TOX2 nuclear-cytosol translocation is linked to leukemogenesis of acute T-cell leukemia by repressing TIM3 transcription.

Nuclear factors TOX and TOX2 upregulate TIM3 expression and lead to T-cell exhaustion in malignancies. Here, we demonstrate two distinct TIM3 expression patterns (high & low) with high TOX and TOX2 levels in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) specimens and cell lines. However, the mechanisms regulated by TOX and TIM3 signaling in leukemogenesis are unclear.