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Wang F, Ferreira LMR, Mazzanti A, Yu H, Gu B, Meissner TB, Li Q, Strominger JL. Progesterone-mediated remodeling of the maternal-fetal interface by a PGRMC1-dependent mechanism. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104244. [PMID: 38555747 PMCID: PMC11151737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104244] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Implantation and maintenance of pregnancy involve intricate immunological processes that enable the developing fetus to coexist with the maternal immune system. Progesterone, a critical hormone during pregnancy, is known to promote immune tolerance and prevent preterm labor. However, the mechanism by which progesterone mediates these effects remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of the non-classical progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) in progesterone signaling at the maternal-fetal interface. Using JEG3 cells, a trophoblast model cell line, we observed that progesterone stimulation increased the expression of human leukocyte antigen-C (HLA-C) and HLA-G, key molecules involved in immune tolerance. We also found that progesterone upregulated the expression of the transcription factor ELF3, which is known to regulate trophoblast-specific HLA-C expression. Interestingly, JEG3 cells lacked expression of classical progesterone receptors (PRs) but exhibited high expression of PGRMC1, a finding we confirmed in primary trophoblasts by mining sc-RNA seq data from human placenta. To investigate the role of PGRMC1 in progesterone signaling, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to knockout PGRMC1 in JEG3 cells. PGRMC1-deficient cells showed a diminished response to progesterone stimulation. Furthermore, we found that the progesterone antagonist RU486 inhibited ELF3 expression in a PGRMC1-dependent manner, suggesting that RU486 acts as a progesterone antagonist by competing for receptor binding. Additionally, we found that RU486 inhibited cell invasion, an important process for successful pregnancy, and this inhibitory effect was dependent on PGRMC1. Our findings highlight the crucial role of PGRMC1 in mediating the immunoregulatory effects of progesterone at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Department of Obstetrics, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Leonardo M R Ferreira
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Andrew Mazzanti
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Huaxiao Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China
| | - Bowen Gu
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
| | - Torsten B Meissner
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China.
| | - Jack L Strominger
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States.
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Mikaeeli S, Ben Djoudi Ouadda A, Evagelidis A, Essalmani R, Ramos OHP, Fruchart-Gaillard C, Seidah NG. Insights into PCSK9-LDLR Regulation and Trafficking via the Differential Functions of MHC-I Proteins HFE and HLA-C. Cells 2024; 13:857. [PMID: 38786080 PMCID: PMC11119474 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
PCSK9 is implicated in familial hypercholesterolemia via targeting the cell surface PCSK9-LDLR complex toward lysosomal degradation. The M2 repeat in the PCSK9's C-terminal domain is essential for its extracellular function, potentially through its interaction with an unidentified "protein X". The M2 repeat was recently shown to bind an R-x-E motif in MHC-class-I proteins (implicated in the immune system), like HLA-C, and causing their lysosomal degradation. These findings suggested a new role of PCSK9 in the immune system and that HLA-like proteins could be "protein X" candidates. However, the participation of each member of the MHC-I protein family in this process and their regulation of PCSK9's function have yet to be determined. Herein, we compared the implication of MHC-I-like proteins such as HFE (involved in iron homeostasis) and HLA-C on the extracellular function of PCSK9. Our data revealed that the M2 domain regulates the intracellular sorting of the PCSK9-LDLR complex to lysosomes, and that HFE is a new target of PCSK9 that inhibits its activity on the LDLR, whereas HLA-C enhances its function. This work suggests the potential modulation of PCSK9's functions through interactions of HFE and HLA-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Mikaeeli
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; (S.M.); (A.B.D.O.); (A.E.); (R.E.)
| | - Ali Ben Djoudi Ouadda
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; (S.M.); (A.B.D.O.); (A.E.); (R.E.)
| | - Alexandra Evagelidis
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; (S.M.); (A.B.D.O.); (A.E.); (R.E.)
| | - Rachid Essalmani
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; (S.M.); (A.B.D.O.); (A.E.); (R.E.)
| | - Oscar Henrique Pereira Ramos
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SIMoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (O.H.P.R.); (C.F.-G.)
| | - Carole Fruchart-Gaillard
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, SIMoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (O.H.P.R.); (C.F.-G.)
| | - Nabil G. Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; (S.M.); (A.B.D.O.); (A.E.); (R.E.)
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3
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Barmada A, Handfield LF, Godoy-Tena G, de la Calle-Fabregat C, Ciudad L, Arutyunyan A, Andrés-León E, Hoo R, Porter T, Oszlanczi A, Richardson L, Calero-Nieto FJ, Wilson NK, Marchese D, Sancho-Serra C, Carrillo J, Presas-Rodríguez S, Ramo-Tello C, Ruiz-Sanmartin A, Ferrer R, Ruiz-Rodriguez JC, Martínez-Gallo M, Munera-Campos M, Carrascosa JM, Göttgens B, Heyn H, Prigmore E, Casafont-Solé I, Solanich X, Sánchez-Cerrillo I, González-Álvaro I, Raimondo MG, Ramming A, Martin J, Martínez-Cáceres E, Ballestar E, Vento-Tormo R, Rodríguez-Ubreva J. Single-cell multi-omics analysis of COVID-19 patients with pre-existing autoimmune diseases shows aberrant immune responses to infection. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350633. [PMID: 37799110 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350633] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
In COVID-19, hyperinflammatory and dysregulated immune responses contribute to severity. Patients with pre-existing autoimmune conditions can therefore be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and/or associated sequelae, yet SARS-CoV-2 infection in this group has been little studied. Here, we performed single-cell analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with three major autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or multiple sclerosis) during SARS-CoV-2 infection. We observed compositional differences between the autoimmune disease groups coupled with altered patterns of gene expression, transcription factor activity, and cell-cell communication that substantially shape the immune response under SARS-CoV-2 infection. While enrichment of HLA-DRlow CD14+ monocytes was observed in all three autoimmune disease groups, type-I interferon signaling as well as inflammatory T cell and monocyte responses varied widely between the three groups of patients. Our results reveal disturbed immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with pre-existing autoimmunity, highlighting important considerations for disease treatment and follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis Barmada
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gerard Godoy-Tena
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Laura Ciudad
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Arutyunyan
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Eduardo Andrés-León
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Regina Hoo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tarryn Porter
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Agnes Oszlanczi
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Richardson
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando J Calero-Nieto
- Department of Haematology and Wellcome & MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola K Wilson
- Department of Haematology and Wellcome & MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Domenica Marchese
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Sancho-Serra
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge Carrillo
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Silvia Presas-Rodríguez
- MS Unit, Department of Neurology, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Ramo-Tello
- MS Unit, Department of Neurology, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adolfo Ruiz-Sanmartin
- Department of Intensive Care, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Shock, Organ Dysfunction and Resuscitation Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricard Ferrer
- Department of Intensive Care, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Shock, Organ Dysfunction and Resuscitation Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Ruiz-Rodriguez
- Department of Intensive Care, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Shock, Organ Dysfunction and Resuscitation Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mónica Martínez-Gallo
- Division of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mónica Munera-Campos
- Dermatology Service, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, LCMN, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Carrascosa
- Dermatology Service, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, LCMN, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology and Wellcome & MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Holger Heyn
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Prigmore
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ivette Casafont-Solé
- Department of Rheumatology, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, LCMN, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Solanich
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Maria Gabriella Raimondo
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Ramming
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Javier Martin
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Eva Martínez-Cáceres
- Division of Immunology, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, LCMN, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Vento-Tormo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Ubreva
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Velastegui E, Vera E, Vanden Berghe W, Muñoz MS, Orellana-Manzano A. "HLA-C: evolution, epigenetics, and pathological implications in the major histocompatibility complex". Front Genet 2023; 14:1206034. [PMID: 37465164 PMCID: PMC10350511 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1206034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
HLA-C, a gene located within the major histocompatibility complex, has emerged as a prominent target in biomedical research due to its involvement in various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders; even though its recent addition to the MHC, the interaction between HLA-C and KIR is crucial for immune responses, particularly in viral infections. This review provides an overview of the structure, origin, function, and pathological implications of HLA-C in the major histocompatibility complex. In the last decade, we systematically reviewed original publications from Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Our findings reveal that genetic variations in HLA-C can determine susceptibility or resistance to certain diseases. However, the first four exons of HLA-C are particularly susceptible to epigenetic modifications, which can lead to gene silencing and alterations in immune function. These alterations can manifest in diseases such as alopecia areata and psoriasis and can also impact susceptibility to cancer and the effectiveness of cancer treatments. By comprehending the intricate interplay between genetic and epigenetic factors that regulate HLA-C expression, researchers may develop novel strategies for preventing and treating diseases associated with HLA-C dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Velastegui
- Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Departamento de Ciencias de los Alimentos y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería Química y Agroindustria, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Edwin Vera
- Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Departamento de Ciencias de los Alimentos y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería Química y Agroindustria, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Epigenetic Signaling Lab, Faculty Biomedical Sciences, PPES, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mindy S. Muñoz
- Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Orellana-Manzano
- Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Laboratorio para investigaciones biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida (FCV), Guayaquil, Ecuador
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5
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Sheridan MA, Zhao X, Fernando RC, Gardner L, Perez-Garcia V, Li Q, Marsh SGE, Hamilton R, Moffett A, Turco MY. Characterization of primary models of human trophoblast. Development 2021; 148:272500. [PMID: 34651188 PMCID: PMC8602945 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Two recently developed models, trophoblast organoids and trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), are useful tools to further the understanding of human placental development. Both differentiate from villous cytotrophoblast (VCT) to either extravillous trophoblast (EVT) or syncytiotrophoblast (SCT). Here, we compare the transcriptomes and miRNA profiles of these models to identify which trophoblast they resemble in vivo. Our findings indicate that TSCs do not readily undergo SCT differentiation and closely resemble cells at the base of the cell columns from where EVT derives. In contrast, organoids are similar to VCT and undergo spontaneous SCT differentiation. A defining feature of human trophoblast is that VCT and SCT are human leukocyte antigen (HLA) null, whereas EVT expresses HLA-C, -G and -E molecules. We find that trophoblast organoids retain these in vivo characteristics. In contrast, TSCs express classical HLA-A and HLA-B molecules, and maintain their expression after EVT differentiation, with upregulation of HLA-G. Furthermore, HLA expression in TSCs differs when grown in 3D rather than in 2D, suggesting that mechanical cues are important. Our results can be used to select the most suitable model for the study of trophoblast development, function and pathology. Summary: Characterization of trophoblast organoids and trophoblast stem cells as exciting models of human placentation enables the selection of the most suitable system to address specific research questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Sheridan
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Xiaohui Zhao
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.,Department of Physiology, Neuroscience and Development, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Ridma C Fernando
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Lucy Gardner
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Vicente Perez-Garcia
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.,Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Eduardo Primo Yúfera, Valencia 46012, Spain
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.,Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Steven G E Marsh
- Anthony Nolan Research Institute, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2QG, UK.,UCL Cancer Institute, Royal Free Campus, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Russell Hamilton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.,Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Ashley Moffett
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Margherita Y Turco
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
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6
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ELF3 activated by a superenhancer and an autoregulatory feedback loop is required for high-level HLA-C expression on extravillous trophoblasts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2025512118. [PMID: 33622787 PMCID: PMC7936349 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025512118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA-C arose during evolution of pregnancy in the great apes 10 to 15 million years ago. It has a dual function on placental extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) as it contributes to both tolerance and immunity at the maternal-fetal interface. The mode of its regulation is of considerable interest in connection with the biology of pregnancy and pregnancy abnormalities. First-trimester primary EVTs in which HLA-C is highly expressed, as well as JEG3, an EVT model cell line, were employed. Single-cell RNA-seq data and quantitative PCR identified high expression of the transcription factor ELF3 in those cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-PCR confirmed that both ELF3 and MED1 bound to the proximal HLA-C promoter region. However, binding of RFX5 to this region was absent or severely reduced, and the adjacent HLA-B locus remained closed. Expression of HLA-C was inhibited by ELF3 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and by wrenchnolol treatment. Wrenchnolol is a cell-permeable synthetic organic molecule that mimics ELF3 and is relatively specific for binding to ELF3's coactivator, MED23, as our data also showed in JEG3. Moreover, the ELF3 gene is regulated by a superenhancer that spans more than 5 Mb, identified by assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), as well as by its sensitivity to (+)-JQ1 (inhibitor of BRD4). ELF3 bound to its own promoter, thus creating an autoregulatory feedback loop that establishes expression of ELF3 and HLA-C in trophoblasts. Wrenchnolol blocked binding of MED23 to ELF3, thus disrupting the positive-feedback loop that drives ELF3 expression, with down-regulation of HLA-C expression as a consequence.
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7
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Visentin J, Couzi L, Taupin JL. Clinical relevance of donor-specific antibodies directed at HLA-C: A long road to acceptance. HLA 2020; 97:3-14. [PMID: 33052032 DOI: 10.1111/tan.14106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In solid organ transplantation (SOT), the clinical relevance of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) directed at anti-HLA-A, -B, -DR and -DQ antigens is largely recognized while it is still a matter of debate for DSA directed at HLA-C. In this review, we summarize the peculiarities of HLA-C among class I HLA antigens as well as their immunogenicity, which underlie the clinical relevance of HLA-C locus and anti-HLA-C DSA in SOT. Many factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the HLA-C gene and HLA-C protein, explain its lower expression in comparison with HLA-A and -B. This lower expression can explain the apparent lower immunogenicity of HLA-C leading to a lower prevalence and strength of anti-HLA-C antibodies. Nevertheless, HLA-C antigens are truly immunogenic and preformed anti-HLA-C DSA are clinically relevant. Indeed, anti-HLA-C DSA are able to bind donor cells and to activate the complement pathway both ex vivo and in vivo. In line with this, numerous clinical studies now show that preformed DSA directed at native HLA-C molecules induce poorer graft outcomes. We then plead for the inclusion of HLA-C in all transplant allocation systems and we propose a strategy to cope with anti-HLA-C DSA in SOT. Beyond SOT, anti-HLA-C antibodies generate a growing interest in the allo-HCT, transfusion and obstetrics fields, while new concepts such as the role of the "missing-self" in solid organ rejection places HLA-C as an inescapable actor in transplant tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Visentin
- CHU de Bordeaux, Laboratoire d'Immunologie et Immunogénétique, Hôpital Pellegrin, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux, France.,University of Bordeaux, CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lionel Couzi
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, Bordeaux, France.,CHU de Bordeaux, Service de Néphrologie, Transplantation, Dialyse et Aphérèses, Hôpital Pellegrin, Place Amélie Raba Léon, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Luc Taupin
- Laboratoire d'Immunologie et Histocompatibilité, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, Paris, France.,INSERM, UMR976, and Institut de Recherche saint-Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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8
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Papúchová H, Meissner TB, Li Q, Strominger JL, Tilburgs T. The Dual Role of HLA-C in Tolerance and Immunity at the Maternal-Fetal Interface. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2730. [PMID: 31921098 PMCID: PMC6913657 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To establish a healthy pregnancy, maternal immune cells must tolerate fetal allo-antigens and remain competent to respond to infections both systemically and in placental tissues. Extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) are the most invasive cells of extra-embryonic origin to invade uterine tissues and express polymorphic Human Leucocyte Antigen-C (HLA-C) of both maternal and paternal origin. Thus, HLA-C is a key molecule that can elicit allogeneic immune responses by maternal T and NK cells and for which maternal-fetal immune tolerance needs to be established. HLA-C is also the only classical MHC molecule expressed by EVT that can present a wide variety of peptides to maternal memory T cells and establish protective immunity. The expression of paternal HLA-C by EVT provides a target for maternal NK and T cells, whereas HLA-C expression levels may influence how this response is shaped. This dual function of HLA-C requires tight transcriptional regulation of its expression to balance induction of tolerance and immunity. Here, we critically review new insights into: (i) the mechanisms controlling expression of HLA-C by EVT, (ii) the mechanisms by which decidual NK cells, effector T cells and regulatory T cells recognize HLA-C allo-antigens, and (iii) immune recognition of pathogen derived antigens in context of HLA-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrieta Papúchová
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Torsten B Meissner
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jack L Strominger
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Tamara Tilburgs
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Division of Immunobiology, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Anderson SK. Molecular evolution of elements controlling HLA-C expression: Adaptation to a role as a killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor ligand regulating natural killer cell function. HLA 2018; 92:271-278. [PMID: 30232844 PMCID: PMC6251751 DOI: 10.1111/tan.13396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The regulatory elements controlling the transcription of the HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C genes have been extensively studied and compared. However, few studies have considered regulatory differences in the HLA genes from the perspective of their role as ligands for the killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family of HLA receptors expressed by natural killer (NK) cells. HLA-C is the most recently evolved gene, and there is considerable evidence pointing to its emergence as a specialized KIR ligand playing a major role in the missing-self recognition system of NK cells. Here I evaluate gene-specific differences in regulatory elements of the HLA genes, showing alterations that are consistent with the adaptation of HLA-C to a role in NK cell regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Cancer and Inflammation Program, Frederick National Laboratory sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
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