A report published by Suga et al in JCI Insight examined the relationship between methotrexate and TAp63, an isoform of TP63, which was previously found to be highly expressed in human IL-17–producing Th (Th17) cells; Th17 cells are believed to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis development. In the new study, investigators found that TAp63 was expressed in both human and mouse Th17 cells, but that recipients of methotrexate had lower TAp63 messenger RNA expression in their CD4-positiveT cells as well as suppressed TAp63 proteins in Th17 cells. In addition, the gene FOXP3, which is linked to Treg cells, was also targeted by TAp63; the authors concluded, “Collectively, TAp63 suppresses FOXP3 expression and exacerbates autoimmune arthritis.”
June 02, 2023