Bach2–Batf interactions control Th2-type immune response by regulating the IL-4 amplification loop

Kuwahara, Makoto; Ise, Wataru; Ochi, Mizuki; Suzuki, Junpei; Kometani, Kohei; Maruyama, Saho; Izumoto, Maya; Matsumoto, Akira; Takemori, Nobuaki; Takemori, Ayako; Shinoda, Kenta; Nakayama, Toshinori; Ohara, Osamu; Yasukawa, Masaki; Sawasaki, Tatsuya; Kurosaki, Tomohiro; Yamashita, Masakatsu

doi:10.1038/ncomms12596

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Published: 01 September 2016

Bach2–Batf interactions control Th2-type immune response by regulating the IL-4 amplification loop

Makoto Kuwahara^1,2,3,
Wataru Ise⁴,
Mizuki Ochi^1,5,
Junpei Suzuki^2,6,
Kohei Kometani⁷,
Saho Maruyama¹,
Maya Izumoto¹,
Akira Matsumoto⁸,
Nobuaki Takemori⁹,
Ayako Takemori⁹,
Kenta Shinoda¹⁰,
Toshinori Nakayama¹⁰,
Osamu Ohara ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3328-9571¹¹,
Masaki Yasukawa⁶,
Tatsuya Sawasaki⁵,
Tomohiro Kurosaki^4,7 &
…
Masakatsu Yamashita^1,2,3

Nature Communications volume 7, Article number: 12596 (2016) Cite this article

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Abstract

Although Bach2 has an important role in regulating the Th2-type immune response, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We herein demonstrate that Bach2 associates with Batf and binds to the regulatory regions of the Th2 cytokine gene loci. The Bach2–Batf complex antagonizes the recruitment of the Batf–Irf4 complex to AP-1 motifs and suppresses Th2 cytokine production. Furthermore, we find that Bach2 regulates the Batf and Batf3 expressions via two distinct pathways. First, Bach2 suppresses the maintenance of the Batf and Batf3 expression through the inhibition of IL-4 production. Second, the Bach2–Batf complex directly binds to the Batf and Batf3 gene loci and reduces transcription by interfering with the Batf–Irf4 complex. These findings suggest that IL-4 and Batf form a positive feedback amplification loop to induce Th2 cell differentiation and the subsequent Th2-type immune response, and Bach2–Batf interactions are required to prevent an excessive Th2 response.

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Introduction

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which naive CD4 T cells differentiate into effector helper T (Th) cells is important for understanding T cell-mediated immune responses. Functionally distinct Th subsets have been reported, including Th1, Th2, Th17 and inducible regulatory T (iTreg) cells^1,2,3,4,5,6. Several transcription factors that control the differentiation of these Th subsets have been identified such as T-bet, Gata3, Rorγt and Foxp3 for Th1, Th2, Th17 and iTreg cells, respectively^1,2,3,4,5,6.

The murine Th2 cytokine genes encoding interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13 are located within a 140-kb region on chromosome 11 flanking the Rad50 genes⁷. The locus control region (LCR) for the Th2 cytokine gene loci has been mapped to a region of ∼25-kb within the 3′ intronic regions of the Rad50 genes⁸. DNA hypersensitivity analyses have revealed the presence of several evolutionally conserved hypersensitive sites, named Rad50 hypersensitive site (RHS4–7; ref. 8). The intron 2 region of the Il4 gene (DNase I hypersensitive-site 2: HS2, Il4 IE), a Gata3-binding site, is crucial for the production of IL-4 by CD4 T cells⁹, and the deletion of the Il4 IE site result in the reduction of IL-4 production, but not that of IL-5 or IL-13, in Th2 cells. The conserved Gata3-response element (CGRE) upstream of the Il13 gene locus is important to control widespread chromatin modifications of the Il13 and Il4 gene loci¹⁰, and the deletion of CGRE site is resulted in the reduced generation of IL-13-producing Th2 cells⁹.

BTB and Cap‘n’collar (CNC) homology 1; basic leucine zipper transcription factor 2 (Bach2) belongs to the CNC gene family¹¹. B cells preferentially express Bach2, which is critical for somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination^13,14,15, and is involved in the IgG1 memory B cell formation¹⁶. A recent report by Itoh-Nakadai et al.¹⁷ demonstrated that Bach2 promotes B cell development via the repression of the myeloid program¹⁸. Bach2 also participates in T-cell-mediated immune responses and regulates T_reg-mediated immune homeostasis, and Bach2 null animals suffer from lethal lung and small intestinal inflammation^19,20. Bach2 is required for the maintenance of naive CD4 T cells by suppressing the effector memory-related gene expression²¹. In addition, an important role of Bach2 in the memory CD8 T cell generation was reported²². We recently demonstrated that senescence-associated secretory phenotype is rapidly induced in Bach2-deficient activated CD4 T cells²³. Although these findings establish Bach2 as a key regulator of CD4 T cell-mediated immune homeostasis, the molecular mechanism(s) by which Bach2 controls the CD4 T cell function and differentiation has yet to be fully elucidated.

Basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF-like (Batf) family transcription factors belong to the activator protein 1 (AP-1) family of transcription factors, which regulate various cellular processes²⁴. The Batf family comprises three transcription factors, Batf, Batf2 and Batf3, which are composed of only a DNA-binding domain and a leucine zipper motif that were originally identified as inhibitors of AP-1-dependent transcriptional activation^25,26. However, a recent study revealed that Batfs interact with interferon-regulatory factor (Irf) family proteins including Irf4, and activate Irf-mediated transcription^27,28. Batf family transcription factors are involved in the regulation of helper T cell subset differentiation²⁴. Batf is required for the differentiation and functions of Th2, Th17 and Tfh cells, and Batf3 regulates the Th2 cell function. In contrast, Batf and Batf3 are not essential for the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression in Th1 cells.

In this study, we found that Bach2 is associated with Batf family transcription factors and inhibits AP-1 activity. The Bach2–Batf complex binds to AP-1 motifs within the regulatory regions of the Th2 cytokine gene loci and inhibits Th2 cytokine production. The increased production of IL-4 in Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells induces Batf and Irf4, and suppressed Bach2 expression. Furthermore, the Bach–Batf complex directly binds to the Batf and Batf3 gene loci, and inhibits transcription. Therefore, Batf and Batf expression is augmented in Bach2-deficient CD4 T cells both in an IL-4-dependent and an IL-4-independent manner. The increased Batf and Irf4 form an active complex and further augments Il4 expression. These findings reveal that IL-4 and the Batf /Irf4 form a positive feedback amplification loop to induce Th2 cell differentiation, and the Bach2–Batf complex is required to prevent the excessive induction of the Th2 response.

Results

Airway inflammation in T cell-specific Bach2 KO mice

In order to determine the intrinsic role of Bach2 in T cells, we crossed Bach2^flox/flox mice with CD4-Cre transgenic (TG) mice. A significant increase in mononuclear cells infiltrating the peribronchiolar regions of the lungs was observed in the Bach2^flox/flox CD4-Cre (Bach2-deficient) mice (Fig. 1a, left panel). The bronchioles of the Bach2-deficient mice showed mucus hyperproduction and goblet cell metaplasia, as assessed using staining with periodic acid-Schiff reagent (Fig. 1a, middle panel). The Bach2-deficient mice also exhibited an increased expression of Clca3 messenger RNA (mRNA) and Muc2 mRNA in the lungs versus the control CD4-Cre (WT) mice (Supplementary Fig. 1a). Moreover, pulmonary fibrosis was detected in the lungs of Bach2-deficient mice on Masson’s trichrome staining (Fig. 1a, right panel), and methacholine-induced airway hyperresponsiveness was induced in the Bach2-deficient mice (Fig. 1b).

**Figure 1: Spontaneous development of allergic airway inflammation in mice with T cell-specific *Bach2* deficiency.**

We observed increased infiltration of inflammatory cells, including eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes, in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of the Bach2-deficient mice compared with the control WT mice (Fig. 1c and Supplementary Fig. 1b). In addition, the numbers of IL-5- and IL-13-producing CD4 T cells were significantly increased in the lungs of Bach2-deficient mice compared with the control WT mice (Fig. 1d and Supplementary Fig. 1c). An increased production of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) was also detected in lung CD4 T cells in the Bach2-deficient mice (Fig. 1e). Furthermore, the histone H3K27 acetylation levels at the Th2 cytokine gene loci were higher in the lung CD4 T cells of the Bach2-deficient mice than in the control WT mice (Fig. 1f). These results indicate that the Bach2-deficient mice spontaneously develop lung-specific Th2-type allergic inflammation.

Although the dysregulated development of Foxp3-positive CD4 T cells in Bach2 null mice has previously been reported^20,29, we detected no clear signs of inflammation in other organs (for example, the stomach, small and large intestines, liver, pancreas or kidneys) in the 8- to 12-week old T cell-specific Bach2-deficient mice (Supplementary Fig. 1d). The number of the Foxp3-positive CD4 T cells in the lungs the T cell-specific Bach2-deficient mice was equivalent to that in the WT control mice (Supplementary Fig. 2a). The number of Foxp3-positive CD4 T cells in the thymus of the T cell-specific Bach2-deficient mice was reduced to half that in the thymus of the WT control mice (Supplementary Fig. 2b). However, the numbers of Foxp3-positive CD4 T cells in other organs, such as the spleen, the mesenteric lymph nodes, Peyer’s patch and the liver, were within in the normal ranges in the T cell-specific Bach2-deficient mice (Supplementary Fig. 2b).

Stat6-dependent enhancement of Th2 response in Bach2 KO mice

To investigate the role of Bach2 in the differentiation of helper T (Th) cell subsets, we isolated Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells and cultured them under IL-2 conditions for five days in the presence or absence of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) against IL-4. Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells cultured in the absence of a neutralizing mAb against IL-4 produced greater amounts of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) than those derived from WT naive CD4 T cells (Fig. 2a and Supplementary Fig. 3a). The induction of Th2 cells in the Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells cultured under IL-2 conditions was blocked by the neutralization of IL-4 (Fig. 2a and Supplementary Fig. 3a). The expression of Gata3 (Supplementary Fig. 3b) and binding of Gata3 to the regulatory region of the Th2 cytokine gene locus such as Th2 LCR (Rad50 hypersensitive site 6; RHS6), Il4 intron enhancer (Il4 IE) and CGRE (Supplementary Fig. 3c) were increased in the Bach2-deficient CD4 T cells cultured under IL-2 conditions compared with the control WT CD4 T cells. The induction of Gata3 in the Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells cultured under IL-2 conditions was also IL-4-dependent (Supplementary Fig. 3b). The generation of IFN-γ-producing cells from the Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells was higher than that observed in the control WT CD4 T cells under IL-4 neutralizing conditions (Fig. 2a and Supplementary Fig. 3a). The induction of Foxp3-positive CD4 T cells was impaired in Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells under iTreg conditions (Supplementary Fig. 3d). We found that Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells produced significant amount of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-γ in response to T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) stimulation, whereas the production of IL-2 was comparable to the WT naive CD4 T cells (Fig. 2b). In addition, the sustained expression of Il4 mRNA was detected in TCR-stimulated Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells (Supplementary Fig. 3e). We sorted the PD-1^high CXCR5^high fraction in the Peyer's patch of Bach2-deficient mice as a source of in vivo generated Tfh cells and then assessed the TCR-mediated induction of Il4 mRNA expression. The expression of Il4 mRNA in Bach2-deficient Tfh cells was significantly higher than that in control WT Tfh cells (Supplementary Fig. 3f, left panel). In contrast, the expression of Il21 in Bach2-deficient Tfh cells was equivalent to that in the WT Tfh cells (Supplementary Fig. 3f, right panel). These results suggest that Bach2 has a critical role in regulating helper Th2 cell differentiation and/or Th2 cytokine production.

**Figure 2: The IL-4/Stat6-dependent augmentation of the Th2-type immune response in *Bach2*-deficient mice.**

The increased generation of Th2 cells in Bach2-dficient CD4 T cells was also significantly reduced by Stat6 deficiency (Fig. 2c and Supplementary Fig. 4a). In contrast, the generation of IFN-γ-producing cells was enhanced in Bach2-deficient CD4 T cells in the absence of the Stat6 (Fig. 2c). The increased production of Th2 cytokines in the lung CD4 T cells of Bach2-deficient mice was also reduced in Bach2/Stat6 double-deficient mice (Fig. 2d), whereas the enhanced production of Th2 cytokines in naive Bach2-deficient splenic CD4 T cells was not normalized in Bach2/Stat6 double-deficient naive CD4 T cells (Supplementary Fig. 4b). Although the reduced generation of Foxp3-positive cells in Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells was not restored by the deletion of Stat6 (Supplementary Fig. 4c), the increased infiltration of mononuclear cells into the peribronchiolar regions of the lungs, and the mucus hyperproduction and goblet cell metaplasia observed in Bach2-deficient mice were improved in Bach2/Stat6 double-deficient mice (Fig. 2e). The infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes in the BAL fluid of the Bach2-deficient mice was also significantly reduced by Stat6-deficiency (Fig. 2f and Supplementary Fig. 4d). The increased production of IL-17A and IL-17F was observed in the Bach2-deficient lung CD4 T cells, and the level was marginally affected by Stat6 deletion (Supplementary Fig. 4e). These results clearly demonstrate that the spontaneously developed lung inflammation in T cell-specific Bach2-deficient mice is a Th2-type immune response.

Decreased Th2 cell differentiation in Bach2 TG CD4 T cells

To confirm the Treg-independent regulation of Th2-type immune response by Bach2, we used Bach2 TG (Rosa26-Stop cassette^flox/flox-Bach2 TG mice crossed with CD4-Cre TG) mice (Supplementary Fig. 5a). The Bach2 mRNA expression was ∼2.5-fold higher in the developing Bach2 TG CD4 T cells than in the cells from WT mice (Supplementary Fig. 5b). The development of Foxp3-positive CD4 T cells was not changed in Bach2 TG mice in vivo (Supplementary Fig. 5c) or in vitro (Supplementary Fig. 5d). There was less generation of IL-4-producing Bach2 TG CD4 T cells than of IL-4-producing WT cells under Th2 conditions (Fig. 3a). We confirmed the decreased production of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 by the Bach2 TG CD4 T cells cultured under Th2 conditions compared with the WT cells using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Fig. 3b). Furthermore, the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced eosinophilic infiltration in the BAL fluid was attenuated in T cell-specific Bach2 TG mice (Supplementary Fig. 5e,f). These results suggest that Bach2 can suppress Th2 cytokine production and/or Th2 cell differentiation independent of Treg-mediated regulation. Although the production of Th2 cytokine was impaired, the expression of Gata3 protein (Fig. 3c) and the binding of Gata3 to the regulatory regions of the Th2 cytokine gene loci in the Bach2 TG-developing Th2 cells (cultured under Th2 conditions for 2 days) were comparable to those in the WT Th2 cells (Fig. 3d). The histone H3K4 tri-methylation (Fig. 3e) and H3K27 acetylation (Fig. 3f) levels at the Th2 cytokine gene loci were not decreased in the Bach2-deficient developing Th2 cells. These results suggest that Bach2 can suppress Th2 cytokine production without inhibiting the chromatin remodelling of the Th2 cytokine gene loci.

**Figure 3: Decreased Th2 cell differentiation and Th2 cytokine production in *Bach2*-TG naive CD4 T cells.**

Bach2 binds to the AP-1 consensus motif

In order to investigate the regulatory mechanisms by which Bach2 controls Th2 cytokine production and/or Th2 cell differentiation, we performed a ChIP-seq analysis with an anti-Bach2 antibody to determine Bach2-binding sites. The enrichment of the Bach2-binding motifs in WT effector CD4 T cells cultured under neutral conditions was significantly increased relative to the background frequency estimated based on a Bach2-deficient effector CD4 T cell ChIP sample. We found that Bach2 binds to the Il4 intron enhancer (Il4 IE) (Th2 #1), the RHS6 located within the Th2 LCR (Th2 #2 and Th2 #3) and the 3′ downstream region of the Il5 gene (Th2 #4) (Fig. 4a). The binding of Bach2 was confirmed using a ChIP-quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis (Fig. 4b). The major enriched motifs for Bach2 binding were the Nrf2, AP-1, Maf, Atf4, Batf and Irf4-binding sites (Fig. 4c). We found that enriched Bach2-binding sites in CD4 T cells were binding motifs for leucine zipper family transcription factors and contain the AP-1 consensus DNA sequence (TGA(G/C)TCA) (Fig. 4c). We next performed an oligonucleotide pull-down analysis to examine whether Bach2 binds to the AP-1 consensus motif. An AP-1 consensus oligonucleotide precipitated Bach2 from activated CD4 T cell lysates, while an AP-1 mutant oligonucleotide failed to precipitate Bach2 (Fig. 4d). Furthermore, Bach2 repressed the 4-beta-phorbol 12-myristate acetate-induced AP-1 luciferase activity in 293 T cells (Fig. 4e). These results indicate that Bach2 binds to AP-1 motifs and inhibits AP-1-dependent gene activation.

**Figure 4: Bach2 binds to the AP-1 motif containing regulatory regions of Th2 cytokine gene loci.**

Bach2 interacts with Batf family transcription factors

In order to understand the molecular mechanisms by which Bach2 binds to the AP-1 motif and suppresses AP-1 function, we screened Bach2 interaction transcriptional modulator(s) using an amplified luminescent proximity homogenous assay (AlphaScreen) with cell-free technology for protein synthesis as previously described^30,31. Sixty-five transcriptional modulators were screened, and Batf and Batf3 were identified to be potential candidates for Bach2 interacting transcription factors (Supplementary Fig. 6). We confirmed that Batf was immunoprecipitated with Bach2 in mixtures of 293 T cells transfected to express Myc-tagged Batf or HA-tagged Bach2 (Fig. 5a, left). Batf3 was also immunoprecipitated with Bach2 in mixtures of 293 T cells (Fig. 5a, right). Next, we performed an oligonucleotide precipitation assay to confirm the DNA-binding activity of the Bach2–Batf complex. Binding of the Bach2–Batf complex to the AP-1 consensus oligonucleotide was detected only when both proteins were in the lysates, and the level of Batf binding was increased in a Bach2 dose-dependent manner (Fig. 5b). Bach2 and Batf were not precipitated when both proteins were present independently in the lysates (Fig. 5b). The binding of Bach2–Batf complex to the AP-1 consensus oligonucleotide was also detected in activated CD4 T cell lysates (Fig. 5c). To identify the Bach2 protein regions, which are required for the association with Batf, we generated several Bach2 deletion mutants (Fig. 5d left) and assessed the interaction with Batf using AlphaScreen as in Supplementary Fig. 6. The Batf dCNC and dC mutants failed to associate with Batf, while the CNC-C and dN mutants strongly interacted with Batf compared with the WT Bach2 protein (Fig. 5d right), indicating that the CNC-bZip region of Bach2 is responsible for the interaction with Batf. To confirm the important role of bZip regions, we introduced a point mutation into the leucine zipper region of Bach2 (L687A and L694A) and Batf (L68A and L61A), and assessed the interactions. As expected, the interaction of Bach2 and Batf was completely abrogated by the point mutation in the leucine zipper region of each protein (Fig. 5e). The results clearly demonstrated that the leucine zipper of both proteins is responsible for the interaction.

**Figure 5: The association of Bach2 with Batf family proteins.**

Bach2–Batf complex antagonizes the Batf–Irf4 complex

We next examined the effects of Bach2-deficiency on binding of the Batf–Irf4 complex using a ChIP assay. The binding of Batf, JunD and Irf4 to the Il4 IE (Th2 #1) and RHS6 (Th2 #3) regions was significantly increased in the Bach2-deficient activated CD4 T cells as compared with that observed in the WT CD4 T cells (Fig. 6a). Additionally, the levels of histone H3K27 acetylation at the Il4 IE (Th2#1) and RHS6 (Th2 #3) regions were elevated in the Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells cultured under both neutral (in the presence of an anti-IL-4 mAb) and Th2 conditions (Supplementary Fig. 7). We confirmed that the binding of Bach2 to the Il4 IE (Th2 #1) and RHS6 (Th2 #3) (Fig. 6b) regions were significantly decreased in the Batf-deficient CD4 T cells. Furthermore, the binding level of Batf at the RHS6 (Th2 #3) region was reduced in the Bach2-deficient CD4 T cells (Fig. 6b).

**Figure 6: The Bach2/Batf complex interferes with the recruitment of the Batf/JunD/Irf4 active complex.**

We performed an oligonucleotide precipitation assay to confirm the DNA-binding activity of the Batf–Bach2 complex to the RHS6 oligonucleotide (Th2#3), which contains an AP-1-binding site. When we used 293 T cell lysates that transfected with Myc-tagged Batf, Myc-tagged Bach2 or HA-tagged JunD, two distinct mobility forms of the Myc-tagged Batf protein were precipitated (Fig. 6c, upper). We found that Bach2 preferentially associated with a faster mobility form of Batf, whereas JunD interacted with a slower mobility form of Batf (Fig. 6c, upper). These data suggest that the post-translational modification of Batf may influence the ratio of the repressive-type (Bach2–Batf) and activate-type (Batf–JunD–Irf4) Batf complex. The binding of Bach2 to the WT RHS6 oligonucleotide was moderately reduced in the presence of JunD (comparison of lane 3 and lane 4, Fig. 6c second panel). The RHS6 mutant oligonucleotide, which has a mutation at the AP-1-binding site, failed to precipitate either complex (Fig. 6c, upper), indicating that Bach2–Batf complex recognized the AP-1 motif in the RHS6 oligonucleotide. Finally, we assessed the binding of Bach2–Batf complex to the Bach2 binding sites identified by ChIP-sequencing using Th2 cell lysates. Bach2 and Batf were efficiently precipitated by the RHS6 and Batf3#3 (the Bach2-binding site of the Batf3 gene locus) oligonucleotides, while the binding of Bach2 and Batf to the Il4 IE oligonucleotide was relatively weak (Fig. 6d, upper and middle). The binding of Bach2 and Batf to the Il4 IE region was clearly detected by a ChIP-qPCR assay (Figs 4b and 6a). It is likely that a Th2-specific high order chromatin structure is required for the binding of Bach2 and Batf at the Il4 IE region. The relatively weak binding of the small Maf protein(s) to the RHS6 and Batf3#3 oligonucleotides was detected (Fig. 6d, lower). The precipitation of Bach2 and Batf by the T-MARE and NF-E2 consensus oligonucleotides (Fig. 6d) suggested that the Bach2–Batf complex could bind to the Nrf2-binding sites in T cells. From these results, we concluded that the Bach2–Batf complex primarily binds to the RHS6 region and that it negatively regulates Th2 cytokine expression via the modulation of Batf–JunD–Irf4 binding.

Bach2–Batf complex regulates the Batf and Batf3 expression

We detected Bach2 binding to the Batf and Batf3 gene loci using ChIP-sequencing (Fig. 7a and Supplementary Fig. 8a). Binding of Bach2 to the Batf and Batf3 gene loci was confirmed using a ChIP assay with qPCR (Fig. 7b and Supplementary Fig. 8b). Furthermore, binding of Batf and Irf4 to the Bach2-binding sites within the Batf and Batf3 gene loci was significantly increased in the Bach2-deficient CD4 T cells cultured under neutral conditions (Fig. 7c and Supplementary Fig. 8c), and the histone H3K4 tri-methylation levels at the transcription starting sites (Batf exon1 and Batf3 exon1 regions) of Batf and Batf3 were elevated in the Bach2-deficient effector CD4 T cells (Fig. 7d). As previously reported³², we observed IL-4/Stat6-dependent maintenance of Batf, Batf3 and Irf4 expression (Supplementary Fig. 9). However, the sustained mRNA expression of Batf and Batf3 in the TCR-stimulated Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells showed an only partial reduction in Bach2/Stat6 double deficient developing Th2 cells (Fig. 7e). Moreover, the decreased expressions of Batf and Batf3 mRNA was observed in the Bach2 TG CD4 T cells cultured under Th2 conditions (in the presence of IL-4) (Fig. 7f) suggesting that Bach2 can directly suppress the expression of Batf and Batf3. Interestingly, IL-4/Stat6-signalling inhibited Bach2 expression (Supplementary Fig. 9). These results indicate that the activation of the IL-4/Stat6 signalling pathway induces the sustained formation of the Batf (Batf3)–Irf4 complex. Thus, Bach2 regulates the expression of Batf and Batf3 via two distinct pathways. First, Bach2 suppresses the IL-4/Stat6-dependent maintenance of Batf and Batf3 expression through the inhibition of IL-4 production. Second, the Bach2–Batf complex binds directly to the Batf and Batf3 gene loci and reduces transcription by interfering with the recruitment of the Batf–Irf4 complex.

**Figure 7: Bach2 inhibits the formation of a positive feedback loop to induce Th2 cell development.**

Batf deficiency normalizes Th2 response in Bach KO mice

Finally, we assessed whether the T cell-specific deletion of the Batf (Supplementary Fig. 10a) normalized the augmented Th2-type immune response in Bach2-deficient mice to confirm the involvement of Bach2-Batf interactions. The increased generation of IL-4-producing Th2 cells in the Bach2-deficient mice was significantly reduced by Batf deficiency (Fig. 8a). The increased Th2 cytokine production in Bach2-deficient CD4 T cells was also normalized by Batf deficiency (Fig. 8b). The reduced generation of Foxp3-positive CD4 T cells in Bach2-deficient mice was not restored by the deletion of Batf in vitro or in vivo (Supplementary Fig. 10b,c). The increased production of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in CD4 T cells from the lungs of Bach2-deficient mice was reduced by the deletion of Batf (Fig. 8c). The increased infiltration of mononuclear cells into the peribronchiolar regions of the lungs (Fig. 8d, upper), and mucus hyperproduction and goblet cell metaplasia (Fig. 8d, lower), which were observed in Bach2-deficient mice was improved by the deletion of Batf. The increased infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils that was observed in the BAL fluid of the Bach2-deficient mice was also significantly reduced in the Bach2/Batf double-deficient mice (Fig. 8e and Supplementary Fig. 10d). Taken together, we conclude that IL-4 and Batf-Irf4 form a positive feedback loop to induce Th2 cell differentiation, and Bach2–Batf interactions interfere with this amplification loop (Supplementary Fig. 11).

**Figure 8: The augmented Th2-type immune response in the *Bach2*-deficient mice was normalized by T cell-specific *Batf* deletion.**

Discussion

The CNC gene family consists of two transcriptional repressors (Bach1 and Bach2) and four activators (NF-E2, Nrf1, Nrf2 and Nrf3; refs 11, 12). Bach2 interacts with small Maf proteins and acts as a genetic inhibitor of the gene expression directed by the 12-o-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) response element, Maf recognition element and antioxidant response element^33,34. Bach2-binding sites in effector CD4 T cells are enriched predominantly in the motifs for AP-1, Nrf/Maf (MARE: Maf response element), Atf4, Batf and Irf4. We found that the majority of enriched motifs contain the AP-1 consensus DNA sequence (TGA(G/C)TCA). Although Bach2 has a crucial role in T-cell-mediated immune responses^19,21,23 , the role of small Maf proteins in T-cell-mediated immune responses has not yet been established. It was recently reported that Bach2 regulates CD8 T cell differentiation by controlling the access of AP-1 factors to enhancers. However, the molecular mechanism (s) by which Bach2 inhibits AP-1 access to enhancers is poorly understood³⁵. In the present study, we identified Batf family proteins, Batf and Batf3 as binding partners of Bach2. Batf is a member of the AP-1 family of bZip transcription factors that negatively regulates AP-1-dependent transcription^25,26. It is also well established that the interaction of Batf with Jun and Irf family proteins activates AP-1-dependent transcription. In the current study, we detected the increased binding of Irf4 and JunD to the Bach2 target genes loci in Bach2-deficient CD4 T cells. Taken together, these findings suggest the likelihood that Bach2 associates with Batf and suppresses AP-1-dependent gene activation by interfering with the recruitment of Irf4-containing active-type Batf complex.

We found that IL-4 and Batf interact in a positive feedback loop and Bach2–Batf interactions have a critical role in inhibiting this amplification loop. The LCR for the Th2 cytokine gene loci has been mapped to a region of ∼25-kb within the 3′ intronic regions of the Rad50 genes⁸. DNA hypersensitivity analyses have revealed the presence of several evolutionally conserved hypersensitive sites, named RHS4–7 (ref. 8). The HS2, Il4 IE region is crucial for the production of IL-4 by CD4 T cells⁹, and deletion of the Il4 IE site result in the reduction of IL-4 production, but not that of IL-5 or IL-13, in Th2 cells. We found that Bach2 binds to the RHS6 and Il4 IE regions by ChIP-sequencing, and the production of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 was dramatically increased in the Bach2-deficient effector CD4 T cells. The binding of the Batf/JunD/Irf4 complex at the RHS6 and Il4 IE regions was detected by a ChIP-qPCR, and the levels were higher in the Bach2-deficient activated CD4 T cells than in the WT activated CD4 T cells. The Bach2–Batf complex was efficiently precipitated by the RHS6 (Th2#3) oligonucleotide. However, we only detected the weak binding of Bach2 and Batf to the DNA probe of the Il4 IE (Th2#1) region by an oligonucleotide precipitation assay. It is likely that a Th2-specific high-order chromatin structure is required for the binding of Bach2–Batf complex at the Il4 IE region. These results suggest that the Bach2–Batf complex binds to the AP-1 motif within the RHS6 and interferes with the recruitment of active-type AP-1 complexes such as the Batf/JunD/Irf4 complex. Hence, the recruitment of the Batf/JunD/Ifr4-containing AP-1 complex was increased in the Bach2-deficient CD4 T cells, and Th2 cytokine production was consequently augmented.

In addition to Th2 cytokines, we identified Batf and Batf3 as direct targets of Bach2-mediated repression. The expression levels of Batf and Batf3 were augmented in the Bach2-deficient activated CD4 T cells, and a significant increase in Irf4 binding at the Bach2-binding regions within the Batf and Batf3 gene loci was detected. These results indicate that activation of the Batf and Batf3 genes is also inhibited by Bach2–Batf interactions. Furthermore, we found that the activation of the IL-4/Stat6 signalling pathway augmented the TCR-mediated induction of Batf, Batf3, Irf4 and suppressed the Bach2 expression. Therefore, we propose the existence of a regulatory network among IL-4, the Bach2/Batf complex and the Batf/Irf4 complex that controls Th2 differentiation and Th2-type immune response.

The previous reports showed that the number of nTreg cells was significantly decreased in Bach2-null mice²⁰. They also demonstrated the hematopoietic cell-intrinsic role of Bach2 in the development and/or survival of Foxp3-positive CD4 T cells by bone marrow chimera experiments. Although the number of Foxp3-positive CD4 T cells was not reduced in the peripheral organs including lungs of T cell-specific Bach2-deficient mice, T cell-specific Bach2-deficient mice spontaneously developed Th2-type lung inflammation. We demonstrated that Stat6 or Batf gene depletion suppressed the spontaneous development of lung inflammation induced by T cell-specific Bach2 deficiency. The deletion of the Stat6 or Batf gene in Bach2-deficient naive CD4 T cells failed to restore the generation of Foxp3-positive iTreg cells in vitro. Furthermore, Th2 cell differentiation was inhibited in Bach2 Tg naive CD4 T cells without the influence of iTreg cell development. These results clearly demonstrate that Bach2 regulates Th2 cell development and Th2-type lung inflammation, in part, through a Treg-independent mechanism(s).

We found that the number of IL-33 receptor α (IL-33rα-positive lung CD4 T cell cells that express Il4, Il5 and Il13 mRNA were increased in Bach2-deficient mice (Supplementary Fig. 12a,b). The increased cell surface expression of IL-33rα was marginal on the CD4 T cells in other organs. The characteristic feature of the IL-33rα-positive Bach2-deficient lung CD4 T cells was similar to that of the pathogenic Th2 cells, as was recently proposed by Endo and Nakayama et al³⁶. Furthermore, we found that Il33 mRNA was increased in the lung of Bach2-deficient mice (Supplementary Fig. 12c). The selective upregulation of IL-33rα expression in Bach2-deficient lung CD4 T cells and the enhanced expression of Il33 in the lungs of Bach2-deficient mice may explain why the inflammatory incident solely occurs in the lungs.

A previous study of the comprehensive identification of bZip proteins did not detect the interaction of Bach2 with Batf³⁷. The binding strength between MafK and Bach2 was ∼20times higher than that of the Batf–Bach2 interaction assessed by our AlphaScreen system. It is, therefore, likely that the authors of the previous study failed to detect the Bach2–Batf interactions due to low sensitivity of their assay system. However, the oligonucleotide pull-down assay revealed that the binding of Batf to the RHS6 was equivalent that of MafK. We detected two distinct mobility forms of Myc-tagged Batf and HA-tagged Bach2 proteins in the lysates obtained from transfected 293 T cells. Bach2 selectively precipitates with the faster-migrating form, whereas JunD preferentially associates with the slower-migrating form. It has been reported that Batf is phosphorylated on multiple serine and threonine residues and at least one tyrosine residue³⁸. Furthermore, the regulation of Bach2 function and translocation by Bach2 was also recently reported^35,39. It is likely that the posttranslational modifications of Batf and Bach2 control the strength of the Bach2–Batf interactions.

In conclusion, we herein demonstrated that Bach2 interacts with Batf family transcription factors and controls Th2 cell development via binding to the regulatory regions in the Th2 cytokine, Batf and Batf3 gene loci. We demonstrate that IL-4 and the Batf/Irf4 complex form a positive feedback loop for Th2 cell differentiation, whereas the Bach2–Batf interactions inhibit the formation of this loop. Thus, T cell-specific Bach2 deficiency in mice results in the accelerated a positive feedback loop and subsequent enhancement of the Th2-type immune response. Taken together, we propose a novel model for the IL-4 amplifier to induce chronic Th2-type inflammation. In addition, the data presented herein also implying the novel regulatory mechanism of T cell differentiation and function mediated by Bach2–Batf interactions.

Methods

Mice

Cre TG mice under the control of the Cd4 promoter were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory. Bach2^flox/flox mice¹⁶, Rosa-stop-Flag-Bach2 knock in mice (conditional Bach2 TG mice) and Batf^flox/flox mice were established by Dr Tomohiro Kurosaki (RIKEN and Osaka University) and C57BL/6 mice were purchased from Clea (Clea Japan, Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Stat6-deficient mice⁴⁰ were kindly provided by Dr Shizuo Akira (Osaka University). Gene manipulated mice with C57BL/6 background were used in all experiments. Female mice were used in the in vivo experiments. Both male and female mice were used in the in vitro experiments. All mice were maintained under specific pathogen-free conditions and used at 8–12 weeks of age. We did not use blind methods. All experiments using mice received approval from the Kazusa DNA Research Institute and Ehime University Administrative Panel for Animal Care. All animal care was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Kazusa DNA Research Institute and Ehime University.

Reagents

The antibodies used for intracellular and cell-surface staining were as follows: anti-IL-4-phycoerythrin mAb (11B11; BD Bioscience), anti-IFN-γ-fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer-1 (FITC) mAb (XMG1.2; BD Bioscience), anti-IL-5-allophycocyanin (APC) (TRFK5; eBioscience), anti-IL-13-phycoerythrin (eBio13A; eBioscience) and anti-Gata3-Alexa Fluor 647 (L50-823; BD Bioscience). The antibodies used for immunoblotting were as follows: anti-Gata3 mAb (cat#A300-105A; Santa Cruz Biotech) and anti-α-Tubulin mAb (cat#MS-581-P; NeoMarkers). The antibodies used for the ChIP assay were as follows: anti-Bach2 anti-serum (cat#SAB2100201; Thermo Scientific), anti-Gata3 pAb (cat#AF2605; R&D), ant-Batf mAb (D7C5; CST), anti-Irf4 mAb (D43H10; CST), anti-JunD pAb (329; Santa Cruz Biotech), anti-histone H3K4me3 pAb (cat#39159; Active Motif) and anti-histone H3K27ac pAb (cat#39133; Active Motif). The antibodies used for the immunoprecipitation were as follows: anti-Myc-Tag mAb (PL14; MBL, Japan) and anti-HA-Tag mAb (TANA2; MBL, Japan). All antibodies were diluted and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

CD4 T cells stimulation and differentiation in vitro

Naive CD4 T (CD44^lowCD62L^highCD25^negative) cells were prepared using a CD4⁺CD62L⁺ T cell isolation kit II (cat#130-093-227; Miltenyi Biotec). Naive CD4 T cells (1.5 × 10⁶) were stimulated with an immobilized anti-TCR-β mAb (3 μg ml⁻¹, H57-597; BioLegend) and an anti-CD28 mAb (1 μg ml⁻¹, 37.5; BioLegend) for 2 days under the conditions indicated. Next, the cells were transferred to a new plate and further cultured in the presence of cytokines. The cytokine conditions were as follows: IL-2 conditions, IL-2 (10 ng ml⁻¹); Neutral (Thn) conditions, IL-2 (10 ng ml⁻¹), anti-IL-4 mAb (5 μg ml⁻¹, 11B11; BioLegend) and anti-IFN-γ mAb (5 μg ml⁻¹, R4-6A2; BioLegend); Th2 conditions, IL-2 (10 ng ml⁻¹), IL-4 (1 ng ml⁻¹), and anti-IFN-γ mAb (5 μg ml⁻¹, R4-6A2; BioLegend).

Intracellular staining

For the intracellular staining of cytokines, cells were differentiated in vitro and stimulated with an immobilized anti-TCR-β mAb (3 μg ml⁻¹, H57-597; BioLegend) for 6 h with monensin (2 μM, cat#M5273; Sigma-Aldrich), and intracellular staining was then performed⁴¹. For the intracellular staining of transcription factors, the cells tested without restimulation were stained using a transcription factor staining buffer kit according to the manufacturer’s protocol (cat#TNB-0607-KIT; TONBO biosciences). Flow cytometry (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) was performed using a FACSCalibur instrument (BD Biosciences), and the results were analysed using the FlowJo software program (Tree Star).

ELISA assay

Cells were stimulated with an immobilized anti-TCR-β mAb (3 μ ml⁻¹) for 16 h. The concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ in the supernatants were determined using ELISAs, as described previously⁴¹. For the determination of IL-13, the DuoSet ELISA Kit (cat#DY413; R & D Systems) was used.

Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

Total RNA was isolated using TRIzol reagent and complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized using the Superscript VILO cDNA synthesis kit (cat#11754; Life Technologies). Quantitative reverse transcription–PCR was performed using Step One Plus Real-Time PCR Systems (Life Technologies)⁴¹.

Immunoprecipitaion and immunoblot analysis

Nuclear extracts were prepared using NE-PER Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Extraction Reagents (cat#78833; Thermo Fisher Scientific). In the case of immunoprecipitation with anti-Myc-Tag mAb (PL14), the cells were lysed with radioimmunoprecipitation buffer (1% nonidet P-40, 0.25% sodium deoxychorate, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride, 1 μ ml⁻¹ aprotinin, leupepton and pepstain, 1 mM Na₃VO₄, 1 mM NaF and 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4)). The lysates or precipitates were separated on an SDS polyacrylamide gel and then subjected to immunoblotting with specific antibodies. Images have been cropped for presentation. Full size images are presented in Supplementary Fig. 13.

ChIP assay and ChIP-seq

The Magna ChIP kit was used for the ChIP assay according to the manufacturer’s protocol (EMD-Millipore). Samples for ChIP-seq were prepared according to the manufacturer’s protocol (Illumina) and sequenced using a Genome Analyser IIx device (Illumina). The obtained reads were mapped on the mouse reference genome sequence (mm9) using the Bowtie 0.12.7 software program. Peak calling was performed using the MACS 1.0.0. software program. In order to visualize the ChIP sequencing results, the data were converted to a wiggle file format at a 10-base resolution and were uploaded to the IGV platform (BROAD INSTITUTE, USA).

Luciferase reporter assay

For the AP-1 promoter assay, the AP-1 luciferase reporter vector (BD Mercury Pathway Profiling Luciferase System, cat#631911) was used. Murine Bach2 cDNA was cloned into the pCMV-Myc vector (BD Bioscience). A luciferase assay of the AP-1 activity was performed using the 293 T cell line. The plasmids were transfected into 293 T cells using the GeneJammer Transfection Reagent (cat#204130; Agilent Technologies). Twenty-four hours after transfection, the cells were stimulated with 30 ng ml⁻¹ of 4-beta-phorbol 12-myristate acetate for 16 h, and the luciferase activity was measured using a Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System (cat#E1910; Promega) according to the manufacturer’s protocol.

Oligonucleotide precipitation assay

The detailed protocol for the pull-down assay has been described previously⁴¹. Lysates were incubated with the indicated biotinylated oligonucleotides, and bound proteins were eluted and separated on an SDS polyacrylamide gel and then subjected to immunoblotting with specific antibodies. The oligonucleotide probes used for the pull-down assay were as follows:

AP-1 consensus: 5′ biotin- CGCTTGATGACTCAGCCGGAA -3′

AP-1 mutant: 5′ biotin- CGCTTGATGACTTGGCCGGAA -3′

Th2 LCR: 5′ biotin- AAGAGAAAGAAATGACTCAACATAAA -3′

Th2 LCR mutant: 5′ biotin- AAGAGAAAGAAATAAATAAACATAAA -3′

Th2#1 (Il4 IE): 5′ biotin-GCATAGCCAAGTCATGTGT-3′

Th2#3 (RHS6): 5′ biotin- AGAAATGACTCAACATAAA -3′

Batf3#1: 5′ biotin-ATCTGTGACTCAGCTCCCC-3′

T-MARE: 5′ biotin- GGAATTGCTGACTCATTACT -3′

NF-E2: 5′ biotin- GCCTATGAGTCAGCAATTCC -3′

Amplified luminescent proximity homogenous assay

AlphaScreen was performed as previously described using PerkinElmer’s Kit^30,31. In brief, Flag-tagged Bach2 protein was mixed with biotinylated transcription factors and incubated at 26 °C for 1 h. The mixture was then added to the detection mixture containing protein A-conjugated acceptor beads, streptavidin-coated donor beads and anti-Flag M2 antibody followed by incubation at 26 °C for 1 h. AlphaScreen signals from the mixture were detected using an EnVision device with the AlphaScreen signal detection program (PerkinElmer).

Assessment of airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness

BAL fluid cells and lung samples for the histological examination and RNA preparation were prepared as described previously⁴¹. BAL cells were cytocentrifuged onto slides and stained with Diff-Quik (cat#16920; sysmex). Two-hundred leukocytes were counted on each slide. Cell types were identified using morphological criteria. The percentages of each cell type were calculated. For lung histology, mice were killed by hyperanesthesia, and the lungs were infused with 4% (v/v) Formalin in PBS for fixation. The lung samples were sectioned, stained and examined for pathological changes under a light microscope. Airway hyperresponsiveness was assessed by measuring the changes in lung resistance (RL) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn) in response to increasing doses of inhaled methacholine, as described previously⁴¹.

OVA-induced allergic inflammation in mice

Allergic airway inflammation was induced in mice as previously described⁴¹. In brief, WT and T cell-specific Bach2 TG mice were immunized intraperitoneally with 100 μg OVA in 2 mg of aluminum hydroxide gel on day 0. Next, the mice were intranasally challenged with OVA in saline (100 μg per mouse) on days 8, 9 and 10. Twenty-four hours after the last OVA challenge, BAL-fluid cells and lung sample were prepared for histological examination.

Primers and probes for qPCR

The specific primers, and Roche Universal Probes were as follows: Hprt: 5′- TCCTCCTCAGACCGCTTT -3′ (forward), 5′- CCTGTTCATCATCGTAATC -3′ (reverse), probe #95; 18s: 5′- GCAATTATTCCCCATGAACG -3′ (forward), 5′- GGGACTTAATCAACGCAAGC -3′ (reverse), probe #48; Cd3ɛ: 5′- AACACGTACTTGTACCTGAAAGCTC -3′ (forward), 5′- GATGATTATGGCTACTGCTGTCA -3′ (reverse), probe #10; Bach2: 5′- CAGTGAGTCGTGTCCTGTGC -3′ (forward), 5′- TTCCTGGGAAGGTCTGTGAT -3′ (reverse), probe #79; Batf: 5′- AGAAAGCCGACACCCTTCA -3′ (forward), 5′- CGGAGAGCTGCGTTCTGT -3′ (reverse), probe #85; Batf3: 5′- AGAAGGCTGACAAGCTCCAC -3′ (forward), 5′- CTGCGCAGCACAGAGTTC -3′ (reverse), probe #1; Irf4: 5′- ACAGCACCTTATGGCTCTCTG -3′ (forward), 5′- ATGGGGTGGCATCATGTAGT -3′ (reverse), probe #3; Il21: 5′- TCAGCTCCACAAGATGTAAAGG -3′ (forward), 5′- GCCTTCTGAAAACAGGCAAA -3′ (reverse), probe #100; Clca3: 5′- AGGAAAACCCCAAGCAGTG -3′ (forward), 5′- GCACCGACGAACTTGATTTT -3′ (reverse), probe #46; Muc2: 5′- CTTCAACGGCAGTCCAAAAT -3′ (forward), 5′- CTCAAGGGGTGTCAGCCTAA -3′ (reverse), probe #55.

