant mouse model lacking the STAT1 gene and elucidated the mechanism inducing abnormal interferon signaling in STAT1-deficient newly generated CD8 T cells.

This research result shows a new importance as a homeostatic factor different from the existing antiviral role of the interferon signaling system.

The interferon signal transcription factor STAT1 is known as an important factor in various immune-related diseases such as pathogen infection, autoimmune diseases, and cancer, and many cases of polymorphisms and mutations in the human STAT1 gene have also been reported.

Professor Jaeho Cho stated, "This study can contribute to enhancing the understanding of diseases caused by abnormal interferon signaling," and added, "In the future, applied research on new interferon signaling regulators and activators targeting CD8 T cells in the field of immunotherapy will accelerate."

This research was conducted with the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the National Research Foundation of Korea's Basic Research Program and Original Technology Development Program, and the research results were published in the online edition of the international journal Science Advances on September 1.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.