1
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Huang H, Mu Y, Li S. The biological function of Serpinb9 and Serpinb9-based therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1422113. [PMID: 38966643 PMCID: PMC11222584 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1422113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs in discovering novel immune signaling pathways have revolutionized different disease treatments. SERPINB9 (Sb9), also known as Proteinase Inhibitor 9 (PI-9), is a well-known endogenous inhibitor of Granzyme B (GzmB). GzmB is a potent cytotoxic molecule secreted by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, which plays a crucial role in inducing apoptosis in target cells during immune responses. Sb9 acts as a protective mechanism against the potentially harmful effects of GzmB within the cells of the immune system itself. On the other hand, overexpression of Sb9 is an important mechanism of immune evasion in diseases like cancers and viral infections. The intricate functions of Sb9 in different cell types represent a fine-tuned regulatory mechanism for preventing immunopathology, protection against autoimmune diseases, and the regulation of cell death, all of which are essential for maintaining health and responding effectively to disease challenges. Dysregulation of the Sb9 will disrupt human normal physiological condition, potentially leading to a range of diseases, including cancers, inflammatory conditions, viral infections or other pathological disorders. Deepening our understanding of the role of Sb9 will aid in the discovery of innovative and effective treatments for various medical conditions. Therefore, the objective of this review is to consolidate current knowledge regarding the biological role of Sb9. It aims to offer insights into its discovery, structure, functions, distribution, its association with various diseases, and the potential of nanoparticle-based therapies targeting Sb9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haozhe Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yiqing Mu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Song Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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2
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Washburn RL, Hibler T, Kaur G, Dufour JM. Sertoli Cell Immune Regulation: A Double-Edged Sword. Front Immunol 2022; 13:913502. [PMID: 35757731 PMCID: PMC9218077 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.913502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The testis must create and maintain an immune privileged environment to protect maturing germ cells from autoimmune destruction. The establishment of this protective environment is due, at least in part, to Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells line the seminiferous tubules and form the blood-testis barrier (BTB), a barrier between advanced germ cells and the immune system. The BTB compartmentalizes the germ cells and facilitates the appropriate microenvironment necessary for spermatogenesis. Further, Sertoli cells modulate innate and adaptive immune processes through production of immunoregulatory compounds. Sertoli cells, when transplanted ectopically (outside the testis), can also protect transplanted tissue from the recipient’s immune system and reduce immune complications in autoimmune diseases primarily by immune regulation. These properties make Sertoli cells an attractive candidate for inflammatory disease treatments and cell-based therapies. Conversely, the same properties that protect the germ cells also allow the testis to act as a reservoir site for infections. Interestingly, Sertoli cells also have the ability to mount an antimicrobial response, if necessary, as in the case of infections. This review aims to explore how Sertoli cells act as a double-edged sword to both protect germ cells from an autoimmune response and activate innate and adaptive immune responses to fight off infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Washburn
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Taylor Hibler
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Gurvinder Kaur
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Jannette M Dufour
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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3
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Watts C. Lysosomes and lysosome‐related organelles in immune responses. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:678-693. [PMID: 35220694 PMCID: PMC8972042 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The catabolic, degradative capacity of the endo‐lysosome system is put to good use in mammalian immune responses as is their recently established status as signaling platforms. From the ‘creative destruction’ of antigenic and ‘self’ material for antigen presentation to T cells to the re‐purposing of lysosomes as toxic exocytosable lysosome‐related organelles (granules) in leukocytes such as CD8 T cells and eosinophils, endo‐lysosomes are key players in host defense. Signaled responses to some pathogen products initiate in endo‐lysosomes and these organelles are emerging as important in distinct ways in the unique immunobiology of dendritic cells. Potential self‐inflicted toxicity from lysosomal and granule proteases is countered by expression of serpin and cystatin family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Watts
- Division of Cell Signalling & Immunology School of Life Sciences University of Dundee Dundee DD1 5EH UK
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4
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Burgener SS, Brügger M, Leborgne NGF, Sollberger S, Basilico P, Kaufmann T, Bird PI, Benarafa C. Granule Leakage Induces Cell-Intrinsic, Granzyme B-Mediated Apoptosis in Mast Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:630166. [PMID: 34858967 PMCID: PMC8630627 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.630166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells are multifunctional immune cells scattered in tissues near blood vessels and mucosal surfaces where they mediate important reactions against parasites and contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic reactions. Serine proteases released from secretory granules upon mast cell activation contribute to these functions by modulating cytokine activity, platelet activation and proteolytic neutralization of toxins. The forced release of granule proteases into the cytosol of mast cells to induce cell suicide has recently been proposed as a therapeutic approach to reduce mast cell numbers in allergic diseases, but the molecular pathways involved in granule-mediated mast cell suicide are incompletely defined. To identify intrinsic granule proteases that can cause mast cell death, we used mice deficient in cytosolic serine protease inhibitors and their respective target proteases. We found that deficiency in Serpinb1a, Serpinb6a, and Serpinb9a or in their target proteases did not alter the kinetics of apoptosis induced by growth factor deprivation in vitro or the number of peritoneal mast cells in vivo. The serine protease cathepsin G induced marginal cell death upon mast cell granule permeabilization only when its inhibitors Serpinb1a or Serpinb6a were deleted. In contrast, the serine protease granzyme B was essential for driving apoptosis in mast cells. On granule permeabilization, granzyme B was required for caspase-3 processing and cell death. Moreover, cytosolic granzyme B inhibitor Serpinb9a prevented caspase-3 processing and mast cell death in a granzyme B-dependent manner. Together, our findings demonstrate that cytosolic serpins provide an inhibitory shield preventing granule protease-induced mast cell apoptosis, and that the granzyme B-Serpinb9a-caspase-3 axis is critical in mast cell survival and could be targeted in the context of allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Sofia Burgener
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Mittelhäusern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Brügger
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Mittelhäusern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nathan Georges François Leborgne
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Mittelhäusern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sophia Sollberger
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Mittelhäusern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Paola Basilico
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Theodor Kocher Institute, Department of Preclinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kaufmann
- Institute of Pharmacology, Department of Preclinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Phillip Ian Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Charaf Benarafa
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Mittelhäusern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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5
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Direct Tumor Killing and Immunotherapy through Anti-SerpinB9 Therapy. Cell 2021; 183:1219-1233.e18. [PMID: 33242418 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancer therapies kill tumors either directly or indirectly by evoking immune responses and have been combined with varying levels of success. Here, we describe a paradigm to control cancer growth that is based on both direct tumor killing and the triggering of protective immunity. Genetic ablation of serine protease inhibitor SerpinB9 (Sb9) results in the death of tumor cells in a granzyme B (GrB)-dependent manner. Sb9-deficient mice exhibited protective T cell-based host immunity to tumors in association with a decline in GrB-expressing immunosuppressive cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Maximal protection against tumor development was observed when the tumor and host were deficient in Sb9. The therapeutic utility of Sb9 inhibition was demonstrated by the control of tumor growth, resulting in increased survival times in mice. Our studies describe a molecular target that permits a combination of tumor ablation, interference within the TME, and immunotherapy in one potential modality.
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6
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Chen Q, Ming Y, Gan Y, Huang L, Zhao Y, Wang X, Liu Y, Zhang J. The impact of cesarean delivery on infant DNA methylation. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2021; 21:265. [PMID: 33785011 PMCID: PMC8011183 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03748-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting evidence suggests that cesarean delivery may have a long-lasting effect on infant health. But the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to examine whether cesarean delivery on maternal request without any medical indications (CDMR) impacts DNA methylation status in the umbilical cord blood of the infant. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai, China. A total of 70 CDMR and 70 vaginal deliveries (VD) were recruited in 2012. The cord blood DNA methylation status was measured in 30 CDMR and 30 VD newborns using Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450 K BeadChip. To validate the results, the cord blood DNA methylation status was measured in another 40 CDMR and 40 VD newborns using targeted bisulfite sequencing assay. A total of 497 CpG sites from 40 genes were included in the analysis. RESULTS A total of 165 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) exhibited differences in DNA methylation by 10% or more between the CDMR and VD groups, many of which were related to the development of the immune system. Based on the targeted bisulfite sequencing assay, 16 genes (16/22, 72.7%) had higher methylation level in the CDMR group than the VD group. Among them, 5 genes were related to the immune system. After considering the estimation of cell type proportions, there was few significant differences in DNA methylation between CDMR and VD groups. CONCLUSIONS The DMPs identified between CDMR and VD groups might be largely explained by the cell type proportions. Further studies are needed to examine DNA methylation in each cell type separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yanhong Ming
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yuexin Gan
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lisu Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yanjun Zhao
- Department of Child Health Care, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yongjie Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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7
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Abstract
Dendritic cells are a specialized subset of hematopoietic cells essential for mounting immunity against tumors and infectious disease as well as inducing tolerance for maintenance of homeostasis. DCs are equipped with number of immunoregulatory or stimulatory molecules that interact with other leukocytes to modulate their functions. Recent advances in DC biology identified a specific role for the conventional dendritic cell type 1 (cDC1) in eliciting cytotoxic CD8+ T cells essential for clearance of tumors and infected cells. The critical role of this subset in eliciting immune responses or inducing tolerance has largely been defined in mice whereas the biology of human cDC1 is poorly characterized owing to their extremely low frequency in tissues. A detailed characterization of the functions of many immunoregulatory and stimulatory molecules expressed by human cDC1 is critical for understanding their biology to exploit this subset for designing novel therapeutic modalities against cancer, infectious disease and autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekumar Balan
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Kristen J Radford
- Cancer Immunotherapies Laboratory, Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, United States; Extramural member Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy, CA, United States.
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8
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Mohammadpour H, Du W, O'Neill R, Khalili S, Qiu J, Repasky EA, McCarthy PL, Cao X. Host-Derived Serine Protease Inhibitor 6 Provides Granzyme B-Independent Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Cells in Murine Graft-versus-Host Disease. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2018; 24:2397-2408. [PMID: 30006303 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) that limits the therapeutic potential of this treatment. Host antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a vital role in activating donor T cells that subsequently use granzyme B (GzmB) and other cytotoxic molecules to damage host normal tissues. Serine protease inhibitor 6 (Spi6), known as the sole endogenous inhibitor of GzmB, has been implicated in protecting T cells and APCs against GzmB-inflicted damage. In this study we used murine models to examine the previously unknown role of host-derived Spi6 in GVHD pathogenesis. Our results indicated that host Spi6 deficiency exacerbated GVHD as evidenced by significantly increased lethality and clinical and histopathologic scores. Using bone marrow chimera system, we found that Spi6 in nonhematopoietic tissue played a dominant role in protecting against GVHD and was significantly upregulated in intestinal epithelial cells after allo-HCT, whereas Spi6 in hematopoietic APCs surprisingly suppressed alloreactive T cell response. Interestingly, the protective effect of Spi6 and its expression in intestinal epithelial cells appeared to be independent of donor-derived GzmB. We used in silico modeling to explore potential targets of Spi6. Interaction tested in silico demonstrated that Spi6 could inhibit caspase-3 and caspase-8 with the same functional loop that inhibits GzmB but was not capable of forming stable interaction with caspase-1 or granzyme A. Using an in vitro co-culture system, we further identified that donor T cell-derived IFN-γ was important for inducing Spi6 expression in an intestinal epithelial cell line. Altogether, our data indicate that host Spi6 plays a novel, GzmB-independent role in regulating alloreactive T cell response and protecting intestinal epithelial cells. Therefore, enhancing host-derived Spi6 function has the potential to reduce GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemn Mohammadpour
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Wei Du
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Rachel O'Neill
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Saeed Khalili
- Department of Biology Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Rajee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jingxin Qiu
- Department of Pathology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Elizabeth A Repasky
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Philip L McCarthy
- Department of Medicine; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Immunology; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York.
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9
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van der Burgh R, Meeldijk J, Jongeneel L, Frenkel J, Bovenschen N, van Gijn M, Boes M. Reduced serpinB9-mediated caspase-1 inhibition can contribute to autoinflammatory disease. Oncotarget 2017; 7:19265-71. [PMID: 26992230 PMCID: PMC4991381 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients who suffer from autoinflammatory disease (AID) exhibit seemingly uncontrolled release of interleukin (IL)-1β. The presence of this inflammatory cytokine triggers immune activation in absence of pathogens and foreign material. The mechanisms that contribute to ‘sterile inflammation’ episodes in AID patients are not fully understood, although for some AIDs underlying genetic causes have been identified. We show that the serine protease inhibitor B9 (serpinB9) regulates IL-1β release in human monocytes. SerpinB9 function is more commonly known for its role in control of granzyme B. SerpinB9 however also serves to restrain IL-1β maturation through caspase-1 inhibition. We here describe an autoinflammatory disease-associated serpinB9 (c.985G>T, A329S) variant, which we discovered in a patient with unknown AID. Using patient cells and serpinB9 overexpressing monocytic cells, we show the A329S variant of serpinB9 exhibits unobstructed granzyme B inhibition, but compromised caspase-1 inhibition. SerpinB9 gene variants might contribute to AID development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert van der Burgh
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, UMC Utrecht, EA, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jan Meeldijk
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lieneke Jongeneel
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, UMC Utrecht, EA, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Joost Frenkel
- Department of General Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, UMC Utrecht, EA, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Niels Bovenschen
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle van Gijn
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, EA, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marianne Boes
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, UMC Utrecht, EA, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, CX, Utrecht, Netherlands
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10
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Du W, Mohammadpour H, O'Neill RE, Kumar S, Chen C, Qiu M, Mei L, Qiu J, McCarthy PL, Lee KP, Cao X. Serine protease inhibitor 6 protects alloreactive T cells from Granzyme B-mediated mitochondrial damage without affecting graft-versus-tumor effect. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1397247. [PMID: 29399396 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1397247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a potentially curative therapy for hematologic malignancies. Donor T cells are able to eliminate residual tumor cells after allo-HCT, producing the beneficial graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect, but can also cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) when attacking host normal tissues. We previously reported that granzyme B (GzmB) is involved in activation-induced cell death (AICD) of donor T cells and exerts differential impacts on GVHD and GVT effect. Serine protease inhibitor 6 (Spi6) is the sole endogenous inhibitor of GzmB that can protect immune and tissue cells against GzmB-mediated damage. This study is aimed to delineate the mechanism by which the GzmB-Spi6 axis regulates allogeneic T cell response. Using multiple clinically relevant murine allo-HCT models, we have found that Spi6 is concentrated in mitochondria during allogeneic T cell activation, while Spi6-/- T cells exhibit abnormal mitochondrial membrane potential, mass, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased GzmB-dependent AICD mainly in the form of fratricide. Compared with WT T cells, Spi6-/- T cells exhibit decreased expansion in the host and cause significantly reduced GVHD. Notably, however, Spi6-/- T cells demonstrate the same level of GVT activity as WT T cells, which were confirmed by two independent tumor models. In summary, our findings demonstrate that Spi6 plays a novel and critical role in maintaining the integrity of T cell mitochondrial function during allogeneic response, and suggest that disabling Spi6 in donor T cells may represent a novel strategy that can alleviate GVHD without sacrificing the beneficial GVT effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Du
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Hemn Mohammadpour
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Rachel E O'Neill
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Chuan Chen
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Qiu
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Lin Mei
- Department of Internal Medicine; University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jingxin Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Philip L McCarthy
- Department of Medicine; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kelvin P Lee
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
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11
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Mangan MS, Melo-Silva CR, Luu J, Bird CH, Koskinen A, Rizzitelli A, Prakash M, Scarff KL, Müllbacher A, Regner M, Bird PI. A pro-survival role for the intracellular granzyme B inhibitor Serpinb9 in natural killer cells during poxvirus infection. Immunol Cell Biol 2017; 95:884-894. [PMID: 28722018 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2017.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular serpins are proposed to inactivate proteases released from lysosome-related organelles into the host cell interior, preventing cell death. Serpinb9 opposes the immune cytotoxic protease, granzyme B, and in a number of settings protects cells against granzyme B-mediated cell death. Using a knockout mouse line engineered to express green fluorescent protein under the serpbinb9 promoter, we demonstrate that serpinb9 is vital for host survival during Ectromelia virus infection by maintaining both mature natural killer NK) cells, and activated CD8+ T cells. Serpinb9 expression parallels granzyme B expression within both populations during infection. Maturing serpinb9-null NK cells exhibit higher levels of granzyme B-mediated apoptosis during infection; hence there are fewer mature NK cells, and these cells also have lower cytotoxic potential. Thus the serpinb9-granzyme B axis is important for homeostasis of both major cytotoxic effector cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Mangan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carolina R Melo-Silva
- Department of Emerging Pathogens and Immunity, John Curtin School for Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jennii Luu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherina H Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aulikki Koskinen
- Department of Emerging Pathogens and Immunity, John Curtin School for Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Alexandra Rizzitelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Monica Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina L Scarff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Arno Müllbacher
- Department of Emerging Pathogens and Immunity, John Curtin School for Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Matthias Regner
- Department of Emerging Pathogens and Immunity, John Curtin School for Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Phillip I Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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12
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Reply to: “Differential expression of serpins may selectively license distinct granzyme B functions including antigen cross-presentation”. Mol Immunol 2017; 87:327-328. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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13
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Cruz FM, Colbert JD, Merino E, Kriegsman BA, Rock KL. The Biology and Underlying Mechanisms of Cross-Presentation of Exogenous Antigens on MHC-I Molecules. Annu Rev Immunol 2017; 35:149-176. [PMID: 28125356 PMCID: PMC5508990 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-041015-055254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
To monitor the health of cells, the immune system tasks antigen-presenting cells with gathering antigens from other cells and bringing them to CD8 T cells in the form of peptides bound to MHC-I molecules. Most cells would be unable to perform this function because they use their MHC-I molecules to exclusively present peptides derived from the cell's own proteins. However, the immune system evolved mechanisms for dendritic cells and some other phagocytes to sample and present antigens from the extracellular milieu on MHC-I through a process called cross-presentation. How this important task is accomplished, its role in health and disease, and its potential for exploitation are the subject of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freidrich M Cruz
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655; , , , ,
| | - Jeff D Colbert
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655; , , , ,
| | - Elena Merino
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655; , , , ,
| | - Barry A Kriegsman
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655; , , , ,
| | - Kenneth L Rock
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655; , , , ,
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Juno JA, van Bockel D, Kent SJ, Kelleher AD, Zaunders JJ, Munier CML. Cytotoxic CD4 T Cells-Friend or Foe during Viral Infection? Front Immunol 2017; 8:19. [PMID: 28167943 PMCID: PMC5253382 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4 T cells with cytotoxic function were once thought to be an artifact due to long-term in vitro cultures but have in more recent years become accepted and reported in the literature in response to a number of viral infections. In this review, we focus on cytotoxic CD4 T cells in the context of human viral infections and in some infections that affect mice and non-human primates. We examine the effector mechanisms used by cytotoxic CD4 cells, the phenotypes that describe this population, and the transcription factors and pathways that lead to their induction following infection. We further consider the cells that are the predominant targets of this effector subset and describe the viral infections in which CD4 cytotoxic T lymphocytes have been shown to play a protective or pathologic role. Cytotoxic CD4 T cells are detected in the circulation at much higher levels than previously realized and are now recognized to have an important role in the immune response to viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Juno
