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Mickael M, Łazarczyk M, Kubick N, Gurba A, Kocki T, Horbańczuk JO, Atanasov AG, Sacharczuk M, Religa P. FEZF2 and AIRE1: An Evolutionary Trade-off in the Elimination of Auto-reactive T Cells in the Thymus. J Mol Evol 2024; 92:72-86. [PMID: 38285197 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-024-10157-0] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmune Regulator 1 (AIRE1) and Forebrain Embryonic Zinc Finger-Like Protein 2 (FEZF2) play pivotal roles in orchestrating the expression of tissue-restricted antigens (TRA) to facilitate the elimination of autoreactive T cells. AIRE1's presence in the gonads of various vertebrates has raised questions about its potential involvement in gene expression control for germline cell selection. Nevertheless, the evolutionary history of these genes has remained enigmatic, as has the rationale behind their apparent redundancy in vertebrates. Furthermore, the origin of the elimination process itself has remained elusive. To shed light on these mysteries, we conducted a comprehensive evolutionary analysis employing a range of tools, including multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree construction, ancestral sequence reconstruction, and positive selection assessment. Our investigations revealed intriguing insights. AIRE1 homologs emerged during the divergence of T cells in higher vertebrates, signifying its role in this context. Conversely, FEZF2 exhibited multiple homologs spanning invertebrates, lampreys, and higher vertebrates. Ancestral sequence reconstruction demonstrated distinct origins for AIRE1 and FEZF2, underscoring that their roles in regulating TRA have evolved through disparate pathways. Furthermore, it became evident that both FEZF2 and AIRE1 govern a diverse repertoire of genes, encompassing ancient and more recently diverged targets. Notably, FEZF2 demonstrates expression in both vertebrate and invertebrate embryos and germlines, accentuating its widespread role. Intriguingly, FEZF2 harbors motifs associated with autophagy, such as DKFPHP, SYSELWKSSL, and SYSEL, a process integral to cell selection in invertebrates. Our findings suggest that FEZF2 initially emerged to regulate self-elimination in the gonads of invertebrates. As organisms evolved toward greater complexity, AIRE1 likely emerged to complement FEZF2's role, participating in the regulation of cell selection for elimination in both gonads and the thymus. This dynamic interplay between AIRE1 and FEZF2 underscores their multifaceted contributions to TRA expression regulation across diverse evolutionary contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Mickael
- Department of Experimental Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552, Jastrzebiec, Poland.
- Department of Immunology, PM Forskningscentreum, Väpnaregatan 22, 58649, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Marzena Łazarczyk
- Department of Experimental Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - Norwin Kubick
- Department of Biology, Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Agata Gurba
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Warsaw Medical University, L Banacha 1, 02-697, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kocki
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8B, 20090, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jarosław Olav Horbańczuk
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - Atanas G Atanasov
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552, Jastrzebiec, Poland
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mariusz Sacharczuk
- Department of Experimental Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552, Jastrzebiec, Poland
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Warsaw Medical University, L Banacha 1, 02-697, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Religa
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Solna, Sweden.
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Forsdyke DR. Aggregation-prone peptides from within a non-self-protein homoaggregate are preferred for MHC association: Historical overview. Scand J Immunol 2023; 98:e13306. [PMID: 38441340 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13306] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
New technologies assist re-evaluation of hypotheses on generation of immune cell repertoires and distinctions of self from non-self. Findings include positive correlations between peptide propensities to aggregate and their binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. This recalls the hypothesis that foreign proteins may homoaggregate in host cytosols prior to releasing their peptides (p) to form pMHC complexes. Clues to this included aggregation-related phenomena associated with infections (rouleaux formation, pyrexia, certain brain diseases). By virtue of 'promiscuous' gene expression by thymic presenting cells - perhaps adapted from earlier evolving gonadal mechanisms - developing T cells monitor surface pMHC clusterings. This evaluates intracellular concentrations of the corresponding proteins, and hence, following Burnet's two signal principle, degrees of self-reactivity. After positive selection in the thymic cortex for reactivity with 'near-self', high-level pMHC clustering suffices in the medulla for negatively selection. Following Burnet's principle, in the periphery low-level clustering suffices for T cell stimulation and high-level clustering again provokes negative selection (immunological tolerance). For evolving intracellular pathogens, fine-tuned polymorphisms of their host species have limited to 'near-self' some mimicking adaptations. It is proposed that while entire pathogen proteins may have evolved to minimize their aggregability, the greater aggregability of their peptides remains partially hidden within. Two-step proofreading mechanisms in prospective hosts select proteins containing aggregable peptide for the generation of pMHC clusters at the surface of presenting cells. Through mutations, some proteins of pathogens and cancer cells tend to converge towards the host 'near-self' that its T cells have auditioned to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald R Forsdyke
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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What's the role of thymus in diabetes mellitus? Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109765. [PMID: 36702074 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is considered as an autoimmune inflammatory and age-related disease. As an important immune organ, the thymus is involved in the immune response and inflammatory response process. Therefore, there may be a link between changes in thymus function and diabetes. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that thymus dysfunction due to aging and other reasons leads to changes in the generation of various inflammatory-immune cells and inflammatory cytokines that regulate insulin resistance, and then participates in the development of diabetes and its complications. Therefore, thymus may be a key factor in diabetes and complications, and it may be a promising therapeutic strategy to improve the thymus function for patients with diabetes. The purpose of this review is to summarize and discuss recent advances in the influence of thymus function on diabetes, especially its potential mechanisms.
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Takada M, Fukuhara D, Takiura T, Nishibori Y, Kotani M, Kiuchi Z, Kudo A, Beltcheva O, Ito-Nitta N, Nitta KR, Kimura T, Suehiro JI, Katada T, Takematsu H, Yan K. Involvement of GLCCI1 in mouse spermatogenesis. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22680. [PMID: 36468710 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101667rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spermatid production is a complex regulatory process in which coordination between hormonal control and apoptosis plays a pivotal role in maintaining a balanced number of sperm cells. Apoptosis in spermatogenesis is controlled by pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic molecules. Hormones involved in the apoptotic process during spermatogenesis include gonadotrophins, sex hormones, and glucocorticoid (GC). GC acts broadly as an apoptosis inducer by binding to its receptor (glucocorticoid receptor: GR) during organ development processes, such as spermatogenesis. However, the downstream pathway induced in GC-GR signaling and the apoptotic process during spermatogenesis remains poorly understood. We reported previously that GC induces full-length glucocorticoid-induced transcript 1 (GLCCI1-long), which functions as an anti-apoptotic mediator in thymic T cell development. Here, we demonstrate that mature murine testis expresses a novel isoform of GLCCI1 protein (GLCCI1-short) in addition to GLCCI1-long. We demonstrate that GLCCI1-long is expressed in spermatocytes along with GR. In contrast, GLCCI1-short is primarily expressed in spermatids where GR is absent; instead, the estrogen receptor is expressed. GLCCI1-short also binds to LC8, which is a known mediator of the anti-apoptotic effect of GLCCI1-long. A luciferase reporter assay revealed that β-estradiol treatment synergistically increased Glcci1-short promotor-driven luciferase activity in Erα-overexpressing cells. Together with the evidence that the conversion of testosterone to estrogen is preceded by aromatase expression in spermatids, we hypothesize that estrogen induces GLCCI1-short, which, in turn, may function as a novel anti-apoptotic mediator in mature murine testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Takada
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Fukuhara
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Takiura
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukino Nishibori
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Kotani
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Zentaro Kiuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Kudo
- Department of Microscopic Anatomy, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Olga Beltcheva
- Molecular Medicine Center and Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Noriko Ito-Nitta
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro R Nitta
- Diagnostics and Therapeutics of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toru Kimura
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Suehiro
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Katada
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromu Takematsu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Kunimasa Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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AIRE in Male Fertility: A New Hypothesis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193168. [PMID: 36231130 PMCID: PMC9563308 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility affects approximately 14% of all European men, of which ~44% are characterized as idiopathic. There is an urgency to identify the factors that affect male fertility. One such factor, Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE), a protein found in the thymus, has been studied in the context of central tolerance functioning as a nuclear transcription modulator, responsible for the expression of tissue-restricted antigens in specialized thymic cells that prevent autoimmunity. While its expression in the testes remains enigmatic, we recently observed that sterility in mice correlates with the absence of Aire in the testes, regardless of the deficient expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells or cells of the hematopoietic system. By assessing the Aire transcript levels, we discovered that Sertoli cells are the exclusive source of Aire in the testes, where it most likely plays a non-immune role, suggesting an unknown mechanism by which testicular Aire regulates fertility. Here, we discuss these results in the context of previous reports which have suggested that infertility observed in Aire deficient mice is of an autoimmune aetiology. We present an alternative point of view for the role of Aire in testes in respect to fertility altering the perspective of how Aire's function in the testes is currently perceived.
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Centenary of Haldane's ‘rule’: why male sterility may be normal, not ‘idiopathic’. J Genet 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12041-022-01369-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Forsdyke DR. Positive selection of immune repertoires: a short further history. Scand J Immunol 2022; 95:e13144. [DOI: 10.1111/sji.13144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Donald R. Forsdyke
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences Queen's University Kingston Ontario Canada
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McCoy DE, Shultz AJ, Vidoudez C, van der Heide E, Dall JE, Trauger SA, Haig D. Microstructures amplify carotenoid plumage signals in tanagers. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8582. [PMID: 33883641 PMCID: PMC8060279 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88106-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Brilliantly-colored birds are a model system for research into evolution and sexual selection. Red, orange, and yellow carotenoid-colored plumages have been considered honest signals of condition; however, sex differences in feather pigments and microstructures are not well understood. Here, we show that microstructures, rather than carotenoid pigments, seem to be a major driver of male-female color differences in the social, sexually-dimorphic tanager genus Ramphocelus. We comprehensively quantified feather (i) color (using spectrophotometry), (ii) pigments (using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)), and (iii) microstructures (using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) optical modeling). Males have significantly more saturated color patches than females. However, our exploratory analysis of pigments suggested that males and females have concordant carotenoid pigment profiles across all species (MCMCglmm model, female:male ratio = 0.95). Male, but not female, feathers have elaborate microstructures which amplify color appearance. Oblong, expanded feather barbs in males enhance color saturation (for the same amount of pigment) by increasing the transmission of optical power through the feather. Dihedral barbules (vertically-angled, strap-shaped barbules) in males reduce total reflectance to generate "super black" and "velvet red" plumage. Melanin in females explains some, but not all, of the male-female plumage differences. Our results suggest that a widely cited index of honesty, carotenoid pigments, cannot fully explain male appearance. We propose that males are selected to evolve amplifiers-in this case, microstructures that enhance appearance-that are not necessarily themselves linked to quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota E McCoy
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| | - Allison J Shultz
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Informatics Group, Harvard University, 38 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Ornithology Department, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Charles Vidoudez
- Harvard Center for Mass Spectrometry, Harvard University, 52 Oxford Street (B2), Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Emma van der Heide
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Jacqueline E Dall
- Ornithology Department, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Sunia A Trauger
- Harvard Center for Mass Spectrometry, Harvard University, 52 Oxford Street (B2), Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - David Haig
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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