1
|
Steier Z, Aylard DA, McIntyre LL, Baldwin I, Kim EJY, Lutes LK, Ergen C, Huang TS, Robey EA, Yosef N, Streets A. Single-cell multiomic analysis of thymocyte development reveals drivers of CD4 + T cell and CD8 + T cell lineage commitment. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1579-1590. [PMID: 37580604 PMCID: PMC10457207 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01584-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The development of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in the thymus is critical to adaptive immunity and is widely studied as a model of lineage commitment. Recognition of self-peptide major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II by the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) determines the CD8+ or CD4+ T cell lineage choice, respectively, but how distinct TCR signals drive transcriptional programs of lineage commitment remains largely unknown. Here we applied CITE-seq to measure RNA and surface proteins in thymocytes from wild-type and T cell lineage-restricted mice to generate a comprehensive timeline of cell states for each T cell lineage. These analyses identified a sequential process whereby all thymocytes initiate CD4+ T cell lineage differentiation during a first wave of TCR signaling, followed by a second TCR signaling wave that coincides with CD8+ T cell lineage specification. CITE-seq and pharmaceutical inhibition experiments implicated a TCR-calcineurin-NFAT-GATA3 axis in driving the CD4+ T cell fate. Our data provide a resource for understanding cell fate decisions and implicate a sequential selection process in guiding lineage choice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Steier
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Bioengineering, Berkeley, CA, USA
- UC Berkeley - UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley and San Francisco, CA, USA
- University of California, Berkeley, Center for Computational Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dominik A Aylard
- University of California, Berkeley, Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Laura L McIntyre
- University of California, Berkeley, Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Isabel Baldwin
- University of California, Berkeley, Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Esther Jeong Yoon Kim
- University of California, Berkeley, Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Lydia K Lutes
- University of California, Berkeley, Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Can Ergen
- University of California, Berkeley, Center for Computational Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Ellen A Robey
- University of California, Berkeley, Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Nir Yosef
- University of California, Berkeley, Center for Computational Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Weizmann Institute of Science, Department of Systems Immunology, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Aaron Streets
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Bioengineering, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- UC Berkeley - UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley and San Francisco, CA, USA.
- University of California, Berkeley, Center for Computational Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tsiomita S, Liveri EM, Vardaka P, Vogiatzi A, Skiadaresis A, Saridis G, Tsigkas I, Michaelidis TM, Mavrothalassitis G, Thyphronitis G. ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) is involved in T lymphocyte maturation acting as regulator of thymocyte lineage commitment. J Leukoc Biol 2022; 112:641-657. [PMID: 35258130 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1a0720-439r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymocyte differentiation and lineage commitment is regulated by an extensive network of transcription factors and signaling molecules among which Erk plays a central role. However, Erk effectors as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying this network are not well understood. Erf is a ubiquitously expressed transcriptional repressor regulated by Erk-dependent phosphorylation. Here, we investigated the role of Erf in T cell maturation and lineage commitment, using a double-fluorescent Erf-floxed mouse to produce thymus-specific Erf knockouts. We observed significant accumulation of thymocytes in the CD4/CD8 DP stage, followed by a significant reduction in CD4SP cells, a trend for lower CD8SP cell frequency, and an elevated percentage of γδ expressing thymocytes in Erf-deficient mice. Also, an elevated number of CD69+ TCRβ+ cells indicates that thymocytes undergoing positive selection accumulate at this stage. The expression of transcription factors Gata3, ThPOK, and Socs1 that promote CD4+ cell commitment was significantly decreased in Erf-deficient mice. These findings suggest that Erf is involved in T cell maturation, acting as a positive regulator during CD4 and eventually CD8 lineage commitment, while negatively regulates the production of γδ T cells. In addition, Erf-deficient mice displayed decreased percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ splenocytes and elevated levels of IL-4 indicating that Erf may have an additional role in the homeostasis, differentiation, and immunologic response of helper and cytotoxic T cells in the periphery. Overall, our results show, for the first time, Erf's involvement in T cell biology suggesting that Erf acts as a potential regulator during thymocyte maturation and thymocyte lineage commitment, in γδ T cell generation, as well as in Th cell differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Spyridoula Tsiomita
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Effrosyni Maria Liveri
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Panagiota Vardaka
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Angeliki Vogiatzi
- Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Argyris Skiadaresis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - George Saridis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsigkas
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.,Department of Biomedical Research, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Theologos M Michaelidis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.,Department of Biomedical Research, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Ioannina, Greece
| | - George Mavrothalassitis
- Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,IMBB, FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - George Thyphronitis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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
Collapse
|
4
|
Martinic MM, Caminschi I, O'Keeffe M, Thinnes TC, Grumont R, Gerondakis S, McKay DB, Nemazee D, Gavin AL. The Bacterial Peptidoglycan-Sensing Molecules NOD1 and NOD2 Promote CD8 + Thymocyte Selection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 198:2649-2660. [PMID: 28202617 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors NOD1 and NOD2 are cytosolic innate immune receptors that recognize microbial peptidoglycans. Although studies have addressed the role of NOD proteins in innate immune responses, little attention has been given to their impact on the developing adaptive immune system. We have assessed the roles of NOD1 and NOD2 deficiency on T cell development in mice. Our results demonstrate that NOD1 and NOD2 promote the positive selection/maturation of CD8 single-positive thymocytes in a thymocyte-intrinsic manner. TCR-mediated ERK phosphorylation is significantly reduced in the absence of NOD proteins, but receptor-interacting protein 2 is not involved in CD8 single-positive thymocyte selection or ERK signaling. Commensal bacteria-free animals have thymocyte maturation defects, and exogenous NOD ligands can enhance thymocyte maturation in culture. These results raise the intriguing possibility that abnormal lymphocyte responses observed in NOD-dependent inflammatory diseases are not driven solely by microbial signals in the gut, but may also involve intrinsic lymphocyte defects resulting from impaired CD8 T cell thymic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianne M Martinic
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Irina Caminschi
- Centre for Immunology, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.,The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; and
| | - Meredith O'Keeffe
- Centre for Immunology, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Therese C Thinnes
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | | | | | - Dianne B McKay
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - David Nemazee
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Amanda L Gavin
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037; .,Centre for Immunology, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Expression of Twist2 is controlled by T-cell receptor signaling and determines the survival and death of thymocytes. Cell Death Differ 2016; 23:1804-1814. [PMID: 27391798 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2016.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-reactive thymocytes are eliminated by negative selection, whereas competent thymocytes survive by positive selection. The strength of the T-cell receptor (TCR) signal determines the fate of thymocytes undergoing either positive or negative selection. The TCR signal strength is relatively higher in negative selection than in positive selection and induces pro-apoptotic molecules such as Nur77 and Nor-1, which are members of the orphan nuclear receptor family, that then cause TCR-mediated apoptosis. However, at the molecular level, it remains unclear how positive or negative selection is distinguished based on the TCR signal. We found that the expression of Twist2 is differentially regulated in positively and negatively selected thymocytes. In particular, TCR signal strength that elicits positive selection induces Twist2 expression via the Ca2+-Cacineurin-NFATc3 pathway, whereas strength of the TCR signal that results in negative selection abolishes NFATc3-dependent Twist2 induction via specific activation of the JNK pathway. Using Twist2-deficient and Twist2 transgenic mice, we also found that Twist2 determines thymocyte sensitivity to TCR-mediated apoptosis by regulating the expression of Nur77 and Nor-1. Twist2 partially retains histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) in the nucleus and recruits it to the Nur77 promoter region to repress Nur77 in positively selected thymocytes. Thus our results suggest a molecular mechanism of how thymocytes interpret the strength of the TCR signal and how TCR sensitivity is controlled during thymic selection.
Collapse
|
6
|
Brinkhof B, van Tol HTA, Groot Koerkamp MJA, Riemers FM, IJzer SG, Mashayekhi K, Haagsman HP, Roelen BAJ. A mRNA landscape of bovine embryos after standard and MAPK-inhibited culture conditions: a comparative analysis. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:277. [PMID: 25888366 PMCID: PMC4397860 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1448-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Genes and signalling pathways involved in pluripotency have been studied extensively in mouse and human pre-implantation embryos and embryonic stem (ES) cells. The unsuccessful attempts to generate ES cell lines from other species including cattle suggests that other genes and pathways are involved in maintaining pluripotency in these species. To investigate which genes are involved in bovine pluripotency, expression profiles were generated from morula, blastocyst, trophectoderm and inner cell mass (ICM) samples using microarray analysis. As MAPK inhibition can increase the NANOG/GATA6 ratio in the inner cell mass, additionally blastocysts were cultured in the presence of a MAPK inhibitor and changes in gene expression in the inner cell mass were analysed. Results Between morula and blastocyst 3,774 genes were differentially expressed and the largest differences were found in blastocyst up-regulated genes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis shows lipid metabolic process as the term most enriched with genes expressed at higher levels in blastocysts. Genes with higher expression levels in morulae were enriched in the RNA processing GO term. Of the 497 differentially expressed genes comparing ICM and TE, the expression of NANOG, SOX2 and POU5F1 was increased in the ICM confirming their evolutionary preserved role in pluripotency. Several genes implicated to be involved in differentiation or fate determination were also expressed at higher levels in the ICM. Genes expressed at higher levels in the ICM were enriched in the RNA splicing and regulation of gene expression GO term. Although NANOG expression was elevated upon MAPK inhibition, SOX2 and POU5F1 expression showed little increase. Expression of other genes in the MAPK pathway including DUSP4 and SPRY4, or influenced by MAPK inhibition such as IFNT, was down-regulated. Conclusion The data obtained from the microarray studies provide further insight in gene expression during bovine embryonic development. They show an expression profile in pluripotent cells that indicates a pluripotent, epiblast-like state. The inability to culture ICM cells as stem cells in the presence of an inhibitor of MAPK activity together with the reported data indicates that MAPK inhibition alone is not sufficient to maintain a pluripotent character in bovine cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1448-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bas Brinkhof
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 104, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands.
| | - Helena T A van Tol
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 104, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands.
| | - Marian J A Groot Koerkamp
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Molecular Cancer Research, PO Box 85060, Utrecht, 3508 AB, The Netherlands.
| | - Frank M Riemers
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Utrecht, Yalelaan 108, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands.
| | - Sascha G IJzer
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 104, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands.
| | - Kaveh Mashayekhi
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 104, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands. .,BioTalentum Ltd, Aulich L u.26, Gödöllő, 2100, Hungary.
| | - Henk P Haagsman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, Utrecht, 3584 CL, The Netherlands.
| | - Bernard A J Roelen
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 104, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang Y, Wang L, Li J, Liang Y, Ji H, Zhang J, Zhou Q, Jiang G. The mechanism of immunosuppression by perfluorooctanoic acid in BALB/c mice. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c3tx50096a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
|
8
|
Deswal S, Meyer A, Fiala GJ, Eisenhardt AE, Schmitt LC, Salek M, Brummer T, Acuto O, Schamel WWA. Kidins220/ARMS Associates with B-Raf and the TCR, Promoting Sustained Erk Signaling in T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:1927-35. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|
9
|
Laugel B, Cole DK, Clement M, Wooldridge L, Price DA, Sewell AK. The multiple roles of the CD8 coreceptor in T cell biology: opportunities for the selective modulation of self-reactive cytotoxic T cells. J Leukoc Biol 2011; 90:1089-99. [PMID: 21954283 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0611316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Short peptide fragments generated by intracellular protein cleavage are presented on the surface of most nucleated cells bound to highly polymorphic MHCI molecules. These pMHCI complexes constitute an interface that allows the immune system to identify and eradicate anomalous cells, such as those that harbor infectious agents, through the activation of CTLs. Molecular recognition of pMHCI complexes is mediated primarily by clonally distributed TCRs expressed on the surface of CTLs. The coreceptor CD8 contributes to this antigen-recognition process by binding to a largely invariant region of the MHCI molecule and by promoting intracellular signaling, the effects of which serve to enhance TCR stimuli triggered by cognate ligands. Recent investigations have shed light on the role of CD8 in the activation of MHCI-restricted, antigen-experienced T cells and in the processes of T cell selection and lineage commitment in the thymus. Here, we review these data and discuss their implications for the development of potential therapeutic strategies that selectively target pathogenic CTL responses erroneously directed against self-derived antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Laugel
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN Wales, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Brockmeyer C, Paster W, Pepper D, Tan CP, Trudgian DC, McGowan S, Fu G, Gascoigne NRJ, Acuto O, Salek M. T cell receptor (TCR)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation dynamics identifies THEMIS as a new TCR signalosome component. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:7535-47. [PMID: 21189249 PMCID: PMC3045008 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.201236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2010] [Revised: 12/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulation of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) induces formation of a phosphorylation-dependent signaling network via multiprotein complexes, whose compositions and dynamics are incompletely understood. Using stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based quantitative proteomics, we investigated the kinetics of signal propagation after TCR-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation. We confidently assigned 77 proteins (of 758 identified) as a direct or indirect consequence of tyrosine phosphorylation that proceeds in successive "signaling waves" revealing the temporal pace at which tyrosine kinases activate cellular functions. The first wave includes thymocyte-expressed molecule involved in selection (THEMIS), a protein recently implicated in thymocyte development but whose signaling role is unclear. We found that tyrosine phosphorylation of THEMIS depends on the presence of the scaffold proteins Linker for activation of T cells (LAT) and SH2 domain-containing lymphocyte protein of 76 kDa (SLP-76). THEMIS associates with LAT, presumably via the adapter growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) and with phospholipase Cγ1 (PLC-γ1). RNAi-mediated THEMIS knock-down inhibited TCR-induced IL-2 gene expression due to reduced ERK and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)/activator protein 1 (AP-1) signaling, whereas JNK, p38, or nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation were unaffected. Our study reveals the dynamics of TCR-dependent signaling networks and suggests a specific role for THEMIS in early TCR signalosome function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - David C. Trudgian
- Proteomics Facility, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Simon McGowan
- the Computational Biology Research Group, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DS, United Kingdom, and
| | - Guo Fu
- the Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Nicholas R. J. Gascoigne
- the Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dervović D, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC. Positive selection of T cells, an in vitro view. Semin Immunol 2010; 22:276-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2010.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2010] [Accepted: 04/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
12
|
Jeon CH, Kim HL, Park JH. Induction of S100A4, S100A6, and galectin-1 during the lineage commitment of CD4+CD8+ thymocyte cell line is suppressed by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Toxicol Lett 2009; 187:157-63. [PMID: 19429259 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2009.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2009] [Revised: 02/20/2009] [Accepted: 02/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
To study the mechanisms underlying the linage commitment of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes and the skewed differentiation of CD4+CD8+ into CD4-CD8+ thymocytes induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), we stimulated with antigen DPK cells, a CD4+CD8+ thymic lymphoma cell line which can differentiate into CD4+CD8- thymocytes and performed a comparative proteomic analysis of DPK cells stimulated with antigen or not. Among the 10 up-regulated or induced proteins upon antigenic stimulation, S100A4, S100A6, and galectin-1 were highly up-regulated. Kinetic studies revealed that expression of S100A4, S100A6, and galectin-1 was dramatically increased as early as 10min after antigen stimulation, similar to that of cKrox and Runx3, transcription factors intimately associated with the lineage commitment. Among four thymocyte subpopulations of the thymus examined, S100A4, S1006, and galectin-1 were most prominently expressed in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, but not at all in CD4-CD8+ and CD4-CD8- thymocytes. In the spleen, expression of S100A4, S1006, and galectin-1 was greater in CD4 than in CD8 splenocytes. When TCDD was added to antigen-stimulated DPK cells, antigen-induced up-regulation of S100A4, S1006, and galectin-1 were remarkably inhibited, probably partly accounting for the skewed differentiation of CD4+CD8+ into CD4-CD8+ thymocytes induced by TCDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Hwan Jeon
- Department of Biology, Changwon National University, #9 Sarim-dong, Changwon, Kyungnam 641-773, South Korea
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Fang X, Feng Y, Shi Z, Dai J. Alterations of cytokines and MAPK signaling pathways are related to the immunotoxic effect of perfluorononanoic acid. Toxicol Sci 2009; 108:367-76. [PMID: 19196829 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfp019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Perfluorononanoate (PFNA), a perfluorinated alkyl acid containing nine carbon chains, has been detected in abiotic and biotic matrices worldwide. Although a few studies have reported toxic effects of PFNA, little information of the mechanism has been offered. In this study, the effects of PFNA exposure on thymus and the related mechanisms were investigated. Male rats were orally dosed with 0, 1, 3, or 5 mg PFNA/kg/day for 14 days. A significant decrease of body weight and thymus weight were observed in the rats receiving 3 or 5 mg PFNA/kg/day. Histopathological examination revealed dose-dependent increases in thymocyte apoptosis. Rats receiving 3 or 5 mg PFNA/kg/day exhibited increased interleukin (IL)-1 and decreased IL-2 concentrations in sera, whereas elevated IL-4 and cortisol levels only occurred in the highest dose group. Quantitative real-time PCR indicated that expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-alpha) was increased in the thymi of all dosed rats, and a similar trend occurred for PPAR-gamma in the two highest dose groups. The mRNA levels of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), nuclear factor-kappa B, p65 subunit, and inhibitory protein IkappaBalpha were unchanged; however, increased and decreased mRNA levels of p38 kinase were found in rats exposed to 3 or 5 mg PFNA/kg/day, respectively. Decreased Bcl-2 mRNA levels were observed in rats receiving 5 mg PFNA/kg/day. A significant increase in protein levels of phospho-JNK was found in all PFNA-treated rats. Phospho-p38 was significantly enhanced in 1 and 3 mg PFNA/kg/day groups, whereas phospho-IkappaBalpha remained consistent in all rats studied. Together, these data suggested that apart from the activation of PPARs, PFNA exposure in rats lead to the alteration of serum cytokines, which subsequently activated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways and potentially modulated the immune system. Additionally, increased serum cortisol and decreased expression of Bcl-2 in thymus likely contributed to the PFNA-induced thymocyte apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Fang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Singer A, Adoro S, Park JH. Lineage fate and intense debate: myths, models and mechanisms of CD4- versus CD8-lineage choice. Nat Rev Immunol 2008; 8:788-801. [PMID: 18802443 DOI: 10.1038/nri2416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 335] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Following successful gene rearrangement at alphabeta T-cell receptor (TCR) loci, developing thymocytes express both CD4 and CD8 co-receptors and undergo a life-or-death selection event, which is known as positive selection, to identify cells that express TCRs with potentially useful ligand specificities. Positively selected thymocytes must then differentiate into either CD4(+) helper T cells or CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells, a crucial decision known as CD4/CD8-lineage choice. In this Review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular events involved in lineage-fate decision and discuss them in the context of the major models of CD4/CD8-lineage choice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Singer
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gill BC, Jeon CH, Sung HN, Kim HL, Jin DW, Park JH. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin modulates the expression of cKrox and Runx3, transcription regulatory factors controlling the lineage commitment of CD4+CD8+ into CD4 and CD8 thymocytes, respectively. Toxicol Lett 2008; 180:189-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.06.856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2008] [Revised: 05/21/2008] [Accepted: 06/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
16
|
Paessens LC, Singh SK, Fernandes RJ, van Kooyk Y. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) provide co-stimulation in positive selection along with survival of selected thymocytes. Mol Immunol 2007; 45:42-8. [PMID: 17604837 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2007.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2007] [Revised: 05/14/2007] [Accepted: 05/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
T-cell differentiation in the thymus depends on positive selection of CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes by thymic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Positive selection allows maturation of only those thymocytes that are capable of self-peptide-MHC recognition. Thymocytes that fail to bind self-peptide-MHC die by apoptosis. An important question in thymocyte differentiation is whether co-stimulation is required for positive selection and on which cells co-stimulatory molecules may be expressed in the thymus. The vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and the intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) are known to be potent co-stimulatory molecules in activation of peripheral T-cells by interacting with the integrins VLA-4 and LFA-1, respectively. We were prompted to investigate whether VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 may also act as co-stimulators during selection of thymocytes. By using recombinant proteins of murine VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 fused to the Fc region of human IgG1 (rVCAM-1, rICAM-1) we examined the capacity of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 to act as co-stimulatory molecules in positive selection in vitro. Triggering the CD3/TCR complex together with co-stimulation applied by rVCAM-1 or rICAM-1 induced the generation of CD4+ single positive (SP) thymocytes from CD4+CD8+ DP thymocytes whereas either signal alone did not result in generation of CD4+ SP thymocytes. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 act therefore as co-stimulatory molecules in thymocyte positive selection in vitro. The generation of CD4+ SP cells is accompanied by cell survival both when it was co-stimulated with rVCAM-1 and with rICAM-1. Importantly we show here that VCAM-1 expression in the murine thymus is restricted to cortical F4/80 positive hematopoietic antigen presenting cells (hAPC) present exclusively in the cortex whereas expression of ICAM-1 has been reported on the epithelium both in cortex and medulla. This suggests that not only the cortical epithelium may use the co-stimulatory molecule ICAM-1 to mediate positive selection, but also cortical hAPCs may contribute to positive selection of thymocytes by using the co-stimulator VCAM-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lutz C Paessens
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Nguyen TV, Ke Y, Zhang EE, Feng GS. Conditional deletion of Shp2 tyrosine phosphatase in thymocytes suppresses both pre-TCR and TCR signals. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 177:5990-6. [PMID: 17056523 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.9.5990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that T cell differentiation and maturation in the thymus is tightly controlled at multiple checkpoints. However, the molecular mechanism for the control of this developmental program is not fully understood. A number of protein tyrosine kinases, such as Zap-70, Lck, and Fyn, have been shown to promote signals required for thymocyte development, whereas a tyrosine phosphatase Src homology domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase (Shp)1 has a negative effect in pre-TCR and TCR signaling. We show in this study that Shp2, a close relative of Shp1, plays a positive role in T cell development and functions. Lck-Cre-mediated deletion of Shp2 in the thymus resulted in a significant block in thymocyte differentiation/proliferation instructed by the pre-TCR at the beta selection step, and reduced expansion of CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, mature Shp2(-/-) T cells showed decreased TCR signaling in vitro. Mechanistically, Shp2 acts to promote TCR signaling through the ERK pathway, with impaired activation of ERK kinase observed in Shp2(-/-) T cells. Thus, our results provide physiological evidence that Shp2 is a common signal transducer for pre-TCR and TCR in promoting T cell maturation and proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thanh V Nguyen
- Programs in Signal Transduction and Stem Cells and Regeneration, Burnham Institute for Medical Research, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Broussard C, Fleischacker C, Fleischecker C, Horai R, Chetana M, Venegas AM, Sharp LL, Hedrick SM, Fowlkes BJ, Schwartzberg PL. Altered development of CD8+ T cell lineages in mice deficient for the Tec kinases Itk and Rlk. Immunity 2006; 25:93-104. [PMID: 16860760 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2006.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2005] [Revised: 04/25/2006] [Accepted: 05/05/2006] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mutations affecting the Tec kinases Itk and Rlk decrease T cell receptor-induced Ca(2+) mobilization and Erk kinase activation and impair both positive and negative thymic selection. Itk(-/-) and Rlk(-/-)Itk(-/-) mice also have decreased CD4:8 T cell ratios, suggestive of altered CD4:8 lineage commitment. Nonetheless, we find that CD8 single-positive (SP) thymocytes and peripheral CD8(+) T cells in these mice do not resemble conventional CD8(+) T cells. Instead, these cells express memory markers, rapidly produce interferon-gamma, and can be selected on hematopoietically derived cells, similar to MHC class Ib-restricted "innate-type" lymphocytes. Itk deficiency also greatly increases the number of cells selected by MHC class Ib. Expression of a hypersensitive Erk2 mutant partially corrects the CD8(+) T cell phenotypes in Itk(-/-) mice, arguing that altered signaling permits development of this innate-type CD8(+) cell population. Our results suggest that Tec kinases differentially regulate development of conventional versus nonconventional lymphocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Broussard
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Clements JL, John SA, Garrett-Sinha LA. Impaired Generation of CD8+ Thymocytes in Ets-1-Deficient Mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 177:905-12. [PMID: 16818745 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.2.905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Ets family of transcription factors function as key regulators of multiple aspects of immune cell development and function. To date, Ets-1 has been implicated in regulating early stages of thymic maturation and lymphocyte function and homeostasis. This report describes a novel role for Ets-1 in supporting later stages of thymic selection, in that positive selection of MHC class I-restricted CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocytes is markedly inhibited in mice expressing a hypomorphic allele of Ets-1. This effect is thymocyte intrinsic, as Ets-1 mutant thymocytes fail to efficiently generate CD8+ single-positive thymocytes in mixed bone marrow chimeric backgrounds. Although peripheral CD8+ T cells are present in Ets-1 mutant mice, both CD4+ and CD8+ subsets contain an elevated proportion of cells with an effector memory (CD62L-CD44+) phenotype. In addition, while thymic expression of Thy1 is relatively normal, peripheral T cells isolated from Ets-1 mutant mice display a striking loss of Thy1 expression. These data identify Ets-1 as a key transcription factor regulating thymocyte positive selection and lineage commitment of MHC class I-restricted thymocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James L Clements
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Eshima K, Suzuki H, Shinohara N. Cross-positive selection of thymocytes expressing a single TCR by multiple major histocompatibility complex molecules of both classes: implications for CD4+ versus CD8+ lineage commitment. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 176:1628-36. [PMID: 16424192 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.3.1628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study has investigated the cross-reactivity upon thymic selection of thymocytes expressing transgenic TCR derived from a murine CD8+ CTL clone. The Idhigh+ cells in this transgenic mouse had been previously shown to mature through positive selection by class I MHC, Dq or Lq molecule. By investigating on various strains, we found that the transgenic TCR cross-reacts with three different MHCs, resulting in positive or negative selection. Interestingly, in the TCR-transgenic mice of H-2q background, mature Idhigh+ T cells appeared among both CD4+ and CD8+ subsets in periphery, even in the absence of RAG-2 gene. When examined on beta2-microglobulin-/- background, CD4+, but not CD8+, Idhigh+ T cells developed, suggesting that maturation of CD8+ and CD4+ Idhigh+ cells was MHC class I (Dq/Lq) and class II (I-Aq) dependent, respectively. These results indicated that this TCR-transgenic mouse of H-2q background contains both classes of selecting MHC ligands for the transgenic TCR simultaneously. Further genetic analyses altering the gene dosage and combinations of selecting MHCs suggested novel asymmetric effects of class I and class II MHC on the positive selection of thymocytes. Implications of these observations in CD4+/CD8+ lineage commitment are discussed.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Cell Line
- Cell Lineage/genetics
- Cell Lineage/immunology
- DNA-Binding Proteins/deficiency
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- H-2 Antigens/immunology
- Haplotypes
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/immunology
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C3H
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred DBA
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Thymus Gland/cytology
- Thymus Gland/immunology
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koji Eshima
- Department of Immunology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Aliahmad P, Kaye J. Commitment issues: linking positive selection signals and lineage diversification in the thymus. Immunol Rev 2006; 209:253-73. [PMID: 16448547 DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2006.00345.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is responsible for the production of CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, which constitute the cellular arm of the immune system. These cell types derive from common precursors that interact with thymic stroma in a T-cell receptor (TCR)-specific fashion, generating intracellular signals that are translated into function-specific changes in gene expression. This overall process is termed positive selection, but it encompasses a number of temporally distinct and possibly mechanistically distinct cellular changes, including rescue from apoptosis, initiation of cell differentiation, and commitment to the CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell lineage. One of the puzzling features of positive selection is how specificity of the TCR controls lineage commitment, as both helper and cytolytic T cells utilize the same antigen-receptor components, with the exception of the CD4 or CD8 coreceptors themselves. In this review, we focus on the signals required for positive selection, particularly as they relate to lineage commitment. Identification of genes encoding transcriptional regulators that play a role in T-cell development has led to significant recent advances in the field. We also provide an overview of nuclear factors in this context and, where known, how their regulation is linked to the same TCR signals that have been implicated in initiating and regulating positive selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parinaz Aliahmad
- Department of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Fischer AM, Katayama CD, Pagès G, Pouysségur J, Hedrick SM. The role of erk1 and erk2 in multiple stages of T cell development. Immunity 2005; 23:431-43. [PMID: 16226508 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2005.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2005] [Revised: 08/04/2005] [Accepted: 08/31/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Activation of extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase (Erk) is central to growth-factor-receptor-mediated signaling including that originating from the T cell antigen receptor. It integrates cytoplasmic signals to effect changes in transcription associated with differentiation, proliferation, and survival. In this report, we present an analysis of mice with targeted deletions in Erk1 and Erk2 to assess the relationship between Erk activity and cell-cycle progression, thymocyte development, and lineage commitment. These studies show that Erk is selectively retained during beta selection-driven proliferation, and yet Erk1/2 are not required to complete differentiation to CD4+CD8+ preselection stage of development. Erk activity is essential for the process of positive selection, and it differentially affects CD4 and CD8 T cell maturation; yet, diminished expression itself is not sufficient to alter lineage commitment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- April M Fischer
- Division of Biological Sciences, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0377, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kao H, Allen PM. An antagonist peptide mediates positive selection and CD4 lineage commitment of MHC class II-restricted T cells in the absence of CD4. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 201:149-58. [PMID: 15630142 PMCID: PMC2212763 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20041574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The CD4 coreceptor works together with the T cell receptor (TCR) to deliver signals to the developing thymocyte, yet its specific contribution to positive selection and CD4 lineage commitment remains unclear. To resolve this, we used N3.L2 TCR transgenic, RAG-, and CD4-deficient mice, which are severely impaired in positive selection, and asked whether altered peptide ligands can replace CD4 function in vivo. Remarkably, in the presence of antagonist ligands that normally deleted CD4+ T cells in wild-type mice, we induced positive selection of functional CD4 lineage T cells in mice deficient in CD4. We show that the kinetic threshold for positive and negative selection was lowered in the absence of CD4, with no evident skewing toward the CD8 lineage with weaker ligands. These results suggest that CD4 is dispensable as long as the affinity threshold for positive selection is sustained, and strongly argue that CD4 does not deliver a unique instructional signal for lineage commitment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henry Kao
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Aksan I, Kurnaz ML. A computer-based model for the regulation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2004; 23:197-209. [PMID: 14626447 DOI: 10.1081/rrs-120025203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Computer simulations and mathematical modeling of biological processes are becoming increasingly popular, and yet the complexity of the biochemical systems or the differences between experimental setups make it very difficult to establish a standard formula for these modeling projects. Before we can start using computer-based models for predictions or targeted experiment designs, it is very important to establish a reliable model on which those predictions can be based and experimentally tested. Here we attempt to present a computer model for the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade which is consistent with previously published experimental results. In this study we have focused our attention to a generic MAPK ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) in an attempt to understand how receptors may achieve different activation kinetics of the MAPK signaling. We successfully show that the level of receptor expression is one key determinant in this regulation, and that the binding affinity of the active receptor to adaptor proteins can have a small but albeit direct effect on the downstream activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isil Aksan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Singer A, Bosselut R. CD4/CD8 coreceptors in thymocyte development, selection, and lineage commitment: analysis of the CD4/CD8 lineage decision. Adv Immunol 2004; 83:91-131. [PMID: 15135629 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2776(04)83003-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Singer
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Nishida T, Matsuki Y, Ono T, Oguma T, Tsujimoto K, Sato M, Tadakuma T. The Novel Murine CD4+CD8+ Thymocyte Cell Line Exhibits Lineage Commitment into Both CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells by Altering the Intensity and the Duration of Anti-CD3 Stimulation In Vitro. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 172:6634-41. [PMID: 15153478 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.11.6634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive thymocyte cell line, 257-20-109 was established from BALB/c mice thymocytes and used to analyze the requirements to induce CD4 or CD8 single-positive (SP) T cells. CD4SP cells were induced from 257-20-109 cells by anti-CD3 stimulation in the presence of the FcR-positive macrophage cell line, P388D1. During stimulation, maturation events, such as the down-regulation of CD24 and the up-regulation of CD69, H-2D(d), CD5, and Bcl-2, were recognized. Furthermore, these CD4SP cells appeared to be functional because the cells produced IL-2 and IL-4 when activated with phorbol ester and calcium ionophore. In contrast, CD8SP cells could be induced by stimulation with fixed anti-CD3 after removal of stimulation. To investigate the extent of signals required for CD4SP and CD8SP, the cells stimulated under either condition for 2 days were sorted and transferred to different culture conditions. These results suggested that the fate of lineage commitment was determined within 2 days, and that CD4 lineage commitment required longer activation. Furthermore, the experiments with subclones of 257-20-109 demonstrated that the lower density of CD3 did not shift the cells from CD4SP to CD8SP, but only reduced the amount of CD4SP cells. In contrast, when the 257-20-109 cells were stimulated by the combination of fixed anti-CD3 and anti-CD28, the majority of the cells shifted to CD4SP, with an enhancement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 phosphorylation. Our results indicate that the signals via TCR/CD3 alone shifted the double-positive cells to CD8SP cells, but the reinforced signals via TCR/CD3 and costimulator could commit the cells to CD4SP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Nishida
- Department of Parasitology and Immunology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Aliahmad P, O'Flaherty E, Han P, Goularte OD, Wilkinson B, Satake M, Molkentin JD, Kaye J. TOX provides a link between calcineurin activation and CD8 lineage commitment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 199:1089-99. [PMID: 15078895 PMCID: PMC2211890 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20040051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
T cell development is dependent on the integration of multiple signaling pathways, although few links between signaling cascades and downstream nuclear factors that play a role in thymocyte differentiation have been identified. We show here that expression of the HMG box protein TOX is sufficient to induce changes in coreceptor gene expression associated with β-selection, including CD8 gene demethylation. TOX expression is also sufficient to initiate positive selection to the CD8 lineage in the absence of MHC–TCR interactions. TOX-mediated positive selection is associated with up-regulation of Runx3, implicating CD4 silencing in the process. Interestingly, a strong T cell receptor–mediated signal can modify this cell fate. We further demonstrate that up-regulation of TOX in double positive thymocytes is calcineurin dependent, linking this critical signaling pathway to nuclear changes during positive selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parinaz Aliahmad
- Department of Immunology IMM-8, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Liu X, Bosselut R. Duration of TCR signaling controls CD4-CD8 lineage differentiation in vivo. Nat Immunol 2004; 5:280-8. [PMID: 14770180 DOI: 10.1038/ni1040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2003] [Accepted: 12/19/2003] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The duration of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling is thought to be important for thymocyte differentiation into the CD4 or CD8 lineage. However, the in vivo relevance of this hypothesis is unclear. Here we divided T cell positive selection into genetically separable developmental steps by confining TCR signal transduction to discrete thymocyte developmental windows. TCR signals confined to the double-positive thymocyte stage promoted CD8, but not CD4, lineage differentiation. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted thymocytes were, instead, redirected into the CD8 lineage. These findings support the hypothesis that distinct kinetics of MHC class I- and MHC class II-induced TCR signals direct intrathymic developmental decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Liu
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
de Mello Coelho V, Nguyen D, Giri B, Bunbury A, Schaffer E, Taub DD. Quantitative differences in lipid raft components between murine CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. BMC Immunol 2004; 5:2. [PMID: 15005797 PMCID: PMC343273 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-5-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2003] [Accepted: 01/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lipid rafts have been shown to play a role in T cell maturation, activation as well as in the formation of immunological synapses in CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. However, the differential expression of lipid raft components between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is still poorly defined. To examine this question, we analyzed the expression of GM1 in T cells from young and aged mice as well as the expression of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked protein Thy-1 and cholesterol in murine CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subpopulations. Results We found that CD4+CD8- and CD8+CD4- thymocytes at different stages of maturation display distinct GM1 surface expression. This phenomenon did not change with progressive aging, as these findings were consistent over the lifespan of the mouse. In the periphery, CD8+ T cells express significantly higher levels of GM1 than CD4+ T cells. In addition, we observed that GM1 levels increase over aging on CD8+ T cells but not in CD4+ T cells. We also verified that naïve (CD44lo) and memory (CD44hi) CD8+ T cells as well as naïve and memory CD4+ T cells express similar levels of GM1 on their surface. Furthermore, we found that CD8+ T cells express higher levels of the GPI-anchored cell surface protein Thy-1 associated with lipid raft domains as compared to CD4+ T cells. Finally, we observed higher levels of total cellular cholesterol in CD8+ T cells than CD4+ T cells. Conclusion These results demonstrate heterogeneity of lipid raft components between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in young and aged mice. Such differences in lipid raft composition may contribute to the differential CD4 and CD8 molecule signaling pathways as well as possibly to the effector responses mediated by these T cell subsets following TCR activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria de Mello Coelho
- Laboratory of Immunology, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224-6825, USA
| | - Dzung Nguyen
- Laboratory of Immunology, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224-6825, USA
| | - Banabihari Giri
- Laboratory of Immunology, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224-6825, USA
| | - Allyson Bunbury
- Laboratory of Immunology, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224-6825, USA
| | - Eric Schaffer
- Laboratory of Immunology, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224-6825, USA
| | - Dennis D Taub
- Laboratory of Immunology, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, 21224-6825, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Woods CC, Banks KE, Gruener R, DeLuca D. Loss of T cell precursors after spaceflight and exposure to vector-averaged gravity. FASEB J 2003; 17:1526-8. [PMID: 12824295 DOI: 10.1096/fj.02-0749fje] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Using fetal thymus organ culture (FTOC), we examined the effects of spaceflight and vector-averaged gravity on T cell development. Under both conditions, the development of T cells was significantly attenuated. Exposure to spaceflight for 16 days resulted in a loss of precursors for CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+CD8+ T cells in a rat/mouse xenogeneic co-culture. A significant decrease in the same precursor cells, as well as a decrease in CD4-CD8- T cell precursors, was also observed in a murine C57BL/6 FTOC after rotation in a clinostat to produce a vector-averaged microgravity-like environment. The block in T cell development appeared to occur between the pre-T cell and CD4+CD8+ T cell stage. These data indicate that gravity plays a decisive role in the development of T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris C Woods
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Canelles M, Park ML, Schwartz OM, Fowlkes BJ. The influence of the thymic environment on the CD4-versus-CD8 T lineage decision. Nat Immunol 2003; 4:756-64. [PMID: 12858172 DOI: 10.1038/ni953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2003] [Accepted: 06/13/2003] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
T cell receptor signaling is an essential factor regulating thymocyte selection, but the function of the thymic environment in this process is not clear. In mice transgenic for major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted T cell receptors, every thymocyte is potentially selectable for maturation in the CD4 lineage. To address whether selection frequency affects positive selection, we created hematopoietic chimeras with mixtures of selectable and nonselectable precursors. With increased proportions of nonselectable thymocytes, positive selection of MHC class II-specific precursors was enhanced, generating not only CD4 but also CD8 thymocytes. These results indicate that the CD4 versus CD8 fate of selectable precursors can be influenced by the selection potential of its neighbors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Canelles
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Building 4, Room 111, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0420, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Doan LL, Kitay MK, Yu Q, Singer A, Herblot S, Hoang T, Bear SE, Morse HC, Tsichlis PN, Grimes HL. Growth factor independence-1B expression leads to defects in T cell activation, IL-7 receptor alpha expression, and T cell lineage commitment. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2003; 170:2356-66. [PMID: 12594258 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.170.5.2356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
