1
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Shin B, Zhou W, Wang J, Gao F, Rothenberg EV. Runx factors launch T cell and innate lymphoid programs via direct and gene network-based mechanisms. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1458-1472. [PMID: 37563311 PMCID: PMC10673614 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01585-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Runx factors are essential for lineage specification of various hematopoietic cells, including T lymphocytes. However, they regulate context-specific genes and occupy distinct genomic regions in different cell types. Here, we show that dynamic Runx binding shifts in mouse early T cell development are mostly not restricted by local chromatin state but regulated by Runx dosage and functional partners. Runx cofactors compete to recruit a limited pool of Runx factors in early T progenitor cells, and a modest increase in Runx protein availability at pre-commitment stages causes premature Runx occupancy at post-commitment binding sites. This increased Runx factor availability results in striking T cell lineage developmental acceleration by selectively activating T cell-identity and innate lymphoid cell programs. These programs are collectively regulated by Runx together with other, Runx-induced transcription factors that co-occupy Runx-target genes and propagate gene network changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyoung Shin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Wen Zhou
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- BillionToOne, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Jue Wang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Fan Gao
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, Beckman Institute of California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Lyterian Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ellen V Rothenberg
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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2
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Meng Y, Carrelha J, Drissen R, Ren X, Zhang B, Gambardella A, Valletta S, Thongjuea S, Jacobsen SE, Nerlov C. Epigenetic programming defines haematopoietic stem cell fate restriction. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:812-822. [PMID: 37127714 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01137-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are multipotent, but individual HSCs can show restricted lineage output in vivo. Currently, the molecular mechanisms and physiological role of HSC fate restriction remain unknown. Here we show that lymphoid fate is epigenetically but not transcriptionally primed in HSCs. In multi-lineage HSCs that produce lymphocytes, lymphoid-specific upstream regulatory elements (LymUREs) but not promoters are preferentially accessible compared with platelet-biased HSCs that do not produce lymphoid cell types, providing transcriptionally silent lymphoid lineage priming. Runx3 is preferentially expressed in multi-lineage HSCs, and reinstating Runx3 expression increases LymURE accessibility and lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitor 4 (MPP4) output in old, platelet-biased HSCs. In contrast, platelet-biased HSCs show elevated levels of epigenetic platelet-lineage priming and give rise to MPP2 progenitors with molecular platelet bias. These MPP2 progenitors generate platelets with faster kinetics and through a more direct cellular pathway compared with MPP2s derived from multi-lineage HSCs. Epigenetic programming therefore predicts both fate restriction and differentiation kinetics in HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Meng
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Joana Carrelha
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Roy Drissen
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Xiying Ren
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Bowen Zhang
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Adriana Gambardella
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simona Valletta
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Supat Thongjuea
- MRC WIMM Centre for Computational Biology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sten Eirik Jacobsen
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Wallenberg Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Claus Nerlov
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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3
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RUNX1 and RUNX3 Genes Expression Level in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia-A Case Control Study. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:3455-3464. [PMID: 36005134 PMCID: PMC9406551 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44080238] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic factors of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) development are only partially understood. The Runt-Related Transcription Factor (RUNX) gene family play a crucial role in hematological malignancies, serving both a tumor suppressor and promoter function. The aim of this study was the assessment of relative RUNX1 and RUNX3 genes expression level among adult ALL cases and a geographically and ethnically matched control group. The relative RUNX1 and RUNX3 genes expression level was assessed by qPCR. The investigated group comprised 60 adult patients newly diagnosed with ALL. The obtained results were compared with a group of 40 healthy individuals, as well as clinical and hematological parameters of patients, and submitted for statistical analysis. ALL patients tend to have significantly higher RUNX1 gene expression level compared with controls. This observation is also true for risk group stratification where high-risk (HR) patients presented higher levels of RUNX1. A higher RUNX1 transcript level correlates with greater leukocytosis while RUNX3 expression is reduced in Philadelphia chromosome bearers. The conducted study sustains the hypothesis that both a reduction and increase in the transcript level of RUNX family genes may be involved in leukemia pathogenesis, although their interaction is complex. In this context, overexpression of the RUNX1 gene in adult ALL cases in particular seems interesting. Obtained results should be interpreted with caution. Further analysis in this research field is needed.
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4
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Bao X, Qin Y, Lu L, Zheng M. Transcriptional Regulation of Early T-Lymphocyte Development in Thymus. Front Immunol 2022; 13:884569. [PMID: 35432347 PMCID: PMC9008359 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.884569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T-lymphocytes play crucial roles for maintaining immune homeostasis by fighting against various pathogenic microorganisms and establishing self-antigen tolerance. They will go through several stages and checkpoints in the thymus from progenitors to mature T cells, from CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) cells to CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) cells, finally become CD4+ or CD8+ single positive (SP) cells. The mature SP cells then emigrate out of the thymus and further differentiate into distinct subsets under different environment signals to perform specific functions. Each step is regulated by various transcriptional regulators downstream of T cell receptors (TCRs) that have been extensively studied both in vivo and vitro via multiple mouse models and advanced techniques, such as single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). This review will summarize the transcriptional regulators participating in the early stage of T cell development reported in the past decade, trying to figure out cascade networks in each process and provide possible research directions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyang Bao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingyu Qin
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Linrong Lu
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, Renji Hospital, Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingzhu Zheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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5
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Illouz T, Biragyn A, Iulita MF, Flores-Aguilar L, Dierssen M, De Toma I, Antonarakis SE, Yu E, Herault Y, Potier MC, Botté A, Roper R, Sredni B, London J, Mobley W, Strydom A, Okun E. Immune Dysregulation and the Increased Risk of Complications and Mortality Following Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults With Down Syndrome. Front Immunol 2021; 12:621440. [PMID: 34248930 PMCID: PMC8267813 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.621440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk of severe outcomes following respiratory tract infections is significantly increased in individuals over 60 years, especially in those with chronic medical conditions, i.e., hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer. Down Syndrome (DS), the most prevalent intellectual disability, is caused by trisomy-21 in ~1:750 live births worldwide. Over the past few decades, a substantial body of evidence has accumulated, pointing at the occurrence of alterations, impairments, and subsequently dysfunction of the various components of the immune system in individuals with DS. This associates with increased vulnerability to respiratory tract infections in this population, such as the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), and bacterial pneumonias. To emphasize this link, here we comprehensively review the immunobiology of DS and its contribution to higher susceptibility to severe illness and mortality from respiratory tract infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Illouz
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Arya Biragyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Maria Florencia Iulita
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lisi Flores-Aguilar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Center for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ilario De Toma
- Center for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stylianos E. Antonarakis
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Medigenome, Swiss Institute of Genomic Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
- iGE3 Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eugene Yu
- The Children’s Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics and Genomics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
- Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Program, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, IGBMC - UMR 7104 - Inserm U1258, Illkirch, France
| | - Marie-Claude Potier
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Botté
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Randall Roper
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Benjamin Sredni
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - William Mobley
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Andre Strydom
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eitan Okun
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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6
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Logical modeling of cell fate specification—Application to T cell commitment. Curr Top Dev Biol 2020; 139:205-238. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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7
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Abstract
Specification of multipotent blood precursor cells in postnatal mice to become committed T-cell precursors involves a gene regulatory network of several interacting but functionally distinct modules. Many links of this network have been defined by perturbation tests and by functional genomics. However, using the network model to predict real-life kinetics of the commitment process is still difficult, partly due to the tenacity of repressive chromatin states, and to the ability of transcription factors to affect each other's binding site choices through competitive recruitment to alternative sites ("coregulator theft"). To predict kinetics, future models will need to incorporate mechanistic information about chromatin state change dynamics and more sophisticated understanding of the proteomics and cooperative DNA site choices of transcription factor complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen V Rothenberg
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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8
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Hosokawa H, Ungerbäck J, Wang X, Matsumoto M, Nakayama KI, Cohen SM, Tanaka T, Rothenberg EV. Transcription Factor PU.1 Represses and Activates Gene Expression in Early T Cells by Redirecting Partner Transcription Factor Binding. Immunity 2019; 48:1119-1134.e7. [PMID: 29924977 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2018.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors normally regulate gene expression through their action at sites where they bind to DNA. However, the balance of activating and repressive functions that a transcription factor can mediate is not completely understood. Here, we showed that the transcription factor PU.1 regulated gene expression in early T cell development both by recruiting partner transcription factors to its own binding sites and by depleting them from the binding sites that they preferred when PU.1 was absent. The removal of partner factors Satb1 and Runx1 occurred primarily from sites where PU.1 itself did not bind. Genes linked to sites of partner factor "theft" were enriched for genes that PU.1 represses despite lack of binding, both in a model cell line system and in normal T cell development. Thus, system-level competitive recruitment dynamics permit PU.1 to affect gene expression both through its own target sites and through action at a distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Hosokawa
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jonas Ungerbäck
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA; Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Xun Wang
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Masaki Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Japan
| | - Keiichi I Nakayama
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Japan
| | - Sarah M Cohen
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Tomoaki Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Diagnosis, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan; AMED-CREST, AMED, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ellen V Rothenberg
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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9
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Netzer C, Knape T, Kuchler L, Weigert A, Zacharowski K, Pfeilschifter W, Sempowski G, Brüne B, von Knethen A. Apoptotic Diminution of Immature Single and Double Positive Thymocyte Subpopulations Contributes to Thymus Involution During Murine Polymicrobial Sepsis. Shock 2017; 48:215-226. [PMID: 28708784 PMCID: PMC6263038 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000000842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
To generate and maintain functional T-cell receptor diversity, thymocyte development is tightly organized. Errors in this process may have dramatic consequences, provoking, for example, autoimmune diseases. Probably for this reason, the thymus reacts to septic stress with involution, decreasing the numbers of thymocytes. Because it is still unclear which thymocyte subpopulation contributes to thymus involution and whether thymocyte emigration is altered, we were interested to clarify this question in detail. Here, we show, using the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model of polymicrobial sepsis, that predominantly immature thymocytes are reduced. The number of immature single positive thymocytes was most marked diminished (CLP: 6.54 × 10 ± 3.79 × 10 vs. sham: 4.54 × 10 ± 7.66 × 10 cells/thymus [24 h], CLP: 2.60 × 10 ± 2.14 × 10 vs. sham: 2.17 × 10 ± 1.90 × 10 cells/thymus [48 h]), and was consequently associated with the highest rate of apoptosis (8.4 [CLP] vs. 2.2% [sham]), the reduction in double positive thymocytes being associated with a smaller apoptotic response (number, CLP: 2.33 × 10 ± 1.38 × 10 vs. sham: 1.07 × 10 ± 2.72 × 10 cells/thymus [24 h], CLP: 2.34 × 10 ± 9.08 × 10 vs. sham: 3.5 × 10 ± 9.62 × 10 cells/thymus [48 h]; apoptosis: 2.5% [CLP] vs. 0.7% [sham]). Analysis of T-cell receptor excision circles revealed that the emigration of mature thymocytes was not inhibited. Real-time qPCR analysis revealed upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bim expression and suggested interference between Notch receptor expression on thymocytes and the respective ligands on thymic stromal cells during CLP-dependent sepsis, which might be responsible for the altered thymocyte viability in CLP-dependent sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Netzer
- Institute of Biochemistry I-Pathobiochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tilo Knape
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Project Group Translational Medicine & Pharmacology TMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Laura Kuchler
- Institute of Biochemistry I-Pathobiochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Weigert
- Institute of Biochemistry I-Pathobiochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kai Zacharowski
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Waltraud Pfeilschifter
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gregory Sempowski
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, 909 S. Lasall St, Durham, NC 27705
| | - Bernhard Brüne
- Institute of Biochemistry I-Pathobiochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas von Knethen
- Institute of Biochemistry I-Pathobiochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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10
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Sahni H, Ross S, Barbarulo A, Solanki A, Lau CI, Furmanski A, Saldaña JI, Ono M, Hubank M, Barenco M, Crompton T. A genome wide transcriptional model of the complex response to pre-TCR signalling during thymocyte differentiation. Oncotarget 2016; 6:28646-60. [PMID: 26415229 PMCID: PMC4745683 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing thymocytes require pre-TCR signalling to differentiate from CD4-CD8- double negative to CD4+CD8+ double positive cell. Here we followed the transcriptional response to pre-TCR signalling in a synchronised population of differentiating double negative thymocytes. This time series analysis revealed a complex transcriptional response, in which thousands of genes were up and down-regulated before changes in cell surface phenotype were detected. Genome-wide measurement of RNA degradation of individual genes showed great heterogeneity in the rate of degradation between different genes. We therefore used time course expression and degradation data and a genome wide transcriptional modelling (GWTM) strategy to model the transcriptional response of genes up-regulated on pre-TCR signal transduction. This analysis revealed five major temporally distinct transcriptional activities that up regulate transcription through time, whereas down-regulation of expression occurred in three waves. Our model thus placed known regulators in a temporal perspective, and in addition identified novel candidate regulators of thymocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemant Sahni
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Susan Ross
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | | | - Anisha Solanki
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Ching-In Lau
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Anna Furmanski
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | | | - Masahiro Ono
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Mike Hubank
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Martino Barenco
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Tessa Crompton
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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11
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Cauchy P, Maqbool MA, Zacarias-Cabeza J, Vanhille L, Koch F, Fenouil R, Gut M, Gut I, Santana MA, Griffon A, Imbert J, Moraes-Cabé C, Bories JC, Ferrier P, Spicuglia S, Andrau JC. Dynamic recruitment of Ets1 to both nucleosome-occupied and -depleted enhancer regions mediates a transcriptional program switch during early T-cell differentiation. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:3567-85. [PMID: 26673693 PMCID: PMC4856961 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ets1 is a sequence-specific transcription factor that plays an important role during hematopoiesis, and is essential for the transition of CD4−/CD8− double negative (DN) to CD4+/CD8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes. Using genome-wide and functional approaches, we investigated the binding properties, transcriptional role and chromatin environment of Ets1 during this transition. We found that while Ets1 binding at distal sites was associated with active genes at both DN and DP stages, its enhancer activity was attained at the DP stage, as reflected by levels of the core transcriptional hallmarks H3K4me1/3, RNA Polymerase II and eRNA. This dual, stage-specific ability reflected a switch from non-T hematopoietic toward T-cell specific gene expression programs during the DN-to-DP transition, as indicated by transcriptome analyses of Ets1−/− thymic cells. Coincidentally, Ets1 associates more specifically with Runx1 in DN and with TCF1 in DP cells. We also provide evidence that Ets1 predominantly binds distal nucleosome-occupied regions in DN and nucleosome-depleted regions in DP. Finally and importantly, we demonstrate that Ets1 induces chromatin remodeling by displacing H3K4me1-marked nucleosomes. Our results thus provide an original model whereby the ability of a transcription factor to bind nucleosomal DNA changes during differentiation with consequences on its cognate enhancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Cauchy
- CIML CNRS UMR7280, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France CIML INSERM U1104, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University, 58 Boulevard Charles Livon, Marseille F-13284, France Inserm U1090, Technological Advances for Genomics and Clinics (TAGC), Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University UMR-S 1090, TAGC, Marseille F-13009, France
| | - Muhammad A Maqbool
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR5535, 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier F-34293, France
| | - Joaquin Zacarias-Cabeza
- CIML CNRS UMR7280, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France CIML INSERM U1104, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University, 58 Boulevard Charles Livon, Marseille F-13284, France
| | - Laurent Vanhille
- Inserm U1090, Technological Advances for Genomics and Clinics (TAGC), Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University UMR-S 1090, TAGC, Marseille F-13009, France
| | - Frederic Koch
- CIML CNRS UMR7280, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France CIML INSERM U1104, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University, 58 Boulevard Charles Livon, Marseille F-13284, France
| | - Romain Fenouil
- CIML CNRS UMR7280, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France CIML INSERM U1104, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University, 58 Boulevard Charles Livon, Marseille F-13284, France
| | - Marta Gut
- Centre Nacional D'Anàlisi Genòmica, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri i Reixac 4, Barcelona ES-08028, Spain
| | - Ivo Gut
- Centre Nacional D'Anàlisi Genòmica, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri i Reixac 4, Barcelona ES-08028, Spain
| | - Maria A Santana
- CIML CNRS UMR7280, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France CIML INSERM U1104, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University, 58 Boulevard Charles Livon, Marseille F-13284, France
| | - Aurélien Griffon
- Inserm U1090, Technological Advances for Genomics and Clinics (TAGC), Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University UMR-S 1090, TAGC, Marseille F-13009, France
| | - Jean Imbert
- Inserm U1090, Technological Advances for Genomics and Clinics (TAGC), Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University UMR-S 1090, TAGC, Marseille F-13009, France
| | - Carolina Moraes-Cabé
- INSERM UMR 1126 Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris F-75475, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Bories
- INSERM UMR 1126 Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris F-75475, France
| | - Pierre Ferrier
- CIML CNRS UMR7280, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France CIML INSERM U1104, Case 906, Campus de Luminy, Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University, 58 Boulevard Charles Livon, Marseille F-13284, France
| | - Salvatore Spicuglia
- Inserm U1090, Technological Advances for Genomics and Clinics (TAGC), Marseille F-13009, France Aix-Marseille University UMR-S 1090, TAGC, Marseille F-13009, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Andrau
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR5535, 1919 Route de Mende, Montpellier F-34293, France
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12
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The artificial loss of Runx1 reduces the expression of quiescence-associated transcription factors in CD4 + T lymphocytes. Mol Immunol 2015; 68:223-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2015.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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13
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Nelson RK, Gould KA. An Lck-cre transgene accelerates autoantibody production and lupus development in (NZB × NZW)F1 mice. Lupus 2015; 25:137-54. [PMID: 26385218 DOI: 10.1177/0961203315603139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lupus is an autoimmune disease characterized by the development of antinuclear autoantibodies and immune complex-mediated tissue damage. T cells in lupus patients appear to undergo apoptosis at an increased rate, and this enhanced T cell apoptosis has been postulated to contribute to lupus pathogenesis by increasing autoantigen load. However, there is no direct evidence to support this hypothesis. In this study, we show that an Lck-cre transgene, which increases T cell apoptosis as a result of T cell-specific expression of cre recombinase, accelerates the development of autoantibodies and nephritis in lupus-prone (NZB × NZW)F1 mice. Although the enhanced T cell apoptosis in Lck-cre transgenic mice resulted in an overall decrease in the relative abundance of splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, the proportion of activated CD4(+) T cells was increased and no significant change was observed in the relative abundance of suppressive T cells. We postulate that the Lck-cre transgene promoted lupus by enhancing T cell apoptosis, which, in conjunction with the impaired clearance of apoptotic cells in lupus-prone mice, increased the nuclear antigen load and accelerated the development of anti-nuclear autoantibodies. Furthermore, our results also underscore the importance of including cre-only controls in studies using the cre-lox system.
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Affiliation(s)
- R K Nelson
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy, Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - K A Gould
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy, Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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14
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Shah DK, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC. An overview of the intrathymic intricacies of T cell development. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:4017-23. [PMID: 24748636 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The generation of a functional and diverse repertoire of T cells occurs in the thymus from precursors arriving from the bone marrow. In this article, we introduce the various stages of mouse thymocyte development and highlight recent work using various in vivo, and, where appropriate, in vitro models of T cell development that led to discoveries in the regulation afforded by transcription factors and receptor-ligand signaling pathways in specifying, maintaining, and promoting the T cell lineage and the production of T cells. This review also discusses the role of the thymic microenvironment in providing a niche for the successful development of T cells. In particular, we focus on advances in Notch signaling and developments in Notch ligand interactions in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya K Shah
- Anthony Nolan Research Institute, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2QG, United Kingdom
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15
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Klase Z, Yedavalli VSRK, Houzet L, Perkins M, Maldarelli F, Brenchley J, Strebel K, Liu P, Jeang KT. Activation of HIV-1 from latent infection via synergy of RUNX1 inhibitor Ro5-3335 and SAHA. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1003997. [PMID: 24651404 PMCID: PMC3961356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A major barrier to the elimination of HIV-1 infection is the presence of a pool of long-lived, latently infected CD4+ memory T-cells. The search for treatments to re-activate latent HIV to aid in clearance is hindered by the incomplete understanding of the mechanisms that lead to transcriptional silencing of viral gene expression in host cells. Here we identify a previously unknown role for RUNX1 in HIV-1 transcriptional latency. The RUNX proteins, in combination with the co-factor CBF-β, are critical transcriptional regulators in T-cells. RUNX1 strongly modulates CD4 expression and contributes to CD4+ T-cell function. We show that RUNX1 can bind DNA sequences within the HIV-1 LTR and that this binding represses transcription. Using patient samples we show a negative correlation between RUNX1 expression and viral load. Furthermore, we find that pharmacologic inhibition of RUNX1 by a small molecule inhibitor, Ro5-3335, synergizes with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor SAHA (Vorinostat) to enhance the activation of latent HIV-1 in both cell lines and PBMCs from patients. Our findings indicate that RUNX1 and CBF-β cooperate in cells to modulate HIV-1 replication, identifying for the first time RUNX1 as a cellular factor involved in HIV-1 latency. This work highlights the therapeutic potential of inhibitors of RUNX1 to re-activate virus and aid in clearance of HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Klase
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Venkat S. R. K. Yedavalli
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Laurent Houzet
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Molly Perkins
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Frank Maldarelli
- Host Virus Interaction Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jason Brenchley
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Klaus Strebel
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Paul Liu
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kuan-Teh Jeang
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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16
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Wong WF, Looi CY, Kon S, Movahed E, Funaki T, Chang LY, Satake M, Kohu K. T-cell receptor signaling inducesproximal Runx1transactivation via a calcineurin-NFAT pathway. Eur J Immunol 2014; 44:894-904. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Won Fen Wong
- Faculty of Medicine; Department of Medical Microbiology; University of Malaya; Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
- Department of Molecular Immunology; Institute for Development; Aging and Cancer; Tohoku University; Sendai Japan
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- Faculty of Medicine; Department of Pharmacology; University of Malaya; Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Shunsuke Kon
- Department of Molecular Immunology; Institute for Development; Aging and Cancer; Tohoku University; Sendai Japan
| | - Elaheh Movahed
- Faculty of Medicine; Department of Medical Microbiology; University of Malaya; Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Tomo Funaki
- Department of Molecular Immunology; Institute for Development; Aging and Cancer; Tohoku University; Sendai Japan
| | - Li Yen Chang
- Faculty of Medicine; Department of Medical Microbiology; University of Malaya; Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Masanobu Satake
- Department of Molecular Immunology; Institute for Development; Aging and Cancer; Tohoku University; Sendai Japan
- Network Medicine; Global COE Program; Tohoku University; Sendai Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Kohu
- Cancer Science Institute; National University of Singapore; Singapore
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17
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Funaki T, Kon S, Tanabe K, Natsume W, Sato S, Shimizu T, Yoshida N, Wong WF, Ogura A, Ogawa T, Inoue K, Ogonuki N, Miki H, Mochida K, Endoh K, Yomogida K, Fukumoto M, Horai R, Iwakura Y, Ito C, Toshimori K, Watanabe T, Satake M. The Arf GAP SMAP2 is necessary for organized vesicle budding from the trans-Golgi network and subsequent acrosome formation in spermiogenesis. Mol Biol Cell 2013; 24:2633-44. [PMID: 23864717 PMCID: PMC3756916 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e13-05-0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
SMAP2 is an Arf GAP and modulates clathrin-coated vesicle formation. SMAP2-deficient male mice exhibited globozoospermia due to acrosome deformation. In SMAP2(−/−) spermatids, budding of proacrosomal vesicles from the TGN was distorted and clathrin traffic–related molecules such as CALM and syntaxin2 were mislocated. The trans-Golgi network (TGN) functions as a hub organelle in the exocytosis of clathrin-coated membrane vesicles, and SMAP2 is an Arf GTPase-activating protein that binds to both clathrin and the clathrin assembly protein (CALM). In the present study, SMAP2 is detected on the TGN in the pachytene spermatocyte to the round spermatid stages of spermatogenesis. Gene targeting reveals that SMAP2-deficient male mice are healthy and survive to adulthood but are infertile and exhibit globozoospermia. In SMAP2-deficient spermatids, the diameter of proacrosomal vesicles budding from TGN increases, TGN structures are distorted, acrosome formation is severely impaired, and reorganization of the nucleus does not proceed properly. CALM functions to regulate vesicle sizes, and this study shows that CALM is not recruited to the TGN in the absence of SMAP2. Furthermore, syntaxin2, a component of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex, is not properly concentrated at the site of acrosome formation. Thus this study reveals a link between SMAP2 and CALM/syntaxin2 in clathrin-coated vesicle formation from the TGN and subsequent acrosome formation. SMAP2-deficient mice provide a model for globozoospermia in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomo Funaki
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Department of Pathology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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18
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A germline point mutation in Runx1 uncouples its role in definitive hematopoiesis from differentiation. Exp Hematol 2013; 41:980-991.e1. [PMID: 23823022 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Revised: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Definitive hematopoiesis requires the master hematopoietic transcription factor Runx1, which is a frequent target of leukemia-related chromosomal translocations. Several of the translocation-generated fusion proteins retain the DNA binding activity of Runx1, but lose subnuclear targeting and associated transactivation potential. Complete loss of these functions in vivo resembles Runx1 ablation, which causes embryonic lethality. We developed a knock-in mouse that expresses full-length Runx1 with a mutation in the subnuclear targeting cofactor interaction domain, Runx1(HTY350-352AAA). Mutant mice survive to adulthood, and hematopoietic stem cell emergence appears to be unaltered. However, defects are observed in multiple differentiated hematopoietic lineages at stages where Runx1 is known to play key roles. Thus, a germline mutation in Runx1 reveals uncoupling of its functions during developmental hematopoiesis from subsequent differentiation across multiple hematopoietic lineages in the adult. These findings indicate that subnuclear targeting and cofactor interactions with Runx1 are important in many compartments throughout hematopoietic differentiation.
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19
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Brady G, Elgueta Karstegl C, Farrell PJ. Novel function of the unique N-terminal region of RUNX1c in B cell growth regulation. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 41:1555-68. [PMID: 23254331 PMCID: PMC3561965 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks1273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RUNX family proteins are expressed from alternate promoters, giving rise to different N-terminal forms, but the functional difference of these isoforms is not understood. Here, we show that growth of a human B lymphoblastoid cell line infected with Epstein-Barr virus is inhibited by RUNX1c but not by RUNX1b. This gives a novel functional assay for the unique N-terminus of RUNX1c, and amino acids of RUNX1c required for the effect have been identified. Primary resting B cells contain RUNX1c, consistent with the growth inhibitory effect in B cells. The oncogene TEL-RUNX1 lacks the N-terminus of RUNX1c because of the TEL fusion and does not inhibit B cell growth. Mouse Runx1c lacks some of the sequences required for human RUNX1c to inhibit B cell growth, indicating that this aspect of human B cell growth control may differ in mice. Remarkably, a cell-penetrating peptide containing the N-terminal sequence of RUNX1c specifically antagonizes the growth inhibitory effect in B lymphoblastoid cells and might be used to modulate the function of human RUNX1c.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Brady
- Section of Virology, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK
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20
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Nagel S, Venturini L, Przybylski GK, Grabarczyk P, Schneider B, Meyer C, Kaufmann M, Schmidt CA, Scherr M, Drexler HG, Macleod RAF. Activation of Paired-homeobox gene PITX1 by del(5)(q31) in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 2011; 52:1348-59. [PMID: 21425961 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2011.566391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In T-cell acute lymphoblasic leukemia (T-ALL), neoplastic chromosomal rearrangements are known to deregulate members of the homeobox gene families NKL and HOXA. Here, analysis of T-ALL cell lines and primary cells identified aberrant expression of a third homeobox gene group, the Paired (PRD) class. LOUCY cells revealed chromosomal deletion at 5q31, which targets the downstream regulatory region of the PRD homeobox gene PITX1, removing a STAT1 binding site. STAT1 mediates repressive interleukin 2 (IL2)-STAT1 signaling, implicating IL2 pathway avoidance as a possible activation mechanism. Among primary T-ALL samples, 2/22 (9%) aberrantly expressed PITX1, highlighting the importance of this gene. Forced expression of PITX1 in JURKAT cells and subsequent target gene analysis prompted deregulation of genes involved in T-cell development including HES1, JUN, NKX3-1, RUNX1, RUNX2, and TRIB2. Taken together, our data show leukemic activation of PITX1, a novice PRD-class homeobox gene in a subset of early-staged T-ALL, which may promote leukemogenesis by inhibiting T-cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Nagel
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany.
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21
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Wong WF, Kurokawa M, Satake M, Kohu K. Down-regulation of Runx1 expression by TCR signal involves an autoregulatory mechanism and contributes to IL-2 production. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:11110-8. [PMID: 21292764 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.166694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Runx1 transcription factor plays multiple roles in T cell development, differentiation, and function. However, the regulatory mechanisms and functional significance of high Runx1 protein expression in resting peripheral CD4+ T cells is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that T-cell receptor (TCR) activation down-regulates distal Runx1 transcription, resulting in a significant reduction of Runx1 protein. Interestingly, this down-regulation of distal Runx1 transcription appears to be mediated through a negative auto-regulatory mechanism, whereby Runx1 protein binds to a Runx consensus site in the distal promoter. Through the use of Runx1-overexpressing cells from transgenic mice, we demonstrate that interference with TCR-mediated Runx1 down-regulation inhibits IL-2 production and proliferation in activated CD4+ T cells. In contrast, using Runx1-deficient cells prepared from targeted mice, we show that the absence of Runx1 in unstimulated CD4+ T cells results in IL-2 derepression. In summary, we propose that high levels of Runx1 in resting CD4+ T cells functions negatively in the regulation of IL-2 transcription, and that TCR activation-mediated down-regulation of Runx1 involves negative auto-regulation of the distal Runx1 promoter and contributes to IL-2 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Fen Wong
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
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22
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Abstract
The helper versus cytotoxic-lineage choice of CD4(+)CD8(+) DP thymocytes correlates with MHC restriction of their T cell receptors and the termination of either CD8 or CD4 coreceptor expression. It has been hypothesized that transcription factors regulating the expression of the Cd4/Cd8 coreceptor genes must play a role in regulating the lineage decision of DP thymocytes. Indeed, progress made during the past decade led to the identification of several transcription factors that regulate CD4/CD8 expression that are as well important regulators of helper/cytotoxic cell fate choice. These studies provided insight into the molecular link between the regulation of coreceptor expression and lineage decision. However, studies initiated by the identification of ThPOK, a central transcription factor for helper T cell development, have offered another perspective on the cross-regulation between these two processes. Here, we review advances in our understanding of regulatory circuits composed of transcription factors and their link to epigenetic mechanisms, which play essential roles in specifying and sealing cell lineage identity during the CD4/CD8 commitment process of DP thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Taniuchi
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, RIKEN, Suehiro-cho, Turumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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23
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Wong WF, Kohu K, Chiba T, Sato T, Satake M. Interplay of transcription factors in T-cell differentiation and function: the role of Runx. Immunology 2010; 132:157-64. [PMID: 21091910 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2010.03381.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past years, increasing numbers of distinct subsets have been discovered and identified for a T lymphocytes' entity. Differentiation and function of each T cell subset are controlled by a specific master transcription factor. Importantly, Runt-related transcription factors, particularly Runx1 and Runx3, interplay with these master regulators in various aspects of T cells' immunity. In this review article, we first explain roles of Th-Pok and Runx3 in differentiation of CD4 versus CD8 single positive cells, and later focus on cross-regulation of Th-Pok and Runx3 and their relationship with other factors such as TCR strength. Next, we provide evidences for the direct interplay of Runx1/3 with T-bet and GATA3 during Th1 versus Th2 commitment to activate or silence transcription of signature cytokine genes, IFNγ and IL4. Lastly, we explain feed-forward relationship between Runx1 and Foxp3 and discuss roles of Runx1 in regulatory T cells' suppressive activity. This review highlights an essential importance of Runx molecules in controlling various T cell subsets' differentiation and functions through molecular interplay with the master transcription factors in terms of protein-protein interaction as well as regulation of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Fen Wong
- Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Isehara, Japan
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