GITR (glucocorticoid‐induced TNFR family related gene) is a member of the TNFR superfamily (TNFRSF) that is expressed in different cell types, including T lymphocytes. Because of a high homology in its cytoplasmic region with other known costimulatory members of the TNFRSF, we investigated whether GITR played a costimulatory role in T lymphocyte subpopulations. Our results show that the proliferation response of CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ peripheral T cell subpopulations was potentiated when a GITR costimulus was added to an anti‐CD3 stimulus. Furthermore, expression of the main activation‐induced receptor (IL‐2Rα) and production of IL‐2 and IFN‐γ were increased more with a GITR costimulus than with anti‐CD3 alone. GITR stimulation also enhanced anti‐CD3‐induced ERK phosphorylation, suggesting that GITR is involved in MAPK‐pathway activation. Interestingly, CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cell (Treg cell) proliferation was triggered by the GITR costimulus; Treg cell proliferation was paralleled by the loss of the anergic phenotype and suppressor activity. Nevertheless, unstimulated GITR^–/– CD4⁺CD25⁺ and GITR^+/+ CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells were equally able to exert suppressor activity on CD4⁺CD25^– responder cells. These results indicate a novel function for GITR as costimulatory molecule of T cell subsets.

Previously a novel gene was identified that encodes a glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) whose expression is up-regulated by dexamethasone. This study analyzed the role of GILZ in the control of T-cell activation and its possible interaction with nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Results indicate that GILZ inhibits both T-cell receptor (TCR)–induced interleukin-2/interleukin-2 receptor expression and NF-κB activity. In particular, GILZ inhibits NF-κB nuclear translocation and DNA binding due to a direct protein-to-protein interaction of GILZ with the NF-κB subunits. Moreover, GILZ-mediated modulation of TCR-induced responses is part of a circuit because TCR triggering down-regulates GILZ expression. These results identify a new molecular mechanism involved in the dexamethasone-induced regulation of NF-κB activity and T-cell activation.