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Park J, Lee J, Hur Y, Kim CJ, Kim HB, Um D, Kim DS, Lee JY, Park S, Park Y, Kim TK, Im SH, Kim SW, Kwok SK, Lee Y. ETV5 promotes lupus pathogenesis and follicular helper T cell differentiation by inducing osteopontin expression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2322009121. [PMID: 38843187 PMCID: PMC11181037 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322009121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Follicular helper T (TFH) cells mediate germinal center reactions to generate high affinity antibodies against specific pathogens, and their excessive production is associated with the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). ETV5, a member of the ETS transcription factor family, promotes TFH cell differentiation in mice. In this study, we examined the role of ETV5 in the pathogenesis of lupus in mice and humans. T cell-specific deletion of Etv5 alleles ameliorated TFH cell differentiation and autoimmune phenotypes in lupus mouse models. Further, we identified SPP1 as an ETV5 target that promotes TFH cell differentiation in both mice and humans. Notably, extracellular osteopontin (OPN) encoded by SPP1 enhances TFH cell differentiation by activating the CD44-AKT signaling pathway. Furthermore, ETV5 and SPP1 levels were increased in CD4+ T cells from patients with SLE and were positively correlated with disease activity. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that ETV5 is a lupus-promoting transcription factor, and secreted OPN promotes TFH cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiho Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongeun Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunjung Hur
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Johng Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Bit Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Dahun Um
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Som Kim
- The Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul06591, Republic of Korea
| | - June-Yong Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, and Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungjun Park
- Department of Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngjae Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Kyung Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Hyeog Im
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk37673, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Won Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ki Kwok
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoontae Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk37673, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul03722, Republic of Korea
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Snijckers RPM, Foks AC. Adaptive immunity and atherosclerosis: aging at its crossroads. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1350471. [PMID: 38686373 PMCID: PMC11056569 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1350471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immunity plays a profound role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis by regulating antigen-specific responses, inflammatory signaling and antibody production. However, as we age, our immune system undergoes a gradual functional decline, a phenomenon termed "immunosenescence". This decline is characterized by a reduction in proliferative naïve B- and T cells, decreased B- and T cell receptor repertoire and a pro-inflammatory senescence associated secretory profile. Furthermore, aging affects germinal center responses and deteriorates secondary lymphoid organ function and structure, leading to impaired T-B cell dynamics and increased autoantibody production. In this review, we will dissect the impact of aging on adaptive immunity and the role played by age-associated B- and T cells in atherosclerosis pathogenesis, emphasizing the need for interventions that target age-related immune dysfunction to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda C. Foks
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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Gong M, Choi SC, Park YP, Zou X, Elshikha AS, Gerriets VA, Rathmell JC, Mohamazadeh M, Morel L. Transcriptional and metabolic programs promote the expansion of follicular helper T cells in lupus-prone mice. iScience 2023; 26:106774. [PMID: 37216123 PMCID: PMC10197114 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The expansion of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, which is tightly associated with the development of lupus, is reversed by the inhibition of either glycolysis or glutaminolysis in mice. Here we analyzed the gene expression and metabolome of Tfh cells and naive CD4+ T (Tn) cells in the B6.Sle1.Sle2.Sle3 (triple congenic, TC) mouse model of lupus and its congenic B6 control. Lupus genetic susceptibility in TC mice drives a gene expression signature starting in Tn cells and expanding in Tfh cells with enhanced signaling and effector programs. Metabolically, TC Tn and Tfh cells showed multiple defective mitochondrial functions. TC Tfh cells also showed specific anabolic programs including enhanced glutamate metabolism, malate-aspartate shuttle, and ammonia recycling, as well as altered dynamics of amino acid content and their transporters. Thus, our study has revealed specific metabolic programs that can be targeted to specifically limit the expansion of pathogenic Tfh cells in lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghao Gong
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Seung-Chul Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Yuk Pheel Park
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Xueyang Zou
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ahmed S. Elshikha
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Valerie A. Gerriets
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Rathmell
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Mansour Mohamazadeh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Laurence Morel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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Dong L, He Y, Cao Y, Wang Y, Jia A, Wang Y, Yang Q, Li W, Bi Y, Liu G. Functional differentiation and regulation of follicular T helper cells in inflammation and autoimmunity. Immunology 2020; 163:19-32. [PMID: 33128768 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicular T helper (TFH ) cells are specialized T cells that support B cells, which are essential for humoral immunity. TFH cells express the transcription factor B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6), chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor (CXCR) 5, the surface receptors programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS), the cytokine IL-21 and other molecules. The activation, proliferation and differentiation of TFH cells are closely related to dynamic changes in cellular metabolism. In this review, we summarize the progress made in understanding the development and functional differentiation of TFH cells. Specifically, we focus on the regulatory mechanisms of TFH cell functional differentiation, including regulatory signalling pathways and the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of TFH cells. In addition, TFH cells are closely related to immune-associated diseases, including infections, autoimmune diseases and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Dong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying He
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yejin Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuexin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Anna Jia
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yufei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuli Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Wanjie Li
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yujing Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Guangwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Manion KP, Baglaenko Y, Chang NH, Talaei N, Wither JE. Impaired B cell anergy is not sufficient to breach tolerance to nuclear antigen in Vκ8/3H9 lupus-prone mice. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236664. [PMID: 32722684 PMCID: PMC7386585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe autoimmune disease in which immune tolerance defects drive production of pathogenic anti-nuclear autoantibodies. Anergic B cells are considered a potential source of these autoantibodies due to their autoreactivity and overrepresentation in SLE patients. Studies of lupus-prone mice have shown that genetic defects mediating autoimmunity can breach B cell anergy, but how this breach occurs with regards to endogenous nuclear antigen remains unclear. We investigated whether B and T cell defects in congenic mice (c1) derived from the lupus-prone New Zealand Black strain can breach tolerance to nuclear self-antigen in the presence of knock-in genes (Vκ8/3H9; dKI) that generate a ssDNA-reactive, anergic B cell population. Methods Flow cytometry was used to assess splenic B and T cells from 8-month-old c1 dKI mice and serum autoantibodies were measured by ELISA. dKI B cells stimulated in vitro with anti-IgM were assessed for proliferation and activation by examining CFSE decay and CD86. Cytokine-producing T cells were identified by flow cytometry following culture of dKI splenocytes with PMA and ionomycin. dKI B cells from 6-8-week-old mice were adoptively transferred into 4-month-old wild type recipients and assessed after 7 days via flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. Results c1 dKI mice exhibited B cell proliferation indicative of impaired anergy, but had attenuated autoantibodies and germinal centres compared to wild type littermates. This attenuation appeared to stem from a decrease in PD-1hi T helper cells in the dKI strains, as c1 dKI B cells were recruited to germinal centres when adoptively transferred into c1 wild type mice. Conclusion Anergic, DNA-specific autoreactive B cells only seem to drive profound autoimmunity in the presence of concomitant defects in the T cell subsets that support high-affinity plasma cell production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran P. Manion
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yuriy Baglaenko
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nan-Hua Chang
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nafiseh Talaei
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joan E. Wither
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Rheumatology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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6
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Wang N, Yigit B, van der Poel CE, Cuenca M, Carroll MC, Herzog RW, Engel P, Terhorst C. The Checkpoint Regulator SLAMF3 Preferentially Prevents Expansion of Auto-Reactive B Cells Generated by Graft-vs.-Host Disease. Front Immunol 2019; 10:831. [PMID: 31057553 PMCID: PMC6482334 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Absence of the mouse cell surface receptor SLAMF3 in SLAMF3-/- mice suggested that this receptor negatively regulates B cell homeostasis by modulating activation thresholds of B cell subsets. Here, we examine whether anti-SLAMF3 affects both B and T cell subsets during immune responses to haptenated ovalbumin [NP-OVA] and in the setting of chronic graft vs. host disease (cGVHD) induced by transferring B6.C-H2bm12/KhEg (bm12) CD4+ T cells into B6 WT mice. We find that administering αSLAMF3 to NP-OVA immunized B6 mice primarily impairs antibody responses and Germinal center B cell [GC B] numbers, whilst CXCR5+, PD-1+, and ICOS+ T follicular helper (TFH) cells are not significantly affected. By contrast, administering αSLAMF3 markedly enhanced autoantibody production upon induction of cGVHD by the transfer of bm12 CD4+ T cells into B6 recipients. Surprisingly, αSLAMF3 accelerated both the differentiation of GC B and donor-derived TFH cells initiated by cGVHD. The latter appeared to be induced by decreased numbers of donor-derived Treg and T follicular regulatory (TFR) cells. Collectively, these data show that control of anti-SLAMF3-induced signaling is requisite to prevent autoantibody responses during cGVHD, but reduces responses to foreign antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninghai Wang
- Division of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Burcu Yigit
- Division of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Cees E van der Poel
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marta Cuenca
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Michael C Carroll
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Pablo Engel
- Immunology Unit, Department of Cell Biology, Immunology and Neurosciences, Medical School, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
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7
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Yigit B, Wang N, Herzog RW, Terhorst C. SLAMF6 in health and disease: Implications for therapeutic targeting. Clin Immunol 2018; 204:3-13. [PMID: 30366106 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Yigit
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ninghai Wang
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The complexity and heterogeneity of the clinical presentation in systemic lupus of erythematosus (SLE), combined to the inherent limitations of clinical research, have made it difficult to investigate the cause of this disease directly in patients. Various mouse models have been developed to dissect the cellular and genetic mechanisms of SLE, as well as to identify therapeutic targets and to screen treatments. The purpose of this review is to summarize the major spontaneous and induced mouse models of SLE and to provide an update on the major advances they have contributed to the field. RECENT FINDINGS Mouse models of SLE have continued to contribute to understand the cellular, signaling and metabolic mechanisms contributing to the disease and how targeting these pathways can provide therapeutic targets. Whenever possible, we discuss the advantage of using one model over the others to test a specific hypothesis. SUMMARY Spontaneous and induced models of lupus models are useful tools for the study of the cause of the disease, identify therapeutic targets and screen treatments in preclinical studies. Each model shares specific subsets of attributes with the disease observed in humans, which provides investigators a tool to tailor to their specific needs.
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Yang G, Yang X, Zhang J, Li G, Zheng D, Peng A, Hu J, Xu L, Yang B, Yang H, Zhou W, Tuzun E, Li J. Transcriptional repressor Blimp1 regulates follicular regulatory T-cell homeostasis and function. Immunology 2017; 153:105-117. [PMID: 28833081 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The B-lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp1) regulates T-cell homeostasis and function. Loss of Blimp1 could double the proportion of follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells. However, the effects that Blimp1 may have on the function of Tfr cells remain unknown. Here we document the function for Blimp1 in Tfr cells in vitro and in vivo. Data presented in this study demonstrate that Tfr cells indirectly inhibit the activation and differentiation of B cells by negatively regulating follicular helper T cells, so lowering the secretion of antibody. Lack of Blimp1 makes the immune suppression function of Tfr cells impaired in vitro. In the in vivo study, adoptive transfer of Tfr cells could reduce immune responses in germinal centres and relieve the muscle weakness symptoms of mice with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Blimp1 deficiency resulted in reduced suppressive ability of Tfr cells. This study identifies that Tfr cells are potent suppressors of immunity and are controlled by Blimp1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaosu Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junmei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guancheng Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dandan Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Anjiao Peng
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jue Hu
- Department of Neurology, Changsha Central Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Liqun Xu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Baifeng Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenbin Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Erdem Tuzun
- Department of Neurology, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Tsokos GC, Lo MS, Costa Reis P, Sullivan KE. New insights into the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2017; 12:716-730. [PMID: 27872476 DOI: 10.1038/nrrheum.2016.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 762] [Impact Index Per Article: 108.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The aetiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is multifactorial, and includes contributions from the environment, stochastic factors, and genetic susceptibility. Great gains have been made in understanding SLE through the use of genetic variant identification, mouse models, gene expression studies, and epigenetic analyses. Collectively, these studies support the concept that defective clearance of immune complexes and biological waste (such as apoptotic cells), neutrophil extracellular traps, nucleic acid sensing, lymphocyte signalling, and interferon production pathways are all central to loss of tolerance and tissue damage. Increased understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE is driving a renewed interest in targeted therapy, and researchers are now on the verge of developing targeted immunotherapy directed at treating either specific organ system involvement or specific subsets of patients with SLE. Accordingly, this Review places these insights within the context of our current understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE and highlights pathways that are ripe for therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C Tsokos
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 110 Francis Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Mindy S Lo
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Patricia Costa Reis
- Department of Pediatrics, Lisbon Medical School, Lisbon University, Santa Maria Hospital, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-035 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Kathleen E Sullivan
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Haskett S, Ding J, Zhang W, Thai A, Cullen P, Xu S, Petersen B, Kuznetsov G, Jandreski L, Hamann S, Reynolds TL, Allaire N, Zheng TS, Mingueneau M. Identification of Novel CD4+ T Cell Subsets in the Target Tissue of Sjögren's Syndrome and Their Differential Regulation by the Lymphotoxin/LIGHT Signaling Axis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 197:3806-3819. [PMID: 27815440 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite being one of the most common rheumatologic diseases, there is still no disease-modifying drug for primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Advancing our knowledge of the target tissue has been limited by the low dimensionality of histology techniques and the small size of human salivary gland biopsies. In this study, we took advantage of a molecularly validated mouse model of pSS to characterize tissue-infiltrating CD4+ T cells and their regulation by the lymphotoxin/LIGHT signaling axis. Novel cell subsets were identified by combining highly dimensional flow and mass cytometry with transcriptomic analyses. Pharmacologic modulation of the LTβR signaling pathway was achieved by treating mice with LTβR-Ig, a therapeutic intervention currently being tested in pSS patients (Baminercept trial NCT01552681). Using these approaches, we identified two novel CD4+ T cell subsets characterized by high levels of PD1: Prdm1+ effector regulatory T cells expressing immunoregulatory factors, such as Il10, Areg, Fgl2, and Itgb8, and Il21+ effector conventional T cells expressing a pathogenic transcriptional signature. Mirroring these observations in mice, large numbers of CD4+PD1+ T cells were detected in salivary glands from Sjögren's patients but not in normal salivary glands or kidney biopsies from lupus nephritis patients. Unexpectedly, LTβR-Ig selectively halted the recruitment of PD1- naive, but not PD1+, effector T cells to the target tissue, leaving the cells with pathogenic potential unaffected. Altogether, this study revealed new cellular players in pSS pathogenesis, their transcriptional signatures, and differential dependency on the lymphotoxin/LIGHT signaling axis that help to interpret the negative results of the Baminercept trial and will guide future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jian Ding
- Immunology Research, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Wei Zhang
- Immunology Research, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Alice Thai
- Immunology Research, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | | | - Shanqin Xu
- Immunology Research, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Norm Allaire
- Immunology Research, Biogen, Cambridge, MA 02142
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Chevalier N, Macia L, Tan JK, Mason LJ, Robert R, Thorburn AN, Wong CHY, Tsai LM, Bourne K, Brink R, Yu D, Mackay CR. The Role of Follicular Helper T Cell Molecules and Environmental Influences in Autoantibody Production and Progression to Inflammatory Arthritis in Mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2016; 68:1026-38. [PMID: 26501485 DOI: 10.1002/art.39481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Antibody-mediated autoimmunity involves cognate interactions between self-reactive T cells and B cells during germinal center (GC) reactions. The aim of this study was to determine the role of essential follicular helper T (Tfh) cell molecules (CXCR5, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein) on autoreactive CD4+ cells and the role of certain environmental influences that may determine GC-driven autoantibody production and arthritis development. METHODS We transferred self-reactive CD4+ cells from KRN-Tg mice into recipient mice, which induced autoantibodies and autoinflammatory arthritis. This model allowed manipulation of environmental effects, such as inflammation, and use of transferred cells that were genetically deficient in important Tfh cell-associated molecules. RESULTS A deficiency of signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein (SAP) in CD4+ cells from KRN-Tg mice completely protected against arthritis, indicating that stable T cell-B cell interactions are required for GC formation, autoantibody production, and arthritis induction. In contrast, a CXCR5 deficiency in CD4+ cells from KRN-Tg mice still induced disease when these cells were transferred into wild-type mice, suggesting that T cell help for B cells could rely on other migration mechanisms. However, various manipulations influenced this system, including elimination of bystander effects through use of CD28(-/-) recipient mice (reduced disease) or use of inflammation-inducing Freund's complete adjuvant (progression to arthritis). We also examined the capacity of preexisting GCs with a nonautoimmune specificity to co-opt autoimmune T cells and observed no evidence for any influence. CONCLUSION In addition to the quality and quantity of cognate CD4+ cell help, external factors such as inflammation and noncognate CD4+ cell bystander activation trigger autoimmunity by shaping events within autoimmune GC responses. SAP is an essential molecule for autoimmune antibody production, whereas the importance of CXCR5 varies depending on the circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Chevalier
- University Medical Centre Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laurence Macia
- Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jian K Tan
- Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Linda J Mason
- Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Remy Robert
- Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Connie H Y Wong
- Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louis M Tsai
- Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine Bourne
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert Brink
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Di Yu
- Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charles R Mackay
- Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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13
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Wang N, Keszei M, Halibozek P, Yigit B, Engel P, Terhorst C. Slamf6 negatively regulates autoimmunity. Clin Immunol 2016; 173:19-26. [PMID: 27368806 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2016.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The nine SLAM family (Slamf) receptors are positive or negative regulators of adaptive and innate immune responses, and of several autoimmune diseases. Here we report that the transfer of Slamf6-/- B6 CD4+ T cells into co-isogenic bm12 mice causes SLE-like autoimmunity with elevated levels of autoantibodies. In addition, significantly higher percentages of Tfh cells and IFN-γ-producing CD4+ cells, as well as GC B cells were observed. Interestingly, the expression of the Slamf6-H1 isoform in Slamf6-/- CD4+ T cells did not induce this lupus-like phenotype. By contrast, Slamf1-/- or Slamf5-/- CD4+ T cells caused the same pathology as WT CD4+ T cells. As the transfer of Slamf [1+6]-/- or Slamf [1+5+6]-/- CD4+ T cells induced WT levels of autoantibodies, the presence of Slamf1 was requisite for the induction of increased levels of autoantibodies by Slamf6-/- CD4+ T cells. We conclude that Slamf6 functions as an inhibitory receptor that controls autoimmune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninghai Wang
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Marton Keszei
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter Halibozek
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Burcu Yigit
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pablo Engel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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14
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Karampetsou MP, Comte D, Kis-Toth K, Terhorst C, Kyttaris VC, Tsokos GC. Decreased SAP Expression in T Cells from Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Contributes to Early Signaling Abnormalities and Reduced IL-2 Production. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 196:4915-24. [PMID: 27183584 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1501523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) display a number of abnormalities, including increased early signaling events following engagement of the TCR. Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family cell surface receptors and the X-chromosome-defined signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein (SAP) adaptor are important in the development of several immunocyte lineages and modulating the immune response. We present evidence that SAP protein levels are decreased in T cells and in their main subsets isolated from 32 women and three men with SLE, independent of disease activity. In SLE T cells, SAP protein is also subject to increased degradation by caspase-3. Forced expression of SAP in SLE T cells normalized IL-2 production, calcium (Ca(2+)) responses, and tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of proteins. Exposure of normal T cells to SLE serum IgG, known to contain anti-CD3/TCR Abs, resulted in SAP downregulation. We conclude that SLE T cells display reduced levels of the adaptor protein SAP, probably as a result of continuous T cell activation and degradation by caspase-3. Restoration of SAP levels in SLE T cells corrects the overexcitable lupus T cell phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria P Karampetsou
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Denis Comte
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215; Service d'Immunologie et Allergie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, CH 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; and
| | - Katalin Kis-Toth
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Vasileios C Kyttaris
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - George C Tsokos
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215;
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15
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Talaei N, Yu T, Manion K, Bremner R, Wither JE. Identification of the SLAM Adapter Molecule EAT-2 as a Lupus-Susceptibility Gene That Acts through Impaired Negative Regulation of Dendritic Cell Signaling. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:4623-31. [PMID: 26432891 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
We showed previously that C57BL/6 congenic mice with an introgressed homozygous 70 cM (125.6 Mb) to 100 cM (179.8 Mb) interval on c1 from the lupus-prone New Zealand Black (NZB) mouse develop high titers of antinuclear Abs and severe glomerulonephritis. Using subcongenic mice, we found that a genetic locus in the 88-96 cM region was associated with altered dendritic cell (DC) function and synergized with T cell functional defects to promote expansion of pathogenic proinflammatory T cell subsets. In this article, we show that the promoter region of the NZB gene encoding the SLAM signaling pathway adapter molecule EWS-activated transcript 2 (EAT-2) is polymorphic, which results in an ∼ 70% reduction in EAT-2 in DC. Silencing of the EAT-2 gene in DC that lacked this polymorphism led to increased production of IL-12 and enhanced differentiation of T cells to a Th1 phenotype in T cell-DC cocultures, reproducing the phenotype observed for DC from congenic mice with the NZB c1 70-100 cM interval. SLAM signaling was shown to inhibit production of IL-12 by CD40L-activated DCs. Consistent with a role for EAT-2 in this inhibition, knockdown of EAT-2 resulted in increased production of IL-12 by CD40-stimulated DC. Assessment of downstream signaling following CD40 cross-linking in the presence or absence of SLAM cross-linking revealed that SLAM coengagement blocked activation of p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways in DC, which was reversed in DC with the NZB EAT-2 allele. We conclude that EAT-2 negatively regulates cytokine production in DC downstream of SLAM engagement and that a genetic polymorphism that disturbs this process promotes the development of lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Talaei
