title: Interplay of transcription factors in T-cell differentiation and function: the role of Runx.
abstract: Over the past years, increasing numbers of distinct subsets have been discovered and identified for a T lymphocytes' entity. Differentiation and function of each T cell subset are controlled by a specific master transcription factor. Importantly, Runt-related transcription factors, particularly Runx1 and Runx3, interplay with these master regulators in various aspects of T cells' immunity. In this review article, we first explain roles of Th-Pok and Runx3 in differentiation of CD4 versus CD8 single positive cells, and later focus on cross-regulation of Th-Pok and Runx3 and their relationship with other factors such as TCR strength. Next, we provide evidences for the direct interplay of Runx1/3 with T-bet and GATA3 during Th1 versus Th2 commitment to activate or silence transcription of signature cytokine genes, IFNγ and IL4. Lastly, we explain feed-forward relationship between Runx1 and Foxp3 and discuss roles of Runx1 in regulatory T cells' suppressive activity. This review highlights an essential importance of Runx molecules in controlling various T cell subsets' differentiation and functions through molecular interplay with the master transcription factors in terms of protein-protein interaction as well as regulation of gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Isehara, Japan.
authors.forename: Won Fen
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kohu
authors.forename: Tomoki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: Takehito
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Masanobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Satake
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit; D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit; C493728:RUNX1 protein, human; C493729:Runx3 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors