The transcription factor Ikzf1 has been known to interact with Foxp3, the master transcription factor for regulatory T cells (Tregs), but its role in Tregs was still unknown.
The research group of Kenji Ichiyama and Shimon Sakaguchi (Experimental Immunology, WPI-IFReC) found that Ikzf1 associates with Foxp3 via its exon 5 (IkE5) and that IkE5-deficient Treg cells highly expressed genes that would otherwise be repressed by Foxp3 upon T-cell receptor stimulation, including Ifng. The Ikzf1 association with Foxp3 is essential for the gene-repressive function of Foxp3, and could be exploited to treat autoimmune disease and cancer.
(online publishing in Immunity on Aug. 6, 2024 EST)
