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Saggau C, Bacher P, Esser D, Rasa M, Meise S, Mohr N, Kohlstedt N, Hutloff A, Schacht SS, Dargvainiene J, Martini GR, Stürner KH, Schröder I, Markewitz R, Hartl J, Hastermann M, Duchow A, Schindler P, Becker M, Bautista C, Gottfreund J, Walter J, Polansky JK, Yang M, Naghavian R, Wendorff M, Schuster EM, Dahl A, Petzold A, Reinhardt S, Franke A, Wieczorek M, Henschel L, Berger D, Heine G, Holtsche M, Häußler V, Peters C, Schmidt E, Fillatreau S, Busch DH, Wandinger KP, Schober K, Martin R, Paul F, Leypoldt F, Scheffold A. Autoantigen-specific CD4 + T cells acquire an exhausted phenotype and persist in human antigen-specific autoimmune diseases. Immunity 2024; 57:2416-2432.e8. [PMID: 39226901 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory autoantigen-specific CD4+ T helper (auto-Th) cells are central orchestrators of autoimmune diseases (AIDs). We aimed to characterize these cells in human AIDs with defined autoantigens by combining human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-tetramer-based and activation-based multidimensional ex vivo analyses. In aquaporin4-antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD) patients, auto-Th cells expressed CD154, but proliferative capacity and pro-inflammatory cytokines were strongly reduced. Instead, exhaustion-associated co-inhibitory receptors were expressed together with FOXP3, the canonical regulatory T cell (Treg) transcription factor. Auto-Th cells responded in vitro to checkpoint inhibition and provided potent B cell help. Cells with the same exhaustion-like (ThEx) phenotype were identified in soluble liver antigen (SLA)-antibody-autoimmune hepatitis and BP180-antibody-positive bullous pemphigoid, AIDs of the liver and skin, respectively. While originally described in cancer and chronic infection, our data point to T cell exhaustion as a common mechanism of adaptation to chronic (self-)stimulation across AID types and link exhausted CD4+ T cells to humoral autoimmune responses, with implications for therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Saggau
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Petra Bacher
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany; Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Daniela Esser
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mahdi Rasa
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany; Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Silja Meise
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Nicola Mohr
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Nora Kohlstedt
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Andreas Hutloff
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany; Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sarah-Sophie Schacht
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Justina Dargvainiene
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gabriela Rios Martini
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany; Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Klarissa H Stürner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ina Schröder
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Robert Markewitz
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Johannes Hartl
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Hastermann
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ankelien Duchow
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Schindler
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mareike Becker
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, Lübeck, Germany; Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Catholic Children's Hospital Wilhelmstift, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Bautista
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy and Venerology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Judith Gottfreund
- Department of Genetics and Epigenetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Department of Genetics and Epigenetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Julia K Polansky
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; German Rheumatism Research Centre, a Leibniz Institute (DRFZ), Charité Platz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mingxing Yang
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Reza Naghavian
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research Section (NIMS), Neurology Clinic, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Cellerys AG, Wagistrasse 21, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Mareike Wendorff
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ev-Marie Schuster
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, Technology Platform at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Petzold
- DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, Technology Platform at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Reinhardt
- DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, Technology Platform at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Marek Wieczorek
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Lea Henschel
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Daniel Berger
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 68, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Guido Heine
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Maike Holtsche
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Vivien Häußler
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Peters
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Enno Schmidt
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Simon Fillatreau
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Necker Enfants Malades-INEM, 75015 Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France; AP-HP, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Wandinger
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kilian Schober
- Mikrobiologisches Institut - Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Medical Immunology Campus Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossplatz 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Roland Martin
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research Section (NIMS), Neurology Clinic, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Cellerys AG, Wagistrasse 21, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland; Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Wintherturerstrasse 191, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Friedemann Paul
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Leypoldt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexander Scheffold
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany.
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Dabbah-Krancher G, Ruchinskas A, Kallarakal MA, Lee KP, Bauman BM, Epstein B, Yin H, Krappmann D, Schaefer BC, Snow AL. A20 intrinsically influences human effector T-cell survival and function by regulating both NF-κB and JNK signaling. Eur J Immunol 2024:e2451245. [PMID: 39359035 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202451245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
A20 is a dual-function ubiquitin-editing enzyme that maintains immune homeostasis by restraining inflammation. Although A20 serves a similar negative feedback function for T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, the molecular mechanisms utilized and their ultimate impact on human T-cell function remain unclear. TCR engagement triggers the assembly of the CARD11-BCL10-MALT1 (CBM) protein complex, a signaling platform that governs the activation of downstream transcription factors including NF-κB and c-Jun/AP-1. Utilizing WT and A20 knockout Jurkat T cells, we found that A20 is required to negatively regulate NF-κB and JNK. Utilizing a novel set of A20 mutants in NF-κB and AP-1-driven reporter systems, we discovered the ZnF7 domain is crucial for negative regulatory capacity, while deubiquitinase activity is dispensable. Successful inactivation of A20 in human primary effector T cells congruently conferred sustained NF-κB and JNK signaling, including enhanced upregulation of activation markers, and increased secretion of several cytokines including IL-9. Finally, loss of A20 in primary human T cells resulted in decreased sensitivity to restimulation-induced cell death and increased sensitivity to cytokine withdrawal-induced death. These findings demonstrate the importance of A20 in maintaining T-cell homeostasis via negative regulation of both NF-κB and JNK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Dabbah-Krancher
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, C-2013 Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Allison Ruchinskas
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, C-2013 Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Melissa A Kallarakal
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, C-2013 Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Katherine P Lee
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, C-2013 Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Bradly M Bauman
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, C-2013 Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Benjamin Epstein
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, C-2013 Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Hongli Yin
- Research Unit Signaling and Translation, Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Krappmann
- Research Unit Signaling and Translation, Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Brian C Schaefer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew L Snow
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, C-2013 Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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Umhoefer JM, Arce MM, Dajani R, Belk JA, Mowery CT, Nguyen V, Gowen BG, Simeonov DR, Curie GL, Corn JE, Chang HY, Marson A. Deciphering regulation of FOXP3 expression in human conventional T cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.30.610436. [PMID: 39282425 PMCID: PMC11398386 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.30.610436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
FOXP3 is a lineage-defining transcription factor that controls differentiation and maintenance of suppressive function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Foxp3 is exclusively expressed in Tregs in mice. However, in humans, FOXP3 is not only constitutively expressed in Tregs; it is also transiently expressed in stimulated CD4+CD25- conventional T cells (Tconvs)1-3. Mechanisms governing the expression of FOXP3 in human Tconvs are not understood. Here, we performed CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screens using a 15K-member gRNA library tiling 39 kb downstream of the FOXP3 transcriptional start site (TSS) to 85 kb upstream of the TSS in Treg and Tconvs. The FOXP3 promoter and conserved non-coding sequences (CNS0, CNS1, CNS2 and CNS3), characterized as enhancer elements in murine Tregs, were required for maintenance of FOXP3 in human Tregs. In contrast, FOXP3 in human Tconvs depended on regulation at CNS0 and a novel Tconv-specific noncoding sequence (TcNS+) located upstream of CNS0. Arrayed validations of these sites identified an additional repressive cis-element overlapping with the PPP1R3F promoter (TcNS-). Pooled CRISPR knockouts revealed multiple transcription factors required for proper expression of FOXP3 in Tconvs, including GATA3, STAT5, IRF4, ETS1 and DNA methylation-associated regulators DNMT1 and MBD2. Analysis of ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq paired with knock-out (KO) of GATA3, STAT5, IRF4, and ETS1 revealed regulation of CNS0 and TcNS+ accessibility. Collectively, this work identified Treg-shared and Tconv-specific cis-elements and the trans-factors that interact with them, building a network of regulators controlling FOXP3 expression in human Tconvs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Umhoefer
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences graduate program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Maya M Arce
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences graduate program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rama Dajani
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julia A Belk
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Cody T Mowery
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences graduate program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vinh Nguyen
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF CoLabs, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin G Gowen
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Dimitre R Simeonov
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences graduate program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gemma L Curie
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jacob E Corn
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Marson
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Touni AA, Sohn R, Cosgrove C, Shivde RS, Dellacecca ER, Abdel-Aziz RTA, Cedercreutz K, Green SJ, Abdel-Wahab H, Le Poole IC. Topical antibiotics limit depigmentation in a mouse model of vitiligo. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2024; 37:583-596. [PMID: 38439216 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13164] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Oral neomycin administration impacts the gut microbiome and delays vitiligo development in mice, and topical antibiotics may likewise allow the microbiome to preserve skin health and delay depigmentation. Here, we examined the effects of 6-week topical antibiotic treatment on vitiligo-prone pmel-1 mice. Bacitracin, Neosporin, or Vaseline were applied to one denuded flank, while the contralateral flank was treated with Vaseline in all mice. Ventral depigmentation was quantified weekly. We found that topical Neosporin treatment significantly reduced depigmentation and exhibited effects beyond the treated area, while Bacitracin ointment had no effect. Stool samples collected from four representative mice/group during treatment revealed that Neosporin treatment aligned with reduced abundance of the Alistipes genus in the gut, while relevant changes to the skin microbiome at end point were less apparent. Either antibiotic treatment led to reduced expression of MR1, potentially limiting mucosal-associated invariant T-cell activation, while Neosporin-treated skin selectively revealed significantly reduced CD8+ T-cell abundance. The latter finding aligned with reduced expression of multiple inflammatory markers and markedly increased regulatory T-cell density. Our studies on favorable skin and oral antibiotic treatment share the neomycin compound, and in either case, microbial changes were most apparent in stool samples. Taken together, neomycin-containing antibiotic applications can mediate skin Treg infiltration to limit vitiligo development. Our study highlights the therapeutic potential of short-term antibiotic applications to limit depigmentation vitiligo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Ahmed Touni
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Rachel Sohn
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Cormac Cosgrove
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Rohan S Shivde
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Emilia R Dellacecca
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Kettil Cedercreutz
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stefan J Green
- Department of Internal Medicine and Genomics and Microbiome Core Facility, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Hossam Abdel-Wahab
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - I Caroline Le Poole
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Gootjes C, Zwaginga JJ, Roep BO, Nikolic T. Defining Human Regulatory T Cells beyond FOXP3: The Need to Combine Phenotype with Function. Cells 2024; 13:941. [PMID: 38891073 PMCID: PMC11172350 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential to maintain immune homeostasis by promoting self-tolerance. Reduced Treg numbers or functionality can lead to a loss of tolerance, increasing the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. An overwhelming variety of human Tregs has been described, based on either specific phenotype, tissue compartment, or pathological condition, yet the bulk of the literature only addresses CD25-positive and CD127-negative cells, coined by naturally occurring Tregs (nTregs), most of which express the transcription factor Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3). While the discovery of FOXP3 was seminal to understanding the origin and biology of nTregs, there is evidence in humans that not all T cells expressing FOXP3 are regulatory, and that not all Tregs express FOXP3. Namely, the activation of human T cells induces the transient expression of FOXP3, irrespective of whether they are regulatory or inflammatory effectors, while some induced T cells that may be broadly defined as Tregs (e.g., Tr1 cells) typically lack demethylation and do not express FOXP3. Furthermore, it is unknown whether and how many nTregs exist without FOXP3 expression. Several other candidate regulatory molecules, such as GITR, Lag-3, GARP, GPA33, Helios, and Neuropilin, have been identified but subsequently discarded as Treg-specific markers. Multiparametric analyses have uncovered a plethora of Treg phenotypes, and neither single markers nor combinations thereof can define all and only Tregs. To date, only the functional capacity to inhibit immune responses defines a Treg and distinguishes Tregs from inflammatory T cells (Teffs) in humans. This review revisits current knowledge of the Treg universe with respect to their heterogeneity in phenotype and function. We propose that it is unavoidable to characterize human Tregs by their phenotype in combination with their function, since phenotype alone does not unambiguously define Tregs. There is an unmet need to align the expression of specific markers or combinations thereof with a particular suppressive function to coin functional Treg entities and categorize Treg diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Gootjes
- Laboratory of Immunomodulation and Regenerative Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (J.J.Z.); (T.N.)
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Borna S, Meffre E, Bacchetta R. FOXP3 deficiency, from the mechanisms of the disease to curative strategies. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:244-258. [PMID: 37994657 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3 gene is a key transcription factor driving immune tolerance and its deficiency causes immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy X-linked syndrome (IPEX), a prototypic primary immune regulatory disorder (PIRD) with defective regulatory T (Treg) cells. Although life-threatening, the increased awareness and early diagnosis have contributed to improved control of the disease. IPEX currently comprises a broad spectrum of clinical autoimmune manifestations from severe early onset organ involvement to moderate, recurrent manifestations. This review focuses on the mechanistic advancements that, since the IPEX discovery in early 2000, have informed the role of the human FOXP3+ Treg cells in controlling peripheral tolerance and shaping the overall immune landscape of IPEX patients and carrier mothers, contributing to defining new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Borna
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Eric Meffre
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Rosa Bacchetta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine (CDCM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Planas R, Felber M, Vavassori S, Pachlopnik Schmid J. The hyperinflammatory spectrum: from defects in cytotoxicity to cytokine control. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1163316. [PMID: 37187762 PMCID: PMC10175623 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1163316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic lymphocytes kill target cells through polarized release of the content of cytotoxic granules towards the target cell. The importance of this cytotoxic pathway in immune regulation is evidenced by the severe and often fatal condition, known as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) that occurs in mice and humans with inborn errors of lymphocyte cytotoxic function. The clinical and preclinical data indicate that the damage seen in severe, virally triggered HLH is due to an overwhelming immune system reaction and not the direct effects of the virus per se. The main HLH-disease mechanism, which links impaired cytotoxicity to excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines is a prolongation of the synapse time between the cytotoxic effector cell and the target cell, which prompts the former to secrete larger amounts of cytokines (including interferon gamma) that activate macrophages. We and others have identified novel genetic HLH spectrum disorders. In the present update, we position these newly reported molecular causes, including CD48-haploinsufficiency and ZNFX1-deficiency, within the pathogenic pathways that lead to HLH. These genetic defects have consequences on the cellular level on a gradient model ranging from impaired lymphocyte cytotoxicity to intrinsic activation of macrophages and virally infected cells. Altogether, it is clear that target cells and macrophages may play an independent role and are not passive bystanders in the pathogenesis of HLH. Understanding these processes which lead to immune dysregulation may pave the way to novel ideas for medical intervention in HLH and virally triggered hypercytokinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Planas
- Division of Immunology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Matthias Felber
- Division of Immunology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Vavassori
- Division of Immunology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jana Pachlopnik Schmid
- Division of Immunology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Pediatric Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Jana Pachlopnik Schmid,
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8
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Borna S, Lee E, Sato Y, Bacchetta R. Towards gene therapy for IPEX syndrome. Eur J Immunol 2022; 52:705-716. [PMID: 35355253 PMCID: PMC9322407 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Immune dysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy X linked (IPEX) syndrome is an uncurable disease of the immune system, with immune dysregulation that is caused by mutations in FOXP3. Current treatment options, such as pharmacological immune suppression and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, have been beneficial but present limitations, and their life‐long consequences are ill‐defined. Other similar blood monogenic diseases have been successfully treated using gene transfer in autologous patient cells, thus providing an effective and less invasive therapeutic. Development of gene therapy for patients with IPEX is particularly challenging because successful strategies must restore the complex expression profile of the transcription factor FOXP3, ensuring it is tightly regulated and its cell subset‐specific roles are maintained. This review summarizes current efforts toward achieving gene therapy to treat immune dysregulation in IPEX patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Borna
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Esmond Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yohei Sato
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rosa Bacchetta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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9
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Pohida K, Lake C, Yee D, Snow A. Restimulation-Induced Cell Death (RICD): Methods for Modeling, Investigating, and Quantifying RICD Sensitivity in Primary Human T Cells via Flow Cytometric Analysis. Bio Protoc 2022; 12:e4326. [DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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10
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Lake CM, Voss K, Bauman BM, Pohida K, Jiang T, Dveksler G, Snow AL. TIM-3 drives temporal differences in restimulation-induced cell death sensitivity in effector CD8 + T cells in conjunction with CEACAM1. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:400. [PMID: 33854046 PMCID: PMC8046753 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03689-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune homeostasis depends upon effective clearance of pathogens while simultaneously preventing autoimmunity and immunopathology in the host. Restimulation-induced cell death (RICD) is one such mechanism where by activated T cells receive subsequent antigenic stimulation, reach a critical signal threshold through the T cell receptor (TCR), and commit to apoptosis. Many details of this process remain unclear, including the role of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory proteins that influence the TCR signaling cascade. Here we characterize the role of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing 3 (TIM-3) in RICD regulation. TIM-3 protected newly activated CD8+ effector T cells from premature RICD during clonal expansion. Surprisingly, however, we found that TIM-3 potentiated RICD in late-stage effector T cells. The presence of TIM-3 increased proximal TCR signaling and proapoptotic protein expression in late-stage effector T cells, with no consistent signaling effects noted in newly activated cells with or without TIM-3. To better explain these differences in TIM-3 function as T cells aged, we characterized the temporal pattern of TIM-3 expression in effector T cells. We found that TIM-3 was expressed on the surface of newly activated effector T cells, but remained largely intracellular in late-stage effector cells. Consistent with this, TIM-3 required a ligand to prevent early RICD, whereas ligand manipulation had no effects at later stages. Of the known TIM-3 ligands, carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM1) showed the greatest difference in surface expression over time and also protected newly activated cells from premature RICD, with no measurable effects in late-stage effectors. Indeed, CEACAM1 enabled TIM-3 surface expression on T cells, implying a co-dependency for these proteins in protecting expanding T cells from premature RICD. Our findings suggest that co-signaling proteins like TIM-3 and CEACAM1 can alter RICD sensitivity at different stages of the effector T cell response, with important implications for checkpoint blockade therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille M Lake
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Kelsey Voss
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Bradly M Bauman
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Katherine Pohida
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Timothy Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Gabriela Dveksler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Andrew L Snow
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.
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11
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Mannie MD, DeOca KB, Bastian AG, Moorman CD. Tolerogenic vaccines: Targeting the antigenic and cytokine niches of FOXP3 + regulatory T cells. Cell Immunol 2020; 355:104173. [PMID: 32712270 PMCID: PMC7444458 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) constitute a critical barrier that enforces tolerance to both the self-peptidome and the extended-self peptidome to ensure tissue-specific resistance to autoimmune, allergic, and other inflammatory disorders. Here, we review intuitive models regarding how T cell antigen receptor (TCR) specificity and antigen recognition efficiency shape the Treg and conventional T cell (Tcon) repertoires to adaptively regulate T cell maintenance, tissue-residency, phenotypic stability, and immune function in peripheral tissues. Three zones of TCR recognition efficiency are considered, including Tcon recognition of specific low-efficiency self MHC-ligands, Treg recognition of intermediate-efficiency agonistic self MHC-ligands, and Tcon recognition of cross-reactive high-efficiency agonistic foreign MHC-ligands. These respective zones of TCR recognition efficiency are key to understanding how tissue-resident immune networks integrate the antigenic complexity of local environments to provide adaptive decisions setting the balance of suppressive and immunogenic responses. Importantly, deficiencies in the Treg repertoire appear to be an important cause of chronic inflammatory disease. Deficiencies may include global deficiencies in Treg numbers or function, subtle 'holes in the Treg repertoire' in tissue-resident Treg populations, or simply Treg insufficiencies that are unable to counter an overwhelming molecular mimicry stimulus. Tolerogenic vaccination and Treg-based immunotherapy are two therapeutic modalities meant to restore dominance of Treg networks to reverse chronic inflammatory disease. Studies of these therapeutic modalities in a preclinical setting have provided insight into the Treg niche, including the concept that intermediate-efficiency TCR signaling, high IFN-β concentrations, and low IL-2 concentrations favor Treg responses and active dominant mechanisms of immune tolerance. Overall, the purpose here is to assimilate new and established concepts regarding how cognate TCR specificity of the Treg repertoire and the contingent cytokine networks provide a foundation for understanding Treg suppressive strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Mannie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, United States.
| | - Kayla B DeOca
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
| | - Alexander G Bastian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
| | - Cody D Moorman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
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12
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Abstract
The transcription factor FOXP3 controls the immunosuppressive program in CD4+ T cells that is crucial for systemic immune regulation. Mutations of the single X-chromosomal FOXP3 gene in male individuals cause the inherited autoimmune disease immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, and X-linked (IPEX) syndrome. Insufficient gene expression and impaired function of mutant FOXP3 protein prevent the generation of anti-inflammatory regulatory T (Treg) cells and fail to inhibit autoreactive T cell responses. Diversification of FOXP3 functional properties is achieved through alternative splicing that leads to isoforms lacking exon 2 (FOXP3Δ2), exon 7 (FOXP3Δ7), or both (FOXP3Δ2Δ7) specifically in human CD4+ T cells. Several IPEX mutations targeting these exons or promoting their alternative splicing revealed that those truncated isoforms cannot compensate for the loss of the full-length isoform (FOXP3fl). In this review, IPEX mutations that change the FOXP3 isoform profile and the resulting consequences for the CD4+ T-cell phenotype are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner K Mailer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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