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - David van Bockel
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, University of New South Wales Australia , Sydney, NSW , Australia
| | - Stephen J Kent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony D Kelleher
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, University of New South Wales Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John J Zaunders
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, University of New South Wales Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - C Mee Ling Munier
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, University of New South Wales Australia , Sydney, NSW , Australia
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15
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Serpinb9 is a marker of antigen cross-presenting dendritic cells. Mol Immunol 2016; 82:50-56. [PMID: 28024184 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2016.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Serpinb9 (Sb9, also called Spi6) is an intracellular inhibitor of granzyme B (grB) that protects cytotoxic lymphocytes from grB-mediated death. In addition, Sb9 is also expressed in accessory immune cells, including dendritic cells (DCs), although its role is debated. Recently, we have demonstrated that Sb9 plays a grB-independent role in cross-presentation of antigens by CD8+ DCs. Here, using a mouse line expressing green fluorescent protein knocked in under the control of the Sb9 promoter, we demonstrate that Sb9 expression is highest in those tissue-resident and migratory DC subsets capable of cross-presentation. Further, we show that CD8+ DCs can be divided into two subsets based on Sb9 expression, and that only the subset expressing higher levels of Sb9 is capable of cross-presentation. These findings add support for role for Sb9 cross-presentation, and indicate that high Sb9 expression is a novel marker of cross-presentation capable DCs.
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A natural genetic variant of granzyme B confers lethality to a common viral infection. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004526. [PMID: 25502180 PMCID: PMC4263754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Many immune response genes are highly polymorphic, consistent with the selective pressure imposed by pathogens over evolutionary time, and the need to balance infection control with the risk of auto-immunity. Epidemiological and genomic studies have identified many genetic variants that confer susceptibility or resistance to pathogenic micro-organisms. While extensive polymorphism has been reported for the granzyme B (GzmB) gene, its relevance to pathogen immunity is unexplored. Here, we describe the biochemical and cytotoxic functions of a common allele of GzmB (GzmBW) common in wild mouse. While retaining ‘Asp-ase’ activity, GzmBW has substrate preferences that differ considerably from GzmBP, which is common to all inbred strains. In vitro, GzmBW preferentially cleaves recombinant Bid, whereas GzmBP activates pro-caspases directly. Recombinant GzmBW and GzmBP induced equivalent apoptosis of uninfected targets cells when delivered with perforin in vitro. Nonetheless, mice homozygous for GzmBW were unable to control murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection, and succumbed as a result of excessive liver damage. Although similar numbers of anti-viral CD8 T cells were generated in both mouse strains, GzmBW-expressing CD8 T cells isolated from infected mice were unable to kill MCMV-infected targets in vitro. Our results suggest that known virally-encoded inhibitors of the intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathway account for the increased susceptibility of GzmBW mice to MCMV. We conclude that different natural variants of GzmB have a profound impact on the immune response to a common and authentic viral pathogen. Granzymes (Gzm) are serine proteases expressed by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, and are important for the destruction of virally infected cells. To date, the function of these molecules has been assessed exclusively in common laboratory mouse strains that express identical granzyme proteins. In wild mouse populations, variants of granzyme B have been identified, but how these function, especially in the context of infections, is unknown. We have generated a novel mouse strain expressing a granzyme B variant found in wild mice (GzmBW), and exposed these mice to viral infections. The substrates cleaved by GzmBW were found to differ significantly from those cleaved by the GzmBP protein, which is normally expressed by laboratory mice. Alterations in substrate specificity resulted in GzmBW mice being significantly more susceptible to infection with murine cytomegalovirus, a common mouse pathogen. Our findings demonstrate that polymorphisms in granzyme B can profoundly affect the outcome of infections with some viral pathogens.
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