Comprehensive analysis of FOXP3 mRNA expression in leukemia and transformed cell lines

Studies of FOXP3 expression have thus far focused on T cells, including both normal and malignant T cells. In particular, adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) cells have been studied intensively because their phenotype resembles that of normal CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells. However, a comprehensive study of FOXP3 expression covering all hematopoietic cell lineages has not yet been performed. In this study, FOXP3 mRNA expression was examined by quantitative PCR using a large collection of human hematopoietic cell lines derived from leukemia/lymphoma or virus-transformation, including cells lines with T, B, plasmacytoid, myeloid, monocytic, megakaryocytic, erythroid, and NK lineages. Unexpectedly, we found FOXP3 mRNA expression in a number of cell lines belonging to all of the cell lineages investigated. In sharp contrast, FOXP3 protein expression was found in only three cell lines, all of which were HTLV-I-infected. Several non-T cell lines expressed higher levels of mRNA but were still negative for protein expression. The broad mRNA expression contrasts with the restricted protein expression of FOXP3 in human hematopoietic cell lines, suggesting that post-transcriptional control mechanisms may control FOXP3 protein expression.