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Muro R, Nitta T, Nitta S, Tsukasaki M, Asano T, Nakano K, Okamura T, Nakashima T, Okamoto K, Takayanagi H. Transcript splicing optimizes the thymic self-antigen repertoire to suppress autoimmunity. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e179612. [PMID: 39403924 PMCID: PMC11473167 DOI: 10.1172/jci179612] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunological self-tolerance is established in the thymus by the expression of virtually all self-antigens, including tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) and cell-type-restricted antigens (CRAs). Despite a wealth of knowledge about the transcriptional regulation of TRA genes, posttranscriptional regulation remains poorly understood. Here, we show that protein arginine methylation plays an essential role in central immune tolerance by maximizing the self-antigen repertoire in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Protein arginine methyltransferase-5 (Prmt5) was required for pre-mRNA splicing of certain key genes in tolerance induction, including Aire as well as various genes encoding TRAs. Mice lacking Prmt5 specifically in thymic epithelial cells exhibited an altered thymic T cell selection, leading to the breakdown of immune tolerance accompanied by both autoimmune responses and enhanced antitumor immunity. Thus, arginine methylation and transcript splicing are essential for establishing immune tolerance and may serve as a therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases as well as cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryunosuke Muro
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nitta
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sachiko Nitta
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Tsukasaki
- Department of Osteoimmunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Asano
- Department of Osteoimmunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenta Nakano
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Okamura
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoki Nakashima
- Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Okamoto
- Department of Osteoimmunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Immune Environment Dynamics, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takayanagi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Müller D, Loskutov J, Küffer S, Marx A, Regenbrecht CRA, Ströbel P, Regenbrecht MJ. Cell Culture Models for Translational Research on Thymomas and Thymic Carcinomas: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2762. [PMID: 39123489 PMCID: PMC11312172 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152762] [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: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell culture model systems are fundamental tools for studying cancer biology and identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities in a controlled environment. TET cells are notoriously difficult to culture, with only a few permanent cell lines available. The optimal conditions and requirements for the ex vivo establishment and permanent expansion of TET cells have not been systematically studied, and it is currently unknown whether different TET subtypes require different culture conditions or specific supplements. The few permanent cell lines available represent only type AB thymomas and thymic carcinomas, while attempts to propagate tumor cells derived from type B thymomas so far have been frustrated. It is conceivable that epithelial cells in type B thymomas are critically dependent on their interaction with immature T cells or their three-dimensional scaffold. Extensive studies leading to validated cell culture protocols would be highly desirable and a major advance in the field. Alternative methods such as tumor cell organoid models, patient-derived xenografts, or tissue slices have been sporadically used in TETs, but their specific contributions and advantages remain to be shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Müller
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.K.); (C.R.A.R.)
| | | | - Stefan Küffer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.K.); (C.R.A.R.)
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.K.); (C.R.A.R.)
| | - Christian R. A. Regenbrecht
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.K.); (C.R.A.R.)
- CELLphenomics GmbH, 13125 Berlin, Germany (M.J.R.)
- ASC Oncology GmbH, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.K.); (C.R.A.R.)
| | - Manuela J. Regenbrecht
- CELLphenomics GmbH, 13125 Berlin, Germany (M.J.R.)
- ASC Oncology GmbH, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- Department for Pneumology, Palliative Medicine, DRK Kliniken Berlin, 14050 Berlin, Germany
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3
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Zhao J, Hu R, Lai KC, Zhang Z, Lai L. Recombinant FOXN1 fusion protein increases T cell generation in old mice. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1423488. [PMID: 39072332 PMCID: PMC11272594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1423488] [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: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell development in the thymus is dependent on the thymic microenvironment, in which thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the major component. However, TECs undergo both a qualitative and quantitative loss during aging, which is believed to be the major factor responsible for age-dependent thymic atrophy. FOXN1 plays a critical role in TEC development and adult TECs maintenance. We have previously reported that intrathymic injection of a recombinant (r) protein containing murine FOXN1 and a protein transduction domain increases the number of TECs in mice, leading to enhanced thymopoiesis. However, intrathymic injection may not be an ideal choice for clinical applications. In this study, we produced a rFOXN1 fusion protein containing the N-terminal of CCR9, human FOXN1 and a protein transduction domain. When injected intravenously into 14-month-old mice, the rFOXN1 fusion protein enters the thymus and TECs, and enhances thymopoiesis, resulting in increased T cell generation in the thymus and increased number of T cells in peripheral lymphoid organ. Our results suggest that the rFOXN1 fusion protein has the potential to be used in preventing and treating T cell immunodeficiency in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhao
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Kuan Chen Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Zhenzhen Zhang
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Laijun Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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4
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Tao W, Ye Z, Wei Y, Wang J, Yang W, Yu G, Xiong J, Jia S. Insm1 regulates mTEC development and immune tolerance. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:1472-1486. [PMID: 37990032 PMCID: PMC10687002 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01102-0] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of self-antigens in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is essential for the establishment of immune tolerance, but the regulatory network that controls the generation and maintenance of the multitude of cell populations expressing self-antigens is poorly understood. Here, we show that Insm1, a zinc finger protein with known functions in neuroendocrine and neuronal cells, is broadly coexpressed with an autoimmune regulator (Aire) in mTECs. Insm1 expression is undetectable in most mimetic cell populations derived from mTECs but persists in neuroendocrine mimetic cells. Mutation of Insm1 in mice downregulated Aire expression, dysregulated the gene expression program of mTECs, and altered mTEC subpopulations and the expression of tissue-restricted antigens. Consistent with these findings, loss of Insm1 resulted in autoimmune responses in multiple peripheral tissues. We found that Insm1 regulates gene expression in mTECs by binding to chromatin. Interestingly, the majority of the Insm1 binding sites are co-occupied by Aire and enriched in superenhancer regions. Together, our data demonstrate the important role of Insm1 in the regulation of the repertoire of self-antigens needed to establish immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Tao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Lab of Guangzhou Basic and Translational Research of Pan-Vascular Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihuan Ye
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiqiu Wei
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxue Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weixin Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoxing Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieyi Xiong
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Shiqi Jia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint University Laboratory of Metabolic and Molecular Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- Key Lab of Guangzhou Basic and Translational Research of Pan-Vascular Diseases, Guangzhou, China.
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Srinivasan J, Vasudev A, Shasha C, Selden HJ, Perez E, LaFleur B, Sinari SA, Krueger A, Richie ER, Ehrlich LIR. The initial age-associated decline in early T-cell progenitors reflects fewer pre-thymic progenitors and altered signals in the bone marrow and thymus microenvironments. Aging Cell 2023; 22:e13870. [PMID: 37221658 PMCID: PMC10410006 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13870] [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: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related thymus involution results in decreased T-cell production, contributing to increased susceptibility to pathogens and reduced vaccine responsiveness. Elucidating mechanisms underlying thymus involution will inform strategies to restore thymopoiesis with age. The thymus is colonized by circulating bone marrow (BM)-derived thymus seeding progenitors (TSPs) that differentiate into early T-cell progenitors (ETPs). We find that ETP cellularity declines as early as 3 months (3MO) of age in mice. This initial ETP reduction could reflect changes in thymic stromal niches and/or pre-thymic progenitors. Using a multicongenic progenitor transfer approach, we demonstrate that the number of functional TSP/ETP niches does not diminish with age. Instead, the number of pre-thymic lymphoid progenitors in the BM and blood is substantially reduced by 3MO, although their intrinsic ability to seed and differentiate in the thymus is maintained. Additionally, Notch signaling in BM lymphoid progenitors and in ETPs diminishes by 3MO, suggesting reduced niche quality in the BM and thymus contribute to the early decline in ETPs. Together, these findings indicate that diminished BM lymphopoiesis and thymic stromal support contribute to an initial reduction in ETPs in young adulthood, setting the stage for progressive age-associated thymus involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayashree Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUnited States
| | - Anusha Vasudev
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular CarcinogenesisThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUnited States
| | - Carolyn Shasha
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease DivisionFred Hutchinson Cancer CenterSeattleWashingtonUnited States
| | - Hilary J. Selden
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUnited States
| | - Encarnacion Perez
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular CarcinogenesisThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUnited States
| | - Bonnie LaFleur
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and StatisticsThe University of ArizonaTucsonArizonaUnited States
| | - Shripad A. Sinari
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and StatisticsThe University of ArizonaTucsonArizonaUnited States
| | - Andreas Krueger
- Molecular ImmunologyJustus‐Liebig‐University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Ellen R. Richie
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular CarcinogenesisThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUnited States
| | - Lauren I. R. Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe University of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUnited States
- Department of OncologyLivestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUnited States
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6
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Zhao J, Zhang Z, Lai KC, Lai L. Recombinant FOXN1 fusion protein increases T cell generation in aged mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2557067. [PMID: 36798162 PMCID: PMC9934747 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2557067/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Although the thymus continues to export T cells throughout life, it undergoes a profound involution/atrophy with age, resulting in decreased numbers of T cells in the older adult, which has direct etiological linkages with many diseases. T cell development in the thymus is dependent on the thymic microenvironment, in which thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the major component. However, TECs undergo both a qualitative and quantitative loss during aging, which is believed to be the major factor responsible for age-dependent thymic atrophy. FOXN1 plays a critical role in TEC development and adult TECs maintenance. We have previously reported that intrathymic injection of a recombinant (r) protein containing FOXN1 and a protein transduction domain increases the number of TECs in mice, leading to enhanced thymopoiesis. However, intrathymic injection may not be an ideal choice for clinical applications. In this study, we produce a rFOXN1 fusion protein containing the N-terminal of CCR9, FOXN1 and a protein transduction domain. Results We show here that, when injected intravenously into aged mice, the rFOXN1 fusion protein migrates into the thymus and enhances thymopoiesis, resulting in increased T cell generation in the thymus and increased number of T cells in peripheral lymphoid organ. Conclusions Our results suggest that the rFOXN1 fusion protein has the potential to be used in preventing and treating T cell immunodeficiency in the older adult.
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7
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Matsumoto M, Yoshida H, Tsuneyama K, Oya T, Matsumoto M. Revisiting Aire and tissue-restricted antigens at single-cell resolution. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1176450. [PMID: 37207224 PMCID: PMC10191227 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1176450] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a highly specialized organ that plays an indispensable role in the establishment of self-tolerance, a process characterized by the "education" of developing T-cells. To provide competent T-cells tolerant to self-antigens, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) orchestrate negative selection by ectopically expressing a wide range of genes, including various tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs). Notably, recent advancements in the high-throughput single-cell analysis have revealed remarkable heterogeneity in mTECs, giving us important clues for dissecting the mechanisms underlying TRA expression. We overview how recent single-cell studies have furthered our understanding of mTECs, with a focus on the role of Aire in inducing mTEC heterogeneity to encompass TRAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- *Correspondence: Minoru Matsumoto,
| | - Hideyuki Yoshida
- YCI Laboratory for Immunological Transcriptomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Oya
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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Ohigashi I, Matsuda-Lennikov M, Takahama Y. Large-Scale Isolation of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2580:189-197. [PMID: 36374458 PMCID: PMC10280300 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2740-2_11] [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
The thymus is compartmentalized into the cortex and the medulla. Cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs) characterize T cell-producing and T cell-selecting functions of cortical and medullary microenvironments in the thymus. Enzymatic digestion of the thymus and flow cytometric isolation of TECs and their subpopulations are useful for molecular and cellular characterization of TECs. However, the cellularity of cTECs and mTECs isolated from mouse thymus is limited. In this chapter, we describe the method for isolation of a large number of TECs using enlarged mouse thymus, which enables biochemical and proteomic analysis of TEC subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mami Matsuda-Lennikov
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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9
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Gerdes P, Lim SM, Ewing AD, Larcombe MR, Chan D, Sanchez-Luque FJ, Walker L, Carleton AL, James C, Knaupp AS, Carreira PE, Nefzger CM, Lister R, Richardson SR, Polo JM, Faulkner GJ. Retrotransposon instability dominates the acquired mutation landscape of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7470. [PMID: 36463236 PMCID: PMC9719517 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35180-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can in principle differentiate into any cell of the body, and have revolutionized biomedical research and regenerative medicine. Unlike their human counterparts, mouse iPSCs (miPSCs) are reported to silence transposable elements and prevent transposable element-mediated mutagenesis. Here we apply short-read or Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read genome sequencing to 38 bulk miPSC lines reprogrammed from 10 parental cell types, and 18 single-cell miPSC clones. While single nucleotide variants and structural variants restricted to miPSCs are rare, we find 83 de novo transposable element insertions, including examples intronic to Brca1 and Dmd. LINE-1 retrotransposons are profoundly hypomethylated in miPSCs, beyond other transposable elements and the genome overall, and harbor alternative protein-coding gene promoters. We show that treatment with the LINE-1 inhibitor lamivudine does not hinder reprogramming and efficiently blocks endogenous retrotransposition, as detected by long-read genome sequencing. These experiments reveal the complete spectrum and potential significance of mutations acquired by miPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gerdes
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Sue Mei Lim
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Adam D. Ewing
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Michael R. Larcombe
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Dorothy Chan
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Francisco J. Sanchez-Luque
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia ,grid.418805.00000 0004 0500 8423GENYO. Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, PTS, Granada, 18016 Spain
| | - Lucinda Walker
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Alexander L. Carleton
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Cini James
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Anja S. Knaupp
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Patricia E. Carreira
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Christian M. Nefzger
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Ryan Lister
- grid.1012.20000 0004 1936 7910Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009 Australia ,grid.431595.f0000 0004 0469 0045Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009 Australia
| | - Sandra R. Richardson
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia
| | - Jose M. Polo
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1010.00000 0004 1936 7304Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics and The South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
| | - Geoffrey J. Faulkner
- grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 Australia ,grid.1003.20000 0000 9320 7537Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072 Australia
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10
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Vitek RA, Huang W, Geiger PG, Heninger E, Lang JM, Jarrard DF, Beebe DJ, Johnson BP. Fresh tissue procurement and preparation for multicompartment and multimodal analysis of the prostate tumor microenvironment. Prostate 2022; 82:836-849. [PMID: 35226381 PMCID: PMC9010374 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostatic cancers include a diverse microenvironment of tumor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune components. This tumor microenvironment (TME) is a known driving force of tumor survival after treatment, but the standard-of-care tissue freezing or fixation in pathology practice limit the use of available approaches/tools to study the TME's functionality in tumor resistance. Thus, there is a need for approaches that satisfy both clinical and laboratory endpoints for TME study. Here we present methods for clinical case identification, tissue processing, and analytical workflow that are compatible with standard histopathology while enabling molecular and functional interrogation of prostate TME components. METHODS We first performed a small retrospective review to identify cases where submission of alternate prostate tissue slices and a parallel live tissue processing protocol complement traditional histopathology and enable viable multicompartment analysis of the TME. Then, we tested its compatibility with commonly employed methods to study the microenvironment including quantification of components both in situ and after tissue dissociation. We also evaluated tissue digestion conditions and cell isolation techniques to aid various molecular and functional endpoints. RESULTS We identified Gleason Grade Group 3+ clinical cases where tumor volume was sufficient to allow slicing of unfixed tissue and distribution of alternating tissue slices to standard-of-care histopathology and viable multi-modal TME analyses. No single method was found that preserved cellular sub-types for all downstream readouts; instead, tissues were further divided so techniques could be catered to each endpoint. For instance, we show that incorporating the protease dispase into tissue dissociation improves viability for culture and functional analyses but hinders immune cell analysis by flow cytometry. We also found that flow activated cell sorting provides highly pure cell populations for quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and RNA-seq while isolation using antibody-labeled paramagnetic particles facilitated functional coculture experiments. CONCLUSIONS The identification of candidate cases and use of these techniques enable translational research and the development of molecular and functional assays to facilitate prostate TME study without compromising standard-of-care histopathological diagnosis. This allows bridging clinical histopathology and further interrogation of the prostate TME and promises to advance our understanding of tumor biology and unveil new predictive and prognostic markers of prostate cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross A. Vitek
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Peter G. Geiger
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Erika Heninger
- Carbone Cancer CenterUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Joshua M. Lang
- Carbone Cancer CenterUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | | | - David J. Beebe
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
- Carbone Cancer CenterUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Brian P. Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
- Department of Pharmacology & ToxicologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
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11
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Herppich S, Beckstette M, Huehn J. The thymic microenvironment gradually modulates the phenotype of thymus-homing peripheral conventional dendritic cells. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2021; 10:175-188. [PMID: 34748687 PMCID: PMC8767516 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background & Aims Thymic conventional dendritic cells (t‑DCs) are crucial for the development of T cells. A substantial fraction of t‑DCs originates extrathymically and migrates to the thymus. Here, these cells contribute to key processes of central tolerance like the clonal deletion of self‑reactive thymocytes and the generation of regulatory T (Treg) cells. So far, it is only incompletely understood which impact the thymic microenvironment has on thymus‑homing conventional DCs (cDCs), which phenotypic changes occur after the entry of peripheral cDCs into the thymus and which functional properties these modulated cells acquire. Materials & Methods In the present study, we mimicked the thymus‑homing of peripheral cDCs by introducing ex vivo isolated splenic cDCs (sp‑DCs) into reaggregated thymic organ cultures (RTOCs). Results Already after two days of culture, the transcriptomic profile of sp‑DCs was modulated and had acquired certain key signatures of t‑DCs. The regulated genes included immunomodulatory cytokines and chemokines as well as costimulatory molecules. After four days of culture, sp‑DCs appeared to have at least partially acquired the peculiar Treg cell‐inducing capacity characteristic of t‑DCs. Discussion & Conclusion Taken together, our findings indicate that peripheral cDCs possess a high degree of plasticity enabling them to quickly adapt to the thymus‐specific microenvironment. We further provide indirect evidence that thymus‐specific properties such as the efficient induction of Treg cells under homeostatic conditions can be partially transferred to thymus‑homing peripheral cDC subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Herppich
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Beckstette
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Department of Computational Biology for Individualised Medicine, Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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12
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Nitta T, Ota A, Iguchi T, Muro R, Takayanagi H. The fibroblast: An emerging key player in thymic T cell selection. Immunol Rev 2021; 302:68-85. [PMID: 34096078 PMCID: PMC8362222 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts have recently attracted attention as a key stromal component that controls the immune responses in lymphoid tissues. The thymus has a unique microenvironment comprised of a variety of stromal cells, including fibroblasts and thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the latter of which is known to be important for T cell development because of their ability to express self‐antigens. Thymic fibroblasts contribute to thymus organogenesis during embryogenesis and form the capsule and medullary reticular network in the adult thymus. However, the immunological significance of thymic fibroblasts has thus far only been poorly elucidated. In this review, we will summarize the current views on the development and functions of thymic fibroblasts as revealed by new technologies such as multicolor flow cytometry and single cell–based transcriptome profiling. Furthermore, the recently discovered role of medullary fibroblasts in the establishment of T cell tolerance by producing a unique set of self‐antigens will be highlighted.
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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
| | - Ayami Ota
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Iguchi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Muro
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takayanagi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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13
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Tsukasaki M, Asano T, Muro R, Huynh NCN, Komatsu N, Okamoto K, Nakano K, Okamura T, Nitta T, Takayanagi H. OPG Production Matters Where It Happened. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108124. [PMID: 32905763 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a circulating decoy receptor for RANKL, a multifunctional cytokine essential for the differentiation of tissue-specific cells in bone and immune systems such as osteoclasts, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), and intestinal microfold cells (M cells). However, it is unknown whether OPG functions only at the production site or circulates to other tissues acting in an endocrine fashion. Here we explore the cellular source of OPG by generating OPG-floxed mice and show that locally produced OPG, rather than circulating OPG, is crucial for bone and immune homeostasis. Deletion of OPG in osteoblastic cells leads to severe osteopenia without affecting serum OPG. Deletion of locally produced OPG increases mTEC and M cell numbers while retaining the normal serum OPG level. This study shows that OPG limits its functions within the tissue where it was produced, illuminating the importance of local regulation of the RANKL system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Tsukasaki
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Asano
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Muro
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nam Cong-Nhat Huynh
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Komatsu
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Okamoto
- Department of Osteoimmunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenta Nakano
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, 162-8655 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Okamura
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, 162-8655 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nitta
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takayanagi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033 Tokyo, Japan.
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14
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Nagatake T, Zhao YC, Ito T, Itoh M, Kometani K, Furuse M, Saika A, Node E, Kunisawa J, Minato N, Hamazaki Y. Selective expression of claudin-5 in thymic endothelial cells regulates the blood-thymus barrier and T-cell export. Int Immunol 2021; 33:171-182. [PMID: 33038259 PMCID: PMC7936066 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxaa069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell development depends on the thymic microenvironment, in which endothelial cells (ECs) play a vital role. Interestingly, vascular permeability of the thymic cortex is lower than in other organs, suggesting the existence of a blood-thymus barrier (BTB). On the other hand, blood-borne molecules and dendritic cells bearing self-antigens are accessible to the medulla, facilitating central tolerance induction, and continuous T-precursor immigration and mature thymocyte egress occur through the vessels at the cortico-medullary junction (CMJ). We found that claudin-5 (Cld5), a membrane protein of tight junctions, was expressed in essentially all ECs of the cortical vasculatures, whereas approximately half of the ECs of the medulla and CMJ lacked Cld5 expression. An intravenously (i.v.) injected biotin tracer hardly penetrated cortical Cld5+ vessels, but it leaked into the medullary parenchyma through Cld5- vessels. Cld5 expression in an EC cell line caused a remarkable increase in trans-endothelial resistance in vitro, and the biotin tracer leaked from the cortical vasculatures in Cldn5-/- mice. Furthermore, i.v.-injected sphingosine-1 phosphate distributed selectively into the medulla through the Cld5- vessels, probably ensuring the egress of CD3high mature thymocytes from Cld5- vessels at the CMJ. These results suggest that distinct Cld5 expression profiles in the cortex and medulla may control the BTB and the T-cell gateway to blood circulation, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Nagatake
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research and Laboratory of Gut Environmental System, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Yan-Chun Zhao
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ito
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahiko Itoh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kohei Kometani
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mikio Furuse
- Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Azusa Saika
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research and Laboratory of Gut Environmental System, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eri Node
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research and Laboratory of Gut Environmental System, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Jun Kunisawa
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research and Laboratory of Gut Environmental System, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nagahiro Minato
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoko Hamazaki
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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15
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de Barros SC, Suterwala BT, He C, Ge S, Chick B, Blumberg GK, Kim K, Klein S, Zhu Y, Wang X, Casero D, Crooks GM. Pleiotropic Roles of VEGF in the Microenvironment of the Developing Thymus. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2020; 205:2423-2436. [PMID: 32989093 PMCID: PMC7679052 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Neonatal life marks the apogee of murine thymic growth. Over the first few days after birth, growth slows and the murine thymus switches from fetal to adult morphology and function; little is known about the cues driving this dramatic transition. In this study, we show for the first time (to our knowledge) the critical role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on thymic morphogenesis beyond its well-known role in angiogenesis. During a brief window a few days after birth, VEGF inhibition induced rapid and profound remodeling of the endothelial, mesenchymal and epithelial thymic stromal compartments, mimicking changes seen during early adult maturation. Rapid transcriptional changes were seen in each compartment after VEGF inhibition, including genes involved in migration, chemotaxis, and cell adhesion as well as induction of a proinflammatory and proadipogenic signature in endothelium, pericytes, and mesenchyme. Thymocyte numbers fell subsequent to the stromal changes. Expression patterns and functional blockade of the receptors VEGFR2 and NRP1 demonstrated that VEGF mediates its pleiotropic effects through distinct receptors on each microenvironmental compartment of the developing mouse thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C de Barros
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Batul T Suterwala
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Chongbin He
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Shundi Ge
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Brent Chick
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Garrett K Blumberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Kenneth Kim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Sam Klein
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Yuhua Zhu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - David Casero
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Gay M Crooks
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095;
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095; and
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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16
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Fibroblasts as a source of self-antigens for central immune tolerance. Nat Immunol 2020; 21:1172-1180. [PMID: 32839611 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-020-0756-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are one of the most common but also neglected types of stromal cells, the heterogeneity of which underlies the specific function of tissue microenvironments in development and regeneration. In the thymus, autoreactive T cells are thought to be negatively selected by reference to the self-antigens expressed in medullary epithelial cells, but the contribution of other stromal cells to tolerance induction has been poorly examined. In the present study, we report a PDGFR+ gp38+ DPP4- thymic fibroblast subset that is required for T cell tolerance induction. The deletion of the lymphotoxin β-receptor in thymic fibroblasts caused an autoimmune phenotype with decreased expression of tissue-restricted and fibroblast-specific antigens, offering insight into the long-sought target of lymphotoxin signaling in the context of the regulation of autoimmunity. Thus, thymic medullary fibroblasts play an essential role in the establishment of central tolerance by producing a diverse array of self-antigens.
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17
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Zhao J, Su M, Lin Y, Liu H, He Z, Lai L. Administration of Amyloid Precursor Protein Gene Deleted Mouse ESC-Derived Thymic Epithelial Progenitors Attenuates Alzheimer's Pathology. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1781. [PMID: 32849642 PMCID: PMC7431620 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Although amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque deposition and chronic neuroinflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) contribute to AD pathology, neither Aβ plaque removal nor anti-inflammatory therapy has shown much clinical success, suggesting that the combinational therapies for the disease-causative factors may be needed for amelioration. Recent data also suggest that systemic immunity in AD should be boosted, rather than suppressed, to drive an immune-dependent cascade needed for Aβ clearance and brain repair. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) not only play a critical role in supporting T cell development but also mediate the deletion of autoreactive T cells by expressing autoantigens. We have reported that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be selectively induced to differentiate into thymic epithelial progenitors (TEPs) in vitro that further develop into TECs in vivo to support T cell development. We show here that transplantation of mouse ESC (mESC)-TEPs into AD mice reduced cerebral Aβ plaque load and improved cognitive performance, in correlation with an increased number of T cells, enhanced choroid plexus (CP) gateway activity, and increased number of macrophages in the brain. Furthermore, transplantation of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene deleted mESC-TEPs (APP-/-) results in more effective reduction of AD pathology as compared to wild-type (APP+/+) mESC-TEPs. This is associated with the generation of Aβ-specific T cells, which leads to an increase of anti-Aβ antibody (Ab)-producing B cells in the spleen and enhanced levels of anti-Aβ antibodies in the serum, as well as an increase of Aβ phagocytosing macrophages in the CNS. Our results suggest that transplantation of APP-/- human ESC- or induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived TEPs may provide a new tool to mitigate AD in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhao
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Adult Stem Cell Translational Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Min Su
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Yujun Lin
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Haiyan Liu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Zhixu He
- Key Laboratory of Adult Stem Cell Translational Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guiyang, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Laijun Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.,University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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18
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Lepletier A, Hun ML, Hammett MV, Wong K, Naeem H, Hedger M, Loveland K, Chidgey AP. Interplay between Follistatin, Activin A, and BMP4 Signaling Regulates Postnatal Thymic Epithelial Progenitor Cell Differentiation during Aging. Cell Rep 2020; 27:3887-3901.e4. [PMID: 31242421 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A key feature of immune functional impairment with age is the progressive involution of thymic tissue responsible for naive T cell production. In this study, we identify two major phases of thymic epithelial cell (TEC) loss during aging: a block in mature TEC differentiation from the pool of immature precursors, occurring at the onset of puberty, followed by impaired bipotent TEC progenitor differentiation and depletion of Sca-1lo cTEC and mTEC lineage-specific precursors. We reveal that an increase in follistatin production by aging TECs contributes to their own demise. TEC loss occurs primarily through the antagonism of activin A signaling, which we show is required for TEC maturation and acts in dissonance to BMP4, which promotes the maintenance of TEC progenitors. These results support a model in which an imbalance of activin A and BMP4 signaling underpins the degeneration of postnatal TEC maintenance during aging, and its reversal enables the transient replenishment of mature TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Lepletier
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Michael L Hun
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Maree V Hammett
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Kahlia Wong
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Haroon Naeem
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Mark Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Kate Loveland
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Ann P Chidgey
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.
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19
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Hun ML, Wong K, Gunawan JR, Alsharif A, Quinn K, Chidgey AP. Gender Disparity Impacts on Thymus Aging and LHRH Receptor Antagonist-Induced Thymic Reconstitution Following Chemotherapeutic Damage. Front Immunol 2020; 11:302. [PMID: 32194555 PMCID: PMC7062683 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main consequences of thymus aging is the decrease in naïve T cell output. This condition accelerates at the onset of puberty, and presents as a major clinical complication for cancer patients who require cytoablative therapy. Specifically, the extensive use of chemotherapeutics, such as cyclophosphamide, in such treatments damage thymic structure and eliminate the existing naïve T cell repertoire. The resulting immunodeficiency can lead to increased incidence of opportunistic infections, tumor growth relapse and/or autoimmune diseases, particularly in older patients. Thus, strategies aimed at rejuvenating the aged thymus following chemotherapeutic damage are required. Previous studies have revealed that sex hormone deprivation in male mice is capable of regenerating the thymic microenvironment following chemotherapy treatment, however, further investigation is crucial to identify gender-based differences, and the molecular mechanisms involved during thymus regeneration. Through phenotypic analyzes, we identified gender-specific alterations in thymocytes and thymic epithelial cell (TEC) subsets from the onset of puberty. By middle-age, females presented with a higher number of thymocytes in comparison to males, yet a decrease in their Aire+ medullary TEC/thymocyte ratio was observed. This reduction could be associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disease in middle-aged women. Given the concurrent increase in female Aire+ cTEC/thymocyte ratio, we proposed that there may be an impediment in Aire+ mTEChi differentiation, and Aire+ cTEChi as its upstream precursor. The regenerative effects of LHRH receptor antagonist, degarelix, on TEC subsets was also less pronounced in middle-aged females compared to males, possibly due to slower progression of thymic involution in the former, which presented with greater TEChi proportions. Furthermore, following cyclophosphamide treatment, degarelix enhanced thymocyte and mature TEC subset recovery, with faster recovery kinetics observed in females. These events were found to involve both reactivation and proliferation of thymic epithelial progenitor cells. Taken together, the findings from this study portray a relationship between gender disparity and thymus aging, and highlight the potential benefits of LHRH receptor antagonist treatment for thymic regeneration. Further research is required, however, to determine how gender may impact on the mechanisms underpinning these events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ly Hun
- Thymus Development, Ageing and T Cell Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kahlia Wong
- Thymus Development, Ageing and T Cell Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Josephine Rahma Gunawan
- Thymus Development, Ageing and T Cell Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Abdulaziz Alsharif
- Thymus Development, Ageing and T Cell Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kylie Quinn
- Quinn Laboratory, Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Research Program, School of Health and Biomedical Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ann P. Chidgey
- Thymus Development, Ageing and T Cell Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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20
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Sadtler K, Elisseeff JH. Analyzing the scaffold immune microenvironment using flow cytometry: practices, methods and considerations for immune analysis of biomaterials. Biomater Sci 2019; 7:4472-4481. [PMID: 31424059 DOI: 10.1039/c9bm00349e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The immune system has evolved as a powerful tool for our body to combat infections, and is being engineered for new treatments in cancer and autoimmune disease. More recently, the complex role of the immune system is being recognized in tissue repair, regenerative medicine and biomaterial responses. From these combined interests, the field of immunoengineering is rapidly growing. However, bridging immunology with engineering poses numerous challenges including the biological complexity, language of immunology and accurately leveraging the powerful techniques of immunology to new applications. Elucidating the identity and function of immune cell populations responding to engineering systems will be required for continued advancement. Multi-color flow cytometry is a central technique used by immunologists for this purpose that requires careful control of variables, data acquisition, and interpretation. Here, we present methods for multi-color flow cytometry experimental design and analysis focused on characterizing the scaffold immune microenvironment in regenerative medicine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Sadtler
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA and Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer H Elisseeff
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. and Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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21
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Hu M, Eviston D, Hsu P, Mariño E, Chidgey A, Santner-Nanan B, Wong K, Richards JL, Yap YA, Collier F, Quinton A, Joung S, Peek M, Benzie R, Macia L, Wilson D, Ponsonby AL, Tang MLK, O'Hely M, Daly NL, Mackay CR, Dahlstrom JE, Vuillermin P, Nanan R. Decreased maternal serum acetate and impaired fetal thymic and regulatory T cell development in preeclampsia. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3031. [PMID: 31292453 PMCID: PMC6620275 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10703-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune dysregulation seems to affect fetal or postnatal immune development. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-associated disorder with an immune basis and is linked to atopic disorders in offspring. Here we show reduction of fetal thymic size, altered thymic architecture and reduced fetal thymic regulatory T (Treg) cell output in preeclamptic pregnancies, which persists up to 4 years of age in human offspring. In germ-free mice, fetal thymic CD4+ T cell and Treg cell development are compromised, but rescued by maternal supplementation with the intestinal bacterial metabolite short chain fatty acid (SCFA) acetate, which induces upregulation of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE), known to contribute to Treg cell generation. In our human cohorts, low maternal serum acetate is associated with subsequent preeclampsia, and correlates with serum acetate in the fetus. These findings suggest a potential role of acetate in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and immune development in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjing Hu
- Charles Perkins Centre Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
| | - David Eviston
- Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Hsu
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, NSW, Australia
- Department of Allergy and Immunology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, 2145, NSW, Australia
| | - Eliana Mariño
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Ann Chidgey
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Brigitte Santner-Nanan
- Charles Perkins Centre Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
| | - Kahlia Wong
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - James L Richards
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Yu Anne Yap
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Fiona Collier
- Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, VIC, Australia
- Barwon Health, Geelong, 3220, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, 3052, VIC, Australia
| | - Ann Quinton
- Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Science, Central Queensland University, Sydney, 2000, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven Joung
- Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
- Nepean Hospital, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Peek
- Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
- ANU Medical School, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, 0200, ACT, Australia
| | - Ron Benzie
- Nepean Hospital, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia
| | - Laurence Macia
- Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, NSW, Australia
| | - David Wilson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Cairns, 4814, QLD, Australia
| | - Ann-Louise Ponsonby
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, 3052, VIC, Australia
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, 0200, ACT, Australia
| | - Mimi L K Tang
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, 3052, VIC, Australia
- The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, 3052, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Martin O'Hely
- Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, 3052, VIC, Australia
| | - Norelle L Daly
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Cairns, 4814, QLD, Australia
| | - Charles R Mackay
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Jane E Dahlstrom
- Anatomical Pathology, ACT Pathology, Canberra Hospital and ANU Medical School, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, 0200, ACT, Australia
| | - Peter Vuillermin
- Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, VIC, Australia
- Barwon Health, Geelong, 3220, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, 3052, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Food and Allergy Research, Parkville, 3052, VIC, Australia
| | - Ralph Nanan
- Charles Perkins Centre Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia.
- Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, Penrith, 2750, NSW, Australia.
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22
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Gabrielsen ISM, Helgeland H, Akselsen H, D. Aass HC, Sundaram AYM, Snowhite IV, Pugliese A, Flåm ST, Lie BA. Transcriptomes of antigen presenting cells in human thymus. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218858. [PMID: 31261375 PMCID: PMC6602790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the thymus play an essential role in the establishment of central tolerance, i.e. the generation of a repertoire of functional and self-tolerant T cells to prevent autoimmunity. In this study, we have compared the transcriptomes of four primary APCs from human thymus (mTECs, CD19+ B cells, CD141+ and CD123+ DCs). We investigated a set of genes including the HLA genes, genes encoding transcriptional regulators and finally, tissue-enriched genes, i.e, genes with a five-fold higher expression in a particular human tissue. We show that thymic CD141+ DCs express the highest levels of all classical HLA genes and 67% (14/21) of the HLA class I and II pathway genes investigated in this study. CD141+ DCs also expressed the highest levels of the transcriptional regulator DEAF1, whereas AIRE and FEZF2 expression were mainly found in primary human mTECs. We found expression of "tissue enriched genes" from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) in all four APC types, but the mTECs were clearly dominating in the number of uniquely expressed tissue enriched genes (20% in mTECs, 7% in CD19+ B cells, 4% in CD123+ DCs and 2% in CD141+ DCs). The tissue enriched genes also overlapped with reported human autoantigens. This is, to our knowledge, the first study that performs RNA sequencing of mTECs, CD19+ B cells, CD141+ and CD123+ DCs isolated from the same individuals and provides insight into the transcriptomes of these human thymic APCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingvild S. M. Gabrielsen
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- K. G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hanna Helgeland
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- K. G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helle Akselsen
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hans Christian D. Aass
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arvind Y. M. Sundaram
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Isaac V. Snowhite
- Diabetes Research Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Alberto Pugliese
- Diabetes Research Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Siri T. Flåm
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- K. G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Benedicte A. Lie
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- K. G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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23
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Sekai M, Wang J, Minato N, Hamazaki Y. An improved clonogenic culture method for thymic epithelial cells. J Immunol Methods 2019; 467:29-36. [PMID: 30738040 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A clonogenic assay system for thymic epithelial cells (TECs) is of crucial importance for identifying thymic epithelial stem and/or progenitor cells, evaluating their activities, and understanding the mechanisms of thymic involution. However, current systems are not sufficiently sensitive at detecting and quantifying TEC colonies from the adult thymus. Here, we optimized the culture condition to detect visible colonies from adult TECs by modifying our previous culture methods. Epidermal growth factor and leukemia inhibitory factor significantly enhanced the colony-forming efficiency of total TECs from embryo as well as adult mice when added 3 days after plating. Importantly, characteristics of the TEC colonies formed by the improved condition were almost equivalent to those by the original culture condition with respect to self-renewal and the expression of cell surface markers and intracellular keratins. Furthermore, the colonies derived from total TECs showed immature phenotypes and generated both mature cortical TECs and medullary TECs upon implantation in vivo. These data indicate a more sensitive clonogenic assay system for TECs was established and suggest the improved culture condition supports the colony formation of stem/progenitor cells for cTECs, mTECs and/or bipotent TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Sekai
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Jianwei Wang
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Nagahiro Minato
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yoko Hamazaki
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
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24
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Dohr D, Engelmann R, Müller-Hilke B. A novel method to efficiently isolate medullary thymic epithelial cells from murine thymi based on UEA-1 MicroBeads. J Immunol Methods 2019; 467:12-18. [PMID: 30735690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2019.02.001] [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: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The central mechanism for establishing a self-tolerant and functional T cell repertoire includes the promiscuous expression of otherwise tissue-restricted proteins by medullary thymic epithelial cells (TEC). We here demonstrate a novel and highly efficient method for isolating this rare key cell type. METHODS We combined the enrichment of medullary TEC via UEA-1 MicroBeads with the subsequent depletion of residual CD45+ hematopoietic cells via specific size exclusion and compared our results to the standard Percoll enrichment method and isolation procedure via flow cytometric cell sorting. RESULTS The addition of 2 μl UEA-1 MicroBeads per 108 thymus cells turned out best for optimal enrichment (an average of 22% purity compared to 1.2% for Percoll) and yield (an average of 1.73 × 105 medullary TEC per thymus compared to 5.16 × 104 for Percoll). After depletion of residual CD45+ cells, our method not only reached a purity of 75.5% but also turned out less stressful for the cells as compared to flow cytometric cell sorting. CONCLUSION We here provide a fast and versatile procedure for enriching medullary TEC that yields higher purity and recovery rates than the standard Percoll enrichment method Our enrichment procedure in combination with CD45+ depletion via specific size exclusion is comparable to the current gold standard flow cytometric cell sorting method. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We developed a fast and versatile procedure to isolate a high number medullary TEC to investigate the biochemical processes of medullary TEC in more depths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Dohr
- AG Clinical Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Robby Engelmann
- AG Clinical Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany..
| | - Brigitte Müller-Hilke
- AG Clinical Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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25
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Montero-Herradón S, García-Ceca J, Zapata AG. EphB receptors, mainly EphB3, contribute to the proper development of cortical thymic epithelial cells. Organogenesis 2018; 13:192-211. [PMID: 29027839 DOI: 10.1080/15476278.2017.1389368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
EphB and their ligands ephrin-B are an important family of protein tyrosine kinase receptors involved in thymocyte-thymic epithelial cell interactions known to be key for the maturation of both thymic cell components. In the present study, we have analyzed the maturation of cortical thymic epithelium in EphB-deficient thymuses evaluating the relative relevance of EphB2 and EphB3 in the process. Results support a relationship between the epithelial hypocellularity of mutant thymuses and altered development of thymocytes, lower proportions of cycling thymic epithelial cells and increased epithelial cell apoptosis. Together, these factors induce delayed development of mutant cortical TECs, defined by the expression of different cell markers, i.e. Ly51, CD205, MHCII, CD40 and β5t. Furthermore, although both EphB2 and EphB3 are necessary for cortical thymic epithelial maturation, the relevance of EphB3 is greater since EphB3-/- thymic cortex exhibits a more severe phenotype than that of EphB2-deficient thymuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Montero-Herradón
- a Department of Cell Biology , Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - Javier García-Ceca
- a Department of Cell Biology , Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - Agustín G Zapata
- a Department of Cell Biology , Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid , Madrid , Spain
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26
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Montero-Herradón S, García-Ceca J, Zapata AG. Altered Maturation of Medullary TEC in EphB-Deficient Thymi Is Recovered by RANK Signaling Stimulation. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1020. [PMID: 29867988 PMCID: PMC5954084 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, the relevance of EphB2 and EphB3 tyrosine kinase receptors for the maturation of medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs) is analyzed. The absence of both molecules, but particularly that of EphB2, courses with altered maturation of medullary Cld3,4hiSSEA1+ epithelial progenitor cells, mature medulla epithelial cells, defined by the expression of specific cell markers, including UEA1, MHCII, CD40, CD80, and AIRE, and reduced expansion of medullary islets. In vivo assays demonstrate that these changes are a consequence of the absence of EphBs in both TECs and thymocytes. On the other hand, the changes, that remains in the adult thymus, correlated well with reduced proportions of E15.5 Vγ5+RANKL+ cells in EphB-deficient thymi that could result in decreased stimulation of RANK+ medullary TECs to mature, a fact that was confirmed by recovering of proportions of both CD40hiCD80+ and MHCIIhiUEA1+ mature medullary TECs of mutant E14.5 alymphoid thymic lobes by agonist anti-RANK antibody treatment. Accordingly, the effects of EphB deficiency on medullary TECs maturation are recovered by RANK stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Montero-Herradón
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier García-Ceca
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín G Zapata
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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27
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Abstract
About two decades ago, cloning of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene materialized one of the most important actors on the scene of self-tolerance. Thymic transcription of genes encoding tissue-specific antigens (ts-ags) is activated by AIRE protein and embodies the essence of thymic self-representation. Pathogenic AIRE variants cause the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1, which is a rare and complex disease that is gaining attention in research on autoimmunity. The animal models of disease, although not identically reproducing the human picture, supply fundamental information on mechanisms and extent of AIRE action: thanks to its multidomain structure, AIRE localizes to chromatin enclosing the target genes, binds to histones, and offers an anchorage to multimolecular complexes involved in initiation and post-initiation events of gene transcription. In addition, AIRE enhances mRNA diversity by favoring alternative mRNA splicing. Once synthesized, ts-ags are presented to, and cause deletion of the self-reactive thymocyte clones. However, AIRE function is not restricted to the activation of gene transcription. AIRE would control presentation and transfer of self-antigens for thymic cellular interplay: such mechanism is aimed at increasing the likelihood of engagement of the thymocytes that carry the corresponding T-cell receptors. Another fundamental role of AIRE in promoting self-tolerance is related to the development of thymocyte anergy, as thymic self-representation shapes at the same time the repertoire of regulatory T cells. Finally, AIRE seems to replicate its action in the secondary lymphoid organs, albeit the cell lineage detaining such property has not been fully characterized. Delineation of AIRE functions adds interesting data to the knowledge of the mechanisms of self-tolerance and introduces exciting perspectives of therapeutic interventions against the related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perniola
- Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care, Vito Fazzi Regional Hospital, Lecce, Italy
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28
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Dumont-Lagacé M, Gerbe H, Daouda T, Laverdure JP, Brochu S, Lemieux S, Gagnon É, Perreault C. Detection of Quiescent Radioresistant Epithelial Progenitors in the Adult Thymus. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1717. [PMID: 29259606 PMCID: PMC5723310 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic aging precedes that of other organs and is initiated by the gradual loss of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Based on in vitro culture and transplantation assays, recent studies have reported on the presence of thymic epithelial progenitor cells (TEPCs) in young adult mice. However, the physiological role and properties of TEPC populations reported to date remain unclear. Using an in vivo label-retention assay, we previously identified a population of quiescent but non-senescent TECs. The goals of this study were therefore (i) to evaluate the contribution of these quiescent TECs to thymic regeneration following irradiation-induced acute thymic injury and (ii) to characterize their phenotypic and molecular profiles using flow cytometry, immunohistology, and transcriptome sequencing. We report that while UEA1+ cells cycle the most in steady state, they are greatly affected by irradiation, leading to cell loss and proliferative arrest following acute thymic involution. On the opposite, the UEA1– subset of quiescent TECs is radioresistant and proliferate in situ following acute thymic involution, thereby contributing to thymic regeneration in 28- to 30-week-old mice. UEA1– quiescent TECs display an undifferentiated phenotype (co-expression of K8 and K5 cytokeratins) and express high levels of genes that regulate stem cell activity in different tissues (e.g., Podxl and Ptprz1). In addition, two features suggest that UEA1– quiescent TECs occupy discrete stromal niches: (i) their preferential location in clusters adjacent to the cortico-medullary junction and (ii) their high expression of genes involved in cross talk with mesenchymal cells. The ability of UEA1– quiescent TECs to participate to TEC regeneration qualifies them as in vivo progenitor cells particularly relevant in the context of regeneration following acute thymic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maude Dumont-Lagacé
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Hervé Gerbe
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tariq Daouda
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Sylvie Brochu
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Lemieux
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Informatics and Operational Research, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Étienne Gagnon
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Claude Perreault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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29
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Sheridan JM, Keown A, Policheni A, Roesley SN, Rivlin N, Kadouri N, Ritchie ME, Jain R, Abramson J, Heng TS, Gray DH. Thymospheres Are Formed by Mesenchymal Cells with the Potential to Generate Adipocytes, but Not Epithelial Cells. Cell Rep 2017; 21:934-942. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.09.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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30
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Ki S, Thyagarajan HM, Hu Z, Lancaster JN, Ehrlich LIR. EBI2 contributes to the induction of thymic central tolerance in mice by promoting rapid motility of medullary thymocytes. Eur J Immunol 2017; 47:1906-1917. [PMID: 28741728 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Maturing thymocytes enter the thymic medulla, where they encounter numerous self-antigens presented by antigen presenting cells (APCs). Those thymocytes that are strongly self-reactive undergo either negative selection or diversion into the regulatory T-cell lineage. Although the majority of the proteome is expressed in the medulla, many self-antigens are expressed by only a minor fraction of medullary APCs; thus, thymocytes must efficiently enter the medulla and scan APCs to ensure central tolerance. Chemokine receptors promote lymphocyte migration, organization within tissues, and interactions with APCs in lymphoid organs. The chemokine receptor EBI2 governs localization of T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells (DCs) during immune responses in secondary lymphoid organs. However, the role of EBI2 in thymocyte development has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that EBI2 is expressed by murine CD4+ single positive (CD4SP) thymocytes and thymic DCs. EBI2 deficiency alters the TCR repertoire, but does not grossly impact thymocyte cellularity or subset distribution. EBI2 deficiency also impairs negative selection of OT-II TCR transgenic thymocytes responding to an endogenous self-antigen. Two-photon imaging revealed that EBI2 deficiency results in reduced migration and impaired medullary accumulation of CD4SP thymocytes. These data identify a role for EBI2 in promoting efficient thymic central tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghee Ki
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Hiran M Thyagarajan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Zicheng Hu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jessica N Lancaster
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Lauren I R Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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31
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Nitta T, Kochi Y, Muro R, Tomofuji Y, Okamura T, Murata S, Suzuki H, Sumida T, Yamamoto K, Takayanagi H. Human thymoproteasome variations influence CD8 T cell selection. Sci Immunol 2017; 2:2/12/eaan5165. [PMID: 28783658 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aan5165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The proteasome is a multi-subunit protease complex essential for housekeeping protein degradation and the production of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-bound antigen peptides that are essential for recognition by CD8 T cells. MHC variations dramatically contribute to T cell selection and autoimmunity, but genetic variations of peptide processing machinery including proteasome genes have been poorly explored in this context. In the computational analysis of human proteasome gene variation, we documented that PSMB11 was highly enriched for nucleotide changes that interfere with protein function. This gene encodes β5t, a thymus-specific catalytic subunit that regulates positive selection of CD8 T cells by producing a distinct set of MHC class I-bound peptides. The introduction of PSMB11 variations into the mouse genome by genome-editing revealed that these variations impaired the development of CD8 T cells in vivo. One of the PSMB11 polymorphisms altered the CD8 T cell repertoire in mice and was associated with a higher risk of an autoimmune disease in humans. Our findings suggest that, in addition to the MHC haplotype, proteasome variations influence T cell repertoire selection and may contribute to the difference in individual susceptibility to autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Nitta
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuta Kochi
- Laboratory for Autoimmune Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,Research Team for Autoimmune Diseases, Research Program for Intractable Disease of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Muro
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Tomofuji
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tadashi Okamura
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan.,Section of Animal Models, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murata
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Harumi Suzuki
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba 272-8516, Japan
| | - Takayuki Sumida
- Research Team for Autoimmune Diseases, Research Program for Intractable Disease of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Yamamoto
- Laboratory for Autoimmune Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,Research Team for Autoimmune Diseases, Research Program for Intractable Disease of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takayanagi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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Rieck M, Kremser C, Jobin K, Mettke E, Kurts C, Gräler M, Willecke K, Kolanus W. Ceramide synthase 2 facilitates S1P-dependent egress of thymocytes into the circulation in mice. Eur J Immunol 2017; 47:677-684. [PMID: 28198542 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Well-defined gradients of the lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) direct chemotactic egress of mature thymocytes from the thymus into the circulation. Although it is known that these gradients result from low S1P levels in the thymic parenchyma and high S1P concentrations at the exit sites and in the plasma, the biochemical mechanisms that regulate these differential S1P levels remain unclear. Several studies demonstrated that ceramide synthase 2 (Cers2) regulates the levels of the S1P precursor sphingosine. We, therefore, investigated whether Cers2 is involved in the regulation of S1P gradients and S1P-dependent egress into the circulation. By analyzing Cers2-deficient mice, we demonstrate that Cers2 limits the levels of S1P in thymus and blood to maintain functional S1P gradients that mediate thymocyte emigration into the circulation. This function is specific for Cers2, as we also show that Cers4 is not involved in the regulation of thymic egress. Our study identified Cers2 as an important regulator of S1P-dependent thymic egress, and thus contributes to the understanding of how S1P gradients are maintained in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Rieck
- Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christiane Kremser
- Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Jobin
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Mettke
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Kurts
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus Gräler
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), and the Center for Molecular Biomedicine (CMB), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Klaus Willecke
- Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Waldemar Kolanus
- Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Song Y, Sullivan T, Klarmann K, Gilbert D, O’Sullivan TN, Lu L, Wang S, Haines DC, Van Dyke T, Keller JR. RB inactivation in keratin 18 positive thymic epithelial cells promotes non-cell autonomous T cell hyperproliferation in genetically engineered mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171510. [PMID: 28158249 PMCID: PMC5291521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TEC), as part of thymic stroma, provide essential growth factors/cytokines and self-antigens to support T cell development and selection. Deletion of Rb family proteins in adult thymic stroma leads to T cell hyperplasia in vivo. To determine whether deletion of Rb specifically in keratin (K) 18 positive TEC was sufficient for thymocyte hyperplasia, we conditionally inactivated Rb and its family members p107 and p130 in K18+ TEC in genetically engineered mice (TgK18GT121; K18 mice). We found that thymocyte hyperproliferation was induced in mice with Rb inactivation in K18+ TEC, while normal T cell development was maintained; suggesting that inactivation of Rb specifically in K18+ TEC was sufficient and responsible for the phenotype. Transplantation of wild type bone marrow cells into mice with Rb inactivation in K18+ TEC resulted in donor T lymphocyte hyperplasia confirming the non-cell autonomous requirement for Rb proteins in K18+ TEC in regulating T cell proliferation. Our data suggests that thymic epithelial cells play an important role in regulating lymphoid proliferation and thymus size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Song
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Teresa Sullivan
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Klarmann
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Debra Gilbert
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - T. Norene O’Sullivan
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lucy Lu
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sophie Wang
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Diana C. Haines
- Pathology/ Histotechnology Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Terry Van Dyke
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jonathan R. Keller
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Zhou YJ, Peng H, Chen Y, Liu YL. Alterations of Thymic Epithelial Cells in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Neonatal Thymus Involution. Chin Med J (Engl) 2017; 129:59-65. [PMID: 26712434 PMCID: PMC4797544 DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.172577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the thymus was mainly produced by the thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the predominant component of the thymic microenvironment. The progression of TECs and the roles of VEGF in the neonatal thymus during sepsis have not been reported. This study aimed to explore the alterations of TECs and VEGF level in the neonatal thymus involution and to explore the possible mechanisms at the cellular level. METHODS By establishing a model of clinical sepsis, the changes of TECs were measured by hematoxylin-eosin staining, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. Moreover, the levels of VEGF in serum and thymus were assessed based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. RESULTS The number of thymocytes and TECs was significantly decreased 24 h after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, (2.40 ± 0.46)×10 7 vs. (3.93 ± 0.66)×10 7 and (1.16 ± 0.14)×10 5 vs. (2.20 ± 0.19)×10 5 , P < 0.05, respectively. Cortical TECs and medullary TECs in the LPS-treated mice were decreased 1.5-fold and 3.9-fold, P < 0.05, respectively, lower than those in the controls. The number of thymic epithelial progenitors was also decreased. VEGF expression in TECs was down-regulated in a time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION VEGF in thymic cells subsets might contribute to the development of TECs in neonatal sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ya-Lan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
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Hun M, Barsanti M, Wong K, Ramshaw J, Werkmeister J, Chidgey AP. Native thymic extracellular matrix improves in vivo thymic organoid T cell output, and drives in vitro thymic epithelial cell differentiation. Biomaterials 2016; 118:1-15. [PMID: 27940379 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.11.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Although the thymus is a primary lymphoid organ, its function is compromised by an age-induced loss of resident epithelial cells, which results in reduced naïve T cell output. This has important implications for immune recovery in aged and elderly patients following damage from cytoablative therapies. As thymic architecture plays a crucial role in naïve T cell development, a tissue specific scaffold that provides essential supporting matrix may assist in stem cell-based thymus regeneration to recreate complex organoids. Here we investigate thymus decellularization approaches that preserve major extracellular matrix components and support thymic epithelial cells for the generation of a functional thymic microenvironment with improved T cell output. We also established an in vitro, serum-free culture system that both maintains a progenitor thymic epithelial cell pool and drives their differentiation in the presence of decellularized thymic matrix. This approach enables further dissection of key cellular and niche components involved in thymic epithelial stem cell maintenance and T cell production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hun
- Stem Cells and Immune Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Level 3, 15 Innovation Walk, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Marco Barsanti
- Stem Cells and Immune Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Level 3, 15 Innovation Walk, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Kahlia Wong
- Stem Cells and Immune Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Level 3, 15 Innovation Walk, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - John Ramshaw
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | | | - Ann P Chidgey
- Stem Cells and Immune Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Level 3, 15 Innovation Walk, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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Hoover AR, Dozmorov I, MacLeod J, Du Q, de la Morena MT, Forbess J, Guleserian K, Cleaver OB, van Oers NSC. MicroRNA-205 Maintains T Cell Development following Stress by Regulating Forkhead Box N1 and Selected Chemokines. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:23237-23247. [PMID: 27646003 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.744508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus, an organ responsible for T cell development, is one of the more stress-sensitive tissues in the body. Stress, in the form of infections, radiation exposure, and steroids, impairs thymic epithelial cell (TEC) functions and induces the programmed cell death of immature thymocytes. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs involved in tissue repair and homeostasis, with several supporting T cell development. We report that miR-205, an epithelial-specific miR, maintains thymopoiesis following inflammatory perturbations. Thus, the activation of diverse pattern recognition receptors in mice causes a more severe thymic hypoplasia and delayed T cell recovery when miR-205 is conditionally ablated in TECs. Gene expression comparisons in the TECs with/without miR-205 revealed a significant differential regulation of chemokine/chemokine receptor pathways, antigen processing components, and changes in the Wnt signaling system. This was partly a consequence of reduced expression of the transcriptional regulator of epithelial cell function, Forkhead Box N1 (Foxn1), and its two regulated targets, stem cell factor and ccl25, following stress. miR-205 mimics supplemented into miR-205-deficient fetal thymic organ cultures restored Foxn1 expression along with ccl25 and stem cell factor A number of putative targets of miR-205 were up-regulated in TECs lacking miR-205, consistent with an important role for this miR in supporting T cell development in response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Joseph Forbess
- Internal Medicine.,Children's Health, Dallas, Texas 75235
| | | | | | - Nicolai S C van Oers
- From the Departments of Immunology, .,Pediatrics.,Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-9093 and
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Tajima A, Liu W, Pradhan I, Bertera S, Lakomy RA, Rudert WA, Trucco M, Meng WS, Fan Y. Promoting 3-D Aggregation of FACS Purified Thymic Epithelial Cells with EAK 16-II/EAKIIH6 Self-assembling Hydrogel. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27404995 DOI: 10.3791/54062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymus involution, associated with aging or pathological insults, results in diminished output of mature T-cells. Restoring the function of a failing thymus is crucial to maintain effective T cell-mediated acquired immune response against invading pathogens. However, thymus regeneration and revitalization proved to be challenging, largely due to the difficulties of reproducing the unique 3D microenvironment of the thymic stroma that is critical for the survival and function of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). We developed a novel hydrogel system to promote the formation of TEC aggregates, based on the self-assembling property of the amphiphilic EAK16-II oligopeptides and its histidinylated analogue EAKIIH6. TECs were enriched from isolated thymic cells with density-gradient, sorted with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and labeled with anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies that were anchored, together with anti-His IgGs, on the protein A/G adaptor complexes. Formation of cell aggregates was promoted by incubating TECs with EAKIIH6 and EAK16-II oligopeptides, and then by increasing the ionic concentration of the medium to initiate gelation. TEC aggregates embedded in EAK hydrogel can effectively promote the development of functional T cells in vivo when transplanted into the athymic nude mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asako Tajima
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network
| | - Wen Liu
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mylan School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University
| | - Isha Pradhan
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network
| | - Suzanne Bertera
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network
| | - Robert A Lakomy
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network
| | | | - Massimo Trucco
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network; Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University
| | - Wilson S Meng
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mylan School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University
| | - Yong Fan
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network; Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University;
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Song Y, Su M, Zhu J, Di W, Liu Y, Hu R, Rood D, Lai L. FOXN1 recombinant protein enhances T-cell regeneration after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in mice. Eur J Immunol 2016; 46:1518-28. [PMID: 27125859 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201546196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A prolonged period of T-cell recovery is the major challenge in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the major component of the thymic microenvironment for T-cell generation. However, TECs undergo degeneration over time. FOXN1 plays a critical role in TEC development and is required to maintain adult TECs for thymopoiesis. To investigate the potential application of FOXN1, we have cloned and expressed recombinant FOXN1 protein (rFOXN1) that was fused with cell-penetrating peptides. We show here that the rFOXN1 protein can translocate from the cell surface into the cytoplasm and nucleus. Administration of rFOXN1 into both congenic and allogeneic HSCT recipient mice increased the number of TECs, resulting in enhanced thymopoiesis that led to an increased number of functional T cells in the periphery. The increased number of TECs is due to the enhanced survival and proliferation of TECs. Our results suggest that rFOXN1 has the potential to be used in enhancing T-cell regeneration in patients following HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhong Song
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Min Su
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Jing Zhu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Di
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yalan Liu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Debra Rood
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Laijun Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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Julián MT, Alonso N, Colobran R, Sánchez A, Miñarro A, Pujol-Autonell I, Carrascal J, Rodríguez-Fernández S, Ampudia RM, Vives-Pi M, Puig-Domingo M. CD26/DPPIV inhibition alters the expression of immune response-related genes in the thymi of NOD mice. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 426:101-12. [PMID: 26911933 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The transmembrane glycoprotein CD26 or dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) is a multifunctional protein. In immune system, CD26 plays a role in T-cell function and is also involved in thymic maturation and emigration patterns. In preclinical studies, treatment with DPPIV inhibitors reduces insulitis and delays or even reverses the new -onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. However, the specific mechanisms involved in these effects remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate how DPPIV inhibition modifies the expression of genes in the thymus of NOD mice by microarray analysis. Changes in the gene expression of β-cell autoantigens and Aire in thymic epithelial cells (TECs) were also evaluated by using qRT-PCR. A DPPIV inhibitor, MK626, was orally administered in the diet for 4 and 6 weeks starting at 6-8 weeks of age. Thymic glands from treated and control mice were obtained for each study checkpoint. Thymus transcriptome analysis revealed that 58 genes were significantly over-expressed in MK626-treated mice after 6 weeks of treatment. Changes in gene expression in the thymus were confined mainly to the immune system, including innate immunity, chemotaxis, antigen presentation and immunoregulation. Most of the genes are implicated in central tolerance mechanisms through several pathways. No differences were observed in the expression of Aire and β-cell autoantigens in TECs. In the current study, we demonstrate that treatment with the DPPIV inhibitor MK626 in NOD mice alters the expression of the immune response-related genes in the thymus, especially those related to immunological central tolerance, and may contribute to the prevention of T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Julián
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute and Hospital, 08916, Badalona, Spain; Department of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Alonso
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute and Hospital, 08916, Badalona, Spain; Department of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER of Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roger Colobran
- Immunology Division, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alex Sánchez
- Statistics Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Statistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Miñarro
- Statistics Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irma Pujol-Autonell
- Immunology Department, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute, 08916, Badalona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Carrascal
- Immunology Department, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute, 08916, Badalona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Rodríguez-Fernández
- Immunology Department, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute, 08916, Badalona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa María Ampudia
- Immunology Department, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute, 08916, Badalona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vives-Pi
- Immunology Department, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute, 08916, Badalona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain; CIBER of Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manel Puig-Domingo
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Research Institute and Hospital, 08916, Badalona, Spain; Department of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER of Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain; CIBER of Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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Combinatorial enzymatic digestion with thermolysin and collagenase type I improved the isolation and culture effects of hair cell progenitors from rat cochleae. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2016; 52:537-44. [PMID: 27083165 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-015-9998-4] [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: 07/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The high incidence of hearing loss in human combined with the lack of hair cell regeneration in mammalian cochleae had got the attention to manipulate stem/progenitor cells to participate in hair cell regeneration for years. Cochlear progenitor cells are considered as the best candidate for hair cell regeneration. However, there is not any effective and feasible way to separate hair cell progenitors from rat cochleae, yet. In this study, we tried to isolate single epithelial cells from rat basilar membrane by combinatorial enzymatic digestion with thermolysin and collagenase type I. The results showed that the harvested single cells gave rise to otospheres with features of stem cells and could be induced to differentiate into hair cells. Significantly, more otospheres of epithelial origin were obtained by digesting with thermolysin and collagenase type I. The combinatorial enzymatic digestion would be a potential method for hair cell progenitor isolation and culture with broad applications.
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Satoh R, Kakugawa K, Yasuda T, Yoshida H, Sibilia M, Katsura Y, Levi B, Abramson J, Koseki Y, Koseki H, van Ewijk W, Hollander GA, Kawamoto H. Requirement of Stat3 Signaling in the Postnatal Development of Thymic Medullary Epithelial Cells. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005776. [PMID: 26789017 PMCID: PMC4720355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic medullary regions are formed in neonatal mice as islet-like structures, which increase in size over time and eventually fuse a few weeks after birth into a continuous structure. The development of medullary thymic epithelial cells (TEC) is dependent on NF-κB associated signaling though other signaling pathways may contribute. Here, we demonstrate that Stat3-mediated signals determine medullary TEC cellularity, architectural organization and hence the size of the medulla. Deleting Stat3 expression selectively in thymic epithelia precludes the postnatal enlargement of the medulla retaining a neonatal architecture of small separate medullary islets. In contrast, loss of Stat3 expression in cortical TEC neither affects the cellularity or organization of the epithelia. Activation of Stat3 is mainly positioned downstream of EGF-R as its ablation in TEC phenocopies the loss of Stat3 expression in these cells. These results indicate that Stat3 meditated signal via EGF-R is required for the postnatal development of thymic medullary regions. Thymic medulla is known to be an essential site for the deletion of auto-reactive T cells. Whereas it has been well documented that the development of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) depends on NF-κB associated signaling, it remained unclear whether other signaling pathways are also involved. In this context, it had been reported that conditional deletion of Stat3 alleles in TECs using cytokeratin-5 (CK5) promoter controlled Cre expression results in a profound impairment in TEC development. However, a detailed analysis of phenotypes in mTECs remained unstudied. In the present study, we show that thymic medullary regions remain as small islets when Stat3 is conditionally deleted in thymic epithelial cells, while they normal fuse to form continuous structures during postnatal development. Furthermore, we identified EGF-R mediated signal to be placed upstream of Stat3 activation, as its ablation phenocopied the loss of Stat3 expression in TECs. Thus, the present study revealed that Stat3 is required for the postnatal development of medullary regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumi Satoh
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Development, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Japan
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kiyokazu Kakugawa
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Development, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Japan
- Laboratory for Immune Crosstalk, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takuwa Yasuda
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokoham, Japan
| | - Hisahiro Yoshida
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokoham, Japan
| | - Maria Sibilia
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yoshimoto Katsura
- Division of Cell Regeneration and Transplantation, Advanced Medical Research Center, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ben Levi
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yoko Koseki
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Koseki
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Willem van Ewijk
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, RA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Georg A. Hollander
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Center for Biomedicine, University of Basel, and the University Children’s Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Developmental Immunology Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hiroshi Kawamoto
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Development, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Khan IS, Park CY, Mavropoulos A, Shariat N, Pollack JL, Barczak AJ, Erle DJ, McManus MT, Anderson MS, Jeker LT. Identification of MiR-205 As a MicroRNA That Is Highly Expressed in Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135440. [PMID: 26270036 PMCID: PMC4535774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) support T cell development in the thymus. Cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) facilitate positive selection of developing thymocytes whereas medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) facilitate the deletion of self-reactive thymocytes in order to prevent autoimmunity. The mTEC compartment is highly dynamic with continuous maturation and turnover, but the genetic regulation of these processes remains poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of TEC genetic programs since miRNA-deficient TECs are severely defective. However, the individual miRNAs important for TEC maintenance and function and their mechanisms of action remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that miR-205 is highly and preferentially expressed in mTECs during both thymic ontogeny and in the postnatal thymus. This distinct expression is suggestive of functional importance for TEC biology. Genetic ablation of miR-205 in TECs, however, neither revealed a role for miR-205 in TEC function during homeostatic conditions nor during recovery from thymic stress conditions. Thus, despite its distinct expression, miR-205 on its own is largely dispensable for mTEC biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran S. Khan
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Chong Y. Park
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- WM Keck Center for Noncoding RNAs, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Anastasia Mavropoulos
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Nikki Shariat
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- WM Keck Center for Noncoding RNAs, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Joshua L. Pollack
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Andrea J. Barczak
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - David J. Erle
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Michael T. McManus
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- WM Keck Center for Noncoding RNAs, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MSA); (LTJ)
| | - Lukas T. Jeker
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MSA); (LTJ)
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Garabatos N, Blanco J, Fandos C, Lopez E, Santamaria P, Ruiz A, Perez-Vidakovics ML, Benveniste P, Galkin O, Zuñiga-Pflucker JC, Serra P. A monoclonal antibody against the extracellular domain of mouse and human epithelial V-like antigen 1 reveals a restricted expression pattern among CD4- CD8- thymocytes. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2015; 33:305-11. [PMID: 25357997 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2014.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of transcripts for the homotypic adhesion protein epithelial V-like antigen 1 (EVA1), also known as myelin protein zero like-2 (Mpzl2), is known to be present in thymic stromal cells. However, protein expression within different thymic subsets, stromal and/or lymphoid, has not been characterized due a lack of specific reagents. To address this, we generated a hybridoma (G9P3-1) secreting a monoclonal antibody (G9P3-1Mab), reactive against both human and mouse EVA1. The G9P3-1Mab was generated by immunizing Mpzl2-deficient gene-targeted mice with the extracellular domain of EVA1, followed by a conventional hybridoma fusion protocol, illustrating the feasibility of using gene-targeted mice to generate monoclonal antibodies with multiple species cross-reactivity. We confirmed expression of EVA1 on cortical and medullary epithelial cell subsets and revealed a restricted pattern of expression on CD4- CD8- double negative (DN) cell subsets, with the highest level of expression on DN3 (CD44(low)CD25(+)) thymocytes. G9P3-1MAb is a valuable reagent to study thymic T cell development and is likely useful for the analysis of pathological conditions affecting thymopoiesis, such as thymic involution caused by stress or aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahir Garabatos
- 1 Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) , Barcelona, Spain
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Fan Y, Tajima A, Goh SK, Geng X, Gualtierotti G, Grupillo M, Coppola A, Bertera S, Rudert WA, Banerjee I, Bottino R, Trucco M. Bioengineering Thymus Organoids to Restore Thymic Function and Induce Donor-Specific Immune Tolerance to Allografts. Mol Ther 2015; 23:1262-1277. [PMID: 25903472 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2015.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major obstacles in organ transplantation is to establish immune tolerance of allografts. Although immunosuppressive drugs can prevent graft rejection to a certain degree, their efficacies are limited, transient, and associated with severe side effects. Induction of thymic central tolerance to allografts remains challenging, largely because of the difficulty of maintaining donor thymic epithelial cells in vitro to allow successful bioengineering. Here, the authors show that three-dimensional scaffolds generated from decellularized mouse thymus can support thymic epithelial cell survival in culture and maintain their unique molecular properties. When transplanted into athymic nude mice, the bioengineered thymus organoids effectively promoted homing of lymphocyte progenitors and supported thymopoiesis. Nude mice transplanted with thymus organoids promptly rejected skin allografts and were able to mount antigen-specific humoral responses against ovalbumin on immunization. Notably, tolerance to skin allografts was achieved by transplanting thymus organoids constructed with either thymic epithelial cells coexpressing both syngeneic and allogenic major histocompatibility complexes, or mixtures of donor and recipient thymic epithelial cells. Our results demonstrate the technical feasibility of restoring thymic function with bioengineered thymus organoids and highlight the clinical implications of this thymus reconstruction technique in organ transplantation and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Fan
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Asako Tajima
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Saik Kia Goh
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xuehui Geng
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Giulio Gualtierotti
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maria Grupillo
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Antonina Coppola
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Current address: Section of Endocrinology, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica (DIBIMIS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Suzanne Bertera
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William A Rudert
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ipsita Banerjee
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rita Bottino
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Massimo Trucco
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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45
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Sekai M, Hamazaki Y, Minato N. Medullary thymic epithelial stem cells maintain a functional thymus to ensure lifelong central T cell tolerance. Immunity 2014; 41:753-61. [PMID: 25464854 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are crucial for central T cell self-tolerance. Although progenitors of mTECs have been demonstrated in thymic organogenesis, the mechanism for postnatal mTEC maintenance remains elusive. We demonstrate that implantation of embryonic TECs expressing claudin-3 and claudin-4 (Cld3,4) in a medulla-defective thymic microenvironment restores medulla formation and suppresses multiorgan autoimmunity throughout life. A minor SSEA-1(+) fraction within the embryonic Cld3,4(hi) TECs contained self-renewable clonogenic TECs, capable of preferentially generating mature mTECs in vivo. Adult SSEA-1(+)Cld3,4(hi) TECs retained mTEC reconstitution potential, although the activity decreased. The clonogenicity of TECs also declined rapidly after birth in wild-type mice, whereas it persisted in Rag2(?/?) adult mice with defective thymopoiesis. The results suggest that unipotent mTEC-restricted stem cells that develop in the embryo have the capacity to functionally reconstitute the thymic medulla long-term, thus ensuring lifelong central T cell self-tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Sekai
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yoko Hamazaki
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Nagahiro Minato
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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46
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Jain R, Gray DH. Isolation of Thymic Epithelial Cells and Analysis by Flow Cytometry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 107:3.26.1-3.26.15. [DOI: 10.1002/0471142735.im0326s107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Reema Jain
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division and Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Daniel H.D. Gray
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division and Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
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47
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O'Reilly LA, Hughes P, Lin A, Waring P, Siebenlist U, Jain R, Gray DHD, Gerondakis S, Strasser A. Loss of c-REL but not NF-κB2 prevents autoimmune disease driven by FasL mutation. Cell Death Differ 2014; 22:767-78. [PMID: 25361085 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2014.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2014] [Revised: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
FASL/FAS signaling imposes a critical barrier against autoimmune disease and lymphadenopathy. Mutant mice unable to produce membrane-bound FASL (FasL(Δm/Δm)), a prerequisite for FAS-induced apoptosis, develop lymphadenopathy and systemic autoimmune disease with immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis. Prior to disease onset, FasL(Δm/Δm) mice contain abnormally high numbers of leukocytes displaying activated and elevated NF-κB-regulated cytokine levels, indicating that NF-κB-dependent inflammation may be a key pathological driver in this multifaceted autoimmune disease. We tested this hypothesis by genetically impairing canonical or non-canonical NF-κB signaling in FasL(Δm/Δm) mice by deleting the c-Rel or NF-κB2 genes, respectively. Although the loss of NF-κB2 reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies, the impact on animal survival was minor due to substantially accelerated and exacerbated lymphoproliferative disease. In contrast, a marked increase in lifespan resulting from the loss of c-REL coincided with a striking reduction in classical parameters of autoimmune pathology, including the levels of cytokines and antinuclear autoantibodies. Notably, the decrease in regulatory T-cell numbers associated with loss of c-REL did not exacerbate autoimmunity in FasL(Δm/Δm)c-rel(-/-) mice. These findings indicate that selective inhibition of c-REL may be an attractive strategy for the treatment of autoimmune pathologies driven by defects in FASL/FAS signaling that would be expected to circumvent many of the complications caused by pan-NF-κB inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A O'Reilly
- 1] Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - P Hughes
- 1] Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - A Lin
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - P Waring
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010 Victoria, Australia
| | - U Siebenlist
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - R Jain
- 1] Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - D H D Gray
- 1] Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Gerondakis
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases and Department of Clinical Hematology, Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia
| | - A Strasser
- 1] Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia
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48
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Xing Y, Hogquist KA. Isolation, identification, and purification of murine thymic epithelial cells. J Vis Exp 2014:e51780. [PMID: 25145384 DOI: 10.3791/51780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a vital organ for T lymphocyte development. Of thymic stromal cells, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are particularly crucial at multiple stages of T cell development: T cell commitment, positive selection and negative selection. However, the function of TECs in the thymus remains incompletely understood. In the article, we provide a method to isolate TEC subsets from fresh mouse thymus using a combination of mechanical disruption and enzymatic digestion. The method allows thymic stromal cells and thymocytes to be efficiently released from cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix connections and to form a single-cell suspension. Using the isolated cells, multiparameter flow cytometry can be applied to identification and characterization of TECs and dendritic cells. Because TECs are a rare cell population in the thymus, we also describe an effective way to enrich and purify TECs by depleting thymocytes, the most abundant cell type in the thymus. Following the enrichment, cell sorting time can be decreased so that loss of cell viability can be minimized during purification of TECs. Purified cells are suitable for various downstream analyses like Real Time-PCR, Western blot and gene expression profiling. The protocol will promote research of TEC function and as well as the development of in vitro T cell reconstitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xing
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota;
| | - Kristin A Hogquist
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota
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49
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Multilineage Potential and Self-Renewal Define an Epithelial Progenitor Cell Population in the Adult Thymus. Cell Rep 2014; 8:1198-209. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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50
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Transcriptome sequencing of neonatal thymic epithelial cells. Sci Rep 2013; 3:1860. [PMID: 23681267 PMCID: PMC3656389 DOI: 10.1038/srep01860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to gain novel insights into thymus biology, we analysed the whole transcriptome of cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (cTECs and mTECs) and of skin epithelial cells (ECs). Consistent with their ability to express ectopic genes, mTECs expressed more genes than other cell populations. Out of a total of 15,069 genes expressed in TECs, 25% were differentially expressed by at least 5-fold in cTECs vs. mTECs. Genes expressed at higher levels in cTECs than mTECs regulate numerous cell functions including cell differentiation, cell movement and microtubule dynamics. Many positive regulators of the cell cycle were overexpressed in skin ECs relative to TECs. Our RNA-seq data provide novel systems-level insights into the transcriptional landscape of TECs, highlight substantial divergences in the transcriptome of TEC subsets and suggest that cell cycle progression is differentially regulated in TECs and skin ECs.
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