1
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Xueqing X, Yongcan P, Wei L, Qingling Y, Jie D. Regulation of T cells in the tumor microenvironment by histone methylation: LSD1 inhibition-a new direction for enhancing immunotherapy. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24457. [PMID: 38312620 PMCID: PMC10835161 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24457] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Although immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has been shown to achieve durable therapeutic responses in various types of tumors, only 20-40 % of patients benefit from this therapy. A growing body of research suggests that epigenetic modulation of the tumor microenvironment may be a promising direction for enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy, for example, histone methylation plays an important role in the regulation of T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In particular, histone lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A), as an important histone-modifying enzyme in epigenetics, was found to be an important factor in the regulation of T cells. Therefore, this paper will summarize the effects of histone methylation, especially LSD1, on T cells in the TME to enhance the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. To provide a strong theoretical basis for the strategy of combining LSD1 inhibitors with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, thus adding new possibilities to improve the survival of tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xie Xueqing
- Guizhou University Medical College, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou Province, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immunological Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Peng Yongcan
- Department of Oncology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002, China
| | - Lu Wei
- Graduate School of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, 563000, China
| | - Yin Qingling
- Guizhou University Medical College, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou Province, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immunological Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Ding Jie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, Guizhou Province, China
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2
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Yang Y, Liu K, Liu M, Zhang H, Guo M. EZH2: Its regulation and roles in immune disturbance of SLE. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1002741. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1002741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is related to immune homeostasis imbalance. Epigenetic mechanisms have played a significant role in breaking immune tolerance. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the specific methylation transferase of lysine at position 27 of histone 3, is currently found to participate in the pathogenesis of SLE through affecting multiple components of the immune system. This review mainly expounds the mechanisms underlying EZH2-mediated disruption of immune homeostasis in SLE patients, hoping to provide new ideas in the pathogenesis of SLE and new targets for future treatment.
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3
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Guhathakurta S, Adams L, Jeong I, Sivakumar A, Cha M, Bernardo Fiadeiro M, Hu HN, Kim YS. Precise epigenomic editing with a SunTag-based modular epigenetic toolkit. Epigenetics 2022; 17:2075-2081. [PMID: 35920441 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2106646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation is a crucial factor controlling gene expression. Here, we report our CRISPR/dCas9-based modular epigenetic toolkit that enables gene-specific modulation of epigenetic architecture. By modifying the SunTag framework of dCas9 tagged with five GCN4 moieties, each epigenetic writer is bound to scFv and target-specific sgRNA, and this system is able to modify multiple epigenetic marks in a target-specific manner. We successfully demonstrated that this system is efficient in modifying individual histone post-translational modifications. We display its utility as a tool to understand the contributions of specific histone marks on gene expression by screening a large promoter region and identifying differential outcomes with high base-pair resolution. This epigenetic toolkit can be easily altered with a large variety of epigenetic effectors and is a useful tool for researchers to use in understanding gene-specific epigenetic changes and their relation to gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhrangshu Guhathakurta
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, UCF College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL USA
| | - Levi Adams
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, UCF College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL USA.,Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics, and Department of Neurology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, NJ USA
| | - Inhye Jeong
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics, and Department of Neurology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, NJ USA
| | - Anishaa Sivakumar
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, UCF College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL USA
| | - Mingyu Cha
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Florida, USA
| | - Mariana Bernardo Fiadeiro
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, UCF College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL USA
| | - Haiyan Nancy Hu
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Florida, USA
| | - Yoon-Seong Kim
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, UCF College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL USA.,Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics, and Department of Neurology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Piscataway, NJ USA
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4
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Dai E, Zhu Z, Wahed S, Qu Z, Storkus WJ, Guo ZS. Epigenetic modulation of antitumor immunity for improved cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:171. [PMID: 34930302 PMCID: PMC8691037 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01464-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms play vital roles not only in cancer initiation and progression, but also in the activation, differentiation and effector function(s) of immune cells. In this review, we summarize current literature related to epigenomic dynamics in immune cells impacting immune cell fate and functionality, and the immunogenicity of cancer cells. Some important immune-associated genes, such as granzyme B, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, FoxP3 and STING, are regulated via epigenetic mechanisms in immune or/and cancer cells, as are immune checkpoint molecules (PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, LAG-3, TIGIT) expressed by immune cells and tumor-associated stromal cells. Thus, therapeutic strategies implementing epigenetic modulating drugs are expected to significantly impact the tumor microenvironment (TME) by promoting transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming in local immune cell populations, resulting in inhibition of immunosuppressive cells (MDSCs and Treg) and the activation of anti-tumor T effector cells, professional antigen presenting cells (APC), as well as cancer cells which can serve as non-professional APC. In the latter instance, epigenetic modulating agents may coordinately promote tumor immunogenicity by inducing de novo expression of transcriptionally repressed tumor-associated antigens, increasing expression of neoantigens and MHC processing/presentation machinery, and activating tumor immunogenic cell death (ICD). ICD provides a rich source of immunogens for anti-tumor T cell cross-priming and sensitizing cancer cells to interventional immunotherapy. In this way, epigenetic modulators may be envisioned as effective components in combination immunotherapy approaches capable of mediating superior therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enyong Dai
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zhi Zhu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgical Oncology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shudipto Wahed
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhaoxia Qu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Walter J Storkus
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Departments of Dermatology, Immunology, Pathology and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zong Sheng Guo
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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5
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Solé P, Santamaria P. Re-Programming Autoreactive T Cells Into T-Regulatory Type 1 Cells for the Treatment of Autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:684240. [PMID: 34335585 PMCID: PMC8320845 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic delivery of peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) class II-based nanomedicines can re-program cognate autoantigen-experienced CD4+ T cells into disease-suppressing T-regulatory type 1 (TR1)-like cells. In turn, these TR1-like cells trigger the formation of complex regulatory cell networks that can effectively suppress organ-specific autoimmunity without impairing normal immunity. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the transcriptional, phenotypic and functional make up of TR1-like cells as described in the literature. The true identity and direct precursors of these cells remain unclear, in particular whether TR1-like cells comprise a single terminally-differentiated lymphocyte population with distinct transcriptional and epigenetic features, or a collection of phenotypically different subsets sharing key regulatory properties. We propose that detailed transcriptional and epigenetic characterization of homogeneous pools of TR1-like cells will unravel this conundrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Solé
- Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pere Santamaria
- Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain.,Julia McFarlane Diabetes Research Centre (JMDRC) and Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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6
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Abhimanyu, Ontiveros CO, Guerra-Resendez RS, Nishiguchi T, Ladki M, Hilton IB, Schlesinger LS, DiNardo AR. Reversing Post-Infectious Epigenetic-Mediated Immune Suppression. Front Immunol 2021; 12:688132. [PMID: 34163486 PMCID: PMC8215363 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.688132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune response must balance the pro-inflammatory, cell-mediated cytotoxicity with the anti-inflammatory and wound repair response. Epigenetic mechanisms mediate this balance and limit host immunity from inducing exuberant collateral damage to host tissue after severe and chronic infections. However, following treatment for these infections, including sepsis, pneumonia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, tuberculosis (TB) or schistosomiasis, detrimental epigenetic scars persist, and result in long-lasting immune suppression. This is hypothesized to be one of the contributing mechanisms explaining why survivors of infection have increased all-cause mortality and increased rates of unrelated secondary infections. The mechanisms that induce epigenetic-mediated immune suppression have been demonstrated in-vitro and in animal models. Modulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) or nuclear receptor (NR4A) pathways is able to block or reverse the development of detrimental epigenetic scars. Similarly, drugs that directly modify epigenetic enzymes, such as those that inhibit histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitors, DNA hypomethylating agents or modifiers of the Nucleosome Remodeling and DNA methylation (NuRD) complex or Polycomb Repressive Complex (PRC) have demonstrated capacity to restore host immunity in the setting of cancer-, LCMV- or murine sepsis-induced epigenetic-mediated immune suppression. A third clinically feasible strategy for reversing detrimental epigenetic scars includes bioengineering approaches to either directly reverse the detrimental epigenetic marks or to modify the epigenetic enzymes or transcription factors that induce detrimental epigenetic scars. Each of these approaches, alone or in combination, have ablated or reversed detrimental epigenetic marks in in-vitro or in animal models; translational studies are now required to evaluate clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhimanyu
- The Global Tuberculosis Program, William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Immigrant and Global Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Carlos O Ontiveros
- Host-Pathogen Interactions Program, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States.,UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Rosa S Guerra-Resendez
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Graduate Program, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tomoki Nishiguchi
- The Global Tuberculosis Program, William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Immigrant and Global Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Malik Ladki
- The Global Tuberculosis Program, William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Immigrant and Global Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Isaac B Hilton
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Graduate Program, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Larry S Schlesinger
- Host-Pathogen Interactions Program, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Andrew R DiNardo
- The Global Tuberculosis Program, William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Immigrant and Global Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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7
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Inhibition of EZH2 Catalytic Activity Selectively Targets a Metastatic Subpopulation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cell Rep 2021; 30:755-770.e6. [PMID: 31968251 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.12.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic changes are increasingly being appreciated as key events in breast cancer progression. However, breast cancer subtype-specific epigenetic regulation remains poorly investigated. Here we report that EZH2 is a leading candidate of epigenetic modulators associated with the TNBC subtype and that it predicts poor overall survival in TNBC patients. We demonstrate that specific pharmacological or genetic inhibition of EZH2 catalytic activity impairs distant metastasis. We further define a specific EZH2high population with enhanced invasion, mammosphere formation, and metastatic potential that exhibits marked sensitivity to EZH2 inhibition. Mechanistically, EZH2 inhibition differentiates EZH2high basal cells to a luminal-like phenotype by derepressing GATA3 and renders them sensitive to endocrine therapy. Furthermore, dissection of human TNBC heterogeneity shows that EZH2high basal-like 1 and mesenchymal subtypes have exquisite sensitivity to EZH2 inhibition compared with the EZH2low luminal androgen receptor subtype. These preclinical findings provide a rationale for clinical development of EZH2 as a targeted therapy against TNBC metastasis.
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8
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Schroeder AR, Zhu F, Hu H. Stepwise Tfh cell differentiation revisited: new advances and long-standing questions. Fac Rev 2021; 10. [PMID: 33644779 PMCID: PMC7894273 DOI: 10.12703/r/10-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells play an essential role in germinal center formation and the generation of high-affinity antibodies. Studies have proposed that Tfh cell differentiation is a multi-step process. However, it is still not fully understood how a subset of activated CD4+ T cells begin to express CXCR5 during the early stage of the response and, shortly after, how some CXCR5+ precursor Tfh (pre-Tfh) cells enter B cell follicles and differentiate further into germinal center Tfh (GC-Tfh) cells while others have a different fate. In this mini-review, we summarize the recent advances surrounding these two aspects of Tfh cell differentiation and discuss related long-standing questions, including Tfh memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Schroeder
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Fangming Zhu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Hui Hu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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9
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Dundr P, Bártů M, Hojný J, Michálková R, Hájková N, Stružinská I, Krkavcová E, Hadravský L, Kleissnerová L, Kopejsková J, Hiep BQ, Němejcová K, Jakša R, Čapoun O, Řezáč J, Jirsová K, Franková V. HNF1B, EZH2 and ECI2 in prostate carcinoma. Molecular, immunohistochemical and clinico-pathological study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14365. [PMID: 32873863 PMCID: PMC7463257 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71427-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 beta (HNF1B) is a tissue specific transcription factor, which seems to play an important role in the carcinogenesis of several tumors. In our study we focused on analyzing HNF1B in prostate carcinoma (PC) and adenomyomatous hyperplasia (AH), as well as its possible relation to the upstream gene EZH2 and downstream gene ECI2. The results of our study showed that on an immunohistochemical level, the expression of HNF1B was low in PC, did not differ between PC and AH, and did not correlate with any clinical outcomes. In PC, mutations of HNF1B gene were rare, but the methylation of its promotor was a common finding and was positively correlated with Gleason score and stage. The relationship between HNF1B and EZH2/ECI2 was equivocal, but EZH2 and ECI2 were positively correlated on both mRNA and protein level. The expression of EZH2 was associated with poor prognosis. ECI2 did not correlate with any clinical outcomes. Our results support the oncosuppressive role of HNF1B in PC, which may be silenced by promotor methylation and other mechanisms, but not by gene mutation. The high expression of EZH2 (especially) and ECI2 in PC seems to be a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Dundr
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Michaela Bártů
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hojný
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Romana Michálková
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Hájková
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Stružinská
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Krkavcová
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Hadravský
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Kleissnerová
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Kopejsková
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Bui Quang Hiep
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Němejcová
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Jakša
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Studničkova 2, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Otakar Čapoun
- Department of Urology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Řezáč
- Department of Urology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Jirsová
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Věra Franková
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague 2, Czech Republic
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10
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Li J, Qiu Y, Li L, Wang J, Cheuk YC, Sang R, Jia Y, Wang J, Zhang Y, Rong R. Histone Methylation Inhibitor DZNep Ameliorated the Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Inhibiting TIM-1 Mediated T Cell Activation. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:305. [PMID: 32754604 PMCID: PMC7365856 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) after renal transplantation often leads to the loss of kidney graft function. However, there is still a lack of efficient regimens to prevent or alleviate renal IRI. Our study focused on the renoprotective effect of 3-Deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), which is a histone methylation inhibitor. We found that DZNep significantly alleviated renal IRI by suppressing nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), thus inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors in renal tubular epithelial cells in vivo or in vitro. After treatment with DZNep, T cell activation was impaired in the spleen and kidney, which correlated with the downregulated expression of T-cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM)-1 on T cells and TIM-4 in macrophages. In addition, pretreatment with DZNep was not sufficient to protect the kidney, while administration of DZNep from before to after surgery significantly ameliorated IRI. Our findings suggest that DZNep can be a novel strategy for preventing renal IRI following kidney transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Qiu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Long Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiyan Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Yin Celeste Cheuk
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruirui Sang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Yichen Jia
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Jina Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China.,Biomedical Research Center, Institute for Clinical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruiming Rong
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
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11
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Koyanagi M, Arimura Y. Comparative Expression Analysis of Stress-Inducible Genes in Murine Immune Cells. Immunol Invest 2019; 49:907-925. [PMID: 31833438 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2019.1702673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Psychological stress affects the immune system. Upon stress occurrence, glucocorticoid is released that binds to the glucocorticoid receptor and regulates gene expression. Thus, we aimed to examine the stress-induced immunomodulatory mechanisms by investigating the expression patterns of stress-inducible genes in murine immune cells. Methods: BALB/c, C57BL/6, glucocorticoid-receptor congenic mice, and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-deficient mice were exposed to synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, or placed under a restraint condition. The expression level of stress-related genes, such as Rtp801, Gilz, Mkp-1, Bnip3, and Trp53inp1 was measured in the immune cells in these mice. Results: Short restraint stress induced Rtp801 and Gilz expressions that were higher in the spleen of BALB/c mice than those in C57BL/6 mice. Mkp-1 expression increased equally in these two strains, despite the difference in the glucocorticoid level. These three genes induced by short restraint stress were not induced in the CRH-deficient mice. In contrast, Bnip3 and Trp53inp1 were only upregulated upon longer restraint events. In the thymus, Trp53inp1 expression was induced upon short restraint stress, whereas Gilz expression constantly increased upon short and repetitive restraint stresses. Conclusion: These results suggest that singular and repetitive bouts of stress lead to differential gene expression in mice and stress-induced gene expression in thymocytes is distinct from that observed in splenocytes. Gilz, Rtp801, and Mkp-1 genes induced by short restraint stress are dependent on CRH in the spleen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madoka Koyanagi
- Department of Host Defense for Animals, School of Animal Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Arimura
- Department of Host Defense for Animals, School of Animal Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University , Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Critical role for TRIM28 and HP1β/γ in the epigenetic control of T cell metabolic reprograming and effector differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:25839-25849. [PMID: 31776254 PMCID: PMC6925996 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1901639116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4 T cells are major regulators of immune responses against both self and pathogens. Understanding pathways that govern CD4 T cell differentiation and regulation are thus key for the discovery of new immunoregulatory drug targets. Here, we have identified an epigenetic pathway that regulates the expression of a set of proteins that determine T cell responsiveness. By silencing enhancers distal to a set of genes known to be involved in regulatory T cell function, the epigenetic modifiers TRIM28 and HP1β/γ regulate T cell receptor signaling. This leads to defective metabolic reprograming and inefficient effector differentiation of naive T cells. This mechanism provides an exciting opportunity to regulate T cell responsivity in both autoimmunity and T cell-based immunodeficiencies. Naive CD4+ T lymphocytes differentiate into different effector types, including helper and regulatory cells (Th and Treg, respectively). Heritable gene expression programs that define these effector types are established during differentiation, but little is known about the epigenetic mechanisms that install and maintain these programs. Here, we use mice defective for different components of heterochromatin-dependent gene silencing to investigate the epigenetic control of CD4+ T cell plasticity. We show that, upon T cell receptor (TCR) engagement, naive and regulatory T cells defective for TRIM28 (an epigenetic adaptor for histone binding modules) or for heterochromatin protein 1 β and γ isoforms (HP1β/γ, 2 histone-binding factors involved in gene silencing) fail to effectively signal through the PI3K–AKT–mTOR axis and switch to glycolysis. While differentiation of naive TRIM28−/− T cells into cytokine-producing effector T cells is impaired, resulting in reduced induction of autoimmune colitis, TRIM28−/− regulatory T cells also fail to expand in vivo and to suppress autoimmunity effectively. Using a combination of transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses for H3K9me3, H3K9Ac, and RNA polymerase II, we show that reduced effector differentiation correlates with impaired transcriptional silencing at distal regulatory regions of a defined set of Treg-associated genes, including, for example, NRP1 or Snai3. We conclude that TRIM28 and HP1β/γ control metabolic reprograming through epigenetic silencing of a defined set of Treg-characteristic genes, thus allowing effective T cell expansion and differentiation into helper and regulatory phenotypes.
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Li B, Chng WJ. EZH2 abnormalities in lymphoid malignancies: underlying mechanisms and therapeutic implications. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:118. [PMID: 31752930 PMCID: PMC6868783 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0814-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which along with other PRC2 components mediates gene expression suppression via the methylation of Histone H3 at lysine 27. Recent studies have revealed a dichotomous role of EZH2 in physiology and in the pathogenesis of cancer. While it plays an essential role in the development of the lymphoid system, its deregulation, whether due to genetic or non-genetic causes, promotes B cell- and T cell-related lymphoma or leukemia. These findings triggered a boom in the development of therapeutic EZH2 inhibitors in recent years. Here, we discuss physiologic and pathogenic function of EZH2 in lymphoid context, various internal causes of EZH2 aberrance and how EZH2 modulates lymphomagenesis through epigenetic silencing, post-translational modifications (PTMs), orchestrating with surrounding tumor micro-environment and associating with RNA or viral partners. We also summarize different strategies to directly inhibit PRC2-EZH2 or to intervene EZH2 upstream signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boheng Li
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wee-Joo Chng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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HNF1B-mediated repression of SLUG is suppressed by EZH2 in aggressive prostate cancer. Oncogene 2019; 39:1335-1346. [PMID: 31636385 PMCID: PMC7002300 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-1065-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men in developed countries. Overexpression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the major histone H3 lysine 27 methyltransferase, has been connected to prostate cancer malignancy. However, its downstream genes and pathways have not been well established. Here, we show tumor suppressor Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1β (HNF1B) as a direct downstream target of EZH2. EZH2 binds HNF1B locus and suppresses HNF1B expression in prostate cancer cell lines, which is further supported by the reverse correlation between EZH2 and HNF1B expression in clinical samples. Consistently, restored HNF1B expression significantly suppresses EZH2-mediated overgrowth and EMT processes, including migration and invasion of prostate cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, we find that HNF1B primarily binds the promoters of thousands of target genes, and differentially regulates the expression of 876 genes. We also identify RBBP7/RbAP46 as a HNF1B interacting protein which is required for HNF1B-mediated repression of SLUG expression and EMT process. Importantly, we find that higher HNF1B expression strongly predicts better prognosis of prostate cancer, alone or together with lower EZH2 expression. Taken together, we have established a previously underappreciated axis of EZH2-HNF1B-SLUG in prostate cancer, and also provide evidence supporting HNF1B as a potential prognosis marker for metastatic prostate cancer.
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Ezh2 programs T FH differentiation by integrating phosphorylation-dependent activation of Bcl6 and polycomb-dependent repression of p19Arf. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5452. [PMID: 30575739 PMCID: PMC6303346 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07853-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ezh2 is an histone methyltransferase (HMT) that catalyzes H3K27me3 and functions in TH1, TH2, and Treg cells primarily via HMT activity. Here we show that Ezh2 ablation impairs T follicular helper (TFH) cell differentiation and activation of the TFH transcription program. In TFH cells, most Ezh2-occupied genomic sites, including the Bcl6 promoter, are associated with H3K27ac rather than H3K27me3. Mechanistically, Ezh2 is recruited by Tcf1 to directly activate Bcl6 transcription, with this function requiring Ezh2 phosphorylation at Ser21. Meanwhile, Ezh2 deploys H3K27me3 to repress Cdkn2a expression in TFH cells, where aberrantly upregulated p19Arf, a Cdkn2a protein product, triggers TFH cell apoptosis and antagonizes Bcl6 function via protein-protein interaction. Either forced expression of Bcl6 or genetic ablation of p19Arf in Ezh2-deficient cells improves TFH cell differentiation and helper function. Thus, Ezh2 orchestrates TFH-lineage specification and function maturation by integrating phosphorylation-dependent transcriptional activation and HMT-dependent gene repression. Ezh2 is an histone methyltransferase that catalyzes H3K27me3. Here the authors show that Ezh2 promotes T follicular helper (TFH) differentiation and helper activity, by cooperating with Tcf1 to activate Bcl6 transcription and epigenetically repressing p19Arf, an antagonist of Bcl6 function and TFH cell survival.
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Loh JT, Lim TJF, Ikumi K, Matoba T, Janela B, Gunawan M, Toyama T, Bunjamin M, Ng LG, Poidinger M, Morita A, Ginhoux F, Yamazaki S, Lam KP, Su IH. Ezh2 Controls Skin Tolerance through Distinct Mechanisms in Different Subsets of Skin Dendritic Cells. iScience 2018; 10:23-39. [PMID: 30496973 PMCID: PMC6260444 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ezh2, a well-established epigenetic repressor, can down-regulate leukocyte inflammatory responses, but its role in cutaneous health remains elusive. Here we demonstrate that Ezh2 controls cutaneous tolerance by regulating Langerhans cell (LC) transmigration across the epidermal basement membrane directly via Talin1 methylation. Ezh2 deficiency impaired disassembly of adhesion structures in LCs, leading to their defective integrin-dependent emigration from the epidermis and failure in tolerance induction. Moreover, mobilization of Ezh2-deficient Langerin– dermal dendritic cells (dDCs) via high-dose treatment with a weak allergen restored tolerance, which is associated with an increased tolerogenic potential of Langerin– dDCs likely due to epigenetic de-repression of Aldh in the absence of Ezh2. Our data reveal novel roles for Ezh2 in governing LC- and dDC-mediated host protection against cutaneous allergen via distinct mechanisms. Ezh2 regulates LC transmigration across basement membrane via Talin1 methylation Ezh2-mediated LC migration is required for cutaneous tolerance induction Ezh2 represses Aldh epigenetically in dermal DCs Ezh2-deficient dermal DCs exhibit increased tolerogenicity
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Tong Loh
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Republic of Singapore; Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 20 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138668, Republic of Singapore
| | - Thomas Jun Feng Lim
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Republic of Singapore
| | - Kyoko Ikumi
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan; Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Takuma Matoba
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Baptiste Janela
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore 138648, Republic of Singapore
| | - Merry Gunawan
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Republic of Singapore
| | - Tatsuya Toyama
- Department of Breast Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Maegan Bunjamin
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Republic of Singapore
| | - Lai Guan Ng
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore 138648, Republic of Singapore
| | - Michael Poidinger
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore 138648, Republic of Singapore
| | - Akimichi Morita
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore 138648, Republic of Singapore
| | - Sayuri Yamazaki
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kong-Peng Lam
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 20 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138668, Republic of Singapore
| | - I-Hsin Su
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Republic of Singapore.
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Shi X, Liu Z, Liu Z, Feng X, Hua F, Hu X, Wang B, Lu K, Nie F. Long noncoding RNA PCAT6 functions as an oncogene by binding to EZH2 and suppressing LATS2 in non-small-cell lung cancer. EBioMedicine 2018; 37:177-187. [PMID: 30314898 PMCID: PMC6286630 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background NSCLC (non-small-cell lung cancer) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Both epigenetic and genetic changes contribute to the initiation, development and metastasis of NSCLC. Recently, accumulating data have begun to support the notion that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) function as new crucial regulators of diverse biological processes, including proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis, and play crucial roles in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, further study is warranted to comprehensively determine lncRNAs' functions and potential mechanism. Methods In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the lncRNA expression profile of NSCLC using data from TCGA and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). PCAT6 expression level in a cohort of 60 pairs of NSCLC tissues using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Additionally, Loss-of-function assays and gain-of-function assays were used to assess the role of PCAT6 in promoting NSCLC progression. Tumor formation assay in a nude mouse model was performed to verity the role of PCAT6 in NSCLC in vivo. Meanwhile, RIP, ChIP, resue experiment and western blot assays were used to highlights the potential molecular mechanism of PCAT6 in NSCLC. Findings We identified that an oncogene, PCAT6, was upregulated in NSCLC, and this upregulation was verified in a cohort of 60 pairs of NSCLC tissues. Additionally, the expression level of PCAT6 was correlated with tumor size (P = .036), lymph node metastasis (P = .029) and TNM stage (P = .038). Loss-of-function and gain-of-function assays were used to assess the role of PCAT6 in promoting NSCLC progression. The results revealed that PCAT6 knockdown mitigated NSCLC cell growth by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Whereas, PCAT6 overexpression could promoted tumor cell growth. Meanwhile, PCAT6 additionally promoted NSCLC cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, mechanistic investigation demonstrated that the oncogenic activity of PCAT6 is partially attributable to its repression of LATS2 via association with the epigenetic repressor EZH2 (Enhancer of zeste homolog 2). Overall, our study highlights the essential role of PCAT6 in NSCLC, suggesting that PCAT6 might be a potent therapeutic target for patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefei Shi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Huzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhili Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhicong Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Huzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueren Feng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Huzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Hua
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Huzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xixian Hu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Huzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Huzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Kaihua Lu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fengqi Nie
- Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Lacy M, Atzler D, Liu R, de Winther M, Weber C, Lutgens E. Interactions between dyslipidemia and the immune system and their relevance as putative therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 193:50-62. [PMID: 30149100 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide with atherosclerosis being the major underlying pathology. The interplay between lipids and immune cells is believed to be a driving force in the chronic inflammation of the arterial wall during atherogenesis. Atherosclerosis is initiated as lipid particles accumulate and become trapped in vessel walls. The subsequent immune response, involving both adaptive and immune cells, progresses plaque development, which may be exacerbated under dyslipidemic conditions. Broad evidence, especially from animal models, clearly demonstrates the effect of lipids on immune cells from their development in the bone marrow to their phenotypic switching in circulation. Interestingly, recent research has also shown a long-lasting epigenetic signature from lipids on immune cells. Traditionally, cardiovascular therapies have approached atherosclerosis through lipid-lowering medications because, until recently, anti-inflammatory therapies have been largely unsuccessful in clinical trials. However, the recent Canakinumab Antiinflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study (CANTOS) provided pivotal support of the inflammatory hypothesis of atherosclerosis in man spurring on anti-inflammatory strategies to treat atherosclerosis. In this review, we describe the interactions between lipids and immune cells along with their specific outcomes as well as discuss their future perspective as potential cardiovascular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lacy
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Dorothee Atzler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Walther Straub Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Rongqi Liu
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Menno de Winther
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Abstract
The eukaryotic epigenome has an instrumental role in determining and maintaining cell identity and function. Epigenetic components such as DNA methylation, histone tail modifications, chromatin accessibility, and DNA architecture are tightly correlated with central cellular processes, while their dysregulation manifests in aberrant gene expression and disease. The ability to specifically edit the epigenome holds the promise of enhancing understanding of how epigenetic modifications function and enabling manipulation of cell phenotype for research or therapeutic purposes. Genome engineering technologies use highly specific DNA-targeting tools to precisely deposit epigenetic changes in a locus-specific manner, creating diverse epigenome editing platforms. This review summarizes these technologies and insights from recent studies, describes the complex relationship between epigenetic components and gene regulation, and highlights caveats and promises of the emerging field of epigenome editing, including applications for translational purposes, such as epigenetic therapy and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liad Holtzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA; ,
| | - Charles A Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA; , .,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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20
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Tumes DJ, Papadopoulos M, Endo Y, Onodera A, Hirahara K, Nakayama T. Epigenetic regulation of T-helper cell differentiation, memory, and plasticity in allergic asthma. Immunol Rev 2018; 278:8-19. [PMID: 28658556 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
An estimated 300 million people currently suffer from asthma, which causes approximately 250 000 deaths a year. Allergen-specific T-helper (Th) cells produce cytokines that induce many of the hallmark features of asthma including airways hyperreactivity, eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and airway remodeling. Cytokine-producing Th subsets including Th1 (IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), Th9 (IL-9), Th17 (IL-17), Th22 (IL-22), and T regulatory (IL-10) cells have all been suggested to play a role in the development of asthma. Th differentiation involves genetic regulation of gene expression through the concerted action of cytokines, transcription factors, and epigenetic regulators. We describe how Th differentiation and plasticity is regulated by epigenetic histone and DNA modifications, with a focus on the regulation of histone methylation by members of the polycomb and trithorax complexes. In addition, we outline environmental influences that could influence epigenetic regulation of Th cells and discuss the potential to regulate Th plasticity and function through drugs targeting the epigenetic machinery. It is also becoming apparent that epigenetic regulation of allergen-specific memory Th cells may be important in the development and persistence of chronic allergies. Finally, we describe how epigenetic modifiers regulate cytokine memory in Th cells and describe recently identified hybrid, plastic, and pathogenic memory Th subsets the context of allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon J Tumes
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Yusuke Endo
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Atsushi Onodera
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Hirahara
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED, Chiba, Japan
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21
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Hu J, Su P, Jiao M, Bai X, Qi M, Liu H, Wu Z, Sun J, Zhou G, Han B. TRPS1 Suppresses Breast Cancer Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition Program as a Negative Regulator of SUZ12. Transl Oncol 2018; 11:416-425. [PMID: 29471243 PMCID: PMC5884189 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is among the most common malignant diseases and metastasis is the handcuff of treatment. Cancer metastasis is a multistep process associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. Several studies have demonstrated that transcriptional repressor GATA binding 1 (TRPS1) played important roles in development and progression of primary BC. In this study we sought to identify the mechanisms responsible for this function of TRPS1 in the continuum of the metastatic cascade. Here we described that TRPS1 was significantly associated with BC metastasis using public assessable datasets. Clinically, loss of TRPS1 expression in BC was related to higher histological grade. In vitro functional study and bioinformatics analysis revealed that TRPS1 inhibited cell migration and EMT in BC. Importantly, we identified SUZ12 as a novel target of TRPS1 related to EMT program. ChIP assay demonstrated TRPS1 directly inhibited SUZ12 transcription by binding to the SUZ12 promoter. Loss of TRPS1 resulted in increased SUZ12 binding and H3K27 tri-methylation at the CDH1 promoter and repression of E-cadherin. In all, our data indicated that TRPS1 maintained the expression of E-cadherin by inhibiting SUZ12, which might provide novel insight into how loss of TRPS1 contributed to BC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Peng Su
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Meng Jiao
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xinnuo Bai
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Mei Qi
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Jingtian Sun
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Gengyin Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Bo Han
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, 250012, China; Department of Pathology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, 250012, China.
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Chromatin modifying gene mutations in follicular lymphoma. Blood 2017; 131:595-604. [PMID: 29158360 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-08-737361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent malignancy of germinal center B cells. Although the overall survival of FL patients has recently improved with the introduction of novel therapies, there is significant heterogeneity in patient outcome and a need for rationally designed therapeutic strategies that target disease biology. Next-generation sequencing studies have identified chromatin modifying gene (CMG) mutations as a hallmark of FL, highlighting epigenetic modifiers as an attractive therapeutic target in this disease. Understanding the complex roles of these mutations will be central to identifying and adaptively targeting associated vulnerabilities. Recent studies have provided insight into the functional consequences of the most frequently mutated CMGs (KMT2D, CREBBP, and EZH2) and point to a role for these events in modifying normal B-cell differentiation programs and impeding germinal center exit. However, the majority of FL tumors serially acquire multiple CMG mutations, suggesting that there is a level of cross talk or cooperation between these events that has not yet been defined. Here, I review the current state of knowledge on CMG mutations in FL, discuss their potential as therapeutic targets, and offer my perspective on unexplored areas that should be considered in the future.
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23
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Charlet J, Duymich CE, Lay FD, Mundbjerg K, Dalsgaard Sørensen K, Liang G, Jones PA. Bivalent Regions of Cytosine Methylation and H3K27 Acetylation Suggest an Active Role for DNA Methylation at Enhancers. Mol Cell 2017; 62:422-431. [PMID: 27153539 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2016.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The role of cytosine methylation in the structure and function of enhancers is not well understood. In this study, we investigate the role of DNA methylation at enhancers by comparing the epigenomes of the HCT116 cell line and its highly demethylated derivative, DKO1. Unlike promoters, a portion of regular and super- or stretch enhancers show active H3K27ac marks co-existing with extensive DNA methylation, demonstrating the unexpected presence of bivalent chromatin in both cultured and uncultured cells. Furthermore, our findings also show that bivalent regions have fewer nucleosome-depleted regions and transcription factor-binding sites than monovalent regions. Reduction of DNA methylation genetically or pharmacologically leads to a decrease of the H3K27ac mark. Thus, DNA methylation plays an unexpected dual role at enhancer regions, being anti-correlated focally at transcription factor-binding sites but positively correlated globally with the active H3K27ac mark to ensure structural enhancer integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Charlet
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Christopher E Duymich
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Fides D Lay
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kamilla Mundbjerg
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | | | - Gangning Liang
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Peter A Jones
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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Coit P, Dozmorov MG, Merrill JT, McCune WJ, Maksimowicz-McKinnon K, Wren JD, Sawalha AH. Epigenetic Reprogramming in Naive CD4+ T Cells Favoring T Cell Activation and Non-Th1 Effector T Cell Immune Response as an Early Event in Lupus Flares. Arthritis Rheumatol 2017; 68:2200-9. [PMID: 27111767 DOI: 10.1002/art.39720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a relapsing autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems. T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus; however, early T cell events triggering disease flares are incompletely understood. This study was undertaken to examine DNA methylation in naive CD4+ T cells from lupus patients to determine if epigenetic remodeling in CD4+ T cells is an early event in lupus flares. METHODS A total of 74 lupus patients with an SLE Disease Activity Index score of 0-18 were included. Naive CD4+ T cells were isolated from peripheral blood samples, and DNA was extracted for genome-wide methylation assessment. RNA was also extracted from a subset of patients to determine the relationship between epigenetic changes and transcription activity using RNA sequencing and microRNA arrays. RESULTS We demonstrated that naive CD4+ T cells in lupus undergo an epigenetic proinflammatory shift, implicating effector T cell responses in lupus flare. This epigenetic landscape change occurs without changes in expression of the corresponding genes, poises naive CD4+ T cells for Th2, Th17, and follicular helper T cell immune responses, and opposes inhibitory transforming growth factor β signaling. Bioinformatics analyses indicate that the epigenetic modulator EZH2 might play an important role in shifting the epigenetic landscape, with increased disease activity in lupus naive CD4+ T cells. Further, the expression of microRNA-26a, which is sensitive to glucose availability and targets EZH2, was negatively correlated with disease activity in lupus patients. CONCLUSION An epigenetic landscape shift in naive CD4+ T cells that favors T cell activation and non-Th1 immune responses predates transcription activity and correlates with lupus activity. A role for EZH2 dysregulation in triggering lupus flares warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jonathan D Wren
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City
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Nakayama T, Hirahara K, Onodera A, Endo Y, Hosokawa H, Shinoda K, Tumes DJ, Okamoto Y. Th2 Cells in Health and Disease. Annu Rev Immunol 2016; 35:53-84. [PMID: 27912316 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-051116-052350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Helper T (Th) cell subsets direct immune responses by producing signature cytokines. Th2 cells produce IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which are important in humoral immunity and protection from helminth infection and are central to the pathogenesis of many allergic inflammatory diseases. Molecular analysis of Th2 cell differentiation and maintenance of function has led to recent discoveries that have refined our understanding of Th2 cell biology. Epigenetic regulation of Gata3 expression by chromatin remodeling complexes such as Polycomb and Trithorax is crucial for maintaining Th2 cell identity. In the context of allergic diseases, memory-type pathogenic Th2 cells have been identified in both mice and humans. To better understand these disease-driving cell populations, we have developed a model called the pathogenic Th population disease induction model. The concept of defined subsets of pathogenic Th cells may spur new, effective strategies for treating intractable chronic inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , , .,AMED-CREST, AMED, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Hirahara
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , ,
| | - Atsushi Onodera
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , , .,Institute for Global Prominent Research, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yusuke Endo
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , ,
| | - Hiroyuki Hosokawa
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , ,
| | - Kenta Shinoda
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , ,
| | - Damon J Tumes
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; , , , , , , , .,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
| | - Yoshitaka Okamoto
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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Wang Z, Yin H, Lau CS, Lu Q. Histone Posttranslational Modifications of CD4⁺ T Cell in Autoimmune Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17101547. [PMID: 27669210 PMCID: PMC5085618 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17101547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of immune system is tempered by precise regulation to maintain stabilization when exposed to various conditions. A subtle change in gene expression may be magnified when drastic changes are brought about in cellular development and function. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) timely alter the functional activity of immune system, and work proceeded in these years has begun to throw light upon it. Posttranslational modifications of histone tails have been mentioned in a large scale of biological developments and disease progression, thereby making them a central field to investigate. Conventional assessments of these changes are centered on the transcription factors and cytokines in T cells regulated by variable histone codes to achieve chromatin remodeling, as well as involved in many human diseases, especially autoimmune diseases. We here put forward an essential review of core posttranslational modulations that regulate T cell function and differentiation in the immune system, with a special emphasis on histone modifications in different T helper cell subsets as well as in autoimmune diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Autoimmune Diseases/immunology
- Autoimmune Diseases/metabolism
- Autoimmune Diseases/pathology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/immunology
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/pathology
- Histones/metabolism
- Humans
- Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/immunology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/metabolism
- Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/pathology
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology
- Multiple Sclerosis/immunology
- Multiple Sclerosis/metabolism
- Multiple Sclerosis/pathology
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- Scleroderma, Systemic/immunology
- Scleroderma, Systemic/metabolism
- Scleroderma, Systemic/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Wang
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
| | - Heng Yin
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
| | - Chak Sing Lau
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
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Regulation of IL-4 Expression in Immunity and Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 941:31-77. [PMID: 27734408 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-0921-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
IL-4 was first identified as a T cell-derived growth factor for B cells. Studies over the past several decades have markedly expanded our understanding of its cellular sources and function. In addition to T cells, IL-4 is produced by innate lymphocytes, such as NTK cells, and myeloid cells, such as basophils and mast cells. It is a signature cytokine of type 2 immune response but also has a nonimmune function. Its expression is tightly regulated at several levels, including signaling pathways, transcription factors, epigenetic modifications, microRNA, and long noncoding RNA. This chapter will review in detail the molecular mechanism regulating the cell type-specific expression of IL-4 in physiological and pathological type 2 immune responses.
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Epigenetic dynamics in immunity and autoimmunity. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 67:65-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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de Almeida Nagata DE, Ting HA, Cavassani KA, Schaller MA, Mukherjee S, Ptaschinski C, Kunkel SL, Lukacs NW. Epigenetic control of Foxp3 by SMYD3 H3K4 histone methyltransferase controls iTreg development and regulates pathogenic T-cell responses during pulmonary viral infection. Mucosal Immunol 2015; 8:1131-43. [PMID: 25669152 PMCID: PMC4532649 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2015.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The generation of regulatory T (Treg) cells is driven by Foxp3 and is responsible for dampening inflammation and reducing autoimmunity. In this study, the epigenetic regulation of inducible Treg (iTreg) cells was examined and an H3K4 histone methyltransferase, SMYD3 (SET and MYND Domain 3), which regulates the expression of Foxp3 by a TGFβ1/Smad3 (transforming growth factor-β1/Smad3)-dependent mechanism, was identified. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, SMYD3 depletion led to a reduction in H3K4me3 in the promoter region and CNS1 (conserved noncoding DNA sequence) of the foxp3 locus. SMYD3 abrogation affected iTreg cell formation while allowing dysregulated interleukin-17 production. In a mouse model of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, a model in which iTreg cells have a critical role in regulating lung pathogenesis, SMYD3(-/-) mice demonstrated exacerbation of RSV-induced disease related to enhanced proinflammatory responses and worsened pathogenesis within the lung. Our data highlight a novel activation role for the TGFβ-inducible SMYD3 in regulating iTreg cell formation leading to increased severity of virus-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hung-An Ting
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Karen A. Cavassani
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Matthew A. Schaller
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sumanta Mukherjee
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Catherine Ptaschinski
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Steven L. Kunkel
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Nicholas W. Lukacs
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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EZH2 is crucial for both differentiation of regulatory T cells and T effector cell expansion. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10643. [PMID: 26090605 PMCID: PMC4473539 DOI: 10.1038/srep10643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The roles of EZH2 in various subsets of CD4+ T cells are controversial and its mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. FOXP3-positive Treg cells are a critical helper T cell subset, and dysregulation of Treg generation or function results in systemic autoimmunity. FOXP3 associates with EZH2 to mediate gene repression and suppressive function. Herein, we demonstrate that deletion of Ezh2 in CD4 T cells resulted in reduced numbers of Treg cells in vivo and differentiation in vitro and an increased proportion of memory CD4 T cells in part due to exaggerated production of effector cytokines. Furthermore, we found that both Ezh2-deficient Treg cells and T effector cells were functionally impaired in vivo: Tregs failed to constrain autoimmune colitis and T effector cells neither provided a protective response to T. gondii infection nor mediated autoimmune colitis. The dichotomous function of EZH2 in regulating differentiation and senescence in effector and regulatory T cells helps to explain the apparent existing contradictions in literature.
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Zhu J. T helper 2 (Th2) cell differentiation, type 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) development and regulation of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 production. Cytokine 2015; 75:14-24. [PMID: 26044597 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2015.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-13, the signature cytokines that are produced during type 2 immune responses, are critical for protective immunity against infections of extracellular parasites and are responsible for asthma and many other allergic inflammatory diseases. Although many immune cell types within the myeloid lineage compartment including basophils, eosinophils and mast cells are capable of producing at least one of these cytokines, the production of these "type 2 immune response-related" cytokines by lymphoid lineages, CD4 T helper 2 (Th2) cells and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in particular, are the central events during type 2 immune responses. In this review, I will focus on the signaling pathways and key molecules that determine the differentiation of naïve CD4 T cells into Th2 cells, and how the expression of Th2 cytokines, especially IL-4 and IL-13, is regulated in Th2 cells. The similarities and differences in the differentiation of Th2 cells, IL-4-producing T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and ILC2s as well as their relationships will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfang Zhu
- Molecular and Cellular Immunoregulation Unit, Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Abstract
The multiple lineages and differentiation states that constitute the T-cell compartment all derive from a common thymic precursor. These distinct transcriptional states are maintained both in time and after multiple rounds of cell division by the concerted actions of a small set of lineage-defining transcription factors that act in conjunction with a suite of chromatin-modifying enzymes to activate, repress, and fine-tune gene expression. These chromatin modifications collectively provide an epigenetic code that allows the stable and heritable maintenance of the T-cell phenotype. Recently, it has become apparent that the epigenetic code represents a therapeutic target for a variety of immune cell disorders, including lymphoma and acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, we review the recent advances in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, particularly as it relates to the T-cell differentiation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys S Allan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
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Yaqubi M, Mohammadnia A, Fallahi H. Transcription factor regulatory network for early lung immune response to tuberculosis in mice. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:2865-71. [PMID: 25955085 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous transcription factors (TFs) have been suggested to have a role in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection; however, the TFs involved in the early immune response of lung cells remains to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to identify TFs which may have a role in the early immune response to tuberculosis and the gene regulatory networks in which they are involved. Gene expression data obtained from microarray analysis of the early lung immune response to tuberculosis (Gene Expression Omnibus; accession no. GSE23014) was integrated with data for TF binding sites and protein-protein interactions in order to construct a TF regulatory network. The role of TFs in protein complexes, active modules, topology of the network and regulation of immune processes were investigated. The results demonstrated that the constructed gene regulatory network harbored 1,270 differentially expressed (DE) genes with 4,070 regulatory and protein-protein interactions. In addition, it was revealed that 17 DE TFs were involved in the positive regulation of numerous immunological and biological processes, including T cell activation, T cell proliferation and tuberculosis-associated gene expression, in the constructed regulatory network. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4, interferon regulatory factor 8, spleen focus-forming virus proviral integration 1, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 and kruppel-like factor 4 were predicted to be the primary TFs regulating the DE genes during early lung infection by M. tuberculosis, as determined through various analyses of the gene regulatory network. In conclusion, the present study identified novel TFs involved in the early response to M. tuberculosis infection, which may enhance current understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying tuberculosis infection and introduced potential targets for novel tuberculosis therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Yaqubi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran 14178-63171, Iran
| | - Abdulshakour Mohammadnia
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran 14178-63171, Iran
| | - Hossein Fallahi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 67149‑67346, Iran
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35
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Epigenetics of T cells regulated by Polycomb/Trithorax molecules. Trends Mol Med 2015; 21:330-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Panzeri I, Rossetti G, Abrignani S, Pagani M. Long Intergenic Non-Coding RNAs: Novel Drivers of Human Lymphocyte Differentiation. Front Immunol 2015; 6:175. [PMID: 25926836 PMCID: PMC4397839 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon recognition of a foreign antigen, CD4(+) naïve T lymphocytes proliferate and differentiate into subsets with distinct functions. This process is fundamental for the effective immune system function, as CD4(+) T cells orchestrate both the innate and adaptive immune response. Traditionally, this differentiation event has been regarded as the acquisition of an irreversible cell fate so that memory and effector CD4(+) T subsets were considered terminally differentiated cells or lineages. Consequently, these lineages are conventionally defined thanks to their prototypical set of cytokines and transcription factors. However, recent findings suggest that CD4(+) T lymphocytes possess a remarkable phenotypic plasticity, as they can often re-direct their functional program depending on the milieu they encounter. Therefore, new questions are now compelling such as which are the molecular determinants underlying plasticity and stability and how the balance between these two opposite forces drives the cell fate. As already mentioned, in some cases, the mere expression of cytokines and master regulators could not fully explain lymphocytes plasticity. We should consider other layers of regulation, including epigenetic factors such as the modulation of chromatin state or the transcription of non-coding RNAs, whose high cell-specificity give a hint on their involvement in cell fate determination. In this review, we will focus on the recent advances in understanding CD4(+) T lymphocytes subsets specification from an epigenetic point of view. In particular, we will emphasize the emerging importance of non-coding RNAs as key players in these differentiation events. We will also present here new data from our laboratory highlighting the contribution of long non-coding RNAs in driving human CD4(+) T lymphocytes differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Panzeri
- Integrative Biology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy
| | - Grazisa Rossetti
- Integrative Biology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy
| | - Sergio Abrignani
- Integrative Biology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy
| | - Massimiliano Pagani
- Integrative Biology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milano , Italy ; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy
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The chromatin-modifying enzyme Ezh2 is critical for the maintenance of regulatory T cell identity after activation. Immunity 2015; 42:227-238. [PMID: 25680271 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are required for immune homeostasis. Chromatin remodeling is essential for establishing diverse cellular identities, but how the epigenetic program in Treg cells is maintained throughout the dynamic activation process remains unclear. Here we have shown that CD28 co-stimulation, an extracellular cue intrinsically required for Treg cell maintenance, induced the chromatin-modifying enzyme, Ezh2. Treg-specific ablation of Ezh2 resulted in spontaneous autoimmunity with reduced Foxp3(+) cells in non-lymphoid tissues and impaired resolution of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Utilizing a model designed to selectively deplete wild-type Treg cells in adult mice co-populated with Ezh2-deficient Treg cells, Ezh2-deficient cells were destabilized and failed to prevent autoimmunity. After activation, the transcriptome of Ezh2-deficient Treg cells was disrupted, with altered expression of Treg cell lineage genes in a pattern similar to Foxp3-deficient Treg cells. These studies reveal a critical role for Ezh2 in the maintenance of Treg cell identity during cellular activation.
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Antignano F, Zaph C. Regulation of CD4 T-cell differentiation and inflammation by repressive histone methylation. Immunol Cell Biol 2015; 93:245-52. [PMID: 25582341 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2014.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Repressive epigenetic modifications such as dimethylation and trimethylation histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2 and H3K9me3) and H3K27me3 have been shown to be critical for embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation by silencing cell lineage-promiscuous genes. CD4(+) T helper (T(H)) cell differentiation is a powerful model to study the molecular mechanisms associated with cellular lineage choice in adult cells. Naïve T(H) cells have the capacity to differentiate into one of the several phenotypically and functionally distinct and stable lineages. Although some repressive epigenetic mechanisms have a critical role in T(H) cell differentiation in a similar manner to that in ES cells, it is clear that there are disparate functions for certain modifications between ES cells and T(H) cells. Here we review the role of repressive histone modifications in the differentiation and function of T(H) cells in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frann Antignano
- The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Colby Zaph
- The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Role of epigenetic mechanisms in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells. Transl Res 2015; 165:126-42. [PMID: 24768944 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial process during normal development that allows dynamic and reversible shifts between epithelial and mesenchymal cell states. Cancer cells take advantage of the complex, interrelated cellular networks that regulate EMT to promote their migratory and invasive capabilities. During the past few years, evidence has accumulated that indicates that genetic mutations and changes to epigenetic mechanisms are key drivers of EMT in cancer cells. Recent studies have begun to shed light on the epigenetic reprogramming in cancer cells that enables them to switch from a noninvasive form to an invasive, metastatic form. The authors review the current knowledge of alterations of epigenetic machinery, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome remodeling and expression of microRNAs, associated with EMT and tumor progression of breast cancer cells. Last, existing and upcoming drug therapies targeting epigenetic regulators and their potential benefit for developing novel treatment strategies are discussed.
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Fodil N, Langlais D, Moussa P, Boivin GA, Di Pietrantonio T, Radovanovic I, Dumaine A, Blanchette M, Schurr E, Gros P, Vidal SM. Specific dysregulation of IFNγ production by natural killer cells confers susceptibility to viral infection. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004511. [PMID: 25473962 PMCID: PMC4256466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells contribute to the control of viral infection by directly killing target cells and mediating cytokine release. In C57BL/6 mice, the Ly49H activating NK cell receptor plays a key role in early resistance to mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection through specific recognition of the MCMV-encoded MHC class I-like molecule m157 expressed on infected cells. Here we show that transgenic expression of Ly49H failed to provide protection against MCMV infection in the naturally susceptible A/J mouse strain. Characterization of Ly49H+ NK cells from Ly49h-A transgenic animals showed that they were able to mount a robust cytotoxic response and proliferate to high numbers during the course of infection. However, compared to NK cells from C57BL/6 mice, we observed an intrinsic defect in their ability to produce IFNγ when challenged by either m157-expressing target cells, exogenous cytokines or chemical stimulants. This effect was limited to NK cells as T cells from C57BL/6 and Ly49h-A mice produced comparable cytokine levels. Using a panel of recombinant congenic strains derived from A/J and C57BL/6 progenitors, we mapped the genetic basis of defective IFNγ production to a single 6.6 Mb genetic interval overlapping the Ifng gene on chromosome 10. Inspection of the genetic interval failed to reveal molecular differences between A/J and several mouse strains showing normal IFNγ production. The chromosome 10 locus is independent of MAPK signalling or decreased mRNA stability and linked to MCMV susceptibility. This study highlights the existence of a previously uncovered NK cell-specific cis-regulatory mechanism of Ifnγ transcript expression potentially relevant to NK cell function in health and disease. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus that largely infects the human population leading to a significant cause of disease and death in the immunocompromised and elderly. The study of CMV in animal models has helped understand the pathogenic consequences of CMV infection and adds substantial understanding of the complex interplay of host and virus in living systems. Natural Killer (NK) cells have emerged as an important player during CMV infection trough their specific recognition of viral particles determinants and subsequent secretion of cytokines and cytolytic granules. In the present study, we have generated different mouse models to specifically investigate quantify viral recognition and cytokine expression by NK cells during CMV infection as a measure of NK cell function. We found that even after proper recognition of infected cells by NK cells, the adequate production of IFNγ is crucial to restrain viral infection. Moreover, we demonstrated that IFNγ production by NK cells is genetically determined and directly linked to the IFNγ locus. Hence, we provide the first evidence for of a unique mechanism of IFNγ production by NK cells which regulates susceptibility to viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassima Fodil
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Life Sciences Complex, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail: (NF); (SMV)
| | - David Langlais
- Biochemistry Department, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Peter Moussa
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Life Sciences Complex, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gregory Allan Boivin
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Life Sciences Complex, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tania Di Pietrantonio
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill Centre for the Study of Host Resistance, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Irena Radovanovic
- Biochemistry Department, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Anne Dumaine
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Life Sciences Complex, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mathieu Blanchette
- McGill Centre for Bioinformatics and School of Computer Science, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Erwin Schurr
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill Centre for the Study of Host Resistance, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Philippe Gros
- Biochemistry Department, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Silvia Marina Vidal
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Life Sciences Complex, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail: (NF); (SMV)
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Shih HY, Sciumè G, Poholek AC, Vahedi G, Hirahara K, Villarino AV, Bonelli M, Bosselut R, Kanno Y, Muljo SA, O'Shea JJ. Transcriptional and epigenetic networks of helper T and innate lymphoid cells. Immunol Rev 2014; 261:23-49. [PMID: 25123275 PMCID: PMC4321863 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of the specification of CD4(+) helper T cells to discrete effector 'lineages' represented a watershed event in conceptualizing mechanisms of host defense and immunoregulation. However, our appreciation for the actual complexity of helper T-cell subsets continues unabated. Just as the Sami language of Scandinavia has 1000 different words for reindeer, immunologists recognize the range of fates available for a CD4(+) T cell is numerous and may be underestimated. Added to the crowded scene for helper T-cell subsets is the continuously growing family of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), endowed with common effector responses and the previously defined 'master regulators' for CD4(+) helper T-cell subsets are also shared by ILC subsets. Within the context of this extraordinary complexity are concomitant advances in the understanding of transcriptomes and epigenomes. So what do terms like 'lineage commitment' and helper T-cell 'specification' mean in the early 21st century? How do we put all of this together in a coherent conceptual framework? It would be arrogant to assume that we have a sophisticated enough understanding to seriously answer these questions. Instead, we review the current status of the flexibility of helper T-cell responses in relation to their genetic regulatory networks and epigenetic landscapes. Recent data have provided major surprises as to what master regulators can or cannot do, how they interact with other transcription factors and impact global genome-wide changes, and how all these factors come together to influence helper cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Yu Shih
- Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis, and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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42
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Transcriptomics identified a critical role for Th2 cell-intrinsic miR-155 in mediating allergy and antihelminth immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E3081-90. [PMID: 25024218 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1406322111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergic diseases, orchestrated by hyperactive CD4(+) Th2 cells, are some of the most common global chronic diseases. Therapeutic intervention relies upon broad-scale corticosteroids with indiscriminate impact. To identify targets in pathogenic Th2 cells, we took a comprehensive approach to identify the microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA transcriptome of highly purified cytokine-expressing Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, and Treg cells both generated in vitro and isolated ex vivo from allergy, infection, and autoimmune disease models. We report here that distinct regulatory miRNA networks operate to regulate Th2 cells in house dust mite-allergic or helminth-infected animals and in vitro Th2 cells, which are distinguishable from other T cells. We validated several miRNA (miR) candidates (miR-15a, miR-20b, miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-200c), which targeted a suite of dynamically regulated genes in Th2 cells. Through in-depth studies using miR-155(-/-) or miR-146a(-/-) T cells, we identified that T-cell-intrinsic miR-155 was required for type-2 immunity, in part through regulation of S1pr1, whereas T-cell-intrinsic miR-146a was required to prevent overt Th1/Th17 skewing. These data identify miR-155, but not miR-146a, as a potential therapeutic target to alleviate Th2-medited inflammation and allergy.
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43
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Tong Q, He S, Xie F, Mochizuki K, Liu Y, Mochizuki I, Meng L, Sun H, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Hexner E, Zhang Y. Ezh2 regulates transcriptional and posttranslational expression of T-bet and promotes Th1 cell responses mediating aplastic anemia in mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:5012-22. [PMID: 24760151 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is a potentially fatal bone marrow (BM) failure syndrome. IFN-γ-producing Th1 CD4(+) T cells mediate the immune destruction of hematopoietic cells, and they are central to the pathogenesis. However, the molecular events that control the development of BM-destructive Th1 cells remain largely unknown. Ezh2 is a chromatin-modifying enzyme that regulates multiple cellular processes primarily by silencing gene expression. We recently reported that Ezh2 is crucial for inflammatory T cell responses after allogeneic BM transplantation. To elucidate whether Ezh2 mediates pathogenic Th1 responses in AA and the mechanism of Ezh2 action in regulating Th1 cells, we studied the effects of Ezh2 inhibition in CD4(+) T cells using a mouse model of human AA. Conditionally deleting Ezh2 in mature T cells dramatically reduced the production of BM-destructive Th1 cells in vivo, decreased BM-infiltrating Th1 cells, and rescued mice from BM failure. Ezh2 inhibition resulted in significant decrease in the expression of Tbx21 and Stat4, which encode transcription factors T-bet and STAT4, respectively. Introduction of T-bet but not STAT4 into Ezh2-deficient T cells fully rescued their differentiation into Th1 cells mediating AA. Ezh2 bound to the Tbx21 promoter in Th1 cells and directly activated Tbx21 transcription. Unexpectedly, Ezh2 was also required to prevent proteasome-mediated degradation of T-bet protein in Th1 cells. Our results demonstrate that Ezh2 promotes the generation of BM-destructive Th1 cells through a mechanism of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of T-bet. These results also highlight the therapeutic potential of Ezh2 inhibition in reducing AA and other autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Tong
- International Joint Cancer Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
| | - Shan He
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Fang Xie
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
| | - Kazuhiro Mochizuki
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
| | - Yongnian Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Izumi Mochizuki
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
| | - Lijun Meng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140; Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200433, China; and
| | - Hongxing Sun
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200433, China; and
| | - Yanyun Zhang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200433, China; and
| | - Yajun Guo
- International Joint Cancer Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Elizabeth Hexner
- Department of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140;
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44
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He S, Tong Q, Bishop DK, Zhang Y. Histone methyltransferase and histone methylation in inflammatory T-cell responses. Immunotherapy 2014; 5:989-1004. [PMID: 23998733 DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During immune responses, T cells require tightly controlled expression of transcriptional programs to regulate the balance between beneficial and harmful immunity. These transcriptional programs are critical for the lineage specification of effector T cells, the production of effector cytokines and molecules, and the development and maintenance of memory T cells. An emerging theme is that post-translational modification of histones by methylation plays an important role in orchestrating the expression of transcriptional programs in T cells. In this article, we provide a broad overview of histone methylation signatures for effector molecules and transcription factors in T cells, and the functional importance of histone methyltransferases in regulating T-cell immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan He
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5942, USA
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45
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SUZ12 is involved in progression of non-small cell lung cancer by promoting cell proliferation and metastasis. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:6073-82. [PMID: 24633887 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-1804-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The suppressor of zeste-12 protein (SUZ12), a core component of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), is implicated in transcriptional silencing by generating di- and tri-methylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27Me3). Although SUZ12 is known to be of great importance in several human cancer tumorigenesis, limited data are available on the expression profile and functional role of SUZ12 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we determined the expression level of SUZ12 in 40 paired clinical NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that SUZ12 was anomalously expressed in NSCLC tissues compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues (P<0.05) and was highly correlated to tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stages (P<0.05). Additionally, siRNA-mediated knockdown of SUZ12 could inhibit tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion, indicating that SUZ12 might function as an oncogene in NSCLC initiation and progression. Furthermore, we found that SUZ12 silencing significantly reduced the expression levels of transcription factor transcription factor E2F1 (E2F1) as well as potential metastasis promoters Rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and roundabout homolog 1 (ROBO1) through Western blot analysis. Altogether, we provide evidences suggesting that SUZ12 is an oncogene in NSCLC and can regulate NSCLC cells proliferation and metastasis partly via reducing E2F1, ROCK1, and ROBO1. Thus, SUZ12 may represent a new potential diagnostic marker for NSCLC and may be a novel therapeutic target for NSCLC intervention.
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Abstract
In higher eukaryotic organisms epigenetic modifications are crucial for proper chromatin folding and thereby proper regulation of gene expression. In the last years the involvement of aberrant epigenetic modifications in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases has been recognized and attracted significant interest. However, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the different disease phenotypes are still poorly understood. As autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are at least partly T cell mediated, we will provide in this chapter an introduction to the epigenetics of T cell differentiation followed by a summary of the current knowledge on aberrant epigenetic modifications that dysfunctional T cells display in various diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma.
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47
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Tumes DJ, Onodera A, Suzuki A, Shinoda K, Endo Y, Iwamura C, Hosokawa H, Koseki H, Tokoyoda K, Suzuki Y, Motohashi S, Nakayama T. The polycomb protein Ezh2 regulates differentiation and plasticity of CD4(+) T helper type 1 and type 2 cells. Immunity 2014; 39:819-32. [PMID: 24238339 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
After antigen encounter by CD4(+) T cells, polarizing cytokines induce the expression of master regulators that control differentiation. Inactivation of the histone methyltransferase Ezh2 was found to specifically enhance T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cell differentiation and plasticity. Ezh2 directly bound and facilitated correct expression of Tbx21 and Gata3 in differentiating Th1 and Th2 cells, accompanied by substantial trimethylation at lysine 27 of histone 3 (H3K27me3). In addition, Ezh2 deficiency resulted in spontaneous generation of discrete IFN-γ and Th2 cytokine-producing populations in nonpolarizing cultures, and under these conditions IFN-γ expression was largely dependent on enhanced expression of the transcription factor Eomesodermin. In vivo, loss of Ezh2 caused increased pathology in a model of allergic asthma and resulted in progressive accumulation of memory phenotype Th2 cells. This study establishes a functional link between Ezh2 and transcriptional regulation of lineage-specifying genes in terminally differentiated CD4(+) T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon J Tumes
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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48
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Abstract
The development of specialized helper T cells has garnered much attention because of their critical role in coordinating the immune response to invading pathogens. Recent research emphasizing novel functions for specialized helper T cells in a variety of infectious disease settings, as well as autoimmune states, has reshaped our view on the capabilities of helper T cells. Notably, one previously underappreciated aspect of the lifespan of helper T cells is that they often retain the capacity to respond to changes in the environment by altering the composition of helper T cell lineage-specifying transcription factors they express, which, in turn, changes their phenotype. This emerging realization is changing our views on the stability versus flexibility of specialized helper T cell subtypes. Now, there is a new concerted effort to define the mechanistic events that contribute to the potential for flexibility in specialized helper T cell gene expression programs in the different environmental circumstances that allow for the re-expression of helper T cell lineage-specifying transcription factors. In addition, we are also now beginning to appreciate that "helper T cell" lineage-specifying transcription factors are expressed in diverse types of innate and adaptive immune cells and this may allow them to play roles in coordinating aspects of the immune response. Our current challenges include defining the conserved mechanisms that are utilized by these lineage-specifying transcription factors to coordinate gene expression programs in different settings as well as the mechanistic events that contribute to the differential downstream consequences that these factors mediate in unique cellular environments. In this review, we will explore our evolving views on these topics, often times using the Th1-lineage-specifying transcription factor T-bet as an example.
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49
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The histone methyltransferase Ezh2 is a crucial epigenetic regulator of allogeneic T-cell responses mediating graft-versus-host disease. Blood 2013; 122:4119-28. [PMID: 24141370 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2013-05-505180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttranscriptional modification of histones by methylation plays an important role in regulating Ag-driven T-cell responses. We have recently drawn correlations between allogeneic T-cell responses and the histone methyltransferase Ezh2, which catalyzes histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation. The functional relevance of Ezh2 in T-cell alloimmunity remains unclear. Here, we identify a central role of Ezh2 in regulating allogeneic T-cell proliferation, differentiation, and function. Conditional loss of Ezh2 in donor T cells inhibited graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in mice after allogeneic bone marrow (BM) transplantation. Although Ezh2-deficient T cells were initially activated to proliferate upon alloantigenic priming, their ability to undergo continual proliferation and expansion was defective during late stages of GVHD induction. This effect of Ezh2 ablation was largely independent of the proapoptotic molecule Bim. Unexpectedly, as a gene silencer, Ezh2 was required to promote the expression of transcription factors Tbx21 and Stat4. Loss of Ezh2 in T cells specifically impaired their differentiation into interferon (IFN)-γ-producing effector cells. However, Ezh2 ablation retained antileukemia activity in alloreactive T cells, leading to improved overall survival of the recipients. Our findings justify investigation of modulating Ezh2 as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of GVHD and other T cell-mediated inflammatory disorders.
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50
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Epigenetic control of cytokine gene expression: regulation of the TNF/LT locus and T helper cell differentiation. Adv Immunol 2013; 118:37-128. [PMID: 23683942 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407708-9.00002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics encompasses transient and heritable modifications to DNA and nucleosomes in the native chromatin context. For example, enzymatic addition of chemical moieties to the N-terminal "tails" of histones, particularly acetylation and methylation of lysine residues in the histone tails of H3 and H4, plays a key role in regulation of gene transcription. The modified histones, which are physically associated with gene regulatory regions that typically occur within conserved noncoding sequences, play a functional role in active, poised, or repressed gene transcription. The "histone code" defined by these modifications, along with the chromatin-binding acetylases, deacetylases, methylases, demethylases, and other enzymes that direct modifications resulting in specific patterns of histone modification, shows considerable evolutionary conservation from yeast to humans. Direct modifications at the DNA level, such as cytosine methylation at CpG motifs that represses promoter activity, are another highly conserved epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation. Furthermore, epigenetic modifications at the nucleosome or DNA level can also be coupled with higher-order intra- or interchromosomal interactions that influence the location of regulatory elements and that can place them in an environment of specific nucleoprotein complexes associated with transcription. In the mammalian immune system, epigenetic gene regulation is a crucial mechanism for a range of physiological processes, including the innate host immune response to pathogens and T cell differentiation driven by specific patterns of cytokine gene expression. Here, we will review current findings regarding epigenetic regulation of cytokine genes important in innate and/or adaptive immune responses, with a special focus upon the tumor necrosis factor/lymphotoxin locus and cytokine-driven CD4+ T cell differentiation into the Th1, Th2, and Th17 lineages.
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