The transcription factor RFX protects MHC class II genes against epigenetic silencing by DNA methylation

Classical and nonclassical MHC class II (MHCII) genes are coregulated by the transcription factor RFX (regulatory factor X) and the transcriptional coactivator CIITA. RFX coordinates the assembly of a multiprotein "enhanceosome" complex on MHCII promoters. This enhanceosome serves as a docking site for the binding of CIITA. Whereas the role of the enhanceosome in recruiting CIITA is well established, little is known about its CIITA-independent functions. A novel role of the enhanceosome was revealed by the analysis of HLA-DOA expression in human MHCII-negative B cell lines lacking RFX or CIITA. HLA-DOA was found to be reactivated by complementation of CIITA-deficient but not RFX-deficient B cells. Silencing of HLA-DOA was associated with DNA methylation at its promoter, and was relieved by the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. Surprisingly, DNA methylation was also established at the HLA-DRA and HLA-DQB loci in RFX-deficient cells. This was a direct consequence of the absence of RFX, as it could be reversed by restoring RFX function. DNA methylation at the HLA-DOA, HLA-DRA, and HLA-DQB promoters was observed in RFX-deficient B cells and fibroblasts, but not in CIITA-deficient B cells and fibroblasts, or in wild-type fibroblasts, which lack CIITA expression. These results indicate that RFX and/or enhanceosome assembly plays a key CIITA-independent role in protecting MHCII promoters against DNA methylation. This function is likely to be crucial for retaining MHCII genes in an open chromatin configuration permissive for activation in MHCII-negative cells, such as the precursors of APC and nonprofessional APC before induction with IFN-gamma.