GATA-3 expression is controlled by TCR signals and regulates CD4/CD8 differentiation.
GATA-3 is expressed at higher levels in CD4 than in CD8 SP thymocytes. Here we show that upregulation of GATA-3 expression in DP thymocytes is triggered by TCR stimulation, and the extent of upregulation correlates with the strength of the TCR signal. Overexpression of GATA-3 or a partial GATA-3 agonist during positive selection inhibits CD8 SP cell development but is not sufficient to divert class I-restricted T cell precursors to the CD4 lineage. Conversely, expression of the GATA-3 antagonist ROG or of a GATA-3 siRNA hairpin markedly enhances development of CD8 SP cells and reduces CD4 SP development. We propose that GATA-3 contributes to linking the TCR signal strength to the differentiation program of CD4 and CD8 thymocytes.
Hernández-Hoyos
Gabriela
G
Division of Biology 156-29, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
Anderson
Michele K
MK
Wang
Chi
C
Rothenberg
Ellen V
EV
Alberola-Ila
Jose
J
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000502:physiology*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494748:Gata3 protein, mouse; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D015534:Trans-Activators