RESUMEN

The expression of CD4 during T cell development is a highly regulated process. Numerous regulatory elements have been identified including a promoter, two distinct enhancers and a silencer. Here we report a methylation site in the first intron of the CD4 gene that is specifically demethylated in cells which have previously, or are currently expressing CD4. In addition, this site becomes progressively demethylated as T lymphocytes differentiate from double-negative to double-positive to CD4 single-positive thymocytes, and finally to CD4 single-positive peripheral T lymphocytes. This specific and progressive demethylation suggests that this site represents another potential control region for the regulation of CD4.

Asunto(s)

Antígenos CD4/genética , Antígenos CD4/metabolismo , Linfocitos T CD4-Positivos/inmunología , Linfocitos T CD4-Positivos/metabolismo , Metilación de ADN , Genes , Animales , Complejo CD3/metabolismo , Linfocitos T CD4-Positivos/citología , Diferenciación Celular/genética , Diferenciación Celular/inmunología , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Ratones Endogámicos C3H , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Ratones Endogámicos MRL lpr , Ratones Endogámicos NZB , Especificidad de Órganos/genética , Especificidad de Órganos/inmunología , Mapeo Restrictivo , Timo/citología , Timo/inmunología , Timo/metabolismo