Cutting Edge: TCR Stimulation Is Sufficient for Induction of Foxp3 Expression in the Absence of DNA Methyltransferase 1

TCR signaling is important for regulatory T cell (Tr) development. Using a genetic model of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) deficiency, we observed highly efficient Foxp3 induction following TCR stimulation, suggesting a dominant role for TCR signaling in Foxp3 induction. In the absence of Dnmt1, Foxp3 induction in thymic and peripheral Foxp3-negative T cells was maximized upon TCR engagement, and the provision of TGF-beta was dispensable for Foxp3 expression. In addition, CD4-Cre X dnmt1(fl/fl) mice harbored sizeable thymic and peripheral populations of CD8(+) Foxp3(+) cells, suggesting that Dnmt1 activity is required for restricting Foxp3 expression to the CD4 T cell lineage. Our results suggest that the TCR signal is sufficient for transcriptional activation of Foxp3 in the absence of maintenance DNA methylation and that TGF-beta facilitates Foxp3 induction in part by opposing cell cycle-dependent Dnmt1 recruitment, leading to locus inactivation. The Journal of Immunology, 2009, 182: 6648-6652.