NFAT PROTEINS: KEY REGULATORS OF T CELL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTION
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REVIEWS
NFAT PROTEINS: KEY REGULATORS
OF TCELL DEVELOPMENT AND
FUNCTION
Fernando Macian
Abstract | Since the discovery of the first nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) protein
more than a decade ago, the NFAT family of transcription factors has grown to include five
members. It has also become clear that NFAT proteins have crucial roles in the development
and function of the immune system. In T cells, NFAT proteins not only regulate activation but
also are involved in the control of thymocyte development, T-cell differentiation and self-
tolerance. The functional versatility of NFAT proteins can be explained by their complex
mechanism of regulation and their ability to integrate calcium signalling with other signalling
pathways. This Review focuses on the recent advances in our understanding of the
regulation, mechanism of action and functions of NFAT proteins in T cells.
Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) was initially known as NFATc or NFATc1), NFAT3 (also known as
identified as an inducible nuclear factor that could bind NFATc4), NFAT4 (also known as NFATx or NFATc3)
the interleukin-2 (IL-2) promoter in activated T cells1. and NFAT5. Four of these proteins are regulated by
However, when all of the proteins of the NFAT family calcium signalling TABLE 1. All NFAT proteins have a
had been isolated and molecularly characterized, it highly conserved DNA-binding domain that is struc-
became clear that their expression was not limited to turally related to the DNA-binding domain of the
T cells. At least one NFAT family member is expressed RELFAMILY TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS. This REL-homology
by almost every cell type that has been examined, region (RHR) is the unifying characteristic of NFAT
including other cells of the immune system and non- proteins and confers a common DNA-binding
immune cells2–5. Recent work has uncovered new specificity. The only non-calcium-regulated NFAT
regulatory roles for NFAT proteins in diverse organs, protein, NFAT5 REF. 7, was independently identi-
including the central nervous system, blood vessels, fied as the tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding
heart, kidney, bone, skeletal muscle and haemato- protein (TonEBP; also known as OREBP)8. NFAT5
poietic stem cells3–6; however, it is in immune cells that is the primordial member of the NFAT family, which
the function and regulation of NFAT proteins are best emerged as early as Drosophila spp. by evolution
understood. In this Review, I provide an overview of from the REL family of transcription factors 7,9. It
recent advances in our understanding of the regulation, is expressed by almost all cells and is activated in
Albert Einstein College of mechanism of action and functions of NFAT proteins response to osmotic stress8,10. In lymphocytes, NFAT5
Medicine, Department in cells of the immune system, with a focus on T cells, controls the osmotic stress-induced expression of
of Pathology, 1300 Morris in which most studies have been carried out. several cytokines, including tumour-necrosis factor
Park Avenue, Bronx, (TNF) and lymphotoxin-β10. NFAT5-deficient mice
New York 10461, USA.
e-mail: The NFAT family have impaired T-cell function under hyperosmotic
fmacianj@aecom.yu.edu The NFAT family consists of five members: NFAT1 conditions and decreased cellularity of the thymus
doi:10.1038/nri1632 (also known as NFATp or NFATc2), NFAT2 (also and spleen11.
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© 2005 Nature Publishing GroupREVIEWS
RELFAMILY TRANSCRIPTION This Review focuses on the three calcium-regulated CALMODULIN, which in turn activates the calmodulin-
FACTORS NFAT proteins that are expressed by T cells: NFAT1, dependent phosphatase calcineurin. NFAT proteins are
Also known as the nuclear NFAT2 and NFAT4. The role of these proteins in the dephosphorylated by activated calcineurin, which leads
factor-κB (NF-κB) family
regulation of T-cell function and development has to their nuclear translocation and the induction of
of transcription factors. These
factors share an amino-terminal been extensively characterized. Each protein has two NFAT-mediated gene transcription. During T-cell acti-
REL-homology domain that or more alternatively spliced forms; splicing results in vation, it is the engagement of the T-cell receptor (TCR)
contains sequences that are variation at the amino (N) and carboxyl (C) termini that activates the calcium–calcineurin–NFAT pathway.
responsible for nuclear with the core region being conserved (FIG. 1a)12–15. The As discussed later, NFAT proteins then cooperate
localization, dimerization
and DNA binding. Homo- or
conserved core region of NFAT proteins consists of with other transcriptional partners, which are acti-
heterodimers of NF-κB proteins two tandem domains: a regulatory domain, which is vated in response to TCR and co-stimulatory receptor
modulate the expression of also known as the NFAT-homology region (NHR); engagement, and thereby induce the expression of
genes that control immune, and the RHR, which binds DNA FIG. 1b. The NHR cytokines and many other T-cell-activation-induced
inflammatory and acute-phase
is moderately conserved among NFAT proteins and proteins (FIG. 2).
responses, as well as cell growth,
apoptosis and oncogenesis. In contains a potent TRANSACTIVATION DOMAIN. The NHR Effective phosphate removal by calcineurin
vertebrates, this family includes contains many serine residues that are phosphorylated requires its docking on NFAT. Interactions between
NF-κB1 (also known as p50), in resting T cells. It also includes the docking sites for NFAT and calcineurin occur at a specific motif in
NF-κB2 (also known as p52), calcineurin and the NFAT kinases, which regulate the the N terminus of NFAT, which has the consensus
REL (also known as cREL),
REL-A (also known as p65) and
activation of NFAT proteins by determining the phos- sequence PXIXIT, where X denotes any amino acid18,19.
REL-B. phorylation status of the serines. The RHR domain This motif is conserved among different NFAT family
shares structural homology with REL proteins and members and constitutes the main docking site for
TRANSACTIVATION DOMAIN confers the DNA-binding specificity that character- calcineurin on NFAT. A high-affinity version of this
The domain of a transcription
izes NFAT family members16. A fourth family member, peptide (VIVIT) was shown to compete with NFAT
factor that binds the promoter
region of a gene and induces NFAT3, has a similar domain structure, but it is mainly proteins for calcineurin binding and to block
its transcription. expressed outside the immune system and will not be NFAT dephosphorylation in vitro; when expressed in
considered further here. cells as a GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN GFP FUSION PROTEIN,
CALMODULIN the peptide also selectively blocked NFAT-dependent
A small calcium-binding
protein. Calmodulin is the
NFAT regulation transcription20. As expected, the docking site for the
most important transducer of Regulation by calcium, calcineurin and NFAT kinases. VIVIT peptide and, therefore, for NFAT proteins on
intracellular calcium signals. The general aspects of the regulation of NFAT proteins calcineurin is distinct from the calcineurin catalytic
It interacts with, and regulates by calcium and calcineurin have been thoroughly site21. However, in addition to the PXIXIT sequence,
the activity of, a range of
reviewed3,17 and are only summarized here. Briefly, the other regions (such as the YLAVPQHP motif) that are
proteins that control many
cellular processes, including activation of NFAT proteins is induced by the engage- located in the C terminus of the NFAT2 NHR, and
protein phosphorylation and ment of receptors that are coupled to the calcium- are highly conserved in the other calcium-regulated
dephosphorylation, cyclic- signalling pathway, such as the antigen receptors that NFAT proteins, contribute to their interaction with
nucleotide formation and are expressed by T and B cells, the Fcγ receptors that are calcineurin and might have a role in facilitating
breakdown, cytoskeletal
rearrangement, gene
expressed by monocytes and natural killer cells, or the the calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation of
transcription and membrane Fcε receptors that are expressed by mast cells. Receptor certain NFAT family members22–24.
potential. ligation leads to the activation of phospholipase C-γ The activity of calcineurin is controlled not only by
(PLC-γ), which hydrolyses phosphatidylinositol-4,5- calcium and calmodulin but also by several calcineurin
bisphosphate to produce inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate inhibitors, which have been identified during the past
(InsP3) and diacylglycerol. InsP3 induces the release of few years. These include calcineurin-binding protein 1
calcium from intracellular stores, which triggers the (CABIN1; also known as CAIN), the A-kinase anchor
opening of calcium-release-activated calcium channels protein AKAP79 (also known as AKAP5) and mem-
in the plasma membrane such that the increased levels bers of the Down’s syndrome critical region (DSCR)/
of intracellular calcium are maintained. Calcium binds modulatory calcineurin-interacting protein (MCIP)
family of calcineurin inhibitors, which are known as
calcipressins25–29. Mice that express a truncated form of
Table 1 | NFAT family of transcription factors Cabin1 show increased cytokine expression by T cells
that are stimulated with CD3-specific antibodies30.
NFAT family Alternative names Regulation Expression in the
member immune system Likewise, lower threshold levels for T-cell stimulation
were described in mice that lack calcipressin-1, with
NFAT1 NFATc2 and NFATp Calcium– Yes
calcineurin
increased expression of cytokines and CD95 ligand
(CD95L; also known as FAS ligand) in response to
NFAT2 NFATc1 and NFATc Calcium– Yes TCR ligation30,31, which emphasized the importance
calcineurin
of CABIN1- and calcipressin-mediated regulation of
NFAT3 NFATc4 Calcium– No T-cell activation and activation-induced cell death.
calcineurin
Of the 14 phosphorylation sites that have been
NFAT4 NFATc3 and NFATx Calcium– Yes mapped in NFAT1 and are conserved in all cal-
calcineurin
cineurin-regulated NFAT proteins, all but one are
NFAT5 TonEBP and OREBP Osmotic stress Yes dephosphorylated by calcineurin 32 . These sites
NFAT, nuclear factor of activated T cells; TonEBP, tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding protein. are located in three different serine-rich motifs: the
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GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN serine-rich region 1 (SRR1) motif, and the SPXX (where motifs in NFAT proteins. It is also necessary to distin-
FUSION PROTEIN X denotes any amino acid) repeat motifs, SP2 and SP3 guish between maintenance kinases, which act in the
(GFP fusion protein). A hybrid (FIG. 1b). Dephosphorylation of the serine residues in cytosol to keep NFAT proteins in a fully phosphorylated
protein that is created by the
these motifs leads to exposure of the NFAT1 nuclear- state and prevent their translocation into the nucleus in
fusion of the GFP from
Aequorea victoria and another localization signal and nuclear import, and it might also resting cells, and export kinases, which rephosphorylate
protein. This construct allows control the DNA-binding affinity of the RHR. Several NFAT in the nucleus and promote its nuclear export,
the tracking of the behaviour kinases have been reported to phosphorylate NFAT thereby stopping NFAT-mediated transcription after
of the fused protein using the proteins and control their nuclear shuttling, including T-cell stimulation is withdrawn and calcineurin activity
fluorescence that is emitted
by GFP.
glycogen-synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), casein kinase 1 declines. CK1 docks at a conserved motif that is near
(CK1), p38 and JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK)33–39. the N terminus of NFAT proteins, and it functions as
The present data point to a complex model, in which both a maintenance and an export kinase for SRR1
different kinases phosphorylate the various serine-rich REFS 36,38. GSK3 also functions as an export kinase for
the SP2 motif of NFAT1 and for both the SP2 and SP3
motifs of NFAT2 REFS 33,40. In NFAT2, substrate sites
a for GSK3 might only be created after previous ‘prim-
NHR RHR C-terminal domain
Isoform A ing’ by the phosphorylation of those sites by cyclic-
NFAT1 Isoform B AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)33. Maintenance
Isoform C
kinases that phosphorylate the SP2 and SP3 motifs, and
Isoform A (inducible) the export kinase for the SP3 motif of NFAT1, remain
NFAT2 Isoform B (constitutive) to be discovered (FIG. 1b). Mitogen-activated protein
Isoform C (constitutive)
kinases (MAPKs) differentially phosphorylate the first
NFAT3 serine of SRR1 in the different NFAT proteins — p38
phosphorylates NFAT1, whereas JNK phosphorylates
Isoform 1
Isoform 2
NFAT2 REFS 35,37. This can potentiate the ability of
NFAT4 CK1 to processively phosphorylate the remaining ser-
Isoform 3
Isoform 4 ines in SRR1. Therefore, depending on which MAPK
NFAT5 pathways are active, a cell could express several NFAT
proteins but have only one type that is actually located
b in the nucleus and that contributes to transcriptional
NHR RHR C-terminal domain activity. This might be the basis for certain reported
Point of contact with FOS isoform-specific functions of NFAT proteins.
Calcineurin-
docking site SP1 SRR2 SP3
Autoregulation of NFAT2. Although the main mode of
1 407 677 928
NFAT regulation is through calcium and calcineurin,
TAD NFAT2 is apparently unique in that it is also regulated
at the transcriptional level through an autoregulatory
SRR1 SP2 NLS Points of contact with JUN loop. This mechanism is isoform specific — only
one of the two NFAT2 N-terminal splice variants,
NFAT2A, is under the control of an NFAT-dependent
Motif Amino-acid sequence Maintenance kinase Export kinase inducible promoter41,42. In T cells, NFAT1, which is
SRR1 SPASSGSSASFISD CK1 CK1 the main isoform in naive cells43, might act together
with constitutively expressed NFAT2 and/or NFAT4 to
SP2 SPRTSPIMSPRT ND GSK3
turn on expression of the inducible isoform of NFAT2.
SP3 SPQRSRSPSPQPSP ND ND (GSK3 for NFAT2) Only when sufficiently high levels of NFAT2 expres-
sion are attained would the self-sustaining positive
Figure 1 | The NFAT family of transcription factors. a | Schematic structure of the members
of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors. Proteins are aligned autoregulatory loop function to maintain high levels
by their REL-homology domain (RHR), which contains the DNA-binding motif. The NFAT- of NFAT2 expression and NFAT activity.
homology region (NHR) is also conserved among NFAT1–NFAT4. The three calcium–calcineurin-
regulated NFAT proteins that are expressed by T cells — NFAT1, NFAT2 and NFAT4 — have Regulation by cytokine receptors. More recently,
several isoforms, which are generated by alternative splicing or the use of alternative promoters. several reports have shown that NFAT activation is
The two alternative amino (N) termini of NFAT2 are represented in two constitutively expressed
mediated by cytokine signalling. Signalling through
isoforms and an inducible isoform. b | A schematic representation of the location of the
transactivation, regulatory, DNA-binding and carboxy (C)-terminal domains of NFAT1 is shown.
the receptors for IL-2 and IL-15 in human periph-
Regulatory motifs in the NHR are highly conserved among the calcium–calcineurin-regulated eral-blood mononuclear cells regulates the binding
NFAT proteins (NFAT1–NFAT4). This region includes the calcineurin-docking site, the nuclear- of NFAT proteins to the promoter of the gene that
localization signal (NLS), the serine-rich regions (SRRs) and the SPXX-repeat motifs (SPs), where encodes CX 3 C-chemokine receptor 1 (CX 3 CR1).
X denotes any amino acid. An inducible phosphorylation site has also been described in the IL-2 promotes the binding of NFAT2 to the CX3CR1
N-terminal transactivation domain (TAD) of NFAT1. In addition to the DNA-binding domain, the promoter and induces its expression, whereas IL-15
RHR contains points of contact with FOS and JUN, which allows the formation of the synergistic
represses CX3CR1 expression by inducing the pref-
NFAT–FOS–JUN–DNA quaternary complex. The phosphoserines that are targeted by calcineurin
dephosphorylation (underlined) are located in the SP2, SP3 and SRR1 motifs. These serines are erential binding of NFAT1 REF. 44. These effects can
phosphorylated in the cytosol by maintenance kinases and in the nucleus by export kinases. be blocked by the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporin A
CK1, casein kinase 1; GSK3, glycogen-synthase kinase 3; ND, not determined. (CsA) or the VIVIT peptide, which specifically blocks
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CD4 TCR
CD28 LFA1 Ca2+
CRAC
Plasma membrane
PLC-γ PtdIns(4,5)P2
P
DAG InsP3
Calcineurin
P P
Calmodulin P P
AKT
Ca2+ Ca2+ NFAT
CK1
InsP3R CABIN1
Other signals such as NFAT
RAS–MAPK or PKC AKAP79
P
Ca2+ NLS
Intracellular CSP
calcium store
Importin PIM1, COT
or PKC-ζ?
Nucleus P P
P P
CK1
NFAT NFAT CRM1
P GSK3 P
Other AP1 NES
partners NFAT NFAT
P
P
Figure 2 | Regulation of NFAT activation. Ligation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) triggers the activation of receptor-associated
tyrosine kinases that lead to the activation of phospholipase C-γ (PLC-γ). Activated PLC-γ causes the hydrolysis of
phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2), which generates inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3 ) and diacylglycerol
(DAG). InsP3 binds to its receptor (InsP3R) and induces an increase in intracellular calcium levels that is caused by the depletion
of intracellular stores. This increase triggers, through poorly characterized mechanisms, the opening of calcium-release-
activated calcium (CRAC) channels in the plasma membrane, which leads to a sustained increase in intracellular calcium levels.
Calcium binds calmodulin and activates calcineurin. Activated calcineurin dephosphorylates nuclear factor of activated T cells
(NFAT) proteins, which exposes their nuclear-localization signal (NLS) and induces their nuclear translocation. Other kinases,
such as protein kinase C-ζ (PKC-ζ), PIM1 (proviral integration site 1) or COT (Cancer Osaka thyroid), might also phosphorylate
NFAT and contribute to its activation129–131. The activity of calcineurin is also negatively regulated by calcineurin-binding protein 1
(CABIN1), calcipressins (CSPs) and A-kinase anchor protein 79 (AKAP79). After it has entered the nucleus, NFAT interacts with
activator protein 1 (AP1) and other transcriptional partners to promote gene transcription. The activation of these partners during
T-cell stimulation might be elicited by signals that are transmitted through different signalling pathways (such as the RAS–
mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway or the PKC pathway), which are activated by the engagement of the TCR
and/or other receptors. The activity of NFAT is also regulated by kinases, such as casein kinase 1 (CK1) and glycogen-synthase
kinase 3 (GSK3), which help to maintain NFAT in a phosphorylated state in the cytosol (maintenance kinases) or induce the
rephosphorylation of nuclear NFAT to expose a nuclear-export signal (NES) and translocate NFAT back to the cytosol (export
kinases). GSK3 is negatively regulated by the kinase AKT, the activation of which is coupled to CD28 engagement.
CRM1, chromosomal region maintenance 1; LFA1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1.
the calcineurin–NFAT interaction44. Similarly, signal- located in the C terminus and are not conserved in
ling through the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) results in the other NFAT family members, which indicates that this
preferential induction of NFAT1 transcripts. This leads might be a specific regulatory mechanism that
to increased NFAT1 activity in response to T-cell stim- differentially controls NFAT1 nuclear export 46.
ulation, which results in increased IL-4 production45.
SUMOYLATION
SUMOYLATION has recently been identified as a new Transcriptional partners of NFAT proteins
The post-translational
modification of proteins mechanism that regulates NFAT nuclear retention46. Because NFAT proteins can interact with different
that involves the covalent The sumoylation of NFAT1 is induced by increased transcription-factor partners in the nucleus, they are
attachment of small ubiquitin- intracellular calcium levels, and mutants that are important integrators of calcium signalling with many
like modifier (SUMO) and
regulates the interactions
unable to be tagged with small ubiquitin-like modifier other signalling pathways in T cells. The structures of
of those proteins with other (SUMO) molecules tend to leak out of the nucleus in monomeric NFAT–DNA complexes emphasize the high
macromolecules. stimulated cells. The sumoylation sites of NFAT1 are flexibility of the linker region that is located between
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NFκBBINDING MOTIF the N-terminal domain of the RHR, which contains the the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1
(Nuclear factor-κB-binding DNA-binding loop and confers base-specific recogni- (LFA1), and co-stimulatory molecules such as CD28
motif). A DNA-binding tion, and the C-terminal domain, which makes contact and inducible T-cell co-stimulator (ICOS). Some
sequence that is recognized
only with the phosphate backbone of DNA47. In princi- of these couple mainly to calcium influx and NFAT
by NF-κB proteins. Nuclear
factor of activated T cells ple, this flexibility allows many surfaces of both domains activation, whereas others couple to AP1 and nuclear
(NFAT)-dimer complexes can to interact with different transcription factors. factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, although most probably
form on motifs that are similar influence both pathways to varying extents. The CD4
to these. Activator protein 1. Activator protein 1 (AP1) proteins and CD8 co-receptors bind LCK, which initiates a cas-
are the main transcriptional partners of NFAT during cade of tyrosine phosphorylation that leads to PLC-γ
T-cell activation48,49 (FIG. 2). Dimers of FOS and JUN activation and calcium signalling52. LFA1 increases cal-
form quaternary complexes with NFAT and DNA cium signalling53 but also couples to AP1 activation54.
on NFAT–AP1 composite sites, which contain two CD28 has several effects, which are consistent with its
adjacent binding motifs for both transcription factors role as a co-stimulatory receptor. It induces calcium sig-
and are present in many genes that are induced during nalling through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)
T-cell activation2,48. These complexes have an extensive activation of TEC-family tyrosine kinases, which are
network of protein–protein contacts, which explains required for the optimal phosphorylation and activa-
their stability and cooperative nature16. Cooperation tion of PLC-γ in T cells55. CD28 also activates AKT
between NFAT proteins and AP1 integrates two of the through the PI3K pathway, one of the downstream
main signalling pathways that are induced in response targets of which is GSK3. Normally, the activation of
to T-cell stimulation: calcium signalling, which is GSK3 results in NFAT nuclear export; however, under
responsible for the activation of NFAT proteins; and conditions of AKT activation, GSK3 undergoes an
the RAS–MAPK pathway, which induces the expres- inhibitory phosphorylation on a serine residue close to
sion and activation of FOS and JUN50. NFAT–AP1 its N terminus, which diminishes NFAT nuclear export
cooperation during T-cell activation is responsible for and prolongs the overall time of NFAT residence in the
a specific pattern of gene expression, which induces nucleus56,57. CD28 is also coupled to NF-κB and AP1
the functional changes that characterize an activated activation58,59.
T cell. In the absence of AP1, different sets of genes are Although cooperation between NFAT and AP1
activated by NFAT proteins, which might result in a proteins is of crucial importance during T-cell activa-
completely different functional outcome43,51. tion, FOS and JUN proteins are not the only NFAT
The full activation of T cells requires the engagement transcriptional partners. There are also many reports
not only of the TCR but also of various co-stimulatory of functional synergy and protein–protein interactions
receptors, including the co-receptors CD4 and CD8, between NFAT proteins and proteins belonging to sev-
eral other families of transcription factors, including
MAF and GATA-binding proteins (such as GATA3)60–71
TABLE 2. Binding to different transcription factors
Table 2 | NFAT transcriptional partners
allows NFAT proteins to cooperate with them and allows
Transcription Interaction site Effect References the integration of different signalling pathways to
partner
activate specific programmes of gene expression in
AP1 (FOS, JUN) Many cytokine-gene Positive synergy 2,16,48,49 response to various stimuli.
promoters
C/EBP PPAR-γ promoter Positive synergy 69 Dimers of NFAT. As could be inferred from the fact
MAF Il-4 promoter Positive synergy 61,64 that the DNA-binding domain of NFAT is structur-
ally homologous to the REL domain, NFAT proteins
EGR1 and EGR4 Tnf promoter Positive synergy 62
can also function as dimeric transcription factors at
GATA3 Il-4 3′ enhancer Positive synergy 61 quasipalindromic sites that resemble NFκBBINDING
ICER Many cytokine-gene Inhibition of NFAT 60 MOTIFS. Two structures of NFAT1 homodimers, which
promoters activity are bound to NF-κB-like NFAT sites in the IL-8 pro-
IRF4 Il-4 promoter Positive synergy 68 moter (two 4-base pair (bp) binding sites separated
MEF2 NUR77 promoter Positive synergy 71
by 1-bp spacing) and the HIV-1 long terminal repeat
(two 4-bp binding sites separated by 2-bp spacing)
OCT IL-3 enhancer Positive synergy 63 have recently been solved72,73. A site with 3-bp spa-
p21SNFT IL-2 promoter Inhibition of NFAT 65 cing has also been reported in the vascular endothe-
activity lial growth factor (VEGF ) promoter74. Dimerization
PPAR-γ IL-2 promoter Inhibition of NFAT 70 involves the C-terminal domain of the RHR; depend-
activity ing on the spacing of the NF-κB-binding motifs, the
T-bet Ifn-γ 5′ enhancer Positive synergy 66 N-terminal domains adopt different relative orienta-
AP1, activator protein 1; C/EBP, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein; EGR, early growth response; tions, which might promote their interactions with
GATA3, GATA-binding protein 3; ICER, inducible cyclic AMP early repressor; Ifn-γ, interferon-γ; different co-activator or co-repressor proteins.
Il, interleukin; IRF4, IFN-regulatory factor 4; MEF2, myocyte-enhancer factor 2; NFAT, nuclear Therefore, because of the flexible linker region
factor of activated T cells; NUR77, orphan nuclear receptor 77; OCT, octamer-binding
transcription factor; p21SNFT, 21-kDa small nuclear factor isolated from T cells; PPAR-γ, peroxisome- between the N- and C-terminal regions of the RHR
proliferator-activated receptor-γ; Tnf, tumour-necrosis factor. domain, NFAT dimers are structurally more flexible
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Table 3 | NFAT-deficient mice Cell-specific differences in expression levels (for exam-
ple, NFAT4 is the main NFAT protein that is expressed
NFAT protein Phenotype in the immune system References
by thymocytes, but its expression by peripheral T cells
NFAT1 Moderate hyperproliferation with 80,81,96, is low compared with that of NFAT1 or NFAT2),
splenomegaly. Moderately enhanced B- and 105,106 distinct mechanisms of regulation (for example, posi-
T-cell responses, with bias towards TH2-cell
responses. Prolonged IL-4 expression and tive feedback of NFAT2A expression) or the ability to
decreased IFN-γ production in response interact with different co-activators through their less-
to TCR ligation. Delayed thymic involution. conserved N- or C-terminal domains might explain
Enhanced germinal-centre formation.
why certain T-cell functions are specifically regulated
NFAT2 In the RAG2-deficient complementation 82,112 by different NFAT family members, as indicated by the
system, reduced proliferative responses by phenotypes of NFAT-deficient mice.
T cells. Impaired repopulation of the thymus
and lymphoid organs. Impaired TH2-cell
responses and IL-4 production. NFAT proteins in T-cell development
NFAT1 and In fetal liver chimeras, grossly impaired T-cell 91 In the thymus, immature precursors that are gener-
NFAT2 effector functions, with profound defects in ated in the bone marrow differentiate into mature
cytokine production and cytolytic activity. T cells, which can develop into effector cells on anti-
B-cell hyperactivity.
gen encounter. Double negative (DN) T-cell precur-
NFAT4 Impaired development of CD4 and CD8 94 sors that do not express CD4 or CD8 mature and first
single-positive cells, with increased rearrange the β-chain of the TCR, which together
apoptosis of double-positive thymocytes.
Mild hyperactivation of peripheral T cells. with the invariant pre-TCR α-chain forms the pre-
TCR, and then rearrange the α-chain of the TCR.
NFAT1 and TCR hyper-reactivity, with profound 83,95
NFAT4 lymphoproliferative disorder. Notable DN thymocytes then become double positive (DP)
increase in TH2-cell responses. Allergic cells that express both CD4 and CD8. CD4+CD8+ DP
blepharitis and interstitial pneumonitis. thymocytes undergo positive and negative selection
NFAT5 Impaired T-cell function under hyperosmotic 11 to successfully generate CD8+ or CD4+ single positive
conditions. Decreased cellularity of the (SP) T cells with an antigen receptor that can interact
thymus and spleen. with self-MHC molecules (positively selected) but is
IFN-γ, interferon-γ; IL-4, interleukin-4; NFAT, nuclear factor of activated T cells; RAG, recombination- unable to recognize self-antigens (negatively selected).
activating gene; TCR, T-cell receptor; TH2 cell, T-helper-2 cell.
Mature T cells that express either CD4 or CD8 are then
released into the periphery 83,84.
than those that are formed by REL proteins, or even Calcium and calcineurin signals are involved in the
NFAT5, which always acts as a homodimer9,75. Structural regulation of thymocyte proliferation and the develop-
considerations indicate that it would be possible to form ment of immature DN thymocytes into mature SP cells.
heterodimers between different NFAT family members; In addition, pre-TCR signalling induces an increase in
however, there is no experimental evidence, so far, to intracellular calcium levels that results in the activation
support this hypothesis. In cells that have been exposed of both NFAT and NF-κB85, although the exact targets of
only to stimuli that increase intracellular calcium levels, these transcription factors in immature thymocytes
NFAT dimers would be expected to occupy their palin- remain to be identified. The impairment of calcineurin
dromic sites in gene regulatory regions and to turn on activity has different effects on T-cell development, and
specific gene-expression programmes43,51. these depend on the experimental method that is used.
In early experiments, the inhibition of calcineurin
Redundancy in the NFAT family activity with CsA led to defects in thymocyte develop-
The high degree of similarity among the RHRs of the ment that included an impaired DP-to-SP transition
different NFAT family members confers common and defects in negative selection86,87. However, in more
DNA-binding specificities and partner interactions, recent experiments, mice with a selective gene knockout
which might explain the redundancy in some NFAT- of the most common isoform of the catalytic subunit of
regulated functions. NFAT1, NFAT2 and NFAT4 are all calcineurin in T cells (calcineurin Aβ) showed a defect
co-expressed in T cells and are activated in response to in peripheral T-cell activation that correlated with defi-
TCR engagement76,77. Only the short isoform of NFAT2 cient activation of all NFAT proteins and a decreased
is also regulated through a positive-feedback loop by number of SP thymocytes, indicating the involvement
NFAT proteins42,78. Gene-knockout mice that lack of calcineurin Aβ in positive selection88. This was con-
individual NFAT proteins show only mild alterations firmed by studies in which the regulatory subunit of
in immune function, and it is only when more than calcineurin (calcineurin B) was specifically inactivated
one family member has been eliminated that severe in DN thymocytes. These mice had a clear defect in
changes in many cells and functions of the immune positive selection, with reduced numbers of SP cells,
system become apparent79–82 TABLE 3. Although these but they seemed to undergo normal negative selection,
data imply some degree of redundancy among NFAT which indicated that calcineurin-independent signal-
family members, they also indicate that some functions ling pathways might be responsible for the regulation
might be controlled by regulating the balance of specific of the negative selection of thymocytes89. Conversely,
NFAT proteins that can occupy a given promoter at a the expression of an active form of calcineurin A
specific time during T-cell activation or differentiation. resulted in increased positive selection, which was
NATURE REVIEWS | IMMUNOLOGY VOLUME 5 | JUNE 2005 | 477
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possibly the result of increased calcium–calcineurin A good example of this is the choice that is made by
signalling in response to weak TCR interactions, and naive T helper (TH) cells in the periphery to proceed
there was no notable alteration in negative selection90. along either the TH1 or TH2 pathway (FIG. 3). This is a
Therefore, although other signalling pathways (such process of antigen-driven differentiation that trans-
as those involving LCK or RAS–MAPK)83 are likely to forms these cells into two distinct populations with
be involved in the decision of whether a DP thymocyte characteristic patterns of cytokine expression and,
survives and becomes a mature T cell, it is evident that therefore, specific immune functions. TH1 cells are
calcium–calcineurin signalling is also necessary for characterized by the expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)
this process. and participate in the clearance of intracellular patho-
More direct evidence of the importance of NFAT gens. (They also contribute pathologically to inflam-
proteins for thymocyte development has come from mation and autoimmune disease.) By contrast, TH2
the analysis of NFAT-deficient mice. Defects in T-cell cells express IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, constitute a defence
development in Nfat4–/– mice include a reduction against extracellular pathogens, and are important
in the number of SP thymocytes, which correlates in atopy and asthma. The choice of differentiation
with increased apoptosis of DP thymocytes, either into TH1 or TH2 cells is determined by the nature and
as a result of increased TCR reactivity or because of intensity of the antigenic stimulus, the type of antigen-
defects in B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) expression by presenting cell that delivers it and the signals that are
DP cells91. In any case, the data indicate that NFAT4 received from specific cytokines (IL-12 for TH1 cells
has a positive role in the control of thymocyte survival and IL-4 for TH2 cells)97.
at the DP-to-SP transition stage. Consistent with this Epigenetic changes that are induced by TCR signal-
observation, the expression of a constitutively active ling and cytokine-mediated signalling are responsible
form of NFAT4 in a DN cell line potentiates the transi- for the establishment of specific patterns of cytokine
tion to SP cells in response to phorbol 12-myristate expression. The evidence supports a model in which
13-acetate (PMA) stimulation92. The activation of NFAT proteins act together with signal transducer and
NFAT4 in response to TCR engagement could then activator of transcription (STAT) factors to determine
be a crucial control in positive selection and SP cell the TH1/TH2 lineage choice (FIG. 3): STAT1 and STAT4
survival. Other NFAT family members are unlikely downstream of IL-12 and IFN-γ, respectively, for TH1
to substitute for NFAT4 at this stage of thymocyte cells; and STAT6 downstream of IL-4 for TH2 cells.
development, given their low levels of expression by The synergistic action of these two families of acutely
DP thymocytes91,93. Surprisingly, mice that lack both inducible transcription factors elicits the expression
NFAT1 and NFAT4 develop a hyperproliferative pheno- of lineage-specific TBOXFAMILY TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS
type that might be a result of defects in apoptosis, (T-bet and eomesodermin) and GATA3, respectively,
owing to impaired CD95L expression or to hyper- and at the same time leads to changes in chromatin
reactivity after TCR ligation94. Slight increases of TCR structure that are induced by the recruitment of
reactivity can also be detected in mice that lack either CHROMATINREMODELLING COMPLEXES to the regulatory
NFAT1 or NFAT4 REFS 79,80,91. However, NFAT2- regions of the IFN-γ and IL-4 genes. These struc-
THYMIC INVOLUTION
An age-dependent decrease deficient cells are hyporesponsive81,82. It is therefore tural changes can be detected by the appearance of
of thymic epithelial volume possible that NFAT1 and NFAT4, but not NFAT2, DNase-I-hypersensitivity sites, which identify regions
that results in the decreased might directly or indirectly regulate the threshold for in the chromatin with increased accessibility to DNase
production of T cells. TCR activation95. It is not clear whether the defect in and, by implication, to transcription factors98–100. The
TBOXFAMILY
apoptosis can also affect negative selection in the thy- appearance of new DNase-I-hypersensitivity sites in
TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS mus, although NFAT1-deficient mice have retarded the IFN-γ and IL-4 genes during TH1- and TH2-cell
96
A family of transcription factors THYMIC INVOLUTION . differentiation is blocked by CsA, which supports the
that contain a DNA-binding involvement of NFAT proteins in restructuring these
domain of 200 amino acids,
NFAT and T-helper-cell differentiation cytokine genes101. The net result is that, although
which is known as the T box.
