PPARγ Modulates the Plasticity between Th17 and iTreg

The MIEP team has created a network model of CD4+ T cell differentiation that reveals how the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) modulates differentiation from Th17 to iTreg.

To induce the Th17 phenotype IL-6 and TGF- β were added in silico, which resulted in up-regulation of RORγt, STAT3 and IL-17. After the Th17 phenotype was established we activated PPAR γ which induced phenotype switching from Th17 to FOXP3-expressing iTreg. The prediction of the CD4+ T cell differentiation network model was validated in vivo in adoptive transfer experiments.