Transcription factor KLF2 regulates the migration of naive T cells by restricting chemokine receptor expression patterns

E Sebzda, Z Zou, JS Lee, T Wang, ML Kahn - Nature immunology, 2008 - nature.com
E Sebzda, Z Zou, JS Lee, T Wang, ML Kahn
Nature immunology, 2008nature.com
The migration patterns of naive and activated T cells are associated with the expression of
distinct sets of chemokine receptors, but the molecular basis for this regulation is unknown.
Here we identify Krupple-like factor 2 (KLF2) as a key transcriptional factor needed to
prevent naive T cells from expressing inflammatory chemokine receptors and acquiring the
migration patterns of activated T cells. Lineage-specific deletion of KLF2 resulted in fewer
naive T cells in the blood and secondary lymphoid organs, whereas it expanded naive T cell …
Abstract
The migration patterns of naive and activated T cells are associated with the expression of distinct sets of chemokine receptors, but the molecular basis for this regulation is unknown. Here we identify Krupple-like factor 2 (KLF2) as a key transcriptional factor needed to prevent naive T cells from expressing inflammatory chemokine receptors and acquiring the migration patterns of activated T cells. Lineage-specific deletion of KLF2 resulted in fewer naive T cells in the blood and secondary lymphoid organs, whereas it expanded naive T cell numbers in nonlymphoid tissues; these effects were associated with altered expression of inflammatory chemokine receptors on naive T cells. KLF2 repressed the expression of several chemokine receptors, including CCR3 and CCR5. We thus conclude that KLF2 maintains proper T cell migration patterns by linking T cell movement and transcriptional regulation of chemokine receptor expression patterns.
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