Zinc finger protein Zfp335 controls thymocyte differentiation and survival through b-selection-dependent and -independent mechanisms
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ABSTRACT: T cell development proceeds in a series of developmental stages, which is precisely orchestrated by multiple signaling and molecular networks. Here we found a zinc finger protein Zfp335 intrinsically controls DN to DP transition, as T cell-specific deficiency in Zfp335 leads to a substantial accumulation of DN3 along with reduction of DP, CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes. This developmental blockade at DN stage results from the impaired intracellular TCRβ expression as well as increased susceptibility to apoptosis in thymocytes. Transcriptomic and ChIP-seq analyses revealed a direct regulation of transcription factors Bcl6 and Rorc by Zfp335. Importantly, enhanced expression of TCRβ and Bcl6/RorγT restores the developmental defect during DN3 to DN4 transition and improves thymocytes survival, respectively. These findings identify a critical role of Zfp335 in controlling T cell development by maintaining intracellular TCR expression-mediated β-selection and independently activating cell survival signaling.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE184532 | GEO | 2021/12/30
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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