101
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Barsanti M, Lim JMC, Hun ML, Lister N, Wong K, Hammett MV, Lepletier A, Boyd RL, Giudice A, Chidgey AP. A novel Foxn1
eGFP/+
mouse model identifies Bmp4‐induced maintenance of
Foxn1
expression and thymic epithelial progenitor populations. Eur J Immunol 2016; 47:291-304. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Barsanti
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Joanna M. C. Lim
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Michael L. Hun
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Natalie Lister
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Kahlia Wong
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Maree V. Hammett
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Ailin Lepletier
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Richard L. Boyd
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Antonietta Giudice
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Ann P. Chidgey
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
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102
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Bianchi F, Sommariva M, De Cecco L, Triulzi T, Romero-Cordoba S, Tagliabue E, Sfondrini L, Balsari A. Expression and prognostic significance of the autoimmune regulator gene in breast cancer cells. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:3220-3229. [PMID: 27753538 PMCID: PMC5176139 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1241918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE) plays a fundamental role in tolerance by promoting the expression of tissue-specific antigens in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Recently, AIRE expression was detected also in human keratinocytes and in tumors originating in stratified epithelia. Here, we tested whether AIRE is expressed in cancer cells. We analyzed AIRE expression in cancer cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA-seq dataset and we found association with better outcome. AIRE protein expression was verified by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 39 human breast cancer specimens and its prognostic relevance was confirmed in microarray-based gene expression data set NKI-295 and KM-Plotter. Both in the RNA-seq and gene expression datasets analyzed, AIRE expression was an independent strong prognostic factor for relapse-free survival (RFS), particularly in estrogen receptor-positive tumors. Enrichment of translation-related pathways was observed in AIRE-expressing tumors by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and a significant increase of cells in G1 phase and activation of caspase cascades was induced by AIRE transfection in breast cancer luminal cell lines, suggesting that AIRE-induced over-translation of proteins lead to cycle arrest and apoptosis. These data are the first to identify AIRE expression in breast cancer and an association with prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bianchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Sommariva
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Loris De Cecco
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Functional Genomics Core Facility, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Triulzi
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sandra Romero-Cordoba
- Oncogenomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genomics Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elda Tagliabue
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Sfondrini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Balsari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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103
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Oliveira EH, Macedo C, Collares CV, Freitas AC, Donate PB, Sakamoto-Hojo ET, Donadi EA, Passos GA. Aire Downregulation Is Associated with Changes in the Posttranscriptional Control of Peripheral Tissue Antigens in Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2016; 7:526. [PMID: 27933063 PMCID: PMC5120147 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune regulator (Aire) is a transcriptional regulator of peripheral tissue antigens (PTAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Aire also played a role as an upstream posttranscriptional controller in these cells and that variation in its expression might be associated with changes in the interactions between miRNAs and the mRNAs encoding PTAs. We demonstrated that downregulation of Aire in vivo in the thymuses of BALB/c mice imbalanced the large-scale expression of these two RNA species and consequently their interactions. The expression profiles of a large set of mTEC miRNAs and mRNAs isolated from the thymuses of mice subjected (or not) to small-interfering-induced Aire gene knockdown revealed that 87 miRNAs and 4,558 mRNAs were differentially expressed. The reconstruction of the miRNA–mRNA interaction networks demonstrated that interactions between these RNAs were under Aire influence and therefore changed when this gene was downregulated. Prior to Aire-knockdown, only members of the miR-let-7 family interacted with a set of PTA mRNAs. Under Aire-knockdown conditions, a larger set of miRNA families and their members established this type of interaction. Notably, no previously described Aire-dependent PTA interacted with the miRNAs, indicating that these PTAs were somehow refractory. The miRNA–mRNA interactions were validated by calculating the minimal free energy of the pairings between the miRNA seed regions and the mRNA 3′ UTRs and within the cellular milieu using the luciferase reporter gene assay. These results suggest the existence of a link between transcriptional and posttranscriptional control because Aire downregulation alters the miRNA–mRNA network controlling PTAs in mTEC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernna H Oliveira
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP) , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Claudia Macedo
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP) , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Cristhianna V Collares
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP) , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Freitas
- Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP) , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Paula Barbim Donate
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP) , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Elza T Sakamoto-Hojo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP) , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Eduardo A Donadi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP) , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Geraldo A Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil; Discipline of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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104
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Merayo-Chalico J, Rajme-López S, Barrera-Vargas A, Alcocer-Varela J, Díaz-Zamudio M, Gómez-Martín D. Lymphopenia and autoimmunity: A double-edged sword. Hum Immunol 2016; 77:921-929. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2016.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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105
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Liu H, Jain R, Guan J, Vuong V, Ishido S, La Gruta NL, Gray DH, Villadangos JA, Mintern JD. Ubiquitin ligase MARCH 8 cooperates with CD83 to control surface MHC II expression in thymic epithelium and CD4 T cell selection. J Exp Med 2016; 213:1695-703. [PMID: 27503069 PMCID: PMC4995085 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20160312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) expression is tightly regulated, being subjected to cell type-specific mechanisms that closely control its levels at the cell surface. Ubiquitination by the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH 1 regulates MHC II expression in dendritic cells and B cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the related ligase MARCH 8 is responsible for regulating surface MHC II in thymic epithelial cells (TECs). March8(-/-) mice have elevated MHC II at the surface of cortical TECs and autoimmune regulator (AIRE)(-) medullary TECs (mTECs), but not AIRE(+) mTECs. Despite this, thymic and splenic CD4(+) T cell numbers and repertoires remained unaltered in March8(-/-) mice. Notably, the ubiquitination of MHC II by MARCH 8 is controlled by CD83. Mice expressing a mutated form of CD83 (Cd83(anu/anu) mice) have impaired CD4(+) T cell selection, but deleting March8 in Cd83(anu/anu) mice restored CD4(+) T cell selection to normal levels. Therefore, orchestrated regulation of MHC II surface expression in TECs by MARCH 8 and CD83 plays a major role in CD4(+) T cell selection. Our results also highlight the specialized use of ubiquitinating machinery in distinct antigen-presenting cell types, with important functional consequences and implications for therapeutic manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Reema Jain
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jing Guan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Vivian Vuong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Satoshi Ishido
- Laboratory of Integrative Infection Immunity, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-0042, Japan Department of Microbiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo 663-8131, Japan
| | - Nicole L La Gruta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Daniel H Gray
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jose A Villadangos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Justine D Mintern
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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106
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Akiyama N, Takizawa N, Miyauchi M, Yanai H, Tateishi R, Shinzawa M, Yoshinaga R, Kurihara M, Demizu Y, Yasuda H, Yagi S, Wu G, Matsumoto M, Sakamoto R, Yoshida N, Penninger JM, Kobayashi Y, Inoue JI, Akiyama T. Identification of embryonic precursor cells that differentiate into thymic epithelial cells expressing autoimmune regulator. J Exp Med 2016; 213:1441-58. [PMID: 27401343 PMCID: PMC4986530 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20151780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) expressing autoimmune regulator (Aire) are critical for preventing the onset of autoimmunity. However, the differentiation program of Aire-expressing mTECs (Aire(+) mTECs) is unclear. Here, we describe novel embryonic precursors of Aire(+) mTECs. We found the candidate precursors of Aire(+) mTECs (pMECs) by monitoring the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), which is required for Aire(+) mTEC differentiation. pMECs unexpectedly expressed cortical TEC molecules in addition to the mTEC markers UEA-1 ligand and RANK and differentiated into mTECs in reaggregation thymic organ culture. Introduction of pMECs in the embryonic thymus permitted long-term maintenance of Aire(+) mTECs and efficiently suppressed the onset of autoimmunity induced by Aire(+) mTEC deficiency. Mechanistically, pMECs differentiated into Aire(+) mTECs by tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-dependent RANK signaling. Moreover, nonclassical nuclear factor-κB activation triggered by RANK and lymphotoxin-β receptor signaling promoted pMEC induction from progenitors exhibiting lower RANK expression and higher CD24 expression. Thus, our findings identified two novel stages in the differentiation program of Aire(+) mTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuko Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Nobukazu Takizawa
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Maki Miyauchi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiromi Yanai
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tateishi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Miho Shinzawa
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Riko Yoshinaga
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Masaaki Kurihara
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kamiyoga, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kamiyoga, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Hisataka Yasuda
- Nagahama Institute for Biochemical Science, Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd., 50, Kano-cho, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0804, Japan
| | - Shintaro Yagi
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Guoying Wu
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Reiko Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Center for Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Yoshida
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Center for Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Yasuhiro Kobayashi
- Institute for Oral Science, Matsumoto Dental University, Hiro-oka, Shiojiri-shi, Nagano 399-0781, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichiro Inoue
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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107
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Song Y, Su M, Zhu J, Di W, Liu Y, Hu R, Rood D, Lai L. FOXN1 recombinant protein enhances T-cell regeneration after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in mice. Eur J Immunol 2016; 46:1518-28. [PMID: 27125859 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201546196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A prolonged period of T-cell recovery is the major challenge in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the major component of the thymic microenvironment for T-cell generation. However, TECs undergo degeneration over time. FOXN1 plays a critical role in TEC development and is required to maintain adult TECs for thymopoiesis. To investigate the potential application of FOXN1, we have cloned and expressed recombinant FOXN1 protein (rFOXN1) that was fused with cell-penetrating peptides. We show here that the rFOXN1 protein can translocate from the cell surface into the cytoplasm and nucleus. Administration of rFOXN1 into both congenic and allogeneic HSCT recipient mice increased the number of TECs, resulting in enhanced thymopoiesis that led to an increased number of functional T cells in the periphery. The increased number of TECs is due to the enhanced survival and proliferation of TECs. Our results suggest that rFOXN1 has the potential to be used in enhancing T-cell regeneration in patients following HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhong Song
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Min Su
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Jing Zhu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Di
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yalan Liu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Debra Rood
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Laijun Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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108
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Abramson J, Husebye ES. Autoimmune regulator and self-tolerance - molecular and clinical aspects. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:127-40. [PMID: 27088911 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of central tolerance in the thymus is critical for avoiding deleterious autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune regulator (AIRE), the causative gene in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type-1 (APS-1), is crucial for the establishment of self-tolerance in the thymus by promoting promiscuous expression of a wide array of tissue-restricted self-antigens. This step is critical for elimination of high-affinity self-reactive T cells from the immunological repertoire, and for the induction of a specific subset of Foxp3(+) T-regulatory (Treg ) cells. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of how AIRE operates on molecular and cellular levels, as well as of how its loss of function results in breakdown of self-tolerance mechanisms characterized by a broad and heterogeneous repertoire of autoimmune phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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109
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Abstract
As the primary site of T-cell development, the thymus plays a key role in the generation of a strong yet self-tolerant adaptive immune response, essential in the face of the potential threat from pathogens or neoplasia. As the importance of the role of the thymus has grown, so too has the understanding that it is extremely sensitive to both acute and chronic injury. The thymus undergoes rapid degeneration following a range of toxic insults, and also involutes as part of the aging process, albeit at a faster rate than many other tissues. The thymus is, however, capable of regenerating, restoring its function to a degree. Potential mechanisms for this endogenous thymic regeneration include keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) signaling, and a more recently described pathway in which innate lymphoid cells produce interleukin-22 (IL-22) in response to loss of double positive thymocytes and upregulation of IL-23 by dendritic cells. Endogenous repair is unable to fully restore the thymus, particularly in the aged population, and this paves the way toward the need for exogenous strategies to help regenerate or even replace thymic function. Therapies currently in clinical trials include KGF, use of the cytokines IL-7 and IL-22, and hormonal modulation including growth hormone administration and sex steroid inhibition. Further novel strategies are emerging in the preclinical setting, including the use of precursor T cells and thymus bioengineering. The use of such strategies offers hope that for many patients, the next regeneration of their thymus is a step closer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S Chaudhry
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jarrod A Dudakov
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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110
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Perry JSA, Hsieh CS. Development of T-cell tolerance utilizes both cell-autonomous and cooperative presentation of self-antigen. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:141-55. [PMID: 27088912 PMCID: PMC4837647 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The development of T-cell self-tolerance in the thymus is important for establishing immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity. Here, we review the components of T-cell tolerance, which includes T-cell receptor (TCR) self-reactivity, costimulation, cytokines, and antigen presentation by a variety of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) subsets. We discuss the current evidence on the process of regulatory T (Treg) cell and negative selection and the importance of TCR signaling. We then examine recent evidence showing unique roles for bone marrow (BM)-derived APCs and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) on the conventional and Treg TCR repertoire, as well as emerging data on the role of B cells in tolerance. Finally, we review the accumulating data that suggest that cooperative antigen presentation is a prominent component of T -ell tolerance. With the development of tools to interrogate the function of individual APC subsets in the medulla, we have gained greater understanding of the complex cellular and molecular events that determine T-cell tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin S A Perry
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Chyi-Song Hsieh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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111
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Ohigashi I, Kozai M, Takahama Y. Development and developmental potential of cortical thymic epithelial cells. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:10-22. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology; Institute for Genome Research; University of Tokushima; Tokushima Japan
| | - Mina Kozai
- Division of Experimental Immunology; Institute for Genome Research; University of Tokushima; Tokushima Japan
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Division of Experimental Immunology; Institute for Genome Research; University of Tokushima; Tokushima Japan
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112
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Zhu ML, Bakhru P, Conley B, Nelson JS, Free M, Martin A, Starmer J, Wilson EM, Su MA. Sex bias in CNS autoimmune disease mediated by androgen control of autoimmune regulator. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11350. [PMID: 27072778 PMCID: PMC5512610 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Male gender is protective against multiple sclerosis and other T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. This protection may be due, in part, to higher androgen levels in males. Androgen binds to the androgen receptor (AR) to regulate gene expression, but how androgen protects against autoimmunity is not well understood. Autoimmune regulator (Aire) prevents autoimmunity by promoting self-antigen expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells, such that developing T cells that recognize these self-antigens within the thymus undergo clonal deletion. Here we show that androgen upregulates Aire-mediated thymic tolerance to protect against autoimmunity. Androgen recruits AR to Aire promoter regions, with consequent enhancement of Aire transcription. In mice and humans, thymic Aire expression is higher in males compared with females. Androgen administration and male gender protect against autoimmunity in a multiple sclerosis mouse model in an Aire-dependent manner. Thus, androgen control of an intrathymic Aire-mediated tolerance mechanism contributes to gender differences in autoimmunity.
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MESH Headings
- Androgens/pharmacology
- Animals
- Antigens/metabolism
- Autoimmune Diseases/metabolism
- Autoimmune Diseases/pathology
- Central Nervous System/pathology
- Dihydrotestosterone/pharmacology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/prevention & control
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Humans
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein/genetics
- Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Sexism
- Thymus Gland/drug effects
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Up-Regulation/drug effects
- AIRE Protein
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lei Zhu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Pearl Bakhru
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Bridget Conley
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Nelson
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Meghan Free
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Aaron Martin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Joshua Starmer
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Wilson
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Maureen A. Su
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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113
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Abstract
More than 15 years ago, mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene were identified as the cause of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS1). It is now clear that this transcription factor has a crucial role in promoting self-tolerance in the thymus by regulating the expression of a wide array of self-antigens that have the commonality of being tissue-restricted in their expression pattern in the periphery. In this Review, we highlight many of the recent advances in our understanding of the complex biology that is related to AIRE, with a particular focus on advances in genetics, molecular interactions and the effect of AIRE on thymic selection of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, we highlight new areas of biology that are potentially affected by this key regulator of immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen A. Su
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
- Department of Microbiology/Immunology, School of Medicine, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
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114
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Alves NL, Ribeiro AR. Thymus medulla under construction: Time and space oddities. Eur J Immunol 2016; 46:829-33. [PMID: 26947141 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The development of effective T-cell-based immunotherapies to treat infection, cancer, and autoimmunity should incorporate the ground rules that control differentiation of T cells in the thymus. Within the thymus, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide microenvironments supportive of the generation and selection of T cells that are responsive to pathogen-derived antigens, and yet tolerant to self-determinants. Defects in TEC differentiation cause syndromes that range from immunodeficiency to autoimmunity, which makes the study of TECs of fundamental and clinical importance to comprehend how immunity and tolerance are balanced. Critical to tolerance induction are medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), which purge autoreactive T cells, or redirect them to a regulatory T-cell lineage. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, studies by Baik et al. and Mayer et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2016. 46: XXXX-XXXX and 46: XXXX-XXXX]) document novel spatial-temporal singularities in the lineage specification and maintenance of mTECs. While Baik et al. define a developmental checkpoint during mTEC specification in the embryo, Mayer et al. reveal that the generation and maintenance of the adult mTEC compartment is temporally controlled in vivo. The two reports described new developmentally related, but temporally distinct principles that underlie the homeostasis of the thymic medulla across life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), Universidade do Porot, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R Ribeiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), Universidade do Porot, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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115
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Ulyanchenko S, O'Neill KE, Medley T, Farley AM, Vaidya HJ, Cook AM, Blair NF, Blackburn CC. Identification of a Bipotent Epithelial Progenitor Population in the Adult Thymus. Cell Rep 2016; 14:2819-32. [PMID: 26997270 PMCID: PMC4819909 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.02.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are critically required for T cell development, but the cellular mechanisms that maintain adult TECs are poorly understood. Here, we show that a previously unidentified subpopulation, EpCam(+)UEA1(-)Ly-51(+)PLET1(+)MHC class II(hi), which comprises <0.5% of adult TECs, contains bipotent TEC progenitors that can efficiently generate both cortical (c) TECs and medullary (m) TECs. No other adult TEC population tested in this study contains this activity. We demonstrate persistence of PLET1(+)Ly-51(+) TEC-derived cells for 9 months in vivo, suggesting the presence of thymic epithelial stem cells. Additionally, we identify cTEC-restricted short-term progenitor activity but fail to detect high efficiency mTEC-restricted progenitors in the adult thymus. Our data provide a phenotypically defined adult thymic epithelial progenitor/stem cell that is able to generate both cTECs and mTECs, opening avenues for improving thymus function in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Ulyanchenko
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Kathy E O'Neill
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Tanya Medley
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Alison M Farley
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Harsh J Vaidya
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Alistair M Cook
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Natalie F Blair
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - C Clare Blackburn
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK.
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116
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Nitta T, Suzuki H. Thymic stromal cell subsets for T cell development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:1021-37. [PMID: 26825337 PMCID: PMC11108406 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2107-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The thymus provides a specialized microenvironment in which a variety of stromal cells of both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic origin regulate development and repertoire selection of T cells. Recent studies have been unraveling the inter- and intracellular signals and transcriptional networks for spatiotemporal regulation of development of thymic stromal cells, mainly thymic epithelial cells (TECs), and the molecular mechanisms of how different TEC subsets control T cell development and selection. TECs are classified into two functionally different subsets: cortical TECs (cTECs) and medullary TECs (mTECs). cTECs induce positive selection of diverse and functionally distinct T cells by virtue of unique antigen-processing systems, while mTECs are essential for establishing T cell tolerance via ectopic expression of peripheral tissue-restricted antigens and cooperation with dendritic cells. In addition to reviewing the role of the thymic stroma in conventional T cell development, we will discuss recently discovered novel functions of TECs in the development of unconventional T cells, such as natural killer T cells and γδT cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Nitta
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan.
| | - Harumi Suzuki
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan.
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117
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Loss of Pten Disrupts the Thymic Epithelium and Alters Thymic Function. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149430. [PMID: 26914657 PMCID: PMC4767252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the site of T cell development and selection. In addition to lymphocytes, the thymus is composed of several types of stromal cells that are exquisitely organized to create the appropriate environment and microenvironment to support the development and selection of maturing T cells. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are one of the more important cell types in the thymic stroma, and they play a critical role in selecting functional T cell clones and supporting their development. In this study, we used a mouse genetics approach to investigate the consequences of deleting the Pten tumor suppressor gene in the TEC compartment of the developing thymus. We found that PTEN deficiency in TECs results in a smaller thymus with significantly disordered architecture and histology. Accordingly, loss of PTEN function also results in decreased T cells with a shift in the distribution of T cell subtypes towards CD8+ T cells. These experiments demonstrate that PTEN is critically required for the development of a functional thymic epithelium in mice. This work may help better understand the effects that certain medical conditions or clinical interventions have upon the thymus and immune function.
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118
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Evolutionary conserved gene co-expression drives generation of self-antigen diversity in medullary thymic epithelial cells. J Autoimmun 2016; 67:65-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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119
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Satoh R, Kakugawa K, Yasuda T, Yoshida H, Sibilia M, Katsura Y, Levi B, Abramson J, Koseki Y, Koseki H, van Ewijk W, Hollander GA, Kawamoto H. Requirement of Stat3 Signaling in the Postnatal Development of Thymic Medullary Epithelial Cells. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005776. [PMID: 26789017 PMCID: PMC4720355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic medullary regions are formed in neonatal mice as islet-like structures, which increase in size over time and eventually fuse a few weeks after birth into a continuous structure. The development of medullary thymic epithelial cells (TEC) is dependent on NF-κB associated signaling though other signaling pathways may contribute. Here, we demonstrate that Stat3-mediated signals determine medullary TEC cellularity, architectural organization and hence the size of the medulla. Deleting Stat3 expression selectively in thymic epithelia precludes the postnatal enlargement of the medulla retaining a neonatal architecture of small separate medullary islets. In contrast, loss of Stat3 expression in cortical TEC neither affects the cellularity or organization of the epithelia. Activation of Stat3 is mainly positioned downstream of EGF-R as its ablation in TEC phenocopies the loss of Stat3 expression in these cells. These results indicate that Stat3 meditated signal via EGF-R is required for the postnatal development of thymic medullary regions. Thymic medulla is known to be an essential site for the deletion of auto-reactive T cells. Whereas it has been well documented that the development of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) depends on NF-κB associated signaling, it remained unclear whether other signaling pathways are also involved. In this context, it had been reported that conditional deletion of Stat3 alleles in TECs using cytokeratin-5 (CK5) promoter controlled Cre expression results in a profound impairment in TEC development. However, a detailed analysis of phenotypes in mTECs remained unstudied. In the present study, we show that thymic medullary regions remain as small islets when Stat3 is conditionally deleted in thymic epithelial cells, while they normal fuse to form continuous structures during postnatal development. Furthermore, we identified EGF-R mediated signal to be placed upstream of Stat3 activation, as its ablation phenocopied the loss of Stat3 expression in TECs. Thus, the present study revealed that Stat3 is required for the postnatal development of medullary regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumi Satoh
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Development, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Japan
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kiyokazu Kakugawa
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Development, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Japan
- Laboratory for Immune Crosstalk, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takuwa Yasuda
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokoham, Japan
| | - Hisahiro Yoshida
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokoham, Japan
| | - Maria Sibilia
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yoshimoto Katsura
- Division of Cell Regeneration and Transplantation, Advanced Medical Research Center, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ben Levi
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yoko Koseki
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Koseki
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Willem van Ewijk
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, RA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Georg A. Hollander
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Center for Biomedicine, University of Basel, and the University Children’s Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Developmental Immunology Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hiroshi Kawamoto
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Development, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
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120
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Lomada D, Jain M, Bolner M, Reeh KAG, Kang R, Reddy MC, DiGiovanni J, Richie ER. Stat3 Signaling Promotes Survival And Maintenance Of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005777. [PMID: 26789196 PMCID: PMC4720390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are essential for establishing central tolerance by expressing a diverse array of self-peptides that delete autoreactive thymocytes and/or divert thymocytes into the regulatory T cell lineage. Activation of the NFκB signaling pathway in mTEC precursors is indispensable for mTEC maturation and proliferation resulting in proper medullary region formation. Here we show that the Stat3-mediated signaling pathway also plays a key role in mTEC development and homeostasis. Expression of a constitutively active Stat3 transgene targeted to the mTEC compartment increases mTEC cellularity and bypasses the requirement for signals from positively selected thymocytes to drive medullary region formation. Conversely, conditional deletion of Stat3 disrupts medullary region architecture and reduces the number of mTECs. Stat3 signaling does not affect mTEC proliferation, but rather promotes survival of immature MHCIIloCD80lo mTEC precursors. In contrast to striking alterations in the mTEC compartment, neither enforced expression nor deletion of Stat3 affects cTEC cellularity or organization. These results demonstrate that in addition to the NFkB pathway, Stat3-mediated signals play an essential role in regulating mTEC cellularity and medullary region homeostasis. T cells, an essential component of the immune system, generate protective immune responses against pathogenic organisms and cancer cells. T cells are produced in the thymus, which provides a unique microenvironment required for T cell development. Distinct subsets of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) in the outer cortex and inner medulla provide signals required for the survival and differentiation of immature T cells, referred to as thymocytes. Medullary TECs (mTECs) play a critical role in preventing autoimmunity because they have the unique ability to express peptides found in other organs throughout the body. Presentation of self-peptides to thymocytes causes deletion of cells that express high affinity self-reactive receptors. Numerous studies have established that a major signaling pathway mediated by NFκB family members is indispensable for mTEC development. However, whether other signaling pathways are also required has remained an open question. Here, we use gain- and loss-of-function genetic approaches to demonstrate that another pathway, mediated by Stat3 signaling, plays an important role in mTEC development and homeostasis. We show that constitutive Stat3 activation enhances the survival of immature mTECs and bypasses the requirement for thymocyte-derived signals in medullary region formation. In contrast, Stat3 depletion reduces mTEC cellularity and impairs medullary region formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakshayani Lomada
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Manju Jain
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michelle Bolner
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis Graduate Program, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kaitlin A. G. Reeh
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis Graduate Program, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rhea Kang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Madhava C. Reddy
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - John DiGiovanni
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ellen R. Richie
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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121
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Mayer CE, Žuklys S, Zhanybekova S, Ohigashi I, Teh HY, Sansom SN, Shikama-Dorn N, Hafen K, Macaulay IC, Deadman ME, Ponting CP, Takahama Y, Holländer GA. Dynamic spatio-temporal contribution of single β5t+ cortical epithelial precursors to the thymus medulla. Eur J Immunol 2016; 46:846-56. [PMID: 26694097 PMCID: PMC4832341 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201545995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Intrathymic T‐cell development is critically dependent on cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Both epithelial subsets originate during early thymus organogenesis from progenitor cells that express the thymoproteasome subunit β5t, a typical feature of cortical TECs. Using in vivo lineage fate mapping, we demonstrate in mice that β5t+ TEC progenitors give rise to the medullary TEC compartment early in life but significantly limit their contribution once the medulla has completely formed. Lineage‐tracing studies at single cell resolution demonstrate for young mice that the postnatal medulla is expanded from individual β5t+ cortical progenitors located at the cortico‐medullary junction. These results therefore not only define a developmental window during which the expansion of medulla is efficiently enabled by progenitors resident in the thymic cortex, but also reveal the spatio‐temporal dynamics that control the growth of the thymic medulla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos E Mayer
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Saulius Žuklys
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute for Genome Research, University of Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hong-Ying Teh
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephen N Sansom
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Katrin Hafen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Iain C Macaulay
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute-EBI Single Cell Genomics Centre, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mary E Deadman
- Department of Paediatrics and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chris P Ponting
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute-EBI Single Cell Genomics Centre, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.,MRC Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute for Genome Research, University of Tokushima, Japan
| | - Georg A Holländer
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Paediatrics and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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122
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O’Neill KE, Bredenkamp N, Tischner C, Vaidya HJ, Stenhouse FH, Peddie CD, Nowell CS, Gaskell T, Blackburn CC. Foxn1 Is Dynamically Regulated in Thymic Epithelial Cells during Embryogenesis and at the Onset of Thymic Involution. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151666. [PMID: 26983083 PMCID: PMC4794177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymus function requires extensive cross-talk between developing T-cells and the thymic epithelium, which consists of cortical and medullary TEC. The transcription factor FOXN1 is the master regulator of TEC differentiation and function, and declining Foxn1 expression with age results in stereotypical thymic involution. Understanding of the dynamics of Foxn1 expression is, however, limited by a lack of single cell resolution data. We have generated a novel reporter of Foxn1 expression, Foxn1G, to monitor changes in Foxn1 expression during embryogenesis and involution. Our data reveal that early differentiation and maturation of cortical and medullary TEC coincides with precise sub-lineage-specific regulation of Foxn1 expression levels. We further show that initiation of thymic involution is associated with reduced cTEC functionality, and proportional expansion of FOXN1-negative TEC in both cortical and medullary sub-lineages. Cortex-specific down-regulation of Foxn1 between 1 and 3 months of age may therefore be a key driver of the early stages of age-related thymic involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy E. O’Neill
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Nicholas Bredenkamp
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Christin Tischner
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Harsh J. Vaidya
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Frances H. Stenhouse
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - C. Diana Peddie
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Craig S. Nowell
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Terri Gaskell
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - C. Clare Blackburn
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
- * E-mail:
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123
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De Martino L, Capalbo D, Improda N, Lorello P, Ungaro C, Di Mase R, Cirillo E, Pignata C, Salerno M. Novel Findings into AIRE Genetics and Functioning: Clinical Implications. Front Pediatr 2016; 4:86. [PMID: 27597936 PMCID: PMC4992815 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2016.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), formerly known as autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1, is a paradigm of a monogenic autoimmune disease caused by mutations of a gene, named autoimmune regulator (AIRE). AIRE acts as a transcription regulator that promotes immunological central tolerance by inducing the ectopic thymic expression of many tissue-specific antigens. Although the syndrome is a monogenic disease, it is characterized by a wide variability of the clinical expression with no significant correlation between genotype and phenotype. Indeed, many aspects regarding the exact role of AIRE and APECED pathogenesis still remain unraveled. In the last decades, several studies in APECED and in its mouse experimental counterpart have revealed new insights on how immune system learns self-tolerance. Moreover, novel interesting findings have extended our understanding of AIRE's function and regulation thus improving our knowledge on the pathogenesis of APECED. In this review, we will summarize recent novelties on molecular mechanisms underlying the development of APECED and their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia De Martino
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | | | - Nicola Improda
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | - Paola Lorello
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | - Carla Ungaro
- Department of Pediatrics, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | | | - Emilia Cirillo
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | - Claudio Pignata
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
| | - Mariacarolina Salerno
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University , Naples , Italy
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124
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Chung B, Montel-Hagen A, Ge S, Blumberg G, Kim K, Klein S, Zhu Y, Parekh C, Balamurugan A, Yang OO, Crooks GM. Engineering the human thymic microenvironment to support thymopoiesis in vivo. Stem Cells 2015; 32:2386-96. [PMID: 24801626 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A system that allows manipulation of the human thymic microenvironment is needed both to elucidate the extrinsic mechanisms that control human thymopoiesis and to develop potential cell therapies for thymic insufficiency. In this report, we developed an implantable thymic microenvironment composed of two human thymic stroma populations critical for thymopoiesis; thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and thymic mesenchyme (TM). TECs and TM from postnatal human thymi were cultured in specific conditions, allowing cell expansion and manipulation of gene expression, before reaggregation into a functional thymic unit. Human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) differentiated into T cells in the aggregates in vitro and in vivo following inguinal implantation of aggregates in immune deficient mice. Cord blood HSPC previously engrafted into murine bone marrow (BM), migrated to implants, and differentiated into human T cells with a broad T cell receptor repertoire. Furthermore, lentiviral-mediated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in TM enhanced implant size and function and significantly increased thymocyte production. These results demonstrate an in vivo system for the generation of T cells from human HSPC and represent the first model to allow manipulation of gene expression and cell composition in the microenvironment of the human thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brile Chung
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California, USA
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125
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Haljasorg U, Bichele R, Saare M, Guha M, Maslovskaja J, Kõnd K, Remm A, Pihlap M, Tomson L, Kisand K, Laan M, Peterson P. A highly conserved NF-κB-responsive enhancer is critical for thymic expression of Aire in mice. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:3246-56. [PMID: 26364592 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201545928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune regulator (Aire) has a unique expression pattern in thymic medullary epithelial cells (mTECs), in which it plays a critical role in the activation of tissue-specific antigens. The expression of Aire in mTECs is activated by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) signaling; however, the molecular mechanism behind this activation is unknown. Here, we characterize a conserved noncoding sequence 1 (CNS1) containing two NF-κB binding sites upstream of the Aire coding region. We show that CNS1-deficient mice lack thymic expression of Aire and share several features of Aire-knockout mice, including downregulation of Aire-dependent genes, impaired terminal differentiation of the mTEC population, and reduced production of thymic Treg cells. In addition, we show that CNS1 is indispensable for RANK-induced Aire expression and that CNS1 is activated by NF-κB pathway complexes containing RelA. Together, our results indicate that CNS1 is a critical link between RANK signaling, NF-κB activation, and thymic expression of Aire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uku Haljasorg
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Rudolf Bichele
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mario Saare
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mithu Guha
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Julia Maslovskaja
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Karin Kõnd
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Remm
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maire Pihlap
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Laura Tomson
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kai Kisand
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Martti Laan
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pärt Peterson
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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126
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Kawano H, Nishijima H, Morimoto J, Hirota F, Morita R, Mouri Y, Nishioka Y, Matsumoto M. Aire Expression Is Inherent to Most Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells during Their Differentiation Program. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2015; 195:5149-58. [PMID: 26503950 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1501000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aire in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) plays an important role in the establishment of self-tolerance. Because Aire(+) mTECs appear to be a limited subset, they may constitute a unique lineage(s) among mTECs. An alternative possibility is that all mTECs are committed to express Aire in principle, but Aire expression by individual mTECs is conditional. To investigate this issue, we established a novel Aire reporter strain in which endogenous Aire is replaced by the human AIRE-GFP-Flag tag (Aire/hAGF-knockin) fusion gene. The hAGF reporter protein was produced and retained very efficiently within mTECs as authentic Aire nuclear dot protein. Remarkably, snapshot analysis revealed that mTECs expressing hAGF accounted for >95% of mature mTECs, suggesting that Aire expression does not represent a particular mTEC lineage(s). We confirmed this by generating Aire/diphtheria toxin receptor-knockin mice in which long-term ablation of Aire(+) mTECs by diphtheria toxin treatment resulted in the loss of most mature mTECs beyond the proportion of those apparently expressing Aire. These results suggest that Aire expression is inherent to all mTECs but may occur at particular stage(s) and/or cellular states during their differentiation, thus accounting for the broad impact of Aire on the promiscuous gene expression of mTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kawano
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; and
| | - Hitoshi Nishijima
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Junko Morimoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Fumiko Hirota
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Ryoko Morita
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Mouri
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Nishioka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; and
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
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127
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Adult Thymic Medullary Epithelium Is Maintained and Regenerated by Lineage-Restricted Cells Rather Than Bipotent Progenitors. Cell Rep 2015; 13:1432-1443. [PMID: 26549457 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play an essential role in establishing self-tolerance in T cells. mTECs originate from bipotent TEC progenitors that generate both mTECs and cortical TECs (cTECs), although mTEC-restricted progenitors also have been reported. Here, we report in vivo fate-mapping analysis of cells that transcribe β5t, a cTEC trait expressed in bipotent progenitors, during a given period in mice. We show that, in adult mice, most mTECs are derived from progenitors that transcribe β5t during embryogenesis and the neonatal period up to 1 week of age. The contribution of adult β5t(+) progenitors was minor even during injury-triggered regeneration. Our results further demonstrate that adult mTEC-restricted progenitors are derived from perinatal β5t(+) progenitors. These results indicate that the adult thymic medullary epithelium is maintained and regenerated by mTEC-lineage cells that pass beyond the bipotent stage during early ontogeny.
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128
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Yanagihara T, Sanematsu F, Sato T, Uruno T, Duan X, Tomino T, Harada Y, Watanabe M, Wang Y, Tanaka Y, Nakanishi Y, Suyama M, Yoshinori F. Intronic regulation of Aire expression by Jmjd6 for self-tolerance induction in the thymus. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8820. [PMID: 26531897 PMCID: PMC4667615 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus has spatially distinct microenvironments, the cortex and the medulla, where the developing T-cells are selected to mature or die through the interaction with thymic stromal cells. To establish the immunological self in the thymus, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) express diverse sets of tissue-specific self-antigens (TSAs). This ectopic expression of TSAs largely depends on the transcriptional regulator Aire, yet the mechanism controlling Aire expression itself remains unknown. Here, we show that Jmjd6, a dioxygenase that catalyses lysyl hydroxylation of splicing regulatory proteins, is critical for Aire expression. Although Jmjd6 deficiency does not affect abundance of Aire transcript, the intron 2 of Aire gene is not effectively spliced out in the absence of Jmjd6, resulting in marked reduction of mature Aire protein in mTECs and spontaneous development of multi-organ autoimmunity in mice. These results highlight the importance of intronic regulation in controlling Aire protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toyoshi Yanagihara
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Sanematsu
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sato
- Division of Bioinformatics, Multi-scale Research Centre for Medical Science, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takehito Uruno
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Xuefeng Duan
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tomino
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yosuke Harada
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mayuki Watanabe
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Tanaka
- Section of Infection Biology, Department of Functional Bioscience, Fukuoka Dental College, 2-15-1 Tamura, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka 814-0175, Japan
| | - Yoichi Nakanishi
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Multi-scale Research Centre for Medical Science, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Fukui Yoshinori
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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129
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Abstract
The autoimmune regulator (Aire) was initially identified as the gene causing multiorgan system autoimmunity in humans, and deletion of this gene in mice also resulted in organ-specific autoimmunity. Aire regulates the expression of tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), which play a critical role in the negative selection of autoreactive T cells and the generation of regulatory T cells. More recently, the role of Aire in the development of mTECs has helped elucidate its ability to present the spectrum of TSAs needed to prevent autoimmunity. Molecular characterization of the functional domains of Aire has revealed multiple binding partners that assist Aire's function in altering gene transcription and chromatin remodeling. These recent advances have further highlighted the importance of Aire in central tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chan
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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130
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Hamazaki Y. Adult thymic epithelial cell (TEC) progenitors and TEC stem cells: Models and mechanisms for TEC development and maintenance. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:2985-93. [PMID: 26362014 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201545844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ for generating self-restricted and self-tolerant functional T cells. Its two distinct anatomical regions, the cortex and the medulla, are involved in positive and negative selection, respectively. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) constitute the framework of this tissue and function as major stromal components. Extensive studies for more than a decade have revealed how TECs are generated during organogenesis; progenitors specific for medullary TECs (mTECs) and cortical TECs (cTECs) as well as bipotent progenitors for both lineages have been identified, and the signaling pathways required for the development and maturation of mTECs have been elucidated. However, little is known about the initial commitment of mTECs and cTECs during ontogeny, and how regeneration of both lineages is sustained in the postnatal/adult thymus. Recently, stem cell activities in TECs have been demonstrated, and TEC progenitors have been identified in the postnatal thymus. In this review, recent advances in studying the development and maintenance of TECs are summarized, and the possible mechanisms of thymic regeneration and involution are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Hamazaki
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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131
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McCarthy NI, Cowan JE, Nakamura K, Bacon A, Baik S, White AJ, Parnell SM, Jenkinson EJ, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Osteoprotegerin-Mediated Homeostasis of Rank+ Thymic Epithelial Cells Does Not Limit Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cell Development. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2015; 195:2675-82. [PMID: 26254339 PMCID: PMC4560491 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1501226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In the thymus, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) regulate T cell tolerance via negative selection and Foxp3(+) regulatory T cell (Treg) development, and alterations in the mTEC compartment can lead to tolerance breakdown and autoimmunity. Both the receptor activator for NF-κB (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) axis and expression of the transcriptional regulator Aire are involved in the regulation of thymus medullary microenvironments. However, their impact on the mechanisms controlling mTEC homeostasis is poorly understood, as are the processes that enable the thymus medulla to support the balanced production of mTEC-dependent Foxp3(+) Treg. In this study, we have investigated the control of mTEC homeostasis and examined how this process impacts the efficacy of Foxp3(+) Treg development. Using newly generated RANK Venus reporter mice, we identify distinct RANK(+) subsets that reside within both the mTEC(hi) and mTEC(lo) compartments and that represent direct targets of OPG-mediated control. Moreover, by mapping OPG expression to a subset of Aire(+) mTEC, our data show how cis- and trans-acting mechanisms are able to control the thymus medulla by operating on multiple mTEC targets. Finally, we show that whereas the increase in mTEC availability in OPG-deficient (Tnfrsf11b(-/-)) mice impacts the intrathymic Foxp3(+) Treg pool by enhancing peripheral Treg recirculation back to the thymus, it does not alter the number of de novo Rag2pGFP(+)Foxp3(+) Treg that are generated. Collectively, our study defines patterns of RANK expression within the thymus medulla, and it shows that mTEC homeostasis is not a rate-limiting step in intrathymic Foxp3(+) Treg production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas I McCarthy
