1312-LEF1 and Niche Factors Regulating T Cell Stemness

Paper Talk · Jul 21, 2026 · 20m

This article identifies LEF1 as the critical transcription factor that defines self-renewing stem T cells (TSC) within autoimmune and chronic infection environments. While TCF1 was previously considered the primary marker for progenitor T cells, researchers discovered that only the small subset expressing LEF1 possesses true long-term persistence and regenerative capacity. The study details a specific cellular hierarchy where LEF1+ TSC give rise to TPRO progenitors, which eventually become terminally differentiated TDIFF cells. By utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and single-cell multiomics…