- Arthritis Centre of Excellence, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Tao Yu
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Kieran Manion
- Arthritis Centre of Excellence, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Rod Bremner
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada; and
| | - Joan E Wither
- Arthritis Centre of Excellence, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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16
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Tahir S, Fukushima Y, Sakamoto K, Sato K, Fujita H, Inoue J, Uede T, Hamazaki Y, Hattori M, Minato N. A CD153+CD4+ T Follicular Cell Population with Cell-Senescence Features Plays a Crucial Role in Lupus Pathogenesis via Osteopontin Production. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:5725-35. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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17
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Wong EB, Soni C, Chan AY, Domeier PP, Shwetank, Abraham T, Limaye N, Khan TN, Elias MJ, Chodisetti SB, Wakeland EK, Rahman ZSM. B cell-intrinsic CD84 and Ly108 maintain germinal center B cell tolerance. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:4130-43. [PMID: 25801429 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1403023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Signaling lymphocyte activation molecules (SLAMs) play an integral role in immune regulation. Polymorphisms in the SLAM family receptors are implicated in human and mouse model of lupus disease. The lupus-associated, somatically mutated, and class-switched pathogenic autoantibodies are generated in spontaneously developed germinal centers (GCs) in secondary lymphoid organs. The role and mechanism of B cell-intrinsic expression of polymorphic SLAM receptors that affect B cell tolerance at the GC checkpoint are not clear. In this study, we generated several bacterial artificial chromosome-transgenic mice that overexpress C57BL/6 (B6) alleles of different SLAM family genes on an autoimmune-prone B6.Sle1b background. B6.Sle1b mice overexpressing B6-derived Ly108 and CD84 exhibit a significant reduction in the spontaneously developed GC response and autoantibody production compared with B6.Sle1b mice. These data suggest a prominent role for Sle1b-derived Ly108 and CD84 in altering the GC checkpoint. We further confirm that expression of lupus-associated CD84 and Ly108 specifically on GC B cells in B6.Sle1b mice is sufficient to break B cell tolerance, leading to an increase in autoantibody production. In addition, we observe that B6.Sle1b B cells have reduced BCR signaling and a lower frequency of B cell-T cell conjugates; the reverse is seen in B6.Sle1b mice overexpressing B6 alleles of CD84 and Ly108. Finally, we find a significant decrease in apoptotic GC B cells in B6.Sle1b mice compared with B6 controls. Our study establishes a central role for GC B cell-specific CD84 and Ly108 expression in maintaining B cell tolerance in GCs and in preventing autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric B Wong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033
| | - Chetna Soni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033
| | - Alice Y Chan
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390; and
| | - Phillip P Domeier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033
| | - Shwetank
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033
| | - Thomas Abraham
- Department of Research Resources, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033
| | - Nisha Limaye
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390; and
| | - Tahsin N Khan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033
| | - Melinda J Elias
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033
| | - Sathi Babu Chodisetti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033
| | - Edward K Wakeland
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390; and
| | - Ziaur S M Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033;
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18
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The osteopontin transgenic mouse is a new model for Sjögren's syndrome. Clin Immunol 2015; 157:30-42. [PMID: 25572532 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2014.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Revised: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Osteopontin (Opn) is a cytokine involved in both physiological and pathological processes, and is elevated in many autoimmune diseases. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease with a strong female predilection characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands. We hypothesized that Opn contributes to SS pathogenesis. We examined an established SS model and found increased Opn locally and systemically. Next, we examined Opn transgenic (Opn Tg) mice for evidence of SS. Opn Tg animals exhibited lymphocytic infiltration of salivary and lacrimal glands, and Opn co-localized with the infiltrates. Moreover, saliva production was reduced, and SS autoantibodies were observed in the serum of these mice. Finally, female Opn Tg mice showed more severe disease compared to males. Taken together, these data support a role for Opn in SS pathogenesis. We identify a new model of spontaneous SS that recapitulates the human disease in terms of sex predilection, histopathology, salivary deficits, and autoantibodies.
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19
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Ding Y, Li J, Yang P, Luo B, Wu Q, Zajac AJ, Wildner O, Hsu HC, Mountz JD. Interleukin-21 promotes germinal center reaction by skewing the follicular regulatory T cell to follicular helper T cell balance in autoimmune BXD2 mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2014; 66:2601-12. [PMID: 24909430 DOI: 10.1002/art.38735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells act as the regulatory counterpart of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells to suppress germinal center (GC) B cell differentiation. We recently showed that interleukin-21 (IL-21) promoted Tfh cell differentiation in autoimmune BXD2 mice that develop spontaneous GCs. This study was undertaken to determine the modulatory effects of IL-21 on Tfr cells and the Tfr cell to Tfh cell balance in BXD2 mice. METHODS The percentage and phenotype of Tfr cells were determined in BXD2 and BXD2-IL21(-/-) mice. The effects of IL-21 on Tfr cells and the Tfr cell:Tfh cell ratio were evaluated. Sorted Tfr cells from BXD2-IL21(-/-) mice were cocultured with Tfh cells and B cells, or transferred into BXD2 mice to determine their function. RESULTS The percentages and numbers of GC B cells and Tfh cells were significantly reduced, but the percentage of Tfr cells was 2-fold higher in BXD2-IL21(-/-) mice than in wild-type BXD2 mice. Administration of AdIL-21 to BXD2-IL21(-/-) mice decreased the percentages and numbers of Tfr cells and the Tfr cell:Tfh cell ratio but increased the number of GC B cells in the spleen. Recombinant murine IL-21 suppressed FoxP3 and significantly reduced Tgfb1, Il2, and Gitr but enhanced Il21, Il6, Pd1, Cxcr5, and Icos expression in Tfr cells. IL-21 also counteracted Tfr cell-mediated inhibition of antibody secretion in the Tfh cell-B cell coculture system. Transfer of Tfr cells into young BXD2 mice reduced GC size and decreased the numbers of autoantibody-producing B cells. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that high levels of IL-21 selectively enhance Tfh cell differentiation but inhibit Tfr cell commitment and the suppressive function of Tfr cells on Tfh cells and B cells, suggesting that IL-21 skews the balance from Tfr cells to Tfh cells to promote autoreactive GC reactions in BXD2 mice.
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20
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Talaei N, Cheung YH, Landolt-Marticorena C, Noamani B, Li T, Wither JE. T cell and dendritic cell abnormalities synergize to expand pro-inflammatory T cell subsets leading to fatal autoimmunity in B6.NZBc1 lupus-prone mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75166. [PMID: 24073245 PMCID: PMC3779178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that B6 congenic mice with a New Zealand Black chromosome 1 (c1) 96-100 cM interval produce anti-nuclear Abs and that at least two additional genetic loci are required to convert this subclinical disease to fatal glomerulonephritis in mice with a c1 70-100 cM interval (c1(70-100)). Here we show that the number of T follicular helper and IL-21-, IFN-γ-, and IL-17-secreting CD4(+) T cells parallels disease severity and the number of susceptibility loci in these mice. Immunization of pre-autoimmune mice with OVA recapitulated these differences. Differentiation of naïve T cells in-vitro under polarizing conditions and in-vivo following adoptive transfer of OVA-specific TCR transgenic cells into c1(70-100) or B6 recipient mice, revealed T cell functional defects leading to increased differentiation of IFN-γ- and IL-17-producing cells in the 96-100 cM and 88-96 cM intervals, respectively. However, in-vivo enhanced differentiation of pro-inflammatory T cell subsets was predominantly restricted to c1(70-100) recipient mice, which demonstrated altered dendritic cell function, with increased production of IL-6 and IL-12. The data provide support for the role of pro-inflammatory T cells in the conversion of subclinical disease to fatal autoimmunity and highlight the importance of synergistic interactions between individual susceptibility loci in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Talaei
- Arthritis Centre of Excellence, Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yui-Ho Cheung
- Arthritis Centre of Excellence, Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carolina Landolt-Marticorena
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Rheumatology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Babak Noamani
- Arthritis Centre of Excellence, Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy Li
- Arthritis Centre of Excellence, Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joan E. Wither
- Arthritis Centre of Excellence, Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Rheumatology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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