Bcl11a is essential for normal lymphoid development

Nat Immunol. 2003 Jun;4(6):525-32. doi: 10.1038/ni925. Epub 2003 Apr 28.

Abstract

Bcl11a (also called Evi9) functions as a myeloid or B cell proto-oncogene in mice and humans, respectively. Here we show that Bcl11a is essential for postnatal development and normal lymphopoiesis. Bcl11a mutant embryos lack B cells and have alterations in several types of T cells. Phenotypic and expression studies show that Bcl11a functions upstream of the transcription factors Ebf1 and Pax5 in the B cell pathway. Transplantation studies show that these defects in Bcl11a mutant mice are intrinsic to fetal liver precursor cells. Mice transplanted with Bcl11a-deficient cells died from T cell leukemia derived from the host. Thus, Bcl11a may also function as a non-autonomous T cell tumor suppressor gene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Carrier Proteins*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / genetics
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / immunology
  • Lymphopoiesis / genetics
  • Lymphopoiesis / immunology*
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology*
  • Nuclear Proteins*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Receptor, Notch1
  • Receptors, Cell Surface*
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors*

Substances

  • Bcl11a protein, mouse
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Notch1 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Receptor, Notch1
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors