An NF-κB Transcription-Factor-Dependent Lineage-Specific Transcriptional Program Promotes Regulatory T Cell Identity and Function

Publication date: Available online 7 September 2017
Source:Immunity
Author(s): Hyunju Oh, Yenkel Grinberg-Bleyer, Will Liao, Dillon Maloney, Pingzhang Wang, Zikai Wu, Jiguang Wang, Dev M. Bhatt, Nicole Heise, Roland M. Schmid, Matthew S. Hayden, Ulf Klein, Raul Rabadan, Sankar Ghosh
Both conventional T (Tconv) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells are activated through ligation of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex, leading to the induction of the transcription factor NF-κB. In Tconv cells, NF-κB regulates expression of genes essential for T cell activation, proliferation, and function. However the role of NF-κB in Treg function remains unclear. We conditionally deleted canonical NF-κB members p65 and c-Rel in developing and mature Treg cells and found they have unique but partially redundant roles. c-Rel was critical for thymic Treg development while p65 was essential for mature Treg identity and maintenance of immune tolerance. Transcriptome and NF-κB p65 binding analyses demonstrated a lineage specific, NF-κB-dependent transcriptional program, enabled by enhanced chromatin accessibility. These dual roles of canonical NF-κB in Tconv and Treg cells highlight the functional plasticity of the NF-κB signaling pathway and underscores the need for more selective strategies to therapeutically target NF-κB.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

NF-κB regulates genes essential for conventional T cell activation and function, but its role in Treg cell function remains unclear. Oh et al. use Treg cell-specific conditional deletions of canonical NF-κB subunits to demonstrate central roles for p65 and c-Rel in orchestrating Treg cell development, suppressive function, and molecular identity.


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