title: GATA-3 regulates the development and function of invariant NKT cells.
abstract: Although invariant NKT (iNKT) cells participate in many aspects of immune responses, the molecular mechanisms regulating their development, maturation, and activation are still poorly understood. GATA-3 is a T cell-specific transcription factor that is also expressed in iNKT cells. The critical role of GATA-3 in conventional alphabeta T cells has been well documented, but whether GATA-3 also regulates the development and function of iNKT cells is unknown. In the present study, we report that deficiency of GATA-3 results in cell-intrinsic defects in the thymic development and peripheral maturation of murine iNKT cells. In addition, GATA-3 is also required for survival, activation, and effector functions of this unique population of T cells. Our data also reveal a previously unidentified peripheral maturation step that is GATA-3 dependent.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung-Yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brigl
authors.forename: Gurdyal S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Besra
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gumperz
authors.forename: I-Cheng
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; D005699:Galactosylceramides; C494748:Gata3 protein, mouse; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; C493154:alpha-galactosylceramide; D007371:Interferon-gamma