NFAT regulates CSF-1 gene transcription triggered by L-selectin crosslinking

l-selectin is a member of the selectin family that play an important role both in mediating the initial capture and subsequent rolling of leukocytes along the endothelial cells. furthermore, l-selectin can function as a signal molecule. in our previous studies, we reported that l-selectin ligation could regulate csf-1 (colony-stimulating factor-1) gene transcription, in which ap-1 acts as a crucial transcriptional factor. here we investigated the function of the nfat in the csf-1 gene transcriptional events. we found that overexpression of wt nfat induce csf-1 gene transcription greatly in the activated jurkat cells. furthermore, we found that nfat can be recruited to the nucleus after l-selectin ligation, and the nuclear nfat interacts with the csf-1 promoter region to regulate csf-1 gene transcription in the l-selectin ligation activated jurkat cells. these results indicate that nuclear nfat can activate csf-1 gene transcription by connecting with the csf-1 promoter in the signaling events induced by l-selectin ligation.