First Author | Harsha Krovi S | Year | 2020 |
Journal | Nat Commun | Volume | 11 |
Issue | 1 | Pages | 6238 |
PubMed ID | 33288744 | Mgi Jnum | J:300971 |
Mgi Id | MGI:6504560 | Doi | 10.1038/s41467-020-20073-8 |
Citation | Harsha Krovi S, et al. (2020) Thymic iNKT single cell analyses unmask the common developmental program of mouse innate T cells. Nat Commun 11(1):6238 |
abstractText | Most T lymphocytes leave the thymus as naive cells with limited functionality. However, unique populations of innate-like T cells differentiate into functionally distinct effector subsets during their development in the thymus. Here, we profiled >10,000 differentiating thymic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells using single-cell RNA sequencing to produce a comprehensive transcriptional landscape that highlights their maturation, function, and fate decisions at homeostasis. Our results reveal transcriptional profiles that are broadly shared between iNKT and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, illustrating a common core developmental program. We further unmask a mutual requirement for Hivep3, a zinc finger transcription factor and adapter protein. Hivep3 is expressed in early precursors and regulates the post-selection proliferative burst, differentiation and functions of iNKT cells. Altogether, our results highlight the common requirements for the development of innate-like T cells with a focus on how Hivep3 impacts the maturation of these lymphocytes. |