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Zhdanov DD, Gladilina YA, Blinova VG, Abramova AA, Shishparenok AN, Eliseeva DD. Induction of FoxP3 Pre-mRNA Alternative Splicing to Enhance the Suppressive Activity of Regulatory T Cells from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1022. [PMID: 38790984 PMCID: PMC11117958 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) is a key transcription factor responsible for the development, maturation, and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The FoxP3 pre-mRNA is subject to alternative splicing, resulting in the translation of multiple splice variants. We have shown that Tregs from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have reduced expression of full-length (FL) FoxP3, while other truncated splice variants are expressed predominantly. A correlation was observed between the reduced number of Tregs in the peripheral blood of ALS patients, reduced total FoxP3 mRNA, and reduced mRNA of its FL splice variant. Induction of FL FoxP3 was achieved using splice-switching oligonucleotides capable of base pairing with FoxP3 pre-mRNA and selectively modulating the inclusion of exons 2 and 7 in the mature mRNA. Selective expression of FL FoxP3 resulted in the induction of CD127low, CD152, and Helios-positive cells, while the cell markers CD4 and CD25 were not altered. Such Tregs had an increased proliferative activity and a higher frequency of cell divisions per day. The increased suppressive activity of Tregs with the induced FL FoxP3 splice variant was associated with the increased synthesis of the pro-apoptotic granzymes A and B, and perforin, IL-10, and IL-35, which are responsible for contact-independent suppression, and with the increased ability to suppress telomerase in target cells. The upregulation of Treg suppressive and proliferative activity using splice-switching oligonucleotides to induce the predominant expression of the FoxP3 FL variant is a promising approach for regenerative cell therapy in Treg-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya St. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Varvara G. Blinova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Anna A. Abramova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia N. Shishparenok
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Daria D. Eliseeva
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
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Saleh QW, Mohammadnejad A, Tepel M. FOXP3 full length splice variant is associated with kidney allograft tolerance. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1389105. [PMID: 38660296 PMCID: PMC11040551 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1389105] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Progressive decline of allograft function leads to premature graft loss. Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), a characteristic gene of T-regulatory cells, is known to be essential for auto-antigen tolerance. We assessed the hypothesis that low FOXP3 mRNA splice variant levels in peripheral blood cells early after transplantation are associated with progressive allograft injury. Methods Blood samples were prospectively collected from 333 incident kidney transplant recipients on the first and 29th postoperative day. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine transcripts of 3 isotypes of FOXP3 splice variants, including pre-mature FOXP3 and full length FOXP3 (FOXP3fl). We investigated the association between FOXP3 splice variant levels and the declines in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of more than 5ml/min/1.73m2 within the first-year post-transplant using logistic regression. Results We observed lower FOXP3fl levels in recipients with declining eGFR (N = 132) than in recipients with stable eGFR (N = 201), (logarithmic value -4.13 [IQR -4.50 to -3.84] vs -4.00 [4.32 to -3.74], p=0.02). In ad hoc analysis pre-transplant FOXP3fl levels were similar in both groups. The association between FOXP3fl and declining eGFR was confirmed by multivariable analysis adjusted for potential confounding factors (Odds Ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.91: p=0.02). When stratifying FOXP3fl levels into quartiles, recipients with lower day1 FOXP3fl had the highest rate of declining eGFR (p=0.04). Conclusion Low FOXP3fl splice variant levels at the first postoperative day in kidney transplant recipients were associated with severe decline of eGFR, a well-known surrogate for hard endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qais W. Saleh
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Afsaneh Mohammadnejad
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Biodemography, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin Tepel
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Blinova VG, Gladilina YA, Abramova AA, Eliseeva DD, Vtorushina VV, Shishparenok AN, Zhdanov DD. Modulation of Suppressive Activity and Proliferation of Human Regulatory T Cells by Splice-Switching Oligonucleotides Targeting FoxP3 Pre-mRNA. Cells 2023; 13:77. [PMID: 38201281 PMCID: PMC10777989 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The maturation, development, and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) are under the control of the crucial transcription factor Forkhead Box Protein 3 (FoxP3). Through alternative splicing, the human FoxP3 gene produces four different splice variants: a full-length variant (FL) and truncated variants with deletions of each of exons 2 (∆2 variant) or 7 (∆7 variant) or a deletion of both exons (∆2∆7 variant). Their involvement in the biology of Tregs as well as their association with autoimmune diseases remains to be clarified. The aim of this work was to induce a single FoxP3 splice variant in human Tregs by splice switching oligonucleotides and to monitor their phenotype and proliferative and suppressive activity. We demonstrated that Tregs from peripheral blood from patients with multiple sclerosis preferentially expressed truncated splice variants, while the FL variant was the major variant in healthy donors. Tregs with induced expression of truncated FoxP3 splice variants demonstrated lower suppressive activity than those expressing FL variants. Reduced suppression was associated with the decreased expression of Treg-associated suppressive surface molecules and the production of cytokines. The deletion of exons 2 and/or 7 also reduced the cell proliferation rate. The results of this study show an association between FoxP3 splice variants and Treg function and proliferation. The modulation of Treg suppressive activity by the induction of the FoxP3 FL variant can become a promising strategy for regenerative immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varvara G. Blinova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Anna A. Abramova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Daria D. Eliseeva
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Valentina V. Vtorushina
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Academician Oparin st. 4, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia N. Shishparenok
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, People’s Friendship University of Russia Named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya st. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
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Borna Š, Lee E, Nideffer J, Ramachandran A, Wang B, Baker J, Mavers M, Lakshmanan U, Narula M, Garrett AKH, Schulze J, Olek S, Marois L, Gernez Y, Bhatia M, Chong HJ, Walter J, Kitcharoensakkul M, Lang A, Cooper MA, Bertaina A, Roncarolo MG, Meffre E, Bacchetta R. Identification of unstable regulatory and autoreactive effector T cells that are expanded in patients with FOXP3 mutations. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadg6822. [PMID: 38117899 PMCID: PMC11070150 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adg6822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the monogenic autoimmune disease immunodysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy X-linked syndrome (IPEX) have elucidated the essential function of the transcription factor FOXP3 and thymic-derived regulatory T cells (Tregs) in controlling peripheral tolerance. However, the presence and the source of autoreactive T cells in IPEX remain undetermined. Here, we investigated how FOXP3 deficiency affects the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire and Treg stability in vivo and compared T cell abnormalities in patients with IPEX with those in patients with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome (APECED). To study Tregs independently of their phenotype and to analyze T cell autoreactivity, we combined Treg-specific demethylation region analyses, single-cell multiomic profiling, and bulk TCR sequencing. We found that patients with IPEX, unlike patients with APECED, have expanded autoreactive T cells originating from both autoreactive effector T cells (Teffs) and Tregs. In addition, a fraction of the expanded Tregs from patients with IPEX lost their phenotypic and functional markers, including CD25 and FOXP3. Functional experiments with CRISPR-Cas9-mediated FOXP3 knockout Tregs and Tregs from patients with IPEX indicated that the patients' Tregs gain a TH2-skewed Teff-like function, which is consistent with immune dysregulation observed in these patients. Analyses of FOXP3 mutation-carrier mothers and a patient with IPEX after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation indicated that Tregs expressing nonmutated FOXP3 prevent the accumulation of autoreactive Teffs and unstable Tregs. These findings could be directly used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes and for monitoring the effects of immunomodulatory treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Šimon Borna
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Esmond Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jason Nideffer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Akshaya Ramachandran
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jeanette Baker
- Department of Medicine, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Melissa Mavers
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Uma Lakshmanan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Mansi Narula
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Amy Kang-hee Garrett
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Sven Olek
- Ivana Turbachova Laboratory for Epigenetics, Precision for Medicine GmbH, Berlin, 12489, Germany
| | - Louis Marois
- Department of Medicine, Immunology and Allergy Service, CHU de Québec – Laval University, Quebec, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Yael Gernez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Rheumatology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Monica Bhatia
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hey Jin Chong
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, 15224, Pa, USA
| | - Jolan Walter
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, 33701, FL, USA
| | - Maleewan Kitcharoensakkul
- Divisions of Rheumatology/Immunology, and Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| | - Abigail Lang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Megan A. Cooper
- Department of pediatrics, division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| | - Alice Bertaina
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine (CDCM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Maria Grazia Roncarolo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine (CDCM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eric Meffre
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Drive West, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rosa Bacchetta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine (CDCM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Luo Z, Zhang Y, Saleh QW, Zhang J, Zhu Z, Tepel M. Metabolic regulation of forkhead box P3 alternative splicing isoforms and their impact on health and disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1278560. [PMID: 37868998 PMCID: PMC10588449 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1278560] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3) is crucial for the development and suppressive function of human regulatory T cells (Tregs). There are two predominant FOXP3 splicing isoforms in healthy humans, the full-length isoform and the isoform lacking exon 2, with different functions and regulation mechanisms. FOXP3 splicing isoforms show distinct abilities in the cofactor interaction and the nuclear translocation, resulting in different effects on the differentiation, cytokine secretion, suppressive function, linage stability, and environmental adaptation of Tregs. The balance of FOXP3 splicing isoforms is related to autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. In response to environmental challenges, FOXP3 transcription and splicing can be finely regulated by T cell antigen receptor stimulation, glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and reactive oxygen species, with various signaling pathways involved. Strategies targeting energy metabolism and FOXP3 splicing isoforms in Tregs may provide potential new approaches for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries about the FOXP3 splicing isoforms and address the metabolic regulation and specific functions of FOXP3 splicing isoforms in Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidan Luo
- Department of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Yihua Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Fifth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Qais Waleed Saleh
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiming Zhu
- Department of Hypertension and Endocrinology, Daping Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Martin Tepel
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Verreycken J, Baeten P, Broux B. Regulatory T cell therapy for multiple sclerosis: Breaching (blood-brain) barriers. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2153534. [PMID: 36576251 PMCID: PMC9891682 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2153534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder causing demyelination and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. MS is characterized by disturbed motor performance and cognitive impairment. Current MS treatments delay disease progression and reduce relapse rates with general immunomodulation, yet curative therapies are still lacking. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are able to suppress autoreactive immune cells, which drive MS pathology. However, Tregs are functionally impaired in people with MS. Interestingly, Tregs were recently reported to also have regenerative capacity. Therefore, experts agree that Treg cell therapy has the potential to ameliorate the disease. However, to perform their local anti-inflammatory and regenerative functions in the brain, they must first migrate across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This review summarizes the reported results concerning the migration of Tregs across the BBB and the influence of Tregs on migration of other immune subsets. Finally, their therapeutic potential is discussed in the context of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Verreycken
- Neuro-Immune Connections and Repair Lab, Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium,University MS Center, Campus Diepenbeek, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Paulien Baeten
- Neuro-Immune Connections and Repair Lab, Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium,University MS Center, Campus Diepenbeek, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bieke Broux
- Neuro-Immune Connections and Repair Lab, Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium,University MS Center, Campus Diepenbeek, Diepenbeek, Belgium,CONTACT Bieke Broux Neuro-Immune Connections and Repair Lab, Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
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Raugh A, Allard D, Bettini M. Nature vs. nurture: FOXP3, genetics, and tissue environment shape Treg function. Front Immunol 2022; 13:911151. [PMID: 36032083 PMCID: PMC9411801 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.911151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in preventing autoimmunity has been well established; however, the precise alterations in Treg function in autoimmune individuals and how underlying genetic associations impact the development and function of Tregs is still not well understood. Polygenetic susceptibly is a key driving factor in the development of autoimmunity, and many of the pathways implicated in genetic association studies point to a potential alteration or defect in regulatory T cell function. In this review transcriptomic control of Treg development and function is highlighted with a focus on how these pathways are altered during autoimmunity. In combination, observations from autoimmune mouse models and human patients now provide insights into epigenetic control of Treg function and stability. How tissue microenvironment influences Treg function, lineage stability, and functional plasticity is also explored. In conclusion, the current efficacy and future direction of Treg-based therapies for Type 1 Diabetes and other autoimmune diseases is discussed. In total, this review examines Treg function with focuses on genetic, epigenetic, and environmental mechanisms and how Treg functions are altered within the context of autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arielle Raugh
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Denise Allard
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Maria Bettini
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- *Correspondence: Maria Bettini,
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