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Safe S. Natural products and synthetic analogs as selective orphan nuclear receptor 4A (NR4A) modulators. Histol Histopathol 2024; 39:543-556. [PMID: 38116863 PMCID: PMC11267491 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Although endogenous ligands for the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77), NR4A2 (Nurr1), and NR4A3 (Nor-1) have not been identified, several natural products and synthetic analogs bind NR4A members. These studies are becoming increasingly important since members of the NR4A subfamily of 3 receptors are potential drug targets for treating cancer and non-cancer endpoints and particularly those conditions associated with inflammatory diseases. Ligands that bind NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 including Cytosporone B, celastrol, bis-indole derived (CDIM) compounds, tryptophan/indolic, metabolites, prostaglandins, resveratrol, piperlongumine, fatty acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, peptides, and drug families including statins and antimalarial drugs. The structural diversity of NR4A ligands and their overlapping and unique effects on NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 suggest that NR4A ligands are selective NR4A modulators (SNR4AMs) that exhibit tissue-, structure-, and response-specific activities. The SNR4AM activities of NR4A ligands are exemplified among the Cytosporone B analogs where n-pentyl-2-[3,5-dihydroxy-2-(nonanoyl)]phenyl acetate (PDNPA) binds NR4A1, NR4A2 and NR4A3 but activates only NR4A1 and exhibits significant functional differences with other Cytosporone B analogs. The number of potential clinical applications of agents targeting NR4A is increasing and this should spur future development of SNR4AMs as therapeutics that act through NR4A1, NR4A2 and NR4A3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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Chang J, Bouchard A, Bouklouch Y, Panneton V, Li J, Diamantopoulos N, Mohammaei S, Istomine R, Alvarez F, Piccirillo CA, Suh WK. ICOS-Deficient Regulatory T Cells Can Prevent Spontaneous Autoimmunity but Are Impaired in Controlling Acute Inflammation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 209:301-309. [PMID: 35760518 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
ICOS is induced in activated T cells and its main role is to boost differentiation and function of effector T cells. ICOS is also constitutively expressed in a subpopulation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells under steady-state condition. Studies using ICOS germline knockout mice or ICOS-blocking reagents suggested that ICOS has supportive roles in regulatory T (Treg) cell homeostasis, migration, and function. To avoid any compounding effects that may arise from ICOS-deficient non-Treg cells, we generated a conditional knockout system in which ICOS expression is selectively abrogated in Foxp3-expressing cells (ICOS FC mice). Compared to Foxp3-Cre control mice, ICOS FC mice showed a minor numerical deficit of steady-state Treg cells but did not show any signs of spontaneous autoimmunity, indicating that tissue-protective Treg populations do not heavily rely on ICOS costimulation. However, ICOS FC mice showed more severe inflammation in oxazolone-induced contact hypersensitivity, a model of atopic dermatitis. This correlated with elevated numbers of inflammatory T cells expressing IFN-γ and/or TNF-α in ICOS FC mice compared with the control group. In contrast, elimination of ICOS in all T cell compartments negated the differences, confirming that ICOS has a dual positive role in effector and Treg cells. Single-cell transcriptome analysis suggested that ICOS-deficient Treg cells fail to mature into T-bet+CXCR3+ "Th1-Treg" cells in the draining lymph node. Our results suggest that regimens that preferentially stimulate ICOS pathways in Treg cells might be beneficial for the treatment of Th1-driven inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsam Chang
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Molecular Biology Program, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Antoine Bouchard
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Molecular Biology Program, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yasser Bouklouch
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vincent Panneton
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joanna Li
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and
| | - Nikoletta Diamantopoulos
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and
| | - Saba Mohammaei
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Roman Istomine
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and
| | - Fernando Alvarez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and
| | - Ciriaco A Piccirillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and
| | - Woong-Kyung Suh
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; .,Molecular Biology Program, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Mertowska P, Mertowski S, Podgajna M, Grywalska E. The Importance of the Transcription Factor Foxp3 in the Development of Primary Immunodeficiencies. J Clin Med 2022; 11:947. [PMID: 35207219 PMCID: PMC8874698 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11040947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors are an extremely important group of proteins that are responsible for the process of selective activation or deactivation of other cellular proteins, usually at the last stage of signal transmission in the cell. An important family of transcription factors that regulate the body's response is the FOX family which plays an important role in regulating the expression of genes involved in cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. The members of this family include the intracellular protein Foxp3, which regulates the process of differentiation of the T lymphocyte subpopulation, and more precisely, is responsible for the development of regulatory T lymphocytes. This protein influences several cellular processes both directly and indirectly. In the process of cytokine production regulation, the Foxp3 protein interacts with numerous proteins and transcription factors such as NFAT, nuclear factor kappa B, and Runx1/AML1 and is involved in the process of histone acetylation in condensed chromatin. Malfunctioning of transcription factor Foxp3 caused by the mutagenesis process affects the development of disorders of the immune response and autoimmune diseases. This applies to the impairment or inability of the immune system to fight infections due to a disruption of the mechanisms supporting immune homeostasis which in turn leads to the development of a special group of disorders called primary immunodeficiencies (PID). The aim of this review is to provide information on the role of the Foxp3 protein in the human body and its involvement in the development of two types of primary immunodeficiency diseases: IPEX (Immunodysregulation Polyendocrinopathy Enteropathy X-linked syndrome) and CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sebastian Mertowski
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.M.); (M.P.); (E.G.)
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Lith SC, van Os BW, Seijkens TTP, de Vries CJM. 'Nur'turing tumor T cell tolerance and exhaustion: novel function for Nuclear Receptor Nur77 in immunity. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:1643-1652. [PMID: 33063848 PMCID: PMC7702156 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear receptor Nur77 is expressed in a multitude of tissues, regulating cell differentiation and homeostasis. Dysregulation of Nur77 signaling is associated with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and disorders of the CNS. The role of Nur77 in T cells has been studied for almost 30 years now. There is a clear appreciation that Nur77 is crucial for apoptosis of self‐reactive T cells. However, the regulation and function of Nur77 in mature T cells remains largely unclear. In an exciting development, Nur77 has been recently demonstrated to impinge on cancer immunotherapy involving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). These studies indicated that Nur77 deficiency reduced T cell tolerance and exhaustion, thus raising the effectiveness of immune therapy in mice. Based on these novel insights, it may be proposed that regulation of Nur77 activity holds promise for innovative drug development in the field of cellular immunotherapy in cancer. In this review, we therefore summarize the role of Nur77 in T cell selection and maturation; and further develop the idea of targeting its activity in these cells as a potential strategy to augment current cancer immunotherapy treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne C Lith
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bram W van Os
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom T P Seijkens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carlie J M de Vries
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Shin JH, Lee G, Jeong MG, Kim HK, Won HY, Choi Y, Lee JH, Nam M, Choi CS, Hwang GS, Hwang ES. Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif suppresses the expression of steroidogenic enzymes by nuclear receptor 4 A1 in Leydig cells. FASEB J 2020; 34:5332-5347. [PMID: 32067268 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900695rrrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) plays crucial role in maintaining testicular structure and function via regulation of senescence of spermatogenic cells. However, it remains unclear whether TAZ is involved in testosterone biosynthesis in testicular Leydig cells. We found that TAZ deficiency caused aberrant Leydig cell expansion and increased lipid droplet formation, which was significantly associated with increased lipogenic enzyme expression. Additionally, the expression of key steroidogenic enzymes, including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 11A1, CYP17A1, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, was greatly increased in TAZ-deficient testes and primary Leydig cells. Interestingly, the transcriptional activity of nuclear receptor 4 A1 (NR4A1) was dramatically suppressed by TAZ; however, the protein expression and the subcellular localization of NR4A1 were not affected by TAZ. TAZ directly associated with the N-terminal region of NR4A1 and substantially suppressed its DNA-binding and transcriptional activities. Stable expression of TAZ in the mouse Leydig TM3 cell line decreased the expression of key steroidogenic enzymes, whereas knockdown of endogenous TAZ in TM3 cells increased transcripts of steroidogenic genes induced by NR4A1. Consistently, testosterone production was enhanced within TAZ-deficient Leydig cells. However, TAZ deficiency resulted in decreased testosterone secretion caused by dysfunctional mitochondria and lysosomes. Therefore, TAZ plays essential role in NR4A1-induced steroidogenic enzyme expression and testosterone production in Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyun Shin
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gibbeum Lee
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mi Gyeong Jeong
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo Kyeong Kim
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Yeon Won
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yujeong Choi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Hyeok Lee
- Korea Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Miso Nam
- Integrated Metabolomics Research Group, Western Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Cheol Soo Choi
- Korea Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Geum-Sook Hwang
- Integrated Metabolomics Research Group, Western Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Sook Hwang
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
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