Transcription factors are nuclear proteins that control the rate of gene expression, activating or repressing transcription in a context-dependent manner. These regulators lie at the heart of most cell fate decisions of immune cells, guiding the initiation and maintenance of lineage identity and controlling the cell-type-specific gene expression that underpins the unique functions of each immune cell lineage. As such transcription factors are of critical importance for a healthy immune system, with mutation of specific factors leading to immune dysregulation with immunodeficiency and autoimmunity. In addition, perturbation of transcription factors known to regulate immune cell function have been implicated in the genesis of haematological malignancies through chromosomal translocation, over-expression or genetic deletion.
The cellular context and molecular roles of transcription factors in steady-state haematopoiesis and normal immunological processes can now be elucidated through increasingly refined biochemical and next-generation sequencing techniques. These approaches allow the processes of gene regulation to be interrogated in exquisite detail and have defined how these crucial nuclear proteins directly interact with euchromatic DNA and identify cofactors and epigenetic regulators that modulate their function. It is now also apparent that single transcription factors seldom function in isolation, and instead often operate in complex gene regulatory networks.
In this Research Topic, we aim to review the current state of the art relating to the role and mechanisms of vital transcription factors involved in immune and haematological cell development, immune dysregulation and human diseases, including their roles in haematological malignancy.
This collective knowledge will help contextualise future therapeutic strategies, including drug development, that may help improve the clinical outcomes in diseases for which transcription factors have been directly implicated.
We welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Report, Opinion and Methods articles that address, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:
1. The role of transcription factors in regulating:
a. Haematopoiesis and immune cell development and regulation
b. Immunodeficiency
c. Autoimmunity
d. Haematological malignancies
2. Targeting transcription factors for therapeutic benefit in:
a. Immunodeficiency
b. Autoimmunity
c. Haematological malignancies
Transcription factors are nuclear proteins that control the rate of gene expression, activating or repressing transcription in a context-dependent manner. These regulators lie at the heart of most cell fate decisions of immune cells, guiding the initiation and maintenance of lineage identity and controlling the cell-type-specific gene expression that underpins the unique functions of each immune cell lineage. As such transcription factors are of critical importance for a healthy immune system, with mutation of specific factors leading to immune dysregulation with immunodeficiency and autoimmunity. In addition, perturbation of transcription factors known to regulate immune cell function have been implicated in the genesis of haematological malignancies through chromosomal translocation, over-expression or genetic deletion.
The cellular context and molecular roles of transcription factors in steady-state haematopoiesis and normal immunological processes can now be elucidated through increasingly refined biochemical and next-generation sequencing techniques. These approaches allow the processes of gene regulation to be interrogated in exquisite detail and have defined how these crucial nuclear proteins directly interact with euchromatic DNA and identify cofactors and epigenetic regulators that modulate their function. It is now also apparent that single transcription factors seldom function in isolation, and instead often operate in complex gene regulatory networks.
In this Research Topic, we aim to review the current state of the art relating to the role and mechanisms of vital transcription factors involved in immune and haematological cell development, immune dysregulation and human diseases, including their roles in haematological malignancy.
This collective knowledge will help contextualise future therapeutic strategies, including drug development, that may help improve the clinical outcomes in diseases for which transcription factors have been directly implicated.
We welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Report, Opinion and Methods articles that address, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:
1. The role of transcription factors in regulating:
a. Haematopoiesis and immune cell development and regulation
b. Immunodeficiency
c. Autoimmunity
d. Haematological malignancies
2. Targeting transcription factors for therapeutic benefit in:
a. Immunodeficiency
b. Autoimmunity
c. Haematological malignancies
