TOX transcriptionally and epigenetically programs CD8⁺ T cell exhaustion.

ABSTRACT: Exhausted CD8⁺ T (T_ex) cells in chronic infections and cancer have limited effector function, high co-expression of inhibitory receptors and extensive transcriptional changes compared with effector (T_eff) or memory (T_mem) CD8⁺ T cells. T_ex cells are important clinical targets of checkpoint blockade and other immunotherapies. Epigenetically, T_ex cells are a distinct immune subset, with a unique chromatin landscape compared with T_eff and T_mem cells. However, the mechanisms that govern the transcriptional and epigenetic development of T_ex cells remain unknown. Here we identify the HMG-box transcription factor TOX as a central regulator of T_ex cells in mice. TOX is largely d

SUBMITTER: Khan O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6713202 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature