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Cheng H, Ji Z, Wang Y, Li S, Tang T, Wang F, Peng C, Wu X, Cheng Y, Liu Z, Ma M, Wang J, Huang X, Wang L, Qin L, Liu H, Chen J, Zheng R, Feng CG, Cai X, Qu D, Ye L, Yang H, Ge B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces D-serine under hypoxia to limit CD8 + T cell-dependent immunity in mice. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:1856-1872. [PMID: 38806671 PMCID: PMC11222154 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01701-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Adaptation to hypoxia is a major challenge for the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in vivo. Interferon (IFN)-γ-producing CD8+ T cells contribute to control of Mtb infection, in part by promoting antimicrobial activities of macrophages. Whether Mtb counters these responses, particularly during hypoxic conditions, remains unknown. Using metabolomic, proteomic and genetic approaches, here we show that Mtb induced Rv0884c (SerC), an Mtb phosphoserine aminotransferase, to produce D-serine. This activity increased Mtb pathogenesis in mice but did not directly affect intramacrophage Mtb survival. Instead, D-serine inhibited IFN-γ production by CD8+ T cells, which indirectly reduced the ability of macrophages to restrict Mtb upon co-culture. Mechanistically, D-serine interacted with WDR24 and inhibited mTORC1 activation in CD8+ T cells. This decreased T-bet expression and reduced IFN-γ production by CD8+ T cells. Our findings suggest an Mtb evasion mechanism where pathogen metabolic adaptation to hypoxia leads to amino acid-dependent suppression of adaptive anti-TB immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhe Ji
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Shenzhi Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Tianqi Tang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Cheng Peng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xiangyang Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yuanna Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Mingtong Ma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jie Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xiaochen Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Lin Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Lianhua Qin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Haipeng Liu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Jianxia Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Ruijuan Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Carl G Feng
- Immunology and Host Defense Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Tuberculosis Research Program, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Xia Cai
- Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Di Qu
- Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Lilin Ye
- Institute of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China.
| | - Hua Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Baoxue Ge
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China.
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2
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Li C, Liu Z, Wang Z, Yim WY, Huang Y, Chen Y. BATF and BATF3 deficiency alters CD8+ effector/exhausted T cells balance in skin transplantation. Mol Med 2024; 30:16. [PMID: 38297190 PMCID: PMC10832090 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-024-00792-0] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well-established that CD8+ T-cells play a critical role in graft rejection. The basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) and BATF3 are transcriptional factors expressed in T lymphocytes. Herein, we investigated the functions of BATF and BATF3 in the differentiation and exhaustion of CD8+ T cells following alloantigen activation. METHODS Wild-type CD8+ T cells, BATF-deficient (Batf-/-) CD8+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells deficient in both BATF and BATF3 (Batf-/-Batf3-/-) were transferred to B6.Rag1-/- mice, which received skin allografts from BALB/c mice. Flow cytometry was conducted to investigate the number of CD8+ T cells and the percentage of effector subsets. RESULTS BATF expression positively correlated with effector CD8+ T cell differentiation. BATF and BATF3 deficiency promoted skin allograft long-term survival and attenuated the CD8+ T cell allo-response and cytokine secretion. Finally, BATF and BATF3 deficiency prompted the generation of exhausted CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings provide preliminary evidence that both BATF and BATF3 deficiency influences the differentiation of effector CD8+ T cells and mediates the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells, prolonging transplant survival. Targeting BATF and BATF3 to inhibit CD8+ T cell function has huge prospects for application as a therapeutic approach to prevent transplant rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghao Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zongtao Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zihao Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wai Yen Yim
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yajun Huang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, 136 Jingzhou Street, Xiangyang, Hubei, China.
| | - Yuqi Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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3
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Yu A, Fu J, Yin Z, Yan H, Xiao X, Zou D, Zhang X, Zu X, Li XC, Chen W. Continuous Expression of Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 Sustains CD8 + T Cell Immunity against Tumor. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0271. [PMID: 38178902 PMCID: PMC10765897 DOI: 10.34133/research.0271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
T-cell-based immunotherapy is gaining momentum in cancer treatment; however, our comprehension of the transcriptional regulation governing T cell antitumor activity remains constrained. The objective of this study was to explore the function of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) in antitumor CD8+ T cells using the TRAMP-C1 prostate cancer and B16F10 melanoma model. To achieve this, we generated an Irf4GFP-DTR mouse strain and discovered that CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) expressing high levels of IRF4.GFP exhibited a more differentiated PD-1high cell phenotype. By administering diphtheria toxin to tumor-bearing Irf4GFP-DTR mice, we partially depleted IRF4.GFP+ TILs and observed an accelerated tumor growth. To specifically explore the function of IRF4 in antitumor CD8+ T cells, we conducted 3 adoptive cell therapy (ACT) models. Firstly, depleting IRF4.GFP+ CD8+ TILs derived from ACT significantly accelerated tumor growth, emphasizing their crucial role in controlling tumor progression. Secondly, deleting the Irf4 gene in antitumor CD8+ T cells used for ACT led to a reduction in the frequency and effector differentiation of CD8+ TILs, completely abolishing the antitumor effects of ACT. Lastly, we performed a temporal deletion of the Irf4 gene in antitumor CD8+ T cells during ACT, starting from 20 days after tumor implantation, which significantly compromised tumor control. Therefore, sustained expression of IRF4 is essential for maintaining CD8+ T cell immunity in the melanoma model, and these findings carry noteworthy implications for the advancement of more potent immunotherapies for solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anze Yu
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery,
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinfei Fu
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery,
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zheng Yin
- Systems Medicine and Bioengineering Department, Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Radiology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hui Yan
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery,
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery,
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dawei Zou
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery,
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaolong Zhang
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery,
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiongbing Zu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital,
Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xian C. Li
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery,
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine,
Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wenhao Chen
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery,
Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine,
Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
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Short S, Lewik G, Issa F. An Immune Atlas of T Cells in Transplant Rejection: Pathways and Therapeutic Opportunities. Transplantation 2023; 107:2341-2352. [PMID: 37026708 PMCID: PMC10593150 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Short-term outcomes in allotransplantation are excellent due to technical and pharmacological advances; however, improvement in long-term outcomes has been limited. Recurrent episodes of acute cellular rejection, a primarily T cell-mediated response to transplanted tissue, have been implicated in the development of chronic allograft dysfunction and loss. Although it is well established that acute cellular rejection is primarily a CD4 + and CD8 + T cell mediated response, significant heterogeneity exists within these cell compartments. During immune responses, naïve CD4 + T cells are activated and subsequently differentiate into specific T helper subsets under the influence of the local cytokine milieu. These subsets have distinct phenotypic and functional characteristics, with reported differences in their contribution to rejection responses specifically. Of particular relevance are the regulatory subsets and their potential to promote tolerance of allografts. Unraveling the specific contributions of these cell subsets in the context of transplantation is complex, but may reveal new avenues of therapeutic intervention for the prevention of rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Short
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Guido Lewik
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Fadi Issa
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
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Chen Y, Liu Z, Liu F, Xu L, Li G, Qiao W, Wang Y, Dong N. T cell specific deletion of IRF4 with Ox40-Cre impairs effector and memory T cell responses in heart transplantation. Clin Immunol 2023; 252:109647. [PMID: 37211291 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109647] [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: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND IRF4 is the pioneer factor for effector T cell maturation. Here we investigated the function of IRF4 in maintaining OX40-related T cell responses following alloantigen activation in a mouse heart transplantation model. METHODS Irf4flox/flox mice were bred with Ox40cre/+ mice to generate Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ mice. Wild type C57BL/6, Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ mice were transplanted with BALB/c heart allografts, with or without BALB/c skin-sensitization. CD4+ TEa T cells co-transfer experiments and flow cytometric analysis were conducted to investigate the amount of CD4+ T cells and the percentage of the T effector subset. RESULTS Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ and Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ TEa mice were constructed successfully. IRF4 ablation in activated OX40-mediated alloantigen specific CD4+ TEa T cells reduced effector T cell differentiation (CD44hiCD62Llo, Ki67, IFN-γ), which caused long-term allograft survival (> 100 d) in the chronic rejection model. In the donor skin-sensitized heart transplantation model, the formation and function of alloantigen-specific memory CD4+ TEa cells were also impaired in Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ mice. Additionally, deletion of IRF4 after T cell activation in Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ mice reduced T cell reactivation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS IRF4 ablation after OX40-related T cell activation could reduce effector and memory T cell formation and inhibit their function in response to alloantigen stimulation. These findings could have significant implications in targeting activated T cells to induce transplant tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zongtao Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Fayuan Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Geng Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihua Qiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yixuan Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Nianguo Dong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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6
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Lu J, Liang T, Li P, Yin Q. Regulatory effects of IRF4 on immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1086803. [PMID: 36814912 PMCID: PMC9939821 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1086803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is implicated in tumorigenesis, chemoresistance, immunotherapy failure and tumor recurrence. Multiple immunosuppressive cells and soluble secreted cytokines together drive and accelerate TME disorders, T cell immunodeficiency and tumor growth. Thus, it is essential to comprehensively understand the TME status, immune cells involved and key transcriptional factors, and extend this knowledge to therapies that target dysfunctional T cells in the TME. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is a unique IRF family member that is not regulated by interferons, instead, is mainly induced upon T-cell receptor signaling, Toll-like receptors and tumor necrosis factor receptors. IRF4 is largely restricted to immune cells and plays critical roles in the differentiation and function of effector cells and immunosuppressive cells, particularly during clonal expansion and the effector function of T cells. However, in a specific biological context, it is also involved in the transcriptional process of T cell exhaustion with its binding partners. Given the multiple effects of IRF4 on immune cells, especially T cells, manipulating IRF4 may be an important therapeutic target for reversing T cell exhaustion and TME disorders, thus promoting anti-tumor immunity. This study reviews the regulatory effects of IRF4 on various immune cells in the TME, and reveals its potential mechanisms, providing a novel direction for clinical immune intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Taotao Liang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Hematology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qingsong Yin
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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7
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Li S, Zou D, Chen W, Britz GW, Liu Z, Weng YL. METTL3 inhibition reduces N 6 -methyladenosine levels and prevents allogeneic CD4 + T-cell responses. Immunol Cell Biol 2022; 100:718-730. [PMID: 36005900 PMCID: PMC9990421 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Alloreactive CD4+ T cells play a central role in allograft rejection. However, the post-transcriptional regulation of the effector program in alloreactive CD4+ T cells remains unclear. N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) RNA modification is involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Herein, we investigated whether m6 A methylation plays a role in the allogeneic T-cell effector program. m6 A levels of CD4+ T cells from spleens, draining lymph nodes and skin allografts were determined in a skin transplantation model. The effects of a METTL3 inhibitor (STM2457) on CD4+ T-cell characteristics including proliferation, cell cycle, cell apoptosis and effector differentiation were determined after stimulation of polyclonal and alloantigen-specific (TEa; CD4+ T cells specific for I-Eα52-68 ) CD4+ T cells with α-CD3/α-CD28 monoclonal antibodies and cognate CB6F1 alloantigen, respectively. We found that graft-infiltrating CD4+ T cells expressed high m6 A levels. Administration of STM2457 reduced m6 A levels, inhibited T-cell proliferation and suppressed effector differentiation of polyclonal CD4+ T cells. Alloreactive TEa cells challenged with 40 μm STM2457 exhibited deficits in T-cell proliferation and T helper type 1 cell differentiation, a cell cycle arrest in the G0 phase and elevated cell apoptosis. Moreover, these impaired T-cell responses were associated with the diminished expression levels of transcription factors Ki-67, c-Myc and T-bet. Therefore, METTL3 inhibition reduces the expression of several key transcriptional factors for the T-cell effector program and suppresses alloreactive CD4+ T-cell effector function and differentiation. Targeting m6 A-related enzymes and molecular machinery in CD4+ T cells represents an attractive therapeutic approach to prevent allograft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dawei Zou
- Department of Surgery, Immunobiology & Transplant Science Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wenhao Chen
- Department of Surgery, Immunobiology & Transplant Science Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gavin W Britz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhaoqian Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi-Lan Weng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
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8
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Li S, Zou D, Chen W, Cheng Y, Britz GW, Weng YL, Liu Z. Ablation of BATF Alleviates Transplant Rejection via Abrogating the Effector Differentiation and Memory Responses of CD8 + T Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:882721. [PMID: 35514970 PMCID: PMC9062028 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.882721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic CD8+ T cells are prominently involved in allograft rejection, but how their effector differentiation and function are regulated at a transcriptional level is not fully understood. Herein, we identified the basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) as a key transcription factor that drives the effector program of allogeneic CD8+ T cells. We found that BATF is highly expressed in graft-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and its ablation in CD8+ T cells significantly prolonged skin allograft survival in a fully MHC-mismatched transplantation model. To investigate how BATF dictates allogeneic CD8+ T cell response, BATF-/- and wild-type (WT) CD8+ T cells were mixed in a 1:1 ratio and adoptively transferred into B6.Rag1-/- mice 1 day prior to skin transplantation. Compared with WT CD8+ T cells at the peak of rejection response, BATF-/- CD8+ T cells displayed a dysfunctional phenotype, evident by their failure to differentiate into CD127-KLRG1+ terminal effectors, impaired proliferative capacity and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines/cytotoxic molecules, and diminished capacity to infiltrate allografts. In association with the failure of effector differentiation, BATF-/- CD8+ T cells largely retained TCF1 expression and expressed significantly low levels of T-bet, TOX, and Ki67. At the memory phase, BATF-deficient CD8+ T cells displayed impaired effector differentiation upon allogeneic antigen re-stimulation. Therefore, BATF is a critical transcriptional determinant that governs the terminal differentiation and memory responses of allogeneic CD8+ T cells in the transplantation setting. Targeting BATF in CD8+ T cells may be an attractive therapeutic approach to promote transplant acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, China,Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, TX, United States,Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Dawei Zou
- Immunobiology & Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute & Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Wenhao Chen
- Immunobiology & Transplant Science Center, Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute & Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yating Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, TX, United States,Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gavin W. Britz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, TX, United States,Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yi-Lan Weng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, TX, United States,Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Zhaoqian Liu, ;Yi-Lan Weng,
| | - Zhaoqian Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Zhaoqian Liu, ;Yi-Lan Weng,
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