ABSTRACT
Not available.
ABSTRACT
Previous studies of the murine Ly49 and human KIR gene clusters implicated competing sense and antisense promoters in the control of variegated gene expression. In the current study, an examination of transcription factor genes defines an abundance of convergent and divergent sense/antisense promoter pairs, suggesting that competing promoters may control cell fate determination. Differentiation of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors in vitro shows that cells with GATA1 antisense transcription have enhanced GATA2 transcription and a mast cell phenotype, whereas cells with GATA2 antisense transcription have increased GATA1 transcripts and an erythroblast phenotype. Detailed analyses of the AHR and RORC genes demonstrate the ability of competing promoters to act as binary switches and the association of antisense transcription with an immature/progenitor cell phenotype. These data indicate that alternative cell fates generated by promoter competition in lineage-determining transcription factors contribute to the programming of cell differentiation.
Subject(s)
GATA1 Transcription Factor , Transcription Factors , Mice , Humans , Animals , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , GATA1 Transcription Factor/metabolism , GATA2 Transcription Factor/genetics , GATA2 Transcription Factor/metabolismABSTRACT
During intracellular infection, T follicular helper (TFH) and T helper 1 (TH1) cells promote humoral and cell-mediated responses, respectively. Another subset, CD4-cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD4-CTLs), eliminate infected cells via functions typically associated with CD8+ T cells. The mechanisms underlying differentiation of these populations are incompletely understood. Here, we identify the transcription factor Aiolos as a reciprocal regulator of TFH and CD4-CTL programming. We find that Aiolos deficiency results in downregulation of key TFH transcription factors, and consequently reduced TFH differentiation and antibody production, during influenza virus infection. Conversely, CD4-CTL programming is elevated, including enhanced Eomes and cytolytic molecule expression. We further demonstrate that Aiolos deficiency allows for enhanced IL-2 sensitivity and increased STAT5 association with CD4-CTL gene targets, including Eomes, effector molecules, and IL2Ra. Thus, our collective findings identify Aiolos as a pivotal regulator of CD4-CTL and TFH programming and highlight its potential as a target for manipulating CD4+ T cell responses.
