The BTB-zinc finger transcriptional regulator PLZF controls the development of invariant natural killer T cell effector functions Journal Article


Authors: Kovalovsky, D.; Uche, O. U.; Elhadad, S.; Hobbs, R. M.; Yi, W.; Alonzo, E.; Chua, K.; Eidson, M.; Kim, H. J.; Im, J. S.; Pandolfi, P. P.; Sant'angelo, D. B.
Article Title: The BTB-zinc finger transcriptional regulator PLZF controls the development of invariant natural killer T cell effector functions
Abstract: Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) have an innate immunity-like rapidity of response and the ability to modulate the effector functions of other cells. We show here that iNKT cells specifically expressed the BTB-zinc finger transcriptional regulator PLZF. In the absence of PLZF, iNKT cells developed, but they lacked many features of innate T cells. PLZF-deficient iNKT cells accumulated in lymph nodes rather than in the liver, did not express NK markers and did not have the characteristic activated phenotype. PLZF-deficient iNKT cells failed to secrete large amounts of interleukin 4 and interferon-γ after activation; however, some cells produced either interleukin 4 or interferon-γ but not both. PLZF, therefore, is an iNKT cell-specific transcription factor that is necessary for full functionality.
Keywords: controlled study; protein expression; human cell; nonhuman; mouse; phenotype; animals; mice; animal tissue; cell maturation; interleukin 4; transcription factor; transcription, genetic; transcription factors; liver; lymphocyte activation; transcription regulation; gamma interferon; lymph node; kruppel-like transcription factors; cellular distribution; natural killer cell; killer cells, natural; innate immunity; cytokine release; interleukin-4; promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein
Journal Title: Nature Immunology
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
ISSN: 1529-2908
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group  
Date Published: 2008-09-01
Start Page: 1055
End Page: 1064
Language: English
DOI: 10.1038/ni.1641
PUBMED: 18660811
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC2662733
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 76" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: NIAMC" - "Source: Scopus"
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