An NKX-COUP-TFII genomic code for mucosal vascular addressins and organ morphogenesis

SUMMARYImmunoglobulin family and carbohydrate vascular addressins encoded byMadcam1andSt6gal1control lymphocyte homing into intestinal tissues, regulating immunity and inflammation. The addressins are developmentally programmed to decorate endothelial cells lining gut post-capillary and high endothelial venules, providing a prototypical example of organ- and segment-specific endothelial specialization. We identify conserved NKX-COUP-TFII composite elements (NCCE) in regulatory regions ofMadcam1andSt6gal1that bind intestinal homeodomain protein NKX2-3 cooperatively with venous nuclear receptor COUP-TFII to activate transcription. TheMadcam1element also integrates repressive signals from arterial/capillary Notch effectors. Pan-endothelial COUP-TFII overexpression induces ectopic addressin expression in NKX2-3+capillaries, while NKX2-3 deficiency abrogates expression by HEV. Phylogenetically conserved NCCE are enriched in genes involved in neuron migration and morphogenesis of the heart, kidney, pancreas and other organs. Our results define a genomic address code for targeted expression of mucosal vascular addressins and implicate NCCE in fundamental processes in cell specification and development.