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Belean A, Xue E, Cisneros B, Roberson EDO, Paley MA, Bigley TM. Transcriptomic profiling of thymic dysregulation and viral tropism after neonatal roseolovirus infection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1375508. [PMID: 38895117 PMCID: PMC11183875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1375508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Herpesviruses, including the roseoloviruses, have been linked to autoimmune disease. The ubiquitous and chronic nature of these infections have made it difficult to establish a causal relationship between acute infection and subsequent development of autoimmunity. We have shown that murine roseolovirus (MRV), which is highly related to human roseoloviruses, induces thymic atrophy and disruption of central tolerance after neonatal infection. Moreover, neonatal MRV infection results in development of autoimmunity in adult mice, long after resolution of acute infection. This suggests that MRV induces durable immune dysregulation. Methods In the current studies, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) to study the tropism of MRV in the thymus and determine cellular processes in the thymus that were disrupted by neonatal MRV infection. We then utilized tropism data to establish a cell culture system. Results Herein, we describe how MRV alters the thymic transcriptome during acute neonatal infection. We found that MRV infection resulted in major shifts in inflammatory, differentiation and cell cycle pathways in the infected thymus. We also observed shifts in the relative number of specific cell populations. Moreover, utilizing expression of late viral transcripts as a proxy of viral replication, we identified the cellular tropism of MRV in the thymus. This approach demonstrated that double negative, double positive, and CD4 single positive thymocytes, as well as medullary thymic epithelial cells were infected by MRV in vivo. Finally, by applying pseudotime analysis to viral transcripts, which we refer to as "pseudokinetics," we identified viral gene transcription patterns associated with specific cell types and infection status. We utilized this information to establish the first cell culture systems susceptible to MRV infection in vitro. Conclusion Our research provides the first complete picture of roseolovirus tropism in the thymus after neonatal infection. Additionally, we identified major transcriptomic alterations in cell populations in the thymus during acute neonatal MRV infection. These studies offer important insight into the early events that occur after neonatal MRV infection that disrupt central tolerance and promote autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Belean
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Eden Xue
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Benjamin Cisneros
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Elisha D. O. Roberson
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Michael A. Paley
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Tarin M. Bigley
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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2
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Alrufaidi AM, Alnashery MM, Alghanimi AA, Elmansor REA, Ghazy RM. An uncommon presentation of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS-1)-A case report. Clin Case Rep 2024; 12:e9015. [PMID: 38808199 PMCID: PMC11130226 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.9015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Key Clinical Message Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is a rare disorder defined by the presence of at least two of the following conditions: chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC), chronic hypoparathyroidism, and Addison's syndrome. Despite the lack of CMC and autoimmune history, APS-1 can be diagnosed using genetic testing. We present the case of a 28-year-old female patient with a history of hypocalcemia due to hypoparathyroidism since the age of 2 years. She presented to the endocrine clinic with hypogonadism, primary amenorrhea, and primary ovarian insufficiency. Addison's disease was eventually diagnosed, despite a negative Synacthen test. The adrenal crisis required intravenous hydrocortisone therapy. No CMC was documented, and there was no family history of such conditions. The diagnosis of APS-1 was confirmed by genetic testing, revealing homozygous pathogenic variants of the autoimmune regulator gene. Management included oral calcium and calcitriol and oral hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone for Addison's disease. Hormonal induction of secondary sexual characteristics was initiated. The patient received combined oral estrogen and progesterone pills. This case highlights the critical significance of early recognition, thorough evaluation, and tailored treatment for patients with APS-1 to enhance their quality of life and mitigate potentially life-threatening complications. This underscores the importance of screening for associated minor autoimmune diseases as part of a holistic approach to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali M. Alrufaidi
- Endocrinology DepartmentAl‐Qunfudhdh General HospitalMakkahSaudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
- Family and Community Medicine DepartmentCollege of Medicine, King Khalid UniversityAbhaSaudi Arabia
- Tropical Health DepartmentHigh Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityAlexandriaEgypt
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3
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Shirafkan F, Hensel L, Rattay K. Immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases essentially depend on thymic tissue homeostasis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1339714. [PMID: 38571951 PMCID: PMC10987875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339714] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate balance of immune reactions towards invading pathogens and immune tolerance towards self is pivotal in preventing autoimmune diseases, with the thymus playing a central role in establishing and maintaining this equilibrium. The induction of central immune tolerance in the thymus involves the elimination of self-reactive T cells, a mechanism essential for averting autoimmunity. Disruption of the thymic T cell selection mechanisms can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. In the dynamic microenvironment of the thymus, T cell migration and interactions with thymic stromal cells are critical for the selection processes that ensure self-tolerance. Thymic epithelial cells are particularly significant in this context, presenting self-antigens and inducing the negative selection of autoreactive T cells. Further, the synergistic roles of thymic fibroblasts, B cells, and dendritic cells in antigen presentation, selection and the development of regulatory T cells are pivotal in maintaining immune responses tightly regulated. This review article collates these insights, offering a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the establishment of immune tolerance and its implications in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the developmental pathways of the thymus are explored, highlighting how genetic aberrations can disrupt thymic architecture and function, leading to autoimmune conditions. The impact of infections on immune tolerance is another critical area, with pathogens potentially triggering autoimmunity by altering thymic homeostasis. Overall, this review underscores the integral role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the prevention of autoimmune diseases, discussing insights into potential therapeutic strategies and examining putative avenues for future research on developing thymic-based therapies in treating and preventing autoimmune conditions.
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Miccoli A, Pianese V, Bidoli C, Fausto AM, Scapigliati G, Picchietti S. Transcriptome profiling of microdissected cortex and medulla unravels functional regionalization in the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax thymus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 145:109319. [PMID: 38145782 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.109319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a sophisticated primary lymphoid organ in jawed vertebrates, but knowledge on teleost thymus remains scarce. In this study, for the first time in the European sea bass, laser capture microdissection was leveraged to collect two thymic regions based on histological features, namely the cortex and the medulla. The two regions were then processed by RNAseq and in-depth functional transcriptome analyses with the aim of revealing differential gene expression patterns and gene sets enrichments, ultimately unraveling unique microenvironments imperative for the development of functional T cells. The sea bass cortex emerged as a hub of T cell commitment, somatic recombination, chromatin remodeling, cell cycle regulation, and presentation of self antigens from autophagy-, proteasome- or proteases-processed proteins. The cortex therefore accommodated extensive thymocyte proliferation and differentiation up to the checkpoint of positive selection. The medulla instead appeared as the center stage in autoimmune regulation by negative selection and deletion of autoreactive T cells, central tolerance mechanisms and extracellular matrix organization. Region-specific canonical markers of T and non-T lineage cells as well as signals for migration to/from, and trafficking within, the thymus were identified, shedding light on the highly coordinated and exquisitely complex bi-directional interactions among thymocytes and stromal components. Markers ascribable to thymic nurse cells and poorly characterized post-aire mTEC populations were found in the cortex and medulla, respectively. An in-depth data mining also exposed previously un-annotated genomic resources with differential signatures. Overall, our findings contribute to a broader understanding of the relationship between regional organization and function in the European sea bass thymus, and provide essential insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying T-cell mediated adaptive immune responses in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Miccoli
- National Research Council, Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - V Pianese
- Dept. for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Largo Dell'Università Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - C Bidoli
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - A M Fausto
- Dept. for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Largo Dell'Università Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - G Scapigliati
- Dept. for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Largo Dell'Università Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - S Picchietti
- Dept. for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Largo Dell'Università Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
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Uccella S, Dottermusch M, Erickson L, Warmbier J, Montone K, Saeger W. Inflammatory and Infectious Disorders in Endocrine Pathology. Endocr Pathol 2023; 34:406-436. [PMID: 37209390 PMCID: PMC10199304 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-023-09771-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A variety of inflammatory conditions may directly involve the endocrine glands, leading to endocrine dysfunction that can cause severe consequences on patients' health, if left untreated. Inflammation of the endocrine system may be caused by either infectious agents or other mechanisms, including autoimmune and other immune-mediated processes. Not infrequently, inflammatory and infectious diseases may appear as tumor-like lesions of endocrine organs and simulate neoplastic processes. These diseases may be clinically under-recognized and not infrequently the diagnosis is suggested on pathological samples. Thus, the pathologist should be aware of the basic principles of their pathogenesis, as well as of their morphological features, clinicopathological correlates, and differential diagnosis. Interestingly, several systemic inflammatory conditions show a peculiar tropism to the endocrine system as a whole. In turn, organ-specific inflammatory disorders are observed in endocrine glands. This review will focus on the morphological aspects and clinicopathological features of infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, drug-induced inflammatory reactions, IgG4-related disease, and other inflammatory disorders involving the endocrine system. A mixed entity-based and organ-based approach will be used, with the aim to provide the practicing pathologist with a comprehensive and practical guide to the diagnosis of infectious and inflammatory disorders of the endocrine system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Uccella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanule, Milan, Italy
- Pathology Service IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Matthias Dottermusch
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lori Erickson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN USA
| | - Julia Warmbier
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kathleen Montone
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Wolfgang Saeger
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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6
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Oftedal BE, Berger AH, Bruserud Ø, Goldfarb Y, Sulen A, Breivik L, Hellesen A, Ben-Dor S, Haffner-Krausz R, Knappskog PM, Johansson S, Wolff AS, Bratland E, Abramson J, Husebye ES. A partial form of AIRE deficiency underlies a mild form of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e169704. [PMID: 37909333 PMCID: PMC10617782 DOI: 10.1172/jci169704] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Most patients present with severe chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and organ-specific autoimmunity from early childhood, but the clinical picture is highly variable. AIRE is crucial for negative selection of T cells, and scrutiny of different patient mutations has previously highlighted many of its molecular mechanisms. In patients with a milder adult-onset phenotype sharing a mutation in the canonical donor splice site of intron 7 (c.879+1G>A), both the predicted altered splicing pattern with loss of exon 7 (AireEx7-/-) and normal full-length AIRE mRNA were found, indicating leaky rather than abolished mRNA splicing. Analysis of a corresponding mouse model demonstrated that the AireEx7-/- mutant had dramatically impaired transcriptional capacity of tissue-specific antigens in medullary thymic epithelial cells but still retained some ability to induce gene expression compared with the complete loss-of-function AireC313X-/- mutant. Our data illustrate an association between AIRE activity and the severity of autoimmune disease, with implications for more common autoimmune diseases associated with AIRE variants, such as primary adrenal insufficiency, pernicious anemia, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bergithe Eikeland Oftedal
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine and
| | - Amund Holte Berger
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Øyvind Bruserud
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine and
| | - Yael Goldfarb
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Andre Sulen
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Breivik
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine and
| | - Alexander Hellesen
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Shifra Ben-Dor
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities and
| | | | - Per M. Knappskog
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stefan Johansson
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anette S.B. Wolff
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine and
| | - Eirik Bratland
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eystein Sverre Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine and
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7
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Bosselut R. A Beginner's Guide to T Cell Development. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2580:3-24. [PMID: 36374448 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2740-2_1] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
T lymphocytes (T cells) are essential components of the adaptive immune system; they serve multiple functions in responses to pathogens and to ensure immune homeostasis. Written for readers first entering this field of study, this chapter is a brief overview of the development of T cells in the thymus, from the entry of thymus-settling bone marrow-derived precursors to the egress of mature T cells. Surveyed topics include the differentiation and expansion of early precursors, the generation of the T cell antigen receptor repertoire, the selection of αβ T cell precursors, and their acquisition of functional competency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémy Bosselut
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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8
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Savino W, Durães J, Maldonado-Galdeano C, Perdigon G, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Cuervo P. Thymus, undernutrition, and infection: Approaching cellular and molecular interactions. Front Nutr 2022; 9:948488. [PMID: 36225882 PMCID: PMC9549110 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.948488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Undernutrition remains a major issue in global health. Low protein-energy consumption, results in stunting, wasting and/or underweight, three deleterious forms of malnutrition that affect roughly 200 million children under the age of five years. Undernutrition compromises the immune system with the generation of various degrees of immunodeficiency, which in turn, renders undernourished individuals more sensitive to acute infections. The severity of various infectious diseases including visceral leishmaniasis (VL), influenza, and tuberculosis is associated with undernutrition. Immunosuppression resulting from protein-energy undernutrition severely impacts primary and secondary lymphoid organs involved in the response to related pathogens. The thymus—a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation of T lymphocytes—is particularly compromised by both undernutrition and infectious diseases. In this respect, we will discuss herein various intrathymic cellular and molecular interactions seen in undernutrition alone or in combination with acute infections. Many examples illustrated in studies on humans and experimental animals clearly revealed that protein-related undernutrition causes thymic atrophy, with cortical thymocyte depletion. Moreover, the non-lymphoid microenvironmental compartment of the organ undergoes important changes in thymic epithelial cells, including their secretory products such as hormones and extracellular matrix proteins. Of note, deficiencies in vitamins and trace elements also induce thymic atrophy. Interestingly, among the molecular interactions involved in the control of undernutrition-induced thymic atrophy is a hormonal imbalance with a rise in glucocorticoids and a decrease in leptin serum levels. Undernutrition also yields a negative impact of acute infections upon the thymus, frequently with the intrathymic detection of pathogens or their antigens. For instance, undernourished mice infected with Leishmania infantum (that causes VL) undergo drastic thymic atrophy, with significant reduction in thymocyte numbers, and decreased levels of intrathymic chemokines and cytokines, indicating that both lymphoid and microenvironmental compartments of the organ are affected. Lastly, recent data revealed that some probiotic bacteria or probiotic fermented milks improve the thymus status in a model of malnutrition, thus raising a new field for investigation, namely the thymus-gut connection, indicating that probiotics can be envisioned as a further adjuvant therapy in the control of thymic changes in undernutrition accompanied or not by infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Wilson Savino, ,
| | - Jonathan Durães
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Maldonado-Galdeano
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Perdigon
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Patricia Cuervo, ,
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9
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Santos JC, Dametto M, Masson AP, Faça VM, Bonacin R, Donadi EA, Passos GA. The AIRE G228W mutation disturbs the interaction of AIRE with its partner molecule SIRT1. Front Immunol 2022; 13:948419. [PMID: 36148232 PMCID: PMC9485725 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.948419] [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: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator (AIRE) protein functions as a tetramer, interacting with partner proteins to form the “AIRE complex,” which relieves RNA Pol II stalling in the chromatin of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). AIRE is the primary mTEC transcriptional controller, promoting the expression of a large set of peripheral tissue antigen genes implicated in the negative selection of self-reactive thymocytes. Under normal conditions, the SIRT1 protein temporarily interacts with AIRE and deacetylates K residues of the AIRE SAND domain. Once the AIRE SAND domain is deacetylated, the binding with SIRT1 is undone, allowing the AIRE complex to proceed downstream with the RNA Pol II to the elongation phase of transcription. Considering that the in silico and in vitro binding of the AIRE SAND domain with SIRT1 provides a powerful model system for studying the dominant SAND G228W mutation mechanism, which causes the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome-1, we integrated computational molecular modeling, docking, dynamics between the whole SAND domain with SIRT1, and surface plasmon resonance using a peptide harboring the 211 to 230 residues of the SAND domain, to compare the structure and energetics of binding/release between AIRE G228 (wild-type) and W228 (mutant) SAND domain to SIRT1. We observed that the G228W mutation in the SAND domain negatively influences the AIRE-SIRT1 interaction. The disturbed interaction might cause a disruption in the binding of the AIRE SAND domain with the SIRT1 catalytic site, impairing the AIRE complex to proceed downstream with RNA Pol II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadson C. Santos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariangela Dametto
- Renato Archer Information Technology Center (CTI Brazil), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Masson
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Vitor M. Faça
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Bonacin
- Renato Archer Information Technology Center (CTI Brazil), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A. Donadi
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Geraldo Aleixo Passos,
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Benlaribi R, Gou Q, Takaba H. Thymic self-antigen expression for immune tolerance and surveillance. Inflamm Regen 2022; 42:28. [PMID: 36056452 PMCID: PMC9440513 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-022-00211-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are a group of lymphocytes that play a central role in the immune system, notably, eliminating pathogens and attacking cancer while being tolerant of the self. Elucidating how immune tolerance is ensured has become a significant research issue for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases as well as cancer immunity. T cell immune tolerance is established mainly in the thymic medulla by the removal of self-responsive T cells and the generation of regulatory T cells, this process depends mainly on the expression of a variety of tissue restricted antigens (TRAs) by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). The expression of TRAs is known to be regulated by at least two independent factors, Fezf2 and Aire, which play non-redundant and complementary roles by different mechanisms. In this review, we introduce the molecular logic of thymic self-antigen expression that underlies T cell selection for the prevention of autoimmunity and the establishment of immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayene Benlaribi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Qiao Gou
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takaba
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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11
