How T cells take developmental decisions by using the aryl hydrocarbon receptor to sense the environment

Novel protein pathways in development and progression of pulmonary sarcoidosis

Pulmonary involvement occurs in up to 95% of sarcoidosis cases. In this pilot study, we examine lung compartment-specific protein expression to identify pathways linked to development and progression of pulmonary sarcoidosis. We characterized bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and fluid (BALF) proteins in recently diagnosed sarcoidosis cases. We identified 4,306 proteins in BAL cells, of which 272 proteins were differentially expressed in sarcoidosis compared to controls. These proteins map to novel pathways such as integrin-linked kinase and IL-8 signaling and previously implicated pathways in sarcoidosis, including phagosome maturation, clathrin-mediated endocytic signaling and redox balance. In the BALF, the differentially expressed proteins map to several pathways identified in the BAL cells. The differentially expressed BALF proteins also map to aryl hydrocarbon signaling, communication between innate and adaptive immune response, integrin, PTEN and phospholipase C signaling, serotonin and tryptophan metabolism, autophagy, and B cell receptor signaling. Additional pathways that were different between progressive and non-progressive sarcoidosis in the BALF included CD28 signaling and PFKFB4 signaling. Our studies demonstrate the power of contemporary proteomics to reveal novel mechanisms operational in sarcoidosis. Application of our workflows in well-phenotyped large cohorts maybe beneficial to identify biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis and therapeutically tenable molecular mechanisms.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor acts as a tumor suppressor in a syngeneic MC38 colon carcinoma tumor model

Background: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), commonly known as an environmental sensor involved in the metabolism and elimination of xenobiotic substances, is also an important modulator in the development and functioning of the immune system. AHR expression is varied in the T cell subsets with the highest expression in T-helper 17 and T regulatory cells. It has been reported that AHR can act as a tumor promoter or a tumor suppressor, depending on the tumor type.

Methods: In an effort to understand the role played by AHR in tumor growth, the MC38 syngeneic colon carcinoma tumor model was used on C57BL/6 or ahr knockout (KO, -/-) mice with or without AHR antagonist (CH223191) treatment. Tumor sizes were measured, and biomarkers were quantified in tumor microenvironment and draining lymph nodes using flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the amount of cytokines in tumors.

Results: In ahr deficient mice, MC38 tumors progress more rapidly than in wild-type mice, accompanied by an increase in tumor-associated macrophages and M2 macrophages and a decrease in CD8a positive cytotoxic lymphocytes. Analysis of cytokines in the tumor microenvironment reveals a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Similar changes were observed by pharmacologic blockade of the receptor using CH223191.

Conclusion: AHR acts as a tumor suppressor in mice implanted with MC38 colon carcinoma cells as evidenced by either a blockade or deficiency of AHR.

Hepatic stellate cells increase the immunosuppressive function of natural Foxp3+ regulatory T cells via IDO-induced AhR activation

Immunosuppressive, naturally occurring CD4⁺CD25⁺forkhead box p3⁺ (Foxp3⁺) regulatory T cells (nT_regs) offer potential for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. However, potential instability of ex vivo-expanded nT_regs following their adoptive transfer may be a significant limitation. LPS-stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) induce expansion and enhance the suppressive function and stability of allogeneic nT_regs We aimed to delineate mechanisms underlying HSC-induced expansion and increased potency of nT_regs HSCs and nT_regs were isolated from mouse livers and spleens, respectively. Following coculture with LPS-pretreated allogeneic HSCs (LPS/HSCs), proliferation of nT_regs was measured by CFSE dilution, and Foxp3 expression and acetylation were determined by immunoprecipitation (IP) and Western blotting analysis. Expression of various genes associated with immunologic tolerance was determined by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). LPS stimulation increased the expression and activity of the immunoregulatory enzyme IDO1 in HSCs, and LPS/HSCs stimulated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling in cocultured nT_regs Reciprocally, T_regs increased IDO1 expression in HSCs. IDO1^-/- LPS/HSCs were inferior to WT LPS/HSCs in stimulating nT_reg expansion. Pharmacologic inhibition of IDO1 in HSCs by 1-methyltryptophan (1MT) inhibited LPS/HSC-induced AhR signaling in nT_regs, which was responsible for their expansion, Foxp3 expression, and stabilization of Foxp3 by increasing acetylation of lysine residues. Finally, HSCs cryopreserved, following 2-3 passages, were as potent as primary-cultured HSCs in expanding nT_regs In conclusion, LPS/HSCs expand allogeneic nT_regs through an IDO-dependent, AhR-mediated mechanism and increase their stability through lysine-acetylation of Foxp3. nT_regs expanded by cryopreserved HSCs may have potential for clinical use.

ITE, a novel endogenous nontoxic aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand, efficiently suppresses EAU and T-cell-mediated immunity

PURPOSE

Ligands for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), such as dioxins, are highly toxic. One such ligand, TCDD, was found to exert potent immunosuppressive capacities in mice developing pathogenic autoimmune processes, including EAU, but its toxicity makes it unusable for humans. A recently identified endogenous AHR ligand, ITE, is also immunosuppressive, but is nontoxic and could therefore be useful for therapy in humans. Here, we tested ITE for its capacity to inhibit EAU and related immune responses.

METHODS

EAU was induced in B10.A mice by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP; 40 μg) in CFA. Treatment with ITE was by daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 mg. Disease severity was assessed by both fundoscopy and histological examination. Draining lymph node cells were tested for proliferation by thymidine uptake and for cytokine production and release by ELISA. In addition, the intracellular expression of cytokines and Foxp3 was determined by flow cytometry. Serum antibodies were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

Treatment with ITE efficiently inhibited the development of EAU in mice, as well as the cellular immune responses against IRBP and PPD. ITE treatment inhibited the expansion of both Th1 and Th17 subpopulations, as well as their release of the signature cytokines, IFN-gamma and IL-17. The treatment moderately increased, however, the proportion of Foxp3 expressing T-regulatory cells. Antibody production was not affected by the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

ITE, an endogenous AHR ligand, efficiently inhibits EAU development and related cellular immune responses. Being nontoxic, ITE may be considered for treatment of pathogenic immunity in humans.

6-Formylindolo (3,2-b)carbazole (FICZ) enhances retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation of HL-60 myeloblastic leukemia cells

BACKGROUND

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand 6-Formylindolo(3,2-b)carbazole (FICZ) has received increasing attention since its identification as an endogenous AhR ligand and a photoproduct of tryptophan. FICZ and its metabolites have been detected in human fluids. We recently reported that AhR promotes retinoic acid (RA)-induced granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 myeloblastic leukemia cells by restricting the nuclear abundance of the stem cell associated transcription factor Oct4. The standard clinical management of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is differentiation induction therapy using RA. But RA is not effective for other myeloid leukemias, making the mechanism of RA-induced differentiation observed in a non-APL myeloid leukemia of interest. To our knowledge, this is the first study regarding the influence of FICZ on RA-induced differentiation in any type of leukemic blasts.

METHODS

Using flow cytometry and Western blotting assays, we determined the effects of FICZ on RA-induced differentiation of HL-60 human leukemia cells. All experiments were performed in triplicate. The groups RA and FICZ + RA were compared using the Paired-Samples T-Test. Western blot figures present the typical blots.

RESULTS

We demonstrate that FICZ enhances RA-induced differentiation, assessed by the expression of the membrane differentiation marker CD11b; cell cycle arrest; and the functional differentiation marker, inducible-oxidative metabolism. FICZ causes changes in signaling events that are known to drive differentiation, and notably augments the RA-induced sustained activation of the RAF/MEK/ERK axis of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. FICZ also augments expression of the known MAPK signaling regulatory molecules c-Cbl, VAV1, pY458 p85 PI3K, Src-family kinases (SFKs), and IRF-1, a transcription factor associated with this putative signalsome that promotes RA-induced differentiation. Moreover, FICZ in combination with RA also increases expression of AhR and even more so of both Cyp1A2 and p47phox, which are known to be transcriptionally regulated by AhR. pY1021 PDGFRβ, a marker associated with retinoic acid syndrome was also increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that FICZ modulates intracellular signaling pathways and enhances RA-induced differentiation.

Epigenetically mediated pathogenic effects of phenanthrene on regulatory T cells

Phenanthrene (Phe), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), is a major constituent of urban air pollution. There have been conflicting results regarding the role of other AhR ligands 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 6-formylindolo [3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) in modifying regulatory T cell populations (Treg) or T helper (Th)17 differentiation, and the effects of Phe have been understudied. We hypothesized that different chemical entities of PAH induce Treg to become either Th2 or Th17 effector T cells through epigenetic modification of FOXP3. To determine specific effects on T cell populations by phenanthrene, primary human Treg were treated with Phe, TCDD, or FICZ and assessed for function, gene expression, and phenotype. Methylation of CpG sites within the FOXP3 locus reduced FOXP3 expression, leading to impaired Treg function and conversion of Treg into a CD4⁺CD25^lo Th2 phenotype in Phe-treated cells. Conversely, TCDD treatment led to epigenetic modification of IL-17A and conversion of Treg to Th17 T cells. These findings present a mechanism by which exposure to AhR-ligands mediates human T cell responses and begins to elucidate the relationship between environmental exposures, immune modulation, and initiation of human disease.

ASC-associated inflammation promotes cecal tumorigenesis in aryl hydrocarbon receptor-deficient mice

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a suppressive role in cecal carcinogenesis by CUL4B/AhR-mediated ubiquitylation and degradation of β-catenin, which is activated by xenobiotics and natural ligands. AhR-deficient (AhR(-)(/-)) mice develop cecal tumors with severe inflammation. To elucidate whether the tumors develop autonomously in AhR(-/-) mice due to impaired β-catenin degradation or in association with accelerated inflammation, we performed two kinds of experiments using germ-free (GF) AhR(-/-) mice and compound mutant mice lacking genes for AhR and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), which plays an essential role in caspase-1 activation in inflammasomes. Both GF AhR(-/-) and AhR(-/-)•ASC(-/-) mice showed considerably reduced tumor development compared with that in AhR(-/-) mice albeit in a 'cancer-prone' state with aberrant β-catenin accumulation. Blocking of the interleukin (IL)-1β signaling pathway by treatment with a caspase-1 inhibitor, YVAD, reduced cecal tumorigenesis in AhR(-/-) mice. Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation was detected in the cecal epithelium of the AhR(-/-) mice due to enhanced IL-6 production. An inhibitor of the STAT3 signaling pathway, AG490 suppressed the tumor formation. ASC-mediated inflammation was also found to play a critical role in tumor development in Apc(Min/+) mice, a mouse model of familial adenomatous polyposis. Collectively, these results revealed an important role of the bacteria-triggered or ASC-mediated inflammation signaling pathway in the intestinal tumorigenesis of mice and suggest a possible chemical therapeutic intervention, including AhR ligands and inhibitors of the inflammation pathway.

INDOLE-3-CARBINOL EXERTS SEX-SPECIFIC EFFECTS IN MURINE COLITIS

Due to the severe adverse effects that can accompany conventional therapies for Crohn's disease, the search for natural complementary therapies has increased dramatically in recent years. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a constituent of cruciferous vegetables, possesses anti-inflammatory properties; however, its effects on intestinal inflammation have yet to be evaluated. To test the hypothesis that I3C dampens intestinal inflammation, C57Bl/6 mice were treated with I3C and exposed to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) to induce colitis. Several parameters of disease severity and inflammation were subsequently evaluated. I3C dampened the disease severity, as indicated by decreased body weight loss and decreased severity of clinical signs. Interestingly, this effect was observed in female but not male mice, which displayed a trend towards exacerbated colitis. Differential effects were observed in the profiles of cytokine production, as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was increased in males. The sex-specific effect of I3C in TNBS-induced colitis is a novel finding and warrants further investigation since this is a common dietary compound and is also available commercially.