Effectors and memories: Bcl-6 and Blimp-1 in T and B lymphocyte differentiation.
Bcl-6 and Blimp-1 have recently been identified as key transcriptional regulators of effector and memory differentiation in CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells. Bcl-6 and Blimp-1 were previously known to be critical regulators of effector and memory differentiation of B lymphocytes. The new findings unexpectedly point to the Bcl-6 and Blimp-1 regulatory axis as a ubiquitous mechanism for controlling effector and memory lymphocyte differentiation and function. Bcl-6 and Blimp-1 are antagonistic transcription factors and can function as a self-reinforcing genetic switch for cell-fate decisions. However, their influences in different lymphocytes are complex. Here we review and examine the commonalities and differences in the functions of these transcription factors in CD4(+) follicular helper T(FH) lymphocytes, effector CD8(+) T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes.
Crotty
Shane
S
Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA. shane@liai.org
Johnston
Robert J
RJ
Schoenberger
Stephen P
SP
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000074462:Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1; D051560:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
C084103:BCL6 protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051560:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C087042:PRDM1 protein, human; D000074462:Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1