BCL6 is required for the thymic development of TCRαβ+CD8αα+ intraepithelial lymphocyte lineage
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ABSTRACT: TCRαβ+CD8αα+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (CD8αα+ αβ IELs), a specialized subset of T cells in the gut epithelium, develop from thymic agonist-selected IEL precursors (IELps). The molecular mechanisms underlying the selection and differentiation of this T cell type in the thymus are largely unknown. Here, we found that Bcl6 deficiency in αβ T cells resulted in nearly the absence of CD8αα+ αβ IELs. BCL6 was expressed by approximately 50% of CD8αα+ αβ IELs but the majority thymic PD1+ IELps post agonist selection; its deficiency blocked early IELp generation in the thymus. Moreover, BCL6 expression in IELps was induced by thymic TCR signaling in an ERK-dependent manner. As a result of Bcl6 deficiency, the precursors of IELps among CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes exhibited increased apoptosis during agonist selection, and impaired IELp differentiation and maturation. Taken together, our results elucidate BCL6 as a crucial transcription factor during the thymic development of CD8αα+ αβ IELs.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE248163 | GEO | 2024/02/26
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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