A novel role for STAT5 in DC: Controlling the Th2-response

Dendritic cells (DC) play a key role in immunity by recognizing and presenting antigens. Cytokines and cytokine-activated transcription factors are fundamental in the regulation of the DC differentiation and their functions. While the role of STAT3 in DC development is well established, the function of STAT5 in DC has yet to be fully elucidated. A recent study published in Nature Immunology by Bell et al., using the DC-specific deletion of Stat5, demonstrated the importance of STAT5 in the induction of a Th2 response in DC. As the activation of this transcription factor is not required for the induction of a Th1 response, the authors further investigated the role STAT5 in the signaling to thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine known to be important for type 2 inflammatory responses. Their results demonstrate the importance of STAT5 activation during TLSP-induced Th2 responses and suggest that DC are a key TLSP target.