Zinc finger protein Zfp335 controls thymocyte differentiation and survival through b-selection-dependent and -independent mechanisms [ChIP-seq]
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ABSTRACT: Zinc finger protein Zfp335 controls thymocyte differentiation and survival through b-selection-dependent and -independent mechanisms [ChIP-seq]
Project description:T cell development proceeds in a series of developmental stages, which is precisely orchestrated by multiple signaling and molecular networks. Here we found a zinc finger protein Zfp335 intrinsically controls DN to DP transition, as T cell-specific deficiency in Zfp335 leads to a substantial accumulation of DN3 along with reduction of DP, CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes. This developmental blockade at DN stage results from the impaired intracellular TCRβ expression as well as increased susceptibility to apoptosis in thymocytes. Transcriptomic and ChIP-seq analyses revealed a direct regulation of transcription factors Bcl6 and Rorc by Zfp335. Importantly, enhanced expression of TCRβ and Bcl6/RorγT restores the developmental defect during DN3 to DN4 transition and improves thymocytes survival, respectively. These findings identify a critical role of Zfp335 in controlling T cell development by maintaining intracellular TCR expression-mediated β-selection and independently activating cell survival signaling.
Project description:T cell development proceeds in a series of developmental stages, which is precisely orchestrated by multiple signaling and molecular networks. Here we found a zinc finger protein Zfp335 intrinsically controls DN to DP transition, as T cell-specific deficiency in Zfp335 leads to a substantial accumulation of DN3 along with reduction of DP, CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes. This developmental blockade at DN stage results from the impaired intracellular TCRβ expression as well as increased susceptibility to apoptosis in thymocytes. Transcriptomic and ChIP-seq analyses revealed a direct regulation of transcription factors Bcl6 and Rorc by Zfp335. Importantly, enhanced expression of TCRβ and Bcl6/RorγT restores the developmental defect during DN3 to DN4 transition and improves thymocytes survival, respectively. These findings identify a critical role of Zfp335 in controlling T cell development by maintaining intracellular TCR expression-mediated β-selection and independently activating cell survival signaling.
Project description:Zinc finger protein Zfp335 controls thymocyte differentiation and survival through b-selection-dependent and -independent mechanisms
Project description:The complexities of DNA recognition by transcription factors with multiple Cys2-His2 zinc fingers (C2H2-ZFs) remain poorly studied. We previously reported a mutation (R1092W) in the C2H2-ZF transcription factor Zfp335 which led to selective loss of binding at a subset of targets, although the basis for this was unclear. We show that Zfp335 binds DNA and drives transcription via recognition of two distinct consensus motifs by separate ZF clusters, and identify the specific motif interaction disrupted by R1092W. Our work presents Zfp335 as a model for understanding how C2H2-ZF TFs may utilize multiple recognition motifs to control gene expression.
Project description:The generation of naM-CM-/ve T lymphocytes is critical for immune function yet the mechanisms governing their maturation remain incompletely understood. We have identified a mouse mutant, bloto, that harbors a hypomorphic mutation in the zinc finger protein Zfp335. Mutant blt/blt mice exhibit a naM-CM-/ve T cell deficiency due to an intrinsic developmental defect that begins to manifest in the thymus and continues into the periphery, affecting T cells that have recently undergone thymic egress. Zfp335 binds to promoter regions via a consensus motif, and its target genes are enriched in categories related to protein metabolism, mitochondrial function and transcriptional regulation. Restoring the expression of one target, Ankle2, partially rescues T cell maturation. Our findings identify Zfp335 as a transcription factor and essential regulator of late-stage intrathymic and post-thymic T cell maturation. 4 Zfp335 ChIP-seq samples and 2 input samples with WT vs. blt/blt thymocytes.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells are crucial for maintaining peripheral immune tolerance and preventing destructive autoreactive responses, but how heterogeneous Treg populations establish tolerant status remains unclear. Here, we found that Zinc finger protein 335 (Zfp335) is indispensable for the differentiation and maintenance of effector Treg (eTreg) population and immunological self-tolerance in neonates.Mice with Zfp335 deletion in Treg cells exhibit early-onset autoimmune disease with severe inflammation in multiple organs and unrestricted activation and expansion of conventional T cells.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells are crucial for maintaining peripheral immune tolerance and preventing destructive autoreactive responses, but how heterogeneous Treg populations establish tolerant status remains unclear. Here, we found that Zinc finger protein 335 (Zfp335) is indispensable for the differentiation and maintenance of effector Treg (eTreg) population and immunological self-tolerance in neonates.Mice with Zfp335 deletion in Treg cells exhibit early-onset autoimmune disease with severe inflammation in multiple organs and unrestricted activation and expansion of conventional T cells.
Project description:The generation of naïve T lymphocytes is critical for immune function yet the mechanisms governing their maturation remain incompletely understood. We have identified a mouse mutant, bloto, that harbors a hypomorphic mutation in the zinc finger protein Zfp335. Mutant blt/blt mice exhibit a naïve T cell deficiency due to an intrinsic developmental defect that begins to manifest in the thymus and continues into the periphery, affecting T cells that have recently undergone thymic egress. Zfp335 binds to promoter regions via a consensus motif, and its target genes are enriched in categories related to protein metabolism, mitochondrial function and transcriptional regulation. Restoring the expression of one target, Ankle2, partially rescues T cell maturation. Our findings identify Zfp335 as a transcription factor and essential regulator of late-stage intrathymic and post-thymic T cell maturation.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells are crucial for maintaining peripheral immune tolerance and preventing destructive autoreactive responses, but how heterogeneous Treg populations establish tolerant status remains unclear. Here, we found that Zinc finger protein 335 (Zfp335) is indispensable for the differentiation and maintenance of effector Treg (eTreg) population and immunological self-tolerance in neonates. Mice with Zfp335 deletion in Treg cells exhibit early-onset autoimmune disease with severe inflammation in multiple organs and unrestricted activation and expansion of conventional T cells. Zfp335-deficient Treg cells display dysfunctional and pathogenic features together with multiple defects in proliferation, survival and suppressive function. Importantly, our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses reveal distinct Treg populations and that Zfp335 deficiency causes an almost complete loss of eTreg population along with significant accumulation of dysfunctional Treg populations. Mechanistically, Zfp335 controls both fate decision and homeostasis of eTreg cells by directly targeting genes associated with homeostasis and oxidation-fueled oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and PI3K-Akt-mTOR metabolic pathways. Our data establish the concept that Zfp335 serves as a checkpoint and safeguard for eTreg lineage commitment and maintenance.