The transcription factor Mef2d regulates B:T synapse-dependent GC-T_FH differentiation and IL-21-mediated humoral immunity.

ABSTRACT: Communication between CD4 T cells and cognate B cells is key for the former to fully mature into germinal center-T follicular helper (GC-T_FH) cells and for the latter to mount a CD4 T cell-dependent humoral immune response. Although this interaction occurs in a B:T synapse-dependent manner, how CD4 T cells transcriptionally regulate B:T synapse formation remains largely unknown. Here, we report that Mef2d, an isoform of the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (Mef2) transcription factor family, is a critical regulator of this process. In CD4 T cells, Mef2d negatively regulates expression of Sh2d1a, which encodes SLAM-associated protein (SAP), a critical regulator of B:T synapses. We found that Mef2d regulates Sh2d1a expression via DNA binding-dependent transcriptional repres

SUBMITTER: Kim YJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10311795 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature