PTPN2 regulates T cell lineage commitment and αβ versus γδ specification

In the thymus, hematopoietic progenitors commit to the T cell lineage and undergo sequential differentiation to generate diverse T cell subsets, including major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted alpha beta T cell receptor (TCR) T cells and nonMHC- restricted gamma delta TCR T cells. The factors controlling precursor commitment and their subsequent maturation and specification into alpha beta TCR versus gamma delta TCR T cells remain unclear. Here, we show that the tyrosine phosphatase PTPN2 attenuates STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) signaling to regulate T cell lineage commitment and SRC family kinase LCK and STAT5 signaling to regulate alpha beta TCR versus gamma delta TCR T cell development. Our findings identify PTPN2 as an important regulator of critical checkpoints that dictate the commitment of multipotent precursors to the T cell lineage and their subsequent maturation into alpha beta TCR or gamma delta TCR T cells.