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Sun R, Wang Y, Abolhassani H. Cellular mechanisms and clinical applications for phenocopies of inborn errors of immunity: infectious susceptibility due to cytokine autoantibodies. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2023:1-14. [PMID: 37114623 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2023.2208863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With a growing knowledge of Inborn error immunity (IEI), immunological profiling and genetic predisposition to IEI phenocopies have been developed in recent years. AREAS COVERED Here we summarized the correlation between various pathogen invasions, autoantibody profiles, and corresponding clinical features in the context of patients with IEI phenocopies. It has been extensively evident that patients with anti-cytokine autoantibodies underly impaired anti-pathogen immune responses and lead to broad unregulated inflammation and tissue damage. Several hypotheses of anti-cytokine autoantibodies production were summarized here, including a defective negative selection of autoreactive T cells, abnormal germinal center formation, molecular mimicry, HLA class II allele region, lack of auto-reactive lymphocyte apoptosis, and other possible hypotheses. EXPERT OPINION Phenocopies of IEI associated with anti-cytokine autoantibodies are increasingly recognized as one of the causes of acquired immunodeficiency and susceptibility to certain pathogen infections, especially facing the current challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. By investigating clinical, genetic, and pathogenesis autoantibodies profiles associated with various pathogens' susceptibilities, we could better understand the IEI phenocopies with anti-cytokine autoantibodies, especially for those that underlie life-threatening SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Sun
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yating Wang
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hassan Abolhassani
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
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Shichkin VP, Antica M. Key Factors for Thymic Function and Development. Front Immunol 2022; 13:926516. [PMID: 35844535 PMCID: PMC9280625 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.926516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the organ responsible for T cell development and the formation of the adaptive immunity function. Its multicellular environment consists mainly of the different stromal cells and maturing T lymphocytes. Thymus-specific progenitors of epithelial, mesenchymal, and lymphoid cells with stem cell properties represent only minor populations. The thymic stromal structure predominantly determines the function of the thymus. The stromal components, mostly epithelial and mesenchymal cells, form this specialized area. They support the consistent developmental program of functionally distinct conventional T cell subpopulations. These include the MHC restricted single positive CD4+ CD8- and CD4- CD8+ cells, regulatory T lymphocytes (Foxp3+), innate natural killer T cells (iNKT), and γδT cells. Several physiological causes comprising stress and aging and medical treatments such as thymectomy and chemo/radiotherapy can harm the thymus function. The present review summarizes our knowledge of the development and function of the thymus with a focus on thymic epithelial cells as well as other stromal components and the signaling and transcriptional pathways underlying the thymic cell interaction. These critical thymus components are significant for T cell differentiation and restoring the thymic function after damage to reach the therapeutic benefits.
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Tanaka PP, Oliveira EH, Vieira-Machado MC, Duarte MJ, Assis AF, Bombonato-Prado KF, Passos GA. miR-155 exerts posttranscriptional control of autoimmune regulator (Aire) and tissue-restricted antigen genes in medullary thymic epithelial cells. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:404. [PMID: 35643451 PMCID: PMC9145475 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08631-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene is critical for the appropriate establishment of central immune tolerance. As one of the main controllers of promiscuous gene expression in the thymus, Aire promotes the expression of thousands of downstream tissue-restricted antigen (TRA) genes, cell adhesion genes and transcription factor genes in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Despite the increasing knowledge about the role of Aire as an upstream transcriptional controller, little is known about the mechanisms by which this gene could be regulated. RESULTS Here, we assessed the posttranscriptional control of Aire by miRNAs. The in silico miRNA-mRNA interaction analysis predicted thermodynamically stable hybridization between the 3'UTR of Aire mRNA and miR-155, which was confirmed to occur within the cellular milieu through a luciferase reporter assay. This finding enabled us to hypothesize that miR-155 might play a role as an intracellular posttranscriptional regulator of Aire mRNA. To test this hypothesis, we transfected a murine mTEC cell line with a miR-155 mimic in vitro, which reduced the mRNA and protein levels of Aire. Moreover, large-scale transcriptome analysis showed the modulation of 311 downstream mRNAs, which included 58 TRA mRNAs. Moreover, miR-155 mimic-transfected cells exhibited a decrease in their chemotaxis property compared with control thymocytes. CONCLUSION Overall, the results indicate that miR-155 may posttranscriptionally control Aire mRNA, reducing the respective Aire protein levels; consequently, the levels of mRNAs encode tissue-restricted antigens were affected. In addition, miR-155 regulated a crucial process by which mTECs allow thymocytes' migration through chemotaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Paranhos Tanaka
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ernna Hérida Oliveira
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayara Cristina Vieira-Machado
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Max Jordan Duarte
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Freire Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Karina Fittipaldi Bombonato-Prado
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Rajabi F, Abdollahimajd F, Jabalameli N, Nassiri Kashani M, Firooz A. The Immunogenetics of Alopecia areata. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1367:19-59. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-92616-8_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Borelli A, Irla M. Lymphotoxin: from the physiology to the regeneration of the thymic function. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:2305-2314. [PMID: 34290396 PMCID: PMC8329281 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-021-00834-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The members of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) superfamily, the ligand lymphotoxin α1β2 (LTα1β2) and its unique receptor lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR), play a pivotal role in the establishment and regulation of the immune system by allowing a tight communication between lymphocytes and stromal cells. Recent advances using transgenic mice harboring a specific deletion of the Ltbr gene in distinct stromal cells have revealed important roles for LTβR signaling in the thymic function that ensures the generation of a diverse and self-tolerant T-cell repertoire. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on this signaling axis in the thymic homing of lymphoid progenitors and peripheral antigen-presenting cells, the trafficking and egress of thymocytes, the differentiation of medullary thymic epithelial cells, and the establishment of central tolerance. We also highlight the importance of LTα1β2/LTβR axis in controlling the recovery of the thymic function after myeloablative conditioning regimen, opening novel perspectives in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Borelli
- grid.417850.f0000 0004 0639 5277Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Magali Irla
- grid.417850.f0000 0004 0639 5277Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
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6
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Shou Y, Koroleva E, Spencer CM, Shein SA, Korchagina AA, Yusoof KA, Parthasarathy R, Leadbetter EA, Akopian AN, Muñoz AR, Tumanov AV. Redefining the Role of Lymphotoxin Beta Receptor in the Maintenance of Lymphoid Organs and Immune Cell Homeostasis in Adulthood. Front Immunol 2021; 12:712632. [PMID: 34335629 PMCID: PMC8320848 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.712632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR) is a promising therapeutic target in autoimmune and infectious diseases as well as cancer. Mice with genetic inactivation of LTβR display multiple defects in development and organization of lymphoid organs, mucosal immune responses, IgA production and an autoimmune phenotype. As these defects are imprinted in embryogenesis and neonate stages, the impact of LTβR signaling in adulthood remains unclear. Here, to overcome developmental defects, we generated mice with inducible ubiquitous genetic inactivation of LTβR in adult mice (iLTβRΔ/Δ mice) and redefined the role of LTβR signaling in organization of lymphoid organs, immune response to mucosal bacterial pathogen, IgA production and autoimmunity. In spleen, postnatal LTβR signaling is required for development of B cell follicles, follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), recruitment of neutrophils and maintenance of the marginal zone. Lymph nodes of iLTβRΔ/Δ mice were reduced in size, lacked FDCs, and had disorganized subcapsular sinus macrophages. Peyer`s patches were smaller in size and numbers, and displayed reduced FDCs. The number of isolated lymphoid follicles in small intestine and colon were also reduced. In contrast to LTβR-/- mice, iLTβRΔ/Δ mice displayed normal thymus structure and did not develop signs of systemic inflammation and autoimmunity. Further, our results suggest that LTβR signaling in adulthood is required for homeostasis of neutrophils, NK, and iNKT cells, but is dispensable for the maintenance of polyclonal IgA production. However, iLTβRΔ/Δ mice exhibited an increased sensitivity to C. rodentium infection and failed to develop pathogen-specific IgA responses. Collectively, our study uncovers new insights of LTβR signaling in adulthood for the maintenance of lymphoid organs, neutrophils, NK and iNKT cells, and IgA production in response to mucosal bacterial pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Shou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States,Department of Gastroenterology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ekaterina Koroleva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | | | - Sergey A. Shein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Anna A. Korchagina
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Kizil A. Yusoof
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Raksha Parthasarathy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Leadbetter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Armen N. Akopian
- Department of Endodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Amanda R. Muñoz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Alexei V. Tumanov
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Alexei V. Tumanov,
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Liang Z, Zhang Q, Dong X, Zhang Z, Wang H, Zhang J, Zhao Y. mTORC2 negatively controls the maturation process of medullary thymic epithelial cells by inhibiting the LTβR/RANK-NF-κB axis. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:4725-4737. [PMID: 33269476 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The differentiation of mature medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is critical for the induction of central immune tolerance. Although the critical effect of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in shaping mTEC differentiation has been studied, the regulatory role of mTORC2 in the differentiation and maturation of mTECs is poorly understood. We herein reported that TEC-specific ablation of a rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (RICTOR), a key component of mTORC2, significantly decreased the thymus size and weight, the total cell number of TECs, and the cell number of mTECs with a smaller degree of reduced cortical thymic epithelial cells. Interestingly, RICTOR deficiency significantly accelerated the mTEC maturation process, as indicated by the increased ratios of mature mTECs (MHCIIhi , CD80+ , and Aire+ ) to immature mTECs (MHCIIlo , CD80- , and Aire- ) in Rictor-deficient mice. The RNA-sequencing assays showed that the upregulated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in Rictor-deficient mTECs was one of the obviously altered pathways compared with wild-type mTECs. Our studies further showed that Rictor-deficient mTECs exhibited upregulated expression of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) and lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR), as well as increased activity of canonical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways as determined by ImageStream and Simple Western. Finally, our results showed that inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways could partially reverse the accelerated maturation of mTECs in Rictor conditional KO mice. Thus, mTORC2 negatively controls the kinetics of the mTEC maturation process by inhibiting the LTβR/RANK-NF-κB signal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanfeng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongxia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Ribeiro C, Alves NL, Ferreirinha P. Medullary thymic epithelial cells: Deciphering the functional diversity beyond promiscuous gene expression. Immunol Lett 2019; 215:24-27. [PMID: 30853502 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Within the thymus, cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (cTECs and mTECs, respectively) provide unique microenvironments for the development of T cells that are responsive to diverse foreign antigens while self-tolerant. Essential for tolerance induction, mTECs play a critical role in negative selection and T regulatory cell differentiation. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the functional diversity within mTECs and discuss how these novel subsets contribute to tolerance induction and are integrated in the complex blueprint of mTEC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Ribeiro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Ferreirinha
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
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10
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St-Pierre C, Morgand E, Benhammadi M, Rouette A, Hardy MP, Gaboury L, Perreault C. Immunoproteasomes Control the Homeostasis of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells by Alleviating Proteotoxic Stress. Cell Rep 2018; 21:2558-2570. [PMID: 29186691 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.10.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The sole nonredundant role of the thymic medulla is to induce central tolerance, a vital process that depends on promiscuous gene expression (pGE), a unique feature of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Although pGE enhances transcription of >3,000 genes in mTECs, its impact on the regulation of protein homeostasis remains unexplored. Here, we report that, because of pGE, mature mTECs synthesize substantially more proteins than other cell types and are exquisitely sensitive to loss of immunoproteasomes (IPs). Indeed, IP deficiency causes proteotoxic stress in mTECs and leads to exhaustion of postnatal mTEC progenitors. Moreover, IP-deficient mice show accelerated thymic involution, which is characterized by a selective loss of mTECs and multiorgan autoimmune manifestations. We conclude that pGE, the quintessential feature of mTECs, is a major burden for the maintenance of proteostasis, which is alleviated by the constitutive expression of IPs in mTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles St-Pierre
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Erwan Morgand
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; ENS Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Cachan 94230, France
| | - Mohamed Benhammadi
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Alexandre Rouette
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Marie-Pierre Hardy
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Louis Gaboury
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Claude Perreault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
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Zhu F, Hu Y. Integrity of IKK/NF-κB Shields Thymic Stroma That Suppresses Susceptibility to Autoimmunity, Fungal Infection, and Carcinogenesis. Bioessays 2018. [PMID: 29522649 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201700131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A pathogenic connection between autoreactive T cells, fungal infection, and carcinogenesis has been demonstrated in studies of human autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) as well as in a mouse model in which kinase-dead Ikkα knock-in mice develop impaired central tolerance, autoreactive T cell-mediated autoimmunity, chronic fungal infection, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, which recapitulates APECED. IκB kinase α (IKKα) is one subunit of the IKK complex required for NF-κB activation. IKK/NF-κB is essential for central tolerance establishment by regulating the development of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) that facilitate the deletion of autoreactive T cells in the thymus. In this review, we extensively discuss the pathogenic roles of inborn errors in the IKK/NF-κB loci in the phenotypically related diseases APECED, immune deficiency syndrome, and severe combined immunodeficiency; differentiate how IKK/NF-κB components, through mTEC (stroma), T cells/leukocytes, or epithelial cells, contribute to the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer; and highlight the medical significance of IKK/NF-κB in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhu
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, 21701, Maryland, USA
| | - Yinling Hu
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, 21701, Maryland, USA
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James KD, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. T-cell egress from the thymus: Should I stay or should I go? J Leukoc Biol 2018; 104:275-284. [PMID: 29485734 PMCID: PMC6174998 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1mr1217-496r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
T‐cells bearing the αβTCR play a vital role in defending the host against foreign pathogens and malignant transformation of self. Importantly, T‐cells are required to remain tolerant to the host's own cells and tissues in order to prevent self‐reactive responses that can lead to autoimmune disease. T‐cells achieve the capacity for self/nonself discrimination by undergoing a highly selective and rigorous developmental program during their maturation in the thymus. This organ is unique in its ability to support a program of T‐cell development that ensures the establishment of a functionally diverse αβTCR repertoire within the peripheral T‐cell pool. The thymus achieves this by virtue of specialized stromal microenvironments that contain heterogeneous cell types, whose organization and function underpins their ability to educate, support, and screen different thymocyte subsets through various stages of development. These stages range from the entry of early T‐cell progenitors into the thymus, through to the positive and negative selection of the αβTCR repertoire. The importance of the thymus medulla as a site for T‐cell tolerance and the exit of newly generated T‐cells into the periphery is well established. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the developmental pathways that take place during αβT‐cell development in the thymus. In addition, we focus on the mechanisms that regulate thymic egress and contribute to the seeding of peripheral tissues with newly selected self‐tolerant αβT‐cells. Review on thymic microenvironments regulation of thymocyte maturation and egress of mature self‐tolerant T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran D James
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Abstract
About two decades ago, cloning of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene materialized one of the most important actors on the scene of self-tolerance. Thymic transcription of genes encoding tissue-specific antigens (ts-ags) is activated by AIRE protein and embodies the essence of thymic self-representation. Pathogenic AIRE variants cause the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1, which is a rare and complex disease that is gaining attention in research on autoimmunity. The animal models of disease, although not identically reproducing the human picture, supply fundamental information on mechanisms and extent of AIRE action: thanks to its multidomain structure, AIRE localizes to chromatin enclosing the target genes, binds to histones, and offers an anchorage to multimolecular complexes involved in initiation and post-initiation events of gene transcription. In addition, AIRE enhances mRNA diversity by favoring alternative mRNA splicing. Once synthesized, ts-ags are presented to, and cause deletion of the self-reactive thymocyte clones. However, AIRE function is not restricted to the activation of gene transcription. AIRE would control presentation and transfer of self-antigens for thymic cellular interplay: such mechanism is aimed at increasing the likelihood of engagement of the thymocytes that carry the corresponding T-cell receptors. Another fundamental role of AIRE in promoting self-tolerance is related to the development of thymocyte anergy, as thymic self-representation shapes at the same time the repertoire of regulatory T cells. Finally, AIRE seems to replicate its action in the secondary lymphoid organs, albeit the cell lineage detaining such property has not been fully characterized. Delineation of AIRE functions adds interesting data to the knowledge of the mechanisms of self-tolerance and introduces exciting perspectives of therapeutic interventions against the related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perniola
- Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care, Vito Fazzi Regional Hospital, Lecce, Italy
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The molecular basis of immune regulation in autoimmunity. Clin Sci (Lond) 2018; 132:43-67. [PMID: 29305419 DOI: 10.1042/cs20171154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases can be triggered and modulated by various molecular and cellular characteristics. The mechanisms of autoimmunity and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases have been investigated for several decades. It is well accepted that autoimmunity is caused by dysregulated/dysfunctional immune susceptible genes and environmental factors. There are multiple physiological mechanisms that regulate and control self-reactivity, but which can also lead to tolerance breakdown when in defect. The majority of autoreactive T or B cells are eliminated during the development of central tolerance by negative selection. Regulatory cells such as Tregs (regulatory T) and MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells), and molecules such as CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen 4) and IL (interleukin) 10 (IL-10), help to eliminate autoreactive cells that escaped to the periphery in order to prevent development of autoimmunity. Knowledge of the molecular basis of immune regulation is needed to further our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of loss of tolerance in autoimmune diseases and pave the way for the development of more effective, specific, and safer therapeutic interventions.
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15
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microRNA-449a modulates medullary thymic epithelial cell differentiation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15915. [PMID: 29162901 PMCID: PMC5698406 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16162-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) ectopically express a diversity of peripheral tissue-restricted antigens (PTAs) and provide unique cues for the expansion, maturation and selection of a repertoire of functionally diverse T lymphocytes. Genetic deletion of all mature microRNAs in thymic epithelial cells (TECs) results in premature thymic involution, progressive disorganisation of the thymic epithelium, and alteration in thymic T cell lineage commitment, consequently eliciting autoimmune disorders. In the present study, we identified that microRNA-449a (miR-449a), a member of miR-449 cluster, regulated mTEC differentiation. Expression of miR-449a was induced by RANK ligand in mouse fetal thymus. In in vitro studies, overexpression of miR-449a induced thymic epithelial progenitor cells (TEPCs) differentiation into mature mTECs. Despite abundant expression of miR-449a in developing thymus, miR-449a-mutant mice exhibited normal thymic development. This might be partially due to in miR-449a-mutant thymus the up-regulation of miR-34a which shared similar seed sequence with miR-449a. However, thymic expression of miR-449/34 sponge which was able to neutralize the function of miR-449/34 family members significantly reduced the number of mature Ly51-MHCIIhi mTECs. Taken together, our data suggested that miR-449a modulated mTEC differentiation, and members of miR-34 cluster functioned redundantly to rescue miR-449a deficiency in thymus development.
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16
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Mitre TM, Pietropaolo M, Khadra A. The dual role of autoimmune regulator in maintaining normal expression level of tissue-restricted autoantigen in the thymus: A modeling investigation. Math Biosci 2017; 287:12-23. [PMID: 27765528 PMCID: PMC5392448 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The expression level of tissue-restricted autoantigens (TSA) in the thymus is crucial for the negative selection of autoreactive T cells during central tolerance. The autoimmune regulator factor (AIRE) plays an important role in the positive regulation of these TSA in medullary thymic epithelial cells and, consequently, in the negative selection of high-avidity autoreactive T cells. Recent studies, however, revealed that thymic islet cell autoantigen (ICA69) expression level in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, prone to developing type 1 diabetes (T1D), is reduced due to an increase in the binding affinity of AIRE to the Ica1-promoter region, which regulates ICA69 protein synthesis. This seemed to suggest that AIRE acts as a transcriptional repressor of Ica1 gene in the thymus, causing down regulation in the expression level of ICA69. To investigate this hypothesis and the apparent dual role of AIRE in negative selection, we develop a series of mathematical models of increasing complexity describing the temporal dynamics of self-reactive T cells, AIRE-mRNA and AIRE-(in)dependent thymic TSA-associated genes. The goal is to understand how changing the binding affinity of AIRE to Ica1-promoter affects both T-cell tolerance and the dual role of the transcription factor. Using stability analysis and numerical computations, we show that the model possesses a bistable switch, consisting of healthy and autoimmune states, in the expression level of Ica1 gene with respect to AIRE binding affinity, and that it can capture the experimentally observed dual role of AIRE. We also show that the model must contain a positive feedback loop exerted by T cells on AIRE expression (e.g., via lymphotoxin released by T cells) to produce bistability. Our results suggest that the expression-level of AIRE-mRNA in the healthy state is lower than that of the autoimmune state, and that negative selection is very sensitive to parameter perturbations in T-cell avidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina M Mitre
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal H3G 1Y6, QC, Canada
| | - Massimo Pietropaolo
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anmar Khadra
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal H3G 1Y6, QC, Canada.
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17
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Abstract
Intrathymic T cell development is a complex process that depends upon continuous guidance from thymus stromal cell microenvironments. The thymic epithelium within the thymic stroma comprises highly specialized cells with a high degree of anatomic, phenotypic, and functional heterogeneity. These properties are collectively required to bias thymocyte development toward production of self-tolerant and functionally competent T cells. The importance of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) is evidenced by clear links between their dysfunction and multiple diseases where autoimmunity and immunodeficiency are major components. Consequently, TECs are an attractive target for cell therapies to restore effective immune system function. The pathways and molecular regulators that control TEC development are becoming clearer, as are their influences on particular stages of T cell development. Here, we review both historical and the most recent advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling TEC development, function, dysfunction, and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
| | - Graham Anderson
- MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom;
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18
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Petersen F, Yue X, Riemekasten G, Yu X. Dysregulated homeostasis of target tissues or autoantigens - A novel principle in autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev 2017; 16:602-611. [PMID: 28411168 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Monogenic autoimmune disorders provide a powerful tool for our understanding of the principles of autoimmunity due to the obvious impact of a single gene on the disease. So far, approximately 100 single gene defects causing murine monogenic autoimmune disorders have been reported and the functional characterization of these genes will provide significant progress in understanding the nature of autoimmunity. According to their function, genes leading to monogenic autoimmune disorders can be categorized into two groups. An expectable first group contains genes involved in the homeostasis of the immune system, including homeostasis of immune organs and immune cells. Intriguingly, the second group consists of genes functionally involved in the homeostasis of target tissues or autoantigens. According to our novel hypothesis, we propose that autoimmunity represents a consequence of a dysregulated homeostasis of the immune system and/or its targets including autoantigens and target tissues. In this review we refer to both aspects of homeostasis in autoimmunity with a highlight on the role of the homeostasis of target tissues and autoantigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Petersen
- Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Members of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | - Xiaoyang Yue
- Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Members of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | - Gabriela Riemekasten
- Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Members of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 23845 Borstel, Germany; Department of Rheumatology, University of Lübeck, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Xinhua Yu
- Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Members of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 23845 Borstel, Germany; Xiamen-Borstel Joint Laboratory of Autoimmunity, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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19
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Wu W, Shi Y, Xia H, Chai Q, Jin C, Ren B, Zhu M. Epithelial LTβR signaling controls the population size of the progenitors of medullary thymic epithelial cells in neonatal mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44481. [PMID: 28290551 PMCID: PMC5349570 DOI: 10.1038/srep44481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The establishment of T cell central tolerance critically relies on the development and maintenance of the medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Disrupted signaling of lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR) results in dramatically reduced mTEC population. However, whether LTβR directly or indirectly control mTECs remains undetermined; how LTβR controls this process also remain unclear. In this study, by utilizing K14-Cre × Ltbrfl/fl conditional knockout (cKO) mice, we show that epithelial intrinsic LTβR was essential for the mTEC development postnatally. Mechanistically, LTβR did not directly impact the proliferation or survival of mTECs; the maturation of mTECs from MHC-IIlo to MHC-IIhi stage was also unaltered in the absence of LTβR; interestingly, the number of mTEC progenitors (Cld3,4hiSSEA-1+) was found significantly reduced in LTβR cKO mice at the neonatal stage, but not at E18.5. Consequently, epithelial deficiency of LTβR resulted in significant defect of thymic negative selection as demonstrated using OT-I and RIP-OVA transgenic mouse system. In summary, our study clarifies the epithelial intrinsic role of LTβR on mTEC development and function; more importantly, it reveals a previously unrecognized function of LTβR on the control of the size of mTEC progenitor population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yaoyao Shi
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qian Chai
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Caiwei Jin
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Boyang Ren
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mingzhao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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20
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Herzig Y, Nevo S, Bornstein C, Brezis MR, Ben-Hur S, Shkedy A, Eisenberg-Bord M, Levi B, Delacher M, Goldfarb Y, David E, Weinberger L, Viukov S, Ben-Dor S, Giraud M, Hanna JH, Breiling A, Lyko F, Amit I, Feuerer M, Abramson J. Transcriptional programs that control expression of the autoimmune regulator gene Aire. Nat Immunol 2017; 18:161-172. [PMID: 27941786 DOI: 10.1038/ni.3638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Aire is a transcriptional regulator that induces promiscuous expression of thousands of genes encoding tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). While the target genes of Aire are well characterized, the transcriptional programs that regulate its own expression have remained elusive. Here we comprehensively analyzed both cis-acting and trans-acting regulatory mechanisms and found that the Aire locus was insulated by the global chromatin organizer CTCF and was hypermethylated in cells and tissues that did not express Aire. In mTECs, however, Aire expression was facilitated by concurrent eviction of CTCF, specific demethylation of exon 2 and the proximal promoter, and the coordinated action of several transcription activators, including Irf4, Irf8, Tbx21, Tcf7 and Ctcfl, which acted on mTEC-specific accessible regions in the Aire locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonatan Herzig
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shir Nevo
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Chamutal Bornstein
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Miriam R Brezis
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sharon Ben-Hur
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aya Shkedy
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Ben Levi
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michael Delacher
- Research Group Immune Tolerance, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yael Goldfarb
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eyal David
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Leehee Weinberger
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sergey Viukov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shifra Ben-Dor
- Bioinformatics Unit, Biological Services Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Matthieu Giraud
- Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, Cochin Institute, Paris, France
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Achim Breiling
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Lyko
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ido Amit
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Markus Feuerer
- Research Group Immune Tolerance, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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21
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Chia JJ, Zhu T, Chyou S, Dasoveanu DC, Carballo C, Tian S, Magro CM, Rodeo S, Spiera RF, Ruddle NH, McGraw TE, Browning JL, Lafyatis R, Gordon JK, Lu TT. Dendritic cells maintain dermal adipose-derived stromal cells in skin fibrosis. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:4331-4345. [PMID: 27721238 DOI: 10.1172/jci85740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Scleroderma is a group of skin-fibrosing diseases for which there are no effective treatments. A feature of the skin fibrosis typical of scleroderma is atrophy of the dermal white adipose tissue (DWAT). Adipose tissue contains adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ADSCs) that have regenerative and reparative functions; however, whether DWAT atrophy in fibrosis is accompanied by ADSC loss is poorly understood, as are the mechanisms that might maintain ADSC survival in fibrotic skin. Here, we have shown that DWAT ADSC numbers were reduced, likely because of cell death, in 2 murine models of scleroderma skin fibrosis. The remaining ADSCs showed a partial dependence on dendritic cells (DCs) for survival. Lymphotoxin β (LTβ) expression in DCs maintained ADSC survival in fibrotic skin by activating an LTβ receptor/β1 integrin (LTβR/β1 integrin) pathway on ADSCs. Stimulation of LTβR augmented the engraftment of therapeutically injected ADSCs, which was associated with reductions in skin fibrosis and improved skin function. These findings provide insight into the effects of skin fibrosis on DWAT ADSCs, identify a DC-ADSC survival axis in fibrotic skin, and suggest an approach for improving mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in scleroderma and other diseases.
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22
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Akiyama N, Takizawa N, Miyauchi M, Yanai H, Tateishi R, Shinzawa M, Yoshinaga R, Kurihara M, Demizu Y, Yasuda H, Yagi S, Wu G, Matsumoto M, Sakamoto R, Yoshida N, Penninger JM, Kobayashi Y, Inoue JI, Akiyama T. Identification of embryonic precursor cells that differentiate into thymic epithelial cells expressing autoimmune regulator. J Exp Med 2016; 213:1441-58. [PMID: 27401343 PMCID: PMC4986530 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20151780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) expressing autoimmune regulator (Aire) are critical for preventing the onset of autoimmunity. However, the differentiation program of Aire-expressing mTECs (Aire(+) mTECs) is unclear. Here, we describe novel embryonic precursors of Aire(+) mTECs. We found the candidate precursors of Aire(+) mTECs (pMECs) by monitoring the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), which is required for Aire(+) mTEC differentiation. pMECs unexpectedly expressed cortical TEC molecules in addition to the mTEC markers UEA-1 ligand and RANK and differentiated into mTECs in reaggregation thymic organ culture. Introduction of pMECs in the embryonic thymus permitted long-term maintenance of Aire(+) mTECs and efficiently suppressed the onset of autoimmunity induced by Aire(+) mTEC deficiency. Mechanistically, pMECs differentiated into Aire(+) mTECs by tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-dependent RANK signaling. Moreover, nonclassical nuclear factor-κB activation triggered by RANK and lymphotoxin-β receptor signaling promoted pMEC induction from progenitors exhibiting lower RANK expression and higher CD24 expression. Thus, our findings identified two novel stages in the differentiation program of Aire(+) mTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuko Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Nobukazu Takizawa
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Maki Miyauchi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiromi Yanai
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tateishi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Miho Shinzawa
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Riko Yoshinaga
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Masaaki Kurihara
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kamiyoga, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kamiyoga, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan
| | - Hisataka Yasuda
- Nagahama Institute for Biochemical Science, Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd., 50, Kano-cho, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0804, Japan
| | - Shintaro Yagi
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Guoying Wu
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Reiko Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Center for Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Yoshida
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Center for Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Yasuhiro Kobayashi
- Institute for Oral Science, Matsumoto Dental University, Hiro-oka, Shiojiri-shi, Nagano 399-0781, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichiro Inoue
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokane-dai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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23
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Abramson J, Husebye ES. Autoimmune regulator and self-tolerance - molecular and clinical aspects. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:127-40. [PMID: 27088911 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of central tolerance in the thymus is critical for avoiding deleterious autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune regulator (AIRE), the causative gene in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type-1 (APS-1), is crucial for the establishment of self-tolerance in the thymus by promoting promiscuous expression of a wide array of tissue-restricted self-antigens. This step is critical for elimination of high-affinity self-reactive T cells from the immunological repertoire, and for the induction of a specific subset of Foxp3(+) T-regulatory (Treg ) cells. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of how AIRE operates on molecular and cellular levels, as well as of how its loss of function results in breakdown of self-tolerance mechanisms characterized by a broad and heterogeneous repertoire of autoimmune phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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24
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Zhu ML, Bakhru P, Conley B, Nelson JS, Free M, Martin A, Starmer J, Wilson EM, Su MA. Sex bias in CNS autoimmune disease mediated by androgen control of autoimmune regulator. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11350. [PMID: 27072778 PMCID: PMC5512610 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Male gender is protective against multiple sclerosis and other T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. This protection may be due, in part, to higher androgen levels in males. Androgen binds to the androgen receptor (AR) to regulate gene expression, but how androgen protects against autoimmunity is not well understood. Autoimmune regulator (Aire) prevents autoimmunity by promoting self-antigen expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells, such that developing T cells that recognize these self-antigens within the thymus undergo clonal deletion. Here we show that androgen upregulates Aire-mediated thymic tolerance to protect against autoimmunity. Androgen recruits AR to Aire promoter regions, with consequent enhancement of Aire transcription. In mice and humans, thymic Aire expression is higher in males compared with females. Androgen administration and male gender protect against autoimmunity in a multiple sclerosis mouse model in an Aire-dependent manner. Thus, androgen control of an intrathymic Aire-mediated tolerance mechanism contributes to gender differences in autoimmunity.
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MESH Headings
- Androgens/pharmacology
- Animals
- Antigens/metabolism
- Autoimmune Diseases/metabolism
- Autoimmune Diseases/pathology
- Central Nervous System/pathology
- Dihydrotestosterone/pharmacology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/prevention & control
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Humans
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein/genetics
- Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Sexism
- Thymus Gland/drug effects
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Up-Regulation/drug effects
- AIRE Protein
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lei Zhu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Pearl Bakhru
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Bridget Conley
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Nelson
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Meghan Free
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Aaron Martin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Joshua Starmer
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Wilson
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Maureen A. Su
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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25
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Yanagihara T, Sanematsu F, Sato T, Uruno T, Duan X, Tomino T, Harada Y, Watanabe M, Wang Y, Tanaka Y, Nakanishi Y, Suyama M, Yoshinori F. Intronic regulation of Aire expression by Jmjd6 for self-tolerance induction in the thymus. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8820. [PMID: 26531897 PMCID: PMC4667615 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus has spatially distinct microenvironments, the cortex and the medulla, where the developing T-cells are selected to mature or die through the interaction with thymic stromal cells. To establish the immunological self in the thymus, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) express diverse sets of tissue-specific self-antigens (TSAs). This ectopic expression of TSAs largely depends on the transcriptional regulator Aire, yet the mechanism controlling Aire expression itself remains unknown. Here, we show that Jmjd6, a dioxygenase that catalyses lysyl hydroxylation of splicing regulatory proteins, is critical for Aire expression. Although Jmjd6 deficiency does not affect abundance of Aire transcript, the intron 2 of Aire gene is not effectively spliced out in the absence of Jmjd6, resulting in marked reduction of mature Aire protein in mTECs and spontaneous development of multi-organ autoimmunity in mice. These results highlight the importance of intronic regulation in controlling Aire protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toyoshi Yanagihara
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Sanematsu
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sato
- Division of Bioinformatics, Multi-scale Research Centre for Medical Science, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takehito Uruno
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Xuefeng Duan
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tomino
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yosuke Harada
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mayuki Watanabe
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Tanaka
- Section of Infection Biology, Department of Functional Bioscience, Fukuoka Dental College, 2-15-1 Tamura, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka 814-0175, Japan
| | - Yoichi Nakanishi
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Multi-scale Research Centre for Medical Science, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Fukui Yoshinori
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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Akiyama T, Tateishi R, Akiyama N, Yoshinaga R, Kobayashi TJ. Positive and Negative Regulatory Mechanisms for Fine-Tuning Cellularity and Functions of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2015; 6:461. [PMID: 26441966 PMCID: PMC4568481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-tolerant T cells and regulatory T cells develop in the thymus. A wide variety of cell-cell interactions in the thymus is required for the differentiation, proliferation, and repertoire selection of T cells. Various secreted and cell surface molecules expressed in thymic epithelial cells (TECs) mediate these processes. Moreover, cytokines expressed by cells of hematopoietic origin regulate the cellularity of TECs. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family RANK ligand, lymphotoxin, and CD40 ligand, expressed in T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), promote the differentiation and proliferation of medullary TECs (mTECs) that play critical roles in the induction of immune tolerance. A recent study suggests that interleukin-22 (IL-22) produced by ILCs promotes regeneration of TECs after irradiation. Intriguingly, tumor growth factor-β and osteoprotegerin limit cellularity of mTECs, thereby attenuating regulatory T cell generation. We will review recent insights into the molecular basis for cell-cell interactions regulating differentiation and proliferation of mTECs and also discuss about a perspective on use of mathematical models for understanding this complicated system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tateishi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Nobuko Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Riko Yoshinaga
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
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Shinzawa M, Konno H, Qin J, Akiyama N, Miyauchi M, Ohashi H, Miyamoto-Sato E, Yanagawa H, Akiyama T, Inoue JI. Catalytic subunits of the phosphatase calcineurin interact with NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and attenuate NIK-dependent gene expression. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10758. [PMID: 26029823 PMCID: PMC5377069 DOI: 10.1038/srep10758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor (NF)-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) is a serine/threonine kinase that activates NF-κB pathways, thereby regulating a wide variety of immune systems. Aberrant NIK activation causes tumor malignancy, suggesting a requirement for precise regulation of NIK activity. To explore novel interacting proteins of NIK, we performed in vitro virus screening and identified the catalytic subunit Aα isoform of serine/threonine phosphatase calcineurin (CnAα) as a novel NIK-interacting protein. The interaction of NIK with CnAα in living cells was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Calcineurin catalytic subunit Aβ isoform (CnAβ) also bound to NIK. Experiments using domain deletion mutants suggested that CnAα and CnAβ interact with both the kinase domain and C-terminal region of NIK. Moreover, the phosphatase domain of CnAα is responsible for the interaction with NIK. Intriguingly, we found that TRAF3, a critical regulator of NIK activity, also binds to CnAα and CnAβ. Depletion of CnAα and CnAβ significantly enhanced lymphotoxin-β receptor (LtβR)-mediated expression of the NIK-dependent gene Spi-B and activation of RelA and RelB, suggesting that CnAα and CnAβ attenuate NF-κB activation mediated by LtβR-NIK signaling. Overall, these findings suggest a possible role of CnAα and CnAβ in modifying NIK functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Shinzawa
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Konno
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junwen Qin
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education and International Base of Collaboration for Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nobuko Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maki Miyauchi
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ohashi
- Division of Interactome Medical Sciences, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Etsuko Miyamoto-Sato
- Division of Interactome Medical Sciences, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Molecular Biology, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki, Noda-shi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yanagawa
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun-ichiro Inoue
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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van Delft MAM, Huitema LFA, Tas SW. The contribution of NF-κB signalling to immune regulation and tolerance. Eur J Clin Invest 2015; 45:529-39. [PMID: 25735405 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune regulation is necessary to control inflammatory responses and to prevent autoimmune diseases. Therefore, mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance have evolved to ensure that T cells recognize antigens as self- or non-self-antigens. The thymus is crucially important for central tolerance induction to self-antigens via negative selection of T cells. However, if T cells escape negative selection in the thymus and enter the periphery, peripheral mechanisms are active to warrant immune tolerance. Secondary lymphoid organs, as well as tolerogenic dendritic cells and regulatory T cells, play an important role in peripheral tolerance. In chronic inflammatory diseases, tertiary lymphoid organs are sometimes formed that may also be involved in the induction of peripheral tolerance. This review discusses the main processes that are involved in immune regulation and tolerance, and focuses on the contribution of NF-κB signalling to these processes. MATERIAL AND METHODS This narrative review is based on peer-reviewed publications listed on PubMed up to December 2014. The focus of our literature search was on studies investigating the role of (non)canonical NF-κB signalling in central and peripheral mechanisms of tolerance. Only studies published in English language were considered. RESULTS This review discusses the immune phenotype of mutant mice with defective (non)canonical NF-κB signalling, corroborated with human data, and emphasizes the contribution of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway to immune regulation and tolerance induction. CONCLUSIONS Noncanonical NF-κB signalling has an important immunoregulatory role in the immune system and contributes to both central and peripheral mechanisms of tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrthe A M van Delft
- Amsterdam Rheumatology & immunology Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Human thymic epithelial primary cells produce exosomes carrying tissue-restricted antigens. Immunol Cell Biol 2015; 93:727-34. [PMID: 25776846 PMCID: PMC4575951 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2015.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Revised: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles released by cells into the extracellular space and have been shown to be present in thymic tissue both in mice and in humans. The source of thymic exosomes is however still an enigma and hence it is not known whether thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are able to produce exosomes. In this work, we have cultured human TECs and isolated exosomes. These exosomes carry tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs), for example, myelin basic protein and desmoglein 3. The presence of TRAs indicates a possible role for thymic epithelium-derived exosomes in the selection process of thymocytes. The key contribution of these exosomes could be to disseminate self-antigens from the thymic epithelia, thus making them more accessible to the pool of maturing thymocytes. This would increase the coverage of TRAs within the thymus, and facilitate the process of positive and negative selection.
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30
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Van Praet JT, Donovan E, Vanassche I, Drennan MB, Windels F, Dendooven A, Allais L, Cuvelier CA, van de Loo F, Norris PS, Kruglov AA, Nedospasov SA, Rabot S, Tito R, Raes J, Gaboriau-Routhiau V, Cerf-Bensussan N, Van de Wiele T, Eberl G, Ware CF, Elewaut D. Commensal microbiota influence systemic autoimmune responses. EMBO J 2015; 34:466-74. [PMID: 25599993 PMCID: PMC4331001 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201489966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Antinuclear antibodies are a hallmark feature of generalized autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. However, the processes underlying the loss of tolerance against nuclear self-constituents remain largely unresolved. Using mice deficient in lymphotoxin and Hox11, we report that approximately 25% of mice lacking secondary lymphoid organs spontaneously develop specific antinuclear antibodies. Interestingly, we find this phenotype is not caused by a defect in central tolerance. Rather, cell-specific deletion and in vivo lymphotoxin blockade link these systemic autoimmune responses to the formation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue in the neonatal period of life. We further demonstrate antinuclear antibody production is influenced by the presence of commensal gut flora, in particular increased colonization with segmented filamentous bacteria, and IL-17 receptor signaling. Together, these data indicate that neonatal colonization of gut microbiota influences generalized autoimmunity in adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens T Van Praet
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Erin Donovan
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inge Vanassche
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michael B Drennan
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fien Windels
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Amélie Dendooven
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth Allais
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Fons van de Loo
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Paula S Norris
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrey A Kruglov
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology and Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergei A Nedospasov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, and Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sylvie Rabot
- INRA, UMR1319 Micalis, Jouy-en-Josas, France AgroParisTech Micalis, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Raul Tito
- Bioinformatics and (eco-)systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Raes
- Bioinformatics and (eco-)systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valerie Gaboriau-Routhiau
- INRA, UMR1319 Micalis, Jouy-en-Josas, France INSERM UMR1163, Laboratory of Intestinal Immunity, Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité and Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Nadine Cerf-Bensussan
- INSERM UMR1163, Laboratory of Intestinal Immunity, Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité and Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Tom Van de Wiele
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gérard Eberl
- Lymphoid Tissue Development Group, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Carl F Ware
- Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dirk Elewaut
- Laboratory for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium VIB Inflammation Research Center Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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31
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The role of lymphotoxin signaling in the development of autoimmune pancreatitis and associated secondary extra-pancreatic pathologies. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2014; 25:125-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Xu X, Ge Q. Maturation and migration of murine CD4 single positive thymocytes and thymic emigrants. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2014; 9:e201403003. [PMID: 24757506 PMCID: PMC3995209 DOI: 10.5936/csbj.201403003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
T lymphopoiesis in the thymus was thought to be completed once they reach the single positive (SP) stage, when they are “fully mature” and wait to be exported at random or follow a “first in-first out” manner. Recently, accumulating evidence has revealed that newly generated SP thymocytes undergo further maturation in the thymic medulla before they follow a tightly regulated emigrating process to become recent thymic emigrants (RTEs). RTEs in the periphery then experience a post-thymic maturation and peripheral tolerance and eventually become licensed as mature naïve T cells. This review summarizes the recent progress in the late stage T cell development in and outside of the thymus. The regulation of this developmental process is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health. Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Beijing 100191, P R China
| | - Qing Ge
- Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health. Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Beijing 100191, P R China
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33
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Thymic epithelial cell development and its dysfunction in human diseases. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:206929. [PMID: 24672784 PMCID: PMC3929497 DOI: 10.1155/2014/206929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the key components in thymic microenvironment for T cells development. TECs, composed of cortical and medullary TECs, are derived from a common bipotent progenitor and undergo a stepwise development controlled by multiple levels of signals to be functionally mature for supporting thymocyte development. Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family members including the receptor activator for NFκB (RANK), CD40, and lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) cooperatively control the thymic medullary microenvironment and self-tolerance establishment. In addition, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), Wnt, and Notch signals are essential for establishment of functional thymic microenvironment. Transcription factors Foxn1 and autoimmune regulator (Aire) are powerful modulators of TEC development, differentiation, and self-tolerance. Dysfunction in thymic microenvironment including defects of TEC and thymocyte development would cause physiological disorders such as tumor, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases. In the present review, we will summarize our current understanding on TEC development and the underlying molecular signals pathways and the involvement of thymus dysfunction in human diseases.
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Chen K, Coonrod E, Kumánovics A, Franks ZF, Durtschi J, Margraf R, Wu W, Heikal N, Augustine N, Ridge P, Hill H, Jorde L, Weyrich A, Zimmerman G, Gundlapalli A, Bohnsack J, Voelkerding K. Germline mutations in NFKB2 implicate the noncanonical NF-κB pathway in the pathogenesis of common variable immunodeficiency. Am J Hum Genet 2013; 93:812-24. [PMID: 24140114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2013.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by antibody deficiency, poor humoral response to antigens, and recurrent infections. To investigate the molecular cause of CVID, we carried out exome sequence analysis of a family diagnosed with CVID and identified a heterozygous frameshift mutation, c.2564delA (p.Lys855Serfs(∗)7), in NFKB2 affecting the C terminus of NF-κB2 (also known as p100/p52 or p100/p49). Subsequent screening of NFKB2 in 33 unrelated CVID-affected individuals uncovered a second heterozygous nonsense mutation, c.2557C>T (p.Arg853(∗)), in one simplex case. Affected individuals in both families presented with an unusual combination of childhood-onset hypogammaglobulinemia with recurrent infections, autoimmune features, and adrenal insufficiency. NF-κB2 is the principal protein involved in the noncanonical NF-κB pathway, is evolutionarily conserved, and functions in peripheral lymphoid organ development, B cell development, and antibody production. In addition, Nfkb2 mouse models demonstrate a CVID-like phenotype with hypogammaglobulinemia and poor humoral response to antigens. Immunoblot analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy of transformed B cells from affected individuals show that the NFKB2 mutations affect phosphorylation and proteasomal processing of p100 and, ultimately, p52 nuclear translocation. These findings describe germline mutations in NFKB2 and establish the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway as a genetic etiology for this primary immunodeficiency syndrome.
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35
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Maturation and emigration of single-positive thymocytes. Clin Dev Immunol 2013; 2013:282870. [PMID: 24187562 PMCID: PMC3804360 DOI: 10.1155/2013/282870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
T lymphopoiesis in the thymus was thought to be completed once it reaches the single positive (SP)
stage, a stage when T cells are “fully mature” and waiting to be exported at random or follow a “first-in-first-out” manner. Recent evidence, however, has revealed that the newly generated SP thymocytes undergo a multistage maturation program in the thymic medulla. Such maturation is followed by a tightly regulated emigration process and a further postthymic maturation of recent thymic emigrants (RTEs). This review summarizes recent progress in the late stage T cell development. The regulation of this developmental process is discussed.
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36
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Chen P, Zhang J, Zhan Y, Su J, Du Y, Xu G, Shi Y, Siebenlist U, Zhang X. Established thymic epithelial progenitor/stem cell-like cell lines differentiate into mature thymic epithelial cells and support T cell development. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75222. [PMID: 24086471 PMCID: PMC3781041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Common thymic epithelial progenitor/stem cells (TEPCs) differentiate into cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs), which are required for the development and selection of thymocytes. Mature TEC lines have been widely established. However, the establishment of TEPC lines is rarely reported. Here we describe the establishment of thymic epithelial stomal cell lines, named TSCs, from fetal thymus. TSCs express some of the markers present on tissue progenitor/stem cells such as Sca-1. Gene expression profiling verifies the thymic identity of TSCs. RANK stimulation of these cells induces expression of autoimmune regulator (Aire) and Aire-dependent tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) in TSCs in vitro. TSCs could be differentiated into medullary thymic epithelial cell-like cells with exogenously expressed NF-κB subunits RelB and p52. Importantly, upon transplantation under the kidney capsules of nude mice, TSCs are able to differentiate into mature TEC-like cells that can support some limited development of T cells in vivo. These findings suggest that the TSC lines we established bear some characteristics of TEPC cells and are able to differentiate into functional TEC-like cells in vitro and in vivo. The cloned TEPC-like cell lines may provide useful tools to study the differentiation of mature TEC cells from precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Transfusion, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, China
| | - Yu Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Juanjuan Su
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yarui Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoliang Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufang Shi
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ulrich Siebenlist
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xiaoren Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Akiyama T, Shinzawa M, Qin J, Akiyama N. Regulations of gene expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells required for preventing the onset of autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2013; 4:249. [PMID: 23986760 PMCID: PMC3752772 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Elimination of potential self-reactive T cells in the thymus is crucial for preventing the onset of autoimmune diseases. Epithelial cell subsets localized in thymic medulla [medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs)] contribute to this process by supplying a wide range of self-antigens that are otherwise expressed in a tissue-specific manner (TSAs). Expression of some TSAs in mTECs is controlled by the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) protein, of which dysfunctional mutations are the causative factor of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED). In addition to the elimination of self-reactive T cells, recent studies indicated roles of mTECs in the development of Foxp3-positive regulatory T cells, which suppress autoimmunity and excess immune reactions in peripheral tissues. The TNF family cytokines, RANK ligand, CD40 ligand, and lymphotoxin were found to promote the differentiation of AIRE- and TSA-expressing mTECs. Furthermore, activation of NF-κB is essential for mTEC differentiation. In this mini-review, we focus on molecular mechanisms that regulate induction of AIRE and TSA expression and discuss possible contributions of these mechanisms to prevent the onset of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
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Ucar O, Tykocinski LO, Dooley J, Liston A, Kyewski B. An evolutionarily conserved mutual interdependence between Aire and microRNAs in promiscuous gene expression. Eur J Immunol 2013; 43:1769-78. [PMID: 23589212 PMCID: PMC3816332 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The establishment and maintenance of central tolerance depends to a large extent on the ability of medullary thymic epithelial cells to express a variety of tissue-restricted antigens, the so-called promiscuous gene expression (pGE). Autoimmune regulator (Aire) is to date the best characterised transcriptional regulator known to at least partially coordinate pGE. There is accruing evidence that the expression of Aire-dependent and -independent genes is modulated by higher order chromatin configuration, epigenetic modifications and post-transcriptional control. Given the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) as potent post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression, we investigated their role in the regulation of pGE in purified mouse and human thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Microarray profiling of TEC subpopulations revealed evolutionarily conserved cell type and differentiation-specific miRNA signatures with a subset of miRNAs being significantly upregulated during terminal medullary thymic epithelial cell differentiation. The differential regulation of this subset of miRNAs was correlated with Aire expression and some of these miRNAs were misexpressed in the Aire knockout thymus. In turn, the specific absence of miRNAs in TECs resulted in a progressive reduction of Aire expression and pGE, affecting both Aire-dependent and -independent genes. In contrast, the absence of miR-29a only affected the Aire-dependent gene pool. These findings reveal a mutual interdependence of miRNA and Aire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ucar
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research CenterHeidelberg, Germany
| | | | - James Dooley
- Autoimmune Genetics Laboratory, VIBLeuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| | - Adrian Liston
- Autoimmune Genetics Laboratory, VIBLeuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research CenterHeidelberg, Germany
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Shi Y, Zhu M. Medullary thymic epithelial cells, the indispensable player in central tolerance. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2013; 56:392-8. [PMID: 23633070 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-013-4482-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Crosstalk between thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells is critical for T cell development and the establishment of central tolerance. Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play important roles in the late stage of T cell development, especially negative selection and Treg generation. The function of mTECs is highly dependent on their characteristic features such as ectopic expression of peripheral tissue restricted antigens (TRAs) and their master regulator-autoimmune regulator (Aire), expression of various chemokines and cytokines. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms of mTEC development and its functions in T cell development and the establishment of central tolerance. The open questions in this field are also discussed. Understanding the function and underlying mechanisms of mTECs will contribute to the better control of autoimmune diseases and the improvement of immune reconstitution during aging or after infection, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Shi
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Sun L, Luo H, Li H, Zhao Y. Thymic epithelial cell development and differentiation: cellular and molecular regulation. Protein Cell 2013; 4:342-55. [PMID: 23589020 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-013-3014-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are one of the most important components in thymic microenvironment supporting thymocyte development and maturation. TECs, composed of cortical and medullary TECs, are derived from a common bipotent progenitor, mediating thymocyte positive and negative selections. Multiple levels of signals including intracellular signaling networks and cell-cell interaction are required for TEC development and differentiation. Transcription factors Foxn1 and autoimmune regulator (Aire) are powerful regulators promoting TEC development and differentiation. Crosstalks with thymocytes and other stromal cells for extrinsic signals like RANKL, CD40L, lymphotoxin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt are also definitely required to establish a functional thymic microenvironment. In this review, we will summarize our current understanding about TEC development and differentiation, and its underlying multiple signal pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Otero DC, Baker DP, David M. IRF7-dependent IFN-β production in response to RANKL promotes medullary thymic epithelial cell development. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2013; 190:3289-98. [PMID: 23440417 PMCID: PMC3608802 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1203086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The contributions of IFN regulatory factor (IRF) 3/7 and the type I IFNs IFN-α/β to the innate host defense have been extensively investigated; however, their role in thymic development is less clear. In this study, we show that mice lacking the type I IFN receptor IFN-α/β receptor (IFNAR) or the downstream transcription factor STAT1 harbor a significant reduction in self-Ag-presenting, autoimmune regulator (AIRE)(+) medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Constitutive IFNAR signaling occurs in the thymic medulla in the absence of infection or inflammation. Receptor activator for NF-κB (RANK) ligand stimulation results in IFN-β upregulation, which in turn inhibits RANK signaling and facilitates AIRE expression in mTECs. Finally, we find that IRF7 is required for thymic IFN-β induction, maintenance of thymic architecture, and mTEC differentiation. We conclude that spatially and temporally coordinated cross talks between the RANK ligand/RANK and IRF7/IFN-β/IFNAR/STAT1 pathways are essential for differentiation of AIRE(+) mTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis C. Otero
- Division of Biological Sciences and UCSD Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael David
- Division of Biological Sciences and UCSD Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Upadhyay V, Fu YX. Lymphotoxin signalling in immune homeostasis and the control of microorganisms. Nat Rev Immunol 2013; 13:270-9. [PMID: 23524463 PMCID: PMC3900493 DOI: 10.1038/nri3406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Lymphotoxin (LT) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily that was originally thought to be functionally redundant to TNF, but these proteins were later found to have independent roles in driving lymphoid organogenesis. More recently, LT-mediated signalling has been shown to actively contribute to effector immune responses. LT regulates dendritic cell and CD4(+) T cell homeostasis in the steady state and determines the functions of these cells during pathogenic challenges. The LT receptor pathway is essential for controlling pathogens and even contributes to the regulation of the intestinal microbiota, with recent data suggesting that LT-induced changes in the microbiota promote metabolic disease. In this Review, we discuss these newly defined roles for LT, with a particular focus on how the LT receptor pathway regulates innate and adaptive immune responses to microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Upadhyay
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
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Yokley BH, Selby ST, Posch PE. A stimulation-dependent alternate core promoter links lymphotoxin α expression with TGF-β1 and fibroblast growth factor-7 signaling in primary human T cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:4573-84. [PMID: 23547113 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Lymphotoxin (LT)-α regulates many biologic activities, yet little is known of the regulation of its gene. In this study, the contribution to LTA transcriptional regulation of the region between the transcription and translation start sites (downstream segment) was investigated. The LTA downstream segment was found to be required for, and alone to be sufficient for, maximal transcriptional activity in both T and B lymphocytes. The latter observation suggested that an alternate core promoter might be present in the downstream segment. Characterization of LTA mRNAs isolated from primary and from transformed human T cells under different stimulation conditions identified eight unique transcript variants (TVs), including one (LTA TV8) that initiated within a polypyrimidine tract near the 3' end of the downstream segment. Further investigation determined that the LTA downstream segment alternate core promoter that produces the LTA TV8 transcript most likely consists of a stimulating protein 1 binding site and an initiator element and that factors involved in transcription initiation (stimulating protein 1, TFII-I, and RNA polymerase II) bind to this LTA region in vivo. Interestingly, the LTA downstream segment alternate core promoter was active only after specific cellular stimulation and was the major promoter used when human T cells were stimulated with TGF-β1 and fibroblast growth factor-7. Most importantly, this study provides evidence of a direct link for crosstalk between T cells and epithelial/stromal cells that has implications for LT signaling by T cells in the cooperative regulation of various processes typically associated with TGF-βR and fibroblast growth factor-R2 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian H Yokley
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
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Frischknecht M, Niehof-Oellers H, Jagannathan V, Owczarek-Lipska M, Drögemüller C, Dietschi E, Dolf G, Tellhelm B, Lang J, Tiira K, Lohi H, Leeb T. A COL11A2 mutation in Labrador retrievers with mild disproportionate dwarfism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60149. [PMID: 23527306 PMCID: PMC3603880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe a mild form of disproportionate dwarfism in Labrador Retrievers, which is not associated with any obvious health problems such as secondary arthrosis. We designate this phenotype as skeletal dysplasia 2 (SD2). It is inherited as a monogenic autosomal recessive trait with incomplete penetrance primarily in working lines of the Labrador Retriever breed. Using 23 cases and 37 controls we mapped the causative mutation by genome-wide association and homozygosity mapping to a 4.44 Mb interval on chromosome 12. We re-sequenced the genome of one affected dog at 30x coverage and detected 92 non-synonymous variants in the critical interval. Only two of these variants, located in the lymphotoxin A (LTA) and collagen alpha-2(XI) chain gene (COL11A2), respectively, were perfectly associated with the trait. Previously described COL11A2 variants in humans or mice lead to skeletal dysplasias and/or deafness. The dog variant associated with disproportionate dwarfism, COL11A2:c.143G>C or p.R48P, probably has only a minor effect on collagen XI function, which might explain the comparatively mild phenotype seen in our study. The identification of this candidate causative mutation thus widens the known phenotypic spectrum of COL11A2 mutations. We speculate that non-pathogenic COL11A2 variants might even contribute to the heritable variation in height.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Frischknecht
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Cord Drögemüller
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Dietschi
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gaudenz Dolf
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Tellhelm
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Johann Lang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Division of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katriina Tiira
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannes Lohi
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
For a very long time, we studied the metallophilic macrophages of the rodent thymus and in this review our results on morphological, histochemical, enzymehistochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and functional features of these cells, as well as the molecular regulation of their development, will be presented. Furthermore, the differences between species will also be discussed and the comparisons with similar/related cell types (metallophilic macrophages in the marginal sinus of the spleen, subcapsular sinus of the lymph nodes and germinal centers of secondary lymphoid follicles) will be made. Metallophilic macrophages are strategically positioned in the thymic cortico-medullary zone and are very likely to be involved in: (i) the metabolism, synthesis and production of bioactive lipids, most likely arachidonic acid metabolites, based on their histochemical and enzymehistochemical features, and (ii) the process of negative selection that occurs in the thymus, based on their ultrastructural features and their reactivity after the application of toxic or immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory agents. Taken together, their phenotypic and functional features strongly suggest that metallophilic macrophages play a significant role in the thymic physiology.
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Abstract
The development of CD4(+) helper and CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cells expressing the αβ form of the T-cell receptor (αβTCR) takes place in the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ containing distinct cortical and medullary microenvironments. While the cortex represents a site of early T-cell precursor development, and the positive selection of CD4(+)8(+) thymocytes, the thymic medulla plays a key role in tolerance induction, ensuring that thymic emigrants are purged of autoreactive αβTCR specificities. In recent years, advances have been made in understanding the development and function of thymic medullary epithelial cells, most notably the subset defined by expression of the Autoimmune Regulator (Aire) gene. Here, we summarize current knowledge of the developmental mechanisms regulating thymus medulla development, and examine the role of the thymus medulla in recessive (negative selection) and dominant (T-regulatory cell) tolerance.
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47
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Perniola R. Expression of the autoimmune regulator gene and its relevance to the mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance. Clin Dev Immunol 2012; 2012:207403. [PMID: 23125865 PMCID: PMC3485510 DOI: 10.1155/2012/207403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 08/26/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is a monogenic disease due to pathogenic variants occurring in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Its related protein, AIRE, activates the transcription of genes encoding for tissue-specific antigens (TsAgs) in a subset of medullary thymic epithelial cells: the presentation of TsAgs to the maturating thymocytes induces the apoptosis of the autoreactive clones and constitutes the main form of central tolerance. Dysregulation of thymic AIRE expression in genetically transmitted and acquired diseases other than APS-1 may contribute to further forms of autoimmunity. As AIRE and its murine homolog are also expressed in the secondary lymphoid organs, the extent and relevance of AIRE participation in the mechanisms of peripheral tolerance need to be thoroughly defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perniola
- Neonatal Intensive Care, Department of Pediatrics, V. Fazzi Regional Hospital, Piazza F. Muratore, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
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48
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Akiyama T, Shinzawa M, Akiyama N. TNF receptor family signaling in the development and functions of medullary thymic epithelial cells. Front Immunol 2012; 3:278. [PMID: 22969770 PMCID: PMC3432834 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide the microenvironment required for the development of T cells in the thymus. A unique property of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is their expression of a wide range of tissue-restricted self-antigens, critically regulated by the nuclear protein AIRE, which contributes to the selection of the self-tolerant T cell repertoire, thereby suppressing the onset of autoimmune diseases. The TNF receptor family (TNFRF) protein receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), CD40 and lymphotoxin β receptor (LtβR) regulate the development and functions of mTECs. The engagement of these receptors with their specific ligands results in the activation of the NF-κB family of transcription factors. Two NF-κB activation pathways, the classical and non-classical pathways, promote the development of mature mTECs induced by these receptors. Consistently, TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF6), the signal transducer of the classical pathway, and NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK), the signal transducer of the non-classical pathway, are essential for the development of mature mTECs. This review summarizes the current understanding of how the signaling by the TNF receptor family controls the development and functions of mTEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Cancer Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
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49
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Yang XY, Levi D, Ounissi-Benkalha H, Yu XY, Qu HQ, Polychronakos C, Du GH. Screening for novel lead compounds increasing insulin expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2012; 688:84-9. [PMID: 22507222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.03.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Revised: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Insulin expression in the thymus has been implicated in regulating the negative selection of autoreactive T cells and in mediating the central immune tolerance to pancreatic beta-cells. Thymic insulin expression modulation might be an important drug target for preventing type 1 diabetes. We performed a high-throughput screening to identify compounds with such activity. A reporter plasmid was constructed with the human insulin promoter sequence including a short allele of the upstream variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) sequence (32 repeats), subcloned into the pGL4.17 vector. The plasmid was stably transfected into an insulin-transcribing medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) line. Primary high-throughput screening assays were carried out by stimulating with candidate compounds for 24h, and the activity of luciferase was measured. Positive compounds were further validated by real-time PCR. Of 19,707 compounds, we identified one compound that could enhance mTEC insulin expression, as confirmed by real-time PCR. We also observed that transfection with the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) increased endogenous AIRE expression in mTECs. Our insulin-VNTRI-promoter reporter system is consistent with the insulin expression regulation in mTECs, and one compound that was identified could increase insulin expression in mTECs. A positive feedback effect of AIRE in mTECS was observed. Whether these efforts in murine thymus cells apply to humans remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Ying Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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50
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Hübner S, Efthymiadis A. Recent progress in histochemistry and cell biology. Histochem Cell Biol 2012; 137:403-57. [PMID: 22366957 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-012-0933-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Studies published in Histochemistry and Cell Biology in the year 2011 represent once more a manifest of established and newly sophisticated techniques being exploited to put tissue- and cell type-specific molecules into a functional context. The review is therefore the Histochemistry and Cell Biology's yearly intention to provide interested readers appropriate summaries of investigations touching the areas of tissue biology, developmental biology, the biology of the immune system, stem cell research, the biology of subcellular compartments, in order to put the message of such studies into natural scientific-/human- and also pathological-relevant correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hübner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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