Brief Definitive Report
Nuclear receptor LXRβ controls fitness and functionality of activated T cells
The nuclear receptor liver X receptor β (LXRβ) is a critical regulator of cholesterol homeostasis in mammalian cells. Here, we report that pan-T cell– and T reg cell–specific LXRβ ablation leads to a survival defect of LXRβ-deficient effector T cells and impaired T reg cell functionality.
Article
The Cxxc1 subunit of the Trithorax complex directs epigenetic licensing of CD4+ T cell differentiation
The Trithorax Cxxc1 molecule specifically regulates the chromatin accessibility of the genes that are downregulated during priming and reactivated in the later phase in differentiating CD4 T cells. The authors show Cxxc1 deletion induces CD4 T cell hyperactivation and enhanced allergic airway inflammation.
Cyclin D3 drives inertial cell cycling in dark zone germinal center B cells
Cyclin D3 drives a unique form of “inertial” cell cycling responsible for clonal expansion of B cells in the germinal center dark zone.
Technical Advances and Resources
Mapping and role of T cell response in SARS-CoV-2–infected mice
Zhuang et al. identify SARS-CoV-2–specific T cell epitopes recognized by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells are protective and cross-reactive in vivo, and are shaped by type I IFN signaling.
Insights
The versatility of liver X receptors in T cell homeostasis: Location, location, location!
The activity of individual nuclear receptors is not only determined by specific actions in specific target cells, but also by their regulation in the tissue environment, as exemplified by the role of liver X receptors in regulating T cell development and effector functions.
