NFAT transcription factors in control of peripheral T cell tolerance

The Ca++-regulated calcineurin/NFAT cascade is one of the crucial signalling pathways that controls adaptive immunity. However, a number of novel experimental data suggest that, in addition to their role in T cell activation, NFATc transcription factors play also a decisive role in the generation of peripheral tolerance against self-antigens. This function of NFATc factors is mediated by controlling activation-induced cell death and clonal anergy of T helper cells and the activity of regulatory T cells. The multi-functional role of NFAR proteins characterize these transcription factors as key regulators of immunological tolerance and, if dysregulated, of development of autoimmune diseases.