Raghu, Xue, and Mielke overview the multi-faceted roles of TCF-1 (encoded by Tcf-7) in innate immune cell (NK and ILC1, 2, and 3 cell) and thymic T cell development and differentiation. Containing β-catenin (a regulator of Wnt signaling) and DNA binding domains, as well as chromatin-modifying (HDAC) activity, TCF-1 can act to promote and suppress a broad range of genes, including critical regulators of CD4+/CD8+ differentiation and memory. The evolving critical role of CD8+TCF-1+ memory cells as markers and drivers of response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) holds promise for improving ICB for cancer therapy.
T cell factor-1 (TCF-1), encoded by Tcf7, is a transcription factor and histone deacetylase (HDAC) essential for commitment to both the T cell and the innate lymphoid cell (ILC) lineages in mammals. In this review, we discuss the multifunctional role of TCF-1 in establishing these lineages and the requirement for TCF-1 throughout lineage differentiation and maintenance of lineage stability. We highlight recent reports showing promise for TCF-1 as a novel biomarker to identify recently characterized subsets of exhausted CD8(+) T cells that may help to predict patient responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB).
Author Info: (1) School of Cancer Medicine, LaTrobe University, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Cancer Immunobiology Program, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084
Author Info: (1) School of Cancer Medicine, LaTrobe University, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Cancer Immunobiology Program, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; School of Molecular Sciences, College of Science, Health and Engineering, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia. (2) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA. (3) School of Cancer Medicine, LaTrobe University, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Cancer Immunobiology Program, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; School of Molecular Sciences, College of Science, Health and Engineering, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia. Electronic address: lisa.mielke@onjcri.org.au.