The specific primers and Roche Universal probes used in ChIP-qPCR were as follows:

Th2 #1: 5′- GAAGCAGGGATGGTCAGACT -3′ (forward), 5′- TCCCCTAGCTATCCCCTAGC -3′ (reverse), probe #106; Th2 #2: 5′- TGGGACGACAGTGAGTCTGA -3′ (forward), 5′- CTTCCTGGCCAGAGAGTTTG -3′ (reverse), probe #71; Th2 #3 (RHS6): 5′- ATGCCTGCCCTAGCTACCTC -3′ (forward), 5′- CTTGCCTTCCTACCACTGGA -3′ (reverse), probe #94; Th2 #4: 5′- GCTTCCCTCCCTTTCCAG -3′ (forward), 5′- CCGACTTGGGGGTGAGTT -3′ (reverse), probe #106; IL-4 IE: 5′- CCCAAAGGAGGTGCTTTTATC -3′ (forward), 5′- AAATCCGAAACTGAGGAGTGC -3′ (reverse), probe #75; CGRE: 5′- CTCTCCTGGTGGCGTGTT -3′ (forward), 5′- CTTTGCGCACCCTTGAAC -3′ (reverse), probe #53; IL-5p: 5′- TCACTTTATCAGGAATTGAGTTTAACA -3′ (forward), 5′- GATCGGCTTTTCTTGAGCAC -3′ (reverse), probe #43; Batf #1: 5′- AAGTGGTTTGGAGAGCGAAA -3′ (forward), 5′- AAGCAAGCGCCTTTCACAT -3′ (reverse), probe #13; Batf #2: 5′- GGGTGCTGAGAATTGACCTC -3′ (forward), 5′- GCCTAGGCTGGTGAGACAGT -3′ (reverse), probe #46; Batf #3: 5′- CCAAGCAGATTAGGACCAAAA -3′ (forward), 5′- GACCAATGGCTTAGGCTTCC -3′ (reverse), probe #104; Batf #4: 5′- GTTGTTTCTCAGCAACTTCTATGC -3′ (forward), 5′- GTGGGGACTGCGTCATTT -3′ (reverse), probe #83; Batf #5: 5′- GCTGCCAAGCCTGTCAAT -3′ (forward), 5′- GCCAAGAAAATATAAGACAATGACC -3′ (reverse), probe #53; Batf3 #1: 5′- AATACGGTTTCCAGTGATTTCC -3′ (forward), 5′- ATGGAGTGTACTGTTCTAAAATGT -3′ (reverse), probe #95; Batf3 #2: 5′- GTGTGAGGACCGGGTGAG -3′ (forward), 5′- GATGAAACTGCCCACAGCA -3′ (reverse), probe #1; Batf3 #3: 5′- GCAGACAGCAAGTGAGTCAGA -3′ (forward), 5′- TGGGTTACAATGTGGGTGATT -3′ (reverse), probe #25; Batf3 #4: 5′- TAAAGGGTGAGCCTGAAACC -3′ (forward), 5′- CGATGCTGCTGCCTTTTAAC -3′ (reverse), probe #58; β-Actp: 5′- TCTTCTTGCAACACCTCCAG -3′ (forward), 5′- GCCATCCTATCCCAAGCATA -3′ (reverse), probe #45.

Statistical analysis

Student’s t-test, Welch’s t-test, ANOVA and Bonferroni’s test were used for the statistical analyses.

Data availability

The ChIP-seq and DNA microarray data were deposited in the GEO database under the accession number database GSE65084. All other data presented in this article are available in the main and Supplementary Figures, or upon request from the authors.

Additional information

How to cite this article: Kuwahara, M. et al. Bach2–Batf interactions control Th2-type immune response by regulating the IL-4 amplification loop. Nat. Commun. 7:12596 doi: 10.1038/ncomms12596 (2016).

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Acknowledgements

We thank T. Kiyoi, T. Watanabe, K. Sato, M. Takazawa, and Aya. Tamai for their technical assistance. This work was supported by KAKENHI Grants (No. 23005147, 25670232, 26293069, 25860376, 15K15155), the Kanae Foundation for the Promotion of Medical Science, the Naito Foundation Natural Science Scholarship and the FINDS program of SHIONOGI & Co., Ltd.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, 791-0295, Ehime, Japan
Makoto Kuwahara, Mizuki Ochi, Saho Maruyama, Maya Izumoto & Masakatsu Yamashita
Department of Translational Immunology, Translational Research Center, Ehime University Hospital, Shitsukawa, Toon, 791-0295, Ehime, Japan
Makoto Kuwahara, Junpei Suzuki & Masakatsu Yamashita
Division of Immune Regulation, Department of Proteo-Inovation, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, 791-0295, Ehime, Japan
Makoto Kuwahara & Masakatsu Yamashita
Department of Lymphocyte Differentiation, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
Wataru Ise & Tomohiro Kurosaki
Division of Cell-Free Sciences, Department of Proteo-Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, 790-8577, Ehime, Japan
Mizuki Ochi & Tatsuya Sawasaki
Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, 791-0295, Ehime, Japan
Junpei Suzuki & Masaki Yasukawa
Laboratory for Lymphocyte Differentiation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22 suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, 230-0045, Yokohama, Japan
Kohei Kometani & Tomohiro Kurosaki
Department of Infection and Host Defenses, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Shitsukawa, Toon, 791-0295, Ehime, Japan
Akira Matsumoto
Division of Proteomics, Department of Proteo-Medicine, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, 791-0295, Ehime, Japan
Nobuaki Takemori & Ayako Takemori
Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, 260-8670, Chiba, Japan
Kenta Shinoda & Toshinori Nakayama
Department of Technology Development, Human DNA Analysis Group, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-Kamatari, Kisarazu, 292-0818, Chiba, Japan
Osamu Ohara

Authors

Makoto Kuwahara
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Wataru Ise
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Mizuki Ochi
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Junpei Suzuki
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Kohei Kometani
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Saho Maruyama
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Maya Izumoto
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Akira Matsumoto
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Nobuaki Takemori
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Ayako Takemori
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Kenta Shinoda
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Toshinori Nakayama
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Osamu Ohara
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Masaki Yasukawa
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Tatsuya Sawasaki
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Tomohiro Kurosaki
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Masakatsu Yamashita
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Contributions

M.K. and M.Y. designed and performed the experiments, analysed the data and wrote the manuscript. M.O., J.S., S.M., M.I., A.M., N.T., A.T., K.S., T.N., O.O., M.Y. and T.S. performed and supported the experiments. W.I., K.K. and T.K. established and provided the Bach2^flox/flox mice, Batf^flox/flox mice and Rosa-floxed stop-Bach2-IRES-EGFP knock-in mice. M.Y. conceptualized the research, directed the study and edited the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masakatsu Yamashita.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Supplementary Figures 1-13 (PDF 3173 kb)

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Kuwahara, M., Ise, W., Ochi, M. et al. Bach2–Batf interactions control Th2-type immune response by regulating the IL-4 amplification loop. Nat Commun 7, 12596 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12596

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Received: 14 April 2016
Accepted: 08 July 2016
Published: 01 September 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12596

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