T cell differentiation in the thymus is dependent upon signaling through the TCR and is characterized by the resulting changes in expression patterns of CD4 and CD8 surface coreceptor molecules. Although recent studies have characterized the effects of proximal TCR signaling on T cell differentiation, the downstream integration of these signals remains largely unknown. The growth factor independence-1 (GFI1) and GFI1B transcriptional repressors may regulate cytokine signaling pathways to affect lymphocyte growth and survival. In this study, we show that Gfi1 expression is induced upon induction of the T cell program. Gfi1B expression is low and dynamic during T cell development, but is terminated in mature thymocytes. Transgenic expression of GFI1 and GFI1B in T cells allowed us to determine the functional consequences of constitutive expression. GFI1 potentiates response to TCR stimulation and IL-2, whereas GFI1B-transgenic T cells are defective in T cell activation. Moreover, GFI1B-transgenic thymocytes display reduced expression of the late-activation marker IL-7R alpha, and a decrease in CD4(-)8(+) single-positive T cells that can be mitigated by transgenic expression of BCL2 or GFI1. These data show that GFI1 and GFI1B are functionally unique, and implicate a role for GFI1 in the integration of activation and survival signals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loretta L Doan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Liu X, Adams A, Wildt KF, Aronow B, Feigenbaum L, Bosselut R. Restricting Zap70 expression to CD4+CD8+ thymocytes reveals a T cell receptor-dependent proofreading mechanism controlling the completion of positive selection. J Exp Med 2003; 197:363-73. [PMID: 12566420 PMCID: PMC2193832 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20021698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Although T cell receptor (TCR) signals are essential for intrathymic T cell-positive selection, it remains controversial whether they only serve to initiate this process, or whether they are required throughout to promote thymocyte differentiation and survival. To address this issue, we have devised a novel approach to interfere with thymocyte TCR signaling in a developmental stage-specific manner in vivo. We have reconstituted mice deficient for Zap70, a tyrosine kinase required for TCR signaling and normally expressed throughout T cell development, with a Zap70 transgene driven by the adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene enhancer, which is active in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes but inactive in CD4(+) or CD8(+) single-positive (SP) thymocytes. In such mice, termination of Zap70 expression impaired TCR signal transduction and arrested thymocyte development after the initiation, but before the completion, of positive selection. Arrested thymocytes had terminated Rag gene expression and up-regulated TCR and Bcl-2 expression, but failed to differentiate into mature CD4 or CD8 SP thymocytes, to be rescued from death by neglect or to sustain interleukin 7R alpha expression. These observations identify a TCR-dependent proofreading mechanism that verifies thymocyte TCR specificity and differentiation choices before the completion of positive selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Liu
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
Immature double positive (DP) thymocytes bearing a T cell receptor (TCR) that interacts with self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules receive signals that induce either their differentiation (positive selection) or apoptosis (negative selection). Furthermore, those cells that are positively selected develop into two different lineages, CD4 or CD8, depending on whether their TCRs bind to MHC class II or I, respectively. Positive selection therefore involves rescue from the default fate (death), lineage commitment, and progression to the single positive (SP) stage. These are probably temporally distinct events that may require both unique and overlapping signals. Work in the past several years has started to unravel the signaling networks that control these processes. One of the first pathways identified as important for positive selection was Ras and its downstream effector, the Erk mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. In this review we examine the factors that connect the TCR to the Ras/Erk cascade in DP thymocytes, as well as what we know about the downstream effectors of the Ras/Erk cascade important for positive selection. We also consider the possible role of this cascade in CD4/CD8 lineage development, and the possible interactions of the Ras/Erk cascade with Notch during these cell fate determination processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Alberola-Ila
- Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Cell-fate decisions are controlled typically by conserved receptors that interact with co-evolved ligands. Therefore, the lineage-specific differentiation of immature CD4+ CD8+ T cells into CD4+ or CD8+ mature T cells is unusual in that it is regulated by clonally expressed, somatically generated T-cell receptors (TCRs) of unpredictable fine specificity. Yet, each mature T cell generally retains expression of the co-receptor molecule (CD4 or CD8) that has an MHC-binding property that matches that of its TCR. Two models were proposed initially to explain this remarkable outcome--'instruction' of lineage choice by initial signalling events or 'selection' after a stochastic fate decision that limits further development to cells with coordinated TCR and co-receptor specificities. Aspects of both models now appear to be correct; mistake-prone instruction of lineage choice precedes a subsequent selection step that filters out most incorrect decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald N Germain
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wilkinson B, Chen JYF, Han P, Rufner KM, Goularte OD, Kaye J. TOX: an HMG box protein implicated in the regulation of thymocyte selection. Nat Immunol 2002; 3:272-80. [PMID: 11850626 DOI: 10.1038/ni767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In the thymus, pre-T cell receptor (pre-TCR)--mediated signaling and then TCR-mediated signaling initiate changes in gene expression that result in the maturation of CD4 and CD8 lineage T cells from common precursors. Using gene chip technology, we isolated a murine gene, designated Tox, that encodes a member of the HMG (high-mobility group) box family of DNA-binding proteins. TOX expression is up-regulated by both pre-TCR and TCR activation of immature thymocytes but not by TCR activation of mature naïve T cells. Transgenic mice that express TOX show expanded CD8+ and reduced CD4+ single positive thymocyte subpopulations. We present evidence here that this phenotype results from a perturbation in lineage commitment due to reduced sensitivity to TCR-mediated signaling. This molecular marker of thymic selection events may therefore play a role in establishing the activation threshold of developing T cells and patterning changes in gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beverley Wilkinson
- Department of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Adachi S, Iwata M. Duration of calcineurin and Erk signals regulates CD4/CD8 lineage commitment of thymocytes. Cell Immunol 2002; 215:45-53. [PMID: 12142035 DOI: 10.1016/s0008-8749(02)00012-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CD4/CD8 lineage commitment of thymocytes is controlled by the T cell receptor-mediated signals and is mimicked in vitro by a long-pulse stimulation of isolated CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes with proper combinations of phorbol myristate acetate and the calcium ionophore ionomycin. CD4 lineage commitment required higher intracellular Ca(2+) levels than CD8 lineage commitment in this culture system. The calcineurin inhibitor FK506 at 1nM inhibited the development of thymocytes to either lineage, but 0.3nM FK506 significantly switched the development from the CD4 cell fate to the CD8 cell fate. The switch in lineage commitment was also observed when 1nM FK506 was added 8h after the start of the culture. Delayed addition of 20microM U0126, an Mek (Erk kinase) inhibitor, also induced the switch. These results suggest that the intensity of calcineurin activity and the duration of both calcineurin and Erk pathway activation are crucial for thymocyte lineage commitment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Adachi
- Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences, 11 Minamiooya, Machida-shi, Tokyo 194-8511, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|