Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2025
12:12
In vivo Reprogramming of Adult Somatic Cells to Pluripotency by Overexpression of Yamanaka Factors
Published on: December 17, 2013
12.6K
Eed-dependent histone modification orchestrates the iNKT cell developmental program alleviating liver injury.
Yun Guo1, Shun Ohki1, Yohei Kawano1
1Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
Frontiers in Immunology
|October 7, 2024
Summary
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) epigenetically regulates invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell development. Deleting Eed, a PRC2 subunit, severely reduced iNKT cells and increased liver injury susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a key epigenetic regulator.
- PRC2 mediates histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3).
- PRC2's role in invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological role of PRC2 in iNKT cell development and function.
- To elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying iNKT cell differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Conditional deletion of Eed, a core PRC2 subunit, in mouse T cells.
- Flow cytometry to analyze iNKT cell populations.
- Gene expression analysis and assessment of H3K27me3 levels.
Main Results:
- Eed deficiency led to a significant reduction in iNKT cell numbers, particularly NKT1 and NKT17 subsets.
- iNKT cell differentiation was impaired, with increased cell death.
- H3K27me3 levels were reduced, and expression of Zbtb16, Cdkn2a, and Cdkn1a was altered.
- Eed-deficient mice showed increased susceptibility to acetaminophen-induced liver injury.
Conclusions:
- Eed-mediated H3K27me3 is crucial for iNKT cell development, differentiation, and survival.
- PRC2 plays a vital role in maintaining the homeostasis of liver-resident iNKT cells.
- Epigenetic regulation by PRC2 is essential for iNKT cell-specific transcriptional programs.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Liver Regeneration
3.2K
The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
3.2K
03:17Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
6.2K
Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying...
6.2K
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
1.6K
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (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...
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...
1.6K
02:32Histone Modification
13.1K
The histone proteins have a flexible N-terminal tail extending out from the nucleosome. These histone tails are often subjected to post-translational modifications such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Particular combinations of these modifications form “histone codes” that influence the chromatin folding and tissue-specific gene expression.
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone...
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone...
13.1K
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
13.5K
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
13.5K