Ikaros promotes rearrangement of TCR ? genes in an Ikaros null thymoma cell line.

ABSTRACT: Ikaros is important in the development and maintenance of the lymphoid system, functioning in part by associating with chromatin-remodeling complexes. We have studied the functions of Ikaros in the transition from pre-T cell to the CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocyte using an Ikaros null CD4(-) CD8(-) mouse thymoma cell line (JE131). We demonstrate that this cell line carries a single functional TCR ? gene rearrangement and expresses a surface pre-TCR. JE131 cells also carry nonfunctional rearrangements on both alleles of their TCR ? loci. Retroviral reintroduction of Ikaros dramatically increased the rate of transcription in the ? locus and TCR V?/J? recombination resulting in the appearance of many new ??TCR(+) cells. The process is RAG dependent, requires switch/sucrose nonfermentable chromatin-remodeling complexes and is coincident with the binding of Ikaros to the TCR ? enhancer. Furthermore, knockdown of Mi2/nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase complexes increased the frequency of TCR ? rearrangement. Our data suggest that Ikaros controls V?/J? recombination in T cells by controlling access of the transcription and recombination machinery to the TCR ? loci. The JE131 cell line should prove to be a very useful tool for studying the molecular details of this and other processes involved in the pre-T cell to ??TCR(+) CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocyte transition.

SUBMITTER: Collins B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3923402 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature