title: Transcription factor Bcl11b controls selection of invariant natural killer T-cells by regulating glycolipid presentation in double-positive thymocytes.
abstract: Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) are innate-like T cells important in immune regulation, antimicrobial protection, and anti-tumor responses. They express semi-invariant T cell receptors, which recognize glycolipid antigens. Their positive selection is mediated by double-positive (DP) thymocytes, which present glycolipid self-antigens through the noncanonical MHC class I-like molecule CD1d. Here we provide genetic and biochemical evidence that removal of the transcription factor Bcl11b in DP thymocytes leads to an early block in iNKT cell development, caused by both iNKT cell extrinsic and intrinsic defects. Specifically, Bcl11b-deficient DP thymocytes failed to support Bcl11b-sufficient iNKT precursor development due to defective glycolipid self-antigen presentation, and showed enlarged lysosomes and accumulation of glycosphingolipids. Expression of genes encoding lysosomal proteins with roles in sphingolipid metabolism and glycolipid presentation was found to be altered in Bcl11b-deficient DP thymocytes. These include cathepsins and Niemann-Pick disease type A, B, and C genes. Thus, Bcl11b plays a central role in presentation of glycolipid self-antigens by DP thymocytes, and regulates directly or indirectly expression of lysosomal genes, exerting a critical extrinsic role in development of iNKT lineage, in addition to the intrinsic role in iNKT precursors. These studies demonstrate a unique and previously undescribed role of Bcl11b in DP thymocytes, in addition to the critical function in positive selection of conventional CD4 and CD8 single-positive thymocytes.
authors: Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
authors: Diana I
authors: DI
authors: Albu
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: VanValkenburgh
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Morin
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Califano
authors: Nancy A
authors: NA
authors: Jenkins
authors: Neal G
authors: NG
authors: Copeland
authors: Pentao
authors: P
authors: Liu
authors: Dorina
authors: D
authors: Avram
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000235:genetics*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; C511143:Bcl11b protein, mouse; D006017:Glycolipids; D011506:Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C018589:lysosomal proteins