Neuroprotective protein ADNP-dependent histone remodeling complex promotes Th2 immune cell differentiation (scRNA-Seq)
Type-2 immune responses are critical in tissue homeostasis, anti-helminth immunity and allergy. Th2 cells produce interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13 from the type-2 gene cluster under regulation by transcription factors (TFs) including GATA3. To better understand this system we performed CRISPR-Cas9 screens targeting 1131 TFs during Th2 cell differentiation. We discovered that ADNP is indispensable for immune reactions to allergen. Mechanistically, ADNP performs a previously unappreciated role in gene activation forming a critical bridge in the transition from pioneer TFs to chromatin remodelling by recruiting CHD4 and BRG1. Although GATA3 and AP-1 bound the type-2 cytokine locus in the absence of ADNP, they were unable to initiate histone acetylation or DNA accessibility, resulting in highly impaired type-2 cytokine expression. Similar ADNP-dependent regulation was observed for the Maf and Il4ra genes which are known regulators of Th2 differentiation. Our results demonstrate an important role for ADNP in promoting immune cell specialization. Overall design: Comparative gene expression profiling analysis of RNA-seq data for Cd4Cre versus Cd4CreAdnpfl/fl naïve T cells and  CD4+ST2+ T helper cells.