1
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Ndjim M, Gasmi I, Herbert F, Joséphine C, Bas J, Lamrani A, Coutry N, Henry S, Zimmermann VS, Dardalhon V, Campillo Poveda M, Turtoi E, Thirard S, Forichon L, Giordano A, Ciancia C, Homayed Z, Pannequin J, Britton C, Devaney E, McNeilly TN, Berrard S, Turtoi A, Maizels RM, Gerbe F, Jay P. Tuft cell acetylcholine is released into the gut lumen to promote anti-helminth immunity. Immunity 2024; 57:1260-1273.e7. [PMID: 38744292 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Upon parasitic helminth infection, activated intestinal tuft cells secrete interleukin-25 (IL-25), which initiates a type 2 immune response during which lamina propria type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) produce IL-13. This causes epithelial remodeling, including tuft cell hyperplasia, the function of which is unknown. We identified a cholinergic effector function of tuft cells, which are the only epithelial cells that expressed choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). During parasite infection, mice with epithelial-specific deletion of ChAT had increased worm burden, fitness, and fecal egg counts, even though type 2 immune responses were comparable. Mechanistically, IL-13-amplified tuft cells release acetylcholine (ACh) into the gut lumen. Finally, we demonstrated a direct effect of ACh on worms, which reduced their fecundity via helminth-expressed muscarinic ACh receptors. Thus, tuft cells are sentinels in naive mice, and their amplification upon helminth infection provides an additional type 2 immune response effector function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marième Ndjim
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Imène Gasmi
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Fabien Herbert
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Charlène Joséphine
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Bas
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Ali Lamrani
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Nathalie Coutry
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Sylvain Henry
- Montpellier Alliance for Metabolomics and Metabolism Analysis, Platform for Translational Oncometabolomics (PLATON), Biocampus, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Valérie S Zimmermann
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Valérie Dardalhon
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Marta Campillo Poveda
- Centre for Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Evgenia Turtoi
- Montpellier Alliance for Metabolomics and Metabolism Analysis, Platform for Translational Oncometabolomics (PLATON), Biocampus, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Steeve Thirard
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Luc Forichon
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Alicia Giordano
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Claire Ciancia
- Centre for Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Zeinab Homayed
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Pannequin
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Collette Britton
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Eileen Devaney
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tom N McNeilly
- Disease Control Department, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, UK
| | - Sylvie Berrard
- University Paris Cité, Inserm, NeuroDiderot, Paris, France
| | - Andrei Turtoi
- Montpellier Alliance for Metabolomics and Metabolism Analysis, Platform for Translational Oncometabolomics (PLATON), Biocampus, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier (IRCM), University of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Rick M Maizels
- Centre for Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - François Gerbe
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France.
| | - Philippe Jay
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Inserm, Montpellier, France.
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Shirafkan F, Hensel L, Rattay K. Immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases essentially depend on thymic tissue homeostasis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1339714. [PMID: 38571951 PMCID: PMC10987875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate balance of immune reactions towards invading pathogens and immune tolerance towards self is pivotal in preventing autoimmune diseases, with the thymus playing a central role in establishing and maintaining this equilibrium. The induction of central immune tolerance in the thymus involves the elimination of self-reactive T cells, a mechanism essential for averting autoimmunity. Disruption of the thymic T cell selection mechanisms can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. In the dynamic microenvironment of the thymus, T cell migration and interactions with thymic stromal cells are critical for the selection processes that ensure self-tolerance. Thymic epithelial cells are particularly significant in this context, presenting self-antigens and inducing the negative selection of autoreactive T cells. Further, the synergistic roles of thymic fibroblasts, B cells, and dendritic cells in antigen presentation, selection and the development of regulatory T cells are pivotal in maintaining immune responses tightly regulated. This review article collates these insights, offering a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the establishment of immune tolerance and its implications in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the developmental pathways of the thymus are explored, highlighting how genetic aberrations can disrupt thymic architecture and function, leading to autoimmune conditions. The impact of infections on immune tolerance is another critical area, with pathogens potentially triggering autoimmunity by altering thymic homeostasis. Overall, this review underscores the integral role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the prevention of autoimmune diseases, discussing insights into potential therapeutic strategies and examining putative avenues for future research on developing thymic-based therapies in treating and preventing autoimmune conditions.
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3
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Lammers S, Barrera V, Brennecke P, Miller C, Yoon J, Balolong J, Anderson MS, Ho Sui S, Steinmetz LM, von Andrian UH, Rattay K. Ehf and Fezf2 regulate late medullary thymic epithelial cell and thymic tuft cell development. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1277365. [PMID: 38420512 PMCID: PMC10901246 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1277365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells are indispensable for T cell maturation and selection and the induction of central immune tolerance. The self-peptide repertoire expressed by medullary thymic epithelial cells is in part regulated by the transcriptional regulator Aire (Autoimmune regulator) and the transcription factor Fezf2. Due to the high complexity of mTEC maturation stages (i.e., post-Aire, Krt10+ mTECs, and Dclk1+ Tuft mTECs) and the heterogeneity in their gene expression profiles (i.e., mosaic expression patterns), it has been challenging to identify the additional factors complementing the transcriptional regulation. We aimed to identify the transcriptional regulators involved in the regulation of mTEC development and self-peptide expression in an unbiased and genome-wide manner. We used ATAC footprinting analysis as an indirect approach to identify transcription factors involved in the gene expression regulation in mTECs, which we validated by ChIP sequencing. This study identifies Fezf2 as a regulator of the recently described thymic Tuft cells (i.e., Tuft mTECs). Furthermore, we identify that transcriptional regulators of the ELF, ESE, ERF, and PEA3 subfamily of the ETS transcription factor family and members of the Krüppel-like family of transcription factors play a role in the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in late mTEC development and promiscuous gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören Lammers
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Victor Barrera
- Bioinformatics Core, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Philip Brennecke
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Genome Technology Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Corey Miller
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Joon Yoon
- Bioinformatics Core, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jared Balolong
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Shannan Ho Sui
- Bioinformatics Core, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lars M. Steinmetz
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Genome Technology Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich H. von Andrian
- Department of Immunology & HMS Center for Immune Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Kristin Rattay
- Department of Immunology & HMS Center for Immune Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Pharmacological Institute, Biochemical Pharmacological Center, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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4
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Sun J, Li MX, Xie YM, Zhang YR, Chai YR. Thymic tuft cells: potential "regulators" of non-mucosal tissue development and immune response. Immunol Res 2023; 71:554-564. [PMID: 36961668 PMCID: PMC10037390 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-023-09372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
As the leading central immune organ, the thymus is where T cells differentiate and mature, and plays an essential regulatory role in the adaptive immune response. Tuft cells, as chemosensory cells, were first found in rat tracheal epithelial, later gradually confirmed to exist in various mucosal and non-mucosal tissues. Although tuft cells are epithelial-derived, because of their wide heterogeneity, they show functions similar to cholinergic and immune cells in addition to chemosensory ability. As newly discovered non-mucosal tuft cells, thymic tuft cells have been demonstrated to be involved in and play vital roles in immune responses such as antigen presentation, immune tolerance, and type 2 immunity. In addition to their unique functions in the thymus, thymic tuft cells have the characteristics of peripheral tuft cells, so they may also participate in the process of tumorigenesis and virus infection. Here, we review tuft cells' characteristics, distribution, and potential functions. More importantly, the potential role of thymic tuft cells in immune response, tumorigenesis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) infection was summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sun
- Medical School of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450052, People's Republic of China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Xin Li
- Medical School of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Meng Xie
- School of Fine Arts of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Ru Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Kexuedadao Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Rong Chai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Kexuedadao Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450001, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Iqbal S, Rezaul Karim M, Yang DC, Mathiyalagan R, Chan Kang S. Tuft cells - the immunological interface and role in disease regulation. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 118:110018. [PMID: 36989894 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Tuft cells, also known as taste chemosensory cells, accumulate during parasite colonization or infection and have powerful immunomodulatory effects on substances that could be detrimental, as well as possible anti-inflammatory or antibacterial effects. Tuft cells are the primary source of interleukin (IL)-25. They trigger extra Innate lymphoid type-2 cells (ILC2) in the intestinal lamina propria to create cytokines (type 2); for instance, IL-13, which leads to an increase in IL-25. As tuft cells can produce biological effector molecules, such as IL-25 and eicosanoids involved in allergy (for example, cysteinyl leukotrienes and prostaglandin D2) and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Following parasite infection, tuft cells require transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 5 (TRPM5)-dependent chemosensation to produce responses. Secretory tuft cells provide a physical mucus barrier against the external environment and therefore have vital defensive roles against diseases by supporting tissue maintenance and repair. In addition to recent research on tuft cells, more studies are required to understand the distribution, cell turnover, molecular characteristics, responses in various species, involvement in immunological function across tissues, and most importantly, the mechanism involved in the control of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safia Iqbal
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea; Department of Microbiology, Varendra Institute of Biosciences, Affiliated by Rajshahi University, Natore, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Rezaul Karim
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea; Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia 7003, Bangladesh.
| | - Deok-Chun Yang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea; Graduate School of Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea.
| | - Ramya Mathiyalagan
- Graduate School of Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea.
| | - Se Chan Kang
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea; Graduate School of Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea.
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6
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Welcome MO, Dogo D, Nikos E Mastorakis. Cellular mechanisms and molecular pathways linking bitter taste receptor signalling to cardiac inflammation, oxidative stress, arrhythmia and contractile dysfunction in heart diseases. Inflammopharmacology 2023; 31:89-117. [PMID: 36471190 PMCID: PMC9734786 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-022-01086-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Heart diseases and related complications constitute a leading cause of death and socioeconomic threat worldwide. Despite intense efforts and research on the pathogenetic mechanisms of these diseases, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are yet to be completely understood. Several lines of evidence indicate a critical role of inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in the development and progression of heart diseases. Nevertheless, the molecular machinery that drives cardiac inflammation and oxidative stress is not completely known. Recent data suggest an important role of cardiac bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in the pathogenetic mechanism of heart diseases. Independent groups of researchers have demonstrated a central role of TAS2Rs in mediating inflammatory, oxidative stress responses, autophagy, impulse generation/propagation and contractile activities in the heart, suggesting that dysfunctional TAS2R signalling may predispose to cardiac inflammatory and oxidative stress disorders, characterised by contractile dysfunction and arrhythmia. Moreover, cardiac TAS2Rs act as gateway surveillance units that monitor and detect toxigenic or pathogenic molecules, including microbial components, and initiate responses that ultimately culminate in protection of the host against the aggression. Unfortunately, however, the molecular mechanisms that link TAS2R sensing of the cardiac milieu to inflammatory and oxidative stress responses are not clearly known. Therefore, we sought to review the possible role of TAS2R signalling in the pathophysiology of cardiac inflammation, oxidative stress, arrhythmia and contractile dysfunction in heart diseases. Potential therapeutic significance of targeting TAS2R or its downstream signalling molecules in cardiac inflammation, oxidative stress, arrhythmia and contractile dysfunction is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menizibeya O Welcome
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nile University of Nigeria, Plot 681 Cadastral Zone, C-00 Research and Institution Area, Jabi Airport Road Bypass, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.
| | - Dilli Dogo
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Nikos E Mastorakis
- Technical University of Sofia, Klement Ohridksi 8, Sofia, 1000, Bulgaria
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7
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Kotas ME, O'Leary CE, Locksley RM. Tuft Cells: Context- and Tissue-Specific Programming for a Conserved Cell Lineage. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 18:311-335. [PMID: 36351364 PMCID: PMC10443898 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-042320-112212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tuft cells are found in tissues with distinct stem cell compartments, tissue architecture, and luminal exposures but converge on a shared transcriptional program, including expression of taste transduction signaling pathways. Here, we summarize seminal and recent findings on tuft cells, focusing on major categories of function-instigation of type 2 cytokine responses, orchestration of antimicrobial responses, and emerging roles in tissue repair-and describe tuft cell-derived molecules used to affect these functional programs. We review what is known about the development of tuft cells from epithelial progenitors under homeostatic conditions and during disease. Finally, we discuss evidence that immature, or nascent, tuft cells with potential for diverse functions are driven toward dominant effector programs by tissue- or perturbation-specific contextual cues, which may result in heterogeneous mature tuft cell phenotypes both within and between tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya E Kotas
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Claire E O'Leary
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Richard M Locksley
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA;
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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8
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Morales-Sanchez A, Shissler SC, Cowan JE, Bhandoola A. Revelations in Thymic Epithelial Cell Biology and Heterogeneity from Single-Cell RNA Sequencing and Lineage Tracing Methodologies. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2580:25-49. [PMID: 36374449 PMCID: PMC10802793 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2740-2_2] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) make up the thymic microenvironments that support the generation of a functionally competent and self-tolerant T-cell repertoire. Cortical (c)TECs, present in the cortex, are essential for early thymocyte development including selection of thymocytes expressing functional TCRs (positive selection). Medullary (m)TECs, located in the medulla, play a key role in late thymocyte development, including depletion of self-reactive T cells (negative selection) and selection of regulatory T cells. In recent years, transcriptomic analysis by single-cell (sc)RNA sequencing (Seq) has revealed TEC heterogeneity previously masked by population-level RNA-Seq or phenotypic studies. We summarize the discoveries made possible by scRNA-Seq, including the identification of novel mTEC subsets, advances in understanding mTEC promiscuous gene expression, and TEC alterations from embryonic to adult stages. Whereas pseudotime analyses of scRNA-Seq data can suggest relationships between TEC subsets, experimental methods such as lineage tracing and reaggregate thymic organ culture (RTOC) are required to test these hypotheses. Lineage tracing - namely, of β5t or Aire expressing cells - has exposed progenitor and parent-daughter cellular relationships within TEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Morales-Sanchez
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gomez, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Susannah C Shissler
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer E Cowan
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Avinash Bhandoola
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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9
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Li L, Ma M, Duan T, Sui X. The critical roles and therapeutic implications of tuft cells in cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1047188. [PMID: 36569325 PMCID: PMC9780677 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1047188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuft cells are solitary chemosensory epithelial cells with microvilli at the top, which are found in hollow organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs. Recently, an increasing number of studies have revealed the chemotactic abilities and immune function of the tuft cells, and numerous efforts have been devoted to uncovering the role of tuft cells in tumors. Notably, accumulating evidence has shown that the specific genes (POU2F3, DCLK1) expressed in tuft cells are involved in vital processes related with carcinogenesis and cancer development. However, the interaction between the tuft cells and cancer remains to be further elucidated. Here, based on an introduction of biological functions and specific markers of the tuft cells, we have summarized the functional roles and potential therapeutic implications of tuft cells in cancers, including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer, which is in the hope of inspiring the future research in validating tuft cells as novel strategies for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ting Duan, ; Xinbing Sui,
| | - Xinbing Sui
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China,Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ting Duan, ; Xinbing Sui,
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10
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Michelson DA, Mathis D. Thymic mimetic cells: tolerogenic masqueraders. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:782-791. [PMID: 36008259 PMCID: PMC9509455 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) clonally delete or divert autoreactive T cells by ectopically expressing a diverse array of peripheral-tissue antigens (PTAs) within the thymus. Although thymic stromal cells with histological features of extra-thymic cell types, like myocytes or neurons, have been observed by light microscopy since the mid-1800s, most modern work on PTA expression has focused on the transcription factor Aire. Here, we highlight recent work that has refocused attention on such 'misplaced' thymic cells, referred to collectively as thymic mimetic cells. We review the molecular underpinnings of mimetic cells and their roles in establishing T cell tolerance, and we propose that mimetic cells play important roles in autoimmunity. Finally, we suggest future directions for this emerging area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diane Mathis
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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11
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Tavares dos Santos H, Nam K, Maslow FM, Small T, Galloway TL, Dooley LM, Tassone PT, Zitsch RP, Weisman GA, Baker OJ. Tuft Cells Are Present in Submandibular Glands Across Species. J Histochem Cytochem 2022; 70:659-667. [PMID: 35993302 PMCID: PMC9527474 DOI: 10.1369/00221554221120301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuft cells are bottle-shaped, microvilli-projecting chemosensory cells located in the lining of a variety of epithelial tissues and, following their identification approximately 60 years ago, have been linked to immune system function in a variety of epithelia. Until recently, Tuft cells had not been convincingly demonstrated to be present in salivary glands with their detection by transmission electron microscopy only shown in a handful of earlier studies using rat salivary glands, and no follow-up work has been conducted to verify their presence in salivary glands of other species. Here, we demonstrate that Tuft cells are present in the submandibular glands of various species (i.e., mouse, pig and human) using transmission electron microscopy and confocal immunofluorescent analysis for the POU class 2 homeobox 3 (POU2F3), which is considered to be a master regulator of Tuft cell identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harim Tavares dos Santos
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center,
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Kihoon Nam
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center,
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Frank M. Maslow
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center,
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Travis Small
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center,
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Tabitha L.I. Galloway
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Laura M. Dooley
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Patrick T. Tassone
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Robert P. Zitsch
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Gary A. Weisman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of
Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center,
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Olga J. Baker
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Biochemistry, University of
Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center,
University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
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12
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Zhang Q, Zhang J, Lei T, Liang Z, Dong X, Sun L, Zhao Y. Sirt6-mediated epigenetic modification of DNA accessibility is essential for Pou2f3-induced thymic tuft cell development. Commun Biol 2022; 5:544. [PMID: 35668088 PMCID: PMC9170729 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03484-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThymic epithelial cells (TECs) are essential for the production of self-tolerant T cells. The newly identified thymic tuft cells are regulated by Pou2f3 and represent important elements for host type 2 immunity. However, epigenetic involvement in thymic tuft cell development remains unclear. We performed single-cell ATAC-seq of medullary TEC (mTEC) and established single-cell chromatin accessibility profiling of mTECs. The results showed that mTEC III cells can be further divided into three groups (Late Aire 1, 2, and 3) and that thymic tuft cells may be derived from Late Aire 2 cells. Pou2f3 is expressed in both Late Aire 2 cells and thymic tuft cells, while Pou2f3-regulated genes are specifically expressed in thymic tuft cells with simultaneous opening of chromatin accessibility, indicating the involvement of epigenetic modification in this process. Using the epigenetic regulator Sirt6-defect mouse model, we found that Sirt6 deletion increased Late Aire 2 cells and decreased thymic tuft cells and Late Aire 3 cells without affecting Pou2f3 expression. However, Sirt6 deletion reduced the chromatin accessibility of Pou2f3-regulated genes in thymic tuft cells, which may be caused by Sirt6–mediated regulation of Hdac9 expression. These data indicate that epigenetic regulation is indispensable for Pou2f3-mediated thymic tuft cell development.
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13
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Inclan-Rico JM, Rossi HL, Herbert DR. "Every cell is an immune cell; contributions of non-hematopoietic cells to anti-helminth immunity". Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:1199-1211. [PMID: 35538230 PMCID: PMC9646929 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00518-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Helminths are remarkably successful parasites that can invade various mammalian hosts and establish chronic infections that can go unnoticed for years despite causing severe tissue damage. To complete their life cycles, helminths migrate through multiple barrier sites that are densely populated by a complex array of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells. While it is clear that type 2 cytokine responses elicited by immune cells promote worm clearance and tissue healing, the actions of non-hematopoietic cells are increasingly recognized as initiators, effectors and regulators of anti-helminth immunity. This review will highlight the collective actions of specialized epithelial cells, stromal niches, stem, muscle and neuroendocrine cells as well as peripheral neurons in the detection and elimination of helminths at mucosal sites. Studies dissecting the interactions between immune and non-hematopoietic cells will truly provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that ensure homeostasis in the context of helminth infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Inclan-Rico
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heather L Rossi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - De'Broski R Herbert
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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14
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Thymic epithelial cells co-opt lineage-defining transcription factors to eliminate autoreactive T cells. Cell 2022; 185:2542-2558.e18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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15
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Hendel SK, Kellermann L, Hausmann A, Bindslev N, Jensen KB, Nielsen OH. Tuft Cells and Their Role in Intestinal Diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:822867. [PMID: 35237268 PMCID: PMC8884241 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.822867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The interests in intestinal epithelial tuft cells, their basic physiology, involvement in immune responses and relevance for gut diseases, have increased dramatically over the last fifteen years. A key discovery in 2016 of their close connection to helminthic and protozoan infection has further spurred the exploration of these rare chemosensory epithelial cells. Although very sparse in number, tuft cells are now known as important sentinels in the gastrointestinal tract as they monitor intestinal content using succinate as well as sweet and bitter taste receptors. Upon stimulation, tuft cells secrete a broad palette of effector molecules, including interleukin-25, prostaglandin E2 and D2, cysteinyl leukotriene C4, acetylcholine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and β-endorphins, some of which with immunomodulatory functions. Tuft cells have proven indispensable in anti-helminthic and anti-protozoan immunity. Most studies on tuft cells are based on murine experiments using double cortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) as a marker, while human intestinal tuft cells can be identified by their expression of the cyclooxygenase-1 enzyme. So far, only few studies have examined tuft cells in humans and their relation to gut disease. Here, we present an updated view on intestinal epithelial tuft cells, their physiology, immunological hub function, and their involvement in human disease. We close with a discussion on how tuft cells may have potential therapeutic value in a clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kjærgaard Hendel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Sebastian Kjærgaard Hendel,
| | - Lauge Kellermann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Annika Hausmann
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Bindslev
- Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim Bak Jensen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole Haagen Nielsen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
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16
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Kozono T, Tamura-Nakano M, Kawamura YI, Tonozuka T, Nishikawa A. Novel protocol to observe the intestinal tuft cell using transmission electron microscopy. Biol Open 2022; 11:273916. [PMID: 34994390 PMCID: PMC8864298 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The tuft cell is a chemosensory cell, a specific cell type sharing the taste transduction system with a taste cell on the tongue, of which the existence has been discovered in various tissues including the gastrointestinal tract, gall bladder, trachea and pancreatic duct. To date, electron microscopic approaches have shown various morphological features of the tuft cell, such as long and thick microvilli, tubulovesicular network at the apical side and prominent skeleton structures. Recently, it has been reported that the small intestinal tuft cell functions to initiate type-2 immunity in response to helminth infection. However, the mechanisms by which such distinguished structures are involved with the physiological functions are poorly understood. To address this question, a combination of physiological study of tuft cells using genetic models and its morphological study using electron microscopy will be required. However, it is a challenge to observe tuft cells by electron microscopy due to their extremely low frequency in the epithelium. Therefore, in this paper, we suggest an advanced protocol to observe the small intestinal tuft cell efficiently by transmission electron microscopy using serial semi-thin sections on Aclar film. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: We suggest an advanced protocol to efficiently observe the small intestinal tuft cell, a rare cell on the intestinal epithelium, by transmission electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Kozono
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Miwa Tamura-Nakano
- Communal Laboratory, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - Yuki I. Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Takashi Tonozuka
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nishikawa
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
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17
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Abstract
Bitter taste-sensing type 2 receptors (TAS2Rs or T2Rs), belonging to the subgroup of family A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), are of crucial importance in the perception of bitterness. Although in the first instance, TAS2Rs were considered to be exclusively distributed in the apical microvilli of taste bud cells, numerous studies have detected these sensory receptor proteins in several extra-oral tissues, such as in pancreatic or ovarian tissues, as well as in their corresponding malignancies. Critical points of extra-oral TAS2Rs biology, such as their structure, roles, signaling transduction pathways, extensive mutational polymorphism, and molecular evolution, have been currently broadly studied. The TAS2R cascade, for instance, has been recently considered to be a pivotal modulator of a number of (patho)physiological processes, including adipogenesis or carcinogenesis. The latest advances in taste receptor biology further raise the possibility of utilizing TAS2Rs as a therapeutic target or as an informative index to predict treatment responses in various disorders. Thus, the focus of this review is to provide an update on the expression and molecular basis of TAS2Rs functions in distinct extra-oral tissues in health and disease. We shall also discuss the therapeutic potential of novel TAS2Rs targets, which are appealing due to their ligand selectivity, expression pattern, or pharmacological profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Tuzim
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Korolczuk
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
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18
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O'Leary CE, Feng X, Cortez VS, Locksley RM, Schneider C. Interrogating the Small Intestine Tuft Cell-ILC2 Circuit Using In Vivo Manipulations. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e77. [PMID: 33740294 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings position tuft cells as key mediators of intestinal immunity through their production of the cytokine interleukin (IL)-25 and activation of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). Though tuft cells are found in numerous epithelial tissues, their phenotype and function have been best characterized in the small intestine, where robust in vivo techniques have enabled the dissection of their cellular function, ontogeny, and key signaling pathways. We describe methods for the identification, quantification, and manipulation of tuft cells, focusing on analysis of ILC2s as a readout of tuft cell function. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Ex vivo analysis of small intestinal tuft cells and ILC2 by flow cytometry Alternate Protocol: Ex vivo analysis of small intestinal tuft cells and ILC2 by flow cytometry in the context of type 2 inflammation Basic Protocol 2: Ex vivo analysis of small intestinal tuft cells by imaging of intestinal Swiss roll Basic Protocol 3: Tuft-ILC2 circuit activation by oral gavage of adult Nippostrongylus brasiliensis worms Basic Protocol 4: Circuit activation by colonization with Tritrichomonas spp. Basic Protocol 5: Circuit activation by treatment with succinate in drinking water Basic Protocol 6: Circuit activation by treatment with recombinant IL-25.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E O'Leary
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Xiaogang Feng
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Victor S Cortez
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Richard M Locksley
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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19
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Tikhonova AN, Lasry A, Austin R, Aifantis I. Cell-by-Cell Deconstruction of Stem Cell Niches. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 27:19-34. [PMID: 32619515 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing approaches offer exploration of tissue architecture at unprecedented resolution. These tools are especially powerful when deconvoluting highly specialized microenvironments, such as stem cell (SC) niches. Here, we review single-cell studies that map the cellular and transcriptional makeup of stem and progenitor niches and discuss how these high-resolution analyses fundamentally advance our understanding of how niche factors shape SC biology and activity. In-depth characterization of the blueprint of SC-niche crosstalk, as well as understanding how it becomes dysregulated, will undoubtedly inform the development of more efficient therapies for malignancies and other pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia N Tikhonova
- Department of Pathology and Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Audrey Lasry
- Department of Pathology and Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Rebecca Austin
- Department of Pathology and Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Iannis Aifantis
- Department of Pathology and Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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20
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Francelin C, Veneziani LP, Farias ADS, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Savino W. Neurotransmitters Modulate Intrathymic T-cell Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668067. [PMID: 33928093 PMCID: PMC8076891 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The existence of a crosstalk between the nervous and immune systems is well established. Neurotransmitters can be produced by immune cells, whereas cytokines can be secreted by cells of nervous tissues. Additionally, cells of both systems express the corresponding receptors. Herein, we discuss the thymus as a paradigm for studies on the neuroimmune network. The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the maturation of T lymphocytes. Intrathymic T-cell development is mostly controlled by the thymic microenvironment, formed by thymic epithelial cells (TEC), dendritic cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts. Developing thymocytes and microenvironmental cells can be influenced by exogenous and endogenous stimuli; neurotransmitters are among the endogenous molecules. Norepinephrine is secreted at nerve endings in the thymus, but are also produced by thymic cells, being involved in controlling thymocyte death. Thymocytes and TEC express acetylcholine receptors, but the cognate neurotransmitter seems to be produced and released by lymphoid and microenvironmental cells, not by nerve endings. Evidence indicates that, among others, TECs also produce serotonin and dopamine, as well as somatostatin, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and the typical pituitary neurohormones, oxytocin and arg-vasopressin. Although functional data of these molecules in the thymus are scarce, they are likely involved in intrathymic T cell development, as exemplified by somatostatin, which inhibits thymocyte proliferation, differentiation, migration and cytokine production. Overall, intrathymic neuroimmune interactions include various neurotransmitters, most of them of non-neuronal origin, and that should be placed as further physiological players in the general process of T-cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Francelin
- Autoimmune Research Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Luciana Peixoto Veneziani
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation (RENEURIN), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alessandro Dos Santos Farias
- Autoimmune Research Laboratory, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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21
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Development of epithelial cholinergic chemosensory cells of the urethra and trachea of mice. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 385:21-35. [PMID: 33616728 PMCID: PMC8270884 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03424-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cholinergic chemosensory cells (CCC) are infrequent epithelial cells with immunosensor function, positioned in mucosal epithelia preferentially near body entry sites in mammals including man. Given their adaptive capacity in response to infection and their role in combatting pathogens, we here addressed the time points of their initial emergence as well as their postnatal development from first exposure to environmental microbiota (i.e., birth) to adulthood in urethra and trachea, utilizing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-eGFP reporter mice, mice with genetic deletion of MyD88, toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2), TLR4, TLR2/TLR4, and germ-free mice. Appearance of CCC differs between the investigated organs. CCC of the trachea emerge during embryonic development at E18 and expand further after birth. Urethral CCC show gender diversity and appear first at P6-P10 in male and at P11-P20 in female mice. Urethrae and tracheae of MyD88- and TLR-deficient mice showed significantly fewer CCC in all four investigated deficient strains, with the effect being most prominent in the urethra. In germ-free mice, however, CCC numbers were not reduced, indicating that TLR2/4-MyD88 signaling, but not vita-PAMPs, governs CCC development. Collectively, our data show a marked postnatal expansion of CCC populations with distinct organ-specific features, including the relative impact of TLR2/4-MyD88 signaling. Strong dependency on this pathway (urethra) correlates with absence of CCC at birth and gender-specific initial development and expansion dynamics, whereas moderate dependency (trachea) coincides with presence of first CCC at E18 and sex-independent further development.
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22
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Nitta T, Takayanagi H. Non-Epithelial Thymic Stromal Cells: Unsung Heroes in Thymus Organogenesis and T Cell Development. Front Immunol 2021; 11:620894. [PMID: 33519827 PMCID: PMC7840694 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.620894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The stromal microenvironment in the thymus is essential for generating a functional T cell repertoire. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are numerically and phenotypically one of the most prominent stromal cell types in the thymus, and have been recognized as one of most unusual cell types in the body by virtue of their unique functions in the course of the positive and negative selection of developing T cells. In addition to TECs, there are other stromal cell types of mesenchymal origin, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. These mesenchymal stromal cells are not only components of the parenchymal and vascular architecture, but also have a pivotal role in controlling TEC development, although their functions have been less extensively explored than TECs. Here, we review both the historical studies on and recent advances in our understanding of the contribution of such non-TEC stromal cells to thymic organogenesis and T cell development. In particular, we highlight the recently discovered functional effect of thymic fibroblasts on T cell repertoire selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Nitta
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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23
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Immune Regulatory Roles of Cells Expressing Taste Signaling Elements in Nongustatory Tissues. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 275:271-293. [PMID: 33945029 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled taste receptors and their downstream signaling elements, including Gnat3 (also known as α-gustducin) and TrpM5, were first identified in taste bud cells. Subsequent studies, however, revealed that some cells in nongustatory tissues also express taste receptors and/or their signaling elements. These nongustatory-tissue-expressed taste receptors and signaling elements play important roles in a number of physiological processes, including metabolism and immune responses. Special populations of cells expressing taste signaling elements in nongustatory tissues have been described as solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs) and tuft cells, mainly based on their morphological features and their expression of taste signaling elements as a critical molecular signature. These cells are typically scattered in barrier epithelial tissues, and their functions were largely unknown until recently. Emerging evidence shows that SCCs and tuft cells play important roles in immune responses to microbes and parasites. Additionally, certain immune cells also express taste receptors or taste signaling elements, suggesting a direct link between chemosensation and immune function. In this chapter, we highlight our current understanding of the functional roles of these "taste-like" cells and taste signaling pathways in different tissues, focusing on their activities in immune regulation.
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24
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Sodium-Taste Cells Require Skn-1a for Generation and Share Molecular Features with Sweet, Umami, and Bitter Taste Cells. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0385-20.2020. [PMID: 33219051 PMCID: PMC7729297 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0385-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Taste buds are maintained via continuous turnover of taste bud cells derived from local epithelial stem cells. A transcription factor Skn-1a (also known as Pou2f3) is required for the generation of sweet, umami (savory), and bitter taste cells that commonly express TRPM5 and CALHM ion channels. Here, we demonstrate that sodium-taste cells distributed only in the anterior oral epithelia and involved in evoking salty taste also require Skn-1a for their generation. We discovered taste cells in fungiform papillae and soft palate that show similar but not identical molecular feature with sweet, umami, and bitter taste-mediated Type II cells. This novel cell population expresses Plcb2, Itpr3, Calhm3, Skn-1a, and ENaCα (also known as Scnn1a) encoding the putative amiloride-sensitive (AS) salty taste receptor but lacks Trpm5 and Gnat3 Skn-1a-deficient taste buds are predominantly composed of putative non-sensory Type I cells and sour-sensing Type III cells, whereas wild-type taste buds include Type II (i.e., sweet, umami, and bitter taste) cells and sodium-taste cells. Both Skn-1a and Calhm3-deficient mice have markedly decreased chorda tympani nerve responses to sodium chloride, and those decreased responses are attributed to the loss of the AS salty taste response. Thus, AS salty taste is mediated by Skn-1a-dependent taste cells, whereas amiloride-insensitive salty taste is mediated largely by Type III sour taste cells and partly by bitter taste cells. Our results demonstrate that Skn-1a regulates differentiation toward all types of taste cells except sour taste cells.
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25
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García-Ceca J, Montero-Herradón S, Zapata AG. Intrathymic Selection and Defects in the Thymic Epithelial Cell Development. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102226. [PMID: 33023072 PMCID: PMC7601110 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intimate interactions between thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and thymocytes (T) have been repeatedly reported as essential for performing intrathymic T-cell education. Nevertheless, it has been described that animals exhibiting defects in these interactions were capable of a proper positive and negative T-cell selection. In the current review, we first examined distinct types of TECs and their possible role in the immune surveillance. However, EphB-deficient thymi that exhibit profound thymic epithelial (TE) alterations do not exhibit important immunological defects. Eph and their ligands, the ephrins, are implicated in cell attachment/detachment and govern, therefore, TEC–T interactions. On this basis, we hypothesized that a few normal TE areas could be enough for a proper phenotypical and functional maturation of T lymphocytes. Then, we evaluated in vivo how many TECs would be necessary for supporting a normal T-cell differentiation, concluding that a significantly low number of TEC are still capable of supporting normal T lymphocyte maturation, whereas with fewer numbers, T-cell maturation is not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier García-Ceca
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.G.-C.); (S.M.-H.)
- Health Research Institute, Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Montero-Herradón
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.G.-C.); (S.M.-H.)
- Health Research Institute, Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín G. Zapata
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.G.-C.); (S.M.-H.)
- Health Research Institute, Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-394-4979
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26
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Pan J, Zhang L, Shao X, Huang J. Acetylcholine From Tuft Cells: The Updated Insights Beyond Its Immune and Chemosensory Functions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:606. [PMID: 32733896 PMCID: PMC7359717 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuft cells, rare solitary chemosensory cells, are distributed in mucosal epithelium throughout mammalian organs. Their nomenclatures are various in different organs and may be confused with other similar cells. Current studies mainly focus on their chemosensory ability and immune functions in type 2 inflammation. Several state-of-the-art reviews have already systematically discussed their role in immune responses. However, given that tuft cells are one of the crucial components of non-neuronal cholinergic system, the functions of tuft cell derived acetylcholine (ACh) and the underlying mechanisms remain intricate. Existing evidence demonstrated that tuft cell derived ACh participates in maintaining epithelial homeostasis, modulating airway remodeling, regulating reflexes, promoting muscle constriction, inducing neurogenic inflammation, initiating carcinogenesis and producing ATP. In this review, the ACh biosynthesis pathways and potential clinical applications of tuft cells have been proposed. More importantly, the main pathophysiological roles and the underlying mechanisms of tuft cell derived ACh are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Pan
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Leyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Shao
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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27
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Ruppert AL, Keshavarz M, Winterberg S, Oberwinkler J, Kummer W, Schütz B. Advillin is a tuft cell marker in the mouse alimentary tract. J Mol Histol 2020; 51:421-435. [PMID: 32617896 PMCID: PMC7368872 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-020-09893-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tuft cells are a rare population of chemosensory cells at the mucosal surface epithelia of hollow organs. Their name-giving morphological feature is an apical tuft of stiff microvilli. Accordingly, the actin-binding protein, villin, was identified as one of the first tuft cell markers in immunohistochemical analysis. Unfortunately, villin expression is not restricted to tuft cells, but is also prominent e.g. in enterocytes, which limits the use of this gene as a marker and as an experimental tool to genetically target tuft cells. Here, we report that the villin-related protein, advillin, is a specific tuft cell marker in the gastro-intestinal and biliary tract epithelia. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that advillin expression, unlike villin, was restricted to solitary cholinergic tuft cells in the mucosal linings of the small and large intestine, and in the gall bladder. In the glandular stomach, villin and advillin mRNA were present in all epithelial cells, while detectable protein levels were confined to solitary tuft cells. Advillin expression was no longer detectable in the mucosa of the intestinal and biliary tract from Pou2f3 deficient mice that lack tuft cells. Finally, crossing Avil-Cre transgenic mice with a double-fluorescent reporter mouse line resulted in specific targeting of gastro-intestinal and biliary tuft cells. Our analysis introduces advillin as a selective marker and tool in histological and functional analysis of the alimentary tract tuft cell system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lena Ruppert
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University, Robert-Koch-Straße 8, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Maryam Keshavarz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Aulweg 123, 35385, Gießen, Germany
| | - Sarah Winterberg
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University, Robert-Koch-Straße 8, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Oberwinkler
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Philipps-University, Deutschhausstraße 1, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kummer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Aulweg 123, 35385, Gießen, Germany
| | - Burkhard Schütz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University, Robert-Koch-Straße 8, 35037, Marburg, Germany.
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28
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Schneider C, O'Leary CE, Locksley RM. Regulation of immune responses by tuft cells. Nat Rev Immunol 2020; 19:584-593. [PMID: 31114038 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-019-0176-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Tuft cells are rare, secretory epithelial cells that generated scant immunological interest until contemporaneous reports in 2016 linked tuft cells with type 2 immunity in the small intestine. Tuft cells have the capacity to produce an unusual spectrum of biological effector molecules, including IL-25, eicosanoids implicated in allergy (such as cysteinyl leukotrienes and prostaglandin D2) and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. In most cases, the extracellular signals controlling tuft cell effector function are unknown, but signal transduction is thought to proceed via canonical, G protein-coupled receptor-dependent pathways involving components of the signalling pathway used by type II taste bud cells to sense sweet, bitter and umami compounds. Tuft cells are ideally positioned as chemosensory sentinels that can detect and relay information from diverse luminal substances via what appear to be stereotyped outputs to initiate both positive and aversive responses through populations of immune and neuronal cells. Despite recent insights, numerous questions remain regarding tuft cell lineage, diversity and effector mechanisms and how tuft cells interface with the immunological niche in the tissues where they reside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schneider
- Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Claire E O'Leary
- Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Richard M Locksley
- Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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29
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Liu B, Hood JD, Kolawole EM, Woodruff DM, Vignali DA, Bettini M, Evavold BD. A Hybrid Insulin Epitope Maintains High 2D Affinity for Diabetogenic T Cells in the Periphery. Diabetes 2020; 69:381-391. [PMID: 31806623 PMCID: PMC7034185 DOI: 10.2337/db19-0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
β-Cell antigen recognition by autoreactive T cells is essential in type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis. Recently, insulin hybrid peptides (HIPs) were identified as strong agonists for CD4 diabetogenic T cells. Here, using BDC2.5 transgenic and NOD mice, we investigated T-cell recognition of the HIP2.5 epitope, which is a fusion of insulin C-peptide and chromogranin A (ChgA) fragments, and compared it with the WE14 and ChgA29 -42 epitopes. We measured in situ two-dimensional affinity on individual live T cells from thymus, spleen, pancreatic lymph nodes, and islets before and after diabetes. Although preselection BDC2.5 thymocytes possess higher affinity than splenic BDC2.5 T cells for all three epitopes, peripheral splenic T cells maintained high affinity only to the HIP2.5 epitope. In polyclonal NOD mice, a high frequency (∼40%) of HIP2.5-specific islet T cells were identified at both prediabetic and diabetic stages comprising two distinct high- and low-affinity populations that differed in affinity by 100-fold. This high frequency of high- and low-affinity HIP2.5 T cells in the islets potentially represents a major risk factor in diabetes pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Liu
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Jennifer D Hood
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Elizabeth M Kolawole
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Dario A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Maria Bettini
- Department of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Brian D Evavold
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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30
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Kondo K, Ohigashi I, Takahama Y. Thymus machinery for T-cell selection. Int Immunol 2020; 31:119-125. [PMID: 30476234 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxy081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
An immunocompetent and self-tolerant pool of naive T cells is formed in the thymus through the process of repertoire selection. T cells that are potentially capable of responding to foreign antigens are positively selected in the thymic cortex and are further selected in the thymic medulla to help prevent self-reactivity. The affinity between T-cell antigen receptors expressed by newly generated T cells and self-peptide-major histocompatibility complexes displayed in the thymic microenvironments plays a key role in determining the fate of developing T cells during thymic selection. Recent advances in our knowledge of the biology of thymic epithelial cells have revealed unique machinery that contributes to positive and negative selection in the thymus. In this article, we summarize recent findings on thymic T-cell selection, focusing on the machinery unique to thymic epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Kondo
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Kuramoto, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Kuramoto, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Kuramoto, Tokushima, Japan
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31
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Abstract
The generation of a functional T cell repertoire in the thymus is mainly orchestrated by thymic epithelial cells (TECs), which provide developing T cells with cues for their navigation, proliferation, differentiation and survival. The TEC compartment has been segregated historically into two major populations of medullary TECs and cortical TECs, which differ in their anatomical localization, molecular characteristics and functional roles. However, recent studies have shown that TECs are highly heterogeneous and comprise multiple subpopulations with distinct molecular and functional characteristics, including tuft cell-like or corneocyte-like phenotypes. Here, we review the most recent advances in our understanding of TEC heterogeneity from a molecular, functional and developmental perspective. In particular, we highlight the key insights that were recently provided by single-cell genomic technologies and in vivo fate mapping and discuss them in the context of previously published data.
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32
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Ting HA, von Moltke J. The Immune Function of Tuft Cells at Gut Mucosal Surfaces and Beyond. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 202:1321-1329. [PMID: 30782851 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Tuft cells were first discovered in epithelial barriers decades ago, but their function remained unclear until recently. In the last 2 years, a series of studies has provided important advances that link tuft cells to infectious diseases and the host immune responses. Broadly, a model has emerged in which tuft cells use chemosensing to monitor their surroundings and translate environmental signals into effector functions that regulate immune responses in the underlying tissue. In this article, we review the current understanding of tuft cell immune function in the intestines, airways, and thymus. In particular, we discuss the role of tuft cells in type 2 immunity, norovirus infection, and thymocyte development. Despite recent advances, many fundamental questions about the function of tuft cells in immunity remain to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-An Ting
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Jakob von Moltke
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109
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33
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Nevo S, Kadouri N, Abramson J. Tuft cells: From the mucosa to the thymus. Immunol Lett 2019; 210:1-9. [PMID: 30904566 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tuft cells are epithelial chemosensory cells with unique morphological and molecular characteristics, the most noticeable of which is a tuft of long and thick microvilli on their apical side, as well as expression of a very distinct set of genes, including genes encoding various members of the taste transduction machinery and pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenases. Initially discovered in rat trachea, tuft cells were gradually identified in various mucosal tissues, and later also in non-mucosal tissues, most recent of which is the thymus. Although tuft cells were discovered more than 60 years ago, their functions in the various tissues remained a mystery until recent years. Today, tuft cells are thought to function as sensors of various types of chemical signals, to which they respond by secretion of diverse biological mediators such as IL25 or acetylcholine. Intestinal tuft cells were also shown to mediate type 2 immunity against parasites. Here, we review the current knowledge on tuft cell characteristics, development and heterogeneity, discuss their potential functions and explore the possible implications and significance of their discovery in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shir Nevo
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Noam Kadouri
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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34
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Inglesfield S, Cosway EJ, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Rethinking Thymic Tolerance: Lessons from Mice. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:279-291. [PMID: 30803714 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In the thymus, distinct cortex and medulla areas emphasize the division of labor in selection events shaping the αβT cell receptor repertoire. For example, MHC restriction via positive selection is a unique property of epithelial cells in the thymic cortex. Far less clear are the events controlling tolerance induction in the medulla. By acting in concert through multiple roles, including antigen production/presentation and chemokine-mediated control of migration, we propose that medullary epithelium and dendritic cells collectively enable the medulla to balance T cell production with negative selection and Foxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) development. We examine here the features of these medullary resident cells and their roles in T cell tolerance, and discuss how imbalance in the thymus can result in loss of T cell tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Inglesfield
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Emilie J Cosway
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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35
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O'Leary CE, Schneider C, Locksley RM. Tuft Cells-Systemically Dispersed Sensory Epithelia Integrating Immune and Neural Circuitry. Annu Rev Immunol 2018; 37:47-72. [PMID: 30379593 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-042718-041505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Tuft cells-rare solitary chemosensory cells in mucosal epithelia-are undergoing intense scientific scrutiny fueled by recent discovery of unsuspected connections to type 2 immunity. These cells constitute a conduit by which ligands from the external space are sensed via taste-like signaling pathways to generate outputs unique among epithelial cells: the cytokine IL-25, eicosanoids associated with allergic immunity, and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The classic type II taste cell transcription factor POU2F3 is lineage defining, suggesting a conceptualization of these cells as widely distributed environmental sensors with effector functions interfacing type 2 immunity and neural circuits. Increasingly refined single-cell analytics have revealed diversity among tuft cells that extends from nasal epithelia and type II taste cells to ex-Aire-expressing medullary thymic cells and small-intestine cells that mediate tissue remodeling in response to colonizing helminths and protists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E O'Leary
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , ,
| | - Christoph Schneider
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , ,
| | - Richard M Locksley
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , , .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.,University of California, San Francisco, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
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36
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Detection of intrinsic cholinergic system in the human lacrimal drainage system: evidence and potential implications. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018; 256:2097-2102. [DOI: 10.1007/s00417-018-4124-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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37
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Miller CN, Proekt I, von Moltke J, Wells KL, Rajpurkar AR, Wang H, Rattay K, Khan IS, Metzger TC, Pollack JL, Fries AC, Lwin WW, Wigton EJ, Parent AV, Kyewski B, Erle DJ, Hogquist KA, Steinmetz LM, Locksley RM, Anderson MS. Thymic tuft cells promote an IL-4-enriched medulla and shape thymocyte development. Nature 2018; 559:627-631. [PMID: 30022164 PMCID: PMC6062473 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0345-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is responsible for generating a diverse yet self-tolerant pool of T cells1. Although the thymic medulla consists mostly of developing and mature AIRE+ epithelial cells, recent evidence has suggested that there is far greater heterogeneity among medullary thymic epithelial cells than was previously thought2. Here we describe in detail an epithelial subset that is remarkably similar to peripheral tuft cells that are found at mucosal barriers3. Similar to the periphery, thymic tuft cells express the canonical taste transduction pathway and IL-25. However, they are unique in their spatial association with cornified aggregates, ability to present antigens and expression of a broad diversity of taste receptors. Some thymic tuft cells pass through an Aire-expressing stage and depend on a known AIRE-binding partner, HIPK2, for their development. Notably, the taste chemosensory protein TRPM5 is required for their thymic function through which they support the development and polarization of thymic invariant natural killer T cells and act to establish a medullary microenvironment that is enriched in the type 2 cytokine, IL-4. These findings indicate that there is a compartmentalized medullary environment in which differentiation of a minor and highly specialized epithelial subset has a non-redundant role in shaping thymic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey N Miller
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Irina Proekt
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jakob von Moltke
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kristen L Wells
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Aparna R Rajpurkar
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Haiguang Wang
- Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kristin Rattay
- Division of Developmental Immunology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Imran S Khan
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Todd C Metzger
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sunnyvale, CA, USA
| | - Joshua L Pollack
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Pionyr Immunotherapeutics, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adam C Fries
- Biological Imaging Development Center and Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wint W Lwin
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric J Wigton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Audrey V Parent
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David J Erle
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kristin A Hogquist
- Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lars M Steinmetz
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Richard M Locksley
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark S Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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38
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Vennekens R, Mesuere M, Philippaert K. TRPM5 in the battle against diabetes and obesity. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 222. [PMID: 28834354 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
TRPM5 is a non-selective monovalent cation channel activated by increases in intracellular Ca2+ . It has a distinct expression pattern: expression is detected in chemosensitive tissues from solitary chemosensory cells to the taste receptor cells and in pancreatic β-cells. The role of TRPM5 has been investigated with the use of knockout mouse models. Trpm5-/- mice have a lack of type II taste perception and show reduced glucose-induced insulin secretion. Expression levels of TRPM5 are reduced in obese, leptin-signalling-deficient mice, and mutations in TRPM5 have been associated with type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome. In this review, we aim to give an overview of the activation, selectivity, modulation and physiological roles of TRPM5.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Vennekens
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research; Leuven Belgium
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research; TRP Research Platform Leuven (TRPLe), Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine; KU Leuven, Leuven Belgium
| | - M. Mesuere
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research; Leuven Belgium
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research; TRP Research Platform Leuven (TRPLe), Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine; KU Leuven, Leuven Belgium
| | - K. Philippaert
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research; Leuven Belgium
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research; TRP Research Platform Leuven (TRPLe), Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine; KU Leuven, Leuven Belgium
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39
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Yamashita J, Ohmoto M, Yamaguchi T, Matsumoto I, Hirota J. Skn-1a/Pou2f3 functions as a master regulator to generate Trpm5-expressing chemosensory cells in mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189340. [PMID: 29216297 PMCID: PMC5720759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential channel M5 (Trpm5)-expressing cells, such as sweet, umami, and bitter taste cells in the oropharyngeal epithelium, solitary chemosensory cells in the nasal respiratory epithelium, and tuft cells in the small intestine, that express taste-related genes function as chemosensory cells. Previous studies demonstrated that Skn-1a/Pou2f3, a POU homeodomain transcription factor is expressed in these Trpm5-expressing chemosensory cells, and is necessary for their generation. Trpm5-expressing cells have recently been found in trachea, auditory tube, urethra, thymus, pancreatic duct, stomach, and large intestine. They are considered to be involved in protective responses to potential hazardous compounds as Skn-1a-dependent bitter taste cells, respiratory solitary chemosensory cells, and intestinal tuft cells are. In this study, we examined the expression and function of Skn-1a/Pou2f3 in Trpm5-expressing cells in trachea, auditory tube, urethra, thymus, pancreatic duct, stomach, and large intestine. Skn-1a/Pou2f3 is expressed in a majority of Trpm5-expressing cells in all tissues examined. In Skn-1a/Pou2f3-deficient mice, the expression of Trpm5 as well as marker genes for Trpm5-expressing cells were absent in all tested tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that two types of microvillous cells exist in trachea, urethra, and thymus, Trpm5-positive and Trpm5-negative cells. In Skn-1a/Pou2f3-deficient mice, a considerable proportion of Trpm5-negative and villin-positive microvillous cells remained present in these tissues. Thus, we propose that Skn-1a/Pou2f3 is the master regulator for the generation of the Trpm5-expressing microvillous cells in multiple tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpei Yamashita
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Makoto Ohmoto
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Tatsuya Yamaguchi
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ichiro Matsumoto
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Junji Hirota
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
- Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
- * E-mail:
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40
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Liu S, Lu S, Xu R, Atzberger A, Günther S, Wettschureck N, Offermanns S. Members of Bitter Taste Receptor Cluster Tas2r143/Tas2r135/Tas2r126 Are Expressed in the Epithelium of Murine Airways and Other Non-gustatory Tissues. Front Physiol 2017; 8:849. [PMID: 29163195 PMCID: PMC5670347 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse bitter taste receptors Tas2r143, Tas2r135, and Tas2r126 are encoded by genes that cluster on chromosome 6 and have been suggested to be expressed under common regulatory elements. Previous studies indicated that the Tas2r143/Tas2r135/Tas2r126 cluster is expressed in the heart, but other organs had not been systematically analyzed. In order to investigate the expression of this bitter taste receptor gene cluster in non-gustatory tissues, we generated a BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) based transgenic mouse line, expressing CreERT2 under the control of the Tas2r143 promoter. After crossing this line with a mouse line expressing EGFP after Cre-mediated recombination, we were able to validate the Tas2r143-CreERT2 transgenic mouse line and monitor the expression of Tas2r143. EGFP-positive cells, indicating expression of members of the cluster, were found in about 47% of taste buds, and could also be found in several other organs. A population of EGFP-positive cells was identified in thymic epithelial cells, in the lamina propria of the intestine and in vascular smooth muscle cells of cardiac blood vessels. EGFP-positive cells were also identified in the epithelium of organs readily exposed to pathogens including lower airways, the gastrointestinal tract, urethra, vagina, and cervix. With respect to the function of cells expressing this bitter taste receptor cluster, RNA-seq analysis in EGFP-positive cells isolated from the epithelium of trachea and stomach showed expression of genes related to innate immunity. These data further support the concept that bitter taste receptors serve functions outside the gustatory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuya Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Shun Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Ann Atzberger
- Flow Cytometry Service Facility, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Nina Wettschureck
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany.,Medical Faculty, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Offermanns
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany.,Medical Faculty, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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41
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Lu P, Zhang CH, Lifshitz LM, ZhuGe R. Extraoral bitter taste receptors in health and disease. J Gen Physiol 2017; 149:181-197. [PMID: 28053191 PMCID: PMC5299619 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201611637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs or T2Rs) belong to the superfamily of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors, which are the targets of >50% of drugs currently on the market. Canonically, T2Rs are located in taste buds of the tongue, where they initiate bitter taste perception. However, accumulating evidence indicates that T2Rs are widely expressed throughout the body and mediate diverse nontasting roles through various specialized mechanisms. It has also become apparent that T2Rs and their polymorphisms are associated with human disorders. In this review, we summarize the physiological and pathophysiological roles that extraoral T2Rs play in processes as diverse as innate immunity and reproduction, and the major challenges in this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Cheng-Hai Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Lawrence M Lifshitz
- Biomedical Imaging Group, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605.,Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Ronghua ZhuGe
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605 .,Biomedical Imaging Group, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
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42
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Malhotra D, Linehan JL, Dileepan T, Lee YJ, Purtha WE, Lu JV, Nelson RW, Fife BT, Orr HT, Anderson MS, Hogquist KA, Jenkins MK. Tolerance is established in polyclonal CD4(+) T cells by distinct mechanisms, according to self-peptide expression patterns. Nat Immunol 2016; 17:187-95. [PMID: 26726812 PMCID: PMC4718891 DOI: 10.1038/ni.3327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Studies of repertoires of mouse monoclonal CD4(+) T cells have revealed several mechanisms of self-tolerance; however, which mechanisms operate in normal repertoires is unclear. Here we studied polyclonal CD4(+) T cells specific for green fluorescent protein expressed in various organs, which allowed us to determine the effects of specific expression patterns on the same epitope-specific T cells. Peptides presented uniformly by thymic antigen-presenting cells were tolerated by clonal deletion, whereas peptides excluded from the thymus were ignored. Peptides with limited thymic expression induced partial clonal deletion and impaired effector T cell potential but enhanced regulatory T cell potential. These mechanisms were also active for T cell populations specific for endogenously expressed self antigens. Thus, the immunotolerance of polyclonal CD4(+) T cells was maintained by distinct mechanisms, according to self-peptide expression patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepali Malhotra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 55455
| | - Jonathan L. Linehan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 55455
| | - Thamotharampillai Dileepan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 55455
| | - You Jeong Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 55455
| | - Whitney E. Purtha
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA, 94143
| | - Jennifer V. Lu
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA, 94143
| | - Ryan W. Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 55455
| | - Brian T. Fife
- Department of Medicine, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Harry T. Orr
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 55455
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA, 94143
| | - Kristin A. Hogquist
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 55455
| | - Marc K. Jenkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 55455
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43
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Deckmann K, Krasteva-Christ G, Rafiq A, Herden C, Wichmann J, Knauf S, Nassenstein C, Grevelding CG, Dorresteijn A, Chubanov V, Gudermann T, Bschleipfer T, Kummer W. Cholinergic urethral brush cells are widespread throughout placental mammals. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 29:51-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Grando SA, Kawashima K, Kirkpatrick CJ, Kummer W, Wessler I. Recent progress in revealing the biological and medical significance of the non-neuronal cholinergic system. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 29:1-7. [PMID: 26362206 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This special issue of International Immunopharmacology is the proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Non-neuronal Acetylcholine that was held on August 28-30, 2014 at the Justus Liebig University of Giessen in Germany. It contains original contributions of meeting participants covering the significant progress in understanding of the biological and medical significance of the non-neuronal cholinergic system extending from exciting insights into molecular mechanisms regulating this system via miRNAs over the discovery of novel cholinergic cellular signaling circuitries to clinical implications in cancer, wound healing, immunity and inflammation, cardiovascular, respiratory and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei A Grando
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Koichiro Kawashima
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Kitasato University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Charles J Kirkpatrick
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz D-55101, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kummer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen D-35385, Germany
| | - Ignaz Wessler
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz D-55101, Germany
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45
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Wiederhold S, Papadakis T, Chubanov V, Gudermann T, Krasteva-Christ G, Kummer W. A novel cholinergic epithelial cell with chemosensory traits in the murine conjunctiva. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 29:45-50. [PMID: 26119492 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We recently identified a specialized cholinergic cell type in tracheal and urethral epithelium that utilizes molecules of the canonical taste transduction signaling cascade to sense potentially harmful substances in the luminal content. Upon stimulation, this cell initiates protective reflexes. Assuming a sentinel role of such cells at mucosal surfaces exposed to bacteria, we hypothesized their occurrence also in ocular mucosal surfaces. Utilizing a mouse strain expressing eGFP under the promoter of the acetylcholine synthesizing enzyme, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT-eGFP), we observed a cholinergic cell in the murine conjunctiva. Singular cholinergic cells reaching the epithelial surface with slender processes were detected in fornical, but neither in bulbar nor palpebral epithelia. These cells were found neither in the lacrimal canaliculi, nor in the lacrimal sac and the nasolacrimal duct. Cholinergic conjunctival epithelial cells were immunoreactive for components of the canonical taste transduction signaling cascade, i.e. α-gustducin, phospholipase Cβ2 and the monovalent cation channel TRPM5. Calcitonin gene-related peptide- and substance P-immunoreactive sensory nerve fibers were observed extending into the conjunctival epithelium approaching slender ChAT-eGFP-positive cells. In addition, we noted both ChAT-eGFP expression and α-gustducin-immunoreactivity, albeit in different cell populations, in occasionally occurring lymphoid follicles of the nictitating membrane. The data show a previously unidentified cholinergic cell in murine conjunctiva with chemosensory traits that presumably utilizes acetylcholine for signaling. In analogy to similar cells described in the respiratory and urethral epithelium, it might serve to detect bacterial products and to initiate protective reflexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Wiederhold
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35385, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tamara Papadakis
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35385, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vladimir Chubanov
- Walter-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Gudermann
- Walter-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabriela Krasteva-Christ
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35385, Giessen, Germany; Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Koellikerstraße 6, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kummer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35385, Giessen, Germany.
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46
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Soultanova A, Voigt A, Chubanov V, Gudermann T, Meyerhof W, Boehm U, Kummer W. Cholinergic chemosensory cells of the thymic medulla express the bitter receptor Tas2r131. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 29:143-7. [PMID: 26102274 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is the site of T cell maturation which includes positive selection in the cortex and negative selection in the medulla. Acetylcholine is locally produced in the thymus and cholinergic signaling influences the T cell development. We recently described a distinct subset of medullary epithelial cells in the murine thymus which express the acetylcholine-synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and components of the canonical taste transduction cascade, i.e. transient receptor potential melastatin-like subtype 5 channel (TRPM5), phospholipase Cβ(2), and Gα-gustducin. Such a chemical phenotype is characteristic for chemosensory cells of mucosal surfaces which utilize bitter receptors for detection of potentially hazardous compounds and cholinergic signaling to initiate avoidance reflexes. We here demonstrate mRNA expression of bitter receptors Tas2r105, Tas2r108, and Tas2r131 in the murine thymus. Using a Tas2r131-tauGFP reporter mouse we localized the expression of this receptor to cholinergic cells expressing the downstream elements of the taste transduction pathway. These cells are distinct from the medullary thymic epithelial cells which promiscuously express tissue-restricted self-antigens during the process of negative selection, since double-labeling immunofluorescence showed no colocalization of autoimmune regulator (AIRE), the key mediator of negative selection, and TRPM5. These data demonstrate the presence of bitter taste-sensing signaling in cholinergic epithelial cells in the thymic medulla and opens a discussion as to what is the physiological role of this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aichurek Soultanova
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Anja Voigt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Vladimir Chubanov
- Walter-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Gudermann
- Walter-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Meyerhof
- Department of Molecular Genetics, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Saarland School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kummer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
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47
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Krasteva-Christ G, Soultanova A, Schütz B, Papadakis T, Weiss C, Deckmann K, Chubanov V, Gudermann T, Voigt A, Meyerhof W, Boehm U, Weihe E, Kummer W. Identification of cholinergic chemosensory cells in mouse tracheal and laryngeal glandular ducts. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 29:158-65. [PMID: 26033492 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Specialized epithelial cells in the respiratory tract such as solitary chemosensory cells and brush cells sense the luminal content and initiate protective reflexes in response to the detection of potentially harmful substances. The majority of these cells are cholinergic and utilize the canonical taste signal transduction cascade to detect "bitter" substances such as bacterial quorum sensing molecules. Utilizing two different mouse strains reporting expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the synthesizing enzyme of acetylcholine (ACh), we detected cholinergic cells in the submucosal glands of the murine larynx and trachea. These cells were localized in the ciliated glandular ducts and were neither found in the collecting ducts nor in alveolar or tubular segments of the glands. ChAT expression in tracheal gland ducts was confirmed by in situ hybridization. The cholinergic duct cells expressed the brush cell marker proteins, villin and cytokeratin-18, and were immunoreactive for components of the taste signal transduction cascade (Gα-gustducin, transient receptor potential melastatin-like subtype 5 channel = TRPM5, phospholipase C(β2)), but not for carbonic anhydrase IV. Furthermore, these cells expressed the bitter taste receptor Tas2r131, as demonstrated utilizing an appropriate reporter mouse strain. Our study identified a previously unrecognized presumptive chemosensory cell type in the duct of the airway submucosal glands that likely utilizes ACh for paracrine signaling. We propose that these cells participate in infection-sensing mechanisms and initiate responses assisting bacterial clearance from the lower airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Krasteva-Christ
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany; Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - A Soultanova
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - B Schütz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - T Papadakis
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - C Weiss
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - K Deckmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - V Chubanov
- Walter-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
| | - T Gudermann
- Walter-Straub-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
| | - A Voigt
- Dept. Molecular Genetics, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - W Meyerhof
- Dept. Molecular Genetics, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - U Boehm
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Saarland School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - E Weihe
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - W Kummer
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
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