Indispensable Role of the Runx1-Cbfβ Transcription Complex for In Vivo-Suppressive Function of FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells

Akihiko Kitoh, Masahiro Ono, Yoshinori Naoe, Naganari Ohkura, Tomoyuki Yamaguchi, Hiroko Yaguchi, Issay Kitabayashi, Toshihiko Tsukada, Takashi Nomura, Yoshiki Miyachi, Ichiro Taniuchi, Shimon Sakaguchi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

198 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Naturally arising regulatory T (Treg) cells express the transcription factor FoxP3, which critically controls the development and function of Treg cells. FoxP3 interacts with another transcription factor Runx1 (also known as AML1). Here, we showed that Treg cell-specific deficiency of Cbfβ, a cofactor for all Runx proteins, or that of Runx1, but not Runx3, induced lymphoproliferation, autoimmune disease, and hyperproduction of IgE. Cbfb-deleted Treg cells exhibited impaired suppressive function in vitro and in vivo, with altered gene expression profiles including attenuated expression of FoxP3 and high expression of interleukin-4. The Runx complex bound to more than 3000 gene loci in Treg cells, including the Foxp3 regulatory regions and the Il4 silencer. In addition, knockdown of RUNX1 showed that RUNX1 is required for the optimal regulation of FoxP3 expression in human T cells. Taken together, our results indicate that the Runx1-Cbfβ heterodimer is indispensable for in vivo Treg cell function, in particular, suppressive activity and optimal expression of FoxP3.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)609-620
Number of pages12
JournalImmunity
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16-10-2009
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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