Transcription Factor T-bet Regulates Intraepithelial Lymphocyte Functional Maturation

The intestinal epithelium harbors large populations of activated and memory lymphocytes, yet these cells do not cause tissue damage in the steady state. We investigated how intestinal T cell effector differentiation is regulated upon migration to the intestinal epithelium. Using gene loss-and gain-of-function strategies, as well as reporter approaches, we showed that cooperation between the transcription factors T-bet and Runx3 resulted in suppression of conventional CD4(+) T helper functions and induction of an intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) program that included expression of IEL markers such as CD8 alpha alpha homodimers. Interferon-gamma sensing and T-bet expression by CD4(+) T cells were both required for this program, which was distinct from conventional T helper differentiation but shared by other IEL populations, including TCR alpha beta(+)CD8 alpha alpha(+) IELs. We conclude that the gut environment provides cues for IEL maturation through the interplay between T-bet and Runx3, allowing tissue-specific adaptation of mature T lymphocytes.