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Zhou P, Liu W, Ma J. Roles of Menin in T cell differentiation and function: Current knowledge and perspectives. Immunology 2024. [PMID: 39011567 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The commitment to specific T lymphocytes (T cell) lineages is governed by distinct transcription factors, whose expression is modulated through epigenetic mechanisms. Unravelling these epigenetic mechanisms that regulate T cell differentiation and function holds significant importance for understanding T cells. Menin, a multifunctional scaffolding protein, is implicated in various cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, cell cycle control, DNA repair and transcriptional regulation, primarily through epigenetic mechanisms. Existing research indicates Menin's impact on T cell differentiation and function, while a comprehensive and systematic review is currently lacking to consolidate these findings. In the current review, we have highlighted recent studies on the role of Menin in T cell differentiation and function, focusing mainly on its impact on the memory Th2 maintenance, Th17 differentiation and maintenance, CD4+ T cell senescence, and effector CD8+ T cell survival. Considering Menin's crucial function in maintaining effector T cell function, the potential of inhibiting Menin activity in mitigating inflammatory diseases associated with excessive T cell activation has also been emphasised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Zhou
- Department of Immunology, Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Weiru Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of Immunology, Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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2
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Sumida TS, Cheru NT, Hafler DA. The regulation and differentiation of regulatory T cells and their dysfunction in autoimmune diseases. Nat Rev Immunol 2024; 24:503-517. [PMID: 38374298 PMCID: PMC11216899 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-00994-x] [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] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells as a distinct cell lineage with a central role in regulating immune responses provided a deeper understanding of self-tolerance. The transcription factor FOXP3 serves a key role in Treg cell lineage determination and maintenance, but is not sufficient to enable the full potential of Treg cell suppression, indicating that other factors orchestrate the fine-tuning of Treg cell function. Moreover, FOXP3-independent mechanisms have recently been shown to contribute to Treg cell dysfunction. FOXP3 mutations in humans cause lethal fulminant systemic autoinflammation (IPEX syndrome). However, it remains unclear to what degree Treg cell dysfunction is contributing to the pathophysiology of common autoimmune diseases. In this Review, we discuss the origins of Treg cells in the periphery and the multilayered mechanisms by which Treg cells are induced, as well as the FOXP3-dependent and FOXP3-independent cellular programmes that maintain the suppressive function of Treg cells in humans and mice. Further, we examine evidence for Treg cell dysfunction in the context of common autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu S Sumida
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Nardos T Cheru
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David A Hafler
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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3
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Zhong H, Zhou S, Yin S, Qiu Y, Liu B, Yu H. Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00251-0. [PMID: 38866179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.06.014] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a distinct subpopulation of cancer cells with the capacity to constantly self-renew and differentiate, and they are the main driver in the progression of cancer resistance and relapse. The tumor microenvironment (TME) constructed by CSCs is the "soil" adapted to tumor growth, helping CSCs evade immune killing, enhance their chemical resistance, and promote cancer progression. AIM OF REVIEW We aim to elaborate the tight connection between CSCs and immunosuppressive components of the TME. We attempt to summarize and provide a therapeutic strategy to eradicate CSCs based on the destruction of the tumor ecological niche. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This review is focused on three main key concepts. First, we highlight that CSCs recruit and transform normal cells to construct the TME, which further provides ecological niche support for CSCs. Second, we describe the main characteristics of the immunosuppressive components of the TME, targeting strategies and summarize the progress of corresponding drugs in clinical trials. Third, we explore the multilevel insights of the TME to serve as an ecological niche for CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiyue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuangshuang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuling Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
| | - Haiyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
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4
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Lupsa N, Érsek B, Böröczky C, Kis D, Szarka E, Lumniczky K, Sáfrány G, Zádori ZS, Szöőr Á, Buzás EI, Pós Z. High sensitivity of host Helios +/Neuropilin-1 + Treg to pretransplant conditioning hampers development of OX40 bright/integrin-β7 + regulatory cells in acute gastrointestinal GvHD. Eur J Immunol 2024:e2350619. [PMID: 38532599 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
This study sought to compare the behavior of Treg subsets displaying different coexpression patterns of Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) and Helios, under the influence of gut stress unrelated to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, pretransplantation conditioning, and posttransplant gastrointestinal acute graft versus host disease (GI-aGvHD). Host CD4+/CD25hi/Foxp3+ Treg cells, identified by flow cytometry, were isolated from various tissues of mice affected by these stressors. Expression of CD25, CTLA-4, CD39, OX40, integrin-β7, LAG3, TGFβ/LAP, granzyme-A, -B, and interleukin-10 was compared in four Treg subsets displaying Helios or Nrp1 only, both or none. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter-sorted Treg subsets, displaying markers affected in a conditioning- and GI-aGVHD-restricted manner, were further investigated by transcriptome profiling and T-cell suppression assays. We found that conditioning by irradiation greatly diminished the relative frequency of Helios+/Nrp1+ Treg, shifting the balance toward Helios-/Nrp1- Treg in the host. Upregulation of integrin-β7 and OX40 occurred in GI-aGvHD-dependent manner in Helios+/Nrp1+ cells but not in Helios-/Nrp1- Treg. Sorted Treg subsets, confirmed to overexpress Nrp1, Helios, OX40, or integrin-β7, displayed superior immunosuppressive activity and enrichment in activation-related messenger RNA transcripts. Our data suggest that conditioning-induced shrinkage of the Nrp1+/Helios+ Treg subset may contribute to the development of GI-GvHD by impairing gut homing and decreasing the efficiency of Treg-mediated immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolett Lupsa
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barbara Érsek
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csenge Böröczky
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dávid Kis
- Unit of Radiation Medicine, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Szarka
- Unit of Radiation Medicine, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Lumniczky
- Unit of Radiation Medicine, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Géza Sáfrány
- Unit of Radiation Medicine, Department of Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán S Zádori
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Árpád Szöőr
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Edit I Buzás
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Immunproteogenomics Extracellular Vesicle Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences-Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Extracellular Vesicle Research Group, Hungarian Center of Excellence Molecular Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Pós
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Maity J, Majumder S, Pal R, Saha B, Mukhopadhyay PK. Ascorbic acid modulates immune responses through Jumonji-C domain containing histone demethylases and Ten eleven translocation (TET) methylcytosine dioxygenase. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300035. [PMID: 37694689 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Ascorbic acid is a redox regulator in many physiological processes. Besides its antioxidant activity, many intriguing functions of ascorbic acid in the expression of immunoregulatory genes have been suggested. Ascorbic acid acts as a co-factor for the Fe+2 -containing α-ketoglutarate-dependent Jumonji-C domain-containing histone demethylases (JHDM) and Ten eleven translocation (TET) methylcytosine dioxygenasemediated epigenetic modulation. By influencing JHDM and TET, ascorbic acid facilitates the differentiation of double negative (CD4- CD8- ) T cells to double positive (CD4+ CD8+ ) T cells and of T-helper cells to different effector subsets. Ascorbic acid modulates plasma cell differentiation and promotes early differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to NK cells. These findings indicate that ascorbic acid plays a significant role in regulating both innate and adaptive immune cells, opening up new research areas in Immunonutrition. Being a water-soluble vitamin and a safe micro-nutrient, ascorbic acid can be used as an adjunct therapy for many disorders of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeet Maity
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Ranjana Pal
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
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Herppich S, Hoenicke L, Kern F, Kruse F, Smout J, Greweling-Pils MC, Geffers R, Burton OT, Liston A, Keller A, Floess S, Huehn J. Zfp362 potentiates murine colonic inflammation by constraining Treg cell function rather than promoting Th17 cell differentiation. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250270. [PMID: 37366299 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Mucosal barrier integrity and pathogen clearance is a complex process influenced by both Th17 and Treg cells. Previously, we had described the DNA methylation profile of Th17 cells and identified Zinc finger protein (Zfp)362 to be uniquely demethylated. Here, we generated Zfp362-/- mice to unravel the role of Zfp362 for Th17 cell biology. Zfp362-/- mice appeared clinically normal, showed no phenotypic alterations in the T-cell compartment, and upon colonization with segmented filamentous bacteria, no effect of Zfp362 deficiency on Th17 cell differentiation was observed. By contrast, Zfp362 deletion resulted in increased frequencies of colonic Foxp3+ Treg cells and IL-10+ and RORγt+ Treg cell subsets in mesenteric lymph nodes. Adoptive transfer of naïve CD4+ T cells from Zfp362-/- mice into Rag2-/- mice resulted in a significantly lower weight loss when compared with controls receiving cells from Zfp362+/+ littermates. However, this attenuated weight loss did not correlate with alterations of Th17 cells but instead was associated with an increase of effector Treg cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. Together, these results suggest that Zfp362 plays an important role in promoting colonic inflammation; however, this function is derived from constraining the effector function of Treg cells rather than directly promoting Th17 cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Herppich
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lisa Hoenicke
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Fabian Kern
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Friederike Kruse
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Justine Smout
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Robert Geffers
- Genome Analytics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oliver T Burton
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adrian Liston
- Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andreas Keller
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Floess
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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7
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Meng G, Monaghan TM, Duggal NA, Tighe P, Peerani F. Microbial-Immune Crosstalk in Elderly-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Unchartered Territory. J Crohns Colitis 2023; 17:1309-1325. [PMID: 36806917 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Elderly-onset inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients exhibit a distinct natural history compared to younger IBD patients, with unique disease phenotypes, differential responses to therapy, and increased surgical morbidity and mortality. Despite the foreseeable high demand for personalized medicine and specialized IBD care in the elderly, current paradigms of IBD management fail to capture the required nuances of care for elderly-onset IBD patients. Our review postulates the roles of systemic and mucosal immunosenescence, inflammageing and a dysbiotic microbial ecosystem in the pathophysiology of elderly-onset IBD. Ultimately, a better understanding of elderly-onset IBD can lead to improved patient outcomes and the tailoring of future preventative and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanmin Meng
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Tanya M Monaghan
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Niharika A Duggal
- MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paddy Tighe
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Farhad Peerani
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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8
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Baßler K, Schmidleithner L, Shakiba MH, Elmzzahi T, Köhne M, Floess S, Scholz R, Ohkura N, Sadlon T, Klee K, Neubauer A, Sakaguchi S, Barry SC, Huehn J, Bonaguro L, Ulas T, Beyer M. Identification of the novel FOXP3-dependent T reg cell transcription factor MEOX1 by high-dimensional analysis of human CD4 + T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1107397. [PMID: 37559728 PMCID: PMC10407399 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1107397] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells play a central role in the adaptive immune response through their capacity to activate, support and control other immune cells. Although these cells have become the focus of intense research, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying regulatory networks that orchestrate CD4+ T cell function and activation is still incomplete. Here, we analyzed a large transcriptomic dataset consisting of 48 different human CD4+ T cell conditions. By performing reverse network engineering, we identified six common denominators of CD4+ T cell functionality (CREB1, E2F3, AHR, STAT1, NFAT5 and NFATC3). Moreover, we also analyzed condition-specific genes which led us to the identification of the transcription factor MEOX1 in Treg cells. Expression of MEOX1 was comparable to FOXP3 in Treg cells and can be upregulated by IL-2. Epigenetic analyses revealed a permissive epigenetic landscape for MEOX1 solely in Treg cells. Knockdown of MEOX1 in Treg cells revealed a profound impact on downstream gene expression programs and Treg cell suppressive capacity. These findings in the context of CD4+ T cells contribute to a better understanding of the transcriptional networks and biological mechanisms controlling CD4+ T cell functionality, which opens new avenues for future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Baßler
- Systems Medicine, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- LIMES-Institute, Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lisa Schmidleithner
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Tarek Elmzzahi
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maren Köhne
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Floess
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rebekka Scholz
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Naganari Ohkura
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Timothy Sadlon
- Molecular Immunology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Norwich Centre, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Kathrin Klee
- LIMES-Institute, Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna Neubauer
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Shimon Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Simon C. Barry
- Molecular Immunology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Norwich Centre, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Bonaguro
- Systems Medicine, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- LIMES-Institute, Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Ulas
- Systems Medicine, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- LIMES-Institute, Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- PRECISE, Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc Beyer
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- PRECISE, Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Pan Y, Yang W, Tang B, Wang X, Zhang Q, Li W, Li L. The protective and pathogenic role of Th17 cell plasticity and function in the tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1192303. [PMID: 37457739 PMCID: PMC10339829 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1192303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
At the turn of the century, researchers discovered a unique subtype of T helper cells that secretes IL-17 and defined it as Th17. The latest study found that Th17 cells play both positive and negative definitive roles in the regulation of antitumor immune responses. Although the function of Th17 in the tumor microenvironment remains poorly understood, more and more studies have shown that this paradoxical dual role is closely related to the plasticity of Th17 cells in recent decades. Further understanding of the characteristics of Th17 cells in the tumor microenvironment could yield novel and useful therapeutic approaches to treat cancer. In this review, we further present the high plasticity of Th17 cells and the function of Th17-producing IL-17 in tumor immunity.
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10
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Ahlberg E, Al-Kaabawi A, Thune R, Simpson MR, Pedersen SA, Cione E, Jenmalm MC, Tingö L. Breast milk microRNAs: Potential players in oral tolerance development. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1154211. [PMID: 36999032 PMCID: PMC10045994 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1154211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast milk is an essential source of nutrition and hydration for the infant. In addition, this highly complex biological fluid contains numerous immunologically active factors such as microorganisms, immunoglobulins, cytokines and microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we set out to predict the function of the top 10 expressed miRNAs in human breast milk, focusing on their relevance in oral tolerance development and allergy prevention in the infant. The top expressed miRNAs in human breast milk were identified on basis of previous peer-reviewed studies gathered from a recent systematic review and an updated literature search. The miRNAs with the highest expression levels in each study were used to identify the 10 most common miRNAs or miRNA families across studies and these were selected for subsequent target prediction. The predictions were performed using TargetScan in combination with the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery. The ten top expressed miRNAs were: let-7-5p family, miR-148a-3p, miR-30-5p family, miR-200a-3p + miR-141-3p, miR-22-3p, miR-181-5p family, miR-146b-5p, miR-378a-3p, miR-29-3p family, miR-200b/c-3p and miR-429-3p. The target prediction identified 3,588 potential target genes and 127 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways; several connected to the immune system, including TGF-b and T cell receptor signaling and T-helper cell differentiation. This review highlights the role of breast milk miRNAs and their potential contribution to infant immune maturation. Indeed, breast milk miRNAs seem to be involved in several pathways that influence oral tolerance development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emelie Ahlberg
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ahmed Al-Kaabawi
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Rebecka Thune
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Melanie Rae Simpson
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sindre Andre Pedersen
- Library Section for Research Support, Data and Analysis, NTNU University Library, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Erika Cione
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maria Christina Jenmalm
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lina Tingö
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Nutrition-Gut-Brain Interactions Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Food and Health Programme, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Lina Tingö,
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Kaljanac M, Abken H. Do Treg Speed Up with CARs? Chimeric Antigen Receptor Treg Engineered to Induce Transplant Tolerance. Transplantation 2023; 107:74-85. [PMID: 36226849 PMCID: PMC9746345 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells (Treg) can induce transplant tolerance in preclinical models by suppressing alloantigen-directed inflammatory responses; clinical translation was so far hampered by the low abundance of Treg with allo-specificity in the peripheral blood. In this situation, ex vivo engineering of Treg with a T-cell receptor (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) provides a cell population with predefined specificity that can be amplified and administered to the patient. In contrast to TCR-engineered Treg, CAR Treg can be redirected toward a broad panel of targets in an HLA-unrestricted fashion' making these cells attractive to provide antigen-specific tolerance toward the transplanted organ. In preclinical models, CAR Treg accumulate and amplify at the targeted transplant, maintain their differentiated phenotype, and execute immune repression more vigorously than polyclonal Treg. With that, CAR Treg are providing hope in establishing allospecific, localized immune tolerance in the long term' and the first clinical trials administering CAR Treg for the treatment of transplant rejection are initiated. Here, we review the current platforms for developing and manufacturing alloantigen-specific CAR Treg and discuss the therapeutic potential and current hurdles in translating CAR Treg into clinical exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcell Kaljanac
- Division Genetic Immunotherapy, and Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Division Genetic Immunotherapy, and Chair Genetic Immunotherapy, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Schmitt EG, Toth KA, Risma SI, Kolicheski A, Saucier N, Berríos RJF, Greenberg ZJ, Leiding JW, Bleesing JJ, Thatayatikom A, Schuettpelz LG, Edwards JR, Vogel TP, Cooper MA. A human STAT3 gain-of-function variant confers T cell dysregulation without predominant Treg dysfunction in mice. JCI Insight 2022; 7:162695. [PMID: 36136607 PMCID: PMC9675480 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162695] [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: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary immune regulatory disorders (PIRD) represent a group of disorders characterized by immune dysregulation, presenting with a wide range of clinical disease, including autoimmunity, autoinflammation, or lymphoproliferation. Autosomal dominant germline gain-of-function (GOF) variants in STAT3 result in a PIRD with a broad clinical spectrum. Studies in patients have documented a decreased frequency of FOXP3+ Tregs and an increased frequency of Th17 cells in some patients with active disease. However, the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis in STAT3 GOF syndrome remain largely unknown, and treatment is challenging. We developed a knock-in mouse model harboring a de novo pathogenic human STAT3 variant (p.G421R) and found these mice developed T cell dysregulation, lymphoproliferation, and CD4+ Th1 cell skewing. Surprisingly, Treg numbers, phenotype, and function remained largely intact; however, mice had a selective deficiency in the generation of iTregs. In parallel, we performed single-cell RNA-Seq on T cells from STAT3 GOF patients. We demonstrate only minor changes in the Treg transcriptional signature and an expanded, effector CD8+ T cell population. Together, these findings suggest that Tregs are not the primary driver of disease and highlight the importance of preclinical models in the study of disease mechanisms in rare PIRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica G. Schmitt
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology
| | - Kelsey A. Toth
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology
| | - Samuel I. Risma
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology
| | - Ana Kolicheski
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology
| | - Nermina Saucier
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology
| | | | - Zev J. Greenberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jennifer W. Leiding
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Jack J. Bleesing
- Division of BM Transplantation and Immune Deficiency, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Laura G. Schuettpelz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Tiphanie P. Vogel
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Megan A. Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology,,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Szukiewicz D. Epigenetic regulation and T-cell responses in endometriosis – something other than autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:943839. [PMID: 35935991 PMCID: PMC9355085 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.943839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-like glands and stroma located outside the uterine cavity. This common, estrogen dependent, inflammatory condition affects up to 15% of reproductive-aged women and is a well-recognized cause of chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Despite the still unknown etiology of endometriosis, much evidence suggests the participation of epigenetic mechanisms in the disease etiopathogenesis. The main rationale is based on the fact that heritable phenotype changes that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence are common triggers for hormonal, immunological, and inflammatory disorders, which play a key role in the formation of endometriotic foci. Epigenetic mechanisms regulating T-cell responses, including DNA methylation and posttranslational histone modifications, deserve attention because tissue-resident T lymphocytes work in concert with organ structural cells to generate appropriate immune responses and are functionally shaped by organ-specific environmental conditions. Thus, a failure to precisely regulate immune cell transcription may result in compromised immunological integrity of the organ with an increased risk of inflammatory disorders. The coexistence of endometriosis and autoimmunity is a well-known occurrence. Recent research results indicate regulatory T-cell (Treg) alterations in endometriosis, and an increased number of highly active Tregs and macrophages have been found in peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis. Elimination of the regulatory function of T cells and an imbalance between T helper cells of the Th1 and Th2 types have been reported in the endometria of women with endometriosis-associated infertility. This review aims to present the state of the art in recognition epigenetic reprogramming of T cells as the key factor in the pathophysiology of endometriosis in the context of T-cell-related autoimmunity. The new potential therapeutic approaches based on epigenetic modulation and/or adoptive transfer of T cells will also be outlined.
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14
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Shi F, Pang X, Li G, Chen Z, Dong M, Wang J. Genetic association study of intron variants in the forkhead box protein P3 gene in Chinese patients diagnosed with cervical cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:2658-2672. [PMID: 35322929 PMCID: PMC9077298 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) intron single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) infection and cervical cancer (CC) malignant lesions. We performed FOXP3 genotyping in 350 patients with CC and 350 healthy controls using the ImLDR multiple single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping technology. The heterozygous mutation TC in rs2294021 decreased the risk of HR-HPV infection and CC malignant lesions (TC vs. TT: OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.51-0.99); the dominant model TC+CC and allele C in rs2294021 decreased the risk of CC malignant lesions (TC+CC vs. TT: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.50-0.95; C vs. T: OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.63-0.97). The heterozygous mutation GA, dominant model GA+AA and allele A in rs3761549 also decreased the risk of HR-HPV infection and CC malignant lesions (GA vs. GG: OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.51-0.96; GA+AA vs. GG: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.51-0.94; A vs. G: OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.58-0.96). Patients with CC and HR-HPV infection carrying rs2294021 TC and rs3761549 GA had lower expression of FOXP3 protein. Haplotype analysis revealed that T-C-A decreased the risk of HR-HPV infection. Furthermore, we found a significant association between immune cells infiltration and prognosis in patients with CC. Our findings demonstrated that rs2294021 and rs3761549 variants may protect against HR-HPV and CC malignant lesions by downregulating FOXP3 and that FOXP3 was associated with immune cells infiltration, which affected the prognosis of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Shi
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseGuangxiChina
| | - Xiao‐xia Pang
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseGuangxiChina
| | - Guang‐jing Li
- Blood Transfusion DepartmentThe Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseGuangxiChina
| | - Zhi‐hong Chen
- Basic Medical CollegeYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseGuangxiChina
| | - Ming‐you Dong
- Medical Laboratory CollegeYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseGuangxiChina
| | - Jun‐li Wang
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseGuangxiChina
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Protective effects of Wuwei Xiaodu Drink against chronic osteomyelitis through Foxp3+CD25+CD4+ Treg cells via the IL-2/STAT5 signaling pathway. Chin J Nat Med 2022; 20:185-193. [DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(22)60146-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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16
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Ghisa M, Savarino V, Buda A, Katzka DA, Savarino E. Toward a potential association between eosinophilic esophagitis and Klinefelter syndrome: a case series and review of the literature. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2022; 15:17562848221076888. [PMID: 35186122 PMCID: PMC8855470 DOI: 10.1177/17562848221076888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is a sex aneuploidy abnormality comprised by one additional X chromosome. It occurs in 1:500-1000 male births. As with women, an increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases is present. We report three cases of coexisting EoE and KS for a prevalence of 2% in our EoE clinic. Possible changes in gene expression in KS are reviewed, some of which may be related to activation of genes located on the X chromosome. We postulate that these X-activated genes in patients with KS yield a greater likelihood of developing EoE because of their genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ghisa
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery,
Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of
Oncological Gastrointestinal Surgery, S. Maria del Prato Hospital, Feltre,
Italy
| | - Vincenzo Savarino
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal
Medicine, University of Genoa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino,
Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Buda
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of
Oncological Gastrointestinal Surgery, S. Maria del Prato Hospital, Feltre,
Italy
| | - David A. Katzka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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McCaffrey TA, Toma I, Yang Z, Katz R, Reiner J, Mazhari R, Shah P, Tackett M, Jones D, Jepson T, Falk Z, Wargodsky R, Shtakalo D, Antonets D, Ertle J, Kim JH, Lai Y, Arslan Z, Aledort E, Alfaraidy M, Laurent GS. RNA sequencing of blood in coronary artery disease: involvement of regulatory T cell imbalance. BMC Med Genomics 2021; 14:216. [PMID: 34479557 PMCID: PMC8414682 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-021-01062-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease had a global prevalence of 523 million cases and 18.6 million deaths in 2019. The current standard for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) is coronary angiography. Surprisingly, despite well-established clinical indications, up to 40% of the one million invasive cardiac catheterizations return a result of 'no blockage'. The present studies employed RNA sequencing of whole blood to identify an RNA signature in patients with angiographically confirmed CAD. METHODS Whole blood RNA was depleted of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and analyzed by single-molecule sequencing of RNA (RNAseq) to identify transcripts associated with CAD (TRACs) in a discovery group of 96 patients presenting for elective coronary catheterization. The resulting transcript counts were compared between groups to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). RESULTS Surprisingly, 98% of DEGs/TRACs were down-regulated ~ 1.7-fold in patients with mild to severe CAD (> 20% stenosis). The TRACs were independent of comorbid risk factors for CAD, such as sex, hypertension, and smoking. Bioinformatic analysis identified an enrichment in transcripts such as FoxP1, ICOSLG, IKZF4/Eos, SMYD3, TRIM28, and TCF3/E2A that are likely markers of regulatory T cells (Treg), consistent with known reductions in Tregs in CAD. A validation cohort of 80 patients confirmed the overall pattern (92% down-regulation) and supported many of the Treg-related changes. TRACs were enriched for transcripts associated with stress granules, which sequester RNAs, and ciliary and synaptic transcripts, possibly consistent with changes in the immune synapse of developing T cells. CONCLUSIONS These studies identify a novel mRNA signature of a Treg-like defect in CAD patients and provides a blueprint for a diagnostic test for CAD. The pattern of changes is consistent with stress-related changes in the maturation of T and Treg cells, possibly due to changes in the immune synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A McCaffrey
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, The George Washington Medical Center, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 443A, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
- The St. Laurent Institute, Vancouver, WA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
- True Bearing Diagnostics, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
| | - Ian Toma
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, The George Washington Medical Center, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 443A, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
- Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
- True Bearing Diagnostics, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Zhaoquing Yang
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, The George Washington Medical Center, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 443A, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Richard Katz
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The George Washington University , Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Jonathan Reiner
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The George Washington University , Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Ramesh Mazhari
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The George Washington University , Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Palak Shah
- Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | | | - Tisha Jepson
- SeqLL, Inc., Woburn, MA, USA
- The St. Laurent Institute, Vancouver, WA, USA
- True Bearing Diagnostics, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Zachary Falk
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, The George Washington Medical Center, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 443A, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Richard Wargodsky
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, The George Washington Medical Center, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 443A, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Dmitry Shtakalo
- A.P. Ershov Institute of Informatics Systems SB RAS, 6, Acad. Lavrentjeva Ave, Novosibirsk, Russia, 630090
| | - Denis Antonets
- A.P. Ershov Institute of Informatics Systems SB RAS, 6, Acad. Lavrentjeva Ave, Novosibirsk, Russia, 630090
| | - Justin Ertle
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, The George Washington Medical Center, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 443A, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Ju H Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The George Washington University , Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Yinglei Lai
- Department of Statistics, Biostatistics Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Zeynep Arslan
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, The George Washington Medical Center, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 443A, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Emily Aledort
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, The George Washington Medical Center, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 443A, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Maha Alfaraidy
- Division of Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, The George Washington Medical Center, The George Washington University, 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 443A, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
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Salminen A. Immunosuppressive network promotes immunosenescence associated with aging and chronic inflammatory conditions. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 99:1553-1569. [PMID: 34432073 PMCID: PMC8384586 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02123-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The functional competence of the immune system gradually declines with aging, a process called immunosenescence. The age-related remodelling of the immune system affects both adaptive and innate immunity. In particular, a chronic low-grade inflammation, termed inflammaging, is associated with the aging process. Immunosenescence not only is present in inflammaging state, but it also occurs in several pathological conditions in conjunction with chronic inflammation. It is known that persistent inflammation stimulates a counteracting compensatory immunosuppression intended to protect host tissues. Inflammatory mediators enhance myelopoiesis and induce the generation of immature myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) which in mutual cooperation stimulates the immunosuppressive network. Immunosuppressive cells, especially MDSCs, regulatory T cells (Treg), and M2 macrophages produce immunosuppressive factors, e.g., TGF-β, IL-10, ROS, arginase-1 (ARG1), and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which suppress the functions of CD4/CD8T and B cells as well as macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells. The immunosuppressive armament (i) inhibits the development and proliferation of immune cells, (ii) decreases the cytotoxic activity of CD8T and NK cells, (iii) prevents antigen presentation and antibody production, and (iv) suppresses responsiveness to inflammatory mediators. These phenotypes are the hallmarks of immunosenescence. Immunosuppressive factors are able to control the chromatin landscape, and thus, it seems that the immunosenescence state is epigenetically regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
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19
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Shimojima Y, Ichikawa T, Kishida D, Takamatsu R, Sekijima Y. Circulating regulatory T cells in adult-onset Still's disease: Focusing on their plasticity and stability. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 206:184-195. [PMID: 34319596 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the characteristics of regulatory T cells in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) with a focus on their plasticity, stability and relationship to disease severity. The proportion of circulating CD4+ CD25+ forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3+ ) cells (Tregs ) and intracellular expression of effector cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-4, was analysed in 27 untreated patients with AOSD (acute AOSD), 11 of the 27 patients after remission and 16 healthy controls (HC) using flow cytometry. The suppressive ability of Tregs was also evaluated. Regression analyses of the results were performed. The proportion of Tregs was significantly lower in patients with acute AOSD than in the HC. The expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-4 in Tregs were significantly increased in patients with acute AOSD. IFN-γ and IL-4 expression levels were inversely correlated with the proportion of Tregs and positively correlated with serum ferritin levels. Decreased expression of FoxP3 in CD4+ CD25+ cells, which was correlated with increased expression of IL-17, and impaired suppressive function were observed in Tregs in acute AOSD. However, these aberrant findings in Tregs , including the reduced circulating proportion and functional ability and altered intracellular expression levels of cytokines and FoxP3, were significantly improved after remission. In acute AOSD, Tregs show plastic changes, including effector cytokine production and reductions in their proportion and functional activity. IFN-γ and IL-4 expression levels in Tregs may be associated with disease severity. Also, down-regulation of FoxP3 may be related to IL-17 expression in Tregs . Importantly, the stability of Tregs can be restored in remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Shimojima
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takanori Ichikawa
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Dai Kishida
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Ryota Takamatsu
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Sekijima
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
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Dixon ML, Leavenworth JD, Leavenworth JW. Lineage Reprogramming of Effector Regulatory T Cells in Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:717421. [PMID: 34394124 PMCID: PMC8355732 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.717421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are important for maintaining self-tolerance and tissue homeostasis. The functional plasticity of Tregs is a key feature of this lineage, as it allows them to adapt to different microenvironments, adopt transcriptional programs reflective of their environments and tailor their suppressive capacity in a context-dependent fashion. Tregs, particularly effector Tregs (eTregs), are abundant in many types of tumors. However, the functional and transcriptional plasticity of eTregs in tumors remain largely to be explored. Although depletion or inhibition of systemic Tregs can enhance anti-tumor responses, autoimmune sequelae have diminished the enthusiasm for such approaches. A more effective approach should specifically target intratumoral Tregs or subvert local Treg-mediated suppression. This mini-review will discuss the reported mechanisms by which the stability and suppressive function of tumoral Tregs are modulated, with the focus on eTregs and a subset of eTregs, follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells, and how to harness this knowledge for the future development of new effective cancer immunotherapies that selectively target the tumor local response while sparing the systemic side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Dixon
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,Graduate Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jonathan D Leavenworth
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jianmei W Leavenworth
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,The O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW DNA methylation is involved in gene transcription and as such important for cellular function. Here, the literature on DNA methylation in relation to acute rejection is summarized with a focus on the potential clinical utility of DNA methylation for monitoring transplant rejection. RECENT FINDINGS The tight transcriptional control of DNA methylation in immune cell function, e.g. demethylation in regulatory T-cell-specific genes for stable immunosuppressive capacities, suggests an important role for DNA methylation variations in the antidonor-directed immune response. Until today, differentially methylated DNA in immune cells, however, has not been described at the moment of allograft rejection. The ability to locus-specific modify DNA methylation could facilitate the generation of stable cells for cellular therapy purposes. The unique cell-specific characteristics of DNA methylation provide the opportunity to identify its cellular origin. Examining methylation of cell-free DNA in blood or urine may serve as a 'liquid biopsy' enabling minimally invasive detection of allograft rejection. SUMMARY Actual research publications on DNA methylation in relation to allograft rejection are scarce, which makes it challenging to determine its potential clinical value. Extensive research is needed to investigate the value of DNA methylation in early recognition, diagnosis, and/or successful treatment of allograft rejection.
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22
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Téllez-Navarrete NA, Ramon-Luing LA, Muñoz-Torrico M, Preciado-García M, Medina-Quero K, Hernandez-Pando R, Chavez-Galan L. Anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy alters TNFR2 expression on CD4+ lymphocytes in both drug-sensitive and -resistant tuberculosis: however, only drug-resistant tuberculosis maintains a pro-inflammatory profile after a long time. Mol Med 2021; 27:76. [PMID: 34261449 PMCID: PMC8278684 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00320-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease. During TB, regulatory T cells (Treg) are related to poor prognosis. However, information about conventional and unconventional Treg (cTreg and uTreg, respectively) is limited. The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and its receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) are necessary for mycobacterial infection, and TNFR2 signalling is required to maintain Treg. Methods A blood sample of drug-susceptible (DS-TB) and drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients was obtained before (basal) and after 2 and 6 months of anti-TB therapy. Expression of TNF, TNFR1, and TNFR2 (transmembrane form, tm) on cTreg, uTreg, activated CD4+ (actCD4+), and CD4+ CD25− (CD4+) T cell subpopulations were evaluated. The main objective was to identify immunological changes associated with sensitive/resistant Mtb strains and with the use of anti-TB therapy. Results We found that after 6 months of anti-TB therapy, both DS- and DR-TB patients have decreased the frequency of cTreg tmTNF+, CD4+ tmTNFR1+ and CD4+ tmTNFR2+. Nevertheless, after 6 months of therapy, only DR-TB patients decreased the frequency of actCD4+ tmTNF+ and actCD4+ tmTNFR2+, exhibited a systemic inflammatory status (high levels of TNF, IFN-γ and IL-12), and their purified CD4+ T cells showed that TNF and TNFR2 are up-regulated at the transcriptional level. Moreover, DS- and DR-TB down-regulated TNFR1 and other proteins associated with Treg (FOXP3 and TGFβ1) in response to the anti-TB therapy. Conclusion These results partially explain the differences in the immune response of DS-TB vs DR-TB. The frequency of actCD4+ tmTNFR2+ cells and inflammatory status should be considered in the follow-up of therapy in DR-TB patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-021-00320-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma A Téllez-Navarrete
- Laboratory of Integrative Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Calzada de Tlalpan No. 4510, CP. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lucero A Ramon-Luing
- Laboratory of Integrative Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Calzada de Tlalpan No. 4510, CP. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marcela Muñoz-Torrico
- Clinic of Tuberculosis, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mario Preciado-García
- Laboratory of Integrative Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Calzada de Tlalpan No. 4510, CP. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karen Medina-Quero
- Laboratory of Immunology, Escuela Militar de Graduados en Sanidad, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rogelio Hernandez-Pando
- Experimental Pathology Section, Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Leslie Chavez-Galan
- Laboratory of Integrative Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Calzada de Tlalpan No. 4510, CP. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
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23
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Guo WW, Su XH, Wang MY, Han MZ, Feng XM, Jiang EL. Regulatory T Cells in GVHD Therapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:697854. [PMID: 34220860 PMCID: PMC8250864 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.697854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a common complication and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Pharmacological immunosuppression used in GVHD prophylaxis and treatment lacks specificity and can increase the likelihood of infection and relapse. Regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) play a vital role in restraining excessive immune responses and inducing peripheral immune tolerance. In particular, clinical trials have demonstrated that Tregs can prevent and treat GVHD, without increasing the risk of relapse and infection. Hence, adoptive transfer of Tregs to control GVHD using their immunosuppressive properties represents a promising therapeutic approach. To optimally apply Tregs for control of GVHD, a thorough understanding of their biology is necessary. In this review, we describe the biological characteristics of Tregs, including how the stability of FOXP3 expression can be maintained. We will also discuss the mechanisms underlying Tregs-mediated modulation of GVHD and approaches to effectively increase Tregs’ numbers. Finally, we will examine the developing trends in the use of Tregs for clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Hospital of Blood Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiu-Hua Su
- School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ming-Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Hospital of Blood Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Ming-Zhe Han
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Hospital of Blood Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Hospital of Blood Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Er-Lie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Hospital of Blood Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
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24
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Lu J, Wang W, Li P, Wang X, Gao C, Zhang B, Du X, Liu Y, Yang Y, Qi F. MiR-146a regulates regulatory T cells to suppress heart transplant rejection in mice. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:165. [PMID: 34226512 PMCID: PMC8257678 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00534-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which characteristically express forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3), are essential for the induction of immune tolerance. Here, we investigated microRNA-146a (miR-146a), a miRNA that is widely expressed in Tregs and closely related to their homeostasis and function, with the aim of enhancing the function of Tregs by regulating miR-146a and then suppressing transplant rejection. The effect of the absence of miR-146a on Treg function in the presence or absence of rapamycin was detected in both a mouse heart transplantation model and cell co-cultures in vitro. The absence of miR-146a exerted a mild tissue-protective effect by transiently prolonging allograft survival and reducing the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells into the allografts. Meanwhile, the absence of miR-146a increased Treg expansion but impaired the ability of Tregs to restrict T helper cell type 1 (Th1) responses. A miR-146a deficiency combined with interferon (IFN)-γ blockade repaired the impaired Treg function, further prolonged allograft survival, and alleviated rejection. Importantly, miR-146a regulated Tregs mainly through the IFN-γ/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 pathway, which is implicated in Treg function to inhibit Th1 responses. Our data suggest miR-146a controls a specific aspect of Treg function, and modulation of miR-146a may enhance Treg efficacy in alleviating heart transplant rejection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Baodi Clinical College, Guangchuan Road, Tianjin, 301800, China
| | - Peiyuan Li
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Baotong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xuezhi Du
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Feng Qi
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Anshan Road, Tianjin, 300052, China.
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25
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Melnik BC, Stremmel W, Weiskirchen R, John SM, Schmitz G. Exosome-Derived MicroRNAs of Human Milk and Their Effects on Infant Health and Development. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11060851. [PMID: 34200323 PMCID: PMC8228670 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple biologically active components of human milk support infant growth, health and development. Milk provides a wide spectrum of mammary epithelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MEVs) for the infant. Although the whole spectrum of MEVs appears to be of functional importance for the growing infant, the majority of recent studies report on the MEV subfraction of milk exosomes (MEX) and their miRNA cargo, which are in the focus of this review. MEX and the dominant miRNA-148a play a key role in intestinal maturation, barrier function and suppression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling and may thus be helpful for the prevention and treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis. MEX and their miRNAs reach the systemic circulation and may impact epigenetic programming of various organs including the liver, thymus, brain, pancreatic islets, beige, brown and white adipose tissue as well as bones. Translational evidence indicates that MEX and their miRNAs control the expression of global cellular regulators such as DNA methyltransferase 1-which is important for the up-regulation of developmental genes including insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, α-synuclein and forkhead box P3-and receptor-interacting protein 140, which is important for the regulation of multiple nuclear receptors. MEX-derived miRNA-148a and miRNA-30b may stimulate the expression of uncoupling protein 1, the key inducer of thermogenesis converting white into beige/brown adipose tissue. MEX have to be considered as signalosomes derived from the maternal lactation genome emitted to promote growth, maturation, immunological and metabolic programming of the offspring. Deeper insights into milk's molecular biology allow the conclusion that infants are both "breast-fed" and "breast-programmed". In this regard, MEX miRNA-deficient artificial formula is not an adequate substitute for breastfeeding, the birthright of all mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodo C. Melnik
- Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-5241-988060
| | - Wolfgang Stremmel
- Private Praxis for Internal Medicine, Beethovenstraße 2, D-76530 Baden-Baden, Germany;
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH University Hospital Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Swen Malte John
- Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany;
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatological Prevention and Rehabilitation (iDerm), University of Osnabrück, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Gerd Schmitz
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Regensburg, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany;
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26
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Waldmann H. Regulatory T cells and transplantation tolerance: Emerging from the darkness? Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1580-1591. [PMID: 33961297 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The field of tissue transplantation has revolutionized the treatment of patients with failing organs. Its success, thus far, has depended on combinations of immunosuppressive drugs that damp host immunity, while also imposing numerous unwanted side-effects. There is a longstanding recognition that better treatment outcomes, will come from replacing these drugs, fully or in part, by taking advantage of tractable physiological mechanisms of self-tolerance. The past 50 years have seen many advances in the field of self-tolerance, but perhaps, the most tractable of these has been the more recent discovery of a subset T-cells (Treg) whose role is to regulate or damp immunity. This article is intended to first provide the reader with some historical background to explain why we have been slow to identify these cells, despite numerous clues to their existence, and also to indicate how little we know about how they achieve their regulatory function in averting transplant rejection. However, as is often the case in immunology, the therapeutic needs often dictate that our advances move to translation even before detailed explanations of the science are available. The final part of the article will briefly summarize how Treg are being harnessed as agents to interface with or perhaps, replace current drug combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Waldmann
- Sir William Dunn School, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX13RE, UK
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27
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Wiechers C, Zou M, Galvez E, Beckstette M, Ebel M, Strowig T, Huehn J, Pezoldt J. The microbiota is dispensable for the early stages of peripheral regulatory T cell induction within mesenteric lymph nodes. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:1211-1221. [PMID: 33762684 PMCID: PMC8093251 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00647-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal Foxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) subsets are crucial players in tolerance to microbiota-derived and food-borne antigens, and compelling evidence suggests that the intestinal microbiota modulates their generation, functional specialization, and maintenance. Selected bacterial species and microbiota-derived metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been reported to promote Treg homeostasis in the intestinal lamina propria. Furthermore, gut-draining mesenteric lymph nodes (mLNs) are particularly efficient sites for the generation of peripherally induced Tregs (pTregs). Despite this knowledge, the direct role of the microbiota and their metabolites in the early stages of pTreg induction within mLNs is not fully elucidated. Here, using an adoptive transfer-based pTreg induction system, we demonstrate that neither transfer of a dysbiotic microbiota nor dietary SCFA supplementation modulated the pTreg induction capacity of mLNs. Even mice housed under germ-free (GF) conditions displayed equivalent pTreg induction within mLNs. Further molecular characterization of these de novo induced pTregs from mLNs by dissection of their transcriptomes and accessible chromatin regions revealed that the microbiota indeed has a limited impact and does not contribute to the initialization of the Treg-specific epigenetic landscape. Overall, our data suggest that the microbiota is dispensable for the early stages of pTreg induction within mLNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Wiechers
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mangge Zou
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Eric Galvez
- Department Microbial Immune Regulation, 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
| | - Maria Ebel
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Till Strowig
- Department Microbial Immune Regulation, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Joern Pezoldt
- Department Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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28
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Hong SH, Kim HJ, Kang SJ, Park CG. Novel Immunomodulatory Approaches for Porcine Islet Xenotransplantation. Curr Diab Rep 2021; 21:3. [PMID: 33433735 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-020-01368-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Porcine islet xenotransplantation is a promising alternative to overcome the shortage of organ donors. For the successful application of islet xenotransplantation, robust immune/inflammatory responses against porcine islets should be thoroughly controlled. Over the last few decades, there have been numerous attempts to surmount xenogeneic immune barriers. In this review, we summarize the current progress in immunomodulatory therapy for the clinical application of porcine islet xenotransplantation. RECENT FINDINGS Long-term graft survival of porcine islets was achieved by using anti-CD154 Ab-based regimens in a preclinical non-human primate (NHP) model. However, owing to a serious complication of thromboembolism in clinical trials, the development of an anti-CD154 Ab-sparing immunosuppressant procedure is required. The efficacy of new immunosuppressive practices that employ anti-CD40 Abs or other immunosuppressive reagents has been tested in a NHP model to realize their utility in porcine islet xenotransplantation. The recent progress in the development of immunomodulatory approaches, including the immunosuppressive regimen, which enables long-term graft survival in a pig-to-non-human primate islet xenotransplantation model, with their potential clinical applicability was reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Hee Hong
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Je Kim
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seong-Jun Kang
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chung-Gyu Park
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Xenotransplantation Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea.
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29
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Kressler C, Gasparoni G, Nordström K, Hamo D, Salhab A, Dimitropoulos C, Tierling S, Reinke P, Volk HD, Walter J, Hamann A, Polansky JK. Targeted De-Methylation of the FOXP3-TSDR Is Sufficient to Induce Physiological FOXP3 Expression but Not a Functional Treg Phenotype. Front Immunol 2021; 11:609891. [PMID: 33488615 PMCID: PMC7817622 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.609891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key mediators of immunological tolerance and promising effector cells for immuno-suppressive adoptive cellular therapy to fight autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. Their functional stability is critical for their clinical utility and has been correlated to the demethylated state of the TSDR/CNS2 enhancer element in the Treg lineage transcription factor FOXP3. However, proof for a causal contribution of the TSDR de-methylation to FOXP3 stability and Treg induction is so far lacking. We here established a powerful transient-transfection CRISPR-Cas9-based epigenetic editing method for the selective de-methylation of the TSDR within the endogenous chromatin environment of a living cell. The induced de-methylated state was stable over weeks in clonal T cell proliferation cultures even after expression of the editing complex had ceased. Epigenetic editing of the TSDR resulted in FOXP3 expression, even in its physiological isoform distribution, proving a causal role for the de-methylated TSDR in FOXP3 regulation. However, successful FOXP3 induction was not associated with a switch towards a functional Treg phenotype, in contrast to what has been reported from FOXP3 overexpression approaches. Thus, TSDR de-methylation is required, but not sufficient for a stable Treg phenotype induction. Therefore, targeted demethylation of the TSDR may be a critical addition to published in vitro Treg induction protocols which so far lack FOXP3 stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Kressler
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Immuno-Epigenetics, German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Karl Nordström
- Genetics/Epigenetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Dania Hamo
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Immuno-Epigenetics, German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Sascha Tierling
- Genetics/Epigenetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Petra Reinke
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Volk
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Genetics/Epigenetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Alf Hamann
- Immuno-Epigenetics, German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia K Polansky
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Immuno-Epigenetics, German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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30
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Grover P, Goel PN, Piccirillo CA, Greene MI. FOXP3 and Tip60 Structural Interactions Relevant to IPEX Development Lead to Potential Therapeutics to Increase FOXP3 Dependent Suppressor T Cell Functions. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:607292. [PMID: 33614551 PMCID: PMC7888439 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.607292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and are critical mediators of immune tolerance. The Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) protein acts as a regulator for Treg development and function. Mutations in the FOXP3 gene can lead to autoimmune diseases such as Immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, and X-linked (IPEX) syndrome in humans, often resulting in death within the first 2 years of life and a scurfy like phenotype in Foxp3 mutant mice. We discuss biochemical features of the FOXP3 ensemble including its regulation at various levels (epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-translational modifications) and molecular functions. The studies also highlight the interactions of FOXP3 and Tat-interacting protein 60 (Tip60), a principal histone acetylase enzyme that acetylates FOXP3 and functions as an essential subunit of the FOXP3 repression ensemble complex. Lastly, we have emphasized the role of allosteric modifiers that help stabilize FOXP3:Tip60 interactions and discuss targeting this interaction for the therapeutic manipulation of Treg activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Grover
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Peeyush N Goel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ciriaco A Piccirillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mark I Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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31
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Building a CAR-Treg: Going from the basic to the luxury model. Cell Immunol 2020; 358:104220. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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32
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Qiu R, Zhou L, Ma Y, Zhou L, Liang T, Shi L, Long J, Yuan D. Regulatory T Cell Plasticity and Stability and Autoimmune Diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2020; 58:52-70. [PMID: 30449014 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-018-8721-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a class of CD4+ T cells with immunosuppressive functions that play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis. However, in certain disease settings, Tregs demonstrate plastic differentiation, and the stability of these Tregs, which is characterized by the stable expression or protective epigenetic modifications of the transcription factor Foxp3, becomes abnormal. Plastic Tregs have some features of helper T (Th) cells, such as the secretion of Th-related cytokines and the expression of specific transcription factors in Th cells, but also still retain the expression of Foxp3, a feature of Tregs. Although such Th-like Tregs can secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, they still possess a strong ability to inhibit specific Th cell responses. Therefore, the plastic differentiation of Tregs not only increases the complexity of the immune circumstances under pathological conditions, especially autoimmune diseases, but also shows an association with changes in the stability of Tregs. The plastic differentiation and stability change of Tregs play vital roles in the progression of diseases. This review focuses on the phenotypic characteristics, functions, and formation conditions of several plastic Tregs and also summarizes the changes of Treg stability and their effects on inhibitory function. Additionally, the effects of Treg plasticity and stability on disease prognosis for several autoimmune diseases were also investigated in order to better understand the relationship between Tregs and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyu Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanjing Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingling Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Long
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dongping Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
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33
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Andersen L, Gülich AF, Alteneder M, Preglej T, Orola MJ, Dhele N, Stolz V, Schebesta A, Hamminger P, Hladik A, Floess S, Krausgruber T, Faux T, Andrabi SBA, Huehn J, Knapp S, Sparwasser T, Bock C, Laiho A, Elo LL, Rasool O, Lahesmaa R, Sakaguchi S, Ellmeier W. The Transcription Factor MAZR/PATZ1 Regulates the Development of FOXP3 + Regulatory T Cells. Cell Rep 2020; 29:4447-4459.e6. [PMID: 31875552 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box protein P3+ (FOXP3+) regulatory T cells (Treg cells) play a key role in maintaining tolerance and immune homeostasis. Here, we report that a T cell-specific deletion of the transcription factor MAZR (also known as PATZ1) leads to an increased frequency of Treg cells, while enforced MAZR expression impairs Treg cell differentiation. Further, MAZR expression levels are progressively downregulated during thymic Treg cell development and during in-vitro-induced human Treg cell differentiation, suggesting that MAZR protein levels are critical for controlling Treg cell development. However, MAZR-deficient Treg cells show only minor transcriptional changes ex vivo, indicating that MAZR is not essential for establishing the transcriptional program of peripheral Treg cells. Finally, the loss of MAZR reduces the clinical score in dextran-sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis, suggesting that MAZR activity in T cells controls the extent of intestinal inflammation. Together, these data indicate that MAZR is part of a Treg cell-intrinsic transcriptional network that modulates Treg cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liisa Andersen
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Franziska Gülich
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marlis Alteneder
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Teresa Preglej
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Jonah Orola
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Narendra Dhele
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Valentina Stolz
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Schebesta
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Hamminger
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anastasiya Hladik
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Floess
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas Krausgruber
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Faux
- Medical Bioinformatics Centre, Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Syed Bilal Ahmad Andrabi
- Molecular Systems Immunology, Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sylvia Knapp
- Laboratory of Infection Biology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tim Sparwasser
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Asta Laiho
- Medical Bioinformatics Centre, Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Laura L Elo
- Medical Bioinformatics Centre, Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Omid Rasool
- Molecular Systems Immunology, Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Riitta Lahesmaa
- Molecular Systems Immunology, Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Shinya Sakaguchi
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wilfried Ellmeier
- Division of Immunobiology, Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Chen J, Jiang J, Liu Y, Ye Y, Ma Y, Cen Y, Chen W, Wang S, Yang G, Zhang A. Arsenite induces dysfunction of regulatory T cells through acetylation control of the Foxp3 promoter. Hum Exp Toxicol 2020; 40:35-46. [PMID: 32735129 DOI: 10.1177/0960327120934533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic is known to cause damage to the body's immune system by inducing epigenetic changes. However, the molecular mechanism of this damage remains elusive. Here, we report that arsenic disrupts the morphology of lymphocytes, decreases cell viability, and results in abnormal proportions of T lymphocyte subsets. Moreover, our results revealed that arsenic can reduce global acetylation of histone H4 at K16 (H4K16 ac) in lymphocytes via decreasing the level of males absent on the first but upregulates mRNA and protein levels of the forkhead/winged-helix box P3 (Foxp3) gene by increasing the acetylation of histone H4 at K16 (H4K16) at the promoter of Foxp3. Finally, arsenic-induced dysfunction of regulatory T cells (Tregs) could be ameliorated by trichostatin A. Our research indicates that arsenic-induced immunosuppressive effect in human lymphocytes may be related to the acetylation of H4K16 at the promoter of Foxp3 and that histone deacetylase inhibitors may play a role in the prevention and treatment of immune injury caused by arsenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - J Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Y Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Y Ye
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Y Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Y Cen
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - W Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - S Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - G Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - A Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, School of Public Health, 74628Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Rojas C, Campos-Mora M, Cárcamo I, Villalón N, Elhusseiny A, Contreras-Kallens P, Refisch A, Gálvez-Jirón F, Emparán I, Montoya-Riveros A, Vernal R, Pino-Lagos K. T regulatory cells-derived extracellular vesicles and their contribution to the generation of immune tolerance. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:813-824. [PMID: 32531824 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3mr0420-533rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
T regulatory (Treg) cells have a major role in the maintenance of immune tolerance against self and foreign antigens through the control of harmful inflammation. Treg cells exert immunosuppressive function by several mechanisms, which can be distinguished as contact dependent or independent. Recently, the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by Treg cells has been reported as a novel suppressive mechanism capable of modulating immunity in a cell-contact independent and targeted manner, which has been identified in different pathologic scenarios. EVs are cell-derived membranous structures involved in physiologic and pathologic processes through protein, lipid, and genetic material exchange, which allow intercellular communication. In this review, we revise and discuss current knowledge on Treg cells-mediated immune tolerance giving special attention to the production and release of EVs. Multiple studies support that Treg cells-derived EVs represent a refined intercellular exchange device with the capacity of modulating immune responses, thus creating a tolerogenic microenvironment in a cell-free manner. The mechanisms proposed encompass miRNAs-induced gene silencing, the action of surface proteins and the transmission of enzymes. These observations gain relevance by the fact that Treg cells are susceptible to converting into effector T cells after exposition to inflammatory environments. Yet, in contrast to their cells of origin, EVs are unlikely to be modified under inflammatory conditions, highlighting the advantage of their use. Moreover, we speculate in the possibility that Treg cells may contribute to infectious tolerance via vesicle secretion, intervening with CD4+ T cells differentiation and/or stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Rojas
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile.,Periodontal Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio Campos-Mora
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ignacio Cárcamo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Villalón
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ahmed Elhusseiny
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pamina Contreras-Kallens
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aarón Refisch
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Gálvez-Jirón
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ivana Emparán
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andro Montoya-Riveros
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rolando Vernal
- Periodontal Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karina Pino-Lagos
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
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Liu Q, Du F, Huang W, Ding X, Wang Z, Yan F, Wu Z. Epigenetic control of Foxp3 in intratumoral T-cells regulates growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 11:2343-2351. [PMID: 31006654 PMCID: PMC6520002 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Capability of tumor cells to impede immune response are largely associated with their interaction and regulation of CD4+CD25+ forkhead box transcription factor (Foxp)3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, which suppress cytotoxic T cell-mediated immunity in the tumor microenvironment. Foxp3 level is critical for development and phenotypic maintenance of Treg, and is regulated by transcriptional control and epigenetic modification. Here, we showed that higher percentage of intratumoral Treg cells was positively correlated with lower Foxp3 promoter methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and both of them were associated with higher tumor grade, larger tumors, and poor prognosis of the patients. We used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying either DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) or shDNMT1 under a CD4 promoter (AAV-pCD4-DNMT1, AAV-pCD4-shDNMT1) to successfully target T-cells and alter the levels of DNMT1. Intratumoral injection of AAV- pCD4-DNMT1 significantly reduced tumor growth in mice, while intratumoral injection of AAV- pCD4-DNMT1 significantly induced tumor growth, compared to injection of control AAV. Finally, the effects of altering DNMT1 levels in T-cells seemed to affect tumor growth through alteration of methylation status of Foxp3 on promoter and CpG regions. Together, these data suggest that epigenetic control of Foxp3 in intratumoral T cells regulates growth of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Du
- Department of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyi Ding
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongmin Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fuhua Yan
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Li Q, Li J, Wang S, Wang J, Chen X, Zhou D, Fang Y, Gao A, Sun Y. Overexpressed immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT) 4 in lung adenocarcinoma is correlated with immunosuppressive T cell subset infiltration and poor patient outcomes. Biomark Res 2020; 8:11. [PMID: 32368343 PMCID: PMC7191800 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-020-00191-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The poor response to current PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in lung cancer patients requires development of novel immunotargets. Immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)4 is an immunosuppressive molecule mainly expressed in myeloid innate cells. Recent studies showed that ILT4 was highly expressed in multiple malignant cells and regulated tumor biologies including proliferation, invasion and metastasis. However, the immunomodulatory role of tumor cell-derived ILT4 is unclear. Here we aimed to analyze the correlation of tumor cell ILT4 expression with T cell infiltration and subset distribution, illustrate ILT4-regulated immunosuppressive microenvironment, and raise tumor cell-derived ILT4 as a novel immunotherapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. Methods We collected the tissue samples and corresponding clinicopathological data from 216 primary LUAD patients. Using immunohistochemical staining and public database analyses we investigated the relationship between ILT4 expression and different T cell subset density as well as patient outcomes. Results Enriched ILT4 expression in tumor cells of LUAD tissues indicated reduced T cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment (TME), advanced diseases and poor patient overall survival (OS). Further T cell subset analyses revealed that ILT4 expression was correlated with decreased CD8+T cell and increased Treg frequency in both cancer nest and stroma, but not with altered CD4+T cell frequency. High ILT4 level combined with low CD8+T cell/high Treg density predicted markedly poorer clinical outcomes compared with any of these biomarkers alone. Conclusions Tumor cell-derived ILT4 is correlated with immunosuppressive T cell subset infiltration and poor clinical outcomes, and might be a potential immunotherapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for LUAD patients. Combined ILT4 expression and CD8+ T cell/Treg frequency in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are stronger predictors for patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- 1Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China.,2Department of Oncology, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, 264000 Shandong P.R. China
| | - Juan Li
- 1Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China.,3Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Shuyun Wang
- 1Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China.,3Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Jingnan Wang
- 1Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China.,3Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Xiaozheng Chen
- 1Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Dongmei Zhou
- 2Department of Oncology, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, 264000 Shandong P.R. China
| | - Yuying Fang
- 1Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Aiqin Gao
- 1Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China.,3Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China
| | - Yuping Sun
- 1Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China.,3Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250013 Shandong P. R. China
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Hanaoka H, Nishimoto T, Okazaki Y, Takeuchi T, Kuwana M. A unique thymus-derived regulatory T cell subset associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:88. [PMID: 32317002 PMCID: PMC7171795 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02183-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Foxp3 is a marker for regulatory T cells (Treg cells), but recent studies have shown the plasticity and heterogeneity of CD4+Foxp3+ T cells. This study aimed to examine the phenotype and function of circulating CD4+Foxp3+ T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods We enrolled 47 patients with SLE, 31 with organ-specific autoimmune diseases (15 with multiple sclerosis and 16 with primary immune thrombocytopenia), and 19 healthy subjects. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to evaluate the proportion and phenotype of CD4+Foxp3+ cells using multicolor flow cytometry, the status of the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) of the foxp3 gene by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and the immunoregulatory function of CD4+CD25+ cells by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Immunohistochemistry of renal biopsy specimens obtained from 6 patients with lupus nephritis and 5 with IgA nephropathy was conducted to detect IL-17A-expressing CD4+Foxp3+ cells. Results CD4+Foxp3+ T cells were increased in SLE patients compared with organ-specific autoimmune disease controls or healthy controls. Circulating CD4+Foxp3+ T cells were correlated with the disease activity of SLE. The increased CD4+Foxp3+ T cells in active SLE patients were mainly derived from thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) cells, as determined by a demethylated TSDR status, and represented a unique phenotype, upregulated expression of CD49d, CD161, and IL-17A, with immunosuppressive ability comparable to that of healthy controls. Finally, CD4+Foxp3+IL-17A+ cells were infiltrated into the renal biopsy specimens of patients with active lupus nephritis. Conclusions A unique tTreg subset with dichotomic immunoregulatory and T helper 17 phenotypes is increased in the circulation of SLE patients and may be involved in the pathogenic process of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironari Hanaoka
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Nishimoto
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yuka Okazaki
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takeuchi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan. .,Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan.
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Histone Deacetylation Inhibitors as Modulators of Regulatory T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072356. [PMID: 32235291 PMCID: PMC7177531 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important mediators of immunological self-tolerance and homeostasis. Being cluster of differentiation 4+Forkhead box protein3+ (CD4+FOXP3+), these cells are a subset of CD4+ T lymphocytes and can originate from the thymus (tTregs) or from the periphery (pTregs). The malfunction of CD4+ Tregs is associated with autoimmune responses such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes (T1D), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and transplant rejection. Recent evidence supports an opposed role in sepsis. Therefore, maintaining functional Tregs is considered as a therapy regimen to prevent autoimmunity and allograft rejection, whereas blocking Treg differentiation might be favorable in sepsis patients. It has been shown that Tregs can be generated from conventional naïve T cells, called iTregs, due to their induced differentiation. Moreover, Tregs can be effectively expanded in vitro based on blood-derived tTregs. Taking into consideration that the suppressive role of Tregs has been mainly attributed to the expression and function of the transcription factor Foxp3, modulating its expression and binding to the promoter regions of target genes by altering the chromatin histone acetylation state may turn out beneficial. Hence, we discuss the role of histone deacetylation inhibitors as epigenetic modulators of Tregs in this review in detail.
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Colamatteo A, Carbone F, Bruzzaniti S, Galgani M, Fusco C, Maniscalco GT, Di Rella F, de Candia P, De Rosa V. Molecular Mechanisms Controlling Foxp3 Expression in Health and Autoimmunity: From Epigenetic to Post-translational Regulation. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3136. [PMID: 32117202 PMCID: PMC7008726 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the transcription factor Forkhead box-p3 (Foxp3) has shed fundamental insights into the understanding of the molecular determinants leading to generation and maintenance of T regulatory (Treg) cells, a cell population with a key immunoregulatory role. Work over the past few years has shown that fine-tuned transcriptional and epigenetic events are required to ensure stable expression of Foxp3 in Treg cells. The equilibrium between phenotypic plasticity and stability of Treg cells is controlled at the molecular level by networks of transcription factors that bind regulatory sequences, such as enhancers and promoters, to regulate Foxp3 expression. Recent reports have suggested that specific modifications of DNA and histones are required for the establishment of the chromatin structure in conventional CD4+ T (Tconv) cells for their future differentiation into the Treg cell lineage. In this review, we discuss the molecular events that control Foxp3 gene expression and address the associated alterations observed in human diseases. Also, we explore how Foxp3 influences the gene expression programs in Treg cells and how unique properties of Treg cell subsets are defined by other transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Colamatteo
- Treg Cell Laboratory, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Fortunata Carbone
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per L'Endocrinologia e L'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Naples, Italy.,Unità di NeuroImmunologia, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Bruzzaniti
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per L'Endocrinologia e L'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Galgani
- Treg Cell Laboratory, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per L'Endocrinologia e L'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Clorinda Fusco
- Treg Cell Laboratory, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco
- Dipartimento di Neurologia, Centro Regionale Sclerosi Multipla, Azienda Ospedaliera "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Rella
- Clinical and Experimental Senology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Veronica De Rosa
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per L'Endocrinologia e L'Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Naples, Italy.,Unità di NeuroImmunologia, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Foxp3-expressing CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells play key roles in the prevention of autoimmunity and the maintenance of immune homeostasis and represent a major barrier to the induction of robust antitumor immune responses. Thus, a clear understanding of the mechanisms coordinating Treg cell differentiation is crucial for understanding numerous facets of health and disease and for developing approaches to modulate Treg cells for clinical benefit. Here, we discuss current knowledge of the signals that coordinate Treg cell development, the antigen-presenting cell types that direct Treg cell selection, and the nature of endogenous Treg cell ligands, focusing on evidence from studies in mice. We also highlight recent advances in this area and identify key unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Savage
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA; , ,
| | - David E J Klawon
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA; , ,
| | - Christine H Miller
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA; , ,
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Salminen A. Activation of immunosuppressive network in the aging process. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 57:100998. [PMID: 31838128 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2019.100998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic low-grade inflammation has a key role in the aging process, a state called inflammaging. It is known that the chronic inflammatory condition generates counteracting immunosuppressive state in many diseases. Inflammaging is also associated with an immune deficiency; generally termed as immunosenescence, although it is not known whether it represents the senescence of immune cells or the active remodeling of immune system. Evidence has accumulated since the 1970's indicating that immunosenescence might be caused by an increased activity of immunosuppressive cells rather than cellular senescence. Immune cells display remarkable plasticity; many of these cells can express both proinflammatory and immunosuppressive phenotypes in a context-dependent manner. The immunosuppressive network involves the regulatory subtypes of T (Treg) and B (Breg) cells as well as regulatory phenotypes of macrophages (Mreg), dendritic (DCreg), natural killer (NKreg), and type II natural killer T (NKT) cells. The immunosuppressive network also includes monocytic (M-MDSC) and polymorphonuclear (PMN-MDSC) myeloid-derived suppressor cells which are immature myeloid cells induced by inflammatory mediators. This co-operative network is stimulated in chronic inflammatory conditions preventing excessive inflammatory responses but at the same time they exert harmful effects on the immune system and tissue homeostasis. Recent studies have revealed that the aging process is associated with the activation of immunosuppressive network, especially the functions of MDSCs, Tregs, and Mregs are increased. I will briefly review the properties of the regulatory phenotypes of immune cells and examine in detail the evidences for an activation of immunosuppressive network with aging.
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Park SH, Ham S, Lee A, Möller A, Kim TS. NLRP3 negatively regulates Treg differentiation through Kpna2-mediated nuclear translocation. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:17951-17961. [PMID: 31597697 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Naïve CD4+ T cells in the periphery differentiate into regulatory T cells (Tregs) in which Foxp3 is expressed for their suppressive function. NLRP3, a pro-inflammatory molecule, is known to be involved in inflammasome activation associated with several diseases. Recently, the expression of NLRP3 in CD4+ T cells, as well as in myeloid cells, has been described; however, a role of T cell-intrinsic NLRP3 in Treg differentiation remains unknown. Here, we report that NLRP3 impeded the expression of Foxp3 independent of inflammasome activation in Tregs. NLRP3-deficient mice elevate Treg generation in various organs in the de novo pathway. NLRP3 deficiency increased the amount and suppressive activity of Treg populations, whereas NLRP3 overexpression reduced Foxp3 expression and Treg abundance. Importantly, NLRP3 interacted with Kpna2 and translocated to the nucleus from the cytoplasm under Treg-polarizing conditions. Taken together, our results identify a novel role for NLRP3 as a new negative regulator of Treg differentiation, mediated via its interaction with Kpna2 for nuclear translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Ho Park
- Division of Life Science, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunyoung Ham
- Tumour Microenvironment Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.,Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Arim Lee
- Division of Life Science, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Andreas Möller
- Tumour Microenvironment Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.,Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Tae Sung Kim
- Division of Life Science, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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44
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Sun X, Cui Y, Feng H, Liu H, Liu X. TGF-β signaling controls Foxp3 methylation and T reg cell differentiation by modulating Uhrf1 activity. J Exp Med 2019; 216:2819-2837. [PMID: 31515281 PMCID: PMC6888975 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20190550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (T reg) cells are required for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Both TGF-β signaling and epigenetic modifications are important for Foxp3 induction, but how TGF-β signaling participates in the epigenetic regulation of Foxp3 remains largely unknown. Here we showed that T cell-specific ablation of Uhrf1 resulted in T reg-biased differentiation in TCR-stimulated naive T cells in the absence of TGF-β signaling, and these Foxp3+ T cells had a suppressive function. Adoptive transfer of Uhrf1 -/- naive T cells could significantly suppress colitis due to increased iT reg cell generation. Mechanistically, Uhrf1 was induced upon TCR stimulation and participated in the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns of T reg cell-specific genes during cell division, while it was phosphorylated upon TGF-β stimulation and sequestered outside the nucleus, and ultimately underwent proteasome-dependent degradation. Collectively, our study reveals a novel epigenetic mechanism of TGF-β-mediated iT reg cell differentiation by modulating Uhrf1 activity and suggests that Uhrf1 may be a potential therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases for generating stable iT reg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyun Feng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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45
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Drashansky TT, Helm E, Huo Z, Curkovic N, Kumar P, Luo X, Parthasarathy U, Zuniga A, Cho JJ, Lorentsen KJ, Xu Z, Uddin M, Moshkani S, Zhou L, Avram D. Bcl11b prevents fatal autoimmunity by promoting T reg cell program and constraining innate lineages in T reg cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw0480. [PMID: 31457080 PMCID: PMC6685710 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw0480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for peripheral tolerance and rely on the transcription factor (TF) Foxp3 for their generation and function. Several other TFs are critical for the Treg cell program. We found that mice deficient in Bcl11b TF solely in Treg cells developed fatal autoimmunity, and Bcl11b-deficient Treg cells had severely altered function. Bcl11b KO Treg cells showed decreased functional marker levels in homeostatic conditions, inflammation, and tumors. Bcl11b controlled expression of essential Treg program genes at steady state and in inflammation. Bcl11b bound to genomic regulatory regions of Treg program genes in both human and mouse Treg cells, overlapping with Foxp3 binding; these genes showed altered chromatin accessibility in the absence of Bcl11b. Additionally, Bcl11b restrained myeloid and NK cell programs in Treg cells. Our study provides new mechanistic insights on the Treg cell program and identity control, with major implications for therapies in autoimmunity and cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Autoimmunity
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cell Lineage
- Colitis/etiology
- Colitis/immunology
- Colitis/pathology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/mortality
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Female
- Fetus/immunology
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Humans
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Male
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/mortality
- Melanoma, Experimental/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Protein Binding
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/metabolism
- Skin/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore T. Drashansky
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Eric Helm
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Nina Curkovic
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Preet Kumar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Upasana Parthasarathy
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ashley Zuniga
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jonathan J. Cho
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Kyle J. Lorentsen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Zhiwei Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mohammad Uddin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | | | - Liang Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Dorina Avram
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Corresponding author.
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46
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Ryba-Stanisławowska M, Sakowska J, Zieliński M, Ławrynowicz U, Trzonkowski P. Regulatory T cells: the future of autoimmune disease treatment. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2019; 15:777-789. [PMID: 31104510 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2019.1620602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: CD4 + T regulatory cells (Tregs) have been described as the most potent immunosuppressive cells in the human body. They have been found to control autoimmunity, and clinical attempts have been made to apply them to treat autoimmune diseases. Some specific pathways utilized by Tregs in the regulation of immune response or Tregs directly as cellular products are tested in the clinic. Areas covered: Here, we present recent advances in the research on the biology and clinical applications of Tregs in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Expert opinion: Regulatory T cells seem to be a promising tool for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The development of both cell-based therapies and modern pharmacotherapies which affect Tregs may strongly improve the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Growing knowledge about Treg biology together with the latest biotechnology tools may give an opportunity for personalized therapies in these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Ryba-Stanisławowska
- a Department of Medical Immunology , Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk , Debinki , Poland
| | - Justyna Sakowska
- b Department of Medical Immunology , Medical University of Gdańsk , Debinki , Poland
| | - Maciej Zieliński
- b Department of Medical Immunology , Medical University of Gdańsk , Debinki , Poland
| | - Urszula Ławrynowicz
- a Department of Medical Immunology , Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk , Debinki , Poland
| | - Piotr Trzonkowski
- a Department of Medical Immunology , Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk , Debinki , Poland
- b Department of Medical Immunology , Medical University of Gdańsk , Debinki , Poland
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47
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Jamison BL, Neef T, Goodspeed A, Bradley B, Baker RL, Miller SD, Haskins K. Nanoparticles Containing an Insulin-ChgA Hybrid Peptide Protect from Transfer of Autoimmune Diabetes by Shifting the Balance between Effector T Cells and Regulatory T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 203:48-57. [PMID: 31109955 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
CD4 T cells play a critical role in promoting the development of autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes. The diabetogenic CD4 T cell clone BDC-2.5, originally isolated from a NOD mouse, has been widely used to study the contribution of autoreactive CD4 T cells and relevant Ags to autoimmune diabetes. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that the Ag for BDC-2.5 T cells is a hybrid insulin peptide (2.5HIP) consisting of an insulin C-peptide fragment fused to a peptide from chromogranin A (ChgA) and that endogenous 2.5HIP-reactive T cells are major contributors to autoimmune pathology in NOD mice. The objective of this study was to determine if poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with the 2.5HIP Ag (2.5HIP-coupled PLG NPs) can tolerize BDC-2.5 T cells. Infusion of 2.5HIP-coupled PLG NPs was found to prevent diabetes in an adoptive transfer model by impairing the ability of BDC-2.5 T cells to produce proinflammatory cytokines through induction of anergy, leading to an increase in the ratio of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells to IFN-γ+ effector T cells. To our knowledge, this work is the first to use a hybrid insulin peptide, or any neoepitope, to re-educate diabetogenic T cells and may have significant implications for the development of an Ag-specific therapy for type 1 diabetes patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braxton L Jamison
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Tobias Neef
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Andrew Goodspeed
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045; and.,University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Brenda Bradley
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Rocky L Baker
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Stephen D Miller
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Kathryn Haskins
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045;
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48
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Hagihara Y, Yoshimatsu Y, Mikami Y, Takada Y, Mizuno S, Kanai T. Epigenetic regulation of T helper cells and intestinal pathogenicity. Semin Immunopathol 2019; 41:379-399. [DOI: 10.1007/s00281-019-00732-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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49
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Association of Ulcerative Colitis with FOXP3 Gene Polymorphisms and Its Colonic Expression in Chinese Patients. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2019; 2019:4052168. [PMID: 30918515 PMCID: PMC6409000 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4052168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) are implicated in various autoimmune diseases. This study is aimed at investigating the association of ulcerative colitis (UC) with FOXP3 polymorphisms and its colonic expression in Chinese patients. Polymorphisms of rs3761548, rs2232365, rs2294021, and rs3761547 were examined in 472 UC patients and 525 healthy controls using the SNaPshot method. The colonic expression of FOXP3 mRNA and protein was assayed in inflammatory mucosa of 34 UC patients and normal mucosa of 36 patients with benign sigmoid polyps (normal controls) using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis. All data were handled separately for females and males. As a result, the carrier frequencies with at least one variant allele of rs3761548, rs2232365, and rs229402 increased in female and male UC patients compared with healthy controls. Significant differences in these carrier frequencies were also observed between patients with mild and moderate UC and patients with severe UC. The expression of FOXP3 was higher in UC patients (both males and females), especially those with severe UC, than in normal controls. The expression of FOXP3 was downregulated in UC patients having at least one variant allele compared with UC patients having no variant allele of rs3761548, rs2232365, and rs2294021. Male gender (β = −0.341), rs2294021 variation (β = −0.503), and severe UC (β = 0.361) were independently related to the mRNA expression of FOXP3 in UC patients. Together, our findings indicated that FOXP3 (rs3761548, rs2232365, and rs2294021) variations increased the risk of UC and were associated with the lower colonic expression of FOXP3 in UC patients.
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50
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Frederick R, Vuillermin P, Tang MLK, Ponsonby A, Webster E, Saffery R, Collier F. A child with Klinefelter syndrome and both IgE-mediated food allergy and low proportion of naive Treg. Clin Case Rep 2019; 7:302-303. [PMID: 30847194 PMCID: PMC6389460 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.1928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This case suggests a possible association between Klinefelter Syndrome and decreased regulatory T cells (Treg) cells, relating to an increased risk of allergic and autoimmune disorders in these patients. The immune phenotyping of the circulating FOXP3+ naive Treg populations in KS patients may help to indicate this predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Vuillermin
- Child Health Research UnitBarwon HealthGeelongVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s HospitalUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- School of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | | | | | - Elise Webster
- Child Health Research UnitBarwon HealthGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Fiona Collier
- Child Health Research UnitBarwon HealthGeelongVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s HospitalUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- School of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
- Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (GCEID)Barwon HealthGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - the Barwon Infant Study Investigator Group
- Child Health Research UnitBarwon HealthGeelongVictoriaAustralia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s HospitalUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- School of MedicineDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
- Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (GCEID)Barwon HealthGeelongVictoriaAustralia
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