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TCF1 and β-catenin regulate T cell development and function

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Abstract

T cell factor-1 (TCF1) critically regulates T cell development. However, signals that control TCF1 function in developing and mature T cells remain unknown. TCF1 along with β-catenin activates gene transcription and in cooperation with Groucho family of proteins mediates gene repression. It has been established that the β-catenin-dependent gene expression is often downstream of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. We have genetically manipulated the β-catenin gene and generated mutant mice that have shown an essential role for β-catenin and TCF1 during pre-T cell receptor (TCR) and TCR-dependent stages of T cell development. We have also demonstrated a function for TCF1 and β-catenin downstream of TCR signaling in the differentiation of mature CD4 T cells into T helper lineages.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Aging at the NIH and in part by an appointment to the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education’s Research Associates Program at the NIH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lymphocyte Development Unit, Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, BRC Building, 8C218, 251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA

    Qing Yu, Archna Sharma & Jyoti Misra Sen

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  1. Qing Yu
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  2. Archna Sharma
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  3. Jyoti Misra Sen
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Correspondence to Jyoti Misra Sen.

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Qing Yu and Archna Sharma contributed to the writing equally.

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Yu, Q., Sharma, A. & Sen, J.M. TCF1 and β-catenin regulate T cell development and function. Immunol Res 47, 45–55 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-009-8137-2

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