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Taves MD, Donahue KM, Bian J, Cam MC, Ashwell JD. Aire drives steroid hormone biosynthesis by medullary thymic epithelial cells. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eabo7975. [PMID: 37595021 PMCID: PMC10732315 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abo7975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) produce glucocorticoids, which antagonize negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes and promote a competent T cell antigen-specific repertoire. To characterize their source, we generated a knock-in reporter mouse in which endogenous Cyp11b1, the final enzyme in de novo production of active glucocorticoids, was fluorescently tagged with mScarlet. Here, we find that Cyp11b1 is expressed in medullary TECs (mTECs) but not cortical TECs or other cells in the thymus. A distinct characteristic of mTECs is the presence of Aire, a transcription factor that drives expression of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) important for establishing immune tolerance. Cyp11b1 expression was highest in Aire+ mTECs, lower in post-Aire mTECs, and absent in mTECs of Aire-deficient mice. Transcriptomic analyses found that multiple enzymatic biosynthetic pathways are expressed specifically in mTECs and are also Aire dependent. In particular, we found that the thymus expresses messenger RNA for enzymes that catalyze production of many bioactive steroids and that glucocorticoids and sex steroids were secreted by cultured thymi. Expression of the transcripts for these genes and production of their final steroid products were markedly reduced in the absence of Aire. Thus, in addition to its well-established role in inducing TRAs that promote negative selection, Aire has an additional and contrary function of inducing glucocorticoids that antagonize negative selection, which together may expand and enhance the TCR repertoire. Furthermore, because Aire drives expression of multiple enzymes responsible for production of other non-gene-encoded bioactive molecules, it might have yet other roles in thymus development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Taves
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kaitlynn M. Donahue
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jing Bian
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Margaret C. Cam
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Ashwell
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Frascoli M, Ferraj E, Miu B, Malin J, Spidale NA, Cowan J, Shissler SC, Brink R, Xu Y, Cyster JG, Bhandoola A, Kang J, Reboldi A. Skin γδ T cell inflammatory responses are hardwired in the thymus by oxysterol sensing via GPR183 and calibrated by dietary cholesterol. Immunity 2023; 56:562-575.e6. [PMID: 36842431 PMCID: PMC10306310 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Dietary components and metabolites have a profound impact on immunity and inflammation. Here, we investigated how sensing of cholesterol metabolite oxysterols by γδ T cells impacts their tissue residency and function. We show that dermal IL-17-producing γδ T (Tγδ17) cells essential for skin-barrier homeostasis require oxysterols sensing through G protein receptor 183 (GPR183) for their development and inflammatory responses. Single-cell transcriptomics and murine reporter strains revealed that GPR183 on developing γδ thymocytes is needed for their maturation by sensing medullary thymic epithelial-cell-derived oxysterols. In the skin, basal keratinocytes expressing the oxysterol enzyme cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) maintain dermal Tγδ17 cells. Diet-driven increases in oxysterols exacerbate Tγδ17-cell-mediated psoriatic inflammation, dependent on GPR183 on γδ T cells. Hence, cholesterol-derived oxysterols control spatially distinct but biologically linked processes of thymic education and peripheral function of dermal T cells, implicating diet as a focal parameter of dermal Tγδ17 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Frascoli
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Enxhi Ferraj
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Bing Miu
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Justin Malin
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nicholas A Spidale
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jennifer Cowan
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Susannah C Shissler
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert Brink
- Immunology Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Ying Xu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jason G Cyster
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Avinash Bhandoola
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joonsoo Kang
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Andrea Reboldi
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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de Freitas FA, Levy D, Reichert CO, Cunha-Neto E, Kalil J, Bydlowski SP. Effects of Oxysterols on Immune Cells and Related Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081251. [PMID: 35455931 PMCID: PMC9031443 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxysterols are the products of cholesterol oxidation. They have a wide range of effects on several cells, organs, and systems in the body. Oxysterols also have an influence on the physiology of the immune system, from immune cell maturation and migration to innate and humoral immune responses. In this regard, oxysterols have been involved in several diseases that have an immune component, from autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases to inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Here, we review data on the participation of oxysterols, mainly 25-hydroxycholesterol and 7α,25-dihydroxycholesterol, in the immune system and related diseases. The effects of these oxysterols and main oxysterol receptors, LXR and EBI2, in cells of the immune system (B cells, T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes), and in immune-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, intestinal diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, and atherosclerosis, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Alessandro de Freitas
- Lipids, Oxidation and Cell Biology Team, Laboratory of Immunology (LIM19), Heart Institute (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-900, SP, Brazil; (F.A.d.F.); (D.L.); (C.O.R.)
| | - Débora Levy
- Lipids, Oxidation and Cell Biology Team, Laboratory of Immunology (LIM19), Heart Institute (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-900, SP, Brazil; (F.A.d.F.); (D.L.); (C.O.R.)
| | - Cadiele Oliana Reichert
- Lipids, Oxidation and Cell Biology Team, Laboratory of Immunology (LIM19), Heart Institute (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-900, SP, Brazil; (F.A.d.F.); (D.L.); (C.O.R.)
| | - Edecio Cunha-Neto
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (LIM60), Heart Institute (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-900, SP, Brazil;
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Investigation in Immunology-III/INCT, Sao Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil;
| | - Jorge Kalil
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Investigation in Immunology-III/INCT, Sao Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil;
- Laboratory of Immunology (LIM19), Heart Institute (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Paulo Bydlowski
- Lipids, Oxidation and Cell Biology Team, Laboratory of Immunology (LIM19), Heart Institute (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-900, SP, Brazil; (F.A.d.F.); (D.L.); (C.O.R.)
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Regenerative Medicine (INCT-Regenera), CNPq, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Reinmuth L, Hsiao CC, Hamann J, Rosenkilde M, Mackrill J. Multiple Targets for Oxysterols in Their Regulation of the Immune System. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082078. [PMID: 34440846 PMCID: PMC8391951 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxysterols, or cholesterol oxidation products, are naturally occurring lipids which regulate the physiology of cells, including those of the immune system. In contrast to effects that are mediated through nuclear receptors or by epigenetic mechanism, which take tens of minutes to occur, changes in the activities of cell-surface receptors caused by oxysterols can be extremely rapid, often taking place within subsecond timescales. Such cell-surface receptor effects of oxysterols allow for the regulation of fast cellular processes, such as motility, secretion and endocytosis. These cellular processes play critical roles in both the innate and adaptive immune systems. This review will survey the two broad classes of cell-surface receptors for oxysterols (G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels), the mechanisms by which cholesterol oxidation products act on them, and their presence and functions in the different cell types of the immune system. Overall, this review will highlight the potential of oxysterols, synthetic derivatives and their receptors for physiological and therapeutic modulation of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Reinmuth
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Cheng-Chih Hsiao
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.-C.H.); (J.H.)
- Neuroimmunology Research Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jörg Hamann
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (C.-C.H.); (J.H.)
- Neuroimmunology Research Group, The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mette Rosenkilde
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark;
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (J.M.); Tel.: +353-(0)21-490-1400 (J.M.)
| | - John Mackrill
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, BioSciences Institute, University College Cork, College Road, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (J.M.); Tel.: +353-(0)21-490-1400 (J.M.)
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Srinivasan J, Lancaster JN, Singarapu N, Hale LP, Ehrlich LIR, Richie ER. Age-Related Changes in Thymic Central Tolerance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:676236. [PMID: 33968086 PMCID: PMC8100025 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.676236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and hematopoietic antigen presenting cells (HAPCs) in the thymus microenvironment provide essential signals to self-reactive thymocytes that induce either negative selection or generation of regulatory T cells (Treg), both of which are required to establish and maintain central tolerance throughout life. HAPCs and TECs are comprised of multiple subsets that play distinct and overlapping roles in central tolerance. Changes that occur in the composition and function of TEC and HAPC subsets across the lifespan have potential consequences for central tolerance. In keeping with this possibility, there are age-associated changes in the cellular composition and function of T cells and Treg. This review summarizes changes in T cell and Treg function during the perinatal to adult transition and in the course of normal aging, and relates these changes to age-associated alterations in thymic HAPC and TEC subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayashree Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | | | - Nandini Singarapu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Laura P Hale
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Lauren I R Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.,Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Ellen R Richie
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
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Mempel TR, Marangoni F. Guidance factors orchestrating regulatory T cell positioning in tissues during development, homeostasis, and response. Immunol Rev 2020; 289:129-141. [PMID: 30977195 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Over their lifetime, regulatory T cells (Treg) recalibrate their expression of trafficking receptors multiple times as they progress through development, respond to immune challenges, or adapt to the requirements of functioning in various non-lymphoid tissue environments. These trafficking receptors, which include chemokine receptors and other G-protein coupled receptors, integrins, as well as selectins and their ligands, enable Treg not only to enter appropriate tissues from the bloodstream via post-capillary venules, but also to navigate these tissues to locally execute their immune-regulatory functions, and finally to seek out the right antigen-presenting cells and interact with these, in part in order to receive the signals that sustain their survival, proliferation, and functional activity, in part in order to execute their immuno-regulatory function by altering antigen presenting cell function. Here, we will review our current knowledge of when and in what ways Treg alter their trafficking properties. We will focus on the chemokine system and try to identify specialized, non-redundant roles of individual receptors as well as similarities and differences to the conventional T cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten R Mempel
- The Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Francesco Marangoni
- The Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Zhou TA, Hsu CL, Dzhagalov IL. Testing the Efficiency and Kinetics of Negative Selection Using Thymic Slices. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2111:205-219. [PMID: 31933210 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0266-9_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Central tolerance is an efficient barrier to autoimmunity and negative selection of self-reactive thymocytes is one of its major manifestations. Because of its importance, negative selection has been studied extensively through numerous in vitro and in vivo approaches that have tremendously increased our understanding of the process. Recently, in situ experimental systems using thymus slices have been developed that combine some of the advantages of in vitro assays such as ease of manipulation and high throughput with the existence of three dimensional mature thymus microenvironment. These approaches offer unprecedented opportunity to study negative selection. Here, we describe how thymic slices can be used to measure the kinetics and magnitude of negative selection. Taking the OT-1/Ova system as an example, we provide detailed guidance on cutting thymic slices, labeling and overlaying thymocytes on them and reading out the extent of negative selection by flow cytometry. The system can easily be adapted to evaluate the effects of various mutations or treatments on negative selection or to study the behavior of different cells in the thymus through time-lapse imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyng-An Zhou
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Hsu
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Pöllänen PM, Lempainen J, Laine AP, Toppari J, Veijola R, Ilonen J, Siljander H, Knip M. Characteristics of Slow Progression to Type 1 Diabetes in Children With Increased HLA-Conferred Disease Risk. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:5585-5594. [PMID: 31314077 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2019-01069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Characterization of slow progression to type 1 diabetes (T1D) may reveal novel means for prevention of T1D. Slow progressors might carry natural immunomodulators that delay β-cell destruction and mediate preservation of β-cell function. OBJECTIVE To identify demographic, genetic, and immunological characteristics of slow progression from seroconversion to clinical T1D. DESIGN HLA-susceptible children (n = 7410) were observed from birth for islet cell antibody (ICA), insulin autoantibody (IAA), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), and islet antigen-2 autoantibodies (IA-2A), and for clinical T1D. Disease progression that lasted ≥7.26 years (slowest) quartile from initial seroconversion to diagnosis was considered slow. Autoantibody and genetic characteristics including 45 non-HLA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) predisposing to T1D were analyzed. RESULTS By the end of 2015, 1528 children (21%) had tested autoantibody positive and 247 (16%) had progressed to T1D. The median delay from seroconversion to diagnosis was 8.7 years in slow (n = 62, 25%) and 3.0 years in other progressors. Compared with other progressors, slow progressors were less often multipositive, had lower ICA and IAA titers, and lower frequency of IA-2A at seroconversion. Slow progressors were born more frequently in the fall, whereas other progressors were born more often in the spring. Compared with multipositive nonprogressors, slow progressors were younger, had higher ICA titers, and higher frequency of IAA and multiple autoantibodies at seroconversion. We found no differences in the distributions of non-HLA SNPs between progressors. CONCLUSIONS We observed differences in autoantibody characteristics and the season of birth among progressors, but no characteristics present at seroconversion that were specifically predictive for slow progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra M Pöllänen
- Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Lempainen
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku and Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Antti-Pekka Laine
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku and Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine and Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Riitta Veijola
- Department of Pediatrics, PEDEGO Research Group, Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jorma Ilonen
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku and Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Heli Siljander
- Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikael Knip
- Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
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Lancaster JN, Thyagarajan HM, Srinivasan J, Li Y, Hu Z, Ehrlich LIR. Live-cell imaging reveals the relative contributions of antigen-presenting cell subsets to thymic central tolerance. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2220. [PMID: 31101805 PMCID: PMC6525199 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09727-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Both medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) and dendritic cells (DC) present tissue-restricted antigens (TRA) to thymocytes to induce central tolerance, but the relative contributions of these antigen-presenting cell (APC) subsets remain unresolved. Here we developed a two-photon microscopy approach to observe thymocytes interacting with intact APCs presenting TRAs. We find that mTECs and DCs cooperate extensively to induce tolerance, with their relative contributions regulated by the cellular form of the TRA and the class of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on which antigen is presented. Even when TRA expression is restricted to mTECs, DCs still present self-antigens at least as frequently as mTECs. Notably, the DC subset cDC2 efficiently acquires secreted mTEC-derived TRAs for cross-presentation on MHC-I. By directly imaging interactions between thymocytes and APCs, while monitoring intracellular signaling, this study reveals that distinct DC subsets and AIRE+ mTECs contribute substantially to presentation of diverse self-antigens for establishing central tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Lancaster
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 100 E. 24th Street A5000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - H M Thyagarajan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 100 E. 24th Street A5000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - J Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 100 E. 24th Street A5000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Y Li
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 100 E. 24th Street A5000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Z Hu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 100 E. 24th Street A5000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - L I R Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 100 E. 24th Street A5000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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Live-Cell FRET Imaging Reveals a Role of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Activity Dynamics in Thymocyte Motility. iScience 2018; 10:98-113. [PMID: 30508722 PMCID: PMC6277225 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) plays critical roles in T cell development in the thymus. Nevertheless, the dynamics of ERK activity and the role of ERK in regulating thymocyte motility remain largely unknown due to technical limitations. To visualize ERK activity in thymocytes, we here developed knockin reporter mice expressing a Förster/fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor for ERK from the ROSA26 locus. Live imaging of thymocytes isolated from the reporter mice revealed that ERK regulates thymocyte motility in a subtype-specific manner. Negative correlation between ERK activity and motility was observed in CD4/CD8 double-positive thymocytes and CD8 single-positive thymocytes, but not in CD4 single-positive thymocytes. Interestingly, however, the temporal deviations of ERK activity from the average correlate with the motility of CD4 single-positive thymocytes. Thus, live-cell FRET imaging will open a window to understanding the dynamic nature and the diverse functions of ERK signaling in T cell biology. Mice expressing EKAREV from ROSA26 locus enable ERK activity monitoring in T cells ERK activity negatively regulates the motility of thymocytes in the thymus Temporal dynamics of ERK activity regulates cell motility of CD4-SP in the medulla TCR signal from intercellular association induces ERK activity dynamics in CD4-SP
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11
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Thyagarajan HM, Lancaster JN, Lira SA, Ehrlich LIR. CCR8 is expressed by post-positive selection CD4-lineage thymocytes but is dispensable for central tolerance induction. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200765. [PMID: 30024927 PMCID: PMC6053179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Following positive selection, thymocytes migrate into the medulla where they encounter diverse self-antigens that induce central tolerance. Thymocytes expressing T cell receptors (TCRs) with high affinity for self-antigens displayed by medullary antigen presenting cells (APCs) undergo either negative selection or diversion to the regulatory T cell (Treg) lineage, thus ensuring maturation of non-autoreactive T cells. Because many self-antigens are expressed by only a small percentage of medullary thymic epithelial cells, thymocytes must enter the medulla and efficiently scan APCs therein to encounter the full array of self-antigens that induce central tolerance. Chemokine receptors play a critical role in promoting medullary entry and rapid motility of post-positive selection thymocytes. We found that the chemokine receptor CCR8 is expressed by post-positive selection CD4+ single positive (SP) thymocytes in mice, while the corresponding chemokine ligands are expressed by medullary APCs, and thus hypothesized that CCR8 would promote thymocyte medullary entry and/or rapid motility to induce negative selection. However, despite a subtle decline in thymocyte medullary accumulation and the presence of autoantibodies in aged CCR8-deficient mice, CCR8 was not required for thymocyte differentiation, rapid motility, or negative selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiran M. Thyagarajan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jessica N. Lancaster
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sergio A. Lira
- Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Lauren I. R. Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Barington L, Wanke F, Niss Arfelt K, Holst PJ, Kurschus FC, Rosenkilde MM. EBI2 in splenic and local immune responses and in autoimmunity. J Leukoc Biol 2018; 104:313-322. [DOI: 10.1002/jlb.2vmr1217-510r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L. Barington
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - F. Wanke
- Institute for Molecular Medicine; University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz; Mainz Germany
| | - K. Niss Arfelt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - P. J. Holst
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - F. C. Kurschus
- Institute for Molecular Medicine; University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz; Mainz Germany
| | - M. M. Rosenkilde
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
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Cowan JE, Baik S, McCarthy NI, Parnell SM, White AJ, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Aire controls the recirculation of murine Foxp3 + regulatory T-cells back to the thymus. Eur J Immunol 2018; 48:844-854. [PMID: 29285761 PMCID: PMC6001551 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In the thymus, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) determine the fate of newly selected CD4+ and CD8+ single positive (SP) thymocytes. For example, mTEC expression of Aire controls intrathymic self-antigen availability for negative selection. Interestingly, alterations in both Foxp3+ Regulatory T-cells (T-Reg) and conventional SP thymocytes in Aire-/- mice suggest additional, yet poorly understood, roles for Aire during intrathymic T-cell development. To examine this, we analysed thymocytes from Aire-/- mice using Rag2GFP and Foxp3 expression, and a recently described CD69/MHCI subset definition of post-selection CD4+ conventional thymocytes. We show that while Aire is dispensable for de novo generation of conventional αβT-cells, it plays a key role in controlling the intrathymic T-Reg pool. Surprisingly, a decline in intrathymic T-Reg in Aire-/- mice maps to a reduction in mature recirculating Rag2GFP- T-Reg that express CCR6 and re-enter the thymus from the periphery. Furthermore, we show mTEC expression of the CCR6 ligand CCL20 is reduced in Aire-/- mice, and that CCR6 is required for T-Reg recirculation back to the thymus. Collectively, our study re-defines requirements for late stage intrathymic αβT-cell development, and demonstrates that Aire controls a CCR6-CCL20 axis that determines the developmental makeup of the intrathymic T-Reg pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E. Cowan
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Song Baik
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Nicholas I. McCarthy
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Sonia M. Parnell
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Andrea J. White
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - William E. Jenkinson
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
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Lancaster JN, Li Y, Ehrlich LIR. Chemokine-Mediated Choreography of Thymocyte Development and Selection. Trends Immunol 2017; 39:86-98. [PMID: 29162323 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
As they differentiate, thymocytes encounter spatially restricted cues critical for differentiation and selection of a functional, self-tolerant T cell repertoire. Sequential migration of developing T cells through distinct thymic microenvironments is enforced by the ordered expression of chemokine receptors. Herein, we provide an updated perspective on T cell differentiation through the lens of recent advances that illuminate the dynamics of chemokine-driven thymocyte migration, localization, and interactions with stromal cells. We consider these findings in the context of earlier groundwork exploring the contribution of chemokines to T cell development, recent advances regarding the specificity of chemokine signaling, and novel techniques for evaluating the T cell repertoire. We suggest future research should amalgamate visualization of localized cellular interactions with downstream molecular signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N Lancaster
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Lauren I R Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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