Summary Genome-scale studies have revealed extensive, cell type-specific co-localization of transcription factors, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate in macrophages and B cells that collaborative interactions of the common factor PU.1 with small sets of macrophage- or B celllineage-determining transcription factors establish cell-specific binding sites that are associated with the majority of promoter-distal H3K4me1-marked genomic regions. PU.1 binding initiates nucleosome remodeling followed by H3K4 monomethylation at large numbers of genomic regions associated with both broadly and specifically expressed genes. These locations serve as beacons for additional factors, exemplified by liver X receptors, which drive both cell-specific gene expression and signal-dependent responses. Together with analyses of transcription factor binding and H3K4me1 patterns in other cell types, these studies suggest that simple combinations of lineage-determining transcription factors can specify the genomic sites ultimately responsible for both cell identity and cell type-specific responses to diverse signaling inputs.

Key Points Ten cases of an indolent T-cell lymphoproliferative disease of the gastrointestinal tract are reported. It is important to recognize this condition because it can be mistaken for aggressive T-cell lymphoma, which may lead to unnecessary therapy.

Abstract. Keratin 5 and keratin 14 have been touted as the hallmarks of the basal keratin networks of all stratified squamous epithelia. Absence of K14 gives rise to epidermolysis bullosa simplex, a human blistering skin disorder involving cytolysis in the basal layer of epidermis. To address the puzzling question of why this disease is primarily manifested in skin rather than other stratified squamous epithelia, we ablated the K14 gene in mice and examined various tissues expressing this gene. We show that a key factor is the presence of another keratin, K15, which was hitherto unappreciated as a basal cell component. We show that the levels of K15 relative to K14 vary dramatically among stratified squamous epithelial tissues, and with neonatal development. In the absence of K14, K15 makes a bona fide, but ultrastructurally distinct, keratin filament network with K5. In the epidermis of neonatal mutant mice, K15 levels are low and do not compensate for the loss of K14. In contrast, the esophagus is unaffected in the neonatal mutant mice, but does appear to be fragile in the adult. Parallel to this phenomenon is that esophageal K14 is expressed at extremely low levels in the neonate, but rises in postnatal development. Finally, despite previous conclusions that the formation of suprabasal keratin filaments might depend upon K5/K14, we find that a wide variety of suprabasal networks composed of different keratins can form in the absence of K14 in the basal layer.

The transcription factor PU.1 functions in a graded manner to regulate macrophage versus B cell generation; its higher concentration favors the macrophage fate. We now demonstrate that Gfi-1 reciprocally promotes B cell fate choice at the expense of myeloid progeny. Gfi-1−/− MPPs are unable to constrain the expression of PU.1 as Gfi-1 functions to repress the PU.1 gene by displacing PU.1 from positive auto-regulatory elements. Attenuating a transcriptional module comprised of PU.1 and Egr’s suppresses the B lineage developmental defects of Gfi-1−/− MPPs. Finally Ikaros, a transcription factor required for B cell development, functions to activate Gfi-1 and antagonize PU.1 expression in MPPs. Our results reveal that a core transcriptional regulatory network used to direct cell fate choice in the innate immune system has been co-opted by Ikaros to orchestrate the generation of B-lymphocytes. These findings have important implications for the evolution of the adaptive immune system.