DNA Methylation in T-Cell Development and Differentiation

Crit Rev Immunol. 2020;40(2):135-156. doi: 10.1615/CritRevImmunol.2020033728.

Abstract

T lymphocytes undergo carefully orchestrated programming during development in the thymus and subsequently during differentiation in the periphery. This intricate specification allows for cell-type and context-specific transcriptional programs that regulate immune responses to infection and malignancy. Epigenetic changes, including histone modifications and covalent modification of DNA itself through DNA methylation, are now recognized to play a critical role in these cell-fate decisions. DNA methylation is mediated primarily by the actions of the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and ten-eleven-translocation (TET) families of epigenetic enzymes. In this review, we discuss the role of DNA methylation and its enzymatic regulators in directing the development and differentiation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • DNA Methylation*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / physiology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers