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de Araújo Vieira LF, Lins MP, Porto FL, Smaniotto S, Dos Santos Reis MD. IGF-1 increases survival of CD4 + lineage in a 2D model of thymocyte/thymic stromal cell co-culture. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2022; 58:877-885. [PMID: 36401120 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-022-00730-6] [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: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), in addition to its classic effects on cell proliferation and organism growth, has pleiotropic actions on the immune system, particularly on the thymus. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of IGF-1 on molecules involved in the survival of thymocytes in vitro using a co-culture system with thymic stromal cells obtained from C57BL/6 mice. The obtained thymic stroma has contained thymic epithelial cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, fibroblasts, and preserved the expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Fresh thymocytes were added to these cultures and the co-culture were treated daily with IGF-1 (100 ng/mL) for 3 days. In this scheme, the viability of the thymocytes was about 70%, either in the control (non-treated cells) or in the IGF-1-treated cultures. It was found that IGF-1 was able to increase the percentage of thymocytes from the CD4+ single-positive (SP) subset. This result was accompanied by an increase in the MHC II expression on thymic stromal cells and an augment on the interleukin-7 receptor (CD127) on the surface of the CD4 SP thymocytes after treatment with IGF-1. Finally, IGF-1 treatment increased the expression of the ThPOK encoding gene Zbtb7b, which is involved in the differentiation of CD4+ SP thymocytes. Our study demonstrates the participation of IGF-1 in the thymocyte/thymic stroma interactions, especially in the extended survival of the CD4+ lineage in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Fernanda de Araújo Vieira
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Marvin Paulo Lins
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, 57072-970, Brazil. .,Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology On Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Felipe Lima Porto
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, 57072-970, Brazil
| | - Salete Smaniotto
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, 57072-970, Brazil.,Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology On Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Danielma Dos Santos Reis
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, 57072-970, Brazil.,Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology On Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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2
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Caramalho I, Nunes-Silva V, Pires AR, Mota C, Pinto AI, Nunes-Cabaço H, Foxall RB, Sousa AE. Human regulatory T-cell development is dictated by Interleukin-2 and -15 expressed in a non-overlapping pattern in the thymus. J Autoimmun 2014; 56:98-110. [PMID: 25481744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymus-derived FOXP3-expressing regulatory T-cells (tTregs) are master orchestrators of physiological and pathological immune responses, thus constituting ideal targets for the treatment of autoimmunity. Despite their clinical importance, the developmental program governing their differentiation in the human thymus remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of common gamma-chain cytokines in human tTreg differentiation, by performing gain- and loss-of-function experiments in 3D and 2D postnatal thymic cultures. We identified IL-2 and IL-15 as key molecular determinants in this process and excluded a major function for IL-4, IL-7 and IL-21. Mechanistically, IL-2 and IL-15 were equally able to drive tTreg precursor differentiation into FOXP3(+) cells, and promote tTreg proliferation and survival. Both cytokines also increased the expression levels of molecules associated with effector function within FOXP3(+) subsets, supporting their involvement in tTreg functional maturation. Furthermore, we revealed that IL-2 and IL-15 are expressed in a non-overlapping pattern in the human thymus, with the former produced mainly by mature αβ and γδ thymocytes and the latter by monocyte/macrophages and B lymphocytes. Our results identify core mechanisms dictating human tTreg development, with IL-2 and IL-15 defining specific niches required for tTreg lineage stabilization and differentiation, with implications for their therapeutic targeting in autoimmune conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Caramalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Vânia Nunes-Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana R Pires
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Mota
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana I Pinto
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Helena Nunes-Cabaço
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Russell B Foxall
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana E Sousa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
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3
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The influence of HIV on CD127 expression and its potential implications for IL-7 therapy. Semin Immunol 2012; 24:231-40. [PMID: 22421574 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2012.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Revised: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is critical for early T-cell development and plays an important role in T-cell homeostasis, differentiation and function. Signalling via the IL-7 receptor is dependent on the expression of its components, IL-7Rα (CD127) and IL-2Rγ (CD132) and is mediated in part by alterations in CD127 expression levels in different cell subsets. Naïve and memory T-cells express high levels of CD127, while effector cells are CD127(lo) and retention of the receptor is thought to influence the development of memory cells. Reduced expression of CD127 has been associated with markers of disease severity in HIV infection and other chronic viral infections as well as in various cancers. In HIV infection, decreased CD127 expression on T-cells is correlated with reduced CD4(+) T-cell counts, increased viral replication and immune activation. The loss of IL-7 activity, due to decreased CD127 expression, may contribute to the observed loss of CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in HIV infection. The downregulation of CD127 expression in HIV infection may be due to host (e.g. IL-7, IL-4, immune activation) and/or viral (e.g. HIV-tat) factors and mechanisms of receptor regulation may differ by cell type. In addition, the expression of a soluble form of CD127 (sCD127) has been shown to be increased in HIV infection. This protein may affect IL-7 activity in vivo and therefore may have implications for IL-7-based therapies which are currently being tested in clinical trials. Understanding how CD127 is regulated during HIV infection will provide insight for the development of novel therapeutics to improve immune function and anti-viral T-cell activity.
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4
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Nunes-Cabaço H, Caramalho Í, Sepúlveda N, Sousa AE. Differentiation of human thymic regulatory T cells at the double positive stage. Eur J Immunol 2011; 41:3604-14. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201141614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Revised: 08/02/2011] [Accepted: 09/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Crawley AM, Angel JB. Expression of γ-chain cytokine receptors on CD8+ T cells in HIV infection with a focus on IL-7Rα (CD127). Immunol Cell Biol 2011; 90:379-87. [PMID: 21863001 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2011.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
When interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor γ-chain (γ(C))-sharing cytokine receptors on T cells bind their specific ligands (IL-2, -4, -7, -9, -15 or -21), they initiate a variety of cell signals that promote survival, differentiation or antiviral or antitumor cytolytic functions. Although expression of the γ(C) is constitutive across T-cell subsets, the varying expression of other receptor complex components can regulate cytokine signalling and function. Impaired γ(C) cytokine activity in HIV infection, and the role of γ(C) cytokines in CD8(+) T-cell function and homeostasis, implicates these molecules among potential contributors to the observed decline of cytolytic activity (CTL) in HIV disease. In particular, this review will be highlighting information about the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) complex, which is composed of the γ(C) and the IL-7Rα (CD127) chains. There has been an abundance of HIV-related CD127 research and its important role in CD8(+) T-cell survival and function. The expression of CD127 undergoes dramatic changes throughout the course of T-cell responses in HIV infection. The expression of CD127 is significantly decreased in progressive HIV disease, whereas effective antiretroviral therapy results in its recovery. Observations of impaired IL-7 activity in HIV(+) individuals have suggested that CD127 has an important role in HIV immunopathogenesis. In addition, a soluble form of CD127 (sCD127) is upregulated in the plasma of HIV(+) individuals. Hence, CD127 is being increasingly considered as a marker of disease prognosis, and related information may provide insight into understanding the expression and role of other γ(C) receptors in HIV disease and contribute to the development of novel cytokine-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Crawley
- Department of Chronic Disease, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Crawley AM, Vranjkovic A, Young C, Angel JB. Interleukin‐4 downregulates CD127 expression and activity on human thymocytes and mature CD8
+
T cells. Eur J Immunol 2010; 40:1396-407. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.200940093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela M. Crawley
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Charlene Young
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan B. Angel
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ottawa Hospital‐General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Marino JH, Tan C, Taylor AA, Bentley C, Van De Wiele CJ, Ranne R, Paliotta M, Broughan TA, Teague TK. Differential IL-7 responses in developing human thymocytes. Hum Immunol 2010; 71:329-33. [PMID: 20074604 PMCID: PMC2896073 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2010.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2009] [Revised: 12/23/2009] [Accepted: 01/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-7 is a factor essential for mouse and human thymopoiesis. Mouse thymocytes have altered sensitivities to IL-7 at different developmental stages. CD4/CD8 double positive (DP) mouse thymocytes are shielded from the influence of IL-7 because of loss of CD127 (IL-7Ralpha). In this study, we assessed IL-7 receptor expression and IL-7 signaling in human thymocytes. We found human DP cells to be severely limited in their ability to phosphorylate STAT-5 in response to IL-7. The relative expression levels of the IL-7-inducible proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 were also lower in human DP cells, consistent with a stage-specific decrease in IL-7 responsiveness. IL-7 responses were restored in a subset of cells that matured past the DP stage. Unlike the regulation of IL-7 signaling in mouse thymocytes, loss of IL-7 signaling in human DP cells was not due to absence of CD127, but instead correlated with downregulation of CD132 (common gamma chain).
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- CD4 Antigens/biosynthesis
- CD8 Antigens/biosynthesis
- Cell Differentiation
- Cells, Cultured
- Child, Preschool
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant, Newborn
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/genetics
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/immunology
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/metabolism
- Interleukin-7/immunology
- Interleukin-7/pharmacology
- Mice
- Precursor Cells, T-Lymphoid/cytology
- Precursor Cells, T-Lymphoid/drug effects
- Precursor Cells, T-Lymphoid/immunology
- Precursor Cells, T-Lymphoid/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism
- Receptors, Interleukin-7/genetics
- Receptors, Interleukin-7/immunology
- Receptors, Interleukin-7/metabolism
- STAT5 Transcription Factor/genetics
- STAT5 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Thymus Gland/cytology
- Thymus Gland/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie H Marino
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tulsa, OK, USA
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Crawley AM, Katz T, Parato K, Angel JB. IL-2 receptor gamma chain cytokines differentially regulate human CD8+CD127+ and CD8+CD127- T cell division and susceptibility to apoptosis. Int Immunol 2008; 21:29-42. [PMID: 19011158 PMCID: PMC2638842 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxn120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of IL-7 receptor alpha (CD127) is associated with naive and memory (i.e. non-effector) CD8+ T cell phenotypes. Effector CD8+ T cells are predominantly CD127- and most die by apoptosis. Therefore, CD127 appears to be a marker for CD8+ T cell differentiation, yet its role in CD8+ T cell survival and memory development is unclear. To address this, we investigated the cell death and cell division of isolated CD8+CD127+ and CD8+CD127- T cells in response to common IL-2 receptor gamma chain (gamma(C)) cytokines other than IL-7. We show here that (i) memory cells (CD127+CD45RA-) divide frequently in response to either IL-2, -4 or -15; (ii) IL-2 and -15 enhance cell division in effector-memory-like cells (CD127-CD45RA+) while IL-4 enhances the cell division of effector cells (CD127-CD45RA-); (iii) CD8+CD127+ T cells are more sensitive to the anti-apoptotic effects of IL-2 or IL-15 than CD8+CD127- T cells and (iv) CD8+CD127+ T cell produce more Bcl-2 in response to IL-2 or IL-15 compared with CD8+CD127- T cells. Therefore, CD8+CD127+ and CD8+CD127- T cells differ in their responsiveness to cell division and anti-apoptotic signals from IL-2, -4 and -15. This suggests a role for gamma(C) cytokines in the pathogenesis of diseases in which CD127 expression is altered on CD8+ T cells such as in progressive viral infections and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Crawley
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Vranjkovic A, Crawley AM, Gee K, Kumar A, Angel JB. IL-7 decreases IL-7 receptor alpha (CD127) expression and induces the shedding of CD127 by human CD8+ T cells. Int Immunol 2007; 19:1329-39. [PMID: 17956896 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxm102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IL-7 receptor alpha (CD127) signaling is essential for T-cell development and regulation of naive and memory T-cell homeostasis. Fewer CD8(+) T cells from HIV-infected patients express CD127 compared with healthy individuals, suggesting that specific host and/or viral factors regulate IL-7 receptor expression. Factors relevant to HIV infection that could potentially decrease CD127 expression on human CD8(+) T cells and the mechanisms by which this occurs were therefore evaluated. IL-7, but not HIV gp120, IL-1-beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, transforming growth factor-beta or tumor necrosis factor-alpha, reduced CD127-surface expression and did so without altering CD127 mRNA expression. Furthermore, IL-7 did not increase the amount of cytoplasmic CD127 in CD8(+) T cells. Interestingly, IL-7 induced the shedding of CD127 from CD8(+) T cells, suggesting a mechanism that may contribute to the increased concentration of CD127 in the plasma of HIV(+) individuals, a novel finding reported here. Naive CD8(+) T cells are more sensitive to IL-7 that mediated the down-regulation of CD127, suggesting that these effects may have particular significance early in T-cell life cycle. Since CD127 down-regulation may be an important contributor to HIV-associated T-cell dysfunction, determining the mechanism thereof may prove to be of considerable significance.
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