Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets
Published on: April 16, 2015
Transcription factor-dependent chromatin remodeling of Il18r1 during Th1 and Th2 differentiation
Qing Yu1, Hua-Chen Chang, Ayele-Nati N Ahyi
1Departments of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Abstract:
The IL-18Ralpha-chain is expressed on Th1 but not Th2 cells. We have recently shown that Stat4 is an important component of programming the Il18r1 locus (encoding IL-18Ralpha) for maximal expression in Th1 cells. Il18r1 is reciprocally repressed during Th2 development. In this report, we demonstrate the establishment of DH patterns that are distinct among undifferentiated CD4 T, Th1, and Th2 cells. Stat6 is required for the repression of Il18r1 expression and in Stat6-deficient Th2 cultures, mRNA levels, histone acetylation, and H3K4 methylation levels are intermediate between levels observed in Th1 and Th2 cells. Despite the repressive effects of IL-4 during Th2 differentiation, we observed only modest binding of Stat6 to the Il18r1 locus. In contrast, we observed robust GATA-3 binding to a central region of the locus where DNase hypersensitivity sites overlapped with conserved non-coding sequences in Il18r1 introns. Ectopic expression of GATA-3 in differentiated Th1 cells repressed Il18r1 mRNA and surface expression of IL-18Ralpha. These data provide further mechanistic insight into transcription factor-dependent establishment of Th subset-specific patterns of gene expression.
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...
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Master Transcription Regulators
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
General Transcription Factors
Transcription Factors
