The inducible tissue-specific expression of the human IL-3/GM-CSF locus is controlled by a complex array of developmentally regulated enhancers

Baxter, E.W. et al. (2013) The inducible tissue-specific expression of the human IL-3/GM-CSF locus is controlled by a complex array of developmentally regulated enhancers. Journal of Immunology, 189(9), pp. 4459-4469. (doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201915)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1201915

Abstract

The closely linked human IL-3 and GM-CSF genes are tightly regulated and are expressed in activated T cells and mast cells. In this study, we used transgenic mice to study the developmental regulation of this locus and to identify DNA elements required for its correct activity in vivo. Because these two genes are separated by a CTCF-dependent insulator, and the GM-CSF gene is regulated primarily by its own upstream enhancer, the main objective in this study was to identify regions of the locus required for correct IL-3 gene expression. We initially found that the previously identified proximal upstream IL-3 enhancers were insufficient to account for the in vivo activity of the IL-3 gene. However, an extended analysis of DNase I-hypersensitive sites (DHSs) spanning the entire upstream IL-3 intergenic region revealed the existence of a complex cluster of both constitutive and inducible DHSs spanning the −34- to −40-kb region. The tissue specificity of these DHSs mirrored the activity of the IL-3 gene, and included a highly inducible cyclosporin A-sensitive enhancer at −37 kb that increased IL-3 promoter activity 40-fold. Significantly, inclusion of this region enabled correct in vivo regulation of IL-3 gene expression in T cells, mast cells, and myeloid progenitor cells.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:West, Dr Adam
Authors: Baxter, E.W., Mirabella, F., Bowers, S.R., James, S.R., Bonavita, A.-M., Bertrand, E., Strogantsev, R., Hawwari, A., Bert, A.G., Gonzalez de Arce, A., West, A.G., Bonifer, C., and Cockerill, P.N.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:Journal of Immunology
ISSN:0022-1767
Published Online:28 September 2012
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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
381911Understanding chromatin insulator elements and their roles in gene transcriptionAdam WestMedical Research Council (MRC)G0400180RI CANCER SCIENCES