Expression of GATA-3, c-Maf and Helios transcription factor mRNA by CD4 T cells responding to Th2 antigen in vivo

We sought to identify the transcription factors that regulate the induction of T helper 2 (Th2)-cytokines in CD4 T cells responding in vivo to alum-precepitated OVA (alumOVA). T cell differentiation was studied using mouse OVA-specific CD4 T (OTH) cells transferred into comgenic WT mice using real time RT-PCR. The induction of transcription factors was compared in response in OVA-expressing Salmonella (SalOVA), which induces Th1 features, with that to alumOVA which induces Th2 features. Transcription factor mRNA levels were compared with those of cytokine mRNA in OTH cells responding in lumph nodes draining the site of subcutaneous immunization.