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T Cell Fates Zipped Up: How the Bach2 Basic Leucine Zipper Transcriptional Repressor Directs T Cell Differentiation and Function
Journal article   Peer reviewed

T Cell Fates Zipped Up: How the Bach2 Basic Leucine Zipper Transcriptional Repressor Directs T Cell Differentiation and Function

Martin J Richer, Mark L Lang and Noah S Butler
The Journal of immunology (1950), Vol.197(4), pp.1009-1015
08/15/2016
DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600847
PMCID: PMC4978142
PMID: 27496973

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Abstract

Recent data illustrate a key role for the transcriptional regulator bric-a-brac, tramtrack, and broad complex and cap'n'collar homology (Bach)2 in orchestrating T cell differentiation and function. Although Bach2 has a well-described role in B cell differentiation, emerging data show that Bach2 is a prototypical member of a novel class of transcription factors that regulates transcriptional activity in T cells at super-enhancers, or regions of high transcriptional activity. Accumulating data demonstrate specific roles for Bach2 in favoring regulatory T cell generation, restraining effector T cell differentiation, and potentiating memory T cell development. Evidence suggests that Bach2 regulates various facets of T cell function by repressing other key transcriptional regulators such as B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1. In this review, we examine our present understanding of the role of Bach2 in T cell function and highlight the growing evidence that this transcriptional repressor functions as a key regulator involved in maintenance of T cell quiescence, T cell subset differentiation, and memory T cell generation.
Cell Differentiation - immunology Lymphocyte Activation - immunology Animals T-Lymphocytes - cytology Humans Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors - immunology T-Lymphocytes - immunology

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