T-bet recruits P-TEFb to super-enhancers to regulate T helper cell differentiation (Agilent 2)

The transcription factor T-bet induces differentiation of CD4+ T cells into the Th1 lineage and also allows for a degree of functional plasticity. Here, we show that T-bet acts through super-enhancers to recruit the elongation factor P-TEFb. Th1-specific genes are poised for activation in Th2 cells and P-TEFb recruitment activates transcriptional elongation. T-bet also induces extensive P-TEFb binding at super-enhancers, where it acts to stimulate enhancer RNA transcription. P-TEFb inhibition selectively blocks activation of lineage-specific genes and reverses Th1-associated retinitis pathology. T-bet-mediated recruitment of P-TEFb to super-enhancers at otherwise poised genes provides a model for how lineage-specifying factors promote differentiation towards specific cell fates whilst maintaining a degree of functional plasticity. Transcriptional profiling of mouse Th1 and Th2 cells treated with JQ1, which inhibits P-TEFb recruitment, or the P-TEFb inhibitor Flavopiridol vs DMSO conrol treated cells. Goal was to identify genes which are sensitive to P-TEFb inhibition. Two-condition experiment, unstimulated or reactivated DMSO/drug treated Th1/Th2 cells vs. naïve T cells. Biological replicates: 1