Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to Assay Dynamic Histone Modification in Activated Gene Expression in Human Cells
Published on: July 29, 2010
Chromatin remodeling by the SWI/SNF-like BAF complex and STAT4 activation synergistically induce IL-12Rbeta2
Fabrice A Letimier1, Nadia Passini, Sona Gasparian
1Immunoregulation Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key cytokine for the development of T helper type 1 (Th1) responses; however, naïve CD4(+) T cells do not express IL-12Rbeta2, and are therefore unresponsive to IL-12. We have examined the mechanisms that control Th1-specific expression of the human IL-12Rbeta2 gene at early time points after T-cell stimulation. We have identified a Th1-specific enhancer element that binds signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) in vivo in developing Th1 but not Th2 cells. T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling induced histone hyperacetylation and recruitment of BRG1, the ATPase subunit of the SWI/SNF-like BAF chromatin remodeling complex, to the IL-12Rbeta2 regulatory regions and was associated with low-level gene transcription at the IL-12Rbeta2 locus. However, high-level IL-12Rbeta2 expression required TCR triggering in the presence of IL-12. Our results indicate a synergistic role of TCR-induced chromatin remodeling and cytokine-induced STAT4 activation to direct IL-12Rbeta2 expression during Th1 cell development.
Related Concept Videos
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
