Zeb1 represses TCR signaling, promotes the proliferation of T cell progenitors and is essential for NK1.1⁺ T cell development.

ABSTRACT: T cell development proceeds under the influence of a network of transcription factors (TFs). The precise role of Zeb1, a member of this network, remains unclear. Here, we report that Zeb1 expression is induced early during T cell development in CD4^-CD8^- double-negative (DN) stage 2 (DN2). Zeb1 expression was further increased in the CD4⁺CD8⁺ double-positive (DP) stage before decreasing in more mature T cell subsets. We performed an exhaustive characterization of T cells in Cellophane mice that bear Zeb1 hypomorphic mutations. The Zeb1 mutation profoundly affected all thymic subsets, especially DN2 and DP cells. Zeb1 promoted the survival and proliferation of both cell populations in a cell-intrinsic manner. In the periphery of Cellophane mice, th

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8429412 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature