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Weighardt H, Shapiro M, Mayer M, Förster I, Stockinger B, Diny NL. The AHR repressor limits expression of antimicrobial genes but not AHR-dependent genes in intestinal eosinophils. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 116:369-378. [PMID: 38701199 PMCID: PMC11271977 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae105] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Intestinal eosinophils express the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), an environmental sensor and ligand-activated transcription factor that responds to dietary or environmental ligands. AHR regulates tissue adaptation, survival, adhesion, and immune functions in intestinal eosinophils. The AHR repressor (AHRR) is itself induced by AHR and believed to limit AHR activity in a negative feedback loop. We analyzed gene expression in intestinal eosinophils from wild-type and AHRR knockout mice and found that AHRR did not suppress most AHR-dependent genes. Instead, AHRR limited the expression of a distinct small set of genes involved in the innate immune response. These included S100 proteins, antimicrobial proteins, and alpha-defensins. Using bone marrow-derived eosinophils, we found that AHRR knockout eosinophils released more reactive oxygen species upon stimulation. This work shows that the paradigm of AHRR as a repressor of AHR transcriptional activity does not apply to intestinal eosinophils. Rather, AHRR limits the expression of innate immune response and antimicrobial genes, possibly to maintain an anti-inflammatory phenotype in eosinophils when exposed to microbial signals in the intestinal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Weighardt
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Shapiro
- AhR Immunity Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Mayer
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Irmgard Förster
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Brigitta Stockinger
- AhR Immunity Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Laura Diny
- AhR Immunity Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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2
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Luo Y, He F, Zhang Y, Li S, Lu R, Wei X, Huang J. Transcription Factor 21: A Transcription Factor That Plays an Important Role in Cardiovascular Disease. Pharmacology 2024; 109:183-193. [PMID: 38493769 DOI: 10.1159/000536585] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the World Health Organisation's Health Report 2019, approximately 17.18 million people die from cardiovascular disease each year, accounting for more than 30% of all global deaths. Therefore, the occurrence of cardiovascular disease is still a global concern. The transcription factor 21 (TCF21) plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews the regulation mechanism of TCF21 expression and activity and focuses on its important role in atherosclerosis in order to contribute to the development of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. SUMMARY TCF21 is involved in the phenotypic regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), promotes the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and participates in the activation of inflammatory sequences. Increased proliferation and migration of VSMCs can lead to neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury. Abnormal hyperplasia of neointima and inflammation are one of the main features of atherosclerosis. Therefore, targeting TCF21 may become a potential treatment for relieving atherosclerosis. KEY MESSAGES TCF21 as a member of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors regulates cell growth and differentiation by modulating gene expression during the development of different organs and plays an important role in cardiovascular development and disease. VSMCs and cells derived from VSMCs constitute the majority of plaques in atherosclerosis. TCF21 plays a key role in regulation of VSMCs' phenotype, thus accelerating atherogenesis in the early stage. However, TCF21 enhances plaque stability in late-stage atherosclerosis. The dual role of TCF21 should be considered in the translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Luo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China,
| | - Fangzhou He
- Department of Anaesthesia, Chuanshan College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yifang Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Shufan Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ruirui Lu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xing Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ji Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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3
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Gao L, Zhang W, Zhang L, Gromova B, Chen G, Csizmadia E, Cagle C, Nastasio S, Ma Y, Bonder A, Patwardhan V, Robson SC, Jiang S, Longhi MS. Silencing of aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor restrains Th17 cell immunity in autoimmune hepatitis. J Autoimmun 2024; 143:103162. [PMID: 38142533 PMCID: PMC10981568 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2023.103162] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Th17-cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Dysregulation of Th17-cells in AIH is linked to defective response to aryl-hydrocarbon-receptor (AhR) activation. AhR modulates adaptive immunity and is regulated by aryl-hydrocarbon-receptor-repressor (AHRR), which inhibits AhR transcriptional activity. In this study, we investigated whether defective Th17-cell response to AhR derives from aberrant AHRR regulation in AIH. Th17-cells, obtained from the peripheral blood of AIH patients (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 30) were exposed to AhR endogenous ligands, and their response assessed in the absence or presence of AHRR silencing. Therapeutic effects of AHRR blockade were tested in a model of Concanavalin-A (Con-A)-induced liver injury in humanized mice. AHRR was markedly upregulated in AIH Th17-cells, following exposure to l-kynurenine, an AhR endogenous ligand. In patients, silencing of AHRR boosted Th17-cell response to l-kynurenine, as reflected by increased levels of CYP1A1, the main gene controlled by AhR; and decreased IL17A expression. Blockade of AHRR limited the differentiation of naïve CD4-cells into Th17 lymphocytes; and modulated Th17-cell metabolic profile by increasing the levels of uridine via ATP depletion or pyrimidine salvage. Treatment with 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-d-arabinonucleic acid (FANA) oligonucleotides to silence human AHRR in vivo, reduced ALT levels, attenuated lymphocyte infiltration on histology, and heightened frequencies of regulatory immune subsets in NOD/scid/gamma mice, reconstituted with human CD4 cells, and exposed to Con-A. In conclusion, blockade of AHRR in AIH restores Th17-cell response to AHR, and limits Th17-cell differentiation through generation of uridine. In vivo, silencing of AHRR attenuates liver damage in NOD/scid/gamma mice. Blockade of AHRR might therefore represent a novel therapeutic strategy to modulate effector Th17-cell immunity and restore homeostasis in AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gao
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Lina Zhang
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; School of Arts and Sciences, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
| | - Barbora Gromova
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Guanqing Chen
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Eva Csizmadia
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Cortney Cagle
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Silvia Nastasio
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Yun Ma
- Institute of Liver Studies, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Alan Bonder
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Vilas Patwardhan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Simon C Robson
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sizun Jiang
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Maria Serena Longhi
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Lunjani N, Ambikan AT, Hlela C, Levin M, Mankahla A, Heldstab‐Kast JI, Boonpiyathad T, Tan G, Altunbulakli C, Gray C, Nadeau KC, Neogi U, Akdis CA, O'Mahony L. Rural and urban exposures shape early life immune development in South African children with atopic dermatitis and nonallergic children. Allergy 2024; 79:65-79. [PMID: 37534631 PMCID: PMC10952395 DOI: 10.1111/all.15832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunological traits and functions have been consistently associated with environmental exposures and are thought to shape allergic disease susceptibility and protection. In particular, specific exposures in early life may have more significant effects on the developing immune system, with potentially long-term impacts. METHODS We performed RNA-Seq on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 150 children with atopic dermatitis and healthy nonallergic children in rural and urban settings from the same ethnolinguistic AmaXhosa background in South Africa. We measured environmental exposures using questionnaires. RESULTS A distinct PBMC gene expression pattern was observed in those children with atopic dermatitis (132 differentially expressed genes [DEGs]). However, the predominant influences on the immune cell transcriptome were related to early life exposures including animals, time outdoors, and types of cooking and heating fuels. Sample clustering revealed two rural groups (Rural_1 and Rural_2) that separated from the urban group (3413 and 2647 DEGs, respectively). The most significantly regulated pathways in Rural_1 children were related to innate activation of the immune system (e.g., TLR and cytokine signaling), changes in lymphocyte polarization (e.g., TH17 cells), and immune cell metabolism (i.e., oxidative phosphorylation). The Rural_2 group displayed evidence for ongoing lymphocyte activation (e.g., T cell receptor signaling), with changes in immune cell survival and proliferation (e.g., mTOR signaling, insulin signaling). CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of the exposome on immune development in early life and identifies potentially protective (e.g., animal) exposures and potentially detrimental (e.g., pollutant) exposures that impact key immunological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonhlanhla Lunjani
- Division of DermatologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Anoop T. Ambikan
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory MedicineKarolinska Institute, ANA FuturaStockholmSweden
| | - Carol Hlela
- Division of DermatologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Michael Levin
- Division of Paediatric Allergy, Department of Paediatrics and Child HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Avumile Mankahla
- The Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine and PharmacologyWalter Sisulu UniversityMthathaEastern CapeSouth Africa
| | | | - Tadech Boonpiyathad
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of ZurichDavosSwitzerland
| | - Ge Tan
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of ZurichDavosSwitzerland
| | - Can Altunbulakli
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of ZurichDavosSwitzerland
| | - Clive Gray
- Division of ImmunologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Kari C. Nadeau
- Department of Environmental HealthHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
| | - Ujjwal Neogi
- The Systems Virology Lab, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory MedicineKarolinska Institute, ANA FuturaStockholmSweden
| | - Cezmi A. Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of ZurichDavosSwitzerland
- Christine Kühne‐Center for Allergy Research and EducationDavosSwitzerland
| | - Liam O'Mahony
- APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- Department of MedicineUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
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5
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Opitz CA, Holfelder P, Prentzell MT, Trump S. The complex biology of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in cancer and beyond. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115798. [PMID: 37696456 PMCID: PMC10570930 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling pathway is a complex regulatory network that plays a critical role in various biological processes, including cellular metabolism, development, and immune responses. The complexity of AHR signaling arises from multiple factors, including the diverse ligands that activate the receptor, the expression level of AHR itself, and its interaction with the AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT). Additionally, the AHR crosstalks with the AHR repressor (AHRR) or other transcription factors and signaling pathways and it can also mediate non-genomic effects. Finally, posttranslational modifications of the AHR and its interaction partners, epigenetic regulation of AHR and its target genes, as well as AHR-mediated induction of enzymes that degrade AHR-activating ligands may contribute to the context-specificity of AHR activation. Understanding the complexity of AHR signaling is crucial for deciphering its physiological and pathological roles and developing therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway. Ongoing research continues to unravel the intricacies of AHR signaling, shedding light on the regulatory mechanisms controlling its diverse functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane A Opitz
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Pauline Holfelder
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mirja Tamara Prentzell
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Saskia Trump
- Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, a partnership between DKFZ and Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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6
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Lima IS, da Silva TM, Weiss S, Homuth G, Lerch MM, Figueiredo CA, Alcantara-Neves NM, Barreto ML, Marques CR. Genome-wide association study of Helicobacter pylori serological status in Latin American children. Helicobacter 2023; 28:e13008. [PMID: 37497783 DOI: 10.1111/hel.13008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on Helicobacter pylori infection susceptibility have been conducted for admixed populations from developing countries. Here, we performed a GWAS to identify genetic factors associated with H. pylori serostatus in a cohort of admixed children from a large Latin American urban center. METHODS A cross-sectional study involving 1161 children from 4 to 11 years old living in poor areas of Salvador, in northeastern Brazil. Logistic regression analysis was performed to detect associations between single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and H. pylori seropositivity, assuming an additive genetic model. Enrichment analyses were conducted using the MAGMA v1.10 software. RESULTS We found 22 SNVs to be suggestively associated (p < 10-5 ) with H. pylori seropositivity. The most suggestive SNV was the rs77955022 (p = 4.83e-07) located in an intronic region of EXOC3 at 5p15.33. The second most suggestively associated SNV was rs10914996 (p = 8.97e-07), located in an intergenic region at 1p34.3. Furthermore, we were able to replicate three SNVs (p < 0.05) in the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) cohort: the rs2339212 and rs4795970, both located at 17q12 near TMEM132E, as well as the rs6595814, an intronic variant of FBN2 at 5q23.3. The enrichment analysis indicated the participation of genes and metabolic pathways related to the regulation of the digestive system and gastric acid secretion in the risk of seropositivity for H. pylori. CONCLUSIONS Additional studies are required to validate these association findings in larger population samples and to get insight into the underlying physiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iasmin Souza Lima
- Multidisciplinary Institute in Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | | | - Stefan Weiss
- Department of Functional Genomics, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Georg Homuth
- Department of Functional Genomics, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Markus M Lerch
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | | | - Maurício Lima Barreto
- Center of Data and Knowledge Integration for Health, Instituto Gonçalo Muniz, Fundação Osvaldo Cruz, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Cintia Rodrigues Marques
- Multidisciplinary Institute in Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
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7
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Baranwal G, Goodlett BL, Arenaz CM, Creed HA, Navaneethabalakrishnan S, Rutkowski JM, Alaniz RC, Mitchell BM. Indole Propionic Acid Increases T Regulatory Cells and Decreases T Helper 17 Cells and Blood Pressure in Mice with Salt-Sensitive Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9192. [PMID: 37298145 PMCID: PMC10252743 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119192] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertension affects over a billion adults worldwide and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Studies have reported that the microbiota and its metabolites regulate hypertension pathophysiology. Recently, tryptophan metabolites have been identified to contribute to and inhibit the progression of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Indole propionic acid (IPA) is a tryptophan metabolite with reported protective effects in neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases; however, its involvement in renal immunomodulation and sodium handling in hypertension is unknown. In the current study, targeted metabolomic analysis revealed decreased serum and fecal IPA levels in mice with L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME)/high salt diet-induced hypertension (LSHTN) compared to normotensive control mice. Additionally, kidneys from LSHTN mice had increased T helper 17 (Th17) cells and decreased T regulatory (Treg) cells. Dietary IPA supplementation in LSHTN mice for 3 weeks resulted in decreased systolic blood pressure, along with increased total 24 h and fractional sodium excretion. Kidney immunophenotyping demonstrated decreased Th17 cells and a trend toward increased Treg cells in IPA-supplemented LSHTN mice. In vitro, naïve T cells from control mice were skewed into Th17 or Treg cells. The presence of IPA decreased Th17 cells and increased Treg cells after 3 days. These results identify a direct role for IPA in attenuating renal Th17 cells and increasing Treg cells, leading to improved sodium handling and decreased blood pressure. IPA may be a potential metabolite-based therapeutic option for hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Baranwal
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA (B.L.G.)
| | - Bethany L. Goodlett
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA (B.L.G.)
| | - Cristina M. Arenaz
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA (B.L.G.)
| | - Heidi A. Creed
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA (B.L.G.)
| | | | - Joseph M. Rutkowski
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA (B.L.G.)
| | - Robert C. Alaniz
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Brett M. Mitchell
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA (B.L.G.)
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8
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Pinto CJG, Ávila-Gálvez MÁ, Lian Y, Moura-Alves P, Nunes Dos Santos C. Targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor by gut phenolic metabolites: A strategy towards gut inflammation. Redox Biol 2023; 61:102622. [PMID: 36812782 PMCID: PMC9958510 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor able to control complex transcriptional processes in several cell types, which has been correlated with various diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Numerous studies have described different compounds as ligands of this receptor, like xenobiotics, natural compounds, and several host-derived metabolites. Dietary (poly)phenols have been studied regarding their pleiotropic activities (e.g., neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory), but their AHR modulatory capabilities have also been considered. However, dietary (poly)phenols are submitted to extensive metabolism in the gut (e.g., gut microbiota). Thus, the resulting gut phenolic metabolites could be key players modulating AHR since they are the ones that reach the cells and may exert effects on the AHR throughout the gut and other organs. This review aims at a comprehensive search for the most abundant gut phenolic metabolites detected and quantified in humans to understand how many have been described as AHR modulators and what could be their impact on inflammatory gut processes. Even though several phenolic compounds have been studied regarding their anti-inflammatory capacities, only 1 gut phenolic metabolite, described as AHR modulator, has been evaluated on intestinal inflammatory models. Searching for AHR ligands could be a novel strategy against IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina J G Pinto
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS
- FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; IBMC, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; I3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - María Ángeles Ávila-Gálvez
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS
- FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Yilong Lian
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pedro Moura-Alves
- IBMC, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; I3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Cláudia Nunes Dos Santos
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS
- FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, Oeiras, Portugal.
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9
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Sadeghi Shermeh A, Royzman D, Kuhnt C, Draßner C, Stich L, Steinkasserer A, Knippertz I, Wild AB. Differential Modulation of Dendritic Cell Biology by Endogenous and Exogenous Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligands. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097801. [PMID: 37175508 PMCID: PMC10177790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097801] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a decisive regulatory ligand-dependent transcription factor. It binds highly diverse ligands, which can be categorized as either endogenous or exogenous. Ligand binding activates AhR, which can adjust inflammatory responses by modulating immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs). However, how different AhR ligand classes impact the phenotype and function of human monocyte-derived DCs (hMoDCs) has not been extensively studied in a comparative manner. We, therefore, tested the effect of the representative compounds Benzo(a)pyrene (BP), 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), and Indoxyl 3-sulfate (I3S) on DC biology. Thereby, we reveal that BP significantly induces a tolerogenic response in lipopolysaccharide-matured DCs, which is not apparent to the same extent when using FICZ or I3S. While all three ligand classes activate AhR-dependent pathways, BP especially induces the expression of negative immune regulators, and subsequently strongly subverts the T cell stimulatory capacity of DCs. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 strategy we also prove that the regulatory effect of BP is strictly AhR-dependent. These findings imply that AhR ligands contribute differently to DC responses and incite further studies to uncover the mechanisms and molecules which are involved in the induction of different phenotypes and functions in DCs upon AhR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Sadeghi Shermeh
- Department of Immune Modulation, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dmytro Royzman
- Department of Immune Modulation, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christine Kuhnt
- Department of Immune Modulation, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christina Draßner
- Department of Immune Modulation, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lena Stich
- Department of Immune Modulation, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexander Steinkasserer
- Department of Immune Modulation, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ilka Knippertz
- Department of Immune Modulation, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas B Wild
- Department of Immune Modulation, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
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10
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Panda SK, Peng V, Sudan R, Ulezko Antonova A, Di Luccia B, Ohara TE, Fachi JL, Grajales-Reyes GE, Jaeger N, Trsan T, Gilfillan S, Cella M, Colonna M. Repression of the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor prevents oxidative stress and ferroptosis of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes. Immunity 2023; 56:797-812.e4. [PMID: 36801011 PMCID: PMC10101911 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that buoys intestinal immune responses. AHR induces its own negative regulator, the AHR repressor (AHRR). Here, we show that AHRR is vital to sustaining intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). AHRR deficiency reduced IEL representation in a cell-intrinsic fashion. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed an oxidative stress profile in Ahrr-/- IELs. AHRR deficiency unleashed AHR-induced expression of CYP1A1, a monooxygenase that generates reactive oxygen species, increasing redox imbalance, lipid peroxidation, and ferroptosis in Ahrr-/- IELs. Dietary supplementation with selenium or vitamin E to restore redox homeostasis rescued Ahrr-/- IELs. Loss of IELs in Ahrr-/- mice caused susceptibility to Clostridium difficile infection and dextran sodium-sulfate-induced colitis. Inflamed tissue of inflammatory bowel disease patients showed reduced Ahrr expression that may contribute to disease. We conclude that AHR signaling must be tightly regulated to prevent oxidative stress and ferroptosis of IELs and to preserve intestinal immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh K Panda
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Vincent Peng
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Raki Sudan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alina Ulezko Antonova
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Blanda Di Luccia
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Takahiro E Ohara
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jose Luis Fachi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gary E Grajales-Reyes
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Natalia Jaeger
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tihana Trsan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Susan Gilfillan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marina Cella
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marco Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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11
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Fernández-Carrión R, Sorlí JV, Asensio EM, Pascual EC, Portolés O, Alvarez-Sala A, Francès F, Ramírez-Sabio JB, Pérez-Fidalgo A, Villamil LV, Tinahones FJ, Estruch R, Ordovas JM, Coltell O, Corella D. DNA-Methylation Signatures of Tobacco Smoking in a High Cardiovascular Risk Population: Modulation by the Mediterranean Diet. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3635. [PMID: 36834337 PMCID: PMC9964856 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Biomarkers based on DNA methylation are relevant in the field of environmental health for precision health. Although tobacco smoking is one of the factors with a strong and consistent impact on DNA methylation, there are very few studies analyzing its methylation signature in southern European populations and none examining its modulation by the Mediterranean diet at the epigenome-wide level. We examined blood methylation smoking signatures on the EPIC 850 K array in this population (n = 414 high cardiovascular risk subjects). Epigenome-wide methylation studies (EWASs) were performed analyzing differential methylation CpG sites by smoking status (never, former, and current smokers) and the modulation by adherence to a Mediterranean diet score was explored. Gene-set enrichment analysis was performed for biological and functional interpretation. The predictive value of the top differentially methylated CpGs was analyzed using receiver operative curves. We characterized the DNA methylation signature of smoking in this Mediterranean population by identifying 46 differentially methylated CpGs at the EWAS level in the whole population. The strongest association was observed at the cg21566642 (p = 2.2 × 10-32) in the 2q37.1 region. We also detected other CpGs that have been consistently reported in prior research and discovered some novel differentially methylated CpG sites in subgroup analyses. In addition, we found distinct methylation profiles based on the adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Particularly, we obtained a significant interaction between smoking and diet modulating the cg5575921 methylation in the AHRR gene. In conclusion, we have characterized biomarkers of the methylation signature of tobacco smoking in this population, and suggest that the Mediterranean diet can increase methylation of certain hypomethylated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Fernández-Carrión
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - José V. Sorlí
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva M. Asensio
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva C. Pascual
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Olga Portolés
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Alvarez-Sala
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Francesc Francès
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alejandro Pérez-Fidalgo
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Cancer (CIBERONC), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura V. Villamil
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University Antonio Nariño, Bogotá 111511, Colombia
| | - Francisco J. Tinahones
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), University of Málaga, 29590 Málaga, Spain
| | - Ramon Estruch
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose M. Ordovas
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Nutrition and Genomics Laboratory, JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Nutritional Control of the Epigenome Group, Precision Nutrition and Obesity Program, IMDEA Food, UAM + CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Coltell
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Computer Languages and Systems, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - Dolores Corella
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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12
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El-Haddad NW, El Kawak M, El Asmar K, Jabbour ME, Moussa MA, Habib RR, Dhaini HR. AhRR methylation contributes to disease progression in urothelial bladder cancer. Cancer Biomark 2022; 35:167-177. [PMID: 36093686 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-220002] [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: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bladder Cancer (BCa) is the tenth most incidental malignancy worldwide. BCa is mostly attributed to environmental exposure and lifestyle, particularly tobacco smoking. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor (AhRR) participates in the induction of many enzymes involved in metabolizing carcinogens, including tobacco smoke components. Additionally, studies have shown that smoking demethylates the (AhRR) gene in blood, suggesting AhRR demethylation as a specific serum smoking biomarker. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to validate AhRR demethylation as a smoking biomarker in the target tissue and investigate its contribution to bladder carcinogenesis. METHODS AhRR percent methylation was tested for its association with patient smoking status and oncogenic outcome indicators, particularly p53, RB1, and FGFR3 activating mutations, muscle-invasiveness, and tumor grade, in 180 BCa tissue-based DNA. RESULTS Results showed significantly higher AhRR percent methylation in muscle-invasive compared to non-muscle invasive tumors (42.86% vs. 33.98%; p= 0.011), while lower AhRR methylation was significantly associated with FGFR3 Codon 248 mutant genotype compared to wild-type (28.11% ± 9.44 vs. 37.87% ± 22.53; p= 0.036). All other tested associations were non-statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Although AhRR methylation did not predict smoking status in BCa tumors, it seems to play a role in carcinogenesis and disease progression. Our findings make a basis for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataly W El-Haddad
- Department of Environmental Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Michelle El Kawak
- Department of Environmental Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Khalil El Asmar
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Michel E Jabbour
- Department of Urology, St George Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohamad A Moussa
- Department of Urology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Al-Zahraa University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rima R Habib
- Department of Environmental Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hassan R Dhaini
- Department of Environmental Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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13
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Wang Z, Yin L, Qi Y, Zhang J, Zhu H, Tang J. Intestinal Flora-Derived Kynurenic Acid Protects Against Intestinal Damage Caused by Candida albicans Infection via Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:934786. [PMID: 35923391 PMCID: PMC9339982 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.934786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Colonization of the intestinal tract by Candida albicans (C. albicans) can lead to invasive candidiasis. Therefore, a functional intestinal epithelial barrier is critical for protecting against invasive C. albicans infections. We collected fecal samples from patients with Candida albicans bloodstream infection and healthy people. Through intestinal flora 16sRNA sequencing and intestinal metabolomic analysis, we found that C. albicans infection resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of the metabolite kynurenic acid (KynA). We used a repeated C. albicans intestinal infection mouse model, established following intake of 3% dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) for 9 days, and found that KynA, a tryptophan metabolite, inhibited inflammation, promoted expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, and protected from intestinal barrier damage caused by invasive Candida infections. We also demonstrated that KynA activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) repressor in vivo and in vitro. Using Caco-2 cells co-cultured with C. albicans, we showed that KynA activated AHR, inhibited the myosin light chain kinase-phospho-myosin light chain (MLCK-pMLC) signaling pathway, and promoted tristetraprolin (TTP) expression to alleviate intestinal inflammation. Our findings suggest that the metabolite KynA which is differently expressed in patients with C. albicans infection and has a protective effect on the intestinal epithelium, via activating AHR, could be explored to provide new potential therapeutic strategies for invasive C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zetian Wang
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Yin
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Qi
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyan Zhu
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, China
- Haiyan Zhu,
| | - Jianguo Tang
- Department of Trauma-Emergency & Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jianguo Tang,
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14
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Aryl hydrocarbon receptor signals in epithelial cells govern the recruitment and location of Helios + Tregs in the gut. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110773. [PMID: 35545035 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for homeostasis in the colon, but the mechanism by which local environmental cues determine the localization of colonic Tregs is unclear. Here, we administer indigo naturalis (IN), a nontoxic phytochemical aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist used for treating patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in Asia, and we show that IN increases Helios+ Tregs and MHC class II+ epithelial cells (ECs) in the colon. Interactions between Tregs and MHC class II+ ECs occur mainly near the crypt bottom in the steady state, whereas Tregs dramatically increase and shift toward the crypt top following IN treatment. Moreover, the number of CD25+ T cells is increased near the surface of ECs in IN-treated UC patients compared with that in patients treated with other therapies. We also highlight additional AhR-signaling mechanisms in intestinal ECs that determine the accumulation and localization of Helios+ Tregs in the colon.
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15
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Diny NL, Schonfeldova B, Shapiro M, Winder ML, Varsani-Brown S, Stockinger B. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor contributes to tissue adaptation of intestinal eosinophils in mice. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20210970. [PMID: 35238865 PMCID: PMC8899390 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils are potent sources of inflammatory and toxic mediators, yet they reside in large numbers in the healthy intestine without causing tissue damage. We show here that intestinal eosinophils were specifically adapted to their environment and underwent substantial transcriptomic changes. Intestinal eosinophils upregulated genes relating to the immune response, cell-cell communication, extracellular matrix remodeling, and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor with broad functions in intestinal homeostasis. Eosinophils from AHR-deficient mice failed to fully express the intestinal gene expression program, including extracellular matrix organization and cell junction pathways. AHR-deficient eosinophils were functionally impaired in the adhesion to and degradation of extracellular matrix, were more prone to degranulation, and had an extended life span. Lack of AHR in eosinophils had wider effects on the intestinal immune system, affecting the T cell compartment in nave and helminth-infected mice. Our study demonstrates that the response to environmental triggers via AHR partially shapes tissue adaptation of eosinophils in the small intestine.
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16
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Reduced Colonic Mucosal Injury in 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- p-Dioxin Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase (TIPARP/PARP7)-Deficient Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020920. [PMID: 35055106 PMCID: PMC8779828 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs) are important regulators of the immune system, including TCDD-inducible poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (TIPARP), also known as poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 7 (PARP7). PARP7 negatively regulates aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling, both of which have been implicated in intestinal homeostasis and immunity. Since the loss of PARP7 expression increases AHR and IFN-I signaling, we used a murine dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model to investigate the effect of PARP7 loss on DSS-induced intestinal inflammation. DSS-exposed Parp7−/− mice had less body weight loss, lower disease index scores, and reduced expression of several inflammation genes, including interleukin IL-6, C-x-c motif chemokine ligand 1 (Cxcl1), and lipocalin-2, when compared with wild-type mice. However, no significant difference was observed between genotypes in the colonic expression of the AHR target gene cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1a1). Moreover, no significant differences in microbial composition were observed between the genotypes. Our findings demonstrate that the absence of PARP7 protein results in an impaired immune response to colonic inflammation and suggests that PARP7 may participate in the recruitment of immune cells to the inflammation site, which may be due to its role in IFN-I signaling rather than AHR signaling.
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17
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Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor Is Hypomethylated in Psoriasis and Promotes Psoriasis-like Inflammation in HaCaT Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312715. [PMID: 34884515 PMCID: PMC8657998 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is known that DNA hypomethylation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR), one of the epigenetic markers of environmental pollutants, causes skin diseases. However, the function and mechanisms are still unknown. We aimed to determine whether AhRR is hypomethylated in PBMC of psoriasis patients, as well as to examine the expression of psoriasis-related inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides after 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) treatment in HaCaT cells overexpressing or silencing AhRR. AhRR was determined by qPCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunocytochemistry in skin tissue and HaCaT cells. DNA methylation of AhRR was performed by Infinium Human Methylation450 BeadChip in PBMC of psoriasis patients and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in HaCaT cells. NF-κB pp50 translocation and activity were performed by immunocytochemistry and luciferase reporter assay, respectively. We verified AhRR gene expression in the epidermis from psoriasis patients and healthy controls. AhRR hypomethylation in PBMC of psoriasis patients and pAhRR-HaCaT cells was confirmed. The expression level of AhRR was increased in both TCDD-treated HaCaT cells and pAhRR-HaCaT cells. NF-κB pp50 translocation and activity increased with TCDD. Our results showed that AhRR was hypomethylated and overexpressed in the lesional skin of patients with psoriasis, thereby increasing AhRR gene expression and regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines through the NF-κB signaling pathway in TCDD-treated HaCaT cells.
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18
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Hutin D, Long AS, Sugamori K, Shao P, Singh SK, Rasmussen M, Olafsen NE, Pettersen S, Grimaldi G, Grant DM, Matthews J. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD)-Inducible Poly-ADP-Ribose Polymerase (TIPARP/PARP7) Catalytic Mutant Mice (TiparpH532A) Exhibit Increased Sensitivity to TCDD-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Lethality. Toxicol Sci 2021; 183:154-169. [PMID: 34129049 PMCID: PMC8404992 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-inducible poly-adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose polymerase (TIPARP/PARP7), an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) target gene and mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase, acts as part of a negative feedback loop to repress AHR signaling. This process is prevented by a single H532A mutation in TIPARP that destroys its catalytic activity. We hypothesized that the loss of TIPARP catalytic activity would increase sensitivity to TCDD-induced toxicity in vivo. To test this, we created a catalytically deficient mouse line (TiparpH532A) by introducing a single H532A mutation in TIPARP. Treatment of mouse embryonic fibroblasts or hepatocytes isolated from TiparpH532A mice confirmed the increased TCDD-induced expression of the AHR target genes Cyp1a1, Cyp1b1, and Tiparp. TiparpH532A mice given a single injection of 10 µg/kg TCDD, a nonlethal dose in Tiparp+/+ mice, did not survive beyond day 10. All Tiparp+/+ mice survived the 30-day treatment. TCDD-treated TiparpH532A mice displayed increased expression of AHR target genes, increased steatohepatitis and hepatotoxicity. Hepatic RNA-sequencing revealed 7-fold more differentially expressed genes in TiparpH532A mice than in Tiparp+/+ mice (4542 vs 647 genes) 6 days after TCDD treatment. Differentially expressed genes included genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism, lipid homeostasis and inflammation. Taken together, these data further support TIPARP as a critical negative regulator of AHR activity and show that loss of its catalytic activity is sufficient to increase sensitivity to TCDD-induced steatohepatitis and lethality. Since TIPARP inhibition has recently emerged as a potential anticancer therapy, the impact on AHR signaling, TCDD and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon toxicity will need to be carefully considered under conditions of therapeutic TIPARP inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hutin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8 Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra S Long
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8 Ontario, Canada
| | - Kim Sugamori
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8 Ontario, Canada
| | - Peng Shao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8 Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Marit Rasmussen
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ninni Elise Olafsen
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig Pettersen
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Giulia Grimaldi
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Denis M Grant
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8 Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason Matthews
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8 Ontario, Canada.,Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
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19
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Stockinger B, Shah K, Wincent E. AHR in the intestinal microenvironment: safeguarding barrier function. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 18:559-570. [PMID: 33742166 PMCID: PMC7611426 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00430-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that belongs to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-PAS family of transcription factors, which are evolutionarily conserved environmental sensors. In the absence of ligands, AHR resides in the cytoplasm in a complex with molecular chaperones such as HSP90, XAP2 and p23. Upon ligand binding, AHR translocates into the nuclear compartment, where it dimerizes with its partner protein, AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT), an obligatory partner for the DNA-binding and functional activity. Historically, AHR had mostly been considered as a key intermediary for the detrimental effects of environmental pollutants on the body. However, following the discovery of AHR-mediated functions in various immune cells, as well as the emergence of non-toxic 'natural' AHR ligands, this view slowly began to change, and the study of AHR-deficient mice revealed a plethora of important beneficial functions linked to AHR activation. This Review focuses on regulation of the AHR pathway and the barrier-protective roles AHR has in haematopoietic, as well as non-haematopoietic, cells within the intestinal microenvironment. It covers the nature of AHR ligands and feedback regulation of the AHR pathway, outlining the currently known physiological functions in immune, epithelial, endothelial and neuronal cells of the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emma Wincent
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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20
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Gwak MG, Chang SY. Gut-Brain Connection: Microbiome, Gut Barrier, and Environmental Sensors. Immune Netw 2021; 21:e20. [PMID: 34277110 PMCID: PMC8263213 DOI: 10.4110/in.2021.21.e20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut is an important organ with digestive and immune regulatory function which consistently harbors microbiome ecosystem. The gut microbiome cooperates with the host to regulate the development and function of the immune, metabolic, and nervous systems. It can influence disease processes in the gut as well as extra-intestinal organs, including the brain. The gut closely connects with the central nervous system through dynamic bidirectional communication along the gut-brain axis. The connection between gut environment and brain may affect host mood and behaviors. Disruptions in microbial communities have been implicated in several neurological disorders. A link between the gut microbiota and the brain has long been described, but recent studies have started to reveal the underlying mechanism of the impact of the gut microbiota and gut barrier integrity on the brain and behavior. Here, we summarized the gut barrier environment and the 4 main gut-brain axis pathways. We focused on the important function of gut barrier on neurological diseases such as stress responses and ischemic stroke. Finally, we described the impact of representative environmental sensors generated by gut bacteria on acute neurological disease via the gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Gyu Gwak
- Laboratory of Microbiology, College of Pharmacy, and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (RIPST), Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Sun-Young Chang
- Laboratory of Microbiology, College of Pharmacy, and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (RIPST), Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea
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21
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Trajectory Shifts in Interdisciplinary Research of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-A Personal Perspective on Thymus and Skin. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041844. [PMID: 33673338 PMCID: PMC7918350 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying historical trajectories is a useful exercise in research, as it helps clarify important, perhaps even “paradigmatic”, shifts in thinking and moving forward in science. In this review, the development of research regarding the role of the transcription factor “aryl hydrocarbon receptor” (AHR) as a mediator of the toxicity of environmental pollution towards a link between the environment and a healthy adaptive response of the immune system and the skin is discussed. From this fascinating development, the opportunities for targeting the AHR in the therapy of many diseases become clear.
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22
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Ma X, Liu H, Chen F. Functioning of Long Noncoding RNAs Expressed in Macrophage in the Development of Atherosclerosis. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:567582. [PMID: 33381026 PMCID: PMC7768882 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.567582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is part of the pathological process during atherosclerosis (AS). Due to the abundance of monocytes/macrophages within the arterial plaque, monocytes/macrophages have become a critical cellular target in AS studies. In recent decades, a number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to exert regulatory roles on the macrophage metabolism and macrophage plasticity, consequently promoting or suppressing atherosclerotic inflammation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of lncRNAs in macrophage biology, highlighting the potential role of lncRNAs in AS based on recent findings, with the aim to identify disease biomarkers and future therapeutic interventions for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xirui Ma
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huifang Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengling Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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23
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Nothdurft S, Thumser-Henner C, Breitenbücher F, Okimoto RA, Dorsch M, Opitz CA, Sadik A, Esser C, Hölzel M, Asthana S, Forster J, Beisser D, Kalmbach S, Grüner BM, Bivona TG, Schramm A, Schuler M. Functional screening identifies aryl hydrocarbon receptor as suppressor of lung cancer metastasis. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:102. [PMID: 33214553 PMCID: PMC7677369 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00286-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer mortality largely results from metastasis. Despite curative surgery many patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer ultimately succumb to metastatic relapse. Current risk reduction strategies based on cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation have only modest activity. Against this background, we functionally screened for novel metastasis modulators using a barcoded shRNA library and an orthotopic lung cancer model. We identified aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a sensor of xenobiotic chemicals and transcription factor, as suppressor of lung cancer metastasis. Knockdown of endogenous AHR induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition signatures, increases invasiveness of lung cancer cells in vitro and metastasis formation in vivo. Low intratumoral AHR expression associates with inferior outcome of patients with resected lung adenocarcinomas. Mechanistically, AHR triggers ATF4 signaling and represses matrix metalloproteinase activity, both counteracting metastatic programs. These findings link the xenobiotic defense system with control of lung cancer progression. AHR-regulated pathways are promising targets for innovative anti-metastatic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Nothdurft
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Clotilde Thumser-Henner
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Frank Breitenbücher
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ross A Okimoto
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Madeleine Dorsch
- Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christiane A Opitz
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ahmed Sadik
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Esser
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Saurabh Asthana
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jan Forster
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Beisser
- Department of Biodiversity, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sophie Kalmbach
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Barbara M Grüner
- Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Trever G Bivona
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Schramm
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Martin Schuler
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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24
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Kibble M, Khan SA, Ammad-ud-din M, Bollepalli S, Palviainen T, Kaprio J, Pietiläinen KH, Ollikainen M. An integrative machine learning approach to discovering multi-level molecular mechanisms of obesity using data from monozygotic twin pairs. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200872. [PMID: 33204460 PMCID: PMC7657920 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
We combined clinical, cytokine, genomic, methylation and dietary data from 43 young adult monozygotic twin pairs (aged 22-36 years, 53% female), where 25 of the twin pairs were substantially weight discordant (delta body mass index > 3 kg m-2). These measurements were originally taken as part of the TwinFat study, a substudy of The Finnish Twin Cohort study. These five large multivariate datasets (comprising 42, 71, 1587, 1605 and 63 variables, respectively) were jointly analysed using an integrative machine learning method called group factor analysis (GFA) to offer new hypotheses into the multi-molecular-level interactions associated with the development of obesity. New potential links between cytokines and weight gain are identified, as well as associations between dietary, inflammatory and epigenetic factors. This encouraging case study aims to enthuse the research community to boldly attempt new machine learning approaches which have the potential to yield novel and unintuitive hypotheses. The source code of the GFA method is publically available as the R package GFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milla Kibble
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Author for correspondence: Milla Kibble e-mail:
| | - Suleiman A. Khan
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Muhammad Ammad-ud-din
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sailalitha Bollepalli
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Palviainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi H. Pietiläinen
- Obesity Research Unit, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Miina Ollikainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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25
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Selective AhR knockout in langerin-expressing cells abates Langerhans cells and polarizes Th2/Tr1 in epicutaneous protein sensitization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:12980-12990. [PMID: 32461368 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1917479117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) represents an environmental sensor regulating immune responses. In the skin, AhR is expressed in several cell types, including keratinocytes, epidermal Langerhans cells (LC), and dermal dendritic cells (DC). The mechanisms how AhR activates or inhibits cutaneous immune responses remain controversial, owing to differences in the cell-specific functions of AhR and the different activating ligands. Therefore, we sought to investigate the role of AhR in LC and langerin+ and negative DC in the skin. To this aim, we generated Langerin-specific and CD11c-specific knockout (-/-) mice lacking AhR, respectively, in LC and Langerin+ dermal DC and in all CD11c+ cells. These were then tested in an epicutaneous protein (ovalbumin, Ova) sensitization model. Immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that Langerin-AhR-/- but not CD11c-AhR-/- mice harbored a decreased number of LC with fewer and stunted dendrites in the epidermis as well as a decreased number of LC in skin-draining lymph nodes (LN). Moreover, in the absence of AhR, we detected an enhanced T helper type-2 (Th2) [increased interleukin 5 (IL-5) and interleukin 13 (IL-13)] and T regulatory type-1 (Tr1) (IL-10) response when LN cells were challenged with Ova in vitro, though the number of regulatory T cells (Treg) in the LN remained comparable. Langerin-AhR-/- mice also exhibited increased blood levels of Ova-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). In conclusion, deletion of AhR in langerin-expressing cells diminishes the number and activation of LC, while enhancing Th2 and Tr1 responses upon epicutaneous protein sensitization.
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26
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Schanz O, Chijiiwa R, Cengiz SC, Majlesain Y, Weighardt H, Takeyama H, Förster I. Dietary AhR Ligands Regulate AhRR Expression in Intestinal Immune Cells and Intestinal Microbiota Composition. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093189. [PMID: 32366032 PMCID: PMC7246938 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A diet rich in vegetables and fruit is generally considered healthy because of a high content of phytochemicals, vitamins, and fiber. The phytochemical indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a derivative of glucobrassicin, is sold as a dietary supplement promising diverse health benefits. I3C metabolites act as ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), an important sensor for environmental polyaromatic chemicals. Here, we investigated how dietary AhR ligand supplementation influences AhR target gene expression and intestinal microbiota composition. For this, we used AhR repressor (AhRR)-reporter mice as a tool to study AhR activation in the intestine following dietary I3C-supplementation in comparison with AhR ligand-deprived diets, including a high fat diet. AhRR expression in intestinal immune cells was mainly driven by dietary AhR ligands and was independent of microbial metabolites. A lack of dietary AhR ligands caused enhanced susceptibility to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and correlated with the expansion of Enterobacteriaceae, whereas Clostridiales, Muribaculaceae, and Rikenellaceae were strongly reduced. I3C supplementation largely reverted this effect. Comparison of I3C-induced changes in microbiota composition using wild-type (WT), AhRR-deficient, and AhR-deficient mice revealed both AhR-dependent and -independent alterations in the microbiome. Overall, our study demonstrates that dietary AhR ligand supplementation has a profound influence on Ahrr expression in intestinal immune cells as well as microbiota composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Schanz
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (O.S.); (S.C.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Rieka Chijiiwa
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan;
- Computational Bio Big-Data Open Innovation Laboratory (CBBD-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Sevgi Can Cengiz
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (O.S.); (S.C.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Yasmin Majlesain
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (O.S.); (S.C.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Heike Weighardt
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (O.S.); (S.C.C.); (Y.M.)
- Correspondence: (H.W.); (H.T.); (I.F.); Tel.: +49-228-73-62706 (H.W.); +81-3-5369-7326 (H.T.); +49-228-73-62780 (I.F.)
| | - Haruko Takeyama
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan;
- Computational Bio Big-Data Open Innovation Laboratory (CBBD-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
- Research Organization for Nano and Life Innovation, Waseda University, 513 Wasedatsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research of Biosystem Dynamics, Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
- Correspondence: (H.W.); (H.T.); (I.F.); Tel.: +49-228-73-62706 (H.W.); +81-3-5369-7326 (H.T.); +49-228-73-62780 (I.F.)
| | - Irmgard Förster
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (O.S.); (S.C.C.); (Y.M.)
- Correspondence: (H.W.); (H.T.); (I.F.); Tel.: +49-228-73-62706 (H.W.); +81-3-5369-7326 (H.T.); +49-228-73-62780 (I.F.)
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27
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AHR Signaling Dampens Inflammatory Signature in Neonatal Skin γδ T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062249. [PMID: 32213963 PMCID: PMC7139545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-deficient mice do not support the expansion of dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC), a resident immune cell population in the murine epidermis, which immigrates from the fetal thymus to the skin around birth. Material and Methods In order to identify the gene expression changes underlying the DETC disappearance in AHR-deficient mice, we analyzed microarray RNA-profiles of DETC, sorted from the skin of two-week-old AHR-deficient mice and their heterozygous littermates. In vitro studies were done for verification, and IL-10, AHR repressor (AHRR), and c-Kit deficient mice analyzed for DETC frequency. Results We identified 434 annotated differentially expressed genes. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that the expression of genes related to proliferation, ion homeostasis and morphology differed between the two mouse genotypes. Importantly, with 1767 pathways the cluster-group “inflammation” contained the majority of AHR-dependently regulated pathways. The most abundant cluster of differentially expressed genes was “inflammation.” DETC of AHR-deficient mice were inflammatory active and had altered calcium and F-actin levels. Extending the study to the AHRR, an enigmatic modulator of AHR-activity, we found approximately 50% less DETC in AHRR-deficient mice than in wild-type-littermates. Conclusion AHR-signaling in DETC dampens their inflammatory default potential and supports their homeostasis in the skin.
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28
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The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: an environmental sensor integrating immune responses in health and disease. Nat Rev Immunol 2019; 19:184-197. [PMID: 30718831 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-019-0125-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 638] [Impact Index Per Article: 127.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The environment, diet, microbiota and body's metabolism shape complex biological processes in health and disease. However, our understanding of the molecular pathways involved in these processes is still limited. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that integrates environmental, dietary, microbial and metabolic cues to control complex transcriptional programmes in a ligand-specific, cell-type-specific and context-specific manner. In this Review, we summarize our current knowledge of AHR and the transcriptional programmes it controls in the immune system. Finally, we discuss the role of AHR in autoimmune and neoplastic diseases of the central nervous system, with a special focus on the gut immune system, the gut-brain axis and the therapeutic potential of targeting AHR in neurological disorders.
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29
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Tsai CH, Lee Y, Li CH, Cheng YW, Kang JJ. Down-regulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor intensifies carcinogen-induced retinal lesion via SOCS3-STAT3 signaling. Cell Biol Toxicol 2019; 36:223-242. [DOI: 10.1007/s10565-019-09499-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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30
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Liu W, Yue S, Zheng X, Hu M, Cao J, Zheng Y. aFARP-ChIP-seq, a convenient and reliable method for genome profiling in as few as 100 cells with a capability for multiplexing ChIP-seq. Epigenetics 2019; 14:877-893. [PMID: 31169445 PMCID: PMC6691993 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1621139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Much effort has been devoted to understand how chromatin modification regulates development and disease. Despite recent progress, however, it remains difficult to obtain high-quality epigenomic maps using chromatin-immunoprecipitation-coupled deep sequencing (ChIP-seq) in samples with low-cell numbers. Here, we present an Atlantis dsDNase-based technology, aFARP-ChIP-seq, that provides accurate profiling of genome-wide histone modifications in as few as 100 cells. By mapping histone lysine trimethylation (H3K4me3) and acetylation (H3K27Ac) in group I innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) sorted from different tissues in parallel, aFARP-ChIP-seq uncovers putative active promoter and enhancer landscapes of several tissue-specific Natural Killer cells (NK) and ILC1. aFARP-ChIP-seq is also highly effective in mapping transcription factor binding sites in small number of cells. Thus, aFARP-ChIP-seq offers multiplexing mapping of both epigenome and transcription factor binding sites using a small number of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Liu
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Sibiao Yue
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiaobin Zheng
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Minjie Hu
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jia Cao
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yixian Zheng
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
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31
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Vogel CFA, Ishihara Y, Campbell CE, Kado SY, Nguyen-Chi A, Sweeney C, Pollet M, Haarmann-Stemmann T, Tuscano JM. A Protective Role of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor in Inflammation and Tumor Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050589. [PMID: 31035533 PMCID: PMC6563059 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is known for mediating the toxicity of environmental pollutants such as dioxins and numerous dioxin-like compounds, and is associated with the promotion of various malignancies, including lymphoma. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR), a ligand-independent, transcriptionally inactive AhR-like protein is known to repress AhR signaling through its ability to compete with the AhR for dimerization with the AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT). While AhRR effectively blocks AhR signaling, several aspects of the mechanism of AhRR’s functions are poorly understood, including suppression of inflammatory responses and its putative role as a tumor suppressor. In a transgenic mouse that overexpresses AhRR (AhRR Tg) we discovered that these mice suppress 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)- and inflammation-induced tumor growth after subcutaneous challenge of EL4 lymphoma cells. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) we found that AhRR overexpression suppresses the AhR-mediated anti-apoptotic response. The AhRR-mediated inhibition of apoptotic resistance was associated with a suppressed expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, which was dependent on activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and the CAAT-enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ). These results provide mechanistic insights into the role of the AhRR to suppress inflammation and highlight the AhRR as a potential therapeutic target to suppress tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Yasuhiro Ishihara
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
| | - Claire E Campbell
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Sarah Y Kado
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Aimy Nguyen-Chi
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Colleen Sweeney
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95817, USA.
| | - Marius Pollet
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | | | - Joseph M Tuscano
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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Esser C, Lawrence BP, Sherr DH, Perdew GH, Puga A, Barouki R, Coumoul X. Old Receptor, New Tricks-The Ever-Expanding Universe of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Functions. Report from the 4th AHR Meeting, 29⁻31 August 2018 in Paris, France. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113603. [PMID: 30445691 PMCID: PMC6274973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In a time where "translational" science has become a mantra in the biomedical field, it is reassuring when years of research into a biological phenomenon suddenly points towards novel prevention or therapeutic approaches to disease, thereby demonstrating once again that basic science and translational science are intimately linked. The studies on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) discussed here provide a perfect example of how years of basic toxicological research on a molecule, whose normal physiological function remained a mystery for so long, has now yielded a treasure trove of actionable information on the development of targeted therapeutics. Examples are autoimmunity, metabolic imbalance, inflammatory skin and gastro-intestinal diseases, cancer, development and perhaps ageing. Indeed, the AHR field no longer asks, "What does this receptor do in the absence of xenobiotics?" It now asks, "What doesn't this receptor do?".
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Esser
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf´m Hennekamp 50, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - B Paige Lawrence
- Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
| | - David H Sherr
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Gary H Perdew
- Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Alvaro Puga
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| | - Robert Barouki
- Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, INSERM UMR-S1124, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France.
- UFR des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France.
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, INSERM UMR-S1124, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris, France.
- UFR des Sciences Fondamentales et Biomédicales, Université Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France.
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33
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Esser C, Haarmann-Stemmann T, Hochrath K, Schikowski T, Krutmann J. AHR and the issue of immunotoxicity. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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34
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Lamas B, Natividad JM, Sokol H. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor and intestinal immunity. Mucosal Immunol 2018; 11:1024-1038. [PMID: 29626198 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-018-0019-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix-(bHLH) superfamily of transcription factors, which are associated with cellular responses to environmental stimuli, such as xenobiotics and oxygen levels. Unlike other members of bHLH, AhR is the only bHLH transcription factor that is known to be ligand activated. Early AhR studies focused on understanding the role of AhR in mediating the toxicity and carcinogenesis properties of the prototypic ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). In recent years, however, it has become apparent that, in addition to its toxicological involvement, AhR is highly receptive to a wide array of endogenous and exogenous ligands, and that its activation leads to a myriad of key host physiological functions. In this study, we review the current understanding of the functions of AhR in the mucosal immune system with a focus on its role in intestinal barrier function and intestinal immune cells, as well as in intestinal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lamas
- Laboratoire de biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, CNRS, INSERM, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, F-75005, France.,Micalis Institute, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy en Josas, 78350, France
| | - Jane M Natividad
- Micalis Institute, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy en Josas, 78350, France
| | - Harry Sokol
- Laboratoire de biomolécules, LBM, Sorbonne Université, École normale supérieure, PSL Research University, CNRS, INSERM, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, F-75005, France. .,Micalis Institute, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy en Josas, 78350, France.
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35
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Oesch F, Fabian E, Landsiedel R. Xenobiotica-metabolizing enzymes in the skin of rat, mouse, pig, guinea pig, man, and in human skin models. Arch Toxicol 2018; 92:2411-2456. [PMID: 29916051 PMCID: PMC6063329 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2232-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Studies on the metabolic fate of medical drugs, skin care products, cosmetics and other chemicals intentionally or accidently applied to the human skin have become increasingly important in order to ascertain pharmacological effectiveness and to avoid toxicities. The use of freshly excised human skin for experimental investigations meets with ethical and practical limitations. Hence information on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XME) in the experimental systems available for pertinent studies compared with native human skin has become crucial. This review collects available information of which—taken with great caution because of the still very limited data—the most salient points are: in the skin of all animal species and skin-derived in vitro systems considered in this review cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent monooxygenase activities (largely responsible for initiating xenobiotica metabolism in the organ which provides most of the xenobiotica metabolism of the mammalian organism, the liver) are very low to undetectable. Quite likely other oxidative enzymes [e.g. flavin monooxygenase, COX (cooxidation by prostaglandin synthase)] will turn out to be much more important for the oxidative xenobiotic metabolism in the skin. Moreover, conjugating enzyme activities such as glutathione transferases and glucuronosyltransferases are much higher than the oxidative CYP activities. Since these conjugating enzymes are predominantly detoxifying, the skin appears to be predominantly protected against CYP-generated reactive metabolites. The following recommendations for the use of experimental animal species or human skin in vitro models may tentatively be derived from the information available to date: for dermal absorption and for skin irritation esterase activity is of special importance which in pig skin, some human cell lines and reconstructed skin models appears reasonably close to native human skin. With respect to genotoxicity and sensitization reactive-metabolite-reducing XME in primary human keratinocytes and several reconstructed human skin models appear reasonably close to human skin. For a more detailed delineation and discussion of the severe limitations see the Conclusions section in the end of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Oesch
- Institute of Toxicology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Obere Zahlbacherstr. 67, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - E Fabian
- Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, GV/TB, Z470, BASF SE, Carl-Bosch-Str. 38, 67056, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Robert Landsiedel
- Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, GV/TB, Z470, BASF SE, Carl-Bosch-Str. 38, 67056, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
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36
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Wan M, Bennett BD, Pittman GS, Campbell MR, Reynolds LM, Porter DK, Crowl CL, Wang X, Su D, Englert NA, Thompson IJ, Liu Y, Bell DA. Identification of Smoking-Associated Differentially Methylated Regions Using Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing and Cell type-Specific Enhancer Activation and Gene Expression. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:047015. [PMID: 29706059 PMCID: PMC6071796 DOI: 10.1289/ehp2395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cigarette smoke is a causal factor in cancers and cardiovascular disease. Smoking-associated differentially methylated regions (SM-DMRs) have been observed in disease studies, but the causal link between altered DNA methylation and transcriptional change is obscure. OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to finely resolve SM-DMRs and to interrogate the mechanistic link between SM-DMRs and altered transcription of enhancer noncoding RNA (eRNA) and mRNA in human circulating monocytes. METHOD We integrated SM-DMRs identified by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) of circulating CD14+ monocyte DNA collected from two independent human studies [n=38 from Clinical Research Unit (CRU) and n=55 from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), about half of whom were active smokers] with gene expression for protein-coding genes and noncoding RNAs measured by RT-PCR or RNA sequencing. Candidate SM-DMRs were compared with RRBS of purified CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD15+ granulocytes, CD19+ B cells, and CD56+ NK cells (n=19 females, CRU). DMRs were validated using pyrosequencing or bisulfite amplicon sequencing in up to 85 CRU volunteers, who also provided saliva DNA. RESULTS RRBS identified monocyte SM-DMRs frequently located in putative gene regulatory regions. The most significant monocyte DMR occurred at a poised enhancer in the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor gene (AHRR) and it was also detected in both granulocytes and saliva DNA. To our knowledge, we identify for the first time that SM-DMRs in or near AHRR, C5orf55-EXOC-AS, and SASH1 were associated with increased noncoding eRNA as well as mRNA in monocytes. Functionally, the AHRR SM-DMR appeared to up-regulate AHRR mRNA through activating the AHRR enhancer, as suggested by increased eRNA in the monocytes, but not granulocytes, from smokers compared with nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that AHRR SM-DMR up-regulates AHRR mRNA in a monocyte-specific manner by activating the AHRR enhancer. Cell type-specific activation of enhancers at SM-DMRs may represent a mechanism driving smoking-related disease. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2395.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma Wan
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brian D Bennett
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, NIEHS, NIH, DHHS, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gary S Pittman
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michelle R Campbell
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lindsay M Reynolds
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Devin K Porter
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christopher L Crowl
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xuting Wang
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dan Su
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Neal A Englert
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Isabel J Thompson
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yongmei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Douglas A Bell
- Environmental Epigenomics and Disease Group, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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37
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Zhang Y, Maksimovic J, Huang B, De Souza DP, Naselli G, Chen H, Zhang L, Weng K, Liang H, Xu Y, Wentworth JM, Huntington ND, Oshlack A, Gong S, Kallies A, Vuillermin P, Yang M, Harrison LC. Cord Blood CD8 + T Cells Have a Natural Propensity to Express IL-4 in a Fatty Acid Metabolism and Caspase Activation-Dependent Manner. Front Immunol 2018; 9:879. [PMID: 29922282 PMCID: PMC5996926 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
How T cells differentiate in the neonate may critically determine the ability of the infant to cope with infections, respond to vaccines and avert allergies. Previously, we found that naïve cord blood CD4+ T cells differentiated toward an IL-4-expressing phenotype when activated in the presence of TGF-β and monocyte-derived inflammatory cytokines, the latter are more highly secreted by infants who developed food allergy. Here, we show that in the absence of IL-2 or IL-12, naïve cord blood CD8+ T cells have a natural propensity to differentiate into IL-4-producing non-classic TC2 cells when they are activated alone, or in the presence of TGF-β and/or inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, non-classic TC2 development is associated with decreased expression of IL-2 receptor alpha (CD25) and glycolysis, and increased fatty acid metabolism and caspase-dependent cell death. Consequently, the short chain fatty acid, sodium propionate (NaPo), enhanced IL-4 expression, but exogenous IL-2 or pan-caspase inhibition prevented IL-4 expression. In children with endoscopically and histologically confirmed non-inflammatory bowel disease and non-infectious pediatric idiopathic colitis, the presence of TGF-β, NaPo, and IL-1β or TNF-α promoted TC2 differentiation in vitro. In vivo, colonic mucosa of children with colitis had significantly increased expression of IL-4 in CD8+ T cells compared with controls. In addition, activated caspase-3 and IL-4 were co-expressed in CD8+ T cells in the colonic mucosa of children with colitis. Thus, in the context of colonic inflammation and limited IL-2 signaling, CD8+ T cells differentiate into non-classic TC2 that may contribute to the pathology of inflammatory/allergic diseases in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Zhang
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jovana Maksimovic
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Bing Huang
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - David Peter De Souza
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Gaetano Naselli
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Huan Chen
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Weng
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hanquan Liang
- School of Data and Computer Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanhui Xu
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John M Wentworth
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas D Huntington
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Alicia Oshlack
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sitang Gong
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Axel Kallies
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Vuillermin
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia.,Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Min Yang
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Leonard C Harrison
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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38
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Ishihara Y, Tsuji M, Vogel CFA. Suppressive effects of aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 642:75-80. [PMID: 29432714 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR) negatively regulates aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling via its inhibitory transactivation. AhR is well known to suppress adipocyte differentiation, but the function of AhRR during adipogenesis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of AhRR in adipocyte differentiation using 3T3-L1 cells. During the early phase of differentiation, AhRR expression was transiently induced, but throughout the entire differentiation process, low levels of AhR expression were maintained. AhRR knockdown significantly increased not only glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity but also lipid accumulation inside the cells. AhRR overexpression clearly reduced GPDH activity and lipid accumulation, indicating that AhRR upregulation during the early stage of adipogenesis suppresses adipocyte differentiation. Since AhRR knockdown increases the expression and activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), AhRR negatively regulates PPARγ during adipogenesis. In summary, similar to AhR, AhRR acts as an inhibitor of adipocyte differentiation. In addition to controlling the negative feedback loop of AhR, AhRR might be involved in other functions, especially in adipocyte differentiation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Ishihara
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8521, Japan.
| | - Mayumi Tsuji
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Department of Environmental Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Christoph F A Vogel
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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Kodal JB, Kobylecki CJ, Vedel-Krogh S, Nordestgaard BG, Bojesen SE. AHRR hypomethylation, lung function, lung function decline and respiratory symptoms. Eur Respir J 2018; 51:13993003.01512-2017. [PMID: 29348151 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01512-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epigenome-wide association studies have shown a consistent association between smoking exposure and hypomethylation in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) gene (cg05575921). We tested the hypothesis that AHRR hypomethylation is associated with low lung function, steeper lung function decline, and respiratory symptoms in the general population.AHRR methylation extent was measured in 9113 individuals from the 1991-1994 examination of the Copenhagen City Heart Study, using bisulfite-treated leukocyte DNA. Spirometry at the time of blood sampling was available for all individuals. Lung function was measured again for 4532 of these individuals in 2001-2003.Cross-sectionally, a 10% lower methylation extent was associated with a 0.2 z-score (95% CI 0.1-0.2) lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) after multivariable adjustment including smoking. Hypomethylation was also associated with a lower z-score for both forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC. In prospective analyses, individuals in the lowest versus highest tertile of methylation extent had a steeper decline in FEV1/height3 (p for examination×methylation interaction=0.003) and FVC/height3 (p=0.01), but not FEV1/FVC (p=0.08). Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios per 10% lower methylation extent were 1.31 (95% CI 1.18-1.45) for chronic bronchitis and 1.21 (95% CI 1.13-1.30) for any respiratory symptoms.AHRR hypomethylation was associated with low lung function, steeper lung function decline, and respiratory symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob B Kodal
- Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Camilla J Kobylecki
- Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe Vedel-Krogh
- Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Børge G Nordestgaard
- Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,The Copenhagen City Heart Study, Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stig E Bojesen
- Dept of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark .,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,The Copenhagen City Heart Study, Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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40
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Ligand-mediated cytoplasmic retention of the Ah receptor inhibits macrophage-mediated acute inflammatory responses. J Transl Med 2017; 97:1471-1487. [PMID: 28892097 PMCID: PMC5711556 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2017.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ah receptor (AHR) has been shown to exhibit both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activity in a context-specific manner. In vivo macrophage-driven acute inflammation models were utilized here to test whether the selective Ah receptor modulator 1-allyl-7-trifluoromethyl-1H-indazol-3-yl]-4-methoxyphenol (SGA360) would reduce inflammation. Exposure to SGA360 was capable of significantly inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated endotoxic shock in a mouse model, both in terms of lethality and attenuating inflammatory signaling in tissues. Topical exposure to SGA360 was also able to mitigate joint edema in a monosodium urate (MSU) crystal gout mouse model. Inhibition was dependent on the expression of the high-affinity allelic AHR variant in both acute inflammation models. Upon peritoneal MSU crystal exposure SGA360 pretreatment inhibited neutrophil and macrophage migration into the peritoneum. RNA-seq analysis revealed that SGA360 attenuated the expression of numerous inflammatory genes and genes known to be directly regulated by AHR in thioglycolate-elicited primary peritoneal macrophages treated with LPS. In addition, expression of the high-affinity allelic AHR variant in cultured macrophages was necessary for SGA360-mediated repression of inflammatory gene expression. Mechanistic studies revealed that SGA360 failed to induce nuclear translocation of the AHR and actually enhanced cytoplasmic localization. LPS treatment of macrophages enhanced the occupancy of the AHR and p65 to the Ptgs2 promoter, whereas SGA360 attenuated occupancy. AHR ligand activity was detected in peritoneal exudates isolated from MSU-treated mice, thus suggesting that the anti-inflammatory activity of SGA360 is mediated at least in part through AHR antagonism of endogenous agonist activity. These results underscore an important role of the AHR in participating in acute inflammatory signaling and warrants further investigations into possible clinical applications.
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41
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Bauer M, Fink B, Seyfarth HJ, Wirtz H, Frille A. Tobacco-smoking induced GPR15-expressing T cells in blood do not indicate pulmonary damage. BMC Pulm Med 2017; 17:159. [PMID: 29183299 PMCID: PMC5706341 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-017-0509-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, it was shown that chronic tobacco smoking evokes specific cellular and molecular changes in white blood cells by an excess of G protein-coupled receptor 15 (GPR15)-expressing T cells as well as a hypomethylation at DNA CpG site cg05575921 in granulocytes. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the general usefulness of these two biomarkers as putative signs of non-cancerous change in homeostasis of the lungs. Methods In a clinical cohort consisting of 42 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pneumonia and a control cohort of 123 volunteers, the content of GPR15-expressing blood cells as well as the degree of methylation at cg05575921 were analysed by flow-cytometry and pyrosequencing, respectively. Smoking behaviour was estimated by questionnaire and cotinine level in plasma. Results Never-smoking patients could be distinguished from former and current smokers by both the proportion of GPR15-expressing T cells as well as cg05575921 methylation in granulocytes, with 100% and 97% specificity and 100% sensitivity, respectively. However, both parameters were not affected by lung diseases. The degrees of both parameters were not changed neither in non-smoking nor smoking patients, compared to appropriate control cohorts of volunteers. Conclusions The degree of GPR15-expressing cells among T cells as well as the methylation at cg05575921 in granulocytes in blood are both rather signs of tobacco-smoking induced systemic inflammation because they don’t indicate specifically non-cancerous pathological changes in the lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Bauer
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Beate Fink
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Hubert Wirtz
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Armin Frille
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Leipzig University Medical Center, IFB AdiposityDiseases, Leipzig, Germany
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Koch S, Stroisch TJ, Vorac J, Herrmann N, Leib N, Schnautz S, Kirins H, Förster I, Weighardt H, Bieber T. AhR mediates an anti-inflammatory feedback mechanism in human Langerhans cells involving FcεRI and IDO. Allergy 2017; 72:1686-1693. [PMID: 28376268 DOI: 10.1111/all.13170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), an important regulator of immune responses, is activated by UVB irradiation in the skin. Langerhans cells (LC) in the epidermis of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) carry the high-affinity receptor for IgE, FcεRI, and are crucially involved in the pathogenesis of AD by inducing inflammatory responses and regulating tolerogenic processes. OBJECTIVES We investigated AhR and AhR repressor (AhRR) expression and functional consequences of AhR activation in human ex vivo skin cells and in in vitro-generated LC. METHODS Epidermal cells from healthy skin were analyzed for their expression of AhR and AhRR. LC generated from CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (CD34LC) were treated with the UV photoproduct and AhR ligand 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ). Cell surface receptors, transcription factors, and the tolerogenic tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) were analyzed using flow cytometry and quantitative PCR. RESULTS Epidermal LC and CD34LC express AhR and AhRR. AhR was also found in keratinocytes, which lack AhRR. AhR activation of LC by FICZ caused downregulation of FcεRI in CD34LC without affecting their maturation. AhR-mediated regulation of FcεRI did not involve any known transcription factors related to this receptor. Furthermore, we could show upregulation of IDO mediated by AhR engagement. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that AhR activation by FICZ reduces FcεRI and upregulates IDO expression in LC. This AhR-mediated anti-inflammatory feedback mechanism may dampen the allergen-induced inflammation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Koch
- Department of Dermatology and AllergyChristine Kühne ‐ Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE)University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - T. J. Stroisch
- Department of Dermatology and AllergyChristine Kühne ‐ Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE)University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - J. Vorac
- LIMES Institute, Immunology and EnvironmentUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
| | - N. Herrmann
- Department of Dermatology and AllergyChristine Kühne ‐ Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE)University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - N. Leib
- Department of Dermatology and AllergyChristine Kühne ‐ Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE)University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - S. Schnautz
- Department of Dermatology and AllergyChristine Kühne ‐ Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE)University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - H. Kirins
- Department of Dermatology and AllergyChristine Kühne ‐ Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE)University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - I. Förster
- LIMES Institute, Immunology and EnvironmentUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
| | - H. Weighardt
- LIMES Institute, Immunology and EnvironmentUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
- Innate Immunity and Extrinsic Skin AgingIUF ‐ Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental MedicineDüsseldorfGermany
| | - T. Bieber
- Department of Dermatology and AllergyChristine Kühne ‐ Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE)University of BonnBonnGermany
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Kim JB, Pjanic M, Nguyen T, Miller CL, Iyer D, Liu B, Wang T, Sazonova O, Carcamo-Orive I, Matic LP, Maegdefessel L, Hedin U, Quertermous T. TCF21 and the environmental sensor aryl-hydrocarbon receptor cooperate to activate a pro-inflammatory gene expression program in coronary artery smooth muscle cells. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006750. [PMID: 28481916 PMCID: PMC5439967 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Both environmental factors and genetic loci have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), however gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that might identify molecular mechanisms of risk are not easily studied by human genetic approaches. We have previously identified the transcription factor TCF21 as the causal CAD gene at 6q23.2 and characterized its downstream transcriptional network that is enriched for CAD GWAS genes. Here we investigate the hypothesis that TCF21 interacts with a downstream target gene, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the cellular response to environmental contaminants, including dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., tobacco smoke). Perturbation of TCF21 expression in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC) revealed that TCF21 promotes expression of AHR, its heterodimerization partner ARNT, and cooperates with these factors to upregulate a number of inflammatory downstream disease related genes including IL1A, MMP1, and CYP1A1. TCF21 was shown to bind in AHR, ARNT and downstream target gene loci, and co-localization was noted for AHR-ARNT and TCF21 binding sites genome-wide in regions of HCASMC open chromatin. These regions of co-localization were found to be enriched for GWAS signals associated with cardio-metabolic as well as chronic inflammatory disease phenotypes. Finally, we show that similar to TCF21, AHR gene expression is increased in atherosclerotic lesions in mice in vivo using laser capture microdissection, and AHR protein is localized in human carotid atherosclerotic lesions where it is associated with protein kinases with a critical role in innate immune response. These data suggest that TCF21 can cooperate with AHR to activate an inflammatory gene expression program that is exacerbated by environmental stimuli, and may contribute to the overall risk for CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juyong Brian Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Milos Pjanic
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Clint L. Miller
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Dharini Iyer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Boxiang Liu
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Ting Wang
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Olga Sazonova
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Ivan Carcamo-Orive
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | | | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ulf Hedin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
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44
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Zhang DD, Wang WT, Xiong J, Xie XM, Cui SS, Zhao ZG, Li MJ, Zhang ZQ, Hao DL, Zhao X, Li YJ, Wang J, Chen HZ, Lv X, Liu DP. Long noncoding RNA LINC00305 promotes inflammation by activating the AHRR-NF-κB pathway in human monocytes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46204. [PMID: 28393844 PMCID: PMC5385552 DOI: 10.1038/srep46204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have provided a collection of novel candidate genes associated with complex diseases, such as atherosclerosis. We identified an atherosclerosis-associated single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the intron of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00305 by searching the GWAS database. Although the function of LINC00305 is unknown, we found that LINC00305 expression is enriched in atherosclerotic plaques and monocytes. Overexpression of LINC00305 promoted the expression of inflammation-associated genes in THP-1 cells and reduced the expression of contractile markers in co-cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). We showed that overexpression of LINC00305 activated nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-κB) and that inhibition of NF-κB abolished LINC00305-mediated activation of cytokine expression. Mechanistically, LINC00305 interacted with lipocalin-1 interacting membrane receptor (LIMR), enhanced the interaction of LIMR and aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR), and promoted protein expression as well as nuclear localization of AHRR. Moreover, LINC00305 activated NF-κB exclusively in the presence of LIMR and AHRR. In light of these findings, we propose that LINC00305 promotes monocyte inflammation by facilitating LIMR and AHRR cooperation and the AHRR activation, which eventually activates NF-κB, thereby inducing HASMC phenotype switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Dan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Tian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Jian Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Xue-Min Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Shen-Shen Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Guo Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Mulin Jun Li
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Centre for Genomic Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P. R. China
| | - Zhu-Qin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - De-Long Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Jun Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Hospital, Beijing 100005, P. R. China
| | - Junwen Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Centre for Genomic Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P. R. China
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona & Department of Biomedical Informatics, Arizona State University, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA
| | - Hou-Zao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - De-Pei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
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45
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Biljes D, Hammerschmidt-Kamper C, Merches K, Esser C. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in T cells contributes to sustaining oral tolerance against ovalbumin in a mouse model. EXCLI JOURNAL 2017; 16:291-301. [PMID: 30233276 PMCID: PMC6141817 DOI: 10.17179/excli2017-168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Oral tolerance (OT) towards antigens encountered in the gut is a vital immune function of gut immunity. Experimental models can demonstrate OT efficacy by feeding of a protein followed by peripheral immunization and measuring the specific antibody titer. We had previously shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a xenobiotic high-affinity aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-ligand, destabilized OT against ovalbumin (OVA) in mice. AhR is involved in the development, differentiation and function of immune cells, and highly expressed in gut epithelial cells and gut immune cells. We here used AhR-deficient mice to study the role of AhR in OT further. We show that complete AhR-deficiency undermines the stability of oral tolerance against OVA upon multiple immunizations, despite no renewed oral encounter with the antigen. This OT destabilization is accompanied by significant changes in IL10 and TGFβ RNA in the gut tissue. Using conditional AhR-deficient mouse lines, we identify T cells as the major responsible immune cell type in this context. Our findings add to knowledge that lack of AhR signaling in the gut impairs important gut immune functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Biljes
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, D-40225 Düsseldorf
| | | | - Katja Merches
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, D-40225 Düsseldorf
| | - Charlotte Esser
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, D-40225 Düsseldorf
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46
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Vogel CFA, Haarmann-Stemmann T. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor - More than a simple feedback inhibitor of AhR signaling: Clues for its role in inflammation and cancer. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2017; 2:109-119. [PMID: 28971163 DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR) was first described as a specific competitive repressor of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity based on its ability to dimerize with the AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT) and through direct competition of AhR/ARNT and AhRR/ARNT complexes for binding to dioxin-responsive elements (DREs). Like AhR, AhRR belongs to the basic Helix-Loop-Helix/Per-ARNT-Sim (bHLH/PAS) protein family but lacks functional ligand-binding and transactivation domains. Transient transfection experiments with ARNT and AhRR mutants examining the inhibitory mechanism of AhRR suggested a more complex mechanism than the simple mechanism of negative feedback through sequestration of ARNT to regulate AhR signaling. Recently, AhRR has been shown to act as a tumor suppressor gene in several types of cancer cells. Furthermore, epidemiological studies have found epigenetic changes and silencing of AhRR associated with exposure to cigarette smoke and cancer development. Additional studies from our laboratories have demonstrated that AhRR represses other signaling pathways including NF-κB and is capable of regulating inflammatory responses. A better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of AhRR in AhR signaling and adverse outcome pathways leading to deregulated inflammatory responses contributing to tumor promotion and other adverse health effects is expected from future studies. This review article summarizes the characteristics of AhRR as an inhibitor of AhR activity and highlights more recent findings pointing out the role of AhRR in inflammation and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph F A Vogel
- Department of Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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47
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Hahn ME, Karchner SI, Merson RR. Diversity as Opportunity: Insights from 600 Million Years of AHR Evolution. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2017; 2:58-71. [PMID: 28286876 DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was for many years of interest only to pharmacologists and toxicologists. However, this protein has fundamental roles in biology that are being revealed through studies in diverse animal species. The AHR is an ancient protein. AHR homologs exist in most major groups of modern bilaterian animals, including deuterostomes (chordates, hemichordates, echinoderms) and the two major clades of protostome invertebrates [ecdysozoans (e.g. arthropods and nematodes) and lophotrochozoans (e.g. molluscs and annelids)]. AHR homologs also have been identified in cnidarians such as the sea anemone Nematostella and in the genome of Trichoplax, a placozoan. Bilaterians, cnidarians, and placozoans form the clade Eumetazoa, whose last common ancestor lived approximately 600 million years ago (MYA). The presence of AHR homologs in modern representatives of all these groups indicates that the original eumetazoan animal possessed an AHR homolog. Studies in invertebrates and vertebrates reveal parallel functions of AHR in the development and function of sensory neural systems, suggesting that these may be ancestral roles. Vertebrate animals are characterized by the expansion and diversification of AHRs, via gene and genome duplications, from the ancestral protoAHR into at least five classes of AHR-like proteins: AHR, AHR1, AHR2, AHR3, and AHRR. The evolution of multiple AHRs in vertebrates coincided with the acquisition of high-affinity binding of halogenated and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and the emergence of adaptive functions involving regulation of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and roles in adaptive immunity. The existence of multiple AHRs may have facilitated subfunction partitioning and specialization of specific AHR types in some taxa. Additional research in diverse model and non-model species will continue to enrich our understanding of AHR and its pleiotropic roles in biology and toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MS-32, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Sibel I Karchner
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MS-32, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Rebeka R Merson
- Biology Department, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, 251 Fogarty Life Sciences, Providence, RI 02908
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48
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Merches K, Haarmann-Stemmann T, Weighardt H, Krutmann J, Esser C. AHR in the skin: From the mediator of chloracne to a therapeutic panacea? CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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