Histone modification profiles in SMAD4 knockout CD8 T cells

Earlier studies have shown that TGF-β plays a role in promoting T cell exhaustion during the later stages of chronic viral infection. In this study we examined the histone modification profiles in Smad4-deficient and wild-type CD8 T cells responding to chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection of mice.

Our findings documenting the striking requirement for Smad4-SKI-SKIL mediated restraint of TGF-β-associated program during the effector phase of the CD8 T cell response have implications for developing immunotherapeutic approaches against chronic viral infections and cancer.