The poly(C)-binding protein Pcbp2 is essential for CD4+ T cell activation and proliferation

Abstract

The RNA-binding protein Pcbp2 is widely expressed in the innate and adaptive immune systems and is essential for mouse development. To determine whether Pcbp2 is required for CD4+ Tcell development and function, we derived mice with conditional Pcbp2 deletion in CD4+ Tcells and assessed their overall phenotype and proliferative responses to activating stimuli. We found that Pcbp2 is essential for T conventional cell (Tconv) proliferation, working through regulation of co-stimulatory signaling. Pcbp2 deficiency in the CD4+ lineage did not impact Treg abundance invivo or function invitro. In addition, our data demonstrate a clear association between Pcbp2 control of Runx1 exon 6 splicing in CD4+ Tcells and a specific role for Pcbp2 in the maintenance of peripheral CD4+ lymphocyte populationsize. Last, we show that Pcbp2 function is required for optimal invivo Tconv cell activation in a Tcell adoptive transfer colitis model system.