PU.1 regulates TCR expression by modulating GATA-3 activity

Abstract

The Ets transcription factor PU.1 is a master regulator for the development of multiple lineages during hematopoiesis. The expression pattern of PU.1 is dynamically regulated during early T lineage development in the thymus. We previously revealed that PU.1 delineates heterogeneity of effector Th2 populations. In this study, we further define the function of PU.1 on the Th2 phenotype using mice that specifically lack PU.1 in T cells using an lck-Cre transgene with a conditional Sfpi1 allele (Sfpi1lck-/-). Although deletion of PU.1 by the lck-Cre transgene does not affect T cell development, Sfpi1lck-/- T cells have a lower activation threshold than wild-type T cells. When TCR engagement is l..