Genetic disruption of p38α Tyr323 phosphorylation prevents T-cell receptor–mediated p38α activation and impairs interferon-γ production

T cells possess a p38 activation alternative pathway in which stimulation via the antigen receptor (T-cell receptor [TCR]) induces phosphorylation of p38α and β on Tyr323. To assess the contribution of this pathway to normal T-cell function, we generated p38α knockin mice in which Tyr323 was replaced with Phe (p38αY323F). TCR-mediated stimulation failed to activate p38αY323F as measured by phosphorylation of the Thr-Glu-Tyr activation motif and p38α catalytic activity. Cell-cycle entry was delayed in TCR-stimulated p38αY323F T cells, which also produced less interferon (IFN)–γ than wild-type T cells in response to TCR-mediated but not TCR-independent stimuli. p38αY323F mice immunized with T-helper 1 (Th1)–inducing antigens generated normal Th1 effector cells, but these cells produced less IFN-γ than wild-type cells when stimulated through the TCR. Thus, the Tyr323-dependent pathway and not the classic mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade is the physiologic means of p38α activation through the TCR and is necessary for normal Th1 function but not Th1 generation.