101
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Srinivasan J, Lancaster JN, Singarapu N, Hale LP, Ehrlich LIR, Richie ER. Age-Related Changes in Thymic Central Tolerance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:676236. [PMID: 33968086 PMCID: PMC8100025 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.676236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and hematopoietic antigen presenting cells (HAPCs) in the thymus microenvironment provide essential signals to self-reactive thymocytes that induce either negative selection or generation of regulatory T cells (Treg), both of which are required to establish and maintain central tolerance throughout life. HAPCs and TECs are comprised of multiple subsets that play distinct and overlapping roles in central tolerance. Changes that occur in the composition and function of TEC and HAPC subsets across the lifespan have potential consequences for central tolerance. In keeping with this possibility, there are age-associated changes in the cellular composition and function of T cells and Treg. This review summarizes changes in T cell and Treg function during the perinatal to adult transition and in the course of normal aging, and relates these changes to age-associated alterations in thymic HAPC and TEC subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayashree Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | | | - Nandini Singarapu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Laura P Hale
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Lauren I R Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.,Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Ellen R Richie
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
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102
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Lymphopenia, Lymphopenia-Induced Proliferation, and Autoimmunity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084152. [PMID: 33923792 PMCID: PMC8073364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune homeostasis is a tightly regulated system that is critical for defense against invasion by foreign pathogens and protection from self-reactivity for the survival of an individual. How the defects in this system might result in autoimmunity is discussed in this review. Reduced lymphocyte number, termed lymphopenia, can mediate lymphopenia-induced proliferation (LIP) to maintain peripheral lymphocyte numbers. LIP not only occurs in normal physiological conditions but also correlates with autoimmunity. Of note, lymphopenia is also a typical marker of immune aging, consistent with the fact that not only the autoimmunity increases in the elderly, but also autoimmune diseases (ADs) show characteristics of immune aging. Here, we discuss the types and rates of LIP in normal and autoimmune conditions, as well as the coronavirus disease 2019 in the context of LIP. Importantly, although the causative role of LIP has been demonstrated in the development of type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, a two-hit model has suggested that the factors other than lymphopenia are required to mediate the loss of control over homeostasis to result in ADs. Interestingly, these factors may be, if not totally, related to the function/number of regulatory T cells which are key modulators to protect from self-reactivity. In this review, we summarize the important roles of lymphopenia/LIP and the Treg cells in various autoimmune conditions, thereby highlighting them as key therapeutic targets for autoimmunity treatments.
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103
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Modeling the Dynamics of T-Cell Development in the Thymus. ENTROPY 2021; 23:e23040437. [PMID: 33918050 PMCID: PMC8069328 DOI: 10.3390/e23040437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The thymus hosts the development of a specific type of adaptive immune cells called T cells. T cells orchestrate the adaptive immune response through recognition of antigen by the highly variable T-cell receptor (TCR). T-cell development is a tightly coordinated process comprising lineage commitment, somatic recombination of Tcr gene loci and selection for functional, but non-self-reactive TCRs, all interspersed with massive proliferation and cell death. Thus, the thymus produces a pool of T cells throughout life capable of responding to virtually any exogenous attack while preserving the body through self-tolerance. The thymus has been of considerable interest to both immunologists and theoretical biologists due to its multi-scale quantitative properties, bridging molecular binding, population dynamics and polyclonal repertoire specificity. Here, we review experimental strategies aimed at revealing quantitative and dynamic properties of T-cell development and how they have been implemented in mathematical modeling strategies that were reported to help understand the flexible dynamics of the highly dividing and dying thymic cell populations. Furthermore, we summarize the current challenges to estimating in vivo cellular dynamics and to reaching a next-generation multi-scale picture of T-cell development.
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104
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Nadafi R, Gago de Graça C, Keuning ED, Koning JJ, de Kivit S, Konijn T, Henri S, Borst J, Reijmers RM, van Baarsen LGM, Mebius RE. Lymph Node Stromal Cells Generate Antigen-Specific Regulatory T Cells and Control Autoreactive T and B Cell Responses. Cell Rep 2021; 30:4110-4123.e4. [PMID: 32209472 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Within lymph nodes (LNs), T follicular helper (TFH) cells help B cells to produce antibodies, which can either be protective or autoreactive. Here, we demonstrate that murine LN stromal cells (LNSCs) suppress the formation of autoreactive TFH cells in an antigen-specific manner, thereby significantly reducing germinal center B cell responses directed against the same self-antigen. Mechanistically, LNSCs express and present self-antigens in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, leading to the conversion of naive CD4+ T cells into T regulatory (TREG) cells in an interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent manner. Upon blockade of TREG cells, using neutralizing IL-2 antibodies, autoreactive TFH cells are allowed to develop. We conclude that the continuous presentation of self-antigens by LNSCs is critical to generate antigen-specific TREG cells, thereby repressing the formation of TFH cells and germinal center B cell responses. Our findings uncover the ability of LNSCs to suppress the early activation of autoreactive immune cells and maintain peripheral tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Nadafi
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Catarina Gago de Graça
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eelco D Keuning
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jasper J Koning
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sander de Kivit
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja Konijn
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sandrine Henri
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Universite, INSERM, CNRS, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Jannie Borst
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Rogier M Reijmers
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa G M van Baarsen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology and Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC and University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Reina E Mebius
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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105
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Skordos I, Demeyer A, Beyaert R. Analysis of T cells in mouse lymphoid tissue and blood with flow cytometry. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100351. [PMID: 33665631 PMCID: PMC7907922 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells play a key role in adaptive immunity. Defects in specific T cell receptors or signaling proteins can alter their frequency and activation status, which may be associated with immune disease or cancer. Monitoring of T cell frequency and function in genetically modified mice or murine models of disease is therefore of high interest. Here, we provide a detailed protocol to analyze regulatory T cells, T cell activation, and cytokine production in thymus, spleen, or blood via flow cytometry. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Demeyer et al. (2020). A protocol for the collection of blood, thymus, and spleen from mice Flow cytometry allows staining of different T cell populations Details for intracellular cytokine staining of T cells Full details for both flow cytometry panels and gating strategies
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Skordos
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Demeyer
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudi Beyaert
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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106
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Elfaki Y, Robert PA, Binz C, Falk CS, Bruder D, Prinz I, Floess S, Meyer-Hermann M, Huehn J. Influenza A virus-induced thymus atrophy differentially affects dynamics of conventional and regulatory T-cell development in mice. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1166-1181. [PMID: 33638148 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Foxp3+ Treg cells, which are crucial for maintenance of self-tolerance, mainly develop within the thymus, where they arise from CD25+ Foxp3- or CD25- Foxp3+ Treg cell precursors. Although it is known that infections can cause transient thymic involution, the impact of infection-induced thymus atrophy on thymic Treg (tTreg) cell development is unknown. Here, we infected mice with influenza A virus (IAV) and studied thymocyte population dynamics post infection. IAV infection caused a massive, but transient thymic involution, dominated by a loss of CD4+ CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes, which was accompanied by a significant increase in the frequency of CD25+ Foxp3+ tTreg cells. Differential apoptosis susceptibility could be experimentally excluded as a reason for the relative tTreg cell increase, and mathematical modeling suggested that enhanced tTreg cell generation cannot explain the increased frequency of tTreg cells. Yet, an increased death of DP thymocytes and augmented exit of single-positive (SP) thymocytes was suggested to be causative. Interestingly, IAV-induced thymus atrophy resulted in a significantly reduced T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity of newly produced tTreg cells. Taken together, IAV-induced thymus atrophy is substantially altering the dynamics of major thymocyte populations, finally resulting in a relative increase of tTreg cells with an altered TCR repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassin Elfaki
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Philippe A Robert
- Department of Systems Immunology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christoph Binz
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dunja Bruder
- Infection Immunology Group, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Control and Prevention, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Immune Regulation Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Immo Prinz
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Floess
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Meyer-Hermann
- Department of Systems Immunology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute for Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technical University Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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107
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Zhang Y, Cao H, Chen J, Li Y, Xu A, Wang Y. Adiponectin-expressing Treg facilitate T lymphocyte development in thymic nurse cell complexes. Commun Biol 2021; 4:344. [PMID: 33727658 PMCID: PMC7966800 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01877-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adiponectin is a well-known insulin sensitizer and anti-inflammatory molecule, possessing therapeutic potentials in cardiovascular, metabolic and cancer diseases. Results of the present study demonstrate that adiponectin is expressed in a population of regulatory T-cells (Treg) resided within the thymic nurse cell (TNC) complexes. Adoptive transfer of adiponectin-expressing Treg precursors effectively attenuated obesity, improved glucose and insulin tolerance, prevented fatty liver injuries in wild-type mice fed a high-fat diet, and significantly inhibited breast cancer development in MMTV-PyVT transgenic mice. Within the TNC complexes, locally produced adiponectin bound to and regulated the expression as well as the distribution of CD100, a transmembrane lymphocyte semaphorin, in turn modulating the lymphoepithelial interactions to facilitate T-cell development and maturation. In summary, adiponectin plays an important role in the selection and development of T lymphocytes within the TNC complexes. Adiponectin-expressing Treg represent a promising candidate for adoptive cell immunotherapy against obesity-related metabolic and cancer diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Adiponectin/genetics
- Adiponectin/metabolism
- Adoptive Transfer
- Animals
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/immunology
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Glucose Intolerance/immunology
- Glucose Intolerance/metabolism
- Glucose Intolerance/prevention & control
- Humans
- Insulin Resistance
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/genetics
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, SCID
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/immunology
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/prevention & control
- Obesity/immunology
- Obesity/metabolism
- Obesity/prevention & control
- Phenotype
- Semaphorins/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/transplantation
- Thymocytes/immunology
- Thymocytes/metabolism
- Thymocytes/transplantation
- Thymus Gland/immunology
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Handi Cao
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jie Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Henry Fok College of Biology and Agriculture, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanxin Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Aimin Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yu Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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108
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Dong M, Audiger C, Adegoke A, Lebel MÈ, Valbon SF, Anderson CC, Melichar HJ, Lesage S. CD5 levels reveal distinct basal T-cell receptor signals in T cells from non-obese diabetic mice. Immunol Cell Biol 2021; 99:656-667. [PMID: 33534942 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice occurs when autoreactive T cells eliminate insulin producing pancreatic β cells. While extensively studied in T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice, the contribution of alterations in thymic selection to the polyclonal T-cell pool in NOD mice is not yet resolved. The magnitude of signals downstream of TCR engagement with self-peptide directs the development of a functional T-cell pool, in part by ensuring tolerance to self. TCR interactions with self-peptide are also necessary for T-cell homeostasis in the peripheral lymphoid organs. To identify differences in TCR signal strength that accompany thymic selection and peripheral T-cell maintenance, we compared CD5 levels, a marker of basal TCR signal strength, on immature and mature T cells from autoimmune diabetes-prone NOD and -resistant B6 mice. The data suggest that there is no preferential selection of NOD thymocytes that perceive stronger TCR signals from self-peptide engagement. Instead, NOD mice have an MHC-dependent increase in CD4+ thymocytes and mature T cells that express lower levels of CD5. In contrast, T cell-intrinsic mechanisms lead to higher levels of CD5 on peripheral CD8+ T cells from NOD relative to B6 mice, suggesting that peripheral CD8+ T cells with higher basal TCR signals may have survival advantages in NOD mice. These differences in the T-cell pool in NOD mice may contribute to the development or progression of autoimmune diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Dong
- Immunology-Oncology Unit, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cindy Audiger
- Immunology-Oncology Unit, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Adeolu Adegoke
- Departments of Surgery, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Lebel
- Immunology-Oncology Unit, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Stefanie F Valbon
- Immunology-Oncology Unit, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Colin C Anderson
- Departments of Surgery and Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Alberta Diabetes Institute, Alberta Transplant Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Heather J Melichar
- Immunology-Oncology Unit, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sylvie Lesage
- Immunology-Oncology Unit, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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109
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Opstelten R, Amsen D. Separating the wheat from the chaff: Making sense of Treg heterogeneity for better adoptive cellular therapy. Immunol Lett 2021; 239:96-112. [PMID: 33676975 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for immunological tolerance and can be used to suppress unwanted or excessive immune responses through adoptive cellular therapy. It is increasingly clear that many subsets of Treg cells exist, which have different functions and reside in different locations. Treg cell therapies may benefit from tailoring the selected subset to the tissue that must be protected as well as to characteristics of the immune response that must be suppressed, but little attention is given to this topic in current therapies. Here, we will discuss how three major axes of heterogeneity can be discerned among the Treg cell population, which determine function and lineage fidelity. A first axis relates to the developmental route, as Treg cells can be generated from immature T cells in the thymus or from already mature Tconv cells in the immunological periphery. Heterogeneity furthermore stems from activation history (naïve or effector) and location (lymphoid or peripheral tissues). Each of these axes bestows specific properties on Treg cells, which are further refined by additional processes leading to yet further variation. A critical aspect impacting on Treg cell heterogeneity is TCR specificity, which determines when and where Treg cells are generated as well as where they exhibit their effector functions. We will discuss the implications of this heterogeneity and the role of the TCR for the design of next generation adoptive cellular therapy with Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne Opstelten
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Derk Amsen
- Department of Hematopoiesis, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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110
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Niederlova V, Tsyklauri O, Chadimova T, Stepanek O. CD8 + Tregs revisited: A heterogeneous population with different phenotypes and properties. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:512-530. [PMID: 33501647 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in the peripheral self-tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. While classical CD4+ Foxp3+ Tregs are well established, their CD8+ counterparts are still controversial in many aspects including their phenotypic identity and their mechanisms of suppression. Because of these controversies and because of only a limited number of studies documenting the immunoregulatory function of CD8+ Tregs in vivo, the concept of CD8+ Tregs is still not unanimously accepted. We propose that any T-cell subset considered as true regulatory must be distinguishable from other cell types and must suppress in vivo immune responses via a known mechanism. In this article, we revisit the concept of CD8+ Tregs by focusing on the characterization of individual CD8+ T-cell subsets with proposed regulatory capacity separately. Therefore, we review the phenotype and function of CD8+ FOXP3+ T cells, CD8+ CD122+ T cells, CD8+ CD28low/- T cells, CD8+ CD45RClow T cells, T cells expressing CD8αα homodimer and Qa-1-restricted CD8+ T cells to show whether there is sufficient evidence to establish these subsets as bona fide Tregs. Based on the intrinsic ability of CD8+ Treg subsets to promote immune tolerance in animal models, we elaborate on their potential use in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Niederlova
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Oksana Tsyklauri
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Chadimova
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,Institute of Experimental Neuroimmunology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ondrej Stepanek
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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111
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Santamaria JC, Borelli A, Irla M. Regulatory T Cell Heterogeneity in the Thymus: Impact on Their Functional Activities. Front Immunol 2021; 12:643153. [PMID: 33643324 PMCID: PMC7904894 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.643153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) maintain the integrity of the organism by preventing excessive immune responses. These cells protect against autoimmune diseases but are also important regulators of other immune responses including inflammation, allergy, infection, and tumors. Furthermore, they exert non-immune functions such as tissue repair and regeneration. In the periphery, Foxp3+ Treg have emerged as a highly heterogeneous cell population with distinct molecular and functional properties. Foxp3+ Treg mainly develop within the thymus where they receive instructive signals for their differentiation. Recent studies have revealed that thymic Treg are also heterogeneous with two distinct precursors that give rise to mature Foxp3+ Treg exhibiting non-overlapping regulatory activities characterized by a differential ability to control different types of autoimmune reactions. Furthermore, the thymic Treg cell pool is not only composed of newly developing Treg, but also contain a large fraction of recirculating peripheral cells. Here, we review the two pathways of thymic Treg cell differentiation and their potential impact on Treg activity in the periphery. We also summarize our current knowledge on recirculating peripheral Treg in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy C Santamaria
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Alexia Borelli
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Magali Irla
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
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112
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Marx A, Yamada Y, Simon-Keller K, Schalke B, Willcox N, Ströbel P, Weis CA. Thymus and autoimmunity. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 43:45-64. [PMID: 33537838 PMCID: PMC7925479 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-021-00842-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The thymus prevents autoimmune diseases through mechanisms that operate in the cortex and medulla, comprising positive and negative selection and the generation of regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Egress from the thymus through the perivascular space (PVS) to the blood is another possible checkpoint, as shown by some autoimmune/immunodeficiency syndromes. In polygenic autoimmune diseases, subtle thymic dysfunctions may compound genetic, hormonal and environmental cues. Here, we cover (a) tolerance-inducing cell types, whether thymic epithelial or tuft cells, or dendritic, B- or thymic myoid cells; (b) tolerance-inducing mechanisms and their failure in relation to thymic anatomic compartments, and with special emphasis on human monogenic and polygenic autoimmune diseases and the related thymic pathologies, if known; (c) polymorphisms and mutations of tolerance-related genes with an impact on positive selection (e.g. the gene encoding the thymoproteasome-specific subunit, PSMB11), promiscuous gene expression (e.g. AIRE, PRKDC, FEZF2, CHD4), Treg development (e.g. SATB1, FOXP3), T-cell migration (e.g. TAGAP) and egress from the thymus (e.g. MTS1, CORO1A); (d) myasthenia gravis as the prototypic outcome of an inflamed or disordered neoplastic ‘sick thymus’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Yosuke Yamada
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Katja Simon-Keller
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Berthold Schalke
- Department of Neurology, Bezirkskrankenhaus, University of Regensburg, 93042, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nick Willcox
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttigen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cleo-Aron Weis
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
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113
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Bacchetta R, Weinberg K. Thymic origins of autoimmunity-lessons from inborn errors of immunity. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 43:65-83. [PMID: 33532929 PMCID: PMC7925499 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00835-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
During their intrathymic development, nascent T cells are empowered to protect against pathogens and to be operative for a life-long acceptance of self. While autoreactive effector T (Teff) cell progenitors are eliminated by clonal deletion, the intrathymic mechanisms by which thymic regulatory T cell (tTreg) progenitors maintain specificity for self-antigens but escape deletion to exert their regulatory functions are less well understood. Both tTreg and Teff development and selection result from finely coordinated interactions between their clonotypic T cell receptors (TCR) and peptide/MHC complexes expressed by antigen-presenting cells, such as thymic epithelial cells and thymic dendritic cells. tTreg function is dependent on expression of the FOXP3 transcription factor, and induction of FOXP3 gene expression by tTreg occurs during their thymic development, particularly within the thymic medulla. While initial expression of FOXP3 is downstream of TCR activation, constitutive expression is fixed by interactions with various transcription factors that are regulated by other extracellular signals like TCR and cytokines, leading to epigenetic modification of the FOXP3 gene. Most of the understanding of the molecular events underlying tTreg generation is based on studies of murine models, whereas gaining similar insight in the human system has been very challenging. In this review, we will elucidate how inborn errors of immunity illuminate the critical non-redundant roles of certain molecules during tTreg development, shedding light on how their abnormal development and function cause well-defined diseases that manifest with autoimmunity alone or are associated with states of immune deficiency and autoinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Bacchetta
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lokey Stem Cell Research Building 265 Campus Drive, West Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Kenneth Weinberg
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lokey Stem Cell Research Building 265 Campus Drive, West Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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114
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Liu C, Lan Y, Liu B, Zhang H, Hu H. T Cell Development: Old Tales Retold By Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Trends Immunol 2021; 42:165-175. [PMID: 33446417 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian T cell development initiates from the migration of hematopoietic progenitors to the thymus, which undergo cell proliferation, T-lineage specification and commitment, as well as positive and negative selection. These processes are precisely controlled at multiple levels and have been intensively studied using gene-modified animal models and in vitro coculture systems. However, several long-standing questions, including the characterization of the rare but crucial progenitors/precursors and the molecular mechanisms underlying their fate decision, have been dampened because of cell scarcity and lack of appropriate techniques. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) makes it possible to investigate and resolve some of these questions, leading to new remarkable progress in identifying and characterizing early thymic progenitors and delineating the refined developmental trajectories of conventional and unconventional T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yu Lan
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Huiyuan Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Hongbo Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China.
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115
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Randall KL, Law HD, Ziolkowski AF, Wirasinha RC, Goodnow CC, Daley SR. DOCK8 deficiency diminishes thymic T-regulatory cell development but not thymic deletion. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1236. [PMID: 33437483 PMCID: PMC7790591 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To define the effect of DOCK8 deficiency on thymic tolerance in mice. Methods Thymocytes from wild‐type (Dock8+/+) and DOCK8‐deficient (Dock8pri/pri) mice were examined by flow cytometry. Some mice had transgenic expression of the BCL2 anti‐apoptotic protein in haemopoietic cells. Some mice expressed the transgenic 3A9 T‐cell receptor (TCR), which triggers thymocyte deletion in mice also expressing hen egg lysozyme under the insulin promoter. Results In Dock8pr/pri mice, the proportion of thymocytes induced to acquire tolerance at the immature CCR7− stage was normal. Deletion of strongly self‐reactive CD4+ thymocytes occurred efficiently in Dock8pri/pri mice in a TCR‐transgenic model that requires self‐antigen transfer from epithelial cells to bone marrow (BM)‐derived antigen‐presenting cells. Thymic Foxp3+ T‐regulatory cells (TREG) and Helios+ Foxp3− TREG precursors were decreased in Dock8pri/pri mice, including when apoptosis was inhibited by BCL2 transgene expression. Dock8pri/pri thymic TREG expressed CD25 and CTLA‐4 at normal levels. The results suggest that DOCK8 deficiency does not affect the function of BM‐derived antigen‐presenting cells in the thymus, the TCR self‐reactivity threshold that activates tolerance mechanisms in thymocytes or the apoptotic deletion of these thymocytes. However, DOCK8 is required to prevent a subset of developing TREG cells from undergoing cell death via a mechanism that is distinct from apoptosis. Conclusion DOCK8 deficiency diminishes TREG development in the thymus without compromising thymocyte deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina L Randall
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases The John Curtin School of Medical Research The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia.,Australian National University Medical School The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Hsei Di Law
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases The John Curtin School of Medical Research The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Andrew F Ziolkowski
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases The John Curtin School of Medical Research The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Rushika C Wirasinha
- Infection and Immunity Program Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Monash University Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Christopher C Goodnow
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research & Cellular Genomics Futures Institute University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Stephen R Daley
- Infection and Immunity Program Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Monash University Melbourne VIC Australia.,Present address: Centre for Immunology and Infection Control School of Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD Australia
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116
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Li C, Park JH. Assessing IL-2-Induced STAT5 Phosphorylation in Fixed, Permeabilized Foxp3 + Treg Cells by Multiparameter Flow Cytometry. STAR Protoc 2020; 1:100195. [PMID: 33377089 PMCID: PMC7757559 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2020.100195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Assessing IL-2-induced phosopho-STAT5 (pSTAT5) content can reveal the cytokine responsiveness of individual T cells. Identifying distinct T cell subsets by nuclear transcription factors, such as Foxp3, and concurrently quantifying intracellular pSTAT5, however, has been technically challenging. Conventional Foxp3 staining buffers quench pSTAT5 signals, while commonly used pSTAT5 staining protocols fail to detect Foxp3. The current protocol resolves these issues by describing a procedure to assess IL-2-induced pSTAT5 contents in Foxp3+ CD4 Treg cells using multiparameter flow cytometry. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Waickman et al. (2020). Assessing IL-2-induced STAT5 phosphorylation (pSTAT5) by flow cytometry Optimized fixation, permeabilization protocol for intracellular pSTAT5 staining Concurrent detection of pSTAT5 and nuclear Foxp3 in the same cells Protocol is also applicable for the detection of pSTAT5 in other T cell subsets
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Li
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20829, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - Jung-Hyun Park
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20829, USA
- Corresponding author
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117
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Cosway EJ, James KD, Lucas B, Anderson G, White AJ. The thymus medulla and its control of αβT cell development. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 43:15-27. [PMID: 33306154 PMCID: PMC7925449 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00830-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
αβT cells are an essential component of effective immune responses. The heterogeneity that lies within them includes subsets that express diverse self-MHC-restricted αβT cell receptors, which can be further subdivided into CD4+ helper, CD8+ cytotoxic, and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. In addition, αβT cells also include invariant natural killer T cells that are very limited in αβT cell receptor repertoire diversity and recognise non-polymorphic CD1d molecules that present lipid antigens. Importantly, all αβT cell sublineages are dependent upon the thymus as a shared site of their development. Ongoing research has examined how the thymus balances the intrathymic production of multiple αβT cell subsets to ensure correct formation and functioning of the peripheral immune system. Experiments in both wild-type and genetically modified mice have been essential in revealing complex cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate thymus function. In particular, studies have demonstrated the diverse and critical role that the thymus medulla plays in shaping the peripheral T cell pool. In this review, we summarise current knowledge on functional properties of the thymus medulla that enable the thymus to support the production of diverse αβT cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie J Cosway
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Floor 4 Institute for Biomedical Research, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Kieran D James
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Floor 4 Institute for Biomedical Research, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Beth Lucas
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Floor 4 Institute for Biomedical Research, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Floor 4 Institute for Biomedical Research, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Andrea J White
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Floor 4 Institute for Biomedical Research, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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118
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Mendu SK, Stremska ME, Schappe MS, Moser EK, Krupa JK, Rogers JS, Stipes EJ, Parker CA, Braciale TJ, Perry JSA, Desai BN. Targeting the ion channel TRPM7 promotes the thymic development of regulatory T cells by promoting IL-2 signaling. Sci Signal 2020; 13:eabb0619. [PMID: 33293462 PMCID: PMC7884026 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abb0619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The thymic development of regulatory T (Treg) cells, crucial suppressors of the responses of effector T (Teff) cells, is governed by the transcription factor FOXP3. Despite the clinical importance of Treg cells, there is a dearth of druggable molecular targets capable of increasing their numbers in vivo. We found that inhibiting the function of the TRPM7 chanzyme (ion channel and enzyme) potentiated the thymic development of Treg cells in mice and led to a substantially higher frequency of functional Treg cells in the periphery. In addition, TRPM7-deficient mice were resistant to T cell-driven hepatitis. Deletion of Trpm7 and inhibition of TRPM7 channel activity by the FDA-approved drug FTY720 increased the sensitivity of T cells to the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) through a positive feed-forward loop involving increased expression of the IL-2 receptor α-subunit and activation of the transcriptional regulator STAT5. Enhanced IL-2 signaling increased the expression of Foxp3 in thymocytes and promoted thymic Treg (tTreg) cell development. Thus, these data indicate that inhibiting TRPM7 activity increases Treg cell numbers, suggesting that it may be a therapeutic target to promote immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh K Mendu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Marta E Stremska
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Michael S Schappe
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Julia K Krupa
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jason S Rogers
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Eric J Stipes
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Clare A Parker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Thomas J Braciale
- Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Justin S A Perry
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Bimal N Desai
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
- Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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119
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Blanchett S, Boal-Carvalho I, Layzell S, Seddon B. NF-κB and Extrinsic Cell Death Pathways - Entwined Do-or-Die Decisions for T cells. Trends Immunol 2020; 42:76-88. [PMID: 33246882 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2020.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
NF-κB signaling is required at multiple stages of T cell development and function. The NF-κB pathway integrates signals from many receptors and involves diverse adapters and kinases. Recent advances demonstrate that kinases controlling NF-κB activation, such as the IKK complex, serve dual independent functions because they also control cell death checkpoints. Survival functions previously attributed to NF-κB are in fact mediated by these upstream kinases by novel mechanisms. This new understanding has led to a refined view of how NF-κB and cell death signaling are interlinked and how they regulate cell fate. We discuss how NF-κB activation and control of cell death signaling by common upstream triggers cooperate to regulate different aspects of T cell development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Blanchett
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Ines Boal-Carvalho
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Scott Layzell
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Benedict Seddon
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK.
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120
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van der Veeken J, Glasner A, Zhong Y, Hu W, Wang ZM, Bou-Puerto R, Charbonnier LM, Chatila TA, Leslie CS, Rudensky AY. The Transcription Factor Foxp3 Shapes Regulatory T Cell Identity by Tuning the Activity of trans-Acting Intermediaries. Immunity 2020; 53:971-984.e5. [PMID: 33176163 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cell identity is defined by the lineage-specifying transcription factor (TF) Foxp3. Here we examined mechanisms of Foxp3 function by leveraging naturally occurring genetic variation in wild-derived inbred mice, which enables the identification of DNA sequence motifs driving epigenetic features. Chromatin accessibility, TF binding, and gene expression patterns in resting and activated subsets of Treg cells, conventional CD4 T cells, and cells expressing a Foxp3 reporter null allele revealed that the majority of Foxp3-dependent changes occurred at sites not bound by Foxp3. Chromatin accessibility of these indirect Foxp3 targets depended on the presence of DNA binding motifs for other TFs, including TCF1. Foxp3 expression correlated with decreased TCF1 and reduced accessibility of TCF1-bound chromatin regions. Deleting one copy of the Tcf7 gene recapitulated Foxp3-dependent negative regulation of chromatin accessibility. Thus, Foxp3 defines Treg cell identity in a largely indirect manner by fine-tuning the activity of other major chromatin remodeling TFs such as TCF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris van der Veeken
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ariella Glasner
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yi Zhong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wei Hu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhong-Min Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Regina Bou-Puerto
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Louis-Marie Charbonnier
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Talal A Chatila
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christina S Leslie
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Y Rudensky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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121
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Wang K, Fu W. Transcriptional regulation of Treg homeostasis and functional specification. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:4269-4287. [PMID: 32350553 PMCID: PMC7606275 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03534-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are key players in keeping excessive inflammation in check. Mounting evidence has shown that Treg cells exert much more diverse functions in both immunological and non-immunological processes. The development, maintenance and functional specification of Treg cells are regulated by multilayered factors, including antigens and TCR signaling, cytokines, epigenetic modifiers and transcription factors (TFs). In the review, we will focus on TFs by summarizing their unique and redundant roles in Treg cells under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. We will also discuss the recent advances of Treg trajectories between lymphoid organs and non-lymphoid tissues. This review will provide an updated view of the newly identified TFs and new functions of known TFs in Treg biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wang
- Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Wenxian Fu
- Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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122
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Immune dysregulation in patients with RAG deficiency and other forms of combined immune deficiency. Blood 2020; 135:610-619. [PMID: 31942628 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019000923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, primary immune deficiencies have been defined based on increased susceptibility to recurrent and/or severe infections. However, immune dysregulation, manifesting with autoimmunity or hyperinflammatory disease, has emerged as a common feature. This is especially true in patients affected by combined immune deficiency (CID), a group of disorders caused by genetic defects that impair, but do not completely abolish, T-cell function. Hypomorphic mutations in the recombination activating genes RAG1 and RAG2 represent the prototype of the broad spectrum of clinical and immunological phenotypes associated with CID. The study of patients with RAG deficiency and with other forms of CID has revealed distinct abnormalities in central and peripheral T- and B-cell tolerance as the key mechanisms involved in immune dysregulation. Understanding the pathophysiology of autoimmunity and hyperinflammation in these disorders may also permit more targeted therapeutic interventions.
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123
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Kunze-Schumacher H, Krueger A. The Role of MicroRNAs in Development and Function of Regulatory T Cells - Lessons for a Better Understanding of MicroRNA Biology. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2185. [PMID: 33013919 PMCID: PMC7509487 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical posttranscriptional regulators of the immune system, including function and development of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Although this critical role has been firmly demonstrated through genetic models, key mechanisms of miRNA function in vivo remain elusive. Here, we review the role of miRNAs in Treg cell development and function. In particular, we focus on the question what the study of miRNAs in this context reveals about miRNA biology in general, including context-dependent function and the role of individual targets vs. complex co-targeting networks. In addition, we highlight potential technical pitfalls and state-of-the-art approaches to improve the mechanistic understanding of miRNA biology in a physiological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Kunze-Schumacher
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Krueger
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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124
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MicroRNA miR-181-A Rheostat for TCR Signaling in Thymic Selection and Peripheral T-Cell Function. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176200. [PMID: 32867301 PMCID: PMC7503384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The selection of T cells during intra-thymic d evelopment is crucial to obtain a functional and simultaneously not self-reactive peripheral T cell repertoire. However, selection is a complex process dependent on T cell receptor (TCR) thresholds that remain incompletely understood. In peripheral T cells, activation, clonal expansion, and contraction of the active T cell pool, as well as other processes depend on TCR signal strength. Members of the microRNA (miRNA) miR-181 family have been shown to be dynamically regulated during T cell development as well as dependent on the activation stage of T cells. Indeed, it has been shown that expression of miR-181a leads to the downregulation of multiple phosphatases, implicating miR-181a as ‘‘rheostat’’ of TCR signaling. Consistently, genetic models have revealed an essential role of miR-181a/b-1 for the generation of unconventional T cells as well as a function in tuning TCR sensitivity in peripheral T cells during aging. Here, we review these broad roles of miR-181 family members in T cell function via modulating TCR signal strength.
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125
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Yang BH, Wang K, Wan S, Liang Y, Yuan X, Dong Y, Cho S, Xu W, Jepsen K, Feng GS, Lu LF, Xue HH, Fu W. TCF1 and LEF1 Control Treg Competitive Survival and Tfr Development to Prevent Autoimmune Diseases. Cell Rep 2020; 27:3629-3645.e6. [PMID: 31216480 PMCID: PMC6701704 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+ Foxp3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells are key players in preventing lethal autoimmunity. Tregs undertake differentiation processes and acquire diverse functional properties. However, how Treg’s differentiation and functional specification are regulated remains incompletely understood. Here, we report that gradient expression of TCF1 and LEF1 distinguishes Tregs into three distinct subpopulations, particularly highlighting a subset of activated Treg (aTreg) cells. Treg-specific ablation of TCF1 and LEF1 renders the mice susceptible to systemic autoimmunity. TCF1 and LEF1 are dispensable for Treg’s suppressive capacity but essential for maintaining a normal aTreg pool and promoting Treg’s competitive survival. As a consequence, the development of T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells, which are a subset of aTreg, is abolished in TCF1/LEF1-conditional knockout mice, leading to unrestrained T follicular helper (Tfh) and germinal center B cell responses. Thus, TCF1 and LEF1 act redundantly to control the maintenance and functional specification of Treg subsets to prevent autoimmunity. Transcriptional regulation of Treg differentiation and function remains incompletely understood. Yang et al. report that two TCF family transcription factors regulate the survival and functional specification of a subset of Treg cells to prevent autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Huei Yang
- Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ke Wang
- Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shuo Wan
- Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; PhD Program, Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xiaomei Yuan
- Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yi Dong
- Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sunglim Cho
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wanqing Xu
- Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kristen Jepsen
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gen-Sheng Feng
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Li-Fan Lu
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hai-Hui Xue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA.
| | - Wenxian Fu
- Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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126
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Peligero-Cruz C, Givony T, Sebé-Pedrós A, Dobeš J, Kadouri N, Nevo S, Roncato F, Alon R, Goldfarb Y, Abramson J. IL18 signaling promotes homing of mature Tregs into the thymus. eLife 2020; 9:e58213. [PMID: 32687059 PMCID: PMC7371425 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are potent suppressor cells, essential for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Most Tregs develop in the thymus and are then released into the immune periphery. However, some Tregs populate the thymus and constitute a major subset of yet poorly understood cells. Here we describe a subset of thymus recirculating IL18R+ Tregs with molecular characteristics highly reminiscent of tissue-resident effector Tregs. Moreover, we show that IL18R+ Tregs are endowed with higher capacity to populate the thymus than their IL18R- or IL18R-/- counterparts, highlighting the key role of IL18R in this process. Finally, we demonstrate that IL18 signaling is critical for the induction of the key thymus-homing chemokine receptor - CCR6 on Tregs. Collectively, this study provides a detailed characterization of the mature Treg subsets in the mouse thymus and identifies a key role of IL18 signaling in controlling the CCR6-CCL20-dependent migration of Tregs into the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tal Givony
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Arnau Sebé-Pedrós
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)BarcelonaSpain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Jan Dobeš
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Noam Kadouri
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Shir Nevo
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Francesco Roncato
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Ronen Alon
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Yael Goldfarb
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
| | - Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovotIsrael
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127
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Li C, Jiang P, Wei S, Xu X, Wang J. Regulatory T cells in tumor microenvironment: new mechanisms, potential therapeutic strategies and future prospects. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:116. [PMID: 32680511 PMCID: PMC7367382 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01234-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 378] [Impact Index Per Article: 94.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) characterized by the expression of the master transcription factor forkhead box protein p3 (Foxp3) suppress anticancer immunity, thereby hindering protective immunosurveillance of tumours and hampering effective antitumour immune responses in tumour-bearing hosts, constitute a current research hotspot in the field. However, Tregs are also essential for the maintenance of the immune tolerance of the body and share many molecular signalling pathways with conventional T cells, including cytotoxic T cells, the primary mediators of tumour immunity. Hence, the inability to specifically target and neutralize Tregs in the tumour microenvironment without globally compromising self-tolerance poses a significant challenge. Here, we review recent advances in characterizing tumour-infiltrating Tregs with a focus on the functional roles of costimulatory and inhibitory receptors in Tregs, evaluate their potential as clinical targets, and systematically summarize their roles in potential treatment strategies. Also, we propose modalities to integrate our increasing knowledge on Tregs phenotype and function for the rational design of checkpoint inhibitor-based combination therapies. Finally, we propose possible treatment strategies that can be used to develop Treg-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Ping Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shuhua Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaofei Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
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128
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Ahn SH, Nguyen SL, Petroff MG. Exploring the Origin and Antigenic Specificity of Maternal Regulatory T Cells in Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1302. [PMID: 32670288 PMCID: PMC7330120 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful pregnancy outcome is partially determined by the suppression of reactive effector T cells by maternal regulatory T cells (TRegs) at the maternal-fetal interface. While a large area of research has focused on the regulation of peripherally-induced TReg (pTReg) distribution and differentiation using transgenic mouse models and human samples, studies focusing on the role of TRegs derived from the thymus (tTRegs), and the potential role of central tolerance in maternal-fetal tolerance is less explored. The genome of the fetus is composed of both the tissue-specific and paternally-inherited antigens, and a break in maternal immune tolerance to either antigen may result in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Notably, "self"-antigens, including antigens that are highly restricted to the fetus and placenta, are promiscuously expressed by medullary thymic epithelial cells under the control of Autoimmune Regulator (Aire), which skews the tTReg T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire to be specific toward these antigens. TRegs that circulate in mothers during pregnancy may be comprised of TRegs that stem from the thymus as well as those induced in the periphery. Moreover, despite a wealth of research dedicated to elucidating the function of TRegs in maternal-fetal tolerance, little is understood about the origin of these cells, and whether/how tTRegs may contribute. Investigation into this question is complicated by the absence of reliable markers to distinguish between the two. In this review, we discuss how distinct types of fetal/placental antigens may determine the generation of different subtypes of TReg cells in the mother, and in turn how these may promote maternal tolerance to the fetus in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Hyun Ahn
- Department of Pathobiology Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Sean L Nguyen
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Margaret G Petroff
- Department of Pathobiology Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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129
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Off the beaten track: defining the developmental path of T cells through the human thymus. Kidney Int 2020; 98:819-821. [PMID: 32574619 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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130
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Wing JB, Lim EL, Sakaguchi S. Control of foreign Ag-specific Ab responses by Treg and Tfr. Immunol Rev 2020; 296:104-119. [PMID: 32564426 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 play a critical role in the control of immune homeostasis including the regulation of humoral immunity. Recently, it has become clear that a specialized subset of Tregs, T-follicular regulatory cells (Tfr), have a particular role in the control of T-follicular helper (Tfh) cell-driven germinal center (GC) responses. Following similar differentiation signals as received by Tfh, Tfr gain expression of characteristic chemokine receptors and transcription factors such as CXCR5 and BCL6 allowing them to travel to the B-cell follicle and deliver in situ suppression. It seems clear that Tfr are critical for the prevention of autoimmune antibody induction. However, their role in the control of foreign antigen-specific antibody responses appears more complex with various reports demonstrating either increased or decreased antigen-specific antibody responses following inhibition of Tfr function. Due to their recent discovery, our understanding of Tfr formation and function still has many gaps. In this review, we discuss our current knowledge of both Tregs and Tfr in the context of humoral immunity and how these cells might be manipulated in order to better control vaccine responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Wing
- Laboritory of Human Immunology (Single Cell Immunology), Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Ee Lyn Lim
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Shimon Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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131
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Yu X, Zhang L, Chaudhry A, Rapaport AS, Ouyang W. Unravelling the heterogeneity and dynamic relationships of tumor-infiltrating T cells by single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 107:917-932. [PMID: 32272497 PMCID: PMC7317876 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.6mr0320-234r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are crucial for the success of immune-based cancer therapy. Reinvigorating antitumor T cell activity by blocking checkpoint inhibitory receptors has provided clinical benefits for many cancer patients. However, the efficacy of these treatments varies in cancer patients and the mechanisms underlying these diverse responses remain elusive. The density and status of tumor-infiltrating T cells have been shown to positively correlate with patient response to checkpoint blockades. Therefore, further understanding of the heterogeneity, clonal expansion, migration, and effector functions of tumor-infiltrating T cells will provide fundamental insights into antitumor immune responses. To this end, recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing technology have enabled profound and extensive characterization of intratumoral immune cells and have improved our understanding of their dynamic relationships. Here, we summarize recent progress in single-cell RNA sequencing technology and current strategies to uncover heterogeneous tumor-infiltrating T cell subsets. In particular, we discuss how the coupling of deep transcriptome information with T cell receptor (TCR)-based lineage tracing has furthered our understanding of intratumoral T cell populations. We also discuss the functional implications of various T cell subsets in tumors and highlight the identification of novel T cell markers with therapeutic or prognostic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yu
- Department of Inflammation and OncologyAmgen Research, Amgen Inc.South San FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for GenomicsPeking‐Tsinghua Center for Life SciencesPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ashutosh Chaudhry
- Department of Inflammation and OncologyAmgen Research, Amgen Inc.South San FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Aaron S. Rapaport
- Department of Inflammation and OncologyAmgen Research, Amgen Inc.South San FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Wenjun Ouyang
- Department of Inflammation and OncologyAmgen Research, Amgen Inc.South San FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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132
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The induction of protective T cell responses requires two signals: Signal 1 is generated by activation of the T cell receptor (TCR) and signal 2 results from ligation of the CD28 molecule. Costimulation of the TCR and CD28 is necessary, as the TCR is very good at discriminating between endogenous and foreign structures (antigens), but not all foreign antigens (such as food antigens) are dangerous to the body. A strong CD28 signal, thus, indicates to the T cell that there is indeed a threat and that an immune response is urgently required. However, to avoid autoimmunity and excessive immune responses, further regulatory circuits, provided by immune checkpoints, are necessary. OBJECTIVES To provide an introduction to immunoregulation mediated by checkpoint molecules. MATERIALS AND METHODS Review of basic science papers and reports on clinical studies. RESULTS The most prominent and best characterized checkpoint molecules, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein‑4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death‑1 (PD-1), both physiologically dampen CD28-mediated costimulation. Pathologically, malignancies exploit the immunoregulatory function of checkpoint molecules by, for example, expressing ligands for PD‑1 on the cell surface, thus, avoiding being attacked by T cells. Our understanding of these negative feedback regulations has led to the development of checkpoint inhibitors, which have already become part of routine clinical care of cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS Due to the clinical success of checkpoint inhibitors, the concept of cancer immunotherapy has received a massive boost and hopes are high that many more clinical advancements in cancer therapy can be achieved with novel forms of immunotherapy.
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133
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Labani-Motlagh A, Ashja-Mahdavi M, Loskog A. The Tumor Microenvironment: A Milieu Hindering and Obstructing Antitumor Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2020; 11:940. [PMID: 32499786 PMCID: PMC7243284 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 414] [Impact Index Per Article: 103.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of cancer immunotherapy relies on the knowledge of the tumor microenvironment and the immune evasion mechanisms in which the tumor, stroma, and infiltrating immune cells function in a complex network. The potential barriers that profoundly challenge the overall clinical outcome of promising therapies need to be fully identified and counteracted. Although cancer immunotherapy has increasingly been applied, we are far from understanding how to utilize different strategies in the best way and how to combine therapeutic options to optimize clinical benefit. This review intends to give a contemporary and detailed overview of the different roles of immune cells, exosomes, and molecules acting in the tumor microenvironment and how they relate to immune activation and escape. Further, current and novel immunotherapeutic options will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Angelica Loskog
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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134
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Toll-like receptor signaling in thymic epithelium controls monocyte-derived dendritic cell recruitment and Treg generation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2361. [PMID: 32398640 PMCID: PMC7217920 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16081-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of thymic regulatory T cells (Treg) is mediated by Aire-regulated self-antigen presentation on medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and dendritic cells (DCs), but the cooperation between these cells is still poorly understood. Here we show that signaling through Toll-like receptors (TLR) expressed on mTECs regulates the production of specific chemokines and other genes associated with post-Aire mTEC development. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we identify a new thymic CD14+Sirpα+ population of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (CD14+moDC) that are enriched in the thymic medulla and effectively acquire mTEC-derived antigens in response to the above chemokines. Consistently, the cellularity of CD14+moDC is diminished in mice with MyD88-deficient TECs, in which the frequency and functionality of thymic CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs are decreased, leading to aggravated mouse experimental colitis. Thus, our findings describe a TLR-dependent function of mTECs for the recruitment of CD14+moDC, the generation of Tregs, and thereby the establishment of central tolerance. Immune tolerance is mediated by the deletion of autoreactive T cells via medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) and dendritic cells (DC), and by the induction of regulatory T cells (Treg). Here the authors show that mTEC receiving toll-like receptor signaling control the recruitment of CD14+Sirpα+ DC population that is capable of inducing Treg for establishing tolerance.
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135
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Alawam AS, Anderson G, Lucas B. Generation and Regeneration of Thymic Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:858. [PMID: 32457758 PMCID: PMC7221188 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is unique in its ability to support the maturation of phenotypically and functionally distinct T cell sub-lineages. Through its combined production of MHC-restricted conventional CD4+ and CD8+, and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, as well as non-conventional CD1d-restricted iNKT cells and invariant γδT cells, the thymus represents an important orchestrator of immune system development and control. It is now clear that thymus function is largely determined by the availability of stromal microenvironments. These specialized areas emerge during thymus organogenesis and are maintained throughout life. They are formed from both epithelial and mesenchymal components, and collectively they support a stepwise program of thymocyte development. Of these stromal cells, cortical, and medullary thymic epithelial cells represent functional components of thymic microenvironments in both the cortex and medulla. Importantly, a key feature of thymus function is that levels of T cell production are not constant throughout life. Here, multiple physiological factors including aging, stress and pregnancy can have either short- or long-term detrimental impact on rates of thymus function. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the development and function of thymic epithelial cells, and relate this to strategies to protect and/or restore thymic epithelial cell function for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah S Alawam
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Beth Lucas
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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136
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Park JE, Botting RA, Domínguez Conde C, Popescu DM, Lavaert M, Kunz DJ, Goh I, Stephenson E, Ragazzini R, Tuck E, Wilbrey-Clark A, Roberts K, Kedlian VR, Ferdinand JR, He X, Webb S, Maunder D, Vandamme N, Mahbubani KT, Polanski K, Mamanova L, Bolt L, Crossland D, de Rita F, Fuller A, Filby A, Reynolds G, Dixon D, Saeb-Parsy K, Lisgo S, Henderson D, Vento-Tormo R, Bayraktar OA, Barker RA, Meyer KB, Saeys Y, Bonfanti P, Behjati S, Clatworthy MR, Taghon T, Haniffa M, Teichmann SA. A cell atlas of human thymic development defines T cell repertoire formation. Science 2020; 367:367/6480/eaay3224. [PMID: 32079746 DOI: 10.1126/science.aay3224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The thymus provides a nurturing environment for the differentiation and selection of T cells, a process orchestrated by their interaction with multiple thymic cell types. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to create a cell census of the human thymus across the life span and to reconstruct T cell differentiation trajectories and T cell receptor (TCR) recombination kinetics. Using this approach, we identified and located in situ CD8αα+ T cell populations, thymic fibroblast subtypes, and activated dendritic cell states. In addition, we reveal a bias in TCR recombination and selection, which is attributed to genomic position and the kinetics of lineage commitment. Taken together, our data provide a comprehensive atlas of the human thymus across the life span with new insights into human T cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Eun Park
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Rachel A Botting
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | | | - Dorin-Mirel Popescu
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Marieke Lavaert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daniel J Kunz
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.,Theory of Condensed Matter Group, Cavendish Laboratory/Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.,Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Issac Goh
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Emily Stephenson
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Roberta Ragazzini
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK.,Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Tuck
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Anna Wilbrey-Clark
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Kenny Roberts
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Veronika R Kedlian
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - John R Ferdinand
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Xiaoling He
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Simone Webb
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Daniel Maunder
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Niels Vandamme
- Data Mining and Modeling for Biomedicine, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Krishnaa T Mahbubani
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Krzysztof Polanski
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Lira Mamanova
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Liam Bolt
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - David Crossland
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK.,Department of Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Paediatric Cardiology/Cardiothoracic Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4LP, UK
| | - Fabrizio de Rita
- Department of Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Paediatric Cardiology/Cardiothoracic Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4LP, UK
| | - Andrew Fuller
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Andrew Filby
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Gary Reynolds
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - David Dixon
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Kourosh Saeb-Parsy
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Steven Lisgo
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Deborah Henderson
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Roser Vento-Tormo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Omer A Bayraktar
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Roger A Barker
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK.,WT-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Kerstin B Meyer
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Yvan Saeys
- Data Mining and Modeling for Biomedicine, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paola Bonfanti
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK.,Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.,Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sam Behjati
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK
| | - Menna R Clatworthy
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.,Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.,Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Tom Taghon
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. .,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Muzlifah Haniffa
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK. .,Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK.,Department of Dermatology and NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4LP, UK
| | - Sarah A Teichmann
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK. .,Theory of Condensed Matter Group, Cavendish Laboratory/Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
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137
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Chawla AS, Khalsa JK, Dhar A, Gupta S, Umar D, Arimbasseri GA, Bal V, George A, Rath S. A role for cell-autocrine interleukin-2 in regulatory T-cell homeostasis. Immunology 2020; 160:295-309. [PMID: 32187647 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated T-cells make both interleukin-2 (IL2) and its high-affinity receptor component CD25. Regulatory CD4 T-cells (Treg cells) do not make IL2, and the IL2-CD25 circuit is considered a paracrine circuit crucial in their generation and maintenance. Yet, all T-cells are capable of making IL2 at some stage during differentiation, making a cell-intrinsic autocrine circuit additionally possible. When we re-visited experiments with mixed bone marrow chimeras using a wide range of ratios of wild-type (WT) and IL2-/- genotype progenitors, we found that, as expected, thymic Treg cells were almost equivalent between WT and IL2-/- genotypes at ratios with WT prominence. However, at WT-limiting ratios, the IL2-/- genotype showed lower thymic Treg frequencies, indicating a role for cell-intrinsic autocrine IL2 in thymic Treg generation under IL2-limiting conditions. Further, peripheral IL2-/- naive CD4 T-cells showed poor conversion to inducible Tregs (pTregs) both in vivo and in vitro, again indicating a significant role for cell-intrinsic autocrine IL2 in their generation. Peripherally, the IL2-/- genotype was less prominent at all WT:IL2-/- ratios among both thymic Tregs (tTregs) and pTregs, adoptively transferred IL2-/- Tregs showed poorer survival than WT Tregs did, and RNA-seq analysis of WT and IL2-/- Tregs showed interesting differences in the T-cell receptor and transforming growth factor-beta-bone morphogenetic protein-JNK pathways between them, suggesting a non-titrating role for cell-intrinsic autocrine IL2 in Treg programming. These data indicate that cell-intrinsic autocrine IL2 plays significant roles in Treg generation and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Atika Dhar
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Suman Gupta
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Danish Umar
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Vineeta Bal
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Anna George
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
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138
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Miller CH, Klawon DEJ, Zeng S, Lee V, Socci ND, Savage PA. Eomes identifies thymic precursors of self-specific memory-phenotype CD8 + T cells. Nat Immunol 2020; 21:567-577. [PMID: 32284593 PMCID: PMC7193531 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-020-0653-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Unprimed mice harbor a substantial population of "memory-phenotype" CD8+ T cells (CD8-MP cells) that exhibit hallmarks of activation and innate-like functional properties. Due to the lack of faithful markers to distinguish CD8-MP cells from bona fide CD8+ memory T cells, the developmental origins and antigen specificities of CD8-MP cells remain incompletely defined. Using deep T cell antigen receptor (TCR) sequencing, we found that the TCRs expressed by CD8-MP cells are highly recurrent and distinct from the TCRs expressed by naive-phenotype CD8+ T cells. CD8-MP clones exhibited reactivity to widely expressed self-ligands. T cell precursors expressing CD8-MP TCRs upregulated the transcription factor Eomes during maturation in the thymus, prior to induction of the full memory phenotype, suggestive of a unique program triggered by recognition of self-ligands. Moreover, CD8-MP cells infiltrate oncogene-driven prostate tumors and express high densities of PD-1, suggesting a potential role in anti-tumor immunity and response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David E J Klawon
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sharon Zeng
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Victoria Lee
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nicholas D Socci
- Bioinformatics Core, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter A Savage
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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139
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Yi J, Kawabe T, Sprent J. New insights on T-cell self-tolerance. Curr Opin Immunol 2020; 63:14-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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140
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Park JE, Botting RA, Domínguez Conde C, Popescu DM, Lavaert M, Kunz DJ, Goh I, Stephenson E, Ragazzini R, Tuck E, Wilbrey-Clark A, Roberts K, Kedlian VR, Ferdinand JR, He X, Webb S, Maunder D, Vandamme N, Mahbubani KT, Polanski K, Mamanova L, Bolt L, Crossland D, de Rita F, Fuller A, Filby A, Reynolds G, Dixon D, Saeb-Parsy K, Lisgo S, Henderson D, Vento-Tormo R, Bayraktar OA, Barker RA, Meyer KB, Saeys Y, Bonfanti P, Behjati S, Clatworthy MR, Taghon T, Haniffa M, Teichmann SA. A cell atlas of human thymic development defines T cell repertoire formation. Science 2020. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aay3224 32079746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Eun Park
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Rachel A. Botting
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | | | - Dorin-Mirel Popescu
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Marieke Lavaert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daniel J. Kunz
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- Theory of Condensed Matter Group, Cavendish Laboratory/Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Issac Goh
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Emily Stephenson
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Roberta Ragazzini
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Tuck
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Anna Wilbrey-Clark
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Kenny Roberts
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Veronika R. Kedlian
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - John R. Ferdinand
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Xiaoling He
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Simone Webb
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Daniel Maunder
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Niels Vandamme
- Data Mining and Modeling for Biomedicine, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Krishnaa T. Mahbubani
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Krzysztof Polanski
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Lira Mamanova
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Liam Bolt
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - David Crossland
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
- Department of Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Paediatric Cardiology/Cardiothoracic Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4LP, UK
| | - Fabrizio de Rita
- Department of Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Paediatric Cardiology/Cardiothoracic Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4LP, UK
| | - Andrew Fuller
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Andrew Filby
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Gary Reynolds
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - David Dixon
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Kourosh Saeb-Parsy
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Steven Lisgo
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Deborah Henderson
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Roser Vento-Tormo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Omer A. Bayraktar
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Roger A. Barker
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
- WT-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Kerstin B. Meyer
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Yvan Saeys
- Data Mining and Modeling for Biomedicine, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paola Bonfanti
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sam Behjati
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK
| | - Menna R. Clatworthy
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Tom Taghon
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Muzlifah Haniffa
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
- Department of Dermatology and NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4LP, UK
| | - Sarah A. Teichmann
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- Theory of Condensed Matter Group, Cavendish Laboratory/Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
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141
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Ko A, Watanabe M, Nguyen T, Shi A, Achour A, Zhang B, Sun X, Wang Q, Zhuang Y, Weng NP, Hodes RJ. TCR Repertoires of Thymic Conventional and Regulatory T Cells: Identification and Characterization of Both Unique and Shared TCR Sequences. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:858-867. [PMID: 31924652 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymic regulatory T cells (tTreg) are critical in the maintenance of normal T cell immunity and tolerance. The role of TCR in tTreg selection remains incompletely understood. In this study, we assessed TCRα and TCRβ sequences of mouse tTreg and thymic conventional CD4+ T cells (Tconv) by high-throughput sequencing. We identified αβ TCR sequences that were unique to either tTreg or Tconv and found that these were distinct as recognized by machine learning algorithm and by preferentially used amino acid trimers in αβ CDR3 of tTreg. In addition, a proportion of αβ TCR sequences expressed by tTreg were also found in Tconv, and machine learning classified the great majority of these shared αβ TCR sequences as characteristic of Tconv and not tTreg. These findings identify two populations of tTreg, one in which the regulatory T cell fate is associated with unique properties of the TCR and another with TCR properties characteristic of Tconv for which tTreg fate is determined by factors beyond TCR sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Ko
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 21224
| | - Masashi Watanabe
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Thomas Nguyen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 21224
| | - Alvin Shi
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139; and
| | - Achouak Achour
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 21224
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Xiaoping Sun
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 21224
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Yuan Zhuang
- Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Nan-Ping Weng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 21224;
| | - Richard J Hodes
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892;
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142
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Abstract
Foxp3-expressing CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells play key roles in the prevention of autoimmunity and the maintenance of immune homeostasis and represent a major barrier to the induction of robust antitumor immune responses. Thus, a clear understanding of the mechanisms coordinating Treg cell differentiation is crucial for understanding numerous facets of health and disease and for developing approaches to modulate Treg cells for clinical benefit. Here, we discuss current knowledge of the signals that coordinate Treg cell development, the antigen-presenting cell types that direct Treg cell selection, and the nature of endogenous Treg cell ligands, focusing on evidence from studies in mice. We also highlight recent advances in this area and identify key unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Savage
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA; , ,
| | - David E J Klawon
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA; , ,
| | - Christine H Miller
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA; , ,
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143
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Nikolouli E, Elfaki Y, Herppich S, Schelmbauer C, Delacher M, Falk C, Mufazalov IA, Waisman A, Feuerer M, Huehn J. Recirculating IL-1R2 + Tregs fine-tune intrathymic Treg development under inflammatory conditions. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 18:182-193. [PMID: 31988493 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-019-0352-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The vast majority of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are generated in the thymus, and several factors, such as cytokines and unique thymic antigen-presenting cells, are known to contribute to the development of these thymus-derived Tregs (tTregs). Here, we report the existence of a specific subset of Foxp3+ Tregs within the thymus that is characterized by the expression of IL-1R2, which is a decoy receptor for the inflammatory cytokine IL-1. Detailed flow cytometric analysis of the thymocytes from Foxp3hCD2xRAG1GFP reporter mice revealed that the IL-1R2+ Tregs are mainly RAG1GFP- and CCR6+CCR7-, demonstrating that these Tregs are recirculating cells entering the thymus from the periphery and that they have an activated phenotype. In the spleen, the majority of IL-1R2+ Tregs express neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) and Helios, suggesting a thymic origin for these Tregs. Interestingly, among all tissues studied, the highest frequency of IL-1R2+ Tregs was observed in the thymus, indicating preferential recruitment of this Treg subset by the thymus. Using fetal thymic organ cultures (FTOCs), we demonstrated that increased concentrations of exogenous IL-1β blocked intrathymic Treg development, resulting in a decreased frequency of CD25+Foxp3+ tTregs and an accumulation of CD25+Foxp3- Treg precursors. Interestingly, the addition of IL-1R2+ Tregs, but not IL-1R2- Tregs, to reaggregated thymic organ cultures (RTOCs) abrogated the IL-1β-mediated blockade, demonstrating that these recirculating IL-1R2+ Tregs can quench IL-1 signaling in the thymus and thereby maintain thymic Treg development even under inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Nikolouli
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Yassin Elfaki
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Susanne Herppich
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Carsten Schelmbauer
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Delacher
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), Chair for Immunology, University Regensburg and University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christine Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ilgiz A Mufazalov
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ari Waisman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus Feuerer
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), Chair for Immunology, University Regensburg and University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany. .,Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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144
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Hemmers S, Schizas M, Azizi E, Dikiy S, Zhong Y, Feng Y, Altan-Bonnet G, Rudensky AY. IL-2 production by self-reactive CD4 thymocytes scales regulatory T cell generation in the thymus. J Exp Med 2019; 216:2466-2478. [PMID: 31434685 PMCID: PMC6829602 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20190993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (T reg) cells, a specialized subset of CD4+ T cells, are essential to prevent fatal autoimmunity. Expression of the T reg lineage-defining transcription factor Foxp3, and therefore their differentiation in the thymus, is dependent upon T cell receptor (TCR) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling. Here, we report that the majority of IL-2-producing cells in the thymus are mature CD4 single-positive (CD4SP) thymocytes and that continuous IL-2 production sustained thymic T reg cell generation and control of systemic immune activation. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of CD4 thymocyte subsets revealed that IL-2 was expressed in self-reactive CD4SP thymocytes, which also contain T reg precursor cells. Thus, our results suggest that the thymic T reg cell pool size is scaled by a key niche factor, IL-2, produced by self-reactive CD4SP thymocytes. This IL-2-dependent scaling of thymic T reg cell generation by overall self-reactivity of a mature post-selection thymic precursor pool may likely ensure adequate control of autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Hemmers
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program at Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Michail Schizas
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program at Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Elham Azizi
- Program for Computational and Systems Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Stanislav Dikiy
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program at Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY
| | - Yi Zhong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program at Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Yongqiang Feng
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program at Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Grégoire Altan-Bonnet
- Immunodynamics Group, Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Alexander Y Rudensky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program at Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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145
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Dembic Z. On integrity in immunity during ontogeny or how thymic regulatory T cells work. Scand J Immunol 2019; 90:e12806. [PMID: 31276223 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Standard model of T cell recognition asserts that T cell receptor (TCR) specificities are positively and negatively selected during ontogeny in the thymus and that peripheral T cell repertoire has mild self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) reactivity, known as MHC restriction of foreign antigen. Thus, the TCR must bind both a restrictive molecule (MHC allele) and a peptide reclining in its groove (pMHC ligand) in order to transmit signal into a T cell. The Standard and Cohn's Tritope models suggest contradictory roles for complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of the TCRs. Here, I discuss both concepts and propose a different solution to ontogenetic mechanism for TCR-MHC-conserved interaction. I suggest that double (CD4+ CD8+ )-positive (DP) developing thymocytes compete with their αβTCRs for binding to self-pMHC on cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) that present a selected set of tissue-restricted antigens. The competition between DPs involves TCR editing and secondary rearrangements, similar to germinal-centre B cell somatic hypermutation. These processes would generate cells with higher TCR affinity for self-pMHC, facilitating sufficiently long binding to cTECs to become thymic T regulatory cells (tTregs). Furthermore, CD4+ Foxp3+ tTregs can be generated by mTECs via Aire-dependent and Aire-independent pathways, and additionally on thymic bone marrow-derived APCs including thymic Aire-expressing B cells. Thymic Tregs differ from the induced peripheral Tregs, which comprise the negative feedback loop to restrain immune responses. The implication of thymocytes' competition for the highest binding to self-pMHC is the co-evolution of species-specific αβTCR V regions with MHC alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatko Dembic
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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146
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Winter SJ, Krueger A. Development of Unconventional T Cells Controlled by MicroRNA. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2520. [PMID: 31708931 PMCID: PMC6820353 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional gene regulation through microRNA (miRNA) has emerged as a major control mechanism of multiple biological processes, including development and function of T cells. T cells are vital components of the immune system, with conventional T cells playing a central role in adaptive immunity and unconventional T cells having additional functions reminiscent of both innate and adaptive immunity, such as involvement in stress responses and tissue homeostasis. Unconventional T cells encompass cells expressing semi-invariant T cell receptors (TCRs), such as invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) and Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells. Additionally, some T cells with diverse TCR repertoires, including γδT cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) and regulatory T (Treg) cells, share some functional and/or developmental features with their semi-invariant unconventional counterparts. Unconventional T cells are particularly sensitive to disruption of miRNA function, both globally and on the individual miRNA level. Here, we review the role of miRNA in the development and function of unconventional T cells from an iNKT-centric point of view. The function of single miRNAs can provide important insights into shared and individual pathways for the formation of different unconventional T cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Winter
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Krueger
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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147
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Owen DL, Sjaastad LE, Farrar MA. Regulatory T Cell Development in the Thymus. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2019; 203:2031-2041. [PMID: 31591259 PMCID: PMC6910132 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Development of a comprehensive regulatory T (Treg) cell compartment in the thymus is required to maintain immune homeostasis and prevent autoimmunity. In this study, we review cellular and molecular determinants of Treg cell development in the thymus. We focus on the evidence for a self-antigen-focused Treg cell repertoire as well as the APCs responsible for presenting self-antigens to developing thymocytes. We also cover the contribution of different cytokines to thymic Treg development and the cellular populations that produce these cytokines. Finally, we update the originally proposed "two-step" model of thymic Treg differentiation by incorporating new evidence demonstrating that Treg cells develop from two Treg progenitor populations and discuss the functional importance of Treg cells generated via either progenitor pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Owen
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Louisa E Sjaastad
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Michael A Farrar
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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148
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Myeloid cells activate iNKT cells to produce IL-4 in the thymic medulla. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:22262-22268. [PMID: 31611396 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1910412116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is produced by a unique subset of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells (NKT2) in the thymus in the steady state, where it conditions CD8+ T cells to become "memory-like" among other effects. However, the signals that cause NKT2 cells to constitutively produce IL-4 remain poorly defined. Using histocytometry, we observed IL-4-producing NKT2 cells localized to the thymic medulla, suggesting that medullary signals might instruct NKT2 cells to produce IL-4. Moreover, NKT2 cells receive and require T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation for continuous IL-4 production in the steady state, since NKT2 cells lost IL-4 production when intrathymically transferred into CD1d-deficient recipients. In bone marrow chimeric recipients, only hematopoietic, not stromal, antigen-presenting cells (APCs), provided such stimulation. Furthermore, using different Cre-recombinase transgenic mouse strains to specifically target CD1d deficiency to various APCs, together with the use of diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) transgenic mouse strains to deplete various APCs, we found that macrophages were the predominant cell to stimulate NKT2 IL-4 production. Thus, NKT2 cells appear to encounter and require different activating ligands for selection in the cortex and activation in the medulla.
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149
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Herppich S, Toker A, Pietzsch B, Kitagawa Y, Ohkura N, Miyao T, Floess S, Hori S, Sakaguchi S, Huehn J. Dynamic Imprinting of the Treg Cell-Specific Epigenetic Signature in Developing Thymic Regulatory T Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2382. [PMID: 31681278 PMCID: PMC6797672 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells mainly develop within the thymus and arise from CD25+Foxp3− (CD25+ TregP) or CD25−Foxp3+ (Foxp3+ TregP) Treg cell precursors resulting in Treg cells harboring distinct transcriptomic profiles and complementary T cell receptor repertoires. The stable and long-term expression of Foxp3 in Treg cells and their stable suppressive phenotype are controlled by the demethylation of Treg cell-specific epigenetic signature genes including an evolutionarily conserved CpG-rich element within the Foxp3 locus, the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR). Here we analyzed the dynamics of the imprinting of the Treg cell-specific epigenetic signature genes in thymic Treg cells. We could demonstrate that CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells show a progressive demethylation of most signature genes during maturation within the thymus. Interestingly, a partial demethylation of several Treg cell-specific epigenetic signature genes was already observed in Foxp3+ TregP but not in CD25+ TregP. Furthermore, Foxp3+ TregP were very transient in nature and arose at a more mature developmental stage when compared to CD25+ TregP. When the two Treg cell precursors were cultured in presence of IL-2, a factor known to be critical for thymic Treg cell development, we observed a major impact of IL-2 on the demethylation of the TSDR with a more pronounced effect on Foxp3+ TregP. Together, these results suggest that the establishment of the Treg cell-specific hypomethylation pattern is a continuous process throughout thymic Treg cell development and that the two known Treg cell precursors display distinct dynamics for the imprinting of the Treg cell-specific epigenetic signature genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Herppich
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Aras Toker
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Beate Pietzsch
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Yohko Kitagawa
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, World Premier International Research Center Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naganari Ohkura
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, World Premier International Research Center Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahisa Miyao
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Stefan Floess
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Shohei Hori
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.,Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shimon Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, World Premier International Research Center Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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150
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Hollmann C, Wiese T, Dennstädt F, Fink J, Schneider-Schaulies J, Beyersdorf N. Translational Approaches Targeting Ceramide Generation From Sphingomyelin in T Cells to Modulate Immunity in Humans. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2363. [PMID: 31681273 PMCID: PMC6798155 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In T cells, as in all other cells of the body, sphingolipids form important structural components of membranes. Due to metabolic modifications, sphingolipids additionally play an active part in the signaling of cell surface receptors of T cells like the T cell receptor or the co-stimulatory molecule CD28. Moreover, the sphingolipid composition of their membranes crucially affects the integrity and function of subcellular compartments such as the lysosome. Previously, studying sphingolipid metabolism has been severely hampered by the limited number of analytical methods/model systems available. Besides well-established high resolution mass spectrometry new tools are now available like novel minimally modified sphingolipid subspecies for click chemistry as well as recently generated mouse mutants with deficiencies/overexpression of sphingolipid-modifying enzymes. Making use of these tools we and others discovered that the sphingolipid sphingomyelin is metabolized to ceramide to different degrees in distinct T cell subpopulations of mice and humans. This knowledge has already been translated into novel immunomodulatory approaches in mice and will in the future hopefully also be applicable to humans. In this paper we are, thus, summarizing the most recent findings on the impact of sphingolipid metabolism on T cell activation, differentiation, and effector functions. Moreover, we are discussing the therapeutic concepts arising from these insights and drugs or drug candidates which are already in clinical use or could be developed for clinical use in patients with diseases as distant as major depression and chronic viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Hollmann
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Teresa Wiese
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Fabio Dennstädt
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julian Fink
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Niklas Beyersdorf
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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