The Role of Brg1, a Catalytic Subunit of Mammalian Chromatin-remodeling Complexes, in T Cell Development

Mammalian SWI–SNF-related complexes use brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) as a catalytic subunit to remodel nucleosomes and regulate transcription. Recent biochemical data has linked Brg1 function to genes important for T lymphocyte differentiation. To investigate the role of SWI–SNF-related complexes in this lineage, we ablated Brg1 function in T lymphocytes. T cell–specific Brg1-deficient mice showed profound thymic abnormalities, CD4 derepression at the double negative (DN; CD4⁻ CD8⁻) stage, and a developmental block at the DN to double positive (CD4⁺ CD8⁺) transition. 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation and annexin V staining establish a role for Brg1 complexes in the regulation of thymocyte cell proliferation and survival. This Brg1-dependent cell survival is specific for developing thymocytes as indicated by the presence of Brg1-deficient mature T lymphocytes that have escaped the developmental block in the thymus. However, reductions in peripheral T cell populations lead to immunodeficiency and compromised health of mutant mice. These results highlight the importance of chromatin-remodeling complexes at different stages in the development of a mammalian cell lineage.