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Toshima K, Nagafuku M, Okazaki T, Kobayashi T, Inokuchi JI. Plasma membrane sphingomyelin modulates thymocyte development by inhibiting TCR-induced apoptosis. Int Immunol 2020; 31:211-223. [PMID: 30561621 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxy082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingomyelin (SM) in combination with cholesterol forms specialized membrane lipid microdomains in which specific receptors and signaling molecules are localized or recruited to mediate intracellular signaling. SM-microdomain levels in mouse thymus were low in the early CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) stage prior to thymic selection and increased >10-fold during late selection. T-cell receptor (TCR) signal strength is a key factor determining whether DP thymocytes undergo positive or negative selection. We examined the role of SM-microdomains in thymocyte development and related TCR signaling, using SM synthase 1 (SMS1)-deficient (SMS1-/-) mice which display low SM expression in all thymocyte populations. SMS1 deficiency caused reduced cell numbers after late DP stages in TCR transgenic models. TCR-dependent apoptosis induced by anti-CD3 treatment was enhanced in SMS1-/- DP thymocytes both in vivo and in vitro. SMS1-/- DP thymocytes, relative to controls, showed increased phosphorylation of TCR-proximal kinase ZAP-70 and increased expression of Bim and Nur77 proteins involved in negative selection following TCR stimulation. Addition of SM to cultured normal DP thymocytes led to greatly increased surface expression of SM-microdomains, with associated reduction of TCR signaling and TCR-induced apoptosis. Our findings indicate that SM-microdomains are increased in late DP stages, function as negative regulators of TCR signaling and modulate the efficiency of TCR-proximal signaling to promote thymic selection events leading to subsequent developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Toshima
- Division of Glycopathology, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Masakazu Nagafuku
- Division of Glycopathology, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Toshiro Okazaki
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, Japan
| | | | - Jin-Ichi Inokuchi
- Division of Glycopathology, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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Thomas R, Wang W, Su DM. Contributions of Age-Related Thymic Involution to Immunosenescence and Inflammaging. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2020; 17:2. [PMID: 31988649 PMCID: PMC6971920 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-020-0173-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Immune system aging is characterized by the paradox of immunosenescence (insufficiency) and inflammaging (over-reaction), which incorporate two sides of the same coin, resulting in immune disorder. Immunosenescence refers to disruption in the structural architecture of immune organs and dysfunction in immune responses, resulting from both aged innate and adaptive immunity. Inflammaging, described as a chronic, sterile, systemic inflammatory condition associated with advanced age, is mainly attributed to somatic cellular senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and age-related autoimmune predisposition. However, the inability to reduce senescent somatic cells (SSCs), because of immunosenescence, exacerbates inflammaging. Age-related adaptive immune system deviations, particularly altered T cell function, are derived from age-related thymic atrophy or involution, a hallmark of thymic aging. Recently, there have been major developments in understanding how age-related thymic involution contributes to inflammaging and immunosenescence at the cellular and molecular levels, including genetic and epigenetic regulation, as well as developments of many potential rejuvenation strategies. Herein, we discuss the research progress uncovering how age-related thymic involution contributes to immunosenescence and inflammaging, as well as their intersection. We also describe how T cell adaptive immunity mediates inflammaging and plays a crucial role in the progression of age-related neurological and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer. We then briefly outline the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of age-related thymic involution, and finally summarize potential rejuvenation strategies to restore aged thymic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Thomas
- Cell Biology, Immunology, and Microbiology Graduate Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA
| | - Weikan Wang
- Cell Biology, Immunology, and Microbiology Graduate Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA
| | - Dong-Ming Su
- 2Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA
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Ahmad SM, Raqib R, Huda MN, Alam MJ, Monirujjaman M, Akhter T, Wagatsuma Y, Qadri F, Zerofsky MS, Stephensen CB. High-Dose Neonatal Vitamin A Supplementation Transiently Decreases Thymic Function in Early Infancy. J Nutr 2020; 150:176-183. [PMID: 31504694 PMCID: PMC6946900 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxz193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) impairs T-cell-mediated immunity. In regions where VAD is prevalent, vitamin A supplementation (VAS) reduces child mortality, perhaps by improving immune function. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine if neonatal VAS would improve thymic function in Bangladeshi infants, and to determine if such effects differed by sex or nutritional status (i.e., birth weight above/below the median). METHODS Three hundred and six infants were randomly assigned to 50,000 IU vitamin A (VA) or placebo (PL) within 48 h of birth. Primary outcomes were measured at multiple ages and included 1) thymic index (TI) at 1, 6, 10, and 15 wk; 2) T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC), an index of thymic output of naïve T cells; and 3) total/naïve T cells in peripheral blood at 6 wk, 15 wk, and 2 y. A mixed linear model for repeated measures was used to assess group differences at each age and identify interactions with sex and birth weight. RESULTS VAS did not significantly (P = 0.21) affect TI overall (i.e., at all ages) but decreased TI by 7.8% (P = 0.029) at 6 wk: adjusted TI means for the PL and VA groups at 1, 6, 10, and 15 wk were 4.09 compared with 3.80 cm2, 7.78 compared with 7.18 cm2, 8.11 compared with 7.84 cm2, and 7.91 compared with 7.97 cm2, respectively. VAS did not significantly (P = 0.25) affect TREC overall but decreased TREC by 19% (P = 0.029) at 15 wk: adjusted TREC means for the PL and VA groups at 6 wk, 15 wk, and 2 y were 13.6 compared with 16.1 copies/pg DNA, 19.4 compared with 15.7 copies/pg DNA, and 11.8 compared with 10.0 copies/pg DNA, respectively. VAS did not significantly affect overall total (P = 0.10) or naïve (P = 0.092) T cells: adjusted naïve T-cell means for the PL and VA groups at 6 wk, 15 wk, and 2 y were 3259 compared with 3109 cells/µL, 3771 compared with 3487 cells/µL, and 1976 compared with 1898 cells/µL, respectively. CONCLUSION In contrast to our hypothesis, VAS decreased thymic function early in infancy but health effects are presumably negligible owing to the transience and small magnitude of this effect. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01583972 and NCT02027610.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaikh M Ahmad
- Immunobiology, Nutrition, and Toxicology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rubhana Raqib
- Immunobiology, Nutrition, and Toxicology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - M Nazmul Huda
- Immunobiology, Nutrition, and Toxicology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center at University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Nutrition Department, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Md J Alam
- Immunobiology, Nutrition, and Toxicology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Monirujjaman
- Immunobiology, Nutrition, and Toxicology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Taslima Akhter
- Immunobiology, Nutrition, and Toxicology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Yukiko Wagatsuma
- Department of Clinical Trials and Clinical Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Firdausi Qadri
- Immunobiology, Nutrition, and Toxicology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Melissa S Zerofsky
- USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center at University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Nutrition Department, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Charles B Stephensen
- USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center at University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Nutrition Department, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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Kurd NS, Lutes LK, Yoon J, Chan SW, Dzhagalov IL, Hoover AR, Robey EA. A role for phagocytosis in inducing cell death during thymocyte negative selection. eLife 2019; 8:48097. [PMID: 31868579 PMCID: PMC6957271 DOI: 10.7554/elife.48097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoreactive thymocytes are eliminated during negative selection in the thymus, a process important for establishing self-tolerance. Thymic phagocytes serve to remove dead thymocytes, but whether they play additional roles during negative selection remains unclear. Here, using a murine thymic slice model in which thymocytes undergo negative selection in situ, we demonstrate that phagocytosis promotes negative selection, and provide evidence for the escape of autoreactive CD8 T cells to the periphery when phagocytosis in the thymus is impaired. We also show that negative selection is more efficient when the phagocyte also presents the negative selecting peptide. Our findings support a model for negative selection in which the death process initiated following strong TCR signaling is facilitated by phagocytosis. Thus, the phagocytic capability of cells that present self-peptides is a key determinant of thymocyte fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia S Kurd
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Lydia K Lutes
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Jaewon Yoon
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Shiao Wei Chan
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Ivan L Dzhagalov
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Ashley R Hoover
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Ellen A Robey
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
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Activation-induced cell death of self-reactive regulatory T cells drives autoimmunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:26788-26797. [PMID: 31818938 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1910281116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of self-reactive T cells is a major driver to autoimmunity and is suppressed by mechanisms of regulation. In a humanized model of autoimmune thyroiditis, we investigated the mechanism underlying break of tolerance. Here, we found that a human TCR specific for the self-antigen thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is positively selected in the thymus of RAG KO mice on both T effector (Teff) and T regulatory (Treg) CD4+Foxp3+ cells. In vivo Teff are present in all immune organs, whereas the TPO-specific Treg are present in all lymphoid organs with the exception of the thyroid-draining lymph nodes. We suggest that the presence of TPO in the thyroid draining lymph nodes induces the activation of Teff and the depletion of Treg via activation-induced cell death (AICD). Our findings provide insights on the failure of the mechanisms of immune tolerance, with potential implications in designing immunotherapeutic strategies.
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56
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Cebula A, Kuczma M, Szurek E, Pietrzak M, Savage N, Elhefnawy WR, Rempala G, Kraj P, Ignatowicz L. Dormant pathogenic CD4 + T cells are prevalent in the peripheral repertoire of healthy mice. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4882. [PMID: 31653839 PMCID: PMC6814812 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12820-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic central tolerance eliminates most immature T cells with autoreactive T cell receptors (TCR) that recognize self MHC/peptide complexes. Regardless, an unknown number of autoreactive CD4+Foxp3- T cells escape negative selection and in the periphery require continuous suppression by CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory cells (Tregs). Here, we compare immune repertoires of Treg-deficient and Treg-sufficient mice to find Tregs continuously constraining one-third of mature CD4+Foxp3- cells from converting to pathogenic effectors in healthy mice. These dormant pathogenic clones frequently express TCRs activatable by ubiquitous autoantigens presented by class II MHCs on conventional dendritic cells, including self-peptides that select them in the thymus. Our data thus suggest that identification of most potentially autoreactive CD4+ T cells in the peripheral repertoire is critical to harness or redirect these cells for therapeutic advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Cebula
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michal Kuczma
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Edyta Szurek
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maciej Pietrzak
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Natasha Savage
- Department of Pathology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Wessam R Elhefnawy
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Grzegorz Rempala
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Piotr Kraj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Leszek Ignatowicz
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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57
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Heinonen T, Ciarlo E, Le Roy D, Roger T. Impact of the Dual Deletion of the Mitochondrial Sirtuins SIRT3 and SIRT5 on Anti-microbial Host Defenses. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2341. [PMID: 31632409 PMCID: PMC6781768 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The sirtuins SIRT3 and SIRT5 are the main mitochondrial lysine deacetylase and desuccinylase, respectively. SIRT3 and SIRT5 regulate metabolism and redox homeostasis and have been involved in age-associated metabolic, neurologic and oncologic diseases. We have previously shown that single deficiency in either SIRT3 or SIRT5 had no impact on host defenses in a large panel of preclinical models of sepsis. However, SIRT3 and SIRT5 may compensate each other considering that they share subcellular location and targets. Here, we generated a SIRT3/5 double knockout mouse line. SIRT3/5 deficient mice multiplied and developed without abnormalities. Hematopoiesis and immune cell development were largely unaffected in SIRT3/5 deficient mice. Whole blood, macrophages and neutrophils from SIRT3/5 deficient mice displayed enhanced inflammatory and bactericidal responses. In agreement, SIRT3/5 deficient mice showed somewhat improved resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection. Overall, the double deficiency in SIRT3 and SIRT5 has rather subtle impacts on immune cell development and anti-microbial host defenses unseen in single deficient mice, indicating a certain degree of overlap between SIRT3 and SIRT5. These data support the assumption that therapies directed against mitochondrial sirtuins, at least SIRT3 and SIRT5, should not impair antibacterial host defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tytti Heinonen
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Ciarlo
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Didier Le Roy
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Roger
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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Rizzuto MA, Salvioni L, Rotem R, Colombo M, Zanoni I, Granucci F, Prosperi D. Are nanotechnological approaches the future of treating inflammatory diseases? Nanomedicine (Lond) 2019; 14:2379-2390. [PMID: 31414616 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2019-0159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The current treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases cause severe side effects due to nonspecific drug accumulation. Nanotechnology opens the way to new therapeutic strategies that exploit the ability of immune cells, and especially of phagocytes, to internalize nanoparticles. The cellular uptake of nanoparticles requires specific interactions and is affected by the chemical and physical properties of the carriers. Therefore, optimizing these properties is crucial for designing nanodrugs for immunotherapy. In perspective, we discuss the nanoparticle-based approaches that have been proposed to induce tolerance in autoimmune disorders and lessen the symptoms of inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonietta Rizzuto
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Salvioni
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Rany Rotem
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Miriam Colombo
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Ivan Zanoni
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy.,Harvard Medical School and Division of Gastroenterology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesca Granucci
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Prosperi
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy.,Nanomedicine Laboratory, Surgery Department, ICS Maugeri, via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Du HM, Wang YJ, Liu X, Wang SL, Wu SM, Yuan Z, Zhu XK. Defective Central Immune Tolerance Induced by High-Dose D-Galactose Resembles Aging. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2019; 84:617-626. [DOI: 10.1134/s000629791906004x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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60
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Forsdyke DR. On certain two-signal perspectives of lymphocyte activation and inactivation, thymic G-quadruplexes, and the role of aggregation in self/not-self discrimination. Scand J Immunol 2019; 90:e12797. [PMID: 31166602 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Distinctive "two signal" paths in immunology, taken by researchers with different academic backgrounds, seem to have both contained facets of the truth. Having been influenced by education at a medical school where Almroth Wright's early contributions were not forgotten, the author's "path less followed" led to views that began to gain recognition late in the twentieth century when the intimate relationship between innate and acquired immunity became more apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald R Forsdyke
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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61
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Dohr D, Engelmann R, Müller-Hilke B. A novel method to efficiently isolate medullary thymic epithelial cells from murine thymi based on UEA-1 MicroBeads. J Immunol Methods 2019; 467:12-18. [PMID: 30735690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The central mechanism for establishing a self-tolerant and functional T cell repertoire includes the promiscuous expression of otherwise tissue-restricted proteins by medullary thymic epithelial cells (TEC). We here demonstrate a novel and highly efficient method for isolating this rare key cell type. METHODS We combined the enrichment of medullary TEC via UEA-1 MicroBeads with the subsequent depletion of residual CD45+ hematopoietic cells via specific size exclusion and compared our results to the standard Percoll enrichment method and isolation procedure via flow cytometric cell sorting. RESULTS The addition of 2 μl UEA-1 MicroBeads per 108 thymus cells turned out best for optimal enrichment (an average of 22% purity compared to 1.2% for Percoll) and yield (an average of 1.73 × 105 medullary TEC per thymus compared to 5.16 × 104 for Percoll). After depletion of residual CD45+ cells, our method not only reached a purity of 75.5% but also turned out less stressful for the cells as compared to flow cytometric cell sorting. CONCLUSION We here provide a fast and versatile procedure for enriching medullary TEC that yields higher purity and recovery rates than the standard Percoll enrichment method Our enrichment procedure in combination with CD45+ depletion via specific size exclusion is comparable to the current gold standard flow cytometric cell sorting method. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We developed a fast and versatile procedure to isolate a high number medullary TEC to investigate the biochemical processes of medullary TEC in more depths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Dohr
- AG Clinical Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Robby Engelmann
- AG Clinical Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany..
| | - Brigitte Müller-Hilke
- AG Clinical Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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Leung-Gurung L, Escalante Cobb P, Mourad F, Zambrano C, Muscato Z, Sanchez V, Godde K, Broussard C. Methoxychlor metabolite HPTE alters viability and differentiation of embryonic thymocytes from C57BL/6 mice. J Immunotoxicol 2018; 15:104-118. [PMID: 29973080 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2018.1474978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are widespread in the built and natural environments. Heightened public awareness of their potential danger has led to concern about whether EDC and their metabolites have significant negative biological effects. Studies have shown that EDC like DDT and other organochlorine pesticides, such as methoxychlor (MXC), have adverse effects on immune cells, but no studies have addressed the impact of HPTE, the primary metabolite of MXC. To elucidate the presence and significance of HPTE adverse effects, this study explored the impact of HPTE on a critical window and component of immune system development, embryonic T-cell development. Lesions at this phase of development can lead to lifelong immune dysfunction and increased incidence of immune disease, such as autoimmunity. Embry-onic thymocytes (GD 16-18) from C57BL/6 mice were subjected to an in vitro differentiation culture that mimicked early steps in thymocyte development in the presence of 0.005, 0.05, 0.5, 5, or 50 μM HPTE, or a model endocrine disruptor, DES. The results indicated that compared to the vehicle control, HPTE- and DES-induced death of thymocytes. Annexin-V staining and Caspase 8, markers of programed cell death, revealed that the loss of cells was due at least in part to induction of apoptosis. Moreover, HPTE-induced cell death not only resulted in selective loss of double positive thymocytes, but also loss of developing CD4 intermediate cells (post-double positive partially differentiated thymocyte population). Phenotypic analysis of thymocyte maturation (T-cell receptor, TCR) and TCR ligation (CD5) surface markers revealed that surviving embryonic thymocytes expressed low levels of both. Taken together these data demonstrate that immature embryonic thymocytes are sensitive to HPTE exposure and that HPTE exposure targets thymocyte populations undergoing critical differentiation steps. These findings suggest HPTE may play a pivotal role in MXC exposure-induced immune dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Leung-Gurung
- a School of Community and Global Health , Claremont Graduate University , Claremont , CA , USA
| | | | - Faraj Mourad
- c Irvine Health, University of California , Orange , CA , USA
| | - Cristina Zambrano
- d Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine , University of California San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Zachary Muscato
- e Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine , Oregon Health and Science University , Portland , OR , USA
| | - Victoria Sanchez
- b Department of Biology , University of La Verne , La Verne , CA , USA
| | - Kanya Godde
- f Department of Sociology/Anthropology , University of La Verne , La Verne , CA , USA
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Live-Cell FRET Imaging Reveals a Role of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Activity Dynamics in Thymocyte Motility. iScience 2018; 10:98-113. [PMID: 30508722 PMCID: PMC6277225 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) plays critical roles in T cell development in the thymus. Nevertheless, the dynamics of ERK activity and the role of ERK in regulating thymocyte motility remain largely unknown due to technical limitations. To visualize ERK activity in thymocytes, we here developed knockin reporter mice expressing a Förster/fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor for ERK from the ROSA26 locus. Live imaging of thymocytes isolated from the reporter mice revealed that ERK regulates thymocyte motility in a subtype-specific manner. Negative correlation between ERK activity and motility was observed in CD4/CD8 double-positive thymocytes and CD8 single-positive thymocytes, but not in CD4 single-positive thymocytes. Interestingly, however, the temporal deviations of ERK activity from the average correlate with the motility of CD4 single-positive thymocytes. Thus, live-cell FRET imaging will open a window to understanding the dynamic nature and the diverse functions of ERK signaling in T cell biology. Mice expressing EKAREV from ROSA26 locus enable ERK activity monitoring in T cells ERK activity negatively regulates the motility of thymocytes in the thymus Temporal dynamics of ERK activity regulates cell motility of CD4-SP in the medulla TCR signal from intercellular association induces ERK activity dynamics in CD4-SP
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65
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das Neves SP, Serre-Miranda C, Nobrega C, Roque S, Cerqueira JJ, Correia-Neves M, Marques F. Immune Thymic Profile of the MOG-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mouse Model. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2335. [PMID: 30369926 PMCID: PMC6194318 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated, demyelinating disease that affects the neurons of the central nervous system. Activated T cells, specific for myelin epitopes, cross the brain barriers, and react against the myelin sheath, leading to demyelination. Since T cells are generated within the thymus, here we explored, in mice, the alterations occurring in this organ throughout the different phases of the disease. We induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 females and sacrifice them at the onset (day 16) and chronic phases of disease (day 23), along with non-induced controls. We observed thymic atrophy in EAE mice at the onset that remained until the chronic phase of disease. This atrophy was associated with a preferential loss of the CD4+CD8+ double positive thymocytes, an intermediate population between the more immature CD4−CD8− double negative and the most mature single positive thymocytes. This was accompanied by an increase in the thymic medullary/cortical ratio and by an altered expression levels of genes important for T cell survival. During the chronic phase, the thymi remained atrophic, but reacquired the normal proportion of the main four thymocyte populations and the normal medullary/cortical ratio. Importantly, at the onset phase, and accompanying these thymic alterations, EAE animals presented an increased percentage of demyelinating lesion area in the cerebellum, and an increased expression of interferon gamma (Ifng), interleukin (Il) 12a, and Il17a. This study suggests dynamic thymic alterations occurring in response to EAE, from the induction to the chronic phase, that might help to elucidate the MS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia P das Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Serre-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Claudia Nobrega
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João J Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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66
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Clave E, Araujo IL, Alanio C, Patin E, Bergstedt J, Urrutia A, Lopez-Lastra S, Li Y, Charbit B, MacPherson CR, Hasan M, Melo-Lima BL, Douay C, Saut N, Germain M, Trégouët DA, Morange PE, Fontes M, Duffy D, Di Santo JP, Quintana-Murci L, Albert ML, Toubert A. Human thymopoiesis is influenced by a common genetic variant within the TCRA-TCRD locus. Sci Transl Med 2018; 10:10/457/eaao2966. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aao2966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ where naïve T cells are generated; however, with the exception of age, the parameters that govern its function in healthy humans remain unknown. We characterized the variability of thymic function among 1000 age- and sex-stratified healthy adults of the Milieu Intérieur cohort, using quantification of T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) in peripheral blood T cells as a surrogate marker of thymopoiesis. Age and sex were the only nonheritable factors identified that affect thymic function. TREC amounts decreased with age and were higher in women compared to men. In addition, a genome-wide association study revealed a common variant (rs2204985) within the T cell receptor TCRA-TCRD locus, between the DD2 and DD3 gene segments, which associated with TREC amounts. Strikingly, transplantation of human hematopoietic stem cells with the rs2204985 GG genotype into immunodeficient mice led to thymopoiesis with higher TRECs, increased thymocyte counts, and a higher TCR repertoire diversity. Our population immunology approach revealed a genetic locus that influences thymopoiesis in healthy adults, with potentially broad implications in precision medicine.
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67
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Bending D, Prieto Martín P, Paduraru A, Ducker C, Marzaganov E, Laviron M, Kitano S, Miyachi H, Crompton T, Ono M. A timer for analyzing temporally dynamic changes in transcription during differentiation in vivo. J Cell Biol 2018; 217:2931-2950. [PMID: 29941474 PMCID: PMC6080944 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201711048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bending et al. establish a new tool, Timer of cell kinetics and activity (Tocky), revealing the temporal dynamics of cellular activation and differentiation in vivo. The tool analyzes the temporal sequence of molecular processes during cellular differentiation and can classify cells based on the frequency they receive signaling events in vivo. Understanding the mechanisms of cellular differentiation is challenging because differentiation is initiated by signaling pathways that drive temporally dynamic processes, which are difficult to analyze in vivo. We establish a new tool, Timer of cell kinetics and activity (Tocky; or toki [time in Japanese]). Tocky uses the fluorescent Timer protein, which spontaneously shifts its emission spectrum from blue to red, in combination with computer algorithms to reveal the dynamics of differentiation in vivo. Using a transcriptional target of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, we establish Nr4a3-Tocky to follow downstream effects of TCR signaling. Nr4a3-Tocky reveals the temporal sequence of events during regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation and shows that persistent TCR signals occur during Treg generation. Remarkably, antigen-specific T cells at the site of autoimmune inflammation also show persistent TCR signaling. In addition, by generating Foxp3-Tocky, we reveal the in vivo dynamics of demethylation of the Foxp3 gene. Thus, Tocky is a tool for cell biologists to address previously inaccessible questions by directly revealing dynamic processes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bending
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Paz Prieto Martín
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Alina Paduraru
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Catherine Ducker
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Erik Marzaganov
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Marie Laviron
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Satsuki Kitano
- Institute for Viral Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Miyachi
- Institute for Viral Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tessa Crompton
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, England, UK
| | - Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
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68
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Duke-Cohan JS, Ishikawa Y, Yoshizawa A, Choi YI, Lee CN, Acuto O, Kissler S, Reinherz EL. Regulation of thymocyte trafficking by Tagap, a GAP domain protein linked to human autoimmunity. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/534/eaan8799. [PMID: 29895617 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan8799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Multiple autoimmune pathologies are associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the human gene TAGAP, which encodes TAGAP, a guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase)-activating protein. We showed in mice that Tagap-mediated signaling by the sema3E/plexin-D1 ligand-receptor complex attenuates thymocytes' adhesion to the cortex through their β1-containing integrins. By promoting thymocyte detachment within the cortex of the thymus, Tagap-mediated signaling enabled their translocation to the medulla, which is required for continued thymic selection. Tagap physically interacted with the cytoplasmic domain of plexin-D1 and directly stimulated the activity and signaling of the GTPase RhoA. In addition, Tagap indirectly mediated the activation of Cdc42 in response to the binding of sema3E to plexin-D1. Both RhoA and Cdc42 are key mediators of cytoskeletal and integrin dynamics in thymocytes. Knockdown of Tagap in mice suppressed the sema3E- and plexin-D1-mediated release of thymocytes that adhered within the cortex through β1-containing integrins. This suppression led to the impaired translocation of thymocytes from the cortex to the medulla and resulted in the formation of ectopic medullary structures within the thymic cortex. Our results suggest that TAGAP variation modulates the risk of autoimmunity by altering thymocyte migration during thymic selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Duke-Cohan
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yuki Ishikawa
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Immunobiology Section, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Akihiro Yoshizawa
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Young-Il Choi
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chin-Nien Lee
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Immunobiology Section, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Oreste Acuto
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Stephan Kissler
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. .,Immunobiology Section, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ellis L Reinherz
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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69
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Aili A, Zhang J, Wu J, Wu H, Sun X, He Q, Jin R, Zhang Y. CCR2 Signal Facilitates Thymic Egress by Priming Thymocyte Responses to Sphingosine-1-Phosphate. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1263. [PMID: 29930553 PMCID: PMC6001116 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The signal mediated by sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) is essential but seemingly insufficient for thymic export of newly generated T cells. Here, we reported the identification of CCR2 as an additional regulator of this process. CCR2 showed a markedly increased expression in the most mature subset of single-positive (SP) thymocytes. Its deficiency led to a reduction of recent thymic emigrants in the periphery and a simultaneous accumulation of mature SP cells in the thymus. The CCR2 signaling promoted thymic emigration primarily through modulating the chemotactic responses to S1P1 engagement. On the one hand, the chemokinesis induced by CCR2 activation endowed thymocytes with enhanced capacity to respond to S1P-induced migration. On the other hand, CCR2 signaling through Stat3 augmented forkhead box O1 activity, leading to increased expression of S1P1. Taken together, the present study highlights a unique and novel function of CCR2 signaling in the regulation of thymic egress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abudureyimujiang Aili
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Jia Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Haoming Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Xiuyuan Sun
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Qihua He
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Rong Jin
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China.,Institute of Biological Sciences, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
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70
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Apert C, Romagnoli P, van Meerwijk JPM. IL-2 and IL-15 dependent thymic development of Foxp3-expressing regulatory T lymphocytes. Protein Cell 2018; 9:322-332. [PMID: 28540653 PMCID: PMC5876181 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-017-0425-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppressive regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 play a vital role in the maintenance of tolerance of the immune-system to self and innocuous non-self. Most Treg that are critical for the maintenance of tolerance to self, develop as an independent T-cell lineage from common T cell precursors in the thymus. In this organ, their differentiation requires signals from the T cell receptor for antigen, from co-stimulatory molecules, as well as from cytokine-receptors. Here we focus on the cytokines implicated in thymic development of Treg, with a particular emphasis on the roles of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-15. The more recently appreciated involvement of TGF-β in thymic Treg development is also briefly discussed. Finally, we discuss how cytokine-dependence of Treg development allows for temporal, quantitative, and potentially qualitative modulation of this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Apert
- CPTP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Inserm, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Paola Romagnoli
- CPTP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Inserm, UPS, Toulouse, France.
