The transcription factor ThPOK suppresses Runx3 and imposes CD4(+) lineage fate by inducing the SOCS suppressors of cytokine signaling

Nat Immunol. 2014 Jul;15(7):638-45. doi: 10.1038/ni.2917. Epub 2014 Jun 1.

Abstract

Lineage fate in the thymus is determined by mutually exclusive expression of the transcription factors ThPOK and Runx3, with ThPOK imposing the CD4(+) lineage fate and Runx3 promoting the CD8(+) lineage fate. While it is known that cytokine signals induce thymocytes to express Runx3, it is not known how ThPOK prevents thymocytes from expressing Runx3 and adopting the CD8(+) lineage fate, nor is it understood why ThPOK itself imposes the CD4(+) lineage fate on thymocytes. We now report that genes encoding members of the SOCS (suppressor of cytokine signaling) family are critical targets of ThPOK and that their induction by ThPOK represses Runx3 expression and promotes the CD4(+) lineage fate. Thus, induction of SOCS-encoding genes is the main mechanism by which ThPOK imposes the CD4(+) lineage fate in the thymus.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Cell Lineage*
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit
  • Runx3 protein, mouse
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
  • Th-POK protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors