ABSTRACT Intestinal health relies on the immunosuppressive activity of CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. Expression of the transcription factor Foxp3 defines this lineage, and can be induced extrathymically by dietary or commensal-derived antigens in a process assisted by a Foxp3 enhancer known as conserved non-coding sequence 1 (CNS1). Products of microbial fermentation including butyrate facilitate the generationRead More
Discovery of Retinoic Acid-Related Orphan Receptor γt Inverse Agonists via Docking and Negative Image-Based Screening
ABSTRACT Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) has a vital role in the differentiation of T-helper 17 (TH17) cells. Potent and specific RORγt inverse agonists are sought for treating TH17-related diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. Here, the aim was to discover novel RORγt ligands using both standard molecular docking andRead More
In vivo regulation of gene expression and T helper type 17 differentiation by RORγt inverse agonists
ABSTRACT The orphan nuclear receptor, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt), is required for the development and pathogenic function of interleukin-17A-secreting CD4+ T helper type 17 (Th17) cells. Whereas small molecule RORγt antagonists impair Th17 cell development and attenuate autoimmune inflammation in vivo, the broader effects of these inhibitors on RORγt-dependent gene expressionRead More
Oxysterols are agonist ligands of RORγt and drive Th17 cell differentiation
ABSTRACT The RAR-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) is a nuclear receptor required for generating IL-17–producing CD4+ Th17 T cells, which are essential in host defense and may play key pathogenic roles in autoimmune diseases. Oxysterols elicit profound effects on immune and inflammatory responses as well as on cholesterol and lipid metabolism. Here, we describe the identification of several naturally occurringRead More