m6A modification in DP and iNKT cells

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a specific innate-like counterpart of T lymphocytes, which response to lipid-based antigens and provide a functional bridge between the innate and adaptive immunity. The physiological role of m6A modification involved in NK cells differentiation remains unclear. We found that N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase METTL3 is intrinsically required for iNKT cell development and function in an m6A-dependent manner. To investigate the molecular mechanisms, m6A-LACE-seq was performed using iNKT cells and Merip-seq was performed using DP cells in thymocytes isolated from WT and KO mice to investigate the regulatory network. Overall design: thymocytes iNKT cells (7AAD-CD1d-Tet+TCRß+) and DP cells (7AAD-CD1d-Tet-CD4+CD8+) purified by FACS sorting