RNA-seq profiling of thymocytes from wildtype and Lmo2-transgenic mice

Deregulated expression of oncogenic transcription factors is a common cause of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). However, the molecular and cellular effects of these transcription factors on developing T-cell progenitors are poorly understood. Here we show that the initial effect of the oncogenic transcription factor Lmo2 is to cause an almost complete block in differentiation at the DN2 stage of T-cell development. DN2 and DN3 thymocytes were obtained from neonatal (2-3 weeks old) Lmo2-transgenic mice and from their wild-type counterparts. DN3 thymocytes were also obtained from 6-10 week-old transgenic and wildtype mice. Three biological replicates were obtained for cell type / age / genotype combination.