Functionally distinct Gata3/Chd4 complexes coordinately establish T helper 2 (Th2) cell identity

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Mar 19;110(12):4691-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1220865110. Epub 2013 Mar 7.

Abstract

GATA binding protein 3 (Gata3) is a GATA family transcription factor that controls differentiation of naïve CD4 T cells into T helper 2 (Th2) cells. However, it is unknown how Gata3 simultaneously activates Th2-specific genes while repressing those of other Th lineages. Here we show that chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4 (Chd4) forms a complex with Gata3 in Th2 cells that both activates Th2 cytokine transcription and represses the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ. We define a Gata3/Chd4/p300 transcriptional activation complex at the Th2 cytokine loci and a Gata3/Chd4-nucleosome remodeling histone deacetylase repression complex at the Tbx21 locus in Th2 cells. We also demonstrate a physiological role for Chd4 in Th2-dependent inflammation in an in vivo model of asthmatic inflammation. Thus, Gata3/Chd4 forms functionally distinct complexes, which mediate both positive and negative gene regulation to facilitate Th2 cell differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • DNA Helicases / genetics
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / immunology*
  • Genetic Loci / immunology
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Multiprotein Complexes / genetics
  • Multiprotein Complexes / immunology*
  • Nucleosomes / genetics
  • Nucleosomes / immunology
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / genetics
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / pathology
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic / immunology*

Substances

  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • Gata3 protein, mouse
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Nucleosomes
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • T-box transcription factor TBX21
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Mi-2beta protein, mouse
  • DNA Helicases