Maintaining balance in the immune system

Researchers have published the first description of the role of the ZFP36 family of RNA binding proteins in regulatory T cells (Tregs). Tregs are key to maintaining balance in the immune system and essential to preventing autoimmune disease. By the targeted deletion of Zfp36l1 and Zfp36l2 in Tregs in mice, the findings demonstrate that loss of these RNA binding proteins results in Tregs no longer being able to control other immune cell types, which results in inflammation. The data point to a key role of ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 in governing multiple cytokine responses in Tregs, including regulating the availability of the cytokine interferon-gamma, which activates immune responses, as well as being important in maintaining Treg stability.