These factors are usually As for many transcription factors, NFAT proteins NFAT proteins bind to the promoters of both IFN-γ
involved in developmental can regulate gene expression at two different levels. and IL-4 during the early stages of naive T-cell activa-
programmes. The founding In a locus that is open and available for immediate tion102, after T-cell differentiation has been initiated in
member of this family was transcription, such as the IL-2 locus, NFAT proteins either the TH1- or TH2-cell direction, the inappropriate
Brachyury, and T-bet and
eomesodermin are also
and other transcription factors bind and promote (or locus is progressively silenced so that NFAT proteins
members. repress) transcription. By contrast, in a precursor cell bind specifically to the promoters of the IFN-γ or IL-4
type that is poised to differentiate along one or another genes in TH1 or TH2 cells, respectively. This leads to the
CHROMATINREMODELLING pathway of cell-lineage specification, the loci that con- selective expression of only the appropriate cytokine
COMPLEXES
trol genes of a distinct lineage are closed and require gene. This cell-type-specific binding is accompanied
Enzymatic complexes that
achieve the remodelling of remodelling such that transcription factors can gain by changes in chromatin accessibility and histone
DNA–nucleosomal architecture access to the promoter to drive gene expression. As acetylation61,101,103.
and determine transcriptional such, inducible transcription factors, such as NFAT Whether individual NFAT proteins have selective
activity. The SWI–SNF proteins, might be required to remodel the locus itself roles in TH1/TH2-cell differentiation has been contro-
(switching-defective–sucrose
non-fermenting) ATPases are
and also to induce the transcription of lineage-specific versial. The loss of NFAT1 diminishes TH1-cell differ-
an example of complexes that transcription factors that commit the cells to one or entiation and promotes a mild bias towards TH2-cell
remodel chromatin. the other lineage. differentiation; this is probably because T cells from
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NFAT1-deficient mice maintain IL-4 production and other TH2 cytokines, and reduced titres of IgG1
for longer79,104. Furthermore, NFAT1 deficiency also and IgE81,82. These results have been interpreted as
markedly impairs IFN-γ production by committed indicating that NFAT2 is required for TH2-cell dif-
TH1 cells105. Similarly, mice that are deficient in both ferentiation, whereas NFAT1 and NFAT4 promote
NFAT1 and NFAT4 are characterized by exacerbated TH1-cell differentiation and act as negative regula-
TH2-cell responses, with increased expression of TH2 tors of TH2-cell differentiation. However, when con-
cytokines, increased IgG1 and IgE titres, and severe stitutively active forms of NFAT1 and NFAT2 are
interstitial pneumonitis 94,95. By contrast, NFAT2- expressed by TH1 and TH2 cells, both proteins are
deficient T cells show impaired production of IL-4 equally able to induce the transcription of TH1 and
TCR TCR
Committed TH1 cell
IL-12
IL-12R IL-12R
NFAT
NFAT
STAT4
P
P IFN-γ IFN-γ IFN-γ IFN-γ
NFAT NFAT T-bet
STAT4
? ?
IFN-γR
STAT1 STAT1 IFN-γ
P P
P T-bet P T-bet
STAT1 STAT1
IFN-γ
IFN-γR
IL-12
Precursor
TH cell TCR TCR
Committed TH2 cell
IL-4
NFAT NFAT
GATA3
IL-4 IL-4 IL-4 IL-4
NFAT MAF NFAT MAF
? ?
STAT6 STAT6
IL-4 IL-4
P P
P GATA3 IL-4R P GATA3 IL-4R
STAT6 STAT6
Figure 3 | NFAT and T-helper-cell differentiation. On encountering antigen-presenting cells presenting cognate peptide–MHC
complexes that engage the T-cell receptor (TCR), naive T helper (TH) cells differentiate into effector TH1- or TH2-cell populations.
The outcome of this process depends on the nature of the stimulus (type of antigen, intensity of stimulation and type of cell that
presents the antigen) and the signals that are received from specific cytokines. This process can be envisioned as occurring in
two steps. In the first step, transcription factors that are activated by TCR engagement cooperate with signal transducer and
activator of transcription (STAT) proteins to induce the expression of cytokine genes and lineage-specific transcription factors.
In TH1 cells, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) proteins cooperate with STAT4, which is activated in response to
interleukin-12 receptor (IL-12R) engagement, to induce the expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Signalling through the IFN-γ
receptor (IFN-γ R) induces STAT1 activation and translocation to the nucleus, where it induces the expression of T-bet. In TH2
cells, MAF and NFAT proteins induce the expression of IL-4. IL-4R signalling causes the activation of STAT6, which promotes
GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3) expression. It is possible that NFAT proteins might also cooperate with STAT factors to induce
the expression of T-bet and GATA3. In the second step, NFAT proteins cooperate with T-bet in TH1 cells and GATA3 in TH2 cells
to maintain and commit to TH-cell differentiation through the induction of IFN-γ or IL-4. Autoregulatory positive-feedback loops
ensure the expression of T-bet and GATA3.
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a b T-cell activation
Antigen-presenting cell Antigen-presenting cell
The simultaneous engagement of the TCR and co-
stimulatory molecules (such as CD28) at the surface of
T cells initiates a genetic programme of expression that
Peptide– Peptide– leads to full T-cell activation56,109,110. The importance
CD80 MHC MHC of NFAT proteins in T-cell activation is underscored
or CD86
by genetic data. In two human families, the inability
to activate NFAT proteins because of a defect in store-
TCR TCR operated calcium entry was associated with severe
CD28 CD28
immunodeficiency111. In mice, deficiency in both
NFAT1 and NFAT2 in T cells is associated with grossly
P P impaired production of many cytokines, including IL-2,
T cell P P T cell P P
P P
IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ, granulocyte/macrophage colony-
NFAT
NFAT stimulating factor and TNF. IL-5 expression is also
PKC RAS– IKK notably diminished, as well as the expression of CD40L
MAPK Ca2+
Ca2+ and CD95L112, which confirms that the activation of
pathway
NFAT proteins is essential for T cells to carry out many
Calmodulin Calcineurin of their effector functions. Indeed, the analysis of gene
Calcineurin Calmodulin
expression using DNA microarrays has clearly shown
NFAT that the activation-induced expression of most genes
NFAT ?
P in T cells is blocked by calcineurin inhibitors43,56,113.
P
NLS
NLS Furthermore, the specific inhibition of the activation
of NFAT proteins using the VIVIT peptide results in
the decreased expression of many cytokine genes19. The
Nucleus Nucleus analysis of control elements in several cytokine-gene
NF-κB AP1 Productive promoters has uncovered the presence of numerous
response Anergy
NFAT NFAT NFAT NFAT consensus NFAT-binding sites that are responsible for
?
P P P P the NFAT dependence of their expression2,48.
Another important aspect of T-cell function that
NFAT might regulate is cell-cycle control. NFAT1
Figure 4 | NFAT-activated programmes of gene expression: T-cell activation versus
T-cell anergy. a | Signals that are delivered by the engagement of the T-cell receptor (TCR;
downregulates cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4)
signal 1) and co-stimulatory molecules (such as CD28; signal 2) induce different signalling expression by directly binding and repressing its
pathways that result in the activation of several transcription factors. In the nucleus, nuclear transcription through the recruitment of HISTONE
factor of activated T cells (NFAT) proteins cooperate with activator protein 1 (AP1) and other DEACETYLASES. CDK4 downregulation induces exit from
transcription factors to induce a programme of gene expression that is characteristic of a the cell cycle and re-entry into G0 REF. 114. Further
productive immune response. b | When TCR engagement (signal 1) occurs in the absence evidence for this function of NFAT comes from the
of co-stimulation, calcium-mediated signals induce the activation of NFAT proteins without
concomitant AP1 activation. In the absence of cooperative binding to FOS and JUN,
observation that T cells from NFAT1-deficient mice
NFAT proteins, which might form dimer complexes or cooperate with other calcium-induced show defects in CDK4 downregulation and increased
transcription factors, elicit the expression of a distinct set of anergy-inducing genes. The levels of several cyclins114,115.
products of these genes inhibit T-cell function at different levels and induce a status of T-cell
unresponsiveness. IKK, inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) kinase; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein T-cell tolerance
kinase; NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB; NLS, nuclear-localization signal; PKC, protein kinase C. For many years, NFAT has been considered to be a key
regulator of T-cell activation through its interaction
with proteins of the AP1 family of transcription fac-
TH2 cytokines106,107. Furthermore, the in vivo binding tors. The discovery that NFAT proteins can also form
of NFAT1 has been shown at the promoters of both transcriptional complexes with other partners, and
the IFN-γ and IL-4 genes in activated TH1 and TH2 can even be transcriptionally active by themselves, has
cells, respectively 61. Overall, these data indicate that introduced the possibility of defining new roles for
NFAT1 and NFAT2 are functionally redundant and NFAT proteins in T cells. In the classical two-signal
have a role in both branches of T-cell differentiation, model, the stimulation of T cells by engagement of
which contradicts the results from the analysis of their TCR (signal 1) and co-stimulatory molecules
HISTONE DEACETYLASE mice that lack NFAT1 or NFAT2. Further studies are (such as CD28; signal 2) results in full productive
An enzyme that removes the required to understand this paradox. Co-stimulatory T-cell activation, whereas signalling through the TCR
acetyl groups from lysine residues
molecules other than CD28 (for example, ICOS) in the absence of co-stimulation leads to ANERGY116,117.
located at the amino termini of
histones. In general, decreased might also influence differential NFAT activation The absence of CD28–CD80/CD86 interactions
levels of histone acetylation are and TH-cell fate108. In addition, the observation that leads to the stimulation of calcium-activated signal-
associated with the repression mice that are deficient in both NFAT1 and NFAT4 ling pathways in the absence of the full induction of
of gene expression. The balance of have a severe allergic phenotype is probably the other pathways: for example, pathways that are regu-
histone acetylation is maintained
by the interplay between histone
result not only of the increase in TH2 immunity but lated by the RAS–MAPK pathway, protein kinase C
deacetylases and histone also of the hyper-responsive phenotype of T cells in (PKC) or IKKs (inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) kinases)
acetyltransferases. these animals95. (FIG. 4). This unbalanced activation ultimately results
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ANERGY in the presence of different sets of transcription adaptor molecule CBL-B (Casitas B-lineage lym-
A state of T cells that have factors in the nucleus43. Under these circumstances, phoma B) and GRAIL (gene related to anergy in
been stimulated through their NFAT, in the absence of AP1 proteins and possibly lymphocytes)118–121. The biochemical analysis of cells
T-cell receptor in the absence
other transcriptional partners, directs the transcrip- that are rendered anergic by sustained calcium signal-
of ligation of CD28. On
restimulation, these T cells are tion of a specific programme of gene expression that ling has shown that ITCH targets a limited number of
unable to produce interleukin-2 might be responsible for the block in TCR signalling signalling proteins (including PLC-γ1 and PKC-θ) for
or to proliferate, even in the that characterizes anergic T cells43. The transcription of degradation, through a mechanism that requires cell–
presence of co-stimulatory these genes is clearly NFAT dependent: on receiving an cell contact (probably between the T cell and the anti-
signals.
anergizing stimulus, their expression is greatly reduced gen-presenting cell) and involves monoubiquitylation
E3 UBIQUITIN LIGASE in Nfat1–/– T cells and is completely blocked by CsA, and targeting for degradation in the lysosomal com-
An enzyme that attaches the which correlates with the impaired induction of anergy partment118. However, the range of anergy-associated
molecular tag ubiquitin to in these cells43. It is possible that homo- or heterodimer genes that are upregulated after sustained calcium sig-
proteins. Depending on the
complexes of NFAT proteins are responsible for the nalling also includes tyrosine phosphatases, inhibitory
position and number of
ubiquitin molecules that are transcriptional activation of these genes72,73, although cell-surface receptors, proteins that are potentially
attached, the ubiquitin tag can interactions of NFAT with other calcium-activated involved in intracellular trafficking and transcriptional
target proteins for degradation transcription factors, such as myocyte enhancer fac- repressors, which implies that the programme of anergy
by the proteasomal complex, tor 2 (MEF2)71, might also be involved. So, because affects many cellular functions TABLE 4.
sort them to specific subcellular
compartments or modify their
NFAT proteins control two opposing aspects of T-cell Recently, an analysis of the function of CD4 CD25+ +
biological activity. function — activation and anergy — it is probable that REGULATORY T T CELLS in mice that are deficient in
REG
the availability of transcriptional partners in response NFAT1 and NFAT4 showed that, even though these
to activating or anergizing stimuli determines which mice have functional TReg cells, their CD4+CD25– cells
set of genes is activated. Furthermore, although CsA are resistant to suppression by wild-type TReg cells122.
inhibits the induction of anergy, it still has a global These results imply that NFAT proteins might control
immunosuppressive effect because of the crucial role not only T-cell inactivation that results from anergy
of NFAT proteins in T-cell activation. induction but also the sensitivity of CD4+CD25– cells
Among the proteins that are expressed by anergic to suppression by TReg cells. Common pathways might
T cells, a group of E3 UBIQUITIN LIGASES seems to have a therefore be shared between these two mechanisms of
crucial role in maintaining T cells in an unresponsive peripheral T-cell tolerance.
state118. Following sustained calcium–calcineurin sig-
nalling, several E3 ubiquitin ligases are upregulated at NFAT inhibitors: a new therapeutic approach
the mRNA and protein levels, including ITCH, the Given the important role of NFAT proteins in the
control of T-cell activation, NFAT has always been
considered to be an optimal target for therapeutic
Table 4 | Calcium-dependent genes upregulated in anergic T cells approaches that are aimed at regulating immune
Gene Calcium– NFAT dependent References responses. Inhibitors of calcineurin, such as CsA and
calcineurin FK506, have been extensively used as immunosuppres-
dependent sive agents to improve graft survival and to treat auto-
E3 ubiquitin ligases immune diseases123–126. These inhibitors act by blocking
calcineurin enzymatic activity and are therefore not
Itch Yes ND 118
selective NFAT inhibitors127. In fact, the regulation of
Cbl-b Yes ND 118,119 the activity of any other target that is dephosphorylated
Grail Yes ND 120,121 by calcineurin can be affected by these inhibitors, which
Proteases
might account for the nephro- and neurotoxicities that
are associated with their clinical use128,129. The devel-
Caspase-3 Yes Yes 43 opment of more specific inhibitors of NFAT function
Transcriptional repressors was made possible by the identification of the dock-
Ikaros Yes Yes 43 ing sites for the NFAT–calcineurin interaction18,19. A
cell-permeable version of the VIVIT peptide, which is
Grg4 Yes Yes 43
able to selectively inhibit calcineurin-mediated NFAT
Protein tyrosine phosphatases dephosphorylation20, has been successfully used to
Rptp-κ Yes Yes 43 notably prolong graft survival in an experimental
system of islet-cell transplantation in mice130. These
Ptp1b Yes Yes 43
peptides, although they are much more selective than
Others CsA, might still be able to inhibit the interaction of cal-
Diacylglycerol kinase Yes Yes 43 cineurin with other substrates that use similar PXIXIT
Gbp3 Yes Yes 43
motifs, such as CABIN1 or AKAP79 REF. 131. Recently,
two different regions of calcineurin have been found to
Cd98 Yes Yes 43 be necessary for NFAT–calcineurin interactions131,132.
Cbl-b, Casitas B-lineage lymphoma B; Grail, gene related to anergy in lymphocytes; Gbp3, guanylate- Mutations in one of these regions seem to selectively
binding protein 3; Grg4, groucho-related gene 4; ND, not determined; NFAT, nuclear factor of
activated T cells; Ptp1b, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B; Rptp-κ, receptor-type protein tyrosine impair calcineurin binding to NFAT1 but not to other
phosphatase-κ. PXIXIT-containing proteins132. It is therefore possible
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CD4+CD25+ REGULATORY that residues that flank the PXIXIT motif or are located After the interactions that mediate specific cellular
T CELLS in other regions of NFAT proteins can help to stabilize functions and the protein surfaces that maintain them
(TReg cells). A specialized subset NFAT–calcineurin interactions and might constitute have been fully characterized, molecules with the ability
of CD4+ T cells that can suppress
attractive targets for the design of even more specific to interfere with such specific protein–protein interac-
the responses of other T cells.
These cells provide a crucial inhibitors. tions might be designed. These molecules will prob-
mechanism for the maintenance The therapeutic use of peptide inhibitors is still lim- ably be therapeutically useful, with notably improved
of peripheral self-tolerance, and ited by problems that are associated with delivery and specificity and greatly reduced toxicity.
they are characterized by the product stability. The use of small organic molecules
expression of the α-chain of
the interleukin-2 receptor
could help to overcome these problems. Almost limit- Concluding remarks
(also known as CD25) and the less structural changes can be designed to improve the Evidence has accumulated in the past few years to
transcription factor FOXP3 specificity, stability, delivery and distribution of these show that the calcium-regulated NFAT transcrip-
(forkhead box P3). molecules, which makes them an attractive alterna- tion factors have key roles in the regulation of many
tive to peptides. Recently, this approach has yielded aspects of T-cell function. During T-cell activation,
FLUORESCENCE
POLARIZATION ASSAY
new specific NFAT inhibitors. Using a FLUORESCENCE most cytokine genes are regulated by NFAT proteins.
A method that can be used POLARIZATION ASSAY in which a library of compounds was However, it is now clear that NFAT targets also include
to evaluate the strength of a screened for the ability to block the binding of labelled many other genes that control alternative functions in
protein–protein interaction. VIVIT peptide to calcineurin, several small organic activated T cells, such as cell-cycle progression and
A fluorescent tag is attached
to one of the protein partners.
molecules were identified that specifically blocked activation-induced cell death. The highly flexible
The formation of a complex is NFAT–calcineurin interactions and thereby blocked the structure of the NFAT DNA-binding domain allows
then deduced from an increase activation of NFAT proteins and inhibited NFAT- several surfaces to be available for interactions with
in fluorescence polarization, dependent cytokine production by T cells133. A similar, different transcriptional partners on DNA, thereby
and the equilibrium
but cell-based, approach, in which compounds were allowing NFAT to integrate many signalling pathways.
dissociation constant of the
complex can be determined. screened for their ability to block the nuclear transloca- Although AP1 proteins might be the most important
tion of an NFAT–GFP fusion protein, also produced transcriptional partners for NFAT during T-cell activa-
small molecules that, in this case, seemed to target tion, cooperation with different transcription factors
store-operated calcium channels and thereby inhibited could be crucial for the regulation of other processes,
calcium mobilization. These molecules act upstream of including TH-cell differentiation, T-cell tolerance and
calcineurin, are efficient at blocking NFAT-dependent thymocyte development. Questions regarding the
transcription and are able to potentiate CsA effects134. specificity of individual family members for distinct
The ability of small molecules to selectively inhibit functions might be answered through the discovery of
calcineurin and NFAT protein–protein interactions unique partner interactions. A better characterization
points to the possibility of using them to modulate of the regulation of NFAT activation might also shed
specific NFAT-regulated functions. Differential inter- some light on the mechanisms that control the func-
actions between different NFAT family members and tions of individual NFAT proteins (such as specific
specific transcriptional partners might underlie the activating, priming, maintenance or export kinases).
ability of NFAT to integrate various signalling path- The identification of new transcriptional complexes
ways and control diverse cellular programmes. If the and their target genes will lead to a full appreciation
protein–protein contact surfaces are specific for differ- of the functions that are controlled by the NFAT tran-
ent interactions, molecules could be designed to block scription factors and the mechanisms that regulate
certain interactions without affecting others and, there- them, not only in T cells but also in other cells of the
fore, to inhibit only certain NFAT-regulated functions. immune system and in non-immune cells.
1. Shaw, J. P. et al. Identification of a putative regulator of 8. Miyakawa, H., Woo, S. K., Dahl, S. C., Handler, J. S. & 14. Park, J., Takeuchi, A. & Sharma, S. Characterization of
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