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Graham JP, Zhang Y, He L, Gonzalez-Fernandez T. CRISPR-GEM: A Novel Machine Learning Model for CRISPR Genetic Target Discovery and Evaluation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601587. [PMID: 39005295 PMCID: PMC11244939 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR gene editing strategies are shaping cell therapies through precise and tunable control over gene expression. However, achieving reliable therapeutic effects with improved safety and efficacy requires informed target gene selection. This depends on a thorough understanding of the involvement of target genes in gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that regulate cell phenotype and function. Machine learning models have been previously used for GRN reconstruction using RNA- seq data, but current techniques are limited to single cell types and focus mainly on transcription factors. This restriction overlooks many potential CRISPR target genes, such as those encoding extracellular matrix components, growth factors, and signaling molecules, thus limiting the applicability of these models for CRISPR strategies. To address these limitations, we have developed CRISPR-GEM, a multi-layer perceptron (MLP)-based synthetic GRN constructed to accurately predict the downstream effects of CRISPR gene editing. First, input and output nodes are identified as differentially expressed genes between defined experimental and target cell/tissue types respectively. Then, MLP training learns regulatory relationships in a black-box approach allowing accurate prediction of output gene expression using only input gene expression. Finally, CRISPR-mimetic perturbations are made to each input gene individually and the resulting model predictions are compared to those for the target group to score and assess each input gene as a CRISPR candidate. The top scoring genes provided by CRISPR-GEM therefore best modulate experimental group GRNs to motivate transcriptomic shifts towards a target group phenotype. This machine learning model is the first of its kind for predicting optimal CRISPR target genes and serves as a powerful tool for enhanced CRISPR strategies across a range of cell therapies.
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Ryba-Stanisławowska M, Słomiński B, Myśliwiec M. Association of KLF14 rs4731702 gene polymorphism with metabolic phenotype in young patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Obes Metab 2024. [PMID: 38894632 DOI: 10.1111/dom.15707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
AIM To explore the potential association between the KLF14 rs4731702 polymorphism and metabolic syndrome traits among patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS The study group included 350 patients with T1D and 250 healthy control subjects. The analysis focused on the genotyping of KLF14 rs4731702 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), as well as evaluating serum concentrations of inflammatory markers, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and the quantitative status of CD4 + CD25highFOXP3+ T cells. RESULTS Patients with T1D carrying the T allele of KLF14 rs4731702 SNP had higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as lower glycated haemoglobin and serum concentration of proinflammatory markers than C allele carriers. They also developed hypertension less often than carriers of the C allele. The analysis of CD4 + CD25highFOXP3+ regulatory T-cell status based on KLF14 genotype showed that, in T1D patients, those with the TT genotype had the highest frequency of these cells compared to carriers of the CC and CT genotypes. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that the T allele of the KLF14 rs4731702 SNP might confer a protective effect against the development of obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and chronic inflammatory state in patients diagnosed with T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bartosz Słomiński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Myśliwiec
- Chair & Clinics of Paediatrics, Diabetology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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Shao TY, Jiang TT, Stevens J, Russi AE, Troutman TD, Bernieh A, Pham G, Erickson JJ, Eshleman EM, Alenghat T, Jameson SC, Hogquist KA, Weaver CT, Haslam DB, Deshmukh H, Way SS. Kruppel-like factor 2+ CD4 T cells avert microbiota-induced intestinal inflammation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113323. [PMID: 37889750 PMCID: PMC10822050 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113323] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal colonization by antigenically foreign microbes necessitates expanded peripheral immune tolerance. Here we show commensal microbiota prime expansion of CD4 T cells unified by the Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) transcriptional regulator and an essential role for KLF2+ CD4 cells in averting microbiota-driven intestinal inflammation. CD4 cells with commensal specificity in secondary lymphoid organs and intestinal tissues are enriched for KLF2 expression, and distinct from FOXP3+ regulatory T cells or other differentiation lineages. Mice with conditional KLF2 deficiency in T cells develop spontaneous rectal prolapse and intestinal inflammation, phenotypes overturned by eliminating microbiota or reconstituting with donor KLF2+ cells. Activated KLF2+ cells selectively produce IL-10, and eliminating IL-10 overrides their suppressive function in vitro and protection against intestinal inflammation in vivo. Together with reduced KLF2+ CD4 cell accumulation in Crohn's disease, a necessity for the KLF2+ subpopulation of T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells in sustaining commensal tolerance is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Yu Shao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Tony T Jiang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joseph Stevens
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Abigail E Russi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Advanced Nutrition, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ty D Troutman
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Anas Bernieh
- Division of Pathology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Giang Pham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - John J Erickson
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Emily M Eshleman
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Theresa Alenghat
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Stephen C Jameson
- Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kristin A Hogquist
- Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Casey T Weaver
- Program in Immunology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - David B Haslam
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Hitesh Deshmukh
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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Wang T, Long Y, Ma L, Dong Q, Li Y, Guo J, Jin L, Di L, Zhang Y, Wang L, Hou Z. Single-cell RNA-seq reveals cellular heterogeneity from deep fascia in patients with acute compartment syndrome. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1062479. [PMID: 36741388 PMCID: PMC9889980 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1062479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction High stress in the compartment surrounded by the deep fascia can cause acute compartment syndrome (ACS) that may result in necrosis of the limbs. The study aims to investigate the cellular heterogeneity of the deep fascia in ACS patients by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Methods We collected deep fascia samples from patients with ACS (high-stress group, HG, n=3) and patients receiving thigh amputation due to osteosarcoma (normal-stress group, NG, n=3). We utilized ultrasound and scanning electron microscopy to observe the morphologic change of the deep fascia, used multiplex staining and multispectral imaging to explore immune cell infiltration, and applied scRNA-seq to investigate the cellular heterogeneity of the deep fascia and to identify differentially expressed genes. Results Notably, we identified GZMK+interferon-act CD4 central memory T cells as a specific high-stress compartment subcluster expressing interferon-related genes. Additionally, the changes in the proportions of inflammation-related subclusters, such as the increased proportion of M2 macrophages and decreased proportion of M1 macrophages, may play crucial roles in the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory in the development of ACS. Furthermore, we found that heat shock protein genes were highly expressed but metal ion-related genes (S100 family and metallothionein family) were down-regulated in various subpopulations under high stress. Conclusions We identified a high stress-specific subcluster and variations in immune cells and fibroblast subclusters, as well as their differentially expressed genes, in ACS patients. Our findings reveal the functions of the deep fascia in the pathophysiology of ACS, providing new approaches for its treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yubin Long
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Lijie Ma
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Qi Dong
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yiran Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Junfei Guo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Lin Jin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Luqin Di
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yingze Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Intelligent Orthopaedic Equipment, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Department of Orthopedic Oncology, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,*Correspondence: Zhiyong Hou, ; Ling Wang,
| | - Zhiyong Hou
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,Orthopaedic Research Institute of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Intelligent Orthopaedic Equipment, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China,*Correspondence: Zhiyong Hou, ; Ling Wang,
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Lin H, Zhao Y, Zhu Y, Li C, Xu W, Chen X, Huang H, Jin L. Maternal High-Fat Diet Aggravates Allergic Asthma in Offspring via Modulating CD4 + T-Cell Differentiation. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14122508. [PMID: 35745240 PMCID: PMC9230034 DOI: 10.3390/nu14122508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal improper nutrition has been reported to trigger respiratory disorders in offspring. Here, we characterized the effects of high-fat environment in the fetal period on mice and human cord blood CD4+ T-lymphocytes, and investigated their roles in susceptibility to asthma. Mice born to mothers that consumed a high-fat diet (HFD) throughout the gestation period were sensitized by ovalbumin to establish an experimental asthma model. To further extrapolate to humans, we collected cord blood from neonates of hypercholesterolemic (HC) mothers (n = 18) and control mothers (n = 20). In mice, aggravated airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation revealed that maternal high-fat diet could lead to exacerbated allergic asthma in adult offspring. It was partially due to augmented activation and proliferation of CD4+ T-cells, where upregulated klf2 mRNA levels may be potentially involved. Notably, naïve HFD CD4+ T-cells had enhanced TH2-based immune response both in vivo and in vitro, resulting from DNA hypomethylation of the Il-4 promoter region. Moreover, in human, TH2 cytokines transcripts were enhanced in CD4+ T-cells of the HC group, which was associated with an increased risk of developing allergic diseases at 3 years old. Together, our study indicated that early life improper nutrition-triggered epigenetic changes in T-cells may contribute to long-lasting alterations in allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; (H.L.); (C.L.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.)
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yiran Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.)
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200030, China
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yajie Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.)
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200030, China
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; (H.L.); (C.L.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.)
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China;
| | - Xi Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.)
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200030, China
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (H.H.); (L.J.)
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; (H.L.); (C.L.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.)
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200030, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (H.H.); (L.J.)
| | - Li Jin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China; (H.L.); (C.L.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.)
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200030, China
- Correspondence: (X.C.); (H.H.); (L.J.)
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6
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Guo H, Wang M, Wang B, Guo L, Cheng Y, Wang Z, Sun YQ, Wang Y, Chang YJ, Huang XJ. PRDM1 Drives Human Primary T Cell Hyporesponsiveness by Altering the T Cell Transcriptome and Epigenome. Front Immunol 2022; 13:879501. [PMID: 35572579 PMCID: PMC9097451 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.879501] [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: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell hyporesponsiveness is crucial for the functional immune system and prevents the damage induced by alloreactive T cells in autoimmune pathology and transplantation. Here, we found low expression of PRDM1 in T cells from donor and recipients both related to the occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). Our systematic multiomics analysis found that the transcription factor PRDM1 acts as a master regulator during inducing human primary T cell hyporesponsiveness. PRDM1-overexpression in primary T cells expanded Treg cell subset and increased the expression level of FOXP3, while decreased expression had the opposite effects. Moreover, the binding motifs of key T cell function regulators, such as FOS, JUN and AP-1, were enriched in PRDM1 binding sites and that PRDM1 altered the chromatin accessibility of these regions. Multiomics analysis showed that PRDM1 directly upregulated T cell inhibitory genes such as KLF2 and KLRD1 and downregulated the T cell activation gene IL2, indicating that PRDM1 could promote a tolerant transcriptional profile. Further analysis showed that PRDM1 upregulated FOXP3 expression level directly by binding to FOXP3 upstream enhancer region and indirectly by upregulating KLF2. These results indicated that PRDM1 is sufficient for inducing human primary T cell hyporesponsiveness by transcriptomic and epigenetic manners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huidong Guo
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Wang
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bixia Wang
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liping Guo
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Yifei Cheng
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Zhidong Wang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Qian Sun
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Jun Chang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Huang
- Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Beijing, China.,Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Research Unit of Key Technique for Diagnosis and Treatments of Hematologic Malignancies (2019RU029), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Eder JM, Sacco RE. Ex vivo activated CD4+ T cells from young calves exhibit Th2-biased effector function with distinct metabolic reprogramming compared to adult cows. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2022; 248:110418. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2022.110418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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8
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Qi X, Wu F, Kim SH, Kaifi JT, Kimchi ET, Snyder H, Illendula A, Fox T, Kester M, Staveley-O'Carroll KF, Li G. Nanoliposome C6-Ceramide in combination with anti-CTLA4 antibody improves anti-tumor immunity in hepatocellular cancer. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22250. [PMID: 35294071 PMCID: PMC9297193 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101707r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Combination therapy represents an effective therapeutic approach to overcome hepatocellular cancer (HCC) resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Based upon previous work demonstrating that nanoliposome C6‐ceramide (LipC6) not only induces HCC apoptosis but also prevents HCC‐induced immune tolerance, we now investigate the potential of LipC6 in combination with ICB in HCC treatment. We generated orthotopic HCC‐bearing mice, which have typical features in common with human patients, and then treated them with LipC6 in combination with the antibodies (Abs) for programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) or cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4). The tumor growth was monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the intrahepatic immune profiles were checked by flow cytometry in response to the treatments. Realtime PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the expression of target genes. The results show that LipC6 in combination with anti‐CTLA4 Ab, but not anti‐PD‐1 Ab, significantly slowed tumor growth, enhanced tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and suppressed tumor‐resident CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs. Further molecular investigation indicates that the combinational treatment suppressed transcriptional factor Krüppel‐like Factor 2 (KLF2), forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3), and CTLA4. Our studies suggest that LipC6 in combination with anti‐CTLA4 Ab represents a novel therapeutic approach with significant potential in activating anti‐HCC immune response and suppressing HCC growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Qi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Sung Hoon Kim
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Jussuf T Kaifi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Eric T Kimchi
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Helena Snyder
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Anuradha Illendula
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Todd Fox
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Kevin F Staveley-O'Carroll
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Guangfu Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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9
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Wittner J, Schulz SR, Steinmetz TD, Berges J, Hauke M, Channell WM, Cunningham AF, Hauser AE, Hutloff A, Mielenz D, Jäck HM, Schuh W. Krüppel-like factor 2 controls IgA plasma cell compartmentalization and IgA responses. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:668-682. [PMID: 35347229 PMCID: PMC9259478 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00503-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is a potent regulator of lymphocyte differentiation, activation and migration. However, its functional role in adaptive and humoral immunity remains elusive. Therefore, by using mice with a B cell-specific deletion of KLF2, we investigated plasma cell differentiation and antibody responses. We revealed that the deletion of KLF2 resulted in perturbed IgA plasma cell compartmentalization, characterized by the absence of IgA plasma cells in the bone marrow, their reductions in the spleen, the blood and the lamina propria of the colon and the small intestine, concomitant with their accumulation and retention in mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. Most intriguingly, secretory IgA in the intestinal lumen was almost absent, dimeric serum IgA was drastically reduced and antigen-specific IgA responses to soluble Salmonella flagellin were blunted in KLF2-deficient mice. Perturbance of IgA plasma cell localization was caused by deregulation of CCR9, Integrin chains αM, α4, β7, and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors. Hence, KLF2 not only orchestrates the localization of IgA plasma cells by fine-tuning chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules but also controls IgA responses to Salmonella flagellin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Wittner
- grid.411668.c0000 0000 9935 6525Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian R. Schulz
- grid.411668.c0000 0000 9935 6525Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobit D. Steinmetz
- grid.411668.c0000 0000 9935 6525Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Berges
- grid.411668.c0000 0000 9935 6525Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manuela Hauke
- grid.411668.c0000 0000 9935 6525Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - William M. Channell
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Adam F. Cunningham
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anja E. Hauser
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany ,grid.418217.90000 0000 9323 8675Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), a Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Hutloff
- grid.412468.d0000 0004 0646 2097Institute of Immunology and Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Dirk Mielenz
- grid.411668.c0000 0000 9935 6525Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans-Martin Jäck
- grid.411668.c0000 0000 9935 6525Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schuh
- grid.411668.c0000 0000 9935 6525Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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10
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Krüppel-like Factor 2 (KLF2) in Immune Cell Migration. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101171. [PMID: 34696279 PMCID: PMC8539188 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), a transcription factor of the krüppel-like family, is a key regulator of activation, differentiation, and migration processes in various cell types. In this review, we focus on the functional relevance of KLF2 in immune cell migration and homing. We summarize the key functions of KLF2 in the regulation of chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules and discuss the relevance of the KLF2-mediated control of immune cell migration in the context of immune responses, infections, and diseases.
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11
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Burkard T, Dreis C, Herrero San Juan M, Huhn M, Weigert A, Pfeilschifter JM, Radeke HH. Enhanced CXCR4 Expression of Human CD8 Low T Lymphocytes Is Driven by S1P 4. Front Immunol 2021; 12:668884. [PMID: 34504486 PMCID: PMC8421764 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.668884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the human immune response to cancer is naturally potent, it can be severely disrupted as a result of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Infiltrating regulatory T lymphocytes contribute to this immunosuppression by inhibiting proliferation of cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes, which are key to an effective anti-cancer immune response. Other important contributory factors are thought to include metabolic stress caused by the local nutrient deprivation common to many solid tumors. Interleukin-33 (IL-33), an alarmin released in reaction to cell damage, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are known to control cell positioning and differentiation of T lymphocytes. In an in vitro model of nutrient deprivation, we investigated the influence of IL-33 and S1P receptor 4 (S1P4) on the differentiation and migration of human CD8+ T lymphocytes. Serum starvation of CD8+ T lymphocytes induced a subset of CD8Low and IL-33 receptor-positive (ST2L+) cells characterized by enhanced expression of the regulatory T cell markers CD38 and CD39. Both S1P1 and S1P4 were transcriptionally regulated after stimulation with IL-33. Moreover, expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 was increased in CD8+ T lymphocytes treated with the selective S1P4 receptor agonist CYM50308. We conclude that nutrient deprivation promotes CD8Low T lymphocytes, contributing to an immunosuppressive microenvironment and a poor anti-cancer immune response by limiting cytotoxic effector functions. Our results suggest that S1P4 signaling modulation may be a promising target for anti-CXCR4 cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Burkard
- pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Caroline Dreis
- pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Martina Herrero San Juan
- pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Meik Huhn
- pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Weigert
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Josef M Pfeilschifter
- pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Heinfried H Radeke
- pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
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12
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Boland BS, He Z, Tsai MS, Olvera JG, Omilusik KD, Duong HG, Kim ES, Limary AE, Jin W, Milner JJ, Yu B, Patel SA, Louis TL, Tysl T, Kurd NS, Bortnick A, Quezada LK, Kanbar JN, Miralles A, Huylebroeck D, Valasek MA, Dulai PS, Singh S, Lu LF, Bui JD, Murre C, Sandborn WJ, Goldrath AW, Yeo GW, Chang JT. Heterogeneity and clonal relationships of adaptive immune cells in ulcerative colitis revealed by single-cell analyses. Sci Immunol 2020; 5:5/50/eabb4432. [PMID: 32826341 PMCID: PMC7733868 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abb4432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses a spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders driven by dysregulated immune responses against gut microbiota. We integrated single-cell RNA and antigen receptor sequencing to elucidate key components, cellular states, and clonal relationships of the peripheral and gastrointestinal mucosal immune systems in health and ulcerative colitis (UC). UC was associated with an increase in IgG1+ plasma cells in colonic tissue, increased colonic regulatory T cells characterized by elevated expression of the transcription factor ZEB2, and an enrichment of a γδ T cell subset in the peripheral blood. Moreover, we observed heterogeneity in CD8+ tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells in colonic tissue, with four transcriptionally distinct states of differentiation observed across health and disease. In the setting of UC, there was a marked shift of clonally related CD8+ TRM cells toward an inflammatory state, mediated, in part, by increased expression of the T-box transcription factor Eomesodermin. Together, these results provide a detailed atlas of transcriptional changes occurring in adaptive immune cells in the context of UC and suggest a role for CD8+ TRM cells in IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigid S Boland
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhaoren He
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Division of Biologic Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew S Tsai
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jocelyn G Olvera
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kyla D Omilusik
- Division of Biologic Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Han G Duong
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eleanor S Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Abigail E Limary
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wenhao Jin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - J Justin Milner
- Division of Biologic Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Bingfei Yu
- Division of Biologic Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shefali A Patel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tiani L Louis
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tiffani Tysl
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nadia S Kurd
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alexandra Bortnick
- Division of Biologic Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren K Quezada
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jad N Kanbar
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ara Miralles
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Danny Huylebroeck
- Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mark A Valasek
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Parambir S Dulai
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Siddharth Singh
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Li-Fan Lu
- Division of Biologic Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jack D Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cornelis Murre
- Division of Biologic Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - William J Sandborn
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ananda W Goldrath
- Division of Biologic Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John T Chang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,Division of Gastroenterology, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
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13
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D'Arrigo P, Tufano M, Rea A, Vigorito V, Novizio N, Russo S, Romano MF, Romano S. Manipulation of the Immune System for Cancer Defeat: A Focus on the T Cell Inhibitory Checkpoint Molecules. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:2402-2448. [PMID: 30398102 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181106114421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The immune system actively counteracts the tumorigenesis process; a breakout of the immune system function, or its ability to recognize transformed cells, can favor cancer development. Cancer becomes able to escape from immune system control by using multiple mechanisms, which are only in part known at a cellular and molecular level. Among these mechanisms, in the last decade, the role played by the so-called "inhibitory immune checkpoints" is emerging as pivotal in preventing the tumor attack by the immune system. Physiologically, the inhibitory immune checkpoints work to maintain the self-tolerance and attenuate the tissue injury caused by pathogenic infections. Cancer cell exploits such immune-inhibitory molecules to contrast the immune intervention and induce tumor tolerance. Molecular agents that target these checkpoints represent the new frontier for cancer treatment. Despite the heterogeneity and multiplicity of molecular alterations among the tumors, the immune checkpoint targeted therapy has been shown to be helpful in selected and even histologically different types of cancer, and are currently being adopted against an increasing variety of tumors. The most frequently used is the moAb-based immunotherapy that targets the Programmed Cell Death 1 protein (PD-1), the PD-1 Ligand (PD-L1) or the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4). However, new therapeutic approaches are currently in development, along with the discovery of new immune checkpoints exploited by the cancer cell. This article aims to review the inhibitory checkpoints, which are known up to now, along with the mechanisms of cancer immunoediting. An outline of the immune checkpoint targeting approaches, also including combined immunotherapies and the existing trials, is also provided. Notwithstanding the great efforts devoted by researchers in the field of biomarkers of response, to date, no validated FDA-approved immunological biomarkers exist for cancer patients. We highlight relevant studies on predictive biomarkers and attempt to discuss the challenges in this field, due to the complex and largely unknown dynamic mechanisms that drive the tumor immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo D'Arrigo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Tufano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Rea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenza Vigorito
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Novizio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Russo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Fiammetta Romano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Romano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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14
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Turpaev KT. Transcription Factor KLF2 and Its Role in the Regulation of Inflammatory Processes. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2020; 85:54-67. [PMID: 32079517 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
KLF2 is a member of the Krüppel-like transcription factor family of proteins containing highly conserved DNA-binding zinc finger domains. KLF2 participates in the differentiation and regulation of the functional activity of monocytes, T lymphocytes, adipocytes, and vascular endothelial cells. The activity of KLF2 is controlled by several regulatory systems, including the MEKK2,3/MEK5/ERK5/MEF2 MAP kinase cascade, Rho family G-proteins, histone acetyltransferases CBP and p300, and histone deacetylases HDAC4 and HDAC5. Activation of KLF2 in endothelial cells induces eNOS expression and provides vasodilatory effect. Many KLF2-dependent genes participate in the suppression of blood coagulation and aggregation of T cells and macrophages with the vascular endothelium, thereby preventing atherosclerosis progression. KLF2 can have a dual effect on the gene transcription. Thus, it induces expression of multiple genes, but suppresses transcription of NF-κB-dependent genes. Transcription factors KLF2 and NF-κB are reciprocal antagonists. KLF2 inhibits induction of NF-κB-dependent genes, whereas NF-κB downregulates KLF2 expression. KLF2-mediated inhibition of NF-κB signaling leads to the suppression of cell response to the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNFα and results in the attenuation of inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- K T Turpaev
- Center for Theoretical Problems of Physicochemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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15
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Chen X, Shi W, Zhang H. The role of KLF14 in multiple disease processes. Biofactors 2020; 46:276-282. [PMID: 31925990 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Kruppel-like factor 14 (KLF14) is a newly identified member of the KLF family. Expression of KLF14 is induced by TGF-β in intrauterine and ectodermal tissue. Initial researches on KLF14 focused on its role in lipid and glucose metabolism. In recent years, however, the role of KLF14 in regulating cell signaling pathways, cell proliferation and differentiation has been explored. Moreover, the research has gradually extended into the field of tumorigenesis and immune regulation. This paper aims to briefly review the functions of KLF14 in physiologyical and pathological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjie Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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16
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Thornton AM, Shevach EM. Helios: still behind the clouds. Immunology 2019; 158:161-170. [PMID: 31517385 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a subset of CD4+ T cells that are critical for the maintenance of self-tolerance. The forkhead box transcription factor Foxp3 is a master regulator for the Treg phenotype and function and its expression is essential in Treg cells, as the loss of Foxp3 results in lethal autoimmunity. Two major subsets of Treg cells have been described in vivo; thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) cells that develop in the thymus and peripherally induced Treg (pTreg) cells that are derived from conventional CD4+ Foxp3- T cells and are converted in peripheral tissues to cells that express Foxp3 and acquire suppressive ability. The transcription factor Helios, a member of the Ikaros transcription factor family, is expressed in 60-70% of Treg cells in both mouse and man, and is believed to be a marker of tTreg cells. In this review, we discuss the role and function of Helios in Treg cells, the controversy surrounding the use of Helios as a marker of tTreg cells, and how Helios controls specific aspects of the Treg cell program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Thornton
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ethan M Shevach
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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17
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Sun X, Cui Y, Feng H, Liu H, Liu X. TGF-β signaling controls Foxp3 methylation and T reg cell differentiation by modulating Uhrf1 activity. J Exp Med 2019; 216:2819-2837. [PMID: 31515281 PMCID: PMC6888975 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20190550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (T reg) cells are required for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Both TGF-β signaling and epigenetic modifications are important for Foxp3 induction, but how TGF-β signaling participates in the epigenetic regulation of Foxp3 remains largely unknown. Here we showed that T cell-specific ablation of Uhrf1 resulted in T reg-biased differentiation in TCR-stimulated naive T cells in the absence of TGF-β signaling, and these Foxp3+ T cells had a suppressive function. Adoptive transfer of Uhrf1 -/- naive T cells could significantly suppress colitis due to increased iT reg cell generation. Mechanistically, Uhrf1 was induced upon TCR stimulation and participated in the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns of T reg cell-specific genes during cell division, while it was phosphorylated upon TGF-β stimulation and sequestered outside the nucleus, and ultimately underwent proteasome-dependent degradation. Collectively, our study reveals a novel epigenetic mechanism of TGF-β-mediated iT reg cell differentiation by modulating Uhrf1 activity and suggests that Uhrf1 may be a potential therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases for generating stable iT reg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyun Feng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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18
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Park MJ, Moon SJ, Lee EJ, Kim EK, Baek JA, Kim SY, Jung KA, Lee SH, Choi JW, Kim DS, Min JK, Park SH, Shin D, Cho ML. Daurinol Attenuates Autoimmune Arthritis via Stabilization of Nrp1-PTEN-Foxp3 Signaling in Regulatory T Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1526. [PMID: 31379809 PMCID: PMC6651269 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimizing Treg function and improving Treg stability are attractive treatment strategies for treating autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the limited number of circulating Tregs and questions about the functional stability of in vitro-expanded Tregs are potential limitations of Treg-based cell therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the regulatory effect of daurinol, a catalytic inhibitor of topoisomerase IIα, on Th cell differentiation and to evaluate their therapeutic potential in a preclinical experimental model of RA. We investigated the effect of daurinol on T cell differentiation by flow cytometry. Foxp3 stability and methylation were analyzed by suppression assays and bisulfite pyrosequencing. Daurinol was treated in the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model, and the effects in vivo were determined. We found that daurinol can promote Treg differentiation and reciprocally inhibit Th17 differentiation. This Treg-inducing property of daurinol was associated with decreased activity of Akt-mTOR and reciprocally increased activity of neuropilin-1 (Nrp1)-PTEN. Daurinol treatment inhibited aerobic glycolysis in Th17 conditions, indicating the metabolic changes by daurinol. We found that the daurinol increase the Treg stability was achieved by Foxp3 hypomethylation. In vivo daurinol treatment in CIA mice reduced the clinical arthritis severity and histological inflammation. The Treg population frequency increased and the Th17 cells decreased in the spleens of arthritis mice treated with daurinol. These results showed the anti-arthritic and immunoregulating properties of daurinol is achieved by increased differentiation and stabilization of Tregs. Our study provides first evidence for daurinol as a treatment for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jung Park
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Su-Jin Moon
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Jung Lee
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Kyung Kim
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin-Ah Baek
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Se-Young Kim
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyung Ah Jung
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Hoon Lee
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeong Won Choi
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Da-Som Kim
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jun-Ki Min
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung-Hwan Park
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dongyun Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Mi-La Cho
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
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19
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Rodríguez-Perea AL, Rojas M, Velilla-Hernández PA. High concentrations of atorvastatin reduce in-vitro function of conventional T and regulatory T cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 196:237-248. [PMID: 30638266 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs ) modulate the magnitude of immune responses and possess therapeutic potential in an array of immune diseases. Statins reduce the activation and proliferation of conventional T cells (Tcons ), and they seem to up-regulate the frequency and function of Tregs . However, there is a lack of simultaneous evaluation of the in-vitro effect of statins on the functional profile of Tregs versus Tcons . Herein, magnetically purified Tcons and Tregs were stimulated with CD3/CD28/interleukin (IL)-2 in the presence of atorvastatin (ATV) at 1 or 10 µM. The suppressive function of Tregs , the expression of markers associated with Treg function, activation levels, cytokine production and calcium flux in both subpopulations were assessed by flow cytometry. ATV had no cytotoxic effect on T cells at the concentrations used. Interestingly, 10 µM ATV hampered the suppressive capacity of Tregs . Moreover, this higher concentration reduced the expression of forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA-4) and programmed death 1 (PD-1). In Tcons , ATV at 10 µM decreased PD-1 and CD45RO expression. The expression of CD25, CD69, CD95, CD38, CD62L, CCR7 and perforin was not affected in both subpopulations or at any ATV concentrations. Remarkably, 10 µM ATV increased the percentage of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-producing Tregs . Although there was a reduction of calcium flux in Tcons and Tregs , it was only significant in 10 µM ATV-treated Tcons . These results suggested that 10 µM ATV affects the cellular functions of both populations; however, this concentration particularly affected several aspects of Treg biology: its suppressive function, cytokine production and expression of Treg -specific markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Rodríguez-Perea
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia.,Grupo Bacterias & Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - M Rojas
- Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética (GICIG), Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia.,Unidad de Citometría, Facultad de Medicina, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - P A Velilla-Hernández
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
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20
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Ghosh S, Roy-Chowdhuri S, Kang K, Im SH, Rudra D. The transcription factor Foxp1 preserves integrity of an active Foxp3 locus in extrathymic Treg cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4473. [PMID: 30367168 PMCID: PMC6203760 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07018-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells, which are broadly classified as thymically derived (tTreg) or extrathymically induced (iTreg), suppress immune responses and display stringent dependence to the transcription factor Foxp3. However precise understanding of molecular events that promote and preserve Foxp3 expression in Treg cells is still evolving. Here we show that Foxp1, a forkhead transcription factor and a sibling family member of Foxp3, is essential for sustaining optimal expression of Foxp3 specifically in iTreg cells. Deletion of Foxp1 renders iTreg cells to gradually lose Foxp3, resulting in dramatically reduced Nrp1-Helios- iTreg compartment as well as augmented intestinal inflammation in aged mice. Our finding underscores a mechanistic module in which evolutionarily related transcription factors establish a molecular program to ensure efficient immune homeostasis. Furthermore, it provides a novel target that can be potentially modulated to exclusively reinforce iTreg stability keeping their thymic counterpart unperturbed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayantani Ghosh
- Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sinchita Roy-Chowdhuri
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Keunsoo Kang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Hyeog Im
- Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Dipayan Rudra
- Academy of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Sweet DR, Fan L, Hsieh PN, Jain MK. Krüppel-Like Factors in Vascular Inflammation: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential. Front Cardiovasc Med 2018; 5:6. [PMID: 29459900 PMCID: PMC5807683 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2018.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of inflammation in vascular disease is well recognized, involving dysregulation of both circulating immune cells as well as the cells of the vessel wall itself. Unrestrained vascular inflammation leads to pathological remodeling that eventually contributes to atherothrombotic disease and its associated sequelae (e.g., myocardial/cerebral infarction, embolism, and critical limb ischemia). Signaling events during vascular inflammation orchestrate widespread transcriptional programs that affect the functions of vascular and circulating inflammatory cells. The Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of transcription factors central in regulating vascular biology in states of homeostasis and disease. Given their abundance and diversity of function in cells associated with vascular inflammation, understanding the transcriptional networks regulated by KLFs will further our understanding of the pathogenesis underlying several pervasive health concerns (e.g., atherosclerosis, stroke, etc.) and consequently inform the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Within this review, we will discuss the role of KLFs in coordinating protective and deleterious responses during vascular inflammation, while addressing the potential targeting of these critical transcription factors in future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Sweet
- Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.,Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Liyan Fan
- Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.,Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Paishiun N Hsieh
- Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.,Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Mukesh K Jain
- Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
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22
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KLF2 in Regulation of NF-κB-Mediated Immune Cell Function and Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18112383. [PMID: 29125549 PMCID: PMC5713352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18112383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
KLF2 (Kruppel-like factor 2) is a member of the zinc finger transcription factor family, which critically regulates embryonic lung development, function of endothelial cells and maintenance of quiescence in T-cells and monocytes. It is expressed in naïve T-cells and monocytes, however its level of expression decreases during activation and differentiation. KLF2 also plays critical regulatory role in various inflammatory diseases and their pathogenesis. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) is an important inducer of inflammation and the inflammation is mediated through the transcription of several proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules. So, both transcriptional factors KLF2 and NF-κB are being associated with the similar cellular functions and their maintenance. It was shown that KLF2 regulates most of the NF-κB-mediated activities. In this review, we focused on emphasizing the involvement of KLF2 in health and disease states and how they interact with transcriptional master regulator NF-κB.
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23
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Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an indispensable role in controlling tolerance and immunity against self- and foreign antigens. The failure of Tregs to properly function is the direct cause of systemic and chronic inflammation as well as immune suppression. It is now evident that Tregs are highly heterogeneous populations depending on the surface phenotypes, cytokine profiles, and anatomical locations. Yet, our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways underlying such heterogeneity is very limited. Furthermore, some Tregs lose the phenotype (and suppressive functions) and instead acquire pathogenicity. Since utilizing Tregs as a tool for immunotherapy is being implemented in many clinical settings, it is of utmost importance to understand the precise mechanisms by which the loss of Treg phenotype (and function) is prevented. In this review, both cellular and molecular factors involved in Treg heterogeneity and stability are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Booki Min
- Department of Immunology/NB30, Lerner Research Institute , Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
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24
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Mallipattu SK, Estrada CC, He JC. The critical role of Krüppel-like factors in kidney disease. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2016; 312:F259-F265. [PMID: 27852611 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00550.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of zinc-finger transcription factors critical to mammalian embryonic development, regeneration, and human disease. There is emerging evidence that KLFs play a vital role in key physiological processes in the kidney, ranging from maintenance of glomerular filtration barrier to tubulointerstitial inflammation to progression of kidney fibrosis. Seventeen members of the KLF family have been identified, and several have been well characterized in the kidney. Although they may share some overlap in their downstream targets, their structure and function remain distinct. This review highlights our current knowledge of KLFs in the kidney, which includes their pattern of expression and their function in regulating key biological processes. We will also critically examine the currently available literature on KLFs in the kidney and offer some key areas in need of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep K Mallipattu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, New York, New York;
| | - Chelsea C Estrada
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - John C He
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; and.,Renal Section, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, New York
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25
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Abstract
The immune system has evolved to defend the organism against an almost infinite number of pathogens in a locally confined and antigen-specific manner while at the same time preserving tolerance to harmless antigens and self. Regulatory T (Treg) cells essentially contribute to an immunoregulatory network preventing excessive immune responses and immunopathology. There is emerging evidence that Treg cells not only operate in secondary lymphoid tissue but also regulate immune responses directly at the site of inflammation. Hence, the classification of Treg cells might need to be further extended by Treg cell subsets that are functionally and phenotypically polarized by their residency. In this review, we discuss recent findings on these tissue-resident Treg cell subsets and how these cells may operate in a tissue- and context-dependent manner.
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26
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Peripheral tolerance can be modified by altering KLF2-regulated Treg migration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E4662-70. [PMID: 27462110 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1605849113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tregs are essential for maintaining peripheral tolerance, and thus targeting these cells may aid in the treatment of autoimmunity and cancer by enhancing or reducing suppressive functions, respectively. Before these cells can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes, it is necessary to understand how they maintain tolerance under physiologically relevant conditions. We now report that transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) controls naive Treg migration patterns via regulation of homeostatic and inflammatory homing receptors, and that in its absence KLF2-deficient Tregs are unable to migrate efficiently to secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs). Diminished Treg trafficking to SLOs is sufficient to initiate autoimmunity, indicating that SLOs are a primary site for maintaining peripheral tolerance under homeostatic conditions. Disease severity correlates with impaired Treg recruitment to SLOs and, conversely, promotion of Tregs into these tissues can ameliorate autoimmunity. Moreover, stabilizing KLF2 expression within the Treg compartment enhances peripheral tolerance by diverting these suppressive cells from tertiary tissues into SLOs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that peripheral tolerance is enhanced or diminished through modulation of Treg trafficking to SLOs, a process that can be controlled by adjusting KLF2 protein levels.
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27
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Transcription factor KLF2 regulates homeostatic NK cell proliferation and survival. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:5370-5. [PMID: 27114551 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1521491113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that recognize and lyse virally infected or transformed cells. This latter property is being pursued in clinics to treat leukemia with the hope that further breakthroughs in NK cell biology can extend treatments to other cancers. At issue is the ability to expand transferred NK cells and prolong their functionality within the context of a tumor. In terms of NK cell expansion and survival, we now report that Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is a key transcription factor that underpins both of these events. Excision of Klf2 using gene-targeted mouse models promotes spontaneous proliferation of immature NK cells in peripheral tissues, a phenotype that is replicated under ex vivo conditions. Moreover, KLF2 imprints a homeostatic migration pattern on mature NK cells that allows these cells to access IL-15-rich microenvironments. KLF2 accomplishes this feat within the mature NK cell lineage via regulation of a subset of homing receptors that respond to homeostatic ligands while leaving constitutively expressed receptors that recognize inflammatory cytokines unperturbed. Under steady-state conditions, KLF2-deficient NK cells alter their expression of homeostatic homing receptors and subsequently undergo apoptosis due to IL-15 starvation. This novel mechanism has implications regarding NK cell contraction following the termination of immune responses including the possibility that retention of an IL-15 transpresenting support system is key to extending NK cell activity in a tumor environment.
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28
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Yuan J, Hegde PS, Clynes R, Foukas PG, Harari A, Kleen TO, Kvistborg P, Maccalli C, Maecker HT, Page DB, Robins H, Song W, Stack EC, Wang E, Whiteside TL, Zhao Y, Zwierzina H, Butterfield LH, Fox BA. Novel technologies and emerging biomarkers for personalized cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2016. [PMID: 26788324 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-016-0107-3.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The culmination of over a century's work to understand the role of the immune system in tumor control has led to the recent advances in cancer immunotherapies that have resulted in durable clinical responses in patients with a variety of malignancies. Cancer immunotherapies are rapidly changing traditional treatment paradigms and expanding the therapeutic landscape for cancer patients. However, despite the current success of these therapies, not all patients respond to immunotherapy and even those that do often experience toxicities. Thus, there is a growing need to identify predictive and prognostic biomarkers that enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the complex interactions between the immune system and cancer. Therefore, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) reconvened an Immune Biomarkers Task Force to review state of the art technologies, identify current hurdlers, and make recommendations for the field. As a product of this task force, Working Group 2 (WG2), consisting of international experts from academia and industry, assembled to identify and discuss promising technologies for biomarker discovery and validation. Thus, this WG2 consensus paper will focus on the current status of emerging biomarkers for immune checkpoint blockade therapy and discuss novel technologies as well as high dimensional data analysis platforms that will be pivotal for future biomarker research. In addition, this paper will include a brief overview of the current challenges with recommendations for future biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianda Yuan
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 New York Ave Box 386, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Priti S Hegde
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way South, San Francisco, CA 94080 USA
| | - Raphael Clynes
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, 3551 Lawrenceville Road, Princeton, NJ 08648 USA
| | - Periklis G Foukas
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics and Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland ; Department of Pathology, University of Athens Medical School, "Attikon" University Hospital, 1st Rimini St, 12462 Haidari, Greece
| | - Alexandre Harari
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics and Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas O Kleen
- Epiontis GmbH, Rudower Chaussee 29, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Pia Kvistborg
- Netherlands Cancer Institute, Postbus 90203, 1006 BE Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Cristina Maccalli
- Italian Network for Biotherapy of Tumors (NIBIT)-Laboratory, c/o Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, V.le Bracci,16, Siena, 53100 Italy
| | - Holden T Maecker
- Stanford University Medical Center, 299 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94303 USA
| | - David B Page
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Center, 4805 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97213 USA
| | - Harlan Robins
- Adaptive Technologies, Inc., 1551 Eastlake Avenue East Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98102 USA
| | - Wenru Song
- AstraZeneca, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 USA
| | | | - Ena Wang
- Sidra Medical and Research Center, PO Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Theresa L Whiteside
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 5117 Centre Ave, Suite 1.27, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Yingdong Zhao
- National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Heinz Zwierzina
- Innsbruck Medical University, Medizinische Klinik, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, A-6020 Austria
| | - Lisa H Butterfield
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Bernard A Fox
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Center, 4805 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97213 USA
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29
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Yuan J, Hegde PS, Clynes R, Foukas PG, Harari A, Kleen TO, Kvistborg P, Maccalli C, Maecker HT, Page DB, Robins H, Song W, Stack EC, Wang E, Whiteside TL, Zhao Y, Zwierzina H, Butterfield LH, Fox BA. Novel technologies and emerging biomarkers for personalized cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2016; 4:3. [PMID: 26788324 PMCID: PMC4717548 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-016-0107-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The culmination of over a century’s work to understand the role of the immune system in tumor control has led to the recent advances in cancer immunotherapies that have resulted in durable clinical responses in patients with a variety of malignancies. Cancer immunotherapies are rapidly changing traditional treatment paradigms and expanding the therapeutic landscape for cancer patients. However, despite the current success of these therapies, not all patients respond to immunotherapy and even those that do often experience toxicities. Thus, there is a growing need to identify predictive and prognostic biomarkers that enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the complex interactions between the immune system and cancer. Therefore, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) reconvened an Immune Biomarkers Task Force to review state of the art technologies, identify current hurdlers, and make recommendations for the field. As a product of this task force, Working Group 2 (WG2), consisting of international experts from academia and industry, assembled to identify and discuss promising technologies for biomarker discovery and validation. Thus, this WG2 consensus paper will focus on the current status of emerging biomarkers for immune checkpoint blockade therapy and discuss novel technologies as well as high dimensional data analysis platforms that will be pivotal for future biomarker research. In addition, this paper will include a brief overview of the current challenges with recommendations for future biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianda Yuan
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 New York Ave Box 386, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Priti S Hegde
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way South, San Francisco, CA 94080 USA
| | - Raphael Clynes
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, 3551 Lawrenceville Road, Princeton, NJ 08648 USA
| | - Periklis G Foukas
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics and Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland ; Department of Pathology, University of Athens Medical School, "Attikon" University Hospital, 1st Rimini St, 12462 Haidari, Greece
| | - Alexandre Harari
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics and Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas O Kleen
- Epiontis GmbH, Rudower Chaussee 29, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Pia Kvistborg
- Netherlands Cancer Institute, Postbus 90203, 1006 BE Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Cristina Maccalli
- Italian Network for Biotherapy of Tumors (NIBIT)-Laboratory, c/o Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, V.le Bracci,16, Siena, 53100 Italy
| | - Holden T Maecker
- Stanford University Medical Center, 299 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94303 USA
| | - David B Page
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Center, 4805 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97213 USA
| | - Harlan Robins
- Adaptive Technologies, Inc., 1551 Eastlake Avenue East Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98102 USA
| | - Wenru Song
- AstraZeneca, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 USA
| | | | - Ena Wang
- Sidra Medical and Research Center, PO Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Theresa L Whiteside
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 5117 Centre Ave, Suite 1.27, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Yingdong Zhao
- National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Heinz Zwierzina
- Innsbruck Medical University, Medizinische Klinik, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, A-6020 Austria
| | - Lisa H Butterfield
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Bernard A Fox
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Center, 4805 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97213 USA
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30
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Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg) are generally considered to be significant contributors to tumor escape from the host immune system. Emerging evidence suggests, however, that in some human cancers, Treg are necessary to control chronic inflammation, prevent tissue damage, and limit inflammation-associated cancer development. The dual role of Treg in cancer and underpinnings of Treg diversity are not well understood. This review attempts to provide insights into the importance of Treg subsets in cancer development and its progression. It also considers the role of Treg as potential biomarkers of clinical outcome in cancer. The strategies for monitoring Treg in cancer patients are discussed as is the need for caution in the use of therapies which indiscriminately ablate Treg. A greater understanding of molecular pathways operating in various tumor microenvironments is necessary for defining the Treg impact on cancer and for selecting immunotherapies targeting Treg.
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31
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Verhagen J, Wegner A, Wraith DC. Extra-thymically induced T regulatory cell subsets: the optimal target for antigen-specific immunotherapy. Immunology 2015; 145:171-81. [PMID: 25716063 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-specific immunotherapy aims to selectively restore tolerance to innocuous antigens in cases of autoimmune or allergic disease, without the need for general immune suppression. Although the principle of antigen-specific immunotherapy was discovered more than a century ago, its clinical application to date is limited, particularly in the control of autoimmunity. This has resulted mainly from a lack of in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanism. More recently, the differentiation of extra-thymically induced T regulatory (Treg) cell subsets has been shown to be instrumental in peripheral tolerance induction. Two main types of inducible Treg cells, interleukin-10-secreting or Foxp3(+) , have now been described, each with distinct characteristics and methods of therapeutic induction. It is crucial, therefore, to identify the suitability of either subset in the control of specific immune disorders. This review explores their natural function, the known mechanisms of therapeutic differentiation of either subset as well as their in vivo functionality and discusses new developments that may aid their use in antigen-specific immunotherapy, with a focus on autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Verhagen
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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32
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Tabas I, García-Cardeña G, Owens GK. Recent insights into the cellular biology of atherosclerosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 209:13-22. [PMID: 25869663 PMCID: PMC4395483 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201412052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 693] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis occurs in the subendothelial space (intima) of medium-sized arteries at regions of disturbed blood flow and is triggered by an interplay between endothelial dysfunction and subendothelial lipoprotein retention. Over time, this process stimulates a nonresolving inflammatory response that can cause intimal destruction, arterial thrombosis, and end-organ ischemia. Recent advances highlight important cell biological atherogenic processes, including mechanotransduction and inflammatory processes in endothelial cells, origins and contributions of lesional macrophages, and origins and phenotypic switching of lesional smooth muscle cells. These advances illustrate how in-depth mechanistic knowledge of the cellular pathobiology of atherosclerosis can lead to new ideas for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira Tabas
- Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, and Department of Physiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032 Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, and Department of Physiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032 Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, and Department of Physiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Guillermo García-Cardeña
- Program in Human Biology and Translational Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Gary K Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
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33
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Lee JY, Skon CN, Lee YJ, Oh S, Taylor JJ, Malhotra D, Jenkins MK, Rosenfeld MG, Hogquist KA, Jameson SC. The transcription factor KLF2 restrains CD4⁺ T follicular helper cell differentiation. Immunity 2015; 42:252-264. [PMID: 25692701 PMCID: PMC4409658 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are essential for efficient B cell responses, yet the factors that regulate differentiation of this CD4+ T cell subset are incompletely understood. Here we found that the KLF2 transcription factor serves to restrain Tfh cell generation. Induced KLF2 deficiency in activated CD4+ T cells led to increased Tfh cell generation and B cell priming, while KLF2 overexpression prevented Tfh cell production. KLF2 promotes expression of the trafficking receptor S1PR1, and S1PR1 downregulation is essential for efficient Tfh cell production. However, KLF2 also induced expression of the transcription factor Blimp-1, which repressed transcription factor Bcl-6 and thereby impaired Tfh cell differentiation. Furthermore, KLF2 induced expression of the transcription factors T-bet and GATA3 and enhanced Th1 differentiation. Hence, our data indicate KLF2 is pivotal for coordinating CD4+ T cell differentiation through two distinct and complementary mechanisms: via control of T cell localization, and by regulation of lineage-defining transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- June-Yong Lee
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Cara N Skon
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - You Jeong Lee
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Soohwan Oh
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Justin J Taylor
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Deepali Malhotra
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Marc K Jenkins
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - M Geoffrey Rosenfeld
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kristin A Hogquist
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Stephen C Jameson
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA.
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34
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Wang YH, Yang W, Yang JB, Jia YJ, Tang W, Gershwin ME, Ridgway WM, Lian ZX. Systems biologic analysis of T regulatory cells genetic pathways in murine primary biliary cirrhosis. J Autoimmun 2015; 59:26-37. [PMID: 25701076 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a non-redundant role in control of excessive immune responses, and defects in Tregs have been shown both in patients and murine models of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), a progressive autoimmune biliary disease. Herein, we took advantage of a murine model of PBC, the dominant negative transforming growth factor β receptor II (dnTGFβRII) mice, to assess Treg genetic defects and their functional effects in PBC. By using high-resolution microarrays with verification by PCR and protein expression, we found profound and wide-ranging differences between dnTGFβRII and normal, wild type Tregs. Critical transcription factors were down-regulated including Eos, Ahr, Klf2, Foxp1 in dnTGFβRII Tregs. Functionally, dnTGFβRII Tregs expressed an activated, pro-inflammatory phenotype with upregulation of Ccl5, Granzyme B and IFN-γ. Genetic pathway analysis suggested that the primary effect of loss of TGFβ pathway signaling was to down regulate immune regulatory processes, with a secondary upregulation of inflammatory processes. These findings provide new insights into T regulatory genetic defects; aberrations of the identified genes or genetic pathways should be investigated in human PBC Tregs. This approach which takes advantage of biologic pathway analysis illustrates the ability to identify genes/pathways that are affected both independently and dependent on abnormalities in TGFβ signaling. Such approaches will become increasingly useful in human autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Hu Wang
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Wei Yang
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Jing-Bo Yang
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Yan-Jie Jia
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Wei Tang
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - William M Ridgway
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA.
| | - Zhe-Xiong Lian
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China; Innovation Center for Cell Biology, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS KLF proteins function as epigenetic reprogramming factors during cell differentiation in many cell populations and in engineered iPS cells. In this study, we determined KLF14 function in the regulation of FOXP3, a transcription factor critical for Treg cell differentiation. METHODS We studied the effects of KLF14 on FOXP3 expression at the level of the protein and mRNA. We evaluated the functional relevance of KLF14 to FOXP3+ Treg cells in vitro and in vivo through suppression assays and two colitis models. Finally, we analyzed the effect of KLF14 on the epigenetic landscape of the FOXP3 promoter locus through chromatin immuno-precipitation. RESULTS KLF14, induced upon activation of naïve CD4+ T cells, segregates to the FOXP3- population and is inversely associated with FOXP3 expression and Treg function. KLF14 KO CD4+ cells differentiated into adaptive Tregs more readily in vitro and in vivo. KLF14 KO cells demonstrated enhanced Treg suppressor function in vitro and in vivo. KLF14 repressed FOXP3 at the level of the mRNA and protein, and by ChIP assay KLF14 was found to bind to the TSDR enhancer region of FOXP3. Furthermore, loss of KLF14 reduced the levels of H3K9me3, HP1 and Suv39H1at the TSDR. CONCLUSIONS These results outline a novel mechanism by which KLF14 regulates Treg cell differentiation via chromatin remodeling at the FOXP3 TSDR. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence supporting a role for KLF14 in maintaining the differentiated state of Treg cells and outlines a potential mechanism to modify the expression of immune genes, such as FOXP3, which are critical to T cell fate.
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