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71
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Aghaallaei N, Bajoghli B. Making Thymus Visible: Understanding T-Cell Development from a New Perspective. Front Immunol 2018; 9:375. [PMID: 29552011 PMCID: PMC5840141 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell development is coupled with a highly ordered migratory pattern. Lymphoid progenitors must follow a precise journey; starting from the hematopoietic tissue, they move toward the thymus and then migrate into and out of distinct thymic microenvironments, where they receive signals and cues required for their differentiation into naïve T-cells. Knowing where, when, and how these cells make directional “decisions” is key to understanding T-cell development. Such insights can be gained by directly observing developing T-cells within their environment under various conditions and following specific experimental manipulations. In the last decade, several model systems have been developed to address temporal and spatial aspects of T-cell development using imaging approaches. In this perspective article, we discuss the advantages and limitations of these systems and highlight a particularly powerful in vivo model that has been recently established. This model system enables the migratory behavior of all thymocytes to be studied simultaneously in a noninvasive and quantitative manner, making it possible to perform systems-level studies that reveal fundamental principles governing T-cell dynamics during development and in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Aghaallaei
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Baubak Bajoghli
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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72
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Dacoba TG, Olivera A, Torres D, Crecente-Campo J, Alonso MJ. Modulating the immune system through nanotechnology. Semin Immunol 2017; 34:78-102. [PMID: 29032891 PMCID: PMC5774666 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, nanotechnology-based modulation of the immune system is presented as a cutting-edge strategy, which may lead to significant improvements in the treatment of severe diseases. In particular, efforts have been focused on the development of nanotechnology-based vaccines, which could be used for immunization or generation of tolerance. In this review, we highlight how different immune responses can be elicited by tuning nanosystems properties. In addition, we discuss specific formulation approaches designed for the development of anti-infectious and anti-autoimmune vaccines, as well as those intended to prevent the formation of antibodies against biologicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara G Dacoba
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Ana Olivera
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Dolores Torres
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - José Crecente-Campo
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
| | - María José Alonso
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
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73
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Gieras A, Gehbauer C, Perna-Barrull D, Engler JB, Diepenbruck I, Glau L, Joosse SA, Kersten N, Klinge S, Mittrücker HW, Friese MA, Vives-Pi M, Tolosa E. Prenatal Administration of Betamethasone Causes Changes in the T Cell Receptor Repertoire Influencing Development of Autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1505. [PMID: 29181000 PMCID: PMC5693859 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal glucocorticoids are routinely administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery in order to improve survival of the newborn. However, in half of the cases, birth occurs outside the beneficial period for lung development. Glucocorticoids are potent immune modulators and cause apoptotic death of immature T cells, and we have previously shown that prenatal betamethasone treatment at doses eliciting lung maturation induce profound thymocyte apoptosis in the offspring. Here, we asked if there are long-term consequences on the offspring’s immunity after this treatment. In the non-obese diabetic mouse model, prenatal betamethasone clearly decreased the frequency of pathogenic T cells and the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D). In contrast, in the lupus-prone MRL/lpr strain, prenatal glucocorticoids induced changes in the T cell repertoire that resulted in more autoreactive cells. Even though glucocorticoids transiently enhanced regulatory T cell (Treg) development, these cells did not have a protective effect in a model for multiple sclerosis which relies on a limited repertoire of pathogenic T cells for disease induction that were not affected by prenatal betamethasone. We conclude that prenatal steroid treatment, by inducing changes in the T cell receptor repertoire, has unforeseeable consequences on development of autoimmune disease. Our data should encourage further research to fully understand the consequences of this widely used treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gieras
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christina Gehbauer
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Perna-Barrull
- Immunology Division, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute and Hospital, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Jan Broder Engler
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ines Diepenbruck
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Glau
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon A Joosse
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nora Kersten
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Klinge
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Willi Mittrücker
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manuel A Friese
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marta Vives-Pi
- Immunology Division, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute and Hospital, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabolicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Tolosa
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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74
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Identification of lineage-specifying cytokines that signal all CD8 +-cytotoxic-lineage-fate 'decisions' in the thymus. Nat Immunol 2017; 18:1218-1227. [PMID: 28945245 PMCID: PMC5659273 DOI: 10.1038/ni.3847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling in the thymus initiates positive selection but CD8 lineage fate is thought to be induced by cytokines after TCR signaling has ceased, although this remains controversial and unproven. We now identify four non-common gamma chain (γc) receptor-signaling cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ, TSLP, TGF-β) that, like IL-7 and IL-15, induce expression of the lineage-specifying transcription factor Runx3d and signal the generation of CD8 T cells. Remarkably, elimination of in vivo signaling by all ‘lineage-specifying cytokines’ during positive selection eliminated Runx3d expression and completely abrogated CD8 single-positive thymocyte generation. Thus, this study proves that signaling during positive selection by lineage-specifying cytokines is responsible for all CD8 lineage fate decisions in the thymus.
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75
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NGF and Its Receptors in the Regulation of Inflammatory Response. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18051028. [PMID: 28492466 PMCID: PMC5454940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18051028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in the complex relationship between the nervous and immune systems and how its alteration can affect homeostasis and result in the development of inflammatory diseases. A key mediator in cross-talk between the two systems is nerve growth factor (NGF), which can influence both neuronal cell function and immune cell activity. The up-regulation of NGF described in inflamed tissues of many diseases can regulate innervation and neuronal activity of peripheral neurons, inducing the release of immune-active neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, but can also directly influence innate and adaptive immune responses. Expression of the NGF receptors tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is dynamically regulated in immune cells, suggesting a varying requirement for NGF depending on their state of differentiation and functional activity. NGF has a variety of effects that can be either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. This apparent contradiction can be explained by considering NGF as part of an endogenous mechanism that, while activating immune responses, also activates pathways necessary to dampen the inflammatory response and limit tissue damage. Decreases in TrkA expression, such as that recently demonstrated in immune cells of arthritis patients, might prevent the activation by NGF of regulatory feed-back mechanisms, thus contributing to the development and maintenance of chronic inflammation.
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76
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Nakayama Y, Masuda Y, Ohta H, Tanaka T, Washida M, Nabeshima YI, Miyake A, Itoh N, Konishi M. Fgf21 regulates T-cell development in the neonatal and juvenile thymus. Sci Rep 2017; 7:330. [PMID: 28336912 PMCID: PMC5428243 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00349-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that Fibroblast growth factor 21 (Fgf21) is expressed in the thymus as well as in the liver. In line with this expression profile, Fgf21 was recently reported to protect against ageing-related thymic senescence by improving the function of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). However, the function of Fgf21 in the juvenile thymus remained to be elucidated. We investigated the physiological roles of Fgf21 in the juvenile thymus and found that young Fgf21 knockout mice, but not β-Klotho knockout mice nor adult Fgf21 knockout mice, showed a significant reduction in the percentage of single-positive CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes without obvious alteration in TECs. Furthermore, treatment with recombinant FGF21 protein rescued the impairment in fetal thymus organ culture (FTOC) of Fgf21 knockout mice. Annexin V staining revealed FGF21 protein enhanced apoptosis of immature thymocytes undergoing selection process in FTOC, suggesting that FGF21 may facilitate the selection of developing T cells. Endocrine Fgf21 from the liver induced by metabolic stimulation did not affect juvenile thymocyte development. Our data suggest that Fgf21 acts as one of intrathymic cytokines in the neonatal and juvenile thymus, involving thymocyte development in a β-Klotho-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Nakayama
- Department of Microbial Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yuki Masuda
- Department of Microbial Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroya Ohta
- Department of Microbial Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Metabolism, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tanaka
- Medical Innovation Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Life Science, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Miwa Washida
- Laboratory of Molecular Life Science, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yo-Ichi Nabeshima
- Laboratory of Molecular Life Science, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Miyake
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Itoh
- Medical Innovation Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Morichika Konishi
- Department of Microbial Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Kobe, Japan.
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan.
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Hwang IY, Park C, Harrison K, Kehrl JH. Normal Thymocyte Egress, T Cell Trafficking, and CD4 + T Cell Homeostasis Require Interactions between RGS Proteins and Gα i2. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 198:2721-2734. [PMID: 28235863 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Adaptive immunity depends on mature thymocytes leaving the thymus to enter the bloodstream and the trafficking of T cells through lymphoid organs. Both of these require heterotrimeric Gαi protein signaling, whose intensity and duration are controlled by the regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins. In this study, we show that RGS protein/Gαi2 interactions are essential for normal thymocyte egress, T cell trafficking, and homeostasis. Mature thymocytes with a Gαi2 mutation that disables RGS protein binding accumulated in the perivascular channels of thymic corticomedullary venules. Severe reductions in peripheral naive CD4+ T cells and regulatory T cells occurred. The mutant CD4+ T cells adhered poorly to high endothelial venules and exhibited defects in lymph node entrance and egress. The kinetics of chemokine receptor signaling were disturbed, including chemokine- induced integrin activation. Despite the thymic and lymph node egress defects, sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling was not obviously perturbed. This study reveals how RGS proteins modulate Gαi2 signaling to facilitate thymocyte egress and T cell trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il-Young Hwang
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Chung Park
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Kathleen Harrison
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - John H Kehrl
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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Boehm T. Form follows function, function follows form: how lymphoid tissues enable and constrain immune reactions. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:4-9. [PMID: 27088903 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The aim of this review is to provide a coherent framework for understanding dendritic cells (DCs). It has seven sections. The introduction provides an overview of the immune system and essential concepts, particularly for the nonspecialist reader. Next, the “History” section outlines the early evolution of ideas about DCs and highlights some sources of confusion that still exist today. The “Lineages” section then focuses on five different populations of DCs: two subsets of “classical” DCs, plasmacytoid DCs, monocyte-derived DCs, and Langerhans cells. It highlights some cellular and molecular specializations of each, and also notes other DC subsets that have been proposed. The following “Tissues” section discusses the distribution and behavior of different DC subsets within nonlymphoid and secondary lymphoid tissues that are connected by DC migration pathways between them. In the “Tolerance” section, the role of DCs in central and peripheral tolerance is considered, including their ability to drive the differentiation of different populations of regulatory T cells. In contrast, the “Immunity” section considers the roles of DCs in sensing of infection and tissue damage, the initiation of primary responses, the T-cell effector phase, and the induction of immunological memory. The concluding section provides some speculative ideas about the evolution of DCs. It also revisits earlier concepts of generation of diversity and clonal selection in terms of DCs driving the evolution of T-cell responses. Throughout, this review highlights certain areas of uncertainty and suggests some avenues for future investigation.
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