c-Myb and GATA-3 cooperatively regulate IL-13 expression via conserved GATA-3 response element and recruit mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) for histone modification of the IL-13 locus

J Immunol. 2011 Dec 1;187(11):5974-82. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1100550. Epub 2011 Oct 28.

Abstract

The c-Myb and GATA-3 transcription factors play important roles in T cell development. We recently reported that c-Myb, GATA-3, and Menin form a core transcription complex that regulates GATA-3 expression and ultimately Th2 cell development in human peripheral blood T cells. However, c-Myb roles for Th2 cytokine expression were not demonstrated. In this article, we report that c-Myb and GATA-3 cooperatively play an essential role in IL-13 expression though direct binding to a conserved GATA-3 response element (CGRE), an enhancer for IL-13 expression. c-Myb and GATA-3 were shown to activate the CGRE-IL-13 promoter by ∼160-fold, and mutation of the canonical Myb binding site completely abrogated CGRE enhancer activity. In contrast, mutation of the GATA binding site partially decreased CGRE enhancer activity. GATA-3 did not bind to CGRE when c-myb expression was silenced. c-Myb, GATA-3, Menin, and mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) bound to CGRE in human primary CD4(+) effector/memory cells. Moreover, c-myb silencing significantly decreased both methylation of histone H3K4 and acetylation of histone H3K9 at the IL-13 locus in CD4(+) effector/memory cells. Therefore, in addition to the strong enhancer effect for the transcription of IL-13, the c-Myb/GATA-3 complex recruits MLL to the CGRE for histone modification of the IL-13 locus during the differentiation of memory Th2 cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cell Separation
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / immunology
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Histones / genetics
  • Histones / immunology
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory / genetics
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology
  • Interleukin-13 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-13 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-13 / immunology
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / genetics*
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / immunology
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb / immunology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb / metabolism
  • Response Elements / genetics
  • Response Elements / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • GATA3 protein, human
  • Histones
  • Interleukin-13
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein