Role of Histone Deacetylases in T-Cell Development and Function

Abstract

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a group of enzymes called “epigenetic erasers”. They remove the acetyl group from histones changing the condensation state of chromatin, leading to epigenetic modification of gene expression and various downstream effects. Eighteen HDACs have been identified and grouped into four classes. The role of HDACs in T-cells has been extensively studied, and it has been proven that many of them are important players in T-cell development and function. In this review, we present the current state of knowledge on the role of HDACs in the early stages of T-cell development but also in the functioning of mature lymphocytes on the periphery, including activation, cytokine production, and metabolism regulation.