Suppression of Ca2+ signals by EGR4 controls Th1 differentiation and anti-cancer immunity in vivo

While the zinc finger transcription factors EGR1, EGR2, and EGR3 are recognized as critical for T-cell function, the role of EGR4 remains unstudied. Here, we show that EGR4 is rapidly upregulated upon TCR engagement, serving as a critical "brake" on T-cell activation. Hence, TCR engagement of EGR4(-/-) T cells leads to enhanced Ca2+ responses, driving sustained NFAT activation and hyperproliferation. This causes profound increases in IFN gamma production under resting and diverse polarizing conditions that could be reversed by pharmacological attenuation of Ca2+ entry. Finally, an in vivo melanoma lung colonization assay reveals enhanced anti-tumor immunity in EGR4(-/-) mice, attributable to Th1 bias, Treg loss, and increased CTL generation in the tumor microenvironment. Overall, these observations reveal for the first time that EGR4 is a key regulator of T-cell differentiation and function.