Bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor (BPTF), a ubiquitously expressed ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling factor, is critical for epigenetically regulating DNA accessibility and gene expression. Although BPTF is important for the development of thymocytes, its function in mature T cells remains largely unknown. By specifically deleting BPTF from late double-negative 3/double-negative 4 stage of developing T cells, we found that BPTF was critical for the homeostasis of T cells via a cell-intrinsic manner. In addition, BPTF was essential for the maintenance and function of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Treg cell-specific BPTF deletion led to reduced Foxp3 expression, increased lymphocyte infiltration in the nonlymphoid organs, and a systemic autoimmune syndrome. These findings therefore reveal a vital role for BPTF in T and Treg cell function and immune homeostasis.
Copyright © 2016 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.