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Stochastics of Cellular Differentiation Explained by Epigenetics: The Case of T‐Cell Differentiation and Functional Plasticity
Author(s) -
Bhat J.,
Helmuth J.,
Chitadze G.,
Kouakanou L.,
Peters C.,
Vingron M.,
Ammerpohl O.,
Kabelitz D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/sji.12589
Subject(s) - epigenetics , epigenetic regulation of neurogenesis , biology , chromatin , dna methylation , histone , cellular differentiation , regulation of gene expression , epigenomics , computational biology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , genetics , chromatin remodeling , gene
Epigenetic marks including histone modifications and DNA methylation are associated with the regulation of gene expression and activity. In addition, an increasing number of non‐coding RNA s with regulatory activity on gene expression have been identified. Alongside, technological advancements allow for the analysis of these mechanisms with high resolution up to the single‐cell level. For instance, the assay for transposase‐accessible chromatin using sequencing ( ATAC ‐seq) simultaneously probes for chromatin accessibility and nucleosome positioning. Thus, it provides information on two levels of epigenetic regulation. Development and differentiation of T cells into functional subset cells including memory T cells are dynamic processes driven by environmental signals. Here, we briefly review the current knowledge of how epigenetic regulation contributes to subset specification, differentiation and memory development in T cells. Specifically, we focus on epigenetic mechanisms differentially active in the two distinct T cell populations expressing αβ or γδ T cell receptors. We also discuss examples of epigenetic alterations of T cells in autoimmune diseases. DNA methylation and histone acetylation are subject to modification by several classes of ‘epigenetic modifiers’, some of which are in clinical use or in preclinical development. Therefore, we address the impact of some epigenetic modifiers on T‐cell activation and differentiation, and discuss possible synergies with T cell‐based immunotherapeutic strategies.