Cell-autonomous requirement for TCF1 and LEF1 in the development of Natural Killer T cells

Mol Immunol. 2015 Dec;68(2 Pt B):484-9. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2015.09.017. Epub 2015 Oct 17.

Abstract

Natural killer T (NKT) cells develop from common CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocyte precursors. Transcriptional programs that regulate the development of NKT cells in the thymus development remain to be fully delineated. Here, we demonstrate a cell-intrinsic requirement for transcription factors TCF1 and LEF1 for the development of all subsets of NKT cells. Conditional deletion of TCF1 alone results in a substantial reduction in NKT cells. The remaining NKT cells are eliminated when TCF1 and LEF1 are both deleted. These data reveal an essential role for TCF1 and LEF1 in development of NKT cells.

Keywords: LEF1; NKT cells; TCF1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha / genetics*
  • Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1 / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / cytology*
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / immunology
  • Thymocytes / cytology

Substances

  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha
  • Hnf1a protein, mouse
  • Lef1 protein, mouse
  • Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1