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer E Cowan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Kyoko Nakamura
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Bacon
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Song Baik
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea J White
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia M Parnell
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Eric J Jenkinson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Anderson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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132
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Akiyama T, Tateishi R, Akiyama N, Yoshinaga R, Kobayashi TJ. Positive and Negative Regulatory Mechanisms for Fine-Tuning Cellularity and Functions of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2015; 6:461. [PMID: 26441966 PMCID: PMC4568481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-tolerant T cells and regulatory T cells develop in the thymus. A wide variety of cell-cell interactions in the thymus is required for the differentiation, proliferation, and repertoire selection of T cells. Various secreted and cell surface molecules expressed in thymic epithelial cells (TECs) mediate these processes. Moreover, cytokines expressed by cells of hematopoietic origin regulate the cellularity of TECs. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family RANK ligand, lymphotoxin, and CD40 ligand, expressed in T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), promote the differentiation and proliferation of medullary TECs (mTECs) that play critical roles in the induction of immune tolerance. A recent study suggests that interleukin-22 (IL-22) produced by ILCs promotes regeneration of TECs after irradiation. Intriguingly, tumor growth factor-β and osteoprotegerin limit cellularity of mTECs, thereby attenuating regulatory T cell generation. We will review recent insights into the molecular basis for cell-cell interactions regulating differentiation and proliferation of mTECs and also discuss about a perspective on use of mathematical models for understanding this complicated system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tateishi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Nobuko Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Riko Yoshinaga
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
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133
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Khan IS, Park CY, Mavropoulos A, Shariat N, Pollack JL, Barczak AJ, Erle DJ, McManus MT, Anderson MS, Jeker LT. Identification of MiR-205 As a MicroRNA That Is Highly Expressed in Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135440. [PMID: 26270036 PMCID: PMC4535774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) support T cell development in the thymus. Cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) facilitate positive selection of developing thymocytes whereas medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) facilitate the deletion of self-reactive thymocytes in order to prevent autoimmunity. The mTEC compartment is highly dynamic with continuous maturation and turnover, but the genetic regulation of these processes remains poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of TEC genetic programs since miRNA-deficient TECs are severely defective. However, the individual miRNAs important for TEC maintenance and function and their mechanisms of action remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that miR-205 is highly and preferentially expressed in mTECs during both thymic ontogeny and in the postnatal thymus. This distinct expression is suggestive of functional importance for TEC biology. Genetic ablation of miR-205 in TECs, however, neither revealed a role for miR-205 in TEC function during homeostatic conditions nor during recovery from thymic stress conditions. Thus, despite its distinct expression, miR-205 on its own is largely dispensable for mTEC biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran S. Khan
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Chong Y. Park
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- WM Keck Center for Noncoding RNAs, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Anastasia Mavropoulos
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Nikki Shariat
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- WM Keck Center for Noncoding RNAs, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Joshua L. Pollack
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Andrea J. Barczak
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - David J. Erle
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Michael T. McManus
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- WM Keck Center for Noncoding RNAs, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MSA); (LTJ)
| | - Lukas T. Jeker
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MSA); (LTJ)
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134
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Hu Z, Lancaster JN, Ehrlich LIR. The Contribution of Chemokines and Migration to the Induction of Central Tolerance in the Thymus. Front Immunol 2015; 6:398. [PMID: 26300884 PMCID: PMC4528182 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As T cells develop, they migrate throughout the thymus where they undergo essential bi-directional signaling with stromal cells in distinct thymic microenvironments. Immature thymocyte progenitors are located in the thymic cortex. Following T cell receptor expression and positive selection, thymocytes undergo a dramatic transition: they become rapidly motile and relocate to the thymic medulla. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) within the cortex and medulla display peptides derived from a wide array of self-proteins, which promote thymocyte self-tolerance. If a thymocyte is auto-reactive against such antigens, it undergoes either negative selection, via apoptosis, or differentiation into the regulatory T cell lineage. This induction of central tolerance is critical for prevention of autoimmunity. Chemokines and adhesion molecules play an essential role in tolerance induction, as they promote migration of developing thymocytes through the different thymic microenvironments and enhance interactions with APCs displaying self-antigens. Herein, we review the contribution of chemokines and other regulators of thymocyte localization and motility to T cell development, with a focus on their contribution to the induction of central tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zicheng Hu
- Ehrlich Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, TX , USA
| | - Jessica Naomi Lancaster
- Ehrlich Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, TX , USA
| | - Lauren I R Ehrlich
- Ehrlich Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, TX , USA
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135
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Lopes N, Ferrier P, Irla M. [Induction of central tolerance by the factor Aire: molecular and epigenetic regulation]. Med Sci (Paris) 2015; 31:742-7. [PMID: 26340833 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20153108012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The establishment of thymic central tolerance is a critical process to prevent the development of autoimmune diseases. Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) are essential to this process through the expression of the transcription factor Aire, which controls the transcription of many genes encoding tissue-restricted antigens. Mutations in the Aire gene are responsible for a rare autoimmune disorder called APECED (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy). This review summarizes our current knowledge on the mode of action of Aire at the molecular and epigenetic levels in controlling the expression of tissue-restricted antigens. We also discuss recently described additional roles of this transcription factor in the induction of central T-cell tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlla Lopes
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université UM2, Inserm, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Pierre Ferrier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université UM2, Inserm, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Magali Irla
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université UM2, Inserm, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, 13288 Marseille, France
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136
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Lopes N, Sergé A, Ferrier P, Irla M. Thymic Crosstalk Coordinates Medulla Organization and T-Cell Tolerance Induction. Front Immunol 2015; 6:365. [PMID: 26257733 PMCID: PMC4507079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus ensures the generation of a functional and highly diverse T-cell repertoire. The thymic medulla, which is mainly composed of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and dendritic cells (DCs), provides a specialized microenvironment dedicated to the establishment of T-cell tolerance. mTECs play a privileged role in this pivotal process by their unique capacity to express a broad range of peripheral self-antigens that are presented to developing T cells. Reciprocally, developing T cells control mTEC differentiation and organization. These bidirectional interactions are commonly referred to as thymic crosstalk. This review focuses on the relative contributions of mTEC and DC subsets to the deletion of autoreactive T cells and the generation of natural regulatory T cells. We also summarize current knowledge regarding how hematopoietic cells conversely control the composition and complex three-dimensional organization of the thymic medulla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlla Lopes
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, Aix-Marseille Université UM2 , Marseille , France
| | - Arnauld Sergé
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix-Marseille Université UM105 , Marseille , France
| | - Pierre Ferrier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, Aix-Marseille Université UM2 , Marseille , France
| | - Magali Irla
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, Aix-Marseille Université UM2 , Marseille , France
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137
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Yamano T, Nedjic J, Hinterberger M, Steinert M, Koser S, Pinto S, Gerdes N, Lutgens E, Ishimaru N, Busslinger M, Brors B, Kyewski B, Klein L. Thymic B Cells Are Licensed to Present Self Antigens for Central T Cell Tolerance Induction. Immunity 2015; 42:1048-61. [PMID: 26070482 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Thymic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) use distinct strategies of self-antigen expression and presentation to mediate central tolerance. The thymus also harbors B cells; whether they also display unique tolerogenic features and how they genealogically relate to peripheral B cells is unclear. Here, we found that Aire is expressed in thymic but not peripheral B cells. Aire expression in thymic B cells coincided with major histocompatibility class II (MHCII) and CD80 upregulation and immunoglobulin class-switching. These features were recapitulated upon immigration of naive peripheral B cells into the thymus, whereby this intrathymic licensing required CD40 signaling in the context of cognate interactions with autoreactive CD4(+) thymocytes. Moreover, a licensing-dependent neo-antigen selectively upregulated in immigrating B cells mediated negative selection through direct presentation. Thus, autoreactivity within the nascent T cell repertoire fuels a feed forward loop that endows thymic B cells with tolerogenic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Yamano
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Jelena Nedjic
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Hinterberger
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Madlen Steinert
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra Koser
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sheena Pinto
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Gerdes
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 9, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 9, 80336 Munich, Germany; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Naozumi Ishimaru
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Meinrad Busslinger
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 7, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Brors
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany.
