Transcription factor PU.1 and immune cell differentiation (Review)

The transcription factor PU.1, an important member of the ETS family, plays a significant role in the differentiation of immune cells, which include macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, T lymphoid cells, B lymphoid cells and so on. Immune cells are involved in the occurrence and development of diseases, including inflammatory diseases, neoplastic diseases and immune diseases. Therefore, it is particularly crucial to elucidate the roles and mechanisms of PU.1 in immune cells. The elucidation of these mechanisms may lead to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and immune‑mediated diseases mediated by various immune cells. With the development of molecular biology, the mechanisms of PU.1 in immune cell differentiation have been further explained. Different levels of PU.1 expression determine the type of immune cell differentiation. PU.1 expression is increased during granulocyte and macrophage differentiation, while it is decreased during T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte differentiation. The present study reviews and discusses the effects of the transcription factor PU.1 on immune cell differentiation.