Project description:Fezf2 is highly and specifically expressed in mTECs in mouse thymus and Fezf2 deficiency (Fezf2 KO) in the thymus leads to autoimmunity. However, it is unclear how Fezf2 contributes to thymic gene expression. We collected WT and Fezf2 KO mTECs by FACS, and performed microarrays to determine genes regulated by Fezf2. mTECs were subjected to RNA extraction (from WT or Fezf2 KO mTECs) and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays.
Project description:Fezf2 is highly and specifically expressed in mTECs in mouse thymus and Fezf2 deficiency (Fezf2 KO) in the thymus leads to autoimmunity. However, it is unclear how Fezf2 contributes to thymic gene expression. We collected WT and Fezf2 KO mTECs by FACS, and performed microarrays to determine genes regulated by Fezf2.
Project description:To integrate the epigenomic landscapes of chromatin accessibility regulated by Chd4 and Fezf2, we performed the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) analysis of mTECs from wild type (WT), Chd4 cKO and Fezf2 cKO mTECs.
Project description:Fezf2 has been implicated in shaping tissue-restricted antigen (TRA) expression and as an “Aire-like” factor in the thymus. Here we demonstrate loss of Fezf2 results primarily in a developmental block in mTEC development with pronounced expansion of Ccl21a-expressing mTECs at the expense of thymic tuft cells and most Aire-high and recently described post-Aire “mimetic” populations. While loss of either Aire or Fezf2 leads to a loss of post-Aire mimetic subtypes, their transcriptional programs are distinct; whereas Aire positively regulates the expression of thousands of genome-wide targets, Fezf2 orchestrates a restricted transcriptional program balanced between induction and repression that largely impacts TEC development. Strikingly, most Fezf2-repressed genes map to Ccl21a-expressing mTECs, suggesting Fezf2 maintains a cellular state conducive to the development of Aire-expressing mTECs and downstream access to terminally differentiated mimetic programs. At least some mimetic cell programs appear to have functions beyond simply serving as antigen reservoirs; thymic microfold cells (M cells) organize the medullary B cell niche in a Ccr6-dependent manner and promote IgA class-switching, analogous to Peyer’s Patches. In Aire and Fezf2 KO mice, where development of thymic M cells is impaired, B cell class-switching is similarly disrupted. Therefore, our data reveal Fezf2 as a gatekeeper of mTEC terminal development which cooperates with Aire to allow the full program of medullary epithelial diversity, supporting unexpected layers of mimetic cell function that impact thymic homeostasis beyond antigen diversity.
Project description:To investigate the genome-wide binding pattern of Fezf2, we performed ChIP-seq analysis for Fezf2. ChIP-seq of transcription factor in mTECs is difficult because of small number of mTECs or difficulty in gaining ChIP grade antibodies. Then, we generated Fezf2-3Flag knock in mice and performed ChIP-seq analysis by using anti-Flag antibody.
Project description:To understand the mechanisms through which JunB regulates Tregs-mediated immune regulation, we examined the global gene expression profiles in the JunB WT and KO Tregs by performing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis.
Project description:ChIP sequencing of Ehf, Fezf2, Elf3 and Klf4 was performed on medullary thymic epithelial cells to analyze the role of Ehf-, Fezf2-, Elf3- and Klf4-dependent gene regulation in mTECs.