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138
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Bluestone JA, Bour-Jordan H, Cheng M, Anderson M. T cells in the control of organ-specific autoimmunity. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:2250-60. [PMID: 25985270 DOI: 10.1172/jci78089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune tolerance is critical to the avoidance of unwarranted immune responses against self antigens. Multiple, non-redundant checkpoints are in place to prevent such potentially deleterious autoimmune responses while preserving immunity integral to the fight against foreign pathogens. Nevertheless, a large and growing segment of the population is developing autoimmune diseases. Deciphering cellular and molecular pathways of immune tolerance is an important goal, with the expectation that understanding these pathways will lead to new clinical advances in the treatment of these devastating diseases. The vast majority of autoimmune diseases develop as a consequence of complex mechanisms that depend on genetic, epigenetic, molecular, cellular, and environmental elements and result in alterations in many different checkpoints of tolerance and ultimately in the breakdown of immune tolerance. The manifestations of this breakdown are harmful inflammatory responses in peripheral tissues driven by innate immunity and self antigen-specific pathogenic T and B cells. T cells play a central role in the regulation and initiation of these responses. In this Review we summarize our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in these fundamental checkpoints, the pathways that are defective in autoimmune diseases, and the therapeutic strategies being developed with the goal of restoring immune tolerance.
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139
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Ucar O, Rattay K. Promiscuous Gene Expression in the Thymus: A Matter of Epigenetics, miRNA, and More? Front Immunol 2015; 6:93. [PMID: 25784915 PMCID: PMC4347492 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The induction of central tolerance in the course of T cell development crucially depends on promiscuous gene expression (pGE) in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). mTECs express a genome-wide variety of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs), preventing the escape of autoreactive T cells to the periphery, and the development of severe autoimmunity. Most of our knowledge of how pGE is controlled comes from studies on the autoimmune regulator (Aire). Aire activates the expression of a large subset of TRAs by interacting with the general transcriptional machinery and promoting transcript elongation. However, further factors regulating Aire-independent TRAs must be at play. Recent studies demonstrated that pGE in general and the function of Aire in particular are controlled by epigenetic and post-transcriptional mechanisms. This mini-review summarizes current knowledge of the regulation of pGE by miRNA and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromosomal topology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ucar
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Kristin Rattay
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center , Heidelberg , Germany
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140
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Ucar A, Ucar O, Klug P, Matt S, Brunk F, Hofmann TG, Kyewski B. Adult thymus contains FoxN1(-) epithelial stem cells that are bipotent for medullary and cortical thymic epithelial lineages. Immunity 2014; 41:257-69. [PMID: 25148026 PMCID: PMC4148705 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2014.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Within the thymus, two major thymic epithelial cell (TEC) subsets—cortical and medullary TECs—provide unique structural and functional niches for T cell development and establishment of central tolerance. Both lineages are believed to originate from a common progenitor cell, yet the cellular and molecular identity of these bipotent TEC progenitors/stem cells remains ill defined. Here we identify rare stromal cells in the murine adult thymus, which under low-attachment conditions formed spheres (termed “thymospheres”). These thymosphere-forming cells (TSFCs) displayed the stemness features of being slow cycling, self-renewing, and bipotent. TSFCs could be significantly enriched based on their distinct surface antigen phenotype. The FoxN1 transcription factor was dispensable for TSFCs maintenance in situ and for commitment to the medullary and cortical TEC lineages. In summary, this study presents the characterization of the adult thymic epithelial stem cells and demonstrates the dispensability of FoxN1 function for their stemness. Adult thymic epithelium contains thymosphere-forming stem cells (TSFCs) TSFCs give rise to both thymic epithelial lineages in vitro and in vivo TSFCs are maintained in the absence of functional FoxN1 Lineage commitment in the sphere is FoxN1 independent
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Ucar
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Cellular Senescence Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olga Ucar
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paula Klug
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sonja Matt
- Cellular Senescence Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabian Brunk
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas G Hofmann
- Cellular Senescence Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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141
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Akiyama N, Shinzawa M, Miyauchi M, Yanai H, Tateishi R, Shimo Y, Ohshima D, Matsuo K, Sasaki I, Hoshino K, Wu G, Yagi S, Inoue JI, Kaisho T, Akiyama T. Limitation of immune tolerance-inducing thymic epithelial cell development by Spi-B-mediated negative feedback regulation. J Exp Med 2014; 211:2425-38. [PMID: 25385757 PMCID: PMC4235644 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20141207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) expressing the autoimmune regulator AIRE and various tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) are critical for preventing the onset of autoimmunity and may attenuate tumor immunity. However, molecular mechanisms controlling mTEC development remain elusive. Here, we describe the roles of the transcription factor Spi-B in mTEC development. Spi-B is rapidly up-regulated by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) cytokine signaling, which triggers mTEC differentiation, and in turn up-regulates CD80, CD86, some TSAs, and the natural inhibitor of RANKL signaling, osteoprotegerin (OPG). Spi-B-mediated OPG expression limits mTEC development in neonates but not in embryos, suggesting developmental stage-specific negative feedback regulation. OPG-mediated negative regulation attenuates cellularity of thymic regulatory T cells and tumor development in vivo. Hence, these data suggest that this negative RANKL-Spi-B-OPG feedback mechanism finely tunes mTEC development and function and may optimize the trade-off between prevention of autoimmunity and induction of antitumor immunity.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- B7-1 Antigen/immunology
- B7-1 Antigen/metabolism
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Epithelial Cells/immunology
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Feedback, Physiological
- Female
- Gene Expression/immunology
- Immune Tolerance/genetics
- Immune Tolerance/immunology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Osteoprotegerin/genetics
- Osteoprotegerin/immunology
- Osteoprotegerin/metabolism
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/immunology
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets/immunology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets/metabolism
- RANK Ligand/immunology
- RANK Ligand/metabolism
- Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B/genetics
- Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B/immunology
- Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Thymus Gland/immunology
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
- NF-kappaB-Inducing Kinase
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuko Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Miho Shinzawa
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Maki Miyauchi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiromi Yanai
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tateishi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yusuke Shimo
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ohshima
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Koichi Matsuo
- Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Keio University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Izumi Sasaki
- Laboratory for Immune Regulation, World Premier International Research Center Initiative, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Katsuaki Hoshino
- Laboratory for Immune Regulation, World Premier International Research Center Initiative, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan Laboratory for Inflammatory Regulation, Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
| | - Guoying Wu
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Shintaro Yagi
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Jun-ichiro Inoue
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Tsuneyasu Kaisho
- Laboratory for Immune Regulation, World Premier International Research Center Initiative, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan Laboratory for Inflammatory Regulation, Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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142
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Lymphocyte repertoire selection and intracellular self/non-self-discrimination: historical overview. Immunol Cell Biol 2014; 93:297-304. [PMID: 25385066 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2014.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunological self/non-self-discrimination is conventionally seen as an extracellular event, involving interactions been receptors on T cells pre-educated to discriminate and peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex proteins (pMHCs). Mechanisms by which non-self peptides might first be sorted intracellularly to distinguish them from the vast excess of self-peptides have long been called for. Recent demonstrations of endogenous peptide-specific clustering of pMHCs on membrane rafts are indicative of intracellular enrichment before surface display. The clustering could follow the specific aggregation of a foreign protein that exceeded its solubility limit in the crowded intracellular environment. Predominantly entropy-driven, this homoaggregation would colocalize identical peptides, thus facilitating their collective presentation. Concentrations of self-proteins are fine-tuned over evolutionary time to avoid this. Disparate observations, such as pyrexia and female susceptibility to autoimmune disease, can be explained in terms of the need to cosegregate cognate pMHC complexes internally before extracellular display.
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143
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Jain R, Gray DH. Isolation of Thymic Epithelial Cells and Analysis by Flow Cytometry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 107:3.26.1-3.26.15. [DOI: 10.1002/0471142735.im0326s107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Reema Jain
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division and Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Daniel H.D. Gray
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division and Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
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144
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Roberts N, Horsley V. Developing stratified epithelia: lessons from the epidermis and thymus. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2014; 3:389-402. [PMID: 25176390 PMCID: PMC4283209 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Stratified squamous epithelial cells are found in a number of organs, including the skin epidermis and the thymus. The progenitor cells of the developing epidermis form a multi-layered epithelium and appendages, like the hair follicle, to generate an essential barrier to protect against water loss and invasion of foreign pathogens. In contrast, the thymic epithelium forms a three-dimensional mesh of keratinocytes that are essential for positive and negative selection of self-restricted T cells. While these distinct stratified epithelial tissues derive from distinct embryonic germ layers, both tissues instruct immunity, and the epithelial differentiation programs and molecular mechanisms that control their development are remarkably similar. In this review, we aim to highlight some of the similarities between the thymus and the skin epidermis and its appendages during developmental specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Roberts
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Valerie Horsley
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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145
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Yamaguchi Y, Kudoh J, Yoshida T, Shimizu N. In vitro co-culture systems for studying molecular basis of cellular interaction between Aire-expressing medullary thymic epithelial cells and fresh thymocytes. Biol Open 2014; 3:1071-82. [PMID: 25326516 PMCID: PMC4232765 DOI: 10.1242/bio.201410173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously established three mouse cell lines (Aire+TEC1, Aire+TEC2 and Aire+DC) from the medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and dendritic cells (mDCs). These cells constitutively expressed “autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene” and they exhibited various features of self antigen-presenting cells (self-APCs) present in the thymic medullary region. Here, we confirmed our previous observation that Aire+ thymic epithelial cells adhere to fresh thymocytes and kill them by inducing apoptosis, thus potentially reproducing in vitro some aspects of the negative selection of T cells in vivo. In this system, a single Aire+ cell appeared able to kill ∼30 thymocytes within 24 hrs. Moreover, we observed that ectopic expression of peripheral tissue-specific antigens (TSAs), and expression of several surface markers involved in mTEC development, increased as Aire+ cell density increases toward confluency. Thus, these Aire+ cells appear to behave like differentiating mTECs as if they pass through the developmental stages from intermediate state toward mature state. Surprisingly, an in vitro co-culture system consisting of Aire+ cells and fractionated sub-populations of fresh thymocytes implied the possible existence of two distinct subtypes of thymocytes (named as CD4+ killer and CD4− rescuer) that may determine the fate (dead or alive) of the differentiating Aire+mTECs. Thus, our in vitro co-culture system appears to mimic a part of “in vivo thymic crosstalk”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Yamaguchi
- Advanced Research Center for Genome Super Power, Keio University, 2 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan
| | - Jun Kudoh
- Advanced Research Center for Genome Super Power, Keio University, 2 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan Laboratory of Gene Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiko Yoshida
- Institute for Advanced Sciences, Toagosei Company Limited, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Shimizu
- Advanced Research Center for Genome Super Power, Keio University, 2 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan
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146
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147
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Skogberg G, Lundberg V, Lindgren S, Gudmundsdottir J, Sandström K, Kämpe O, Annerén G, Gustafsson J, Sunnegårdh J, van der Post S, Telemo E, Berglund M, Ekwall O. Altered expression of autoimmune regulator in infant down syndrome thymus, a possible contributor to an autoimmune phenotype. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2014; 193:2187-95. [PMID: 25038256 PMCID: PMC4135177 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy of chromosome 21, is associated with immunological dysfunctions such as increased frequency of infections and autoimmune diseases. Patients with DS share clinical features, such as autoimmune manifestations and specific autoantibodies, with patients affected by autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 is caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene, located on chromosome 21, which regulates the expression of tissue-restricted Ags (TRAs) in thymic epithelial cells. We investigated the expression of AIRE and TRAs in DS and control thymic tissue using quantitative PCR. AIRE mRNA levels were elevated in thymic tissue from DS patients, and trends toward increased expression of the AIRE-controlled genes INSULIN and CHRNA1 were found. Immunohistochemical stainings showed altered cell composition and architecture of the thymic medulla in DS individuals with increased frequencies of AIRE-positive medullary epithelial cells and CD11c-positive dendritic cells as well as enlarged Hassall's corpuscles. In addition, we evaluated the proteomic profile of thymic exosomes in DS individuals and controls. DS exosomes carried a broader protein pool and also a larger pool of unique TRAs compared with control exosomes. In conclusion, the increased AIRE gene dose in DS could contribute to an autoimmune phenotype through multiple AIRE-mediated effects on homeostasis and function of thymic epithelial cells that affect thymic selection processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Skogberg
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Vanja Lundberg
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Lindgren
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Judith Gudmundsdottir
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Pediatrics at the Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 416 86 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Sandström
- Department of Pediatric Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 416 86 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Centre of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 750 03 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Göran Annerén
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Gustafsson
- Department of Women's and Children´s Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; and
| | - Jan Sunnegårdh
- Department of Pediatrics at the Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 416 86 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sjoerd van der Post
- Proteomics Core Facility at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Esbjörn Telemo
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin Berglund
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olov Ekwall
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Pediatrics at the Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 416 86 Gothenburg, Sweden
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148
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Multilineage Potential and Self-Renewal Define an Epithelial Progenitor Cell Population in the Adult Thymus. Cell Rep 2014; 8:1198-209. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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149
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Abstract
A critical function of the thymus is to help enforce tolerance to self. The importance of central tolerance in preventing autoimmunity has been enlightened by a deeper understanding of the interactions of developing T cells with a diverse population of thymic antigen presenting cell populations. Furthermore, there has been rapid progress in our understanding of how autoreactive T cell specificities are diverted into the T regulatory lineage. Here we review and highlight the recent progress in how tolerance is imposed on the developing thymocyte repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Mouchess
- Diabetes Center, University of California-San Francisco, Box 0540, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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150
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Khan IS, Mouchess ML, Zhu ML, Conley B, Fasano KJ, Hou Y, Fong L, Su MA, Anderson MS. Enhancement of an anti-tumor immune response by transient blockade of central T cell tolerance. J Exp Med 2014; 211:761-8. [PMID: 24752296 PMCID: PMC4010907 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20131889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic central tolerance is a critical process that prevents autoimmunity but also presents a challenge to the generation of anti-tumor immune responses. Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) eliminate self-reactive T cells by displaying a diverse repertoire of tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) that are also shared by tumors. Therefore, while protecting against autoimmunity, mTECs simultaneously limit the generation of tumor-specific effector T cells by expressing tumor self-antigens. This ectopic expression of TSAs largely depends on autoimmune regulator (Aire), which is expressed in mature mTECs. Thus, therapies to deplete Aire-expressing mTECs represent an attractive strategy to increase the pool of tumor-specific effector T cells. Recent work has implicated the TNF family members RANK and RANK-Ligand (RANKL) in the development of Aire-expressing mTECs. We show that in vivo RANKL blockade selectively and transiently depletes Aire and TSA expression in the thymus to create a window of defective negative selection. Furthermore, we demonstrate that RANKL blockade can rescue melanoma-specific T cells from thymic deletion and that persistence of these tumor-specific effector T cells promoted increased host survival in response to tumor challenge. These results indicate that modulating central tolerance through RANKL can alter thymic output and potentially provide therapeutic benefit by enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran S. Khan
- Diabetes Center and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Maria L. Mouchess
- Diabetes Center and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Meng-Lei Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Microbiology/Immunology, School of Medicine, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Bridget Conley
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Microbiology/Immunology, School of Medicine, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Kayla J. Fasano
- Diabetes Center and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Yafei Hou
- Diabetes Center and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Lawrence Fong
- Diabetes Center and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Maureen A. Su
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Microbiology/Immunology, School of Medicine, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- Diabetes Center and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
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