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Bhalla P, Su DM, van Oers NSC. Thymus Functionality Needs More Than a Few TECs. Front Immunol 2022; 13:864777. [PMID: 35757725 PMCID: PMC9229346 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus, a primary lymphoid organ, produces the T cells of the immune system. Originating from the 3rd pharyngeal pouch during embryogenesis, this organ functions throughout life. Yet, thymopoiesis can be transiently or permanently damaged contingent on the types of systemic stresses encountered. The thymus also undergoes a functional decline during aging, resulting in a progressive reduction in naïve T cell output. This atrophy is evidenced by a deteriorating thymic microenvironment, including, but not limited, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions, fibrosis and adipogenesis. An exploration of cellular changes in the thymus at various stages of life, including mouse models of in-born errors of immunity and with single cell RNA sequencing, is revealing an expanding number of distinct cell types influencing thymus functions. The thymus microenvironment, established through interactions between immature and mature thymocytes with thymus epithelial cells (TEC), is well known. Less well appreciated are the contributions of neural crest cell-derived mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells, diverse hematopoietic cell populations, adipocytes, and fibroblasts in the thymic microenvironment. In the current review, we will explore the contributions of the many stromal cell types participating in the formation, expansion, and contraction of the thymus under normal and pathophysiological processes. Such information will better inform approaches for restoring thymus functionality, including thymus organoid technologies, beneficial when an individuals’ own tissue is congenitally, clinically, or accidentally rendered non-functional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha Bhalla
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Dong-Ming Su
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics, The University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Nicolai S C van Oers
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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12
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Tanaka PP, Oliveira EH, Vieira-Machado MC, Duarte MJ, Assis AF, Bombonato-Prado KF, Passos GA. miR-155 exerts posttranscriptional control of autoimmune regulator (Aire) and tissue-restricted antigen genes in medullary thymic epithelial cells. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:404. [PMID: 35643451 PMCID: PMC9145475 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08631-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene is critical for the appropriate establishment of central immune tolerance. As one of the main controllers of promiscuous gene expression in the thymus, Aire promotes the expression of thousands of downstream tissue-restricted antigen (TRA) genes, cell adhesion genes and transcription factor genes in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Despite the increasing knowledge about the role of Aire as an upstream transcriptional controller, little is known about the mechanisms by which this gene could be regulated. RESULTS Here, we assessed the posttranscriptional control of Aire by miRNAs. The in silico miRNA-mRNA interaction analysis predicted thermodynamically stable hybridization between the 3'UTR of Aire mRNA and miR-155, which was confirmed to occur within the cellular milieu through a luciferase reporter assay. This finding enabled us to hypothesize that miR-155 might play a role as an intracellular posttranscriptional regulator of Aire mRNA. To test this hypothesis, we transfected a murine mTEC cell line with a miR-155 mimic in vitro, which reduced the mRNA and protein levels of Aire. Moreover, large-scale transcriptome analysis showed the modulation of 311 downstream mRNAs, which included 58 TRA mRNAs. Moreover, miR-155 mimic-transfected cells exhibited a decrease in their chemotaxis property compared with control thymocytes. CONCLUSION Overall, the results indicate that miR-155 may posttranscriptionally control Aire mRNA, reducing the respective Aire protein levels; consequently, the levels of mRNAs encode tissue-restricted antigens were affected. In addition, miR-155 regulated a crucial process by which mTECs allow thymocytes' migration through chemotaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Paranhos Tanaka
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ernna Hérida Oliveira
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayara Cristina Vieira-Machado
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Max Jordan Duarte
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Freire Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Karina Fittipaldi Bombonato-Prado
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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13
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Monteleone-Cassiano AC, Dernowsek JA, Mascarenhas RS, Assis AF, Pitol D, Santos Moreira NC, Sakamoto-Hojo ET, Issa JPM, Donadi EA, Passos GA. The absence of the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE) impairs the three-dimensional structure of medullary thymic epithelial cell spheroids. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:15. [PMID: 35331137 PMCID: PMC8952272 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-022-00414-9] [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: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Besides controlling the expression of peripheral tissue antigens, the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene also regulates the expression of adhesion genes in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), an essential process for mTEC-thymocyte interaction for triggering the negative selection in the thymus. For these processes to occur, it is necessary that the medulla compartment forms an adequate three-dimensional (3D) architecture, preserving the thymic medulla. Previous studies have shown that AIRE knockout (KO) mice have a small and disorganized thymic medulla; however, whether AIRE influences the mTEC-mTEC interaction in the maintenance of the 3D structure has been little explored. Considering that AIRE controls cell adhesion genes, we hypothesized that this gene affects 3D mTEC-mTEC interaction. To test this, we constructed an in vitro model system for mTEC spheroid formation, in which cells adhere to each other, establishing a 3D structure. Results The comparisons between AIRE wild type (AIREWT) and AIRE KO (AIRE−/−) 3D mTEC spheroid formation showed that the absence of AIRE: i) disorganizes the 3D structure of mTEC spheroids, ii) increases the proportion of cells at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, iii) increases the rate of mTEC apoptosis, iv) decreases the strength of mTEC-mTEC adhesion, v) promotes a differential regulation of mTEC classical surface markers, and vi) modulates genes encoding adhesion and other molecules. Conclusions Overall, the results show that AIRE influences the 3D structuring of mTECs when these cells begin the spheroid formation through controlling cell adhesion genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Monteleone-Cassiano
- Program of Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Janaina A Dernowsek
- Institute for Energy and Nuclear Research, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Romario S Mascarenhas
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Amanda Freire Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Dimitrius Pitol
- Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Elza Tiemi Sakamoto-Hojo
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Mardegan Issa
- Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A Donadi
- Program of Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. .,Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Program of Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. .,Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil. .,Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. .,Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. .,Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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14
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Bigley TM, Yang L, Kang LI, Saenz JB, Victorino F, Yokoyama WM. Disruption of thymic central tolerance by infection with murine roseolovirus induces autoimmune gastritis. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213039. [PMID: 35226043 PMCID: PMC8932538 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with herpesviruses, including human roseoloviruses, have been proposed to cause autoimmune disease, but defining a causal relationship and mechanism has been difficult due to the ubiquitous nature of infection and development of autoimmunity long after acute infection. Murine roseolovirus (MRV) is highly related to human roseoloviruses. Herein we show that neonatal MRV infection induced autoimmune gastritis (AIG) in adult mice in the absence of ongoing infection. MRV-induced AIG was dependent on replication during the neonatal period and was CD4+ T cell and IL-17 dependent. Moreover, neonatal MRV infection was associated with development of a wide array of autoantibodies in adult mice. Finally, neonatal MRV infection reduced medullary thymic epithelial cell numbers, thymic dendritic cell numbers, and thymic expression of AIRE and tissue-restricted antigens, in addition to increasing thymocyte apoptosis at the stage of negative selection. These findings strongly suggest that infection with a roseolovirus early in life results in disruption of central tolerance and development of autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarin M. Bigley
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Liang-I Kang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Jose B. Saenz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Francisco Victorino
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Wayne M. Yokoyama
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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15
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Shevyrev D, Tereshchenko V, Kozlov V, Sennikov S. Phylogeny, Structure, Functions, and Role of AIRE in the Formation of T-Cell Subsets. Cells 2022; 11:194. [PMID: 35053310 PMCID: PMC8773594 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that the most important feature of adaptive immunity is the specificity that provides highly precise recognition of the self, altered-self, and non-self. Due to the high specificity of antigen recognition, the adaptive immune system participates in the maintenance of genetic homeostasis, supports multicellularity, and protects an organism from different pathogens at a qualitatively different level than innate immunity. This seemingly simple property is based on millions of years of evolution that led to the formation of diversification mechanisms of antigen-recognizing receptors and later to the emergence of a system of presentation of the self and non-self antigens. The latter could have a crucial significance because the presentation of nearly complete diversity of auto-antigens in the thymus allows for the "calibration" of the forming repertoires of T-cells for the recognition of self, altered-self, and non-self antigens that are presented on the periphery. The central role in this process belongs to promiscuous gene expression by the thymic epithelial cells that express nearly the whole spectrum of proteins encoded in the genome, meanwhile maintaining their cellular identity. This complex mechanism requires strict control that is executed by several transcription factors. One of the most important of them is AIRE. This noncanonical transcription factor not only regulates the processes of differentiation and expression of peripheral tissue-specific antigens in the thymic medullar epithelial cells but also controls intercellular interactions in the thymus. Besides, it participates in an increase in the diversity and transfer of presented antigens and thus influences the formation of repertoires of maturing thymocytes. Due to these complex effects, AIRE is also called a transcriptional regulator. In this review, we briefly described the history of AIRE discovery, its structure, functions, and role in the formation of antigen-recognizing receptor repertoires, along with other transcription factors. We focused on the phylogenetic prerequisites for the development of modern adaptive immunity and emphasized the importance of the antigen presentation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Shevyrev
- Research Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Immunology (RIFCI), 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.T.); (V.K.); (S.S.)
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16
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Karvonen E, Krohn KJE, Ranki A, Hau A. Generation and Characterization of iPS Cells Derived from APECED Patients for Gene Correction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:794327. [PMID: 35432216 PMCID: PMC9010864 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.794327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
APECED (Autoimmune-Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal-Dystrophy) is a severe and incurable multiorgan autoimmune disease caused by mutations in the AIRE (autoimmune regulator) gene. Without functional AIRE, the development of central and peripheral immune tolerance is severely impaired allowing the accumulation of autoreactive immune cells in the periphery. This leads to multiple endocrine and non-endocrine autoimmune disorders and mucocutaneous candidiasis in APECED patients. Recent studies have suggested that AIRE also has novel functions in stem cells and contributes to the regulatory network of pluripotency. In preparation of therapeutic gene correction, we generated and assessed patient blood cell-derived iPSCs, potentially suitable for cell therapy in APECED. Here, we describe APECED-patient derived iPSCs's properties, expression of AIRE as well as classical stem cell markers by qPCR and immunocytochemistry. We further generated self-aggregated EBs of the iPSCs. We show that APECED patient-derived iPSCs and EBs do not have any major proliferative or apoptotic defects and that they express all the classical pluripotency markers similarly to healthy person iPSCs. The results suggest that the common AIRE R257X truncation mutation does not affect stem cell properties and that APECED iPSCs can be propagated in vitro and used for subsequent gene-correction. This first study on APECED patient-derived iPSCs validates their pluripotency and confirms their ability for differentiation and potential therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eira Karvonen
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Clinical Research Institute Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kai J. E. Krohn
- Clinical Research Institute Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annamari Ranki
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Clinical Research Institute Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annika Hau
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Clinical Research Institute Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH), Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Annika Hau,
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17
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Duarte MJ, Mascarenhas RS, Assis AF, Tanaka PP, Speck-Hernandez CA, Passos GA. Autoimmune regulator act in synergism with thymocyte adhesion in the control of lncRNAs in medullary thymic epithelial cells. Mol Immunol 2021; 140:127-135. [PMID: 34700158 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/06/2022]
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) encodes the AIRE protein, which interacts with its partners within the nucleus. This "Aire complex" induces stalled RNA Pol II on chromatin to proceed with transcription elongation of a large set of messenger RNAs and microRNAs. Considering that RNA Pol II also transcribes long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), we hypothesized that Aire might be implicated in the upstream control of this RNA species. To test this, we employed a loss-of-function approach in which Aire knockout mTECs were compared to Aire wild-type mTECs for lncRNA transcriptional profiling both in vitro and in vivo model systems. RNA sequencing enables the differential expression profiling of lncRNAs when these cells adhere in vitro to thymocytes or do not adhere to them as a way to test the effect of cell adhesion. Sets of lncRNAs that are unique and that are shared in vitro and in vivo were identified. Among these, we found the Aire-dependent lncRNAs as for example, Platr28, Ifi30, Morrbid, Malat1, and Xist. This finding represents the first evidence that Aire mediates the transcription of lncRNAs in mTECs. Microarray hybridizations enabled us to observe that temporal thymocyte adhesion modulates the expression levels of such lncRNAs as Morrbid, Xist, and Fbxl12o after 36 h of adhesion. This finding shows the existence of a synergistic mechanism involving a link between thymocyte adhesion, Aire, and lncRNAs in mTECs that might be important for immune self-representation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Jordan Duarte
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Romário S Mascarenhas
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Freire Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro Paranhos Tanaka
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Cesar A Speck-Hernandez
- Program in Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Program in Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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18
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Endogenous Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) siRNA Transcription May Interfere with Exogenous FeLV Infection. J Virol 2021; 95:e0007021. [PMID: 34495702 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00070-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are increasingly recognized for biological impacts on host cell function and susceptibility to infectious agents, particularly in relation to interactions with exogenous retroviral progenitors (XRVs). ERVs can simultaneously promote and restrict XRV infections using mechanisms that are virus and host specific. The majority of endogenous-exogenous retroviral interactions have been evaluated in experimental mouse or chicken systems, which are limited in their ability to extend findings to naturally infected outbred animals. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has a relatively well-characterized endogenous retrovirus with a coexisting virulent exogenous counterpart and is endemic worldwide in domestic cats. We have previously documented an association between endogenous FeLV (enFeLV) long terminal repeat (LTR) copy number and abrogated exogenous FeLV in naturally infected cats and experimental infections in tissue culture. Analyses described here examine limited FeLV replication in experimentally infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which correlates with higher enFeLV transcripts in these cells compared to fibroblasts. We further examine NCBI Sequence Read Archive RNA transcripts to evaluate enFeLV transcripts and RNA interference (RNAi) precursors. We find that lymphoid-derived tissues, which are experimentally less permissive to exogenous FeLV infection, transcribe higher levels of enFeLV under basal conditions. Transcription of enFeLV-LTR segments is significantly greater than that of other enFeLV genes. We documented transcription of a 21-nucleotide (nt) microRNA (miRNA) just 3' to the enFeLV 5'-LTR in the feline miRNAome of all data sets evaluated (n = 27). Our findings point to important biological functions of enFeLV transcription linked to solo LTRs distributed within the domestic cat genome, with potential impacts on domestic cat exogenous FeLV susceptibility and pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are increasingly implicated in host cellular processes and susceptibility to infectious agents, specifically regarding interactions with exogenous retroviral progenitors (XRVs). Exogenous feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and its endogenous counterpart (enFeLV) represent a well-characterized, naturally occurring XRV-ERV dyad. We have previously documented an abrogated FeLV infection in both naturally infected cats and experimental fibroblast infections that harbor higher enFeLV proviral loads. Using an in silico approach, we provide evidence of miRNA transcription that is produced in tissues that are most important for FeLV infection, replication, and transmission. Our findings point to important biological functions of enFeLV transcription linked to solo-LTRs distributed within the feline genome, with potential impacts on domestic cat exogenous FeLV susceptibility and pathogenesis. This body of work provides additional evidence of RNA interference (RNAi) as a mechanism of viral interference and is a demonstration of ERV exaptation by the host to defend against related XRVs.
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Garelli S, Dalla Costa M, Sabbadin C, Barollo S, Rubin B, Scarpa R, Masiero S, Fierabracci A, Bizzarri C, Crinò A, Cappa M, Valenzise M, Meloni A, De Bellis AM, Giordano C, Presotto F, Perniola R, Capalbo D, Salerno MC, Stigliano A, Radetti G, Camozzi V, Greggio NA, Bogazzi F, Chiodini I, Pagotto U, Black SK, Chen S, Rees Smith B, Furmaniak J, Weber G, Pigliaru F, De Sanctis L, Scaroni C, Betterle C. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1: an Italian survey on 158 patients. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:2493-2510. [PMID: 34003463 PMCID: PMC8502131 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01585-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is a rare recessive inherited disease, caused by AutoImmune Regulator (AIRE) gene mutations and characterized by three major manifestations: chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC), chronic hypoparathyroidism (CH) and Addison's disease (AD). METHODS Autoimmune conditions and associated autoantibodies (Abs) were analyzed in 158 Italian patients (103 females and 55 males; F/M 1.9/1) at the onset and during a follow-up of 23.7 ± 15.1 years. AIRE mutations were determined. RESULTS The prevalence of APS-1 was 2.6 cases/million (range 0.5-17 in different regions). At the onset 93% of patients presented with one or more components of the classical triad and 7% with other components. At the end of follow-up, 86.1% had CH, 77.2% AD, 74.7% CMC, 49.5% premature menopause, 29.7% autoimmune intestinal dysfunction, 27.8% autoimmune thyroid diseases, 25.9% autoimmune gastritis/pernicious anemia, 25.3% ectodermal dystrophy, 24% alopecia, 21.5% autoimmune hepatitis, 17% vitiligo, 13.3% cholelithiasis, 5.7% connective diseases, 4.4% asplenia, 2.5% celiac disease and 13.9% cancer. Overall, 991 diseases (6.3 diseases/patient) were found. Interferon-ω Abs (IFNωAbs) were positive in 91.1% of patients. Overall mortality was 14.6%. The AIRE mutation R139X was found in 21.3% of tested alleles, R257X in 11.8%, W78R in 11.4%, C322fsX372 in 8.8%, T16M in 6.2%, R203X in 4%, and A21V in 2.9%. Less frequent mutations were present in 12.9%, very rare in 9.6% while no mutations in 11% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS In Italy, APS-1 is a rare disorder presenting with the three major manifestations and associated with different AIRE gene mutations. IFNωAbs are markers of APS-1 and other organ-specific autoantibodies are markers of clinical, subclinical or potential autoimmune conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Garelli
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Ospedale dell'Angelo, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - M Dalla Costa
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Ospedale di Feltre, Belluno, Italy
| | - C Sabbadin
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - S Barollo
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - B Rubin
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - R Scarpa
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - S Masiero
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - A Fierabracci
- Infectivology and Clinical Trials Research Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Bizzarri
- Endocrine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Crinò
- Endocrine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Cappa
- Endocrine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M Valenzise
- Unit of Pediatrics, Department of Adulthood and Childhood Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Meloni
- Ospedale Microcitemico and Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologiche, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - A M De Bellis
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - C Giordano
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Biomedical Internal and Specialist Medicine (DIBIMIS), Palermo University, Palermo, Italy
| | - F Presotto
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Ospedale dell'Angelo, Mestre-Venice, Italy
| | - R Perniola
- Department of Pediatrics, Regional Hospital Vito Fazzi, Lecce, Italy
| | - D Capalbo
- Department of Mother and Child, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - M C Salerno
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - A Stigliano
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Radetti
- Marienklinik, General Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
| | - V Camozzi
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - N A Greggio
- EU-Endo-ERN Advisory Board Member, National Coordinator Endo-ERN Pediatric (SIEDP), Padua, Italy
| | - F Bogazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - I Chiodini
- Unit of Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - U Pagotto
- Unit of Endocrinology and Prevention and Care of Diabetes, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - S K Black
- FIRS Laboratories RSR Ltd, Cardiff, UK
| | - S Chen
- FIRS Laboratories RSR Ltd, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | - G Weber
- Unit of Pediatrics, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCSS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - F Pigliaru
- Endocrine Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - L De Sanctis
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - C Scaroni
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - C Betterle
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy.
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20
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Bai MT, Li Y, Hu ZL. Ragweed pollen induces allergic conjunctivitis immune tolerance in mice via regulation of the NF-κB signal pathway. Int J Ophthalmol 2021; 14:955-964. [PMID: 34282378 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2021.07.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the feasibility and mechanism of immune tolerance in allergic conjunctivitis. METHODS The allergic conjunctivitis immune tolerance mice model was established by ragweed pollen (RW) and the related cytokines were detected. The mice were divided into 9 groups and the maslinic acid (MA) or PBS were given for different group after modeling. The expression levels of chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) and P-65 in the conjunctival tissue were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The percentage of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and CD4+CD25+ in the splenocyte supernatant was analyzed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the serum and splenocyte supernatant concentration of total-IgE, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-17 was analyzed by enzyme linked immune response (ELISA). RESULTS After the model was established, symptoms of conjunctivitis were alleviated, the level of P-65, CCL5, IL-17, and total-IgE was raised, while the expression of IL-10, CD4+CD25+ was decreased. This result fully demonstrated that a typical IL-17/regulatory-T-cells (Treg cells) imbalance and NF-κB activation. When the NF-κB signal pathway was suppressed, it showed that there was a further relief of conjunctivitis in mice. At the same time, the expression of total-IgE, IL-17, and CCL5 was decreased and the expression of anti-inflammatory factor (IL-10, CD4+CD25+) was increased. CONCLUSION In the state of immune tolerance, symptoms of conjunctivitis in mice are alleviated, the Th-17 cells of allergic conjunctivitis mice are inhibited, and Treg cells activity is enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Tian Bai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.,Yunnan Eye Institute, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.,Provincial Innovation Team for Cataract and Ocular Fundus Disease, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.,Expert Workstation of Yao Ke, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Suining Central Hospital, Suining 629000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Oncology, Suining Central Hospital, Suining 629000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zhu-Lin Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.,Yunnan Eye Institute, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.,Provincial Innovation Team for Cataract and Ocular Fundus Disease, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China.,Expert Workstation of Yao Ke, Kunming 650032, Yunnan Province, China
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21
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Zhan F, Cao L. Late-onset autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1: a case report and literature review. Immunol Res 2021; 69:139-144. [PMID: 33599910 PMCID: PMC7889704 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-021-09180-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1), also referred to as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), a rare monogenic disorder, is classically characterized by a triad of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, and primary adrenal insufficiency. The identified causative gene is autoimmune regulator (AIRE), which encodes a critical transcription factor and is essential for self-tolerance. Here, we describe a late-onset Chinese case who presented with symptoms of persistent tetany due to hypocalcemia. Extensive clinical evaluations revealed that the patient manifested beyond the classic triad of the disease, and next-generation sequencing identified a known homozygous AIRE mutation (p.R139X). APS-1 is a rare inherited immunodeficiency disease with high clinical and genetic heterogeneity. By retrospectively analyzing the disease, we comprehensively reviewed the phenotypic features, summarized the genotype spectrum, and discussed the possible immunological mechanisms of the disease to enhance earlier recognition and implement targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixia Zhan
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, 600 Yi Shan Road, Shanghai, 200233 China
- Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003 China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, 600 Yi Shan Road, Shanghai, 200233 China
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22
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Perniola R, Fierabracci A, Falorni A. Autoimmune Addison's Disease as Part of the Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type 1: Historical Overview and Current Evidence. Front Immunol 2021; 12:606860. [PMID: 33717087 PMCID: PMC7953157 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.606860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS1) is caused by pathogenic variants of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene, located in the chromosomal region 21q22.3. The related protein, AIRE, enhances thymic self-representation and immune self-tolerance by localization to chromatin and anchorage to multimolecular complexes involved in the initiation and post-initiation events of tissue-specific antigen-encoding gene transcription. Once synthesized, the self-antigens are presented to, and cause deletion of, the self-reactive thymocyte clones. The clinical diagnosis of APS1 is based on the classic triad idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (HPT)—chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis—autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD), though new criteria based on early non-endocrine manifestations have been proposed. HPT is in most cases the first endocrine component of the syndrome; however, APS1-associated AAD has received the most accurate biochemical, clinical, and immunological characterization. Here is a comprehensive review of the studies on APS1-associated AAD from initial case reports to the most recent scientific findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perniola
- Department of Pediatrics-Neonatal Intensive Care, V. Fazzi Hospital, ASL LE, Lecce, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fierabracci
- Infectivology and Clinical Trials Research Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Falorni
- Section of Internal Medicine and Endocrinological and Metabolic Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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23
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Carpino A, Buganza R, Matarazzo P, Tuli G, Pinon M, Calvo PL, Montin D, Licciardi F, De Sanctis L. Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal Dystrophy in Two Siblings: Same Mutations but Very Different Phenotypes. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020169. [PMID: 33530632 PMCID: PMC7912139 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy–candidiasis–ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), caused by mutations in the AIRE gene, is mainly characterized by the triad of hypoparathyroidism, primary adrenocortical insufficiency and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, but can include many other manifestations, with no currently clear genotype–phenotype correlation. We present the clinical features of two siblings, a male and a female, with the same mutations in the AIRE gene associated with two very different phenotypes. Interestingly, the brother recently experienced COVID-19 infection with pneumonia, complicated by hypertension, hypokalemia and hypercalcemia. Although APECED is a monogenic disease, its expressiveness can be extremely different. In addition to the genetic basis, epigenetic and environmental factors might influence the phenotypic expression, although their exact role remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Carpino
- Postgraduate School of Pediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Raffaele Buganza
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (R.B.); (G.T.); (P.M.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Patrizia Matarazzo
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (R.B.); (G.T.); (P.M.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Gerdi Tuli
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (R.B.); (G.T.); (P.M.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Michele Pinon
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (P.L.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Pier Luigi Calvo
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (P.L.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Davide Montin
- Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.L.); (D.M.)
| | - Francesco Licciardi
- Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (F.L.); (D.M.)
| | - Luisa De Sanctis
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (R.B.); (G.T.); (P.M.); (L.D.S.)
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
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24
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Chiu ES, VandeWoude S. Endogenous Retroviruses Drive Resistance and Promotion of Exogenous Retroviral Homologs. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2020; 9:225-248. [PMID: 33290087 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050620-101416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) serve as markers of ancient viral infections and provide invaluable insight into host and viral evolution. ERVs have been exapted to assist in performing basic biological functions, including placentation, immune modulation, and oncogenesis. A subset of ERVs share high nucleotide similarity to circulating horizontally transmitted exogenous retrovirus (XRV) progenitors. In these cases, ERV-XRV interactions have been documented and include (a) recombination to result in ERV-XRV chimeras, (b) ERV induction of immune self-tolerance to XRV antigens, (c) ERV antigen interference with XRV receptor binding, and (d) interactions resulting in both enhancement and restriction of XRV infections. Whereas the mechanisms governing recombination and immune self-tolerance have been partially determined, enhancement and restriction of XRV infection are virus specific and only partially understood. This review summarizes interactions between six unique ERV-XRV pairs, highlighting important ERV biological functions and potential evolutionary histories in vertebrate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott S Chiu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA; ,
| | - Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA; ,
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25
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García-Ceca J, Montero-Herradón S, Zapata AG. Intrathymic Selection and Defects in the Thymic Epithelial Cell Development. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102226. [PMID: 33023072 PMCID: PMC7601110 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intimate interactions between thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and thymocytes (T) have been repeatedly reported as essential for performing intrathymic T-cell education. Nevertheless, it has been described that animals exhibiting defects in these interactions were capable of a proper positive and negative T-cell selection. In the current review, we first examined distinct types of TECs and their possible role in the immune surveillance. However, EphB-deficient thymi that exhibit profound thymic epithelial (TE) alterations do not exhibit important immunological defects. Eph and their ligands, the ephrins, are implicated in cell attachment/detachment and govern, therefore, TEC–T interactions. On this basis, we hypothesized that a few normal TE areas could be enough for a proper phenotypical and functional maturation of T lymphocytes. Then, we evaluated in vivo how many TECs would be necessary for supporting a normal T-cell differentiation, concluding that a significantly low number of TEC are still capable of supporting normal T lymphocyte maturation, whereas with fewer numbers, T-cell maturation is not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier García-Ceca
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.G.-C.); (S.M.-H.)
- Health Research Institute, Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Montero-Herradón
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.G.-C.); (S.M.-H.)
- Health Research Institute, Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín G. Zapata
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.G.-C.); (S.M.-H.)
- Health Research Institute, Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-394-4979
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26
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Benitez AA, Khalil-Agüero S, Nandakumar A, Gupta NT, Zhang W, Atwal GS, Murphy AJ, Sleeman MA, Haxhinasto S. Absence of central tolerance in Aire-deficient mice synergizes with immune-checkpoint inhibition to enhance antitumor responses. Commun Biol 2020; 3:355. [PMID: 32641748 PMCID: PMC7343867 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-1083-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The endogenous anti-tumor responses are limited in part by the absence of tumor-reactive T cells, an inevitable consequence of thymic central tolerance mechanisms ensuring prevention of autoimmunity. Here we show that tumor rejection induced by immune checkpoint blockade is significantly enhanced in Aire-deficient mice, the epitome of central tolerance breakdown. The observed synergy in tumor rejection extended to different tumor models, was accompanied by increased numbers of activated T cells expressing high levels of Gzma, Gzmb, Perforin, Cxcr3, and increased intratumoural levels of Cxcl9 and Cxcl10 compared to wild-type mice. Consistent with Aire's central role in T cell repertoire selection, single cell TCR sequencing unveiled expansion of several clones with high tumor reactivity. The data suggest that breakdown in central tolerance synergizes with immune checkpoint blockade in enhancing anti-tumor immunity and may serve as a model to unmask novel anti-tumor therapies including anti-tumor TCRs, normally purged during central tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiel A Benitez
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Sara Khalil-Agüero
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Anjali Nandakumar
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Namita T Gupta
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Wen Zhang
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Gurinder S Atwal
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Andrew J Murphy
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Matthew A Sleeman
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Sokol Haxhinasto
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA.
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27
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Oliveira EH, Assis AF, Speck-Hernandez CA, Duarte MJ, Passos GA. Aire Gene Influences the Length of the 3' UTR of mRNAs in Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1039. [PMID: 32547551 PMCID: PMC7270294 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aire is a transcriptional controller in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) modulating a set of peripheral tissue antigens (PTAs) and non-PTA mRNAs as well as miRNAs. Even miRNAs exerting posttranscriptional control of mRNAs in mTECs, the composition of miRNA-mRNA networks may differ. Under reduction in Aire expression, networks exhibited greater miRNA diversity controlling mRNAs. Variations in the number of 3'UTR binding sites of Aire-dependent mRNAs may represent a crucial factor that influence the miRNA interaction. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed through bioinformatics the length of 3'UTRs of a large set of Aire-dependent mRNAs. The data were obtained from existing RNA-seq of mTECs of wild type or Aire-knockout (KO) mice. We used computational algorithms as FASTQC, STAR and HTSEQ for sequence alignment and counting reads, DESEQ2 for the differential expression, 3USS for the alternative 3'UTRs and TAPAS for the alternative polyadenylation sites. We identified 152 differentially expressed mRNAs between these samples comprising those that encode PTAs as well as transcription regulators. In Aire KO mTECs, most of these mRNAs featured an increase in the length of their 3'UTRs originating additional miRNA binding sites and new miRNA controllers. Results from the in silico analysis were statistically significant and the predicted miRNA-mRNA interactions were thermodynamically stable. Even with no in vivo or in vitro experiments, they were adequate to show that lack of Aire in mTECs might favor the downregulation of PTA mRNAs and transcription regulators via miRNA control. This could unbalance the overall transcriptional activity in mTECs and thus the self-representation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernna H. Oliveira
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Cesar A. Speck-Hernandez
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Max Jordan Duarte
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Geraldo A. Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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28
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Janelle V, Rulleau C, Del Testa S, Carli C, Delisle JS. T-Cell Immunotherapies Targeting Histocompatibility and Tumor Antigens in Hematological Malignancies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:276. [PMID: 32153583 PMCID: PMC7046834 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, T-cell immunotherapy has revealed itself as a powerful, and often curative, strategy to treat blood cancers. In hematopoietic cell transplantation, most of the so-called graft-vs.-leukemia (GVL) effect hinges on the recognition of histocompatibility antigens that reflect immunologically relevant genetic variants between donors and recipients. Whether other variants acquired during the neoplastic transformation, or the aberrant expression of gene products can yield antigenic targets of similar relevance as the minor histocompatibility antigens is actively being pursued. Modern genomics and proteomics have enabled the high throughput identification of candidate antigens for immunotherapy in both autologous and allogeneic settings. As such, these major histocompatibility complex-associated tumor-specific (TSA) and tumor-associated antigens (TAA) can allow for the targeting of multiple blood neoplasms, which is a limitation for other immunotherapeutic approaches, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells. We review the current strategies taken to translate these discoveries into T-cell therapies and propose how these could be introduced in clinical practice. Specifically, we discuss the criteria that are used to select the antigens with the greatest therapeutic value and we review the various T-cell manufacturing approaches in place to either expand antigen-specific T cells from the native repertoire or genetically engineer T cells with minor histocompatibility antigen or TSA/TAA-specific recombinant T-cell receptors. Finally, we elaborate on the current and future incorporation of these therapeutic T-cell products into the treatment of hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Janelle
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Rulleau
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Del Testa
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Cédric Carli
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Sébastien Delisle
- Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Division Hématologie et Oncologie, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada
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29
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Loll B, Rückert C, Uchanska-Ziegler B, Ziegler A. Conformational Plasticity of HLA-B27 Molecules Correlates Inversely With Efficiency of Negative T Cell Selection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:179. [PMID: 32117305 PMCID: PMC7027375 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of autoimmune disorders is incompletely understood. Inefficient thymic T cell selection against self-peptides presented by major histocompatibility antigens (HLA in humans) may contribute to the emergence of auto-reactive effector cells, and molecular mimicry between foreign and self-peptides could promote T cell cross-reactivity. A pair of class I subtypes, HLA-B2705 and HLA-B2709, have previously been intensely studied, because they are distinguished from each other only by a single amino acid exchange at the floor of the peptide-binding groove, yet are differentially associated with the autoinflammatory disorder ankylosing spondylitis. Using X-ray crystallography in combination with ensemble refinement, we find that the non-disease-associated subtype HLA-B2709, when presenting the self-peptide pGR (RRRWHRWRL), exhibits elevated conformational dynamics, and the complex can also be recognized by T cells. Both features are not observed in case of the sequence-related self-peptide pVIPR (RRKWRRWHL) in complex with this subtype, and T cell cross-reactivity between pGR, pVIPR, and the viral peptide pLMP2 (RRRWRRLTV) is only rarely observed. The disease-associated subtype HLA-B2705, however, exhibits extensive conformational flexibility in case of the three complexes, all of which are also recognized by frequently occurring cross-reactive T cells. A comparison of the structural and dynamic properties of the six HLA-B27 complexes, together with their individual ability to interact with T cells, permits us to correlate the flexibility of HLA-B27 complexes with effector cell reactivity. The results suggest the existence of an inverse relationship between conformational plasticity of peptide-HLA-B27 complexes and the efficiency of negative selection of self-reactive cells within the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Loll
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Abteilung Strukturbiochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany,*Correspondence: Bernhard Loll
| | - Christine Rückert
- Institut für Immungenetik, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Uchanska-Ziegler
- Institut für Immungenetik, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Ziegler Biosolutions, Waldshut-Tiengen, Germany
| | - Andreas Ziegler
- Ziegler Biosolutions, Waldshut-Tiengen, Germany,Andreas Ziegler
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Toraih EA, Ameen HM, Hussein MH, Youssef Elabd AA, Mohamed AM, Abdel-Gawad AR, Fawzy MS. Association of Autoimmune Regulator Gene Rs2075876 Variant, but Not Gene Expression with Alopecia Areata in Males: A Case-control Study. Immunol Invest 2020; 49:146-165. [PMID: 31601134 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2019.1671450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss of autoimmune etiology. The autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene is believed to be an important driver in AA pathogenesis. Genetic variants can alter mRNA expression levels which may provoke an autoimmune response. A total of 337 males (97 AA patients and 240 controls) were enrolled in the current case-control study. On screening of the most frequent variants in the gene, rs2075876 (A/G) polymorphism in intron 5 was selected and genotyped using Real-Time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology. Additionally, circulatory AIRE expression levels were quantified by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Allelic discrimination analysis revealed GG genotype to be more frequent in patients (90.7% in AA compared to 32.5% in controls, p < .001). G variant conferred increased risk to alopecia under homozygote comparison (GG versus AA: OR = 16.1, 95%CI = 5.57-46.3), dominant model (GG+AG versus AA: OR = 7.24, 95%CI = 2.5-20.5), recessive model (GG versus AG+AA: OR = 20.3, 95%CI = 9.7-42.4), and allelic model (G versus A: OR = 11.6, 95%CI = 6.47-21.1). The expression levels of AIRE gene did not differ significantly between patients and controls and were not related to rs2075876 variant. In conclusion, the intronic variant (rs2075876) is suggested to be a potent susceptibility variant for AA development in the studied population.Abbreviations: AA: Alopecia areata; AIRE: Autoimmune Regulator; APECED: Autoimmune, Polyendocrinopathy Candidiasis Ectodermal Dystrophy; DLQI: Dermatology life quality index questionnaire; MIQE: Minimum information for publication of quantitative real-time PCR experiments; mTEC: Medullary thymic epithelial cells; PHD: Plant homeodomain; qRT-PCR: Quantitative reversetranscription-polymerase chain reaction; RA: Rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A Toraih
- Genetics Unit, Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
- Center of Excellence of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Hatem M Ameen
- Department of Dermatology, Al Qantara East Central Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Mohammad H Hussein
- Department of Chest Diseases, Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Youssef Elabd
- Department of Dermatology, El-Sheikh Zaied Aal Nahyan hospital, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Dermatology, Emirates Medical Center, Salalah Oman, Oman
| | - Abeer M Mohamed
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Al-Ghad International College for Applied Medical Sciences, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Manal S Fawzy
- Deprtment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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Primary Immunodeficiency with Severe Multi-Organ Immune Dysregulation. Case Reports Immunol 2020; 2019:8746249. [PMID: 31956453 PMCID: PMC6949663 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8746249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type 1, also known as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder with multi-organ involvement. Besides for being predisposed to severe life-threatening infections, patients with APECED are also prone to organ impairment secondary to severe autoimmunity. As this is an autosomal recessive disorder, a biallelic mutation in the AIRE gene is responsible for APECED. The author presents a case of APECED with a single AIRE mutation. Whole exome sequencing identified a mutation in the BTNL2 gene that the author suggests may have contributed to the patient's presentation.
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Melo‐Lima BL, Poras I, Passos GA, Carosella ED, Donadi EA, Moreau P. The Autoimmune Regulator (Aire) transactivates HLA-G gene expression in thymic epithelial cells. Immunology 2019; 158:121-135. [PMID: 31322727 PMCID: PMC6742766 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Autoimmune Regulator (Aire) protein coordinates the negative selection of developing thymocytes by inducing the expression of hundreds of tissue-specific antigens within the thymic medulla, which is also a primary site of the expression of the immune checkpoint HLA-G molecule. Considering the immunomodulatory properties of Aire and HLA-G, and considering that the role of the constitutive thymus expression of HLA-G has not been elucidated, we studied the effect of AIRE cDNA transfection on HLA-G expression in 4D6 thymic cells and in the HLA-G-positive JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells. Aire promoted the transactivation of HLA-G gene by increasing the overall transcription, inducing the transcription of at least G1 and G2/G4 isoforms, and incrementing the occurrence and distribution of intracellular HLA-G protein solely in 4D6 thymic cells. Luciferase-based assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments performed in 4D6 cells revealed that Aire targeted at least two regions within the 5'-untranslated regulatory region (5'-URR) extending 1·4 kb from the first ATG initiation codon. The interaction occurs independently of three putative Aire-binding sites. These results indicate that the Aire-induced upregulation of HLA-G in thymic cells is likely to act through the interaction of Aire with specific HLA-G 5'-URR DNA-binding factors. Such a multimeric transcriptional complex might operate in the thymus during the process of promiscuous gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breno Luiz Melo‐Lima
- Direction de la Recherche FondamentaleInstitut de Biologie François JacobService de Recherches en Hémato‐ImmunologieHôpital Saint‐LouisCommissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesParisFrance
- Institut de Recherche Saint‐LouisUniversité de ParisUMR976 HIPIHôpital Saint‐LouisUniversité Paris‐DiderotParisFrance
- Division of Clinical ImmunologyDepartment of MedicineRibeirao Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSão PauloBrazil
| | - Isabelle Poras
- Direction de la Recherche FondamentaleInstitut de Biologie François JacobService de Recherches en Hémato‐ImmunologieHôpital Saint‐LouisCommissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesParisFrance
- Institut de Recherche Saint‐LouisUniversité de ParisUMR976 HIPIHôpital Saint‐LouisUniversité Paris‐DiderotParisFrance
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics GroupDepartment of GeneticsRibeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSão PauloBrazil
| | - Edgardo D. Carosella
- Direction de la Recherche FondamentaleInstitut de Biologie François JacobService de Recherches en Hémato‐ImmunologieHôpital Saint‐LouisCommissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesParisFrance
- Institut de Recherche Saint‐LouisUniversité de ParisUMR976 HIPIHôpital Saint‐LouisUniversité Paris‐DiderotParisFrance
| | - Eduardo Antonio Donadi
- Division of Clinical ImmunologyDepartment of MedicineRibeirao Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSão PauloBrazil
| | - Philippe Moreau
- Direction de la Recherche FondamentaleInstitut de Biologie François JacobService de Recherches en Hémato‐ImmunologieHôpital Saint‐LouisCommissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesParisFrance
- Institut de Recherche Saint‐LouisUniversité de ParisUMR976 HIPIHôpital Saint‐LouisUniversité Paris‐DiderotParisFrance
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Cotrim-Sousa L, Freire-Assis A, Pezzi N, Tanaka PP, Oliveira EH, Passos GA. Adhesion between medullary thymic epithelial cells and thymocytes is regulated by miR-181b-5p and miR-30b. Mol Immunol 2019; 114:600-611. [PMID: 31539668 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we demonstrate that adhesion between medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and thymocytes is controlled by miRNAs. Adhesion between mTECs and developing thymocytes is essential for triggering negative selection (NS) of autoreactive thymocytes that occurs in the thymus. Immune recognition is mediated by the MHC / TCR receptor, whereas adhesion molecules hold cell-cell interaction stability. Indeed, these processes must be finely controlled, if it is not, it may lead to aggressive autoimmunity. Conversely, the precise molecular genetic control of mTEC-thymocyte adhesion is largely unclear. Here, we asked whether miRNAs would be controlling this process through the posttranscriptional regulation of mRNAs that encode adhesion molecules. For this, we used small interfering RNA to knockdown (KD) Dicer mRNA in vitro in a murine mTEC line. A functional assay with fresh murine thymocytes co-cultured with mTECs showed that single-positive (SP) CD4 and CD8 thymocyte adhesion was increased after Dicer KD and most adherent subtype was CD8 SP cells. Analysis of broad mTEC transcriptional expression showed that Dicer KD led to the modulation of 114 miRNAs and 422 mRNAs, including those encoding cell adhesion or extracellular matrix proteins, such as Lgals9, Lgals3pb, Tnc and Cd47. Analysis of miRNA-mRNA networks followed by miRNA mimic transfection showed that these mRNAs are under the control of miR-181b-5p and miR-30b*, which may ultimately control mTEC-thymocyte adhesion. The expression of CD80 surface marker in mTECs was increased after Dicer KD following thymocyte adhesion. This indicates the existence of new mechanisms in mTECs that involve the synergistic action of thymocyte adhesion and regulatory miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Cotrim-Sousa
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Freire-Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; State University of Minas Gerais, Passos, MG, Brazil
| | - Nicole Pezzi
- Graduate Program in Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro Paranhos Tanaka
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ernna Hérida Oliveira
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Graduate Program in Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Insights into Thymus Development and Viral Thymic Infections. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090836. [PMID: 31505755 PMCID: PMC6784209 DOI: 10.3390/v11090836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell development in the thymus is a complex and highly regulated process, involving a wide variety of cells and molecules which orchestrate thymocyte maturation into either CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive (SP) T cells. Here, we briefly review the process regulating T-cell differentiation, which includes the latest advances in this field. In particular, we highlight how, starting from a pool of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, the sequential action of transcriptional factors and cytokines dictates the proliferation, restriction of lineage potential, T-cell antigen receptors (TCR) gene rearrangements, and selection events on the T-cell progenitors, ultimately leading to the generation of mature T cells. Moreover, this review discusses paradigmatic examples of viral infections affecting the thymus that, by inducing functional changes within this lymphoid gland, consequently influence the behavior of peripheral mature T-lymphocytes.
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Johnson MB, De Franco E, Greeley SAW, Letourneau LR, Gillespie KM, Wakeling MN, Ellard S, Flanagan SE, Patel KA, Hattersley AT. Trisomy 21 Is a Cause of Permanent Neonatal Diabetes That Is Autoimmune but Not HLA Associated. Diabetes 2019; 68:1528-1535. [PMID: 30962220 PMCID: PMC6609990 DOI: 10.2337/db19-0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Identifying new causes of permanent neonatal diabetes (PNDM) (diagnosis <6 months) provides important insights into β-cell biology. Patients with Down syndrome (DS) resulting from trisomy 21 are four times more likely to have childhood diabetes with an intermediate HLA association. It is not known whether DS can cause PNDM. We found that trisomy 21 was seven times more likely in our PNDM cohort than in the population (13 of 1,522 = 85 of 10,000 observed vs. 12.6 of 10,000 expected) and none of the 13 DS-PNDM patients had a mutation in the known PNDM genes that explained 82.9% of non-DS PNDM. Islet autoantibodies were present in 4 of 9 DS-PNDM patients, but DS-PNDM was not associated with polygenic susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D). We conclude that trisomy 21 is a cause of autoimmune PNDM that is not HLA associated. We propose that autoimmune diabetes in DS is heterogeneous and includes coincidental T1D that is HLA associated and diabetes caused by trisomy 21 that is not HLA associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Johnson
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Elisa De Franco
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Siri Atma W Greeley
- Kovler Diabetes Center, Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Lisa R Letourneau
- Kovler Diabetes Center, Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Matthew N Wakeling
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Sian Ellard
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Sarah E Flanagan
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Kashyap A Patel
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Andrew T Hattersley
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K.
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Zhang J, Wang Y, Aili A, Sun X, Pang X, Ge Q, Zhang Y, Jin R. Th1 Biased Progressive Autoimmunity in Aged Aire-Deficient Mice Accelerated Thymic Epithelial Cell Senescence. Aging Dis 2019; 10:497-509. [PMID: 31164995 PMCID: PMC6538216 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2018.0608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Although autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, are frequently associated with premature aging of the thymus, a direct link is missing between autoimmunity and thymic atrophy. Here we monitored the progression of thymic involution in Aire-deficient mice, in which defective negative selection causes spontaneous and progressive development of autoimmunity. In young and middle-aged mice, Aire deficiency appeared to be protective as supported by the reduced β-gal+ epithelial cells and the enhanced thymic output. However, once the autoimmune phenotype was fully developed in aged Aire-deficient mice, their thymuses underwent accelerated involution. In comparison to the age-matched wildtype littermates, old Aire-deficient mice showed lower numbers of total thymocytes and recent thymic emigrants but more β-gal+ thymic epithelial cells. This phenomenon may partly be attributable to the increased number of activated Th1 cells homing to the thymus. This speculation was further supported by the enhanced thymic aging following repeated challenges with complete Freund’s adjuvant immunization. Taken together, the present study highlights a unique mechanism by which autoimmunity facilitates the senescence of thymic epithelial cells through returning Th1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing 100191, China
| | - Abudureyimujiang Aili
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiuyuan Sun
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xuewen Pang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qing Ge
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing 100191, China
| | - Rong Jin
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing 100191, China
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Valoti E, Alberti M, Iatropoulos P, Piras R, Mele C, Breno M, Cremaschi A, Bresin E, Donadelli R, Alizzi S, Amoroso A, Benigni A, Remuzzi G, Noris M. Rare Functional Variants in Complement Genes and Anti-FH Autoantibodies-Associated aHUS. Front Immunol 2019; 10:853. [PMID: 31118930 PMCID: PMC6504697 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and renal failure. It is caused by genetic or acquired defects of the complement alternative pathway. Factor H autoantibodies (anti-FHs) have been reported in 10% of aHUS patients and are associated with the deficiency of factor H-related 1 (FHR1). However, FHR1 deficiency is not enough to cause aHUS, since it is also present in about 5% of Caucasian healthy subjects. In this study we evaluated the prevalence of genetic variants in CFH, CD46, CFI, CFB, C3, and THBD in aHUS patients with anti-FHs, using healthy subjects with FHR1 deficiency, here defined “supercontrols,” as a reference group. “Supercontrols” are more informative than general population because they share at least one risk factor (FHR1 deficiency) with aHUS patients. We analyzed anti-FHs in 305 patients and 30 were positive. The large majority were children (median age: 7.7 [IQR, 6.6–9.9] years) and 83% lacked FHR1 (n = 25, cases) due to the homozygous CFHR3-CFHR1 deletion (n = 20), or the compound heterozygous CFHR3-CFHR1 and CFHR1-CFHR4 deletions (n = 4), or the heterozygous CFHR3-CFHR1 deletion combined with a frameshift mutation in CFHR1 that generates a premature stop codon (n = 1). Of the 960 healthy adult subjects 48 had the FHR1 deficiency (“supercontrols”). Rare likely pathogenetic variants in CFH, THBD, and C3 were found in 24% of cases (n = 6) compared to 2.1% of the “supercontrols” (P-value = 0.005). We also found that the CFH H3 and the CD46GGAAC haplotypes are not associated with anti-FHs aHUS, whereas these haplotypes are enriched in aHUS patients without anti-FHs, which highlights the differences in the genetic basis of the two forms of the disease. Finally, we confirm that common infections are environmental factors that contribute to the development of anti-FHs aHUS in genetically predisposed individuals, which fits with the sharp peak of incidence during scholar-age. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the complex genetic and environmental factors underlying anti-FHs aHUS and to establish whether the combination of anti-FHs with likely pathogenetic variants or other risk factors influences disease outcome and response to therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Valoti
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marta Alberti
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Paraskevas Iatropoulos
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Rossella Piras
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Caterina Mele
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Matteo Breno
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cremaschi
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Elena Bresin
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Roberta Donadelli
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Silvia Alizzi
- Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Città della Salute e della Scienza and Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Amoroso
- Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, Città della Salute e della Scienza and Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ariela Benigni
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Remuzzi
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy.,'L. Sacco' Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Noris
- Clinical Research Center for Rare Diseases 'Aldo e Cele Daccò', Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
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Ribeiro C, Alves NL, Ferreirinha P. Medullary thymic epithelial cells: Deciphering the functional diversity beyond promiscuous gene expression. Immunol Lett 2019; 215:24-27. [PMID: 30853502 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Within the thymus, cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (cTECs and mTECs, respectively) provide unique microenvironments for the development of T cells that are responsive to diverse foreign antigens while self-tolerant. Essential for tolerance induction, mTECs play a critical role in negative selection and T regulatory cell differentiation. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the functional diversity within mTECs and discuss how these novel subsets contribute to tolerance induction and are integrated in the complex blueprint of mTEC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Ribeiro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Ferreirinha
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
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General Principles of Immunotherapy in Neurological Diseases. CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-19515-1_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Sanford E, Watkins K, Nahas S, Gottschalk M, Coufal NG, Farnaes L, Dimmock D, Kingsmore SF. Rapid whole-genome sequencing identifies a novel AIRE variant associated with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud 2018; 4:a002485. [PMID: 29437776 PMCID: PMC5983174 DOI: 10.1101/mcs.a002485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1; OMIM #240300), also referred to as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), is a rare monogenic autoimmune disorder caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. APS-1 is classically characterized by a triad of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, autoimmune hypoparathyroidism, and autoimmune adrenocortical insufficiency. We report a 5-yr-old female who presented with symptoms of tetany due to hypocalcemia and was subsequently found to be secondary to hypoparathyroidism. Rapid trio whole-genome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous variants in AIRE in the proband, with a paternally inherited, pathogenic, frameshift variant (c.1265delC; p.Pro422LeufsTer58) and a novel, likely pathogenic, maternally inherited missense variant (c.268T>C; p.Tyr90His).
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Sanford
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92123, USA
- Division of Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92161, USA
| | - Kelly Watkins
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92123, USA
| | - Shareef Nahas
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92123, USA
| | - Michael Gottschalk
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92161, USA
| | - Nicole G Coufal
- Division of Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92161, USA
| | - Lauge Farnaes
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92123, USA
| | - David Dimmock
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92123, USA
| | - Stephen F Kingsmore
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92123, USA
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Speck-Hernandez CA, Assis AF, Felicio RF, Cotrim-Sousa L, Pezzi N, Lopes GS, Bombonato-Prado KF, Giuliatti S, Passos GA. Aire Disruption Influences the Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Transcriptome and Interaction With Thymocytes. Front Immunol 2018; 9:964. [PMID: 29867946 PMCID: PMC5949327 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is associated with thymocyte adhesion, which is crucial for the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes in the thymus. This process represents the root of central tolerance of self-components and prevents the onset of autoimmune diseases. Since thymic epithelia correspond to an important target of donor T cells during the onset of chronic graft-vs-host-disease, mTEC-thymocyte adhesion may have implications for alloimmunity. The Aire and Fezf2 genes function as transcriptome controllers in mTECs. The central question of this study is whether there is a mutual relationship between mTEC-thymocyte adhesion and the control of the mTEC transcriptome and whether Aire is involved in this process. Here, we show that in vitro mTEC-thymocyte adhesion causes transcriptome changes in mTECs and upregulates the transcriptional expression of Aire and Fezf2, as well as cell adhesion-related genes such as Cd80 or Tcf7, among others. Crispr-Cas9-mediated Aire gene disruption demonstrated that this gene plays a role in the process of mTEC-thymocyte adhesion. Consistent with the nuclear localization signal (NLS) encoded by Aire exon 3, which was targeted, we demonstrate that Aire KO-/- mTECs impair AIRE protein localization in the nucleus. Consequently, the loss of function of Aire reduced the ability of these cells to adhere to thymocytes. Their transcriptomes differed from their wild-type Aire+/+ counterparts, even during thymocyte adhesion. A set of mRNA isoforms that encode proteins involved in cell adhesion were also modulated during this process. This demonstrates that both thymocyte interactions and Aire influence transcriptome profiling of mTEC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A. Speck-Hernandez
- Graduate Programme in Basic and Applied Immunology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda F. Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafaela F. Felicio
- Graduate Programme in Basic and Applied Immunology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Cotrim-Sousa
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nicole Pezzi
- Graduate Programme in Basic and Applied Immunology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel S. Lopes
- Graduate Programme in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karina F. Bombonato-Prado
- Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvana Giuliatti
- Genetics, Bioinformatics Group, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Geraldo A. Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
About two decades ago, cloning of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene materialized one of the most important actors on the scene of self-tolerance. Thymic transcription of genes encoding tissue-specific antigens (ts-ags) is activated by AIRE protein and embodies the essence of thymic self-representation. Pathogenic AIRE variants cause the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1, which is a rare and complex disease that is gaining attention in research on autoimmunity. The animal models of disease, although not identically reproducing the human picture, supply fundamental information on mechanisms and extent of AIRE action: thanks to its multidomain structure, AIRE localizes to chromatin enclosing the target genes, binds to histones, and offers an anchorage to multimolecular complexes involved in initiation and post-initiation events of gene transcription. In addition, AIRE enhances mRNA diversity by favoring alternative mRNA splicing. Once synthesized, ts-ags are presented to, and cause deletion of the self-reactive thymocyte clones. However, AIRE function is not restricted to the activation of gene transcription. AIRE would control presentation and transfer of self-antigens for thymic cellular interplay: such mechanism is aimed at increasing the likelihood of engagement of the thymocytes that carry the corresponding T-cell receptors. Another fundamental role of AIRE in promoting self-tolerance is related to the development of thymocyte anergy, as thymic self-representation shapes at the same time the repertoire of regulatory T cells. Finally, AIRE seems to replicate its action in the secondary lymphoid organs, albeit the cell lineage detaining such property has not been fully characterized. Delineation of AIRE functions adds interesting data to the knowledge of the mechanisms of self-tolerance and introduces exciting perspectives of therapeutic interventions against the related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perniola
- Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care, Vito Fazzi Regional Hospital, Lecce, Italy
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