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Wei CH, Huang L, Kreh B, Liu X, Tyutyunyk-Massey L, Kawakami M, Chen Z, Shi M, Kozlov S, Chan KC, Andresson T, Carrington M, Vuligonda V, Sanders ME, Horowitz A, Hwu P, Peng W, Dmitrovsky E, Liu X. A novel retinoic acid receptor-γ agonist antagonizes immune checkpoint resistance in lung cancers by altering the tumor immune microenvironment. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14907. [PMID: 37689790 PMCID: PMC10492813 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41690-5] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) agonist, regulates cell growth, differentiation, immunity, and survival. We report that ATRA-treatment repressed cancer growth in syngeneic immunocompetent, but not immunodeficient mice. The tumor microenvironment was implicated: CD8+ T cell depletion antagonized ATRA's anti-tumorigenic effects in syngeneic mice. ATRA-treatment with checkpoint blockade did not cooperatively inhibit murine lung cancer growth. To augment ATRA's anti-tumorigenicity without promoting its pro-tumorigenic potential, an RARγ agonist (IRX4647) was used since it regulates T cell biology. Treating with IRX4647 in combination with an immune checkpoint (anti-PD-L1) inhibitor resulted in a statistically significant suppression of syngeneic 344SQ lung cancers in mice-a model known for its resistance to checkpoints and characterized by low basal T cell and PD-L1 expression. This combined treatment notably elevated CD4+ T-cell presence within the tumor microenvironment and increased IL-5 and IL-13 tumor levels, while simultaneously decreasing CD38 in the tumor stroma. IL-5 and/or IL-13 treatments increased CD4+ more than CD8+ T-cells in mice. IRX4647-treatment did not appreciably affect in vitro lung cancer growth, despite RARγ expression. Pharmacokinetic analysis found IRX4647 plasma half-life was 6 h in mice. Yet, RARα antagonist (IRX6696)-treatment with anti-PD-L1 did not repress syngeneic lung cancer growth. Together, these findings provide a rationale for a clinical trial investigating an RARγ agonist to augment check point blockade response in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Hsin Wei
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, PO Box B, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Blair Kreh
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, PO Box B, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Xiuxia Liu
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, PO Box B, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Liliya Tyutyunyk-Massey
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, PO Box B, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Masanori Kawakami
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, PO Box B, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Zibo Chen
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, PO Box B, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Mi Shi
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, PO Box B, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Serguei Kozlov
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - King C Chan
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Frederick, MD, USA
| | | | - Mary Carrington
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Amir Horowitz
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick Hwu
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Weiyi Peng
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ethan Dmitrovsky
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, PO Box B, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Xi Liu
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, PO Box B, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA.
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2
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Hussain S, Sadouni N, van Essen D, Dao LTM, Ferré Q, Charbonnier G, Torres M, Gallardo F, Lecellier CH, Sexton T, Saccani S, Spicuglia S. Short tandem repeats are important contributors to silencer elements in T cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:4845-4866. [PMID: 36929452 PMCID: PMC10250210 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The action of cis-regulatory elements with either activation or repression functions underpins the precise regulation of gene expression during normal development and cell differentiation. Gene activation by the combined activities of promoters and distal enhancers has been extensively studied in normal and pathological contexts. In sharp contrast, gene repression by cis-acting silencers, defined as genetic elements that negatively regulate gene transcription in a position-independent fashion, is less well understood. Here, we repurpose the STARR-seq approach as a novel high-throughput reporter strategy to quantitatively assess silencer activity in mammals. We assessed silencer activity from DNase hypersensitive I sites in a mouse T cell line. Identified silencers were associated with either repressive or active chromatin marks and enriched for binding motifs of known transcriptional repressors. CRISPR-mediated genomic deletions validated the repressive function of distinct silencers involved in the repression of non-T cell genes and genes regulated during T cell differentiation. Finally, we unravel an association of silencer activity with short tandem repeats, highlighting the role of repetitive elements in silencer activity. Our results provide a general strategy for genome-wide identification and characterization of silencer elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saadat Hussain
- Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, TAGC, UMR1090, Marseille, France
- Equipe Labélisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | - Nori Sadouni
- Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, TAGC, UMR1090, Marseille, France
- Equipe Labélisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | - Dominic van Essen
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Ageing, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Lan T M Dao
- Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, TAGC, UMR1090, Marseille, France
- Equipe Labélisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | - Quentin Ferré
- Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, TAGC, UMR1090, Marseille, France
- Equipe Labélisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | - Guillaume Charbonnier
- Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, TAGC, UMR1090, Marseille, France
- Equipe Labélisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | - Magali Torres
- Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, TAGC, UMR1090, Marseille, France
- Equipe Labélisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | - Frederic Gallardo
- Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, TAGC, UMR1090, Marseille, France
- Equipe Labélisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | - Charles-Henri Lecellier
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- LIRMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Tom Sexton
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire – IGBMC (CNRS UMR 7104, INSERM U1258, Université de Strasbourg), 67404 Illkirch, France
| | - Simona Saccani
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Ageing, IRCAN, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Salvatore Spicuglia
- Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, TAGC, UMR1090, Marseille, France
- Equipe Labélisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
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3
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Brown G. Targeting the Retinoic Acid Pathway to Eradicate Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032373. [PMID: 36768694 PMCID: PMC9916838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid is a morphogen during embryogenesis and a teratogen. Cancer is an error of development, and the retinoic acid receptors (RAR) for all-trans retinoic acid play a role in cancer. Expression of the cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenases, which mediate the last step to the synthesis of all-trans retinoic acid, is deregulated in various human cancers. Inhibiting these enzymes using a variety of agents reduced the proliferation of lung cancer cells, reduced the proliferation and induced apoptosis of ovarian, prostate, squamous, and uterine cancer cells, and sensitised breast, colorectal and ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. RARγ is an oncogene within some cases of AML, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer. Pan-RAR and RARγ antagonist inhibition of the action of RARγ led to necroptosis of human prostate and pediatric brain tumour cancer stem cells. Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma cells with the flavenoid acacetin, which interferes with the action of RARγ, decreased cell growth and induced apoptosis. Targeting the retinoic acid pathway is promising regarding the development of new drugs to eradicate cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Brown
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Tateiwa D, Kaito T, Hashimoto K, Okada R, Kodama J, Kushioka J, Bal Z, Tsukazaki H, Nakagawa S, Ukon Y, Hirai H, Tian H, Alferiev I, Chorny M, Otsuru S, Okada S, Iwamoto M. Selective Retinoic Acid Receptor γ Antagonist 7C is a Potent Enhancer of BMP-Induced Ectopic Endochondral Bone Formation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:802699. [PMID: 35359440 PMCID: PMC8963923 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.802699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been clinically applied for induction of bone formation in musculoskeletal disorders such as critical-sized bone defects, nonunions, and spinal fusion surgeries. However, the use of supraphysiological doses of BMP caused adverse events, which were sometimes life-threatening. Therefore, safer treatment strategies for bone regeneration have been sought for decades. Systemic administration of a potent selective antagonist of retinoic acid nuclear receptor gamma (RARγ) (7C) stimulated BMP-induced ectopic bone formation. In this study, we developed 7C-loaded poly lactic nanoparticles (7C-NPs) and examined whether local application of 7C enhances BMP-induced bone regeneration. The collagen sponge discs that absorbed recombinant human (rh) BMP-2 were implanted into the dorsal fascia of young adult mice to induce ectopic bone. The combination of rhBMP-2 and 7C-NP markedly increased the total bone volume and thickness of the bone shell of the ectopic bone in a dose-dependent manner compared to those with rhBMP-2 only. 7C stimulated sulfated proteoglycan production, expression of chondrogenic marker genes, and Sox9 reporter activity in both chondrogenic cells and MSCs. The findings suggest that selective RARγ antagonist 7C or the related compounds potentiate the bone inductive ability of rhBMP-2, as well as support any future research to improve the BMP-2 based bone regeneration procedures in a safe and efficient manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Tateiwa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Takashi Kaito
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
- *Correspondence: Takashi Kaito, ; Masahiro Iwamoto,
| | - Kunihiko Hashimoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka Second Police Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Rintaro Okada
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mino Municipal Hospital, Mino, Japan
| | - Joe Kodama
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Junichi Kushioka
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Zeynep Bal
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tsukazaki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kansai Rosai Hospital, Amagasaki, Japan
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Ukon
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Hirai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Hongying Tian
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ivan Alferiev
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael Chorny
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Satoru Otsuru
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Seiji Okada
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Masahiro Iwamoto
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Takashi Kaito, ; Masahiro Iwamoto,
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Kaemmerer T, Stadler PC, Helene Frommherz L, Guertler A, Einar French L, Reinholz M. Alitretinoin in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Cancer Med 2021; 10:7071-7078. [PMID: 34435474 PMCID: PMC8525105 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In this survey, we analyzed data from patients suffering from the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) subtypes mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), treated with the retinoid alitretinoin during a 7-year period at our outpatient department between 2015 and 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed patient medical records including TNMB stage, side effects under therapy with alitretinoin, time to next treatment (TTNT), and previous photo documentation. RESULTS A total of 35 patients with MF (n = 28) and SS (n = 7) were included in the study, of whom 69% were male and 31% were female. The mean age of onset was 56 ± 15 years in MF and 65.4 ± 10.8 years in SS with 51.4% having early stage (IA-IIA) and 48.6% having advanced stage (IIB-IVA) CTCL. Of these patients 37.2% responded to alitretinoin, 28.6% had a stable course, and 34.3% experienced progression. Alitretinoin was administered as a monotherapy (25.7%) or combined with five concomitant therapies (74.2%), most frequently with ECP (31.4%) and PUVA (11.4%). 63% did not report any side effects, most often hypertriglyceridemia (20%) was described. CONCLUSION Considering that nearly two thirds of the CTCL patients treated with alitretinoin showed a response or stable disease, together with a low number of side effects and low cost compared to bexarotene, alitretinoin may be a potential alternative in the treatment of less advanced CTCLs. This survey represents the largest number of recorded therapies with the retinoid alitretinoin in CTCLs in a European patient collective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Kaemmerer
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Anne Guertler
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Lars Einar French
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany.,Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Markus Reinholz
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
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Huen AO, Kim EJ. The Role of Systemic Retinoids in the Treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. Dermatol Clin 2015; 33:715-29. [PMID: 26433844 DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2015.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Retinoids are natural and synthetic vitamin A analogs with effects on cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. They have significant activity in hematologic malignancies and have been studied extensively in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Retinoids bind to nuclear receptors and exert their effects through moderation of gene expression. Retinoic acid receptor and retinoic X receptor exert regulatory activity in vivo, binding to distinct ligands. Studies investigating systemic retinoids as monotherapy and in combination with other agents active against cutaneous lymphoma are reviewed. Side effects associated with retinoids include teratogenicity, dyslipidemias, and hypothyroidism, which should be carefully monitored in patients receiving treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auris O Huen
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Suite 330S, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ellen J Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Suite 330S, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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de Mello Souza CH, Valli VE, Kitchell BE. Detection of retinoid receptors in non-neoplastic canine lymph nodes and in lymphoma. THE CANADIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL = LA REVUE VETERINAIRE CANADIENNE 2014; 55:1219-1224. [PMID: 24381339 PMCID: PMC3866851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the difference in retinoid receptor expression between non-neoplastic lymph nodes and nodal lymphoma in dogs. Retinoid receptor expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 32 canine lymph nodes. The lymph nodes had been previously diagnosed as non-neoplastic (6 normal and 7 hyperplastic lymph nodes) and B- and T-cell lymphoma (19 cases). Immunohistochemistry for retinoic acid receptors and retinoid-X receptors (and their subtypes α, β, and γ) was performed in all cases. In addition, immunohistochemistry for CD3 and CD79a was performed in all lymphoma cases. Non-neoplastic lymphocytes were negative for all retinoid receptors. Retinoic acid receptor-γ was detected in 100% of B-cell lymphoma and 78% of T-cell lymphoma, while retinoid X receptor-γ was positive in 78% of T-cell lymphoma cases. When normal lymph node architecture was still present, a contrast between retinoid-negative benign cells and retinoid-positive malignant cells was clear. Retinoid receptors were expressed in neoplastic, but not in benign lymphocytes, suggesting their value for both diagnosis and treatment of canine lymphoma.
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Duong V, Rochette-Egly C. The molecular physiology of nuclear retinoic acid receptors. From health to disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2011; 1812:1023-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2010.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2010] [Accepted: 10/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
Proper regulation of T cell death is of vital importance for the function of the immune system. Positive and negative selection of developing T cells in the thymus ensures the survival of only those T cells that can recognize peptides presented by self-MHC molecules and at the same time not respond to self-antigens, and thus, T cell death within the thymus is instrumental in shaping the mature T cell repertoire. The death of activated peripheral T cells is crucial for processes such as down-modulation of immune responses after clearance of infectious agents, peripheral tolerance, and maintenance of immune-privileged sites. These processes are largely proceeding due to the enhanced susceptibility of activated T cells to spontaneous, activation-, and Fas-induced apoptosis. The active metabolite of the immune regulator vitamin A, retinoic acid, has been reported to influence various types of apoptotic processes in both thymocytes and activated peripheral T cells. This chapter gives an overview of, and discusses the reported effects of vitamin A on spontaneous and activation-induced cell death of thymocytes and mature T cells, as well as on Fas-induced T cell death.
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Iwata M. Retinoic acid production by intestinal dendritic cells and its role in T-cell trafficking. Semin Immunol 2008; 21:8-13. [PMID: 18849172 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2008.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2008] [Revised: 08/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency causes a marked reduction in the number of T and B cells in the small intestinal tissues. The vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid imprints lymphocytes with gut-homing specificity upon antigenic stimulation. In the small intestinal lamina propria, Peyer's patches, and mesenteric lymph nodes, there are dendritic cells capable of producing retinoic acid. Their capacity depends on the expression of retinal dehydrogenases (RALDH). RALDH2, encoded by Aldh1a2, is a major isoform of RALDH in the intestinal dendritic cells under specific pathogen-free conditions, and can be induced by multiple factors constitutively present or induced in the small intestinal microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Iwata
- Laboratory of Biodefense Research, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kagawa Campus, Tokushima Bunri University, 1314-1 Shido, Sanuki-shi, Kagawa 769-2193, Japan.
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