
E protein transcription factors are required for the development of CD4(+) lineage T cells.
The double-positive (DP) to single-positive (SP) transition during T cell development is initiated by downregulation of the E protein transcription factors HEB and E2A. Here, we have demonstrated that in addition to regulating the onset of this transition, HEB and E2A also play a separate role in CD4(+) lineage choice. Deletion of HEB and E2A in DP thymocytes specifically blocked the development of CD4(+) lineage T cells. Furthermore, deletion of the E protein inhibitors Id2 and Id3 allowed CD4(+) T cell development but blocked CD8(+) lineage development. Analysis of the CD4(+) lineage transcriptional regulators ThPOK and Gata3 placed HEB and E2A upstream of CD4(+) lineage specification. These studies identify an important role for E proteins in the activation of CD4(+) lineage differentiation as thymocytes undergo the DP to SP transition.
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Related Subject Headings
- Up-Regulation
- Receptors, CCR7
- Mice, Transgenic
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, 129 Strain
- Mice
- Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit
- Inhibitor of Differentiation Proteins
- Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2
Citation

Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Up-Regulation
- Receptors, CCR7
- Mice, Transgenic
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, 129 Strain
- Mice
- Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit
- Inhibitor of Differentiation Proteins
- Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2