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Bela-Ong DB, Kim J, Thompson KD, Jung TS. Leveraging the biotechnological promise of the hagfish variable lymphocyte receptors: tools for aquatic microbial diseases. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 150:109565. [PMID: 38636740 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The jawless vertebrates (agnathans/cyclostomes) are ancestral animals comprising lampreys and hagfishes as the only extant representatives. They possess an alternative adaptive immune system (AIS) that uses leucine-rich repeats (LRR)-based variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) instead of the immunoglobulin (Ig)-based antigen receptors of jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes). The different VLR types are expressed on agnathan lymphocytes and functionally resemble gnathostome antigen receptors. In particular, VLRB is functionally similar to the B cell receptor and is expressed and secreted by B-like lymphocytes as VLRB antibodies that bind antigens with high affinity and specificity. The potential repertoire scale of VLR-based antigen receptors is believed to be at least comparable to that of Ig-based systems. VLR proteins inherently possess characteristics that render them excellent candidates for biotechnological development, including tractability to recombinant approaches. In recent years, scientists have explored the biotechnological development and utility of VLRB proteins as alternatives to conventional mammalian antibodies. The VLRB antibody platform represents a non-traditional approach to generating a highly diverse repertoire of unique antibodies. In this review, we first describe some aspects of the biology of the AIS of the jawless vertebrates, which recognizes antigens by means of unique receptors. We then summarize reports on the development of VLRB-based antibodies and their applications, particularly those from the inshore hagfish (Eptatretus burgeri) and their potential uses to address microbial diseases in aquaculture. Hagfish VLRB antibodies (we call Ccombodies) are being developed and improved, while obstacles to the advancement of the VLRB platform are being addressed to utilize VLRBs effectively as tools in immunology. VLRB antibodies for novel antigen targets are expected to emerge to provide new opportunities to tackle various scientific questions. We anticipate a greater interest in the agnathan AIS in general and particularly in the hagfish AIS for greater elucidation of the evolution of adaptive immunity and its applications to address microbial pathogens in farmed aquatic animals and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis B Bela-Ong
- Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases, Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaesung Kim
- Earwynbio Co., Ltd., 206 Sungjangjiwon-dong, 991 Worasan-ro, Munsan, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 52839, Republic of Korea
| | - Kim D Thompson
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, EH26 0PZ, UK, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Tae Sung Jung
- Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases, Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, 501 Jinju-daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 52828, Republic of Korea; Earwynbio Co., Ltd., 206 Sungjangjiwon-dong, 991 Worasan-ro, Munsan, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 52839, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Das S, Boehm T, Holland SJ, Rast JP, Fontenla-Iglesias F, Morimoto R, Valadez JG, Heimroth RD, Hirano M, Cooper MD. Evolution of two distinct variable lymphocyte receptors in lampreys: VLRD and VLRE. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112933. [PMID: 37542721 PMCID: PMC11160967 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Jawless vertebrates possess an alternative adaptive immune system in which antigens are recognized by variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) generated by combinatorial assembly of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) cassettes. Three types of receptors, VLRA, VLRB, and VLRC, have been previously identified. VLRA- and VLRC-expressing cells are T cell-like, whereas VLRB-expressing cells are B cell-like. Here, we report two types of VLRs in lampreys, VLRD and VLRE, phylogenetically related to VLRA and VLRC. The germline VLRD and VLRE genes are flanked by 39 LRR cassettes used in the assembly of mature VLRD and VLRE, with cassettes from chromosomes containing the VLRA and VLRC genes also contributing to VLRD and VLRE assemblies. VLRD and VLRE transcription is highest in the triple-negative (VLRA-/VLRB-/VLRC-) population of lymphocytes, albeit also detectable in VLRA+ and VLRC+ populations. Tissue distribution studies suggest that lamprey VLRD+ and VLRE+ lymphocytes comprise T-like sublineages of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabyasachi Das
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30317, USA.
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 153, 79110 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Stephen J Holland
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jonathan P Rast
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30317, USA
| | - Francisco Fontenla-Iglesias
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30317, USA
| | - Ryo Morimoto
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - J Gerardo Valadez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30317, USA
| | - Ryan D Heimroth
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30317, USA
| | - Masayuki Hirano
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30317, USA
| | - Max D Cooper
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30317, USA.
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Boehm T, Morimoto R, Trancoso I, Aleksandrova N. Genetic conflicts and the origin of self/nonself-discrimination in the vertebrate immune system. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:372-383. [PMID: 36941153 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.02.007] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Genetic conflicts shape the genomes of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Here, we argue that some of the key evolutionary novelties of adaptive immune systems of vertebrates are descendants of prokaryotic toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems. Cytidine deaminases and RAG recombinase have evolved from genotoxic enzymes to programmable editors of host genomes, supporting the astounding discriminatory capability of variable lymphocyte receptors of jawless vertebrates, as well as immunoglobulins and T cell receptors of jawed vertebrates. The evolutionarily recent lymphoid lineage is uniquely sensitive to mutations of the DNA maintenance methylase, which is an orphaned distant relative of prokaryotic restriction-modification systems. We discuss how the emergence of adaptive immunity gave rise to higher order genetic conflicts between genetic parasites and their vertebrate host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Boehm
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Ryo Morimoto
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Inês Trancoso
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
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Shevyrev D, Tereshchenko V, Kozlov V, Sennikov S. Phylogeny, Structure, Functions, and Role of AIRE in the Formation of T-Cell Subsets. Cells 2022; 11:194. [PMID: 35053310 PMCID: PMC8773594 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that the most important feature of adaptive immunity is the specificity that provides highly precise recognition of the self, altered-self, and non-self. Due to the high specificity of antigen recognition, the adaptive immune system participates in the maintenance of genetic homeostasis, supports multicellularity, and protects an organism from different pathogens at a qualitatively different level than innate immunity. This seemingly simple property is based on millions of years of evolution that led to the formation of diversification mechanisms of antigen-recognizing receptors and later to the emergence of a system of presentation of the self and non-self antigens. The latter could have a crucial significance because the presentation of nearly complete diversity of auto-antigens in the thymus allows for the "calibration" of the forming repertoires of T-cells for the recognition of self, altered-self, and non-self antigens that are presented on the periphery. The central role in this process belongs to promiscuous gene expression by the thymic epithelial cells that express nearly the whole spectrum of proteins encoded in the genome, meanwhile maintaining their cellular identity. This complex mechanism requires strict control that is executed by several transcription factors. One of the most important of them is AIRE. This noncanonical transcription factor not only regulates the processes of differentiation and expression of peripheral tissue-specific antigens in the thymic medullar epithelial cells but also controls intercellular interactions in the thymus. Besides, it participates in an increase in the diversity and transfer of presented antigens and thus influences the formation of repertoires of maturing thymocytes. Due to these complex effects, AIRE is also called a transcriptional regulator. In this review, we briefly described the history of AIRE discovery, its structure, functions, and role in the formation of antigen-recognizing receptor repertoires, along with other transcription factors. We focused on the phylogenetic prerequisites for the development of modern adaptive immunity and emphasized the importance of the antigen presentation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Shevyrev
- Research Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Immunology (RIFCI), 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.T.); (V.K.); (S.S.)
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Yoshikawa G, Miyazaki K, Ogata H, Miyazaki M. The Evolution of Rag Gene Enhancers and Transcription Factor E and Id Proteins in the Adaptive Immune System. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115888. [PMID: 34072618 PMCID: PMC8199221 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immunity relies on the V(D)J DNA recombination of immunoglobulin (Ig) and T cell receptor (TCR) genes, which enables the recognition of highly diverse antigens and the elicitation of antigen-specific immune responses. This process is mediated by recombination-activating gene (Rag) 1 and Rag2 (Rag1/2), whose expression is strictly controlled in a cell type-specific manner; the expression of Rag1/2 genes represents a hallmark of lymphoid lineage commitment. Although Rag genes are known to be evolutionally conserved among jawed vertebrates, how Rag genes are regulated by lineage-specific transcription factors (TFs) and how their regulatory system evolved among vertebrates have not been fully elucidated. Here, we reviewed the current body of knowledge concerning the cis-regulatory elements (CREs) of Rag genes and the evolution of the basic helix-loop-helix TF E protein regulating Rag gene CREs, as well as the evolution of the antagonist of this protein, the Id protein. This may help to understand how the adaptive immune system develops along with the evolution of responsible TFs and enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genki Yoshikawa
- Bioinformatics Center, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji 611-0011, Japan;
| | - Kazuko Miyazaki
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan;
| | - Hiroyuki Ogata
- Bioinformatics Center, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji 611-0011, Japan;
- Correspondence: (H.O.); (M.M.)
| | - Masaki Miyazaki
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan;
- Correspondence: (H.O.); (M.M.)
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Ghorbani A, Quinlan EM, Larijani M. Evolutionary Comparative Analyses of DNA-Editing Enzymes of the Immune System: From 5-Dimensional Description of Protein Structures to Immunological Insights and Applications to Protein Engineering. Front Immunol 2021; 12:642343. [PMID: 34135887 PMCID: PMC8201067 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.642343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system is unique among all biological sub-systems in its usage of DNA-editing enzymes to introduce targeted gene mutations and double-strand DNA breaks to diversify antigen receptor genes and combat viral infections. These processes, initiated by specific DNA-editing enzymes, often result in mistargeted induction of genome lesions that initiate and drive cancers. Like other molecules involved in human health and disease, the DNA-editing enzymes of the immune system have been intensively studied in humans and mice, with little attention paid (< 1% of published studies) to the same enzymes in evolutionarily distant species. Here, we present a systematic review of the literature on the characterization of one such DNA-editing enzyme, activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), from an evolutionary comparative perspective. The central thesis of this review is that although the evolutionary comparative approach represents a minuscule fraction of published works on this and other DNA-editing enzymes, this approach has made significant impacts across the fields of structural biology, immunology, and cancer research. Using AID as an example, we highlight the value of the evolutionary comparative approach in discoveries already made, and in the context of emerging directions in immunology and protein engineering. We introduce the concept of 5-dimensional (5D) description of protein structures, a more nuanced view of a structure that is made possible by evolutionary comparative studies. In this higher dimensional view of a protein's structure, the classical 3-dimensional (3D) structure is integrated in the context of real-time conformations and evolutionary time shifts (4th dimension) and the relevance of these dynamics to its biological function (5th dimension).
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Ghorbani
- Program in Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Emma M Quinlan
- Program in Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Mani Larijani
- Program in Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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Miyazaki K, Miyazaki M. The Interplay Between Chromatin Architecture and Lineage-Specific Transcription Factors and the Regulation of Rag Gene Expression. Front Immunol 2021; 12:659761. [PMID: 33796120 PMCID: PMC8007930 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.659761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell type-specific gene expression is driven through the interplay between lineage-specific transcription factors (TFs) and the chromatin architecture, such as topologically associating domains (TADs), and enhancer-promoter interactions. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the cell fate decisions and cell type-specific functions, it is important to understand the interplay between chromatin architectures and TFs. Among enhancers, super-enhancers (SEs) play key roles in establishing cell identity. Adaptive immunity depends on the RAG-mediated assembly of antigen recognition receptors. Hence, regulation of the Rag1 and Rag2 (Rag1/2) genes is a hallmark of adaptive lymphoid lineage commitment. Here, we review the current knowledge of 3D genome organization, SE formation, and Rag1/2 gene regulation during B cell and T cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuko Miyazaki
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medial Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masaki Miyazaki
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medial Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Morimoto R, Swann J, Nusser A, Trancoso I, Schorpp M, Boehm T. Evolution of thymopoietic microenvironments. Open Biol 2021; 11:200383. [PMID: 33622100 PMCID: PMC8061691 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, the development of lymphocytes from undifferentiated haematopoietic precursors takes place in so-called primary lymphoid organs, such as the thymus. Therein, lymphocytes undergo a complex differentiation and selection process that culminates in the generation of a pool of mature T cells that collectively express a self-tolerant repertoire of somatically diversified antigen receptors. Throughout this entire process, the microenvironment of the thymus in large parts dictates the sequence and outcome of the lymphopoietic activity. In vertebrates, direct genetic evidence in some species and circumstantial evidence in others suggest that the formation of a functional thymic microenvironment is controlled by members of the Foxn1/4 family of transcription factors. In teleost fishes, both Foxn1 and Foxn4 contribute to thymopoietic activity, whereas Foxn1 is both necessary and sufficient in the mammalian thymus. The evolutionary history of Foxn1/4 genes suggests that an ancient Foxn4 gene lineage gave rise to the Foxn1 genes in early vertebrates, raising the question of the thymopoietic capacity of the ancestor common to all vertebrates. Recent attempts to reconstruct the early events in the evolution of thymopoietic tissues by replacement of the mouse Foxn1 gene by Foxn1-like genes isolated from various chordate species suggest a plausible scenario. It appears that the primordial thymus was a bi-potent lymphoid organ, supporting both B cell and T cell development; however, during the course of vertebrate, evolution B cell development was gradually diminished converting the thymus into a site specialized in T cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Morimoto
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jeremy Swann
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anja Nusser
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Inês Trancoso
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Schorpp
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stuebeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
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Brodin P, Quintana-Murci L. Editorial overview: Evolutionary and systems immunology - methods to understand human immune system variation. Curr Opin Immunol 2020; 65:iv. [PMID: 33280662 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Petter Brodin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17121, Sweden; Pediatric Rheumatology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176, Sweden
| | - Lluis Quintana-Murci
- Human Evolutionary Genetics Unit, CNRS UMR 2000, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France; Chair of Human Genomics and Evolution, Collège de France, Paris 75005, France
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