1
|
Al-Kuraishy HM, Sulaiman GM, Jabir MS, Mohammed HA, Al-Gareeb AI, Albukhaty S, Klionsky DJ, Abomughaid MM. Defective autophagy and autophagy activators in myasthenia gravis: a rare entity and unusual scenario. Autophagy 2024; 20:1473-1482. [PMID: 38346408 PMCID: PMC11210922 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2024.2315893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) that results from autoantibodies against nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs) at NMJs. These autoantibodies are mainly originated from autoreactive B cells that bind and destroy nAchRs at NMJs preventing nerve impulses from activating the end-plates of skeletal muscle. Indeed, immune dysregulation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of MG. Autoreactive B cells are increased in MG due to the defect in the central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms. As well, autoreactive T cells are augmented in MG due to the diversion of regulatory T (Treg) cells or a defect in thymic anergy leading to T cell-mediated autoimmunity. Furthermore, macroautophagy/autophagy, which is a conserved cellular catabolic process, plays a critical role in autoimmune diseases by regulating antigen presentation, survival of immune cells and cytokine-mediated inflammation. Abnormal autophagic flux is associated with different autoimmune disorders. Autophagy regulates the connection between innate and adaptive immune responses by controlling the production of cytokines and survival of Tregs. As autophagy is involved in autoimmune disorders, it may play a major role in the pathogenesis of MG. Therefore, this mini-review demonstrates the potential role of autophagy and autophagy activators in MG.Abbreviations: Ach, acetylcholine; Breg, regulatory B; IgG, immunoglobulin G; MG, myasthenia gravis; NMJ, neuromuscular junction; ROS, reactive oxygen species; Treg, regulatory T; Ubl, ubiquitin-like.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayder M. Al-Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | | | - Majid S. Jabir
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Hamdoon A. Mohammed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Salim Albukhaty
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Misan, Maysan, Iraq
| | | | - Mosleh M. Abomughaid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Takakura Y, Machida M, Terada N, Katsumi Y, Kawamura S, Horie K, Miyauchi M, Ishikawa T, Akiyama N, Seki T, Miyao T, Hayama M, Endo R, Ishii H, Maruyama Y, Hagiwara N, Kobayashi TJ, Yamaguchi N, Takano H, Akiyama T, Yamaguchi N. Mitochondrial protein C15ORF48 is a stress-independent inducer of autophagy that regulates oxidative stress and autoimmunity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:953. [PMID: 38296961 PMCID: PMC10831050 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45206-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is primarily activated by cellular stress, such as starvation or mitochondrial damage. However, stress-independent autophagy is activated by unclear mechanisms in several cell types, such as thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Here we report that the mitochondrial protein, C15ORF48, is a critical inducer of stress-independent autophagy. Mechanistically, C15ORF48 reduces the mitochondrial membrane potential and lowers intracellular ATP levels, thereby activating AMP-activated protein kinase and its downstream Unc-51-like kinase 1. Interestingly, C15ORF48-dependent induction of autophagy upregulates intracellular glutathione levels, promoting cell survival by reducing oxidative stress. Mice deficient in C15orf48 show a reduction in stress-independent autophagy in TECs, but not in typical starvation-induced autophagy in skeletal muscles. Moreover, C15orf48-/- mice develop autoimmunity, which is consistent with the fact that the stress-independent autophagy in TECs is crucial for the thymic self-tolerance. These results suggest that C15ORF48 induces stress-independent autophagy, thereby regulating oxidative stress and self-tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Takakura
- Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Moeka Machida
- Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Natsumi Terada
- Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Yuka Katsumi
- Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Seika Kawamura
- Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Kenta Horie
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Maki Miyauchi
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ishikawa
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Nobuko Akiyama
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takao Seki
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takahisa Miyao
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mio Hayama
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Rin Endo
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Hiroto Ishii
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yuya Maruyama
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Naho Hagiwara
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Tetsuya J Kobayashi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Naoto Yamaguchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takano
- Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Taishin Akiyama
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
- Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Noritaka Yamaguchi
- Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan.
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan.
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jiang Q, Ma X, Zhu G, Si W, He L, Yang G. Altered T cell development in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Exp Neurol 2024; 371:114579. [PMID: 37866699 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), leading to demyelination and axonal degeneration. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of MS that has significantly improved our understanding of MS. Studies have observed early thymic involution in MS patients, suggesting the potential involvement of the thymus in CNS autoimmunity. However, our knowledge of the thymus's role in autoimmune disorders affecting the CNS remains limited. In this study, we examined the effects of EAE induction on thymopoiesis and observed alterations in T cell development. These changes were characterized by increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation of thymocytes at the EAE peak stage. We also identified a blockade in the transition from CD4-CD8- double-negative thymocytes to CD4+CD8+ double-positive cells, as evidenced by the accumulation of double-negative stage 1 thymocytes at both the EAE onset and peak stages. Furthermore, positive selection was disrupted in the thymus of EAE mice at both stages, leading to an elevated proportion and number of CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+ single-positive cells. Meanwhile, we observed an augmented production of regulatory T cells in the thymus of EAE mice. Moreover, peripheral blood analysis of EAE mice at the onset stage showed expanded T cell subsets but not at the peak stage. We also observed altered expression patterns in thymus-derived CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+ single-positive cells between MS patients and healthy controls. Our findings demonstrate a modified T cell development in EAE/MS, providing valuable insights into the potential of modulating thymic function as a targeted therapeutic approach to MS/EAE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianling Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Gaochen Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Wen Si
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Lingyu He
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Guan Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Postoak JL, Song W, Wu L, Van Kaer L. PIK3C3/VPS34 helps school T cells in the thymus. Autophagy 2023; 19:1890-1892. [PMID: 36394336 PMCID: PMC10262775 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2148428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of a broad repertoire of T cells in the immune system requires interaction of T cell receptors expressed by immature T cells with peptide/major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) displayed by specialized epithelial cells in the thymus, in a process called T cell positive selection. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) display unique antigen processing machinery which shapes the collection of self-peptides that drive positive selection. In our recent studies, we explored the contribution of the lipid kinase PIK3C3/VPS34 to the generation of positively selecting peptides in TECs. We found that TEC-specific PIK3C3/VPS34 facilitates the positive selection of CD4 but not CD8 T lineage cells, in a mechanism independent of its role in canonical macroautophagy/autophagy. Instead, we propose that PIK3C3/VPS34 alters vesicle trafficking in TECs that modulates lysosomal protease activity which, in turn, controls the generation of MHC class II-presented peptides optimized for positive selection of CD4 T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Luke Postoak
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Wenqiang Song
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lan Wu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Luc Van Kaer
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu Y, Yang Q, Chen S, Li Z, Fu L. Targeting VPS34 in autophagy: An update on pharmacological small-molecule compounds. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115467. [PMID: 37178482 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
VPS34 is well-known to be the unique member of the class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) family, forming VPS34 complex 1 and complex 2, which are involved in several key physiological processes. Of note, VPS34 complex 1 is an important node of autophagosome generation, which controls T cell metabolism and maintains cellular homeostasis through the autophagic pathway. And, VPS34 complex 2 is involved in endocytosis as well as vesicular transport, and is closely related to neurotransmission, antigen presentation and brain development. Due to the two important biological functions of VPS34, its dysregulation can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurological disorders, and many types of human diseases by altering normal human physiology. Thus, in this review, we not only summarize the molecular structure and function of VPS34, but demonstrate the relationships between VPS34 and human diseases. Moreover, we further discuss the current small molecule inhibitors targeting VPS34 based upon the structure and function of VPS34, which may provide an insight into the future targeted drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Qilin Yang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Siwei Chen
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Zixiang Li
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Leilei Fu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sousa LG, Rodrigues PM, Alves NL. T-cell selection in the thymus: New routes toward the identification of the self-peptide ligandome presented by thymic epithelial cells. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250202. [PMID: 36642953 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Within the thymus, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide a dedicated niche for the selection of functional T cells expressing a highly variable and self-tolerant T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. In this minireview, we start by summarizing recent studies that have improved our understanding on the composition of cortical TEC and medullary TEC microenvironments. Next, we focus on the molecular processes that control the function of TECs in T-cell selection. In particular, we discuss the role of cortical TECs in positive selection and the pathways employed by these cells to generate and present selecting self-peptides:MHC II complexes. Several studies have underscored the role of the β5t-containing thymoproteasome in the production of unique MHC I-bound peptides critical for CD8 T-cell selection. Contrarily, the identity of the molecular determinants that regulate the generation of MHC II-bound self-peptides capable of positive selecting CD4 T cells is far more uncertain. We highlight recent advances that interconnect the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, the presentation of specific sets of self-peptide:MHC II complexes, and the diversification of CD4 TCR repertoire. Lastly, we discuss how these findings may open up new avenues for deciphering the identity of the MHC I and MHC II ligandome in the thymus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura G Sousa
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
- Doctoral Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|