RORa enforces stability of the T-helper-17 cell effector program (ATAC-Seq)

Chronic inflammation is responsible for a number of debilitating human diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Th17 subset of T lymphocytes is an important player in the development of these pathogenic conditions. The transcription factor, RORgt was initially coined the master regulator of the Th17 program, but targeting RORgt therapeutically is dangerous owing to an enhanced risk of thymoma upon its inhibition. Another ROR family member, RORa, has also been implicated in Th17 function. Overall design: ATAC-Seq: To determine cis-regulatory regions involved in Rorc expression, we conducted ATAC-seq analysis of in vitro polarized and ex vivo isolated Th17 cells, and discovered previously unidentified open chromatin sites in Rorc locus.