Ebf3, also known as Early B cell factor 3, is a transcription factor that plays diverse and crucial roles in various biological processes. It is involved in the regulation of lympho-hematopoiesis, neuronal development, and ossification [1,2,4,5]. In lympho-hematopoiesis, it is associated with the CXCL12-related regulation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) localization and maintenance [1]. In neuronal development, it contributes to the development of dopaminergic neurons and may be linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease [4,6]. In ossification, it is required for sternum ossification [5].

In mice, knockout of Ebf3 led to sternum ossification defects due to defective generation of Runx2+ pre-osteoblasts, indicating its importance in the differentiation of lateral plate mesoderm towards osteoblasts forming sternum tissues [5]. In hematopoietic studies, when CXCL12 was deleted from Ebf3+/leptin receptor (LepR)+ cells in mice, HSCs were markedly reduced and their ability to generate B cell progenitors was decreased, suggesting Ebf3+ niche-derived CXCL12 is critical for HSC maintenance, especially lymphoid-biased or balanced HSCs [1].

In conclusion, Ebf3 is a multifunctional transcription factor. Its functions in HSC maintenance, neuronal development, and sternum ossification have been revealed through gene knockout studies in mice. These findings contribute to understanding related biological processes and diseases such as neurodevelopmental disorders, Parkinson's disease, and hematopoietic-related conditions [1,2,3,4,5,6].