# Atlas-guided discovery of transcription factors for T cell programming

## TL;DR

Researchers created a detailed map of gene activity in different T cell states to identify key regulators that could improve immune therapies for cancer and infections.

## Contribution

The study introduces a comprehensive atlas integrating transcriptional and epigenetic data to discover transcription factors governing T cell differentiation.

## Key findings

- Distinct transcription factor activity fingerprints were identified for protective versus dysfunctional T cell states.
- HIC1, GFI1, and KLF6 were found to regulate both TEXterm and TRM cell differentiation.
- Deleting specific TFs like ZSCAN20 and JDP2 improved T cell function in tumors and human cells.

## Abstract

CD8+ T cells differentiate into diverse states that shape immune outcomes in cancer and chronic infection1–4. To define systematically the transcription factors (TFs) driving these states, we built a comprehensive atlas integrating transcriptional and epigenetic data across nine CD8+ T cell states and inferred TF activity profiles. Our analysis catalogued TF activity fingerprints, uncovering regulatory mechanisms governing selective cell state differentiation. Leveraging this platform, we focused on two transcriptionally similar but functionally opposing states that are critical in tumour and viral contexts: terminally exhausted T (TEXterm) cells, which are dysfunctional5–8, and tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells, which are protective9–13. Global TF community analysis revealed distinct biological pathways and TF-driven networks underlying protective versus dysfunctional states. Through in vivo CRISPR screening integrated with single-cell RNA sequencing (in vivo Perturb-seq) we delineated several TFs that selectively govern TEXterm cell differentiation. We also identified HIC1 and GFI1 as shared regulators of TEXterm and TRM cell differentiation and KLF6 as a unique regulator of TRM cells. We discovered new TEXterm-selective TFs, including ZSCAN20 and JDP2, with no previous known function in T cells. Targeted deletion of these TFs enhanced tumour control and synergized with immune checkpoint blockade but did not interfere with TRM cell formation. Consistently, their depletion in human T cells reduces the expression of inhibitory receptors and improves effector function. By decoupling exhaustion TEX-selective from protective TRM cell programmes, our platform enables more precise engineering of T cell states, accelerating the rational design of more effective cellular immunotherapies.

A comprehensive atlas platform integrating transcriptional and epigenetic data enables more precise engineering of T cell states, accelerating the rational design of more effective cellular immunotherapies.