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Basu J, Zha J, Nicolas E, Coulton M, Czyzewicz P, Hua X, Ge L, Kappes DJ. An autonomous TCR signal-sensing switch influences CD4/CD8 lineage choice in mice. Commun Biol 2022; 5:84. [PMID: 35064205 PMCID: PMC8783009 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-02999-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
How multipotential cells initiate distinct gene expression programs in response to external cues to instruct cell fate choice remains a fundamental question in biology. Establishment of CD4 and CD8 T cell fates during thymocyte development is critically regulated by T cell receptor (TCR) signals, which in turn control expression of the CD4-determining transcription factor ThPOK. However, the mechanism whereby differential TCR signals are molecularly interpreted to promote or antagonize ThPOK expression, and thereby CD4 versus CD8 lineage fates remains unknown. Here we show, using reverse genetic and molecular approaches that an autonomous, position-independent TCR-sensing switch is embedded within the ThPOK locus. Further, using an in vivo mutagenesis approach, we demonstrate that differential TCR signals are interpreted during lineage commitment by relative binding of EGR, NFAT and Ebox factors to this bistable switch. Collectively our study reveals the central molecular mechanism whereby TCR signaling influences differential lineage choice. Ultimately, these findings may provide an important new tool for skewing T cell fate to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayati Basu
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Jikun Zha
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Emmanuelle Nicolas
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Michael Coulton
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Philip Czyzewicz
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Xiang Hua
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Lu Ge
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Dietmar J Kappes
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
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2
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Nie Y, Nirujogi TS, Ranjan R, Reader BF, Chung S, Ballinger MN, Englert JA, Christman JW, Karpurapu M. PolyADP-Ribosylation of NFATc3 and NF-κB Transcription Factors Modulate Macrophage Inflammatory Gene Expression in LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury. J Innate Immun 2020; 13:83-93. [PMID: 33045713 DOI: 10.1159/000510269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary macrophages play a critical role in the recognition of pathogens, initiation of host defense via inflammation, clearance of pathogens from the airways, and resolution of inflammation. Recently, we have shown a pivotal role for the nuclear factor of activated T-cell cytoplasmic member 3 (NFATc3) transcription factor in modulating pulmonary macrophage function in LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) pathogenesis. Although the NFATc proteins are activated primarily by calcineurin-dependent dephosphorylation, here we show that LPS induces posttranslational modification of NFATc3 by polyADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP-1)-mediated polyADP-ribosylation. ADP-ribosylated NFATc3 showed increased binding to iNOS and TNFα promoter DNA, thereby increasing downstream gene expression. Inhibitors of PARP-1 decreased LPS-induced NFATc3 ribosylation, target gene promoter binding, and gene expression. LPS increased NFAT luciferase reporter activity in lung macrophages and lung tissue that was inhibited by pretreatment with PARP-1 inhibitors. More importantly, pretreatment of mice with the PARP-1 inhibitor olaparib markedly decreased LPS-induced cytokines, protein extravasation in bronchoalveolar fluid, lung wet-to-dry ratios, and myeloperoxidase activity. Furthermore, PARP-1 inhibitors decreased NF-кB luciferase reporter activity and LPS-induced ALI in NF-кB reporter mice. Thus, our study demonstrates that inhibiting NFATc3 and NF-кB polyADP-ribosylation with PARP-1 inhibitors prevented LPS-induced ALI pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjuan Nie
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Teja Srinivas Nirujogi
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,East Liverpool City Hospital, East Liverpool, Ohio, USA
| | - Ravi Ranjan
- Genomics Resource Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brenda F Reader
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sangwoon Chung
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Megan N Ballinger
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Joshua A Englert
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - John W Christman
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Manjula Karpurapu
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA,
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3
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Wang Y, Lu JH, Wang F, Wang YN, He MM, Wu QN, Lu YX, Yu HE, Chen ZH, Zhao Q, Liu J, Chen YX, Wang DS, Sheng H, Liu ZX, Zeng ZL, Xu RH, Ju HQ. Inhibition of fatty acid catabolism augments the efficacy of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in gastrointestinal cancers. Cancer Lett 2020; 473:74-89. [PMID: 31904482 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancer causes countless deaths every year due to therapeutic resistance. However, whether metabolic alterations contribute to chemoresistance is not well understood. In this study, we report that fatty acid (FA) catabolism was activated in gastrointestinal cancer cells treated with oxaliplatin, which exhibited higher expression of the rate-limiting enzymes carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B (CPT1B) and CPT2. The clinical analysis also showed that high expression of these enzymes was associated with poor oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy outcomes in patients. Furthermore, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of CPT2 with perhexiline disturbed NADPH and redox homeostasis and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cell apoptosis in gastrointestinal cancer cells following oxaliplatin treatment. Specifically, the combination of oxaliplatin and perhexiline significantly suppressed the progression of gastrointestinal cancer in cell-based xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Mechanistically, CPT2 was transcriptionally upregulated by nuclear factor of activated T cells 3 (NFATc3), which translocated to the nucleus in response to oxaliplatin treatment. In summary, our study suggests that the inhibition of CPT-mediated FA catabolism combined with conventional chemotherapy is a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jia-Huan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Ying-Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Ming-Ming He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Qi-Nian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yun-Xin Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Hong-En Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhan-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Department of Medical Oncology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yan-Xing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - De-Shen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Hui Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Ze-Xian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhao-Lei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Rui-Hua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Huai-Qiang Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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4
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Jost C, Darowski D, Challier J, Pulko V, Hanisch LJ, Xu W, Mössner E, Bujotzek A, Klostermann S, Umana P, Kontermann RE, Klein C. CAR-J cells for antibody discovery and lead optimization of TCR-like immunoglobulins. MAbs 2020; 12:1840709. [PMID: 33136521 PMCID: PMC7646475 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1840709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell bispecific antibodies (TCBs) are a novel class of engineered immunoglobulins that unite monovalent binding to the T-cell receptor (TCR) CD3e chain and bivalent binding to tumor-associated antigens in order to recruit and activate T-cells for tumor cell killing. In vivo, T-cell activation is usually initiated via the interaction of the TCR with the peptide-HLA complex formed by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and peptides derived from intracellular proteins. TCR-like antibodies (TCRLs) that recognize pHLA-epitopes extend the target space of TCBs to peptides derived from intracellular proteins, such as those overexpressed during oncogenesis or created via mutations found in cancer. One challenge during lead identification of TCRL-TCBs is to identify TCRLs that specifically, and ideally exclusively, recognize the desired pHLA, but not unrelated pHLAs. In order to identify TCRLs suitable for TCRL-TCBs, large numbers of TCRLs have to be tested in the TCB format. Here, we propose a novel approach using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to facilitate the identification of highly selective TCRLs. In this new so-called TCRL-CAR-J approach, TCRL-candidates are transduced as CARs into Jurkat reporter-cells, and subsequently assessed for their specificity profile. This work demonstrates that the CAR-J reporter-cell assay can be applied to predict the profile of TCRL-TCBs without the need to produce each candidate in the final TCB format. It is therefore useful in streamlining the identification of TCRL-TCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Jost
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
- Athebio AG, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Diana Darowski
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - John Challier
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Vesna Pulko
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Lydia J Hanisch
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Wei Xu
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ekkehard Mössner
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Bujotzek
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Klostermann
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Pablo Umana
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | | | - Christian Klein
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
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5
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Mechanism of prostaglandin E 2-induced transcriptional up-regulation of Oncostatin-M by CREB and Sp1. Biochem J 2018; 475:477-494. [PMID: 29269396 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Oncostatin-M (OSM) is a pleotropic cytokine belonging to the interleukin-6 family. Differential expression of OSM in response to varying stimuli and exhibiting repertoire of functions in different cells renders it challenging to study the mechanism of its expression. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) transcriptionally increased osm levels. In silico studies of ∼1 kb upstream of osm promoter region yielded the presence of CRE (cyclic AMP response element)-like sites at the distal end (CREosm). Deletion and point mutation of CREosm clearly indicated that this region imparted an important role in PGE2-mediated transcription. Nuclear protein(s) from PGE2-treated U937 cells, bound to this region, was identified as CRE-binding protein (CREB). CREB was phosphorylated on treatment and was found to be directly associated with CREosm The presence of cofactors p300 and CREB-binding protein in the complex was confirmed. A marked decrease in CREB phosphorylation, binding and transcriptional inhibition on treatment with PKA (protein kinase A) inhibitor, H89 (N-[2-[[3-(4-bromophenyl)-2-propenyl]amino]ethyl]-5-soquinolinesulfonamide), revealed the role of phosphorylated CREB in osm transcription. Additionally, other nuclear protein(s) were specifically associated with the proximal GC region (GCosm) post PGE2 treatment, later confirmed to be specificity protein 1 (Sp1). Interestingly, Sp1 bound to the proximal osm promoter was found to be associated with phospho-CREB-p300 complex bound to the distal osm promoter. Knockdown of Sp1 abrogated the expression and functionality of OSM. Thus, the present study conclusively proves that these transcription factors, bound at the distal and proximal promoter elements are found to associate with each other in a DNA-dependent manner and both are responsible for the PGE2-mediated transcriptional up-regulation of Oncostatin-M.
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6
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Szyska M, Herda S, Althoff S, Heimann A, Russ J, D'Abundo D, Dang TM, Durieux I, Dörken B, Blankenstein T, Na IK. A Transgenic Dual-Luciferase Reporter Mouse for Longitudinal and Functional Monitoring of T Cells In Vivo. Cancer Immunol Res 2017; 6:110-120. [PMID: 29259004 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-17-0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell therapy (ATT) efficacy is limited when targeting large solid tumors. The evaluation of ATT outcomes using accessory treatment would greatly benefit from an in vivo monitoring tool, allowing the detection of functional parameters of transferred T cells. Here, we generated transgenic bioluminescence imaging of T cells (BLITC) mice expressing an NFAT-dependent click-beetle luciferase and a constitutive Renilla luciferase, which supports concomitant in vivo analysis of migration and activation of T cells. Rapid transferability of our system to preestablished tumor models was demonstrated in the SV40-large T antigen model via both crossbreeding of BLITC mice into a T-cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic background and TCR transduction of BLITC T cells. We observed rapid tumor infiltration of BLITC CD8+ T cells followed by a burst-like activation that mirrored rejection kinetics. Using the BLITC reporter in the clinically relevant H-Y model, we performed female to male transfers and detected H-Y-specific alloreactivity (graft-versus-host disease) in vivo In an H-Y solid tumor model, we found migration of adoptively transferred H-Y TCR-transgenic CD4+ T cells into the tumor, marked by transient activation. This suggests a rapid inactivation of infiltrating T cells by the tumor microenvironment, as confirmed by their expression of inhibitory receptors. In summary, the BLITC reporter system facilitates analysis of therapeutic parameters for ATT, is rapidly transferable to models of interest not restricted to tumor research, and is suitable for rapid screening of TCR clones for tumor rejection kinetics, as well as off-target effects. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(1); 110-20. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Szyska
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Herda
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Althoff
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Heimann
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Germany
| | - Josefine Russ
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniele D'Abundo
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Tra My Dang
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabell Durieux
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Dörken
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany.,Max Delbrück Center (MDC) for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Blankenstein
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Germany.,Max Delbrück Center (MDC) for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Charité, Campus Berlin Buch, Germany
| | - Il-Kang Na
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany. .,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Germany.,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany.,Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin, Germany
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7
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Papoudou-Bai A, Hatzimichael E, Barbouti A, Kanavaros P. Expression patterns of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) family members in lymphoid neoplasms. Clin Exp Med 2016; 17:291-304. [PMID: 27600282 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-016-0436-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The activator protein-1 (AP-1) is a dimeric transcription factor composed of proteins belonging to the Jun (c-Jun, JunB and JunD), Fos (c-Fos, FosB, Fra1 and Fra2) and activating transcription factor protein families. AP-1 is involved in various cellular events including differentiation, proliferation, survival and apoptosis. Deregulated expression of AP-1 transcription factors is implicated in the pathogenesis of various lymphomas such as classical Hodgkin lymphomas, anaplastic large cell lymphomas, diffuse large B cell lymphomas and adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma. The main purpose of this review is the analysis of the expression patterns of AP-1 transcription factors in order to gain insight into the histophysiology of lymphoid tissues and the pathology of lymphoid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexandra Barbouti
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Kanavaros
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
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8
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Immunohistological analysis of the jun family and the signal transducers and activators of transcription in thymus. ANATOMY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:541582. [PMID: 25866678 PMCID: PMC4381968 DOI: 10.1155/2015/541582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The Jun family and the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are involved in proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, c-Jun and STAT3 cooperate to regulate apoptosis. Therefore, we used double immunostaining to investigate the immunotopographical distribution of phospho-c-Jun (p-c-Jun), JunB, JunD, p-STAT3, p-STAT5, and p-STAT6 in human thymus. JunD was frequently expressed by thymocytes with higher expression in medullary compared to cortical thymocytes. p-c-Jun was frequently expressed by cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TEC) and Hassall bodies (HB). p-STAT3 was frequently expressed by TEC with higher expression in cortical compared to medullary TEC and HB. p-c-Jun, JunB, p-STAT3, p-STAT5, and p-STAT6 were rarely expressed by thymocytes. JunB and JunD were expressed by rare cortical TEC with higher expression in medullary TEC. p-STAT5 and p-STAT6 were expressed by rare cortical and medullary TEC. Double immunostaining revealed p-c-Jun and JunD expression in rare CD11c positive dendritic cells. Our findings suggest a notable implication of JunD in the physiology of thymocytes and p-c-Jun and p-STAT3 in the physiology of TEC. The diversity of the immunotopographical distribution and the expression levels of p-c-Jun, JunB, JunD, p-STAT3, p-STAT5, and p-STAT6 indicates that they are differentially involved in the differentiation of TEC, thymocytes, and dendritic cells.
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9
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Holland AM, Zakrzewski JL, Tsai JJ, Hanash AM, Dudakov JA, Smith OM, West ML, Singer NV, Brill J, Sun JC, van den Brink MRM. Extrathymic development of murine T cells after bone marrow transplantation. J Clin Invest 2012; 122:4716-26. [PMID: 23160195 DOI: 10.1172/jci60630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Restoring T cell competence is a significant clinical challenge in patients whose thymic function is severely compromised due to age or cytoreductive conditioning. Here, we demonstrate in mice that mesenteric LNs (MLNs) support extrathymic T cell development in euthymic and athymic recipients of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Furthermore, in aged murine BMT recipients, the contribution of the MLNs to the generation of T cells was maintained, while the contribution of the thymus was significantly impaired. Thymic impairment resulted in a proportional increase in extrathymic-derived T cell progenitors. Extrathymic development in athymic recipients generated conventional naive TCRαβ T cells with a broad Vβ repertoire and intact functional and proliferative potential. Moreover, in the absence of a functional thymus, immunity against known pathogens could be augmented using engineered precursor T cells with viral specificity. These findings demonstrate the potential of extrathymic T cell development for T cell reconstitution in patients with limited thymic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Holland
- Department of Immunology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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10
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Das R, Sant'Angelo DB, Nichols KE. Transcriptional control of invariant NKT cell development. Immunol Rev 2011; 238:195-215. [PMID: 20969594 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2010.00962.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells comprise a rare lymphocyte sublineage with phenotypic and functional properties similar to T and NK cells. Akin to conventional αβ T cells, their development occurs primarily in the thymus, where they originate from CD4(+) CD8(+) double positive (DP) progenitors. However, the selection of iNKT cells is unique in that it is mediated by homotypic interactions of DP cells and recognition of glycolipid antigen-CD1d complexes. Additionally, iNKT cells acquire an activated innate-like phenotype during development that allows them to release cytokines rapidly following antigen exposure. Given their hybrid features, it is not surprising that the developmental program of iNKT cells partially overlaps with that of T and NK cells. Several recent reports have provided new and exciting insights into the developmental mechanisms that direct natural killer T (NKT) cell lineage commitment and maturation. In this review, we provide a discussion of the NKT cell developmental program with an emphasis on the signaling mechanisms and transcription factors that influence the ontogeny of this lineage. Continued investigations into the complex interplay of these transcription factors and their relationship with other extracellular and intracellular signaling molecules will undoubtedly provide important clues into the biology of this unusual T-cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupali Das
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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11
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Wang L, Xiong Y, Bosselut R. Tenuous paths in unexplored territory: From T cell receptor signaling to effector gene expression during thymocyte selection. Semin Immunol 2010; 22:294-302. [PMID: 20537906 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2010.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
During the last step of alphabeta T cell development, thymocytes that have rearranged genes encoding TCR chains and express CD4 and CD8 coreceptors are selected on the basis of their TCR reactivity to escape programmed cell death and become mature CD4 or CD8 T cells. This process is triggered by intrathymic TCR signaling, that activates 'sensor' transcription factors 'constitutively' expressed in DP thymocytes. Eventually, TCR-signaled thymocytes evolve effector transcriptional circuits that control basal metabolism, migration, survival and initiation of lineage-specific gene expression. This review examines how components of the 'sensing' transcription apparatus responds to positive selection signals, and highlights important differences with mature T cell responses. In a second part, we evaluate current observations and hypotheses on the connections between sensing transcription factors and effector circuitries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lie Wang
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-4259, USA
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12
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Gruber T, Pfeifhofer-Obermair C, Baier G. PKCtheta is necessary for efficient activation of NFkappaB, NFAT, and AP-1 during positive selection of thymocytes. Immunol Lett 2010; 132:6-11. [PMID: 20433868 PMCID: PMC2937209 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2010.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2010] [Revised: 04/06/2010] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
While it has been shown in several publications that the serine-threonine kinase PKCθ is required for efficient activation of mature T lymphocytes, the role of PKCθ in T cell development in the thymus is somewhat controversial. In this study, using knockout mice, we show that PKCθ is important in positive selection. The thymus of PKCθ−/− animals contains significantly less mature single positive T cells compared to wild-type controls. Biochemically, PKCθ deficient thymocytes show defective activation of the transcription factors AP-1, NFAT and NFκB as well as impaired phosphorylation of the MAP kinase ERK after T cell receptor stimulation in vitro. Together, these results reveal a crucial role of PKCθ in positive selection of thymocytes in a pathway leading to the activation of ERK, AP-1, NFAT, and NFκB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gruber
- Department of Medical Genetics, Clinical and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Schöpfstrasse 41, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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13
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Betz BC, Jordan-Williams KL, Wang C, Kang SG, Liao J, Logan MR, Kim CH, Taparowsky EJ. Batf coordinates multiple aspects of B and T cell function required for normal antibody responses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 207:933-42. [PMID: 20421391 PMCID: PMC2867277 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20091548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Batf belongs to the activator protein 1 superfamily of basic leucine zipper transcription factors that includes Fos, Jun, and Atf proteins. Batf is expressed in mouse T and B lymphocytes, although the importance of Batf to the function of these lineages has not been fully investigated. We generated mice (Batf(DeltaZ/DeltaZ)) in which Batf protein is not produced. Batf(DeltaZ/DeltaZ) mice contain normal numbers of B cells but show reduced numbers of peripheral CD4(+) T cells. Analysis of CD4(+) T helper (Th) cell subsets in Batf(DeltaZ/DeltaZ) mice demonstrated that Batf is required for the development of functional Th type 17 (Th17), Th2, and follicular Th (Tfh) cells. In response to antigen immunization, germinal centers were absent in Batf(DeltaZ/DeltaZ) mice and the maturation of Ig-secreting B cells was impaired. Although adoptive transfer experiments confirmed that this B cell phenotype can be driven by defects in the Batf(DeltaZ/DeltaZ) CD4(+) T cell compartment, stimulation of Batf(DeltaZ/DeltaZ) B cells in vitro, or by a T cell-independent antigen in vivo, resulted in proliferation but not class-switch recombination. We conclude that loss of Batf disrupts multiple components of the lymphocyte communication network that are required for a robust immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana C Betz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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14
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Mirabella F, Baxter EW, Boissinot M, James SR, Cockerill PN. The human IL-3/granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor locus is epigenetically silent in immature thymocytes and is progressively activated during T cell development. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 184:3043-54. [PMID: 20147630 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0901364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The closely linked IL-3 and GM-CSF genes are located within a cluster of cytokine genes co-expressed in activated T cells. Their activation in response to TCR signaling pathways is controlled by specific, inducible upstream enhancers. To study the developmental regulation of this locus in T lineage cells, we created a transgenic mouse model encompassing the human IL-3 and GM-CSF genes plus the known enhancers. We demonstrated that the IL-3/GM-CSF locus undergoes progressive stages of activation, with stepwise increases in active modifications and the proportion of cytokine-expressing cells, throughout the course of T cell differentiation. Looking first at immature cells, we found that the IL-3/GM-CSF locus was epigenetically silent in CD4/CD8 double positive thymocytes, thereby minimizing the potential for inappropriate activation during the course of TCR selection. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the locus did not reach its maximal transcriptional potential until after T cells had undergone blast cell transformation to become fully activated proliferating T cells. Inducible locus activation in mature T cells was accompanied by noncoding transcription initiating within the enhancer elements. Significantly, we also found that memory CD4 positive T cells, but not naive T cells, maintain a remodeled chromatin structure resembling that seen in T blast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Mirabella
- Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
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15
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Leung-Theung-Long S, Mondor I, Guiraud M, Lamare C, Nagaleekar V, Nageleekar V, Paulet PE, Rincon M, Guerder S. Impaired NFAT transcriptional activity in antigen-stimulated CD8 T cells linked to defective phosphorylation of NFAT transactivation domain. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 182:6807-14. [PMID: 19454676 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0803539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
NFAT transcription factors play critical roles in CD4 T cell activation and differentiation. Their function in CD8 T cell is, however, unknown. We show in this study that, in contrast to CD4 T cells, Ag-stimulated CD8 T cells do not demonstrate NFAT transcriptional activity despite normal regulation of NFAT nuclear shuttling. Further analysis of the signaling defect shows that phosphorylation of the (53)SSPS(56) motif of the NFAT transactivation domain is essential for NFAT-mediated transcription in primary T cells. Although Ag stimulation induces in CD4 T cells extensive phosphorylation of this motif, it does so only minimally in CD8 T cells. Although Ag stimulation triggers only modest activation of the p38 MAPK in CD8 T cells as opposed to CD4 T cells, p38 MAPK is not the upstream kinase that directly or indirectly phosphorylates the NFAT (53)SSPS(56) motif. These findings reveal an unsuspected difference between CD4 and CD8 T cells in the TCR downstream signaling pathway. Therefore, whereas in CD4 T cells TCR/CD28 engagement activates a yet unknown kinase that can phosphorylate the NFAT (53)SSPS(56) motif, this pathway is only minimally triggered in CD8 T cells, thus limiting NFAT transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Leung-Theung-Long
- Institut Unité 563, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Toulouse, France
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16
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Cen O, Ueda A, Guzman L, Jain J, Bassiri H, Nichols KE, Stein PL. The adaptor molecule signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein (SAP) regulates IFN-gamma and IL-4 production in V alpha 14 transgenic NKT cells via effects on GATA-3 and T-bet expression. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 182:1370-8. [PMID: 19155483 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.182.3.1370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
NKT cells comprise a rare regulatory T cell population of limited TCR diversity, with most cells using a Valpha14 Jalpha18 TCR. These cells exhibit a critical dependence on the signaling adapter molecule, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein (SAP), for their ontogeny, an aspect not seen in conventional alphabeta T cells. Prior studies demonstrate that SAP enhances TCR-induced activation of NF-kappaB in CD4(+) T cells. Because NF-kappaB is required for NKT cell development, SAP might promote the ontogeny of this lineage by signaling to NF-kappaB. In this study, we demonstrate that forced expression of the NF-kappaB target gene, Bcl-x(L), or inhibitory NF-kappaB kinase beta, a catalytic subunit of the IkappaB kinase complex essential for NF-kappaB activation, fails to restore NKT cell development in sap(-/-) mice, suggesting that SAP mediates NKT cell development independently of NF-kappaB. To examine the role of SAP in NKT cell function, we generated NKT cells in sap(-/-) mice by expressing a transgene encoding the Valpha14 Jalpha18 component of the invariant TCR. These cells bound alpha-galactosylceramide-loaded CD1d tetramers, but exhibited a very immature CD24(+)NK1.1(-) phenotype. Although sap(-/-) tetramer-reactive cells proliferated in response to TCR activation, they did not produce appreciable levels of IL-4 or IFN-gamma. The reduction in cytokine production correlated with the near absence of GATA-3 and T-bet, key transcription factors regulating cytokine expression and maturation of NKT cells. Ectopic expression of GATA-3 partially restored IL-4 production by the NKT cells. Collectively, these data suggest that by promoting GATA-3 and T-bet expression, SAP exerts control over NKT cell development and mature NKT cell cytokine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Cen
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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17
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Wang X, Zhang Y, Xiao G, Gao X, Liu X. c-Fos enhances the survival of thymocytes during positive selection by upregulating Bcl-2. Cell Res 2008; 19:340-7. [DOI: 10.1038/cr.2008.322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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18
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NF-kappaB activation by the viral oncoprotein StpC enhances IFN-gamma production in T cells. Immunol Cell Biol 2008; 86:622-30. [PMID: 18560378 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2008.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an essential regulator of innate and adaptive immune responses and a hallmark of the Th1 T-cell subset. It is produced at high levels by human T lymphocytes upon transformation with Herpesvirus saimiri, which depends on the expression of the viral oncoproteins saimiri transformation-associated protein of subgroup C (StpC) and tyrosine kinase-interacting protein (Tip). Here, we show that IFN-gamma production was induced by Tip in Jurkat T cells. StpC by itself did not affect IFN-gamma expression, but enhanced the effect of Tip. Our results substantiated the findings that StpC induces NF-kappaB activation and demonstrated that other transcription factors, including NFAT, AP-1 and serum response element regulators, were not activated by StpC in unstimulated T cells. Studies using StpC mutants deficient in NF-kappaB activation, dominant negative IkappaBalpha and constitutively active IKK2, established the importance of NF-kappaB in StpC-mediated upregulation of IFN-gamma production. These observations suggest that NF-kappaB induction by StpC contributes to the Th1-like phenotype of virus-transformed human T cells.
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19
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del Rio R, Noubade R, Subramanian M, Saligrama N, Diehl S, Rincon M, Teuscher C. SNPs upstream of the minimal promoter control IL-2 expression and are candidates for the autoimmune disease-susceptibility locus Aod2/Idd3/Eae3. Genes Immun 2008; 9:115-21. [PMID: 18200031 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gene.6364455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
IL-2, a T-cell growth and differentiation factor, plays an important role in immune homeostasis. Previously, we identified IL2 as a candidate for Aod2, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling susceptibility to autoimmune ovarian dysgenesis (AOD) induced by day 3 neonatal thymectomy. Here, we report the identification of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a region upstream of the minimal IL2 promoter (-2.8 kb to -300 bp), which distinguish AOD-susceptible A/J and AOD-resistant C57BL/6J (B6/J) mice. Six of the SNPs (-1010 C --> T, -962 C --> T, -926/-925 Delta Delta --> AC, -921 T --> C, -914 T --> C and -674 G --> A) contribute to the enhanced transcriptional activity of the extended B6/J promoter relative to A/J. Importantly, the -1010 SNP resides within a canonical AP-1-binding motif with the C --> T transition at this site abrogating AP-1 binding. Moreover, these SNPs segregate with differential production of IL-2 by CD4(+) T cells as well as susceptibility alleles at Idd3 and Eae3, QTL controlling insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. These are the first SNPs identified within the extended murine IL2 promoter that control differential IL-2 transcription in CD4(+) T cells, and, as such, they are not only candidates for Aod2, but are also candidates for a shared autoimmune disease-susceptibility locus underlying Idd3 and Eae3.
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Affiliation(s)
- R del Rio
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 5405, USA
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20
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Dienz O, Eaton SM, Krahl TJ, Diehl S, Charland C, Dodge J, Swain SL, Budd RC, Haynes L, Rincon M. Accumulation of NFAT mediates IL-2 expression in memory, but not naïve, CD4+ T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:7175-80. [PMID: 17438271 PMCID: PMC1855411 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0610442104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2006] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to naïve CD4+ T cells, memory CD4+ T cells rapidly express high levels of effector cytokines in response to antigen stimulation. The molecular mechanism for this specific behavior is not well understood. The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors plays an important role in the transcription of many cytokine genes. Here we show that memory CD4+ T cells rapidly induce NFAT-mediated transcription upon T cell receptor ligation whereas NFAT activation in naïve CD4+ T cells requires longer periods of stimulation. The difference in kinetics correlates with the low levels of NFATc1 and NFATc2 proteins present in naïve CD4+ T cells and their high levels in memory CD4+ T cells. Accordingly, IL-2 expression requires NFAT activation only in memory CD4+ T cells whereas it is NFAT-independent in naïve CD4+ T cells. Thus, the accumulation of NFATc1 and NFATc2 in memory CD4+ T cells represents a previously uncharacterized regulatory mechanism for the induction of early gene expression after antigen stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Dienz
- *Department of Medicine/Immunobiology Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405; and
| | | | - Troy J. Krahl
- *Department of Medicine/Immunobiology Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405; and
| | - Sean Diehl
- *Department of Medicine/Immunobiology Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405; and
| | - Colette Charland
- *Department of Medicine/Immunobiology Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405; and
| | - John Dodge
- *Department of Medicine/Immunobiology Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405; and
| | | | - Ralph C. Budd
- *Department of Medicine/Immunobiology Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405; and
| | | | - Mercedes Rincon
- *Department of Medicine/Immunobiology Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405; and
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21
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David-Fung ES, Yui MA, Morales M, Wang H, Taghon T, Diamond RA, Rothenberg EV. Progression of regulatory gene expression states in fetal and adult pro-T-cell development. Immunol Rev 2006; 209:212-36. [PMID: 16448545 PMCID: PMC4157939 DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2006.00355.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Precursors entering the T-cell developmental pathway traverse a progression of states characterized by distinctive patterns of gene expression. Of particular interest are regulatory genes, which ultimately control the dwell time of cells in each state and establish the mechanisms that propel them forward to subsequent states. Under particular genetic and developmental circumstances, the transitions between these states occur with different timing, and environmental feedbacks may shift the steady-state accumulations of cells in each state. The fetal transit through pro-T-cell stages is faster than in the adult and subject to somewhat different genetic requirements. To explore causes of such variation, this review presents previously unpublished data on differentiation gene activation in pro-T cells of pre-T-cell receptor-deficient mutant mice and a quantitative comparison of the profiles of transcription factor gene expression in pro-T-cell subsets of fetal and adult wildtype mice. Against a background of consistent gene expression, several regulatory genes show marked differences between fetal and adult expression profiles, including those encoding two basic helix-loop-helix antagonist Id factors, the Ets family factor SpiB and the Notch target gene Deltex1. The results also reveal global differences in regulatory alterations triggered by the first T-cell receptor-dependent selection events in fetal and adult thymopoiesis.
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22
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Yan Y, Li J, Ouyang W, Ma Q, Hu Y, Zhang D, Ding J, Qu Q, Subbaramaiah K, Huang C. NFAT3 is specifically required for TNF-α-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and transformation of Cl41 cells. J Cell Sci 2006; 119:2985-94. [PMID: 16803872 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.03014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
NFAT family is recognized as a transcription factor for inflammation regulation by inducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), the key mediator of inflammation, which was reported to induce cell transformation in mouse epidermal Cl41 cells. In this study, we demonstrated that TNF-α was able to induce NFAT activation, as well as the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The induction of COX-2 by TNF-α was abolished by knockdown of NFAT3 with its siRNA, while the induction of iNOS was not effected. Moreover, TNF-α-induced anchorage-independent cell growth was significantly inhibited by NFAT3 siRNA and cyclosporine A, a chemical inhibitor for the calcineurin/NFAT pathway, which suggests the importance of NFAT3 in regulating TNF-α-induced anchorage-independent cell growth. Consequently, impairment of COX-2 by its siRNA or selective inhibitor also inhibited TNF-α-induced anchorage-independent cell growth. Taken together, our results indicate that NFAT3 plays an important role in the regulation of TNF-α-induced anchorage-independent cell growth, at least partially, by inducing COX-2 expression in Cl41 cells. These findings suggest that NFAT3/cyclooxygenase-2 act as a link between inflammation and carcinogenesis by being involved in the tumor promotion stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 57 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA
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23
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Thornton TM, Zullo AJ, Williams KL, Taparowsky EJ. Direct manipulation of activator protein-1 controls thymocyte proliferation in vitro. Eur J Immunol 2006; 36:160-9. [PMID: 16380965 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200535215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
B cell activating transcription factor (BATF) belongs to the activator protein-1 (AP-1) superfamily of basic leucine zipper transcription factors and forms heterodimers with Jun that possess minimal transcriptional activity. Mice carrying a p56(lck)HA-BATF transgene were created to observe the effects of constitutive expression of this well-characterized AP-1 inhibitor on T cell proliferation. Consistent with the role of AP-1 in promoting the proliferation of many cell types, BATF-transgenic thymocytes proliferate poorly in vitro when stimulated with anti-CD3epsilon and anti-CD28 antibodies or with Concanavalin A. However, when BATF-transgenic thymocytes were stimulated using a standard treatment of PMA and ionomycin, proliferation is normal. The responsiveness to PMA and ionomycin can be attributed to the dramatic disappearance of the hemagglutinin antigen (HA)-tagged BATF protein which is a PKC-dependent process caused by the down-regulation of the p56(lck) proximal promoter coupled with the rapid turnover of the HA-BATF protein. These studies describe conditions of T cell stimulation that negatively influence transcription of the widely used p56(lck) proximal promoter expression cassette. In addition, the unique circumstances of this regulation were exploited to demonstrate that inhibition of AP-1 activity by BATF exerts a direct, and reversible, effect on T cell proliferation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina M Thornton
- Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue Cancer Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 479071-2054, USA
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24
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Heinemann S, Biesinger B, Fleckenstein B, Albrecht JC. NFkappaB signaling is induced by the oncoprotein Tio through direct interaction with TRAF6. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:8565-72. [PMID: 16452479 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m510891200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor NFkappaB is a major regulator of genes involved in inflammation and oncogenesis. NFkappaB is induced upon stimulation of cellular receptors coupled to different intracellular signaling molecules. Further downstream, TRAF6 links at least two receptor pathways to take control of IkappaB, the administrator of NFkappaB activity. Here we report on a strong NFkappaB activation by Tio, a unique herpesviral oncoprotein promoting transformation of human T cells in a Src-kinase-dependent manner. NFkappaB induction by Tio is independent of Src-kinase interaction and tyrosine phosphorylation of Tio. Mutation of a glutamic acid-rich motif at the N terminus of Tio, corresponding to a TRAF6 consensus binding motif, completely abrogated NFkappaB activation. Cotransfection of a dominant negative TRAF6 construct led to a decrease in NFkappaB activation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that TRAF6 directly binds to the Tio oncoprotein. Identification of TRAF6 as the direct target of Tio describes a novel mechanism for the constitutive activation of NFkappaB through an oncoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Heinemann
- Institut für Klinische und Molekulare Virologie, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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25
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Bunting K, Wang J, Shannon MF. Control of interleukin-2 gene transcription: a paradigm for inducible, tissue-specific gene expression. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2006; 74:105-45. [PMID: 17027513 DOI: 10.1016/s0083-6729(06)74005-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a key cytokine that controls immune cell function, in particular the adaptive arm of the immune system, through its ability to control the clonal expansion and homeostasis of peripheral T cells. IL-2 is produced almost exclusively by T cells in response to antigenic stimulation and thus provides an excellent example of a cell-specific inducible gene. The mechanisms that control IL-2 gene transcription have been studied in detail for the past 20 years and our current understanding of the nature of the inducible and tissue-specific controls will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bunting
- Division of Molecular Bioscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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26
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Williams KL, Zullo AJ, Kaplan MH, Brutkiewicz RR, Deppmann CD, Vinson C, Taparowsky EJ. BATF transgenic mice reveal a role for activator protein-1 in NKT cell development. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2003; 170:2417-26. [PMID: 12594265 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.170.5.2417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The importance of regulated AP-1 activity during T cell development was assessed using transgenic mice overexpressing BATF, a basic leucine zipper transcription factor and an AP-1 inhibitor. BATF transgenic animals possess normal thymic cellularity and all major T cell subsets, but show impaired thymocyte proliferation in vitro and no induction of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 expression. Since NKT cells are largely responsible for cytokine production in the thymus, this population was examined by detection of the V alpha 14-J alpha 281 TCR, flow cytometry of NK1.1(+) TCR beta(+) cells, and analysis of cytokine production by heat-stable Ag(low) thymocytes and peripheral NKT cells stimulated in vivo. Results show a severe under-representation of NKT cells in BATF transgenic animals, providing the first evidence that the precise control of AP-1-mediated transcription is critical for the proper emergence of thymus-derived NKT cells in the mouse.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- B-Lymphocyte Subsets/cytology
- Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Cell Division/genetics
- Cell Division/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Cytokines/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Cytokines/genetics
- Humans
- Immunophenotyping
- Killer Cells, Natural/cytology
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Killer Cells, Natural/pathology
- Lymphocyte Activation/genetics
- Lymphopenia/genetics
- Lymphopenia/immunology
- Lymphopenia/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic/genetics
- Mice, Transgenic/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/cytology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/pathology
- Thymus Gland/cytology
- Thymus Gland/immunology
- Thymus Gland/pathology
- Transcription Factor AP-1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Transcription Factor AP-1/physiology
- Transcription Factors/biosynthesis
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/physiology
- Transgenes/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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27
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Diehl S, Chow CW, Weiss L, Palmetshofer A, Twardzik T, Rounds L, Serfling E, Davis RJ, Anguita J, Rincón M. Induction of NFATc2 expression by interleukin 6 promotes T helper type 2 differentiation. J Exp Med 2002; 196:39-49. [PMID: 12093869 PMCID: PMC2194007 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20020026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-6 is produced by professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. It has been previously shown that APC-derived IL-6 promotes the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into effector T helper type 2 (Th2) cells. Here, we have studied the molecular mechanism for IL-6-mediated Th2 differentiation. During the activation of CD4+ T cells, IL-6 induces the production of IL-4, which promotes the differentiation of these cells into effector Th2 cells. Regulation of IL-4 gene expression by IL-6 is mediated by nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), as inhibition of NFAT prevents IL-6-driven IL-4 production and Th2 differentiation. IL-6 upregulates NFAT transcriptional activity by increasing the levels of NFATc2. The ability of IL-6 to promote Th2 differentiation is impaired in CD4+ T cells that lack NFATc2, demonstrating that NFATc2 is required for regulation of IL-4 gene expression by IL-6. Regulation of NFATc2 expression and NFAT transcriptional activity represents a novel pathway by which IL-6 can modulate gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Diehl
- Immunobiology Program, Department of Medicine, Given Medical Building, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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28
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He YW. The role of orphan nuclear receptor in thymocyte differentiation and lymphoid organ development. Immunol Res 2001; 22:71-82. [PMID: 11339367 DOI: 10.1385/ir:22:2-3:71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
T lymphocytes differentiate in the thymus through several phenotypically distinct stages that are tightly regulated by multiple nuclear transcription factors. Immature CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes make up a majority of the population in the thymus, and exhibit several phenotypic features distinct from mature T cells. DP thymocytes express only about 10% of surface TCR that are found on mature T cells and do not proliferate and produce IL-2 in response to stimulation. Several critical events of T lymphocyte maturation such as TCRalpha gene recombination, positive and negative selection, and CD4/CD8 lineage commitment occur around the DP stage. Recent studies from our group and others on the orphan nuclear receptor RORgamma and its thymus-specific isoform RORgammat support a critical role for this nuclear receptor in the regulation of DP thymocyte function. In addition, RORgamma is required for the development of lymph nodes and Peyer's patches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y W He
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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29
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Wilkinson B, Kaye J. Requirement for sustained MAPK signaling in both CD4 and CD8 lineage commitment: a threshold model. Cell Immunol 2001; 211:86-95. [PMID: 11591112 DOI: 10.1006/cimm.2001.1827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although there is general agreement that the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway is required for positive selection of CD4 T cells in the thymus, the role of this pathway in CD8 lineage commitment remains controversial. We show here that the differentiation of isolated cultured thymocytes to the CD8 as well as CD4 T cell lineage is sensitive to MEK inhibition and that both CD4 and CD8 thymocyte differentiation requires sustained MEK signaling. However, CD4 lineage commitment is promoted by a stronger stimulus for longer duration than required for CD8 lineage commitment. Interestingly, CD4 lineage commitment is not irreversibly set even after 10 h of signaling, well past early changes in gene expression. These findings are presented in the context of a model of lineage commitment in which a default pathway of CD8 lineage commitment is altered to CD4 commitment if the thymocyte achieves a threshold level of active MAPK within a certain time frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Wilkinson
- Department of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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30
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Huang C, Ding M, Li J, Leonard SS, Rojanasakul Y, Castranova V, Vallyathan V, Ju G, Shi X. Vanadium-induced nuclear factor of activated T cells activation through hydrogen peroxide. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:22397-403. [PMID: 11292823 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m010828200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), a pivotal transcription factor responsible for regulation of cytokines, by vanadium in mouse embryo fibroblast PW cells or mouse epidermal Cl 41 cells. Exposure of cells to vanadium led to the transactivation of NFAT in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Scavenging of vanadium-induced H(2)O(2) with N-acety-L-cyteine (a general antioxidant) or catalase (a specific H(2)O(2) inhibitor) or the chelation of vanadate with deferoxamine, resulted in inhibition of NFAT activation. In contrast, an increase in H(2)O(2) generation by the addition of superoxide dismutase or NADPH enhanced vanadium-induced NFAT activation. This vanadate-mediated H(2)O(2) generation was verified by both electron spin resonance and fluorescence staining assay. These results demonstrate that H(2)O(2) plays an important role in vanadium-induced NFAT transactivation in two different cell types. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, inhibited vanadium-induced NFAT activation, whereas and ionomycin, two calcium ionophores, had synergistic effects with vanadium for NFAT induction. Incubation of cells with cyclosporin A (CsA), a pharmacological inhibitor of the phosphatase calcineurin, blocked vanadium-induced NFAT activation. All data show that vanadium induces NFAT activation not only through a calcium-dependent and CsA-sensitive pathway but also involved H(2)O(2) generation, suggesting that H(2)O(2) may be involved in activation of calcium-calcineurin pathways for NFAT activation caused by vanadium exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Huang
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
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31
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Stevenson AS, Gomez MF, Hill-Eubanks DC, Nelson MT. NFAT4 movement in native smooth muscle. A role for differential Ca(2+) signaling. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:15018-24. [PMID: 11278965 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m011684200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells) plays a central role in mediating Ca(2+)-dependent gene transcription in a variety of cell types. Sustained increases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) are presumed to be required for NFAT dephosphorylation by the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein calcineurin and its subsequent nuclear translocation. Here, we provide the first identification and characterization of NFAT in native smooth muscle, showing that NFAT4 is the predominant isoform detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. PDGF induces NFAT4 translocation in smooth muscle, leading to an increase in NFAT transcriptional activity. NFAT4 activation by PDGF depends on Ca(2+) entry through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels, because its nuclear accumulation is prevented by the Ca(2+) channel blocker nisoldipine and the K(+) channel opener pinacidil. Interestingly, elevation of [Ca(2+)]i by membrane depolarization or ionomycin treatment are not effective stimuli for NFAT4 nuclear accumulation, indicating that Ca(2+) influx is necessary but not sufficient for NFAT4 activation. In contrast, membrane depolarization readily activates the Ca(2+)-dependent transcription factor CREB (cAMP-responsive element-binding protein). The calcineurin blockers CsA and FK506 also prevented the PDGF-induced NFAT4 nuclear localization. These results indicate that both the nature of the calcium signal and PDGF-induced modulation of nuclear import-export of NFAT are critical for NFAT4 activation in this tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Stevenson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA
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32
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Simon AK, Williams O, Mongkolsapaya J, Jin B, Xu XN, Walczak H, Screaton GR. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in T cell development: sensitivity of human thymocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98:5158-63. [PMID: 11309507 PMCID: PMC33180 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.091100398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2000] [Accepted: 02/28/2001] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) is a recently identified member of the tumor necrosis factor cytokine superfamily. TRAIL has been shown to induce apoptosis in various tumor cell lines, whereas most primary cells seem to be resistant. These observations have raised considerable interest in the use of TRAIL in tumor therapy. Yet little is known about the physiological function of TRAIL. This is particularly the case in the immune system, where TRAIL has been suggested by some to be involved in target cell killing and lymphocyte death. We have developed a panel of mAbs and soluble proteins to address the role of TRAIL in lymphocyte development. These studies demonstrate activation-induced sensitization of thymocytes to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and expression of the apoptosis-inducing TRAIL receptors. However, with the use of several model systems, our subsequent experiments rule out the possibility that TRAIL plays a major role in antigen-induced deletion of thymocytes. In contrast to thymocytes, there is no up-regulation of TRAIL receptors in peripheral T cells on activation, which remain resistant to TRAIL. Thus, susceptibility to TRAIL-induced apoptosis is controlled differently by central and peripheral T cells.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
- ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
- CD4 Antigens/analysis
- CD8 Antigens/analysis
- Cells, Cultured
- Child, Preschool
- Clonal Deletion/drug effects
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Flow Cytometry
- Genes, RAG-1/genetics
- Humans
- Infant
- Jurkat Cells
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism
- Membrane Glycoproteins/pharmacology
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Organ Culture Techniques
- Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
- Thymus Gland/cytology
- Thymus Gland/drug effects
- Thymus Gland/immunology
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Simon
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom.
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33
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Jeon MS, Esser C. The murine IL-2 promoter contains distal regulatory elements responsive to the Ah receptor, a member of the evolutionarily conserved bHLH-PAS transcription factor family. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2000; 165:6975-83. [PMID: 11120824 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.12.6975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Signaling through the TCR and costimulatory signals primarily control transcription of the IL-2 gene in naive T cells. The minimal promoter necessary for this expression lies proximal, between -300 and the transcription start site. We had previously shown that activation of the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a member of the bHLH-PAS family of transcription factors, leads to increased mRNA expression of IL-2 in murine fetal thymocytes. The AHR is abundant in the thymus and may play a role for the development of the immune system. Moreover, its overactivation by chemicals such as dioxins leads to immunosuppression and thymic involution. Binding motifs for the liganded AHR can be identified in the distal region -1300 to -800 of the mouse IL-2 promoter. We show here that these DNA motifs, the so-called dioxin response elements, after binding to the liganded AHR are sufficient to transactivate luciferase expression in a reporter gene system. The IL-2 gene can be induced by the AHR also in thymocytes in vivo after injection of 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, a potent ligand of the AHR. The AHR mediates the IL-2 induction as shown with AHR-deficient mice. However, in spleen cells in vitro costimulation via the TCR is necessary for optimal IL-2 gene induction. Thus, the IL-2 promoter region contains novel distal regulatory elements that can be addressed by the AHR to induce IL-2 and can cooperate with the proximal promoter in this.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
- CD3 Complex/immunology
- Cell Differentiation/drug effects
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Conserved Sequence
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic/drug effects
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic/immunology
- Evolution, Molecular
- Female
- Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs/immunology
- Immune Sera/physiology
- Injections, Intraperitoneal
- Interleukin-2/biosynthesis
- Interleukin-2/genetics
- Interleukin-2/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Multigene Family/immunology
- Organ Culture Techniques
- Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/administration & dosage
- Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/metabolism
- Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/pharmacology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/drug effects
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/physiology
- Response Elements/drug effects
- Response Elements/immunology
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Spleen/cytology
- Spleen/drug effects
- Spleen/immunology
- Spleen/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Trans-Activators/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Jeon
- Division of Immunology, Medical Institute of Environmental Hygiene at the University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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34
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Gallucci RM, Simeonova PP, Matheson JM, Kommineni C, Guriel JL, Sugawara T, Luster MI. Impaired cutaneous wound healing in interleukin-6-deficient and immunosuppressed mice. FASEB J 2000; 14:2525-31. [PMID: 11099471 DOI: 10.1096/fj.00-0073com] [Citation(s) in RCA: 301] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
It has been postulated that an inflammatory response after cutaneous wounding is a prerequisite for healing, and inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), might be intimately involved in this process. IL-6-deficient transgenic mice (IL-6 KO) displayed significantly delayed cutaneous wound healing compared with wild-type control animals, requiring up to threefold longer to heal. This was characterized by minimal epithelial bridge formation, decreased inflammation, and granulation tissue formation. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays of wound tissue from IL-6 KO mice, decreased AP-1 transcription factor activation was shown compared with wild-type mice 16 h after wounding. In situ hybridization of wound tissue from wild-type mice revealed IL-6 mRNA expression primarily in the epidermis at the leading edge of the wound. Delayed wound healing in IL-6 KO mice was reversed with a single dose of recombinant murine IL-6 or intradermal injection of an expression plasmid containing the full-length murine IL-6 cDNA. Treatment with rmIL-6 also reconstituted wound healing in dexamethasone-treated immunosuppressed mice. The results of this study may indicate a potential use for IL-6 therapeutically where cutaneous wound healing is impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Gallucci
- Toxicology and Molecular Biology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA
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35
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Simon AK, Auphan N, Pophillat M, Boyer C, Ghosh S, Rincón M, Flavell RA, Schmitt-Verhulst AM. The lack of NF-kappa B transactivation and PKC epsilon expression in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes correlates with negative selection. Cell Death Differ 2000; 7:1253-62. [