Integration of epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms governs functional commitment versus plasticity of gd T cell subsets
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ABSTRACT: gd T cells are major innate sources of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interferon-g (IFN-g), which are differentially produced by two thymically-derived subsets segregated on CD27 expression. However, the molecular mechanisms that program the functional differentiation of gd cells remain incompletely understood. Here we show that CD27+ gd cells are epigenetically committed to express Ifng but not Il17, whereas CD27- gd cells spontaneously make IL-17 but can be induced to produce IFN-g under specific inflammatory conditions. This “plastic” behavior of CD27- gd cells associates with permissive histone H3 marks at loci encoding Ifng and upstream “type 1” transcription factors. By contrast, Il17 and related “type 17” factors are epigenetically and transcriptionally active in CD27- but silenced in CD27+ gd cells. Hence, stable versus plastic behaviors of gd cell subsets are controlled by integrated epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms that regulate the expression of “master” transcription factors and effector cytokine genes.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE42098 | GEO | 2013/09/01
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA179131
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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