Notch-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation Governs Thymocyte β Selection

β -selection imposes a considerable demand for new protein synthesis of the newly rearranged Tcrβ gene and the multiple factors that execute the transcriptional and metabolic programs demanded by DN thymocyte proliferation. However, how proteome homeostasis or “proteostasis” is regulated during thymocyte development is largely unknown. Here, we show that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)- associated degradation (ERAD), but not the unfolded protein response (UPR), is the master regulator of physiological ER proteostasis in immature DN thymocytes. The ERAD machinery was critically required for successful β-selection of DN3 thymocytes and consequently, ERAD deficiency impeded αβ T cell development. The Sel1L-Hrd1 complex is the most conserved branch of mammalian ERAD machinery. Deletion of Sel1l impaired DN3 to DN4 thymocyte transition and severely impaired αβ T cell development. Mechanistically, Sel1l deficiency induced unresolved ER stress that triggered thymocyte apoptosis through the PERK pathway. This study revealed the stringent protein quality control through the SEL1L-ERAD pathway is required for successful b-selection and the development of the ab T cells that mediate adaptive immunity. DN3 mRNA profiles of 6-week-old wild type (WT) and Sel1l-f/f hCD2cre+ conditional knockout mice