title: Epigenetic control of thymic Treg-cell development.
abstract: Thymus-derived Treg cells, which express the transcription factor Foxp3, form a functionally stable cell lineage indispensable for the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and homeostasis. Foxp3 is critically required for Treg-cell function, in particular for their suppressive function. Recent studies have implicated the contribution of Treg-cell-specific epigenetic modifications as a means to ensure the stable expression of Foxp3 and other molecules associated with Treg-cell function. Unexpectedly, epigenetic modifications introduced in the course of thymic Treg-cell development were found to be independent of Foxp3 expression. These findings require reconsideration of the current model of Treg-cell development based on Foxp3 induction. With reference to other examples of lineage specification, we discuss possible models for thymic Treg-cell development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Immunology, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
authors.forename: Yohko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kitagawa
authors.forename: Naganari
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohkura
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakaguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000276:immunology*; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D017634:Self Tolerance / Q000235:genetics*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors
keywords: Epigenetics; Foxp3; Regulatory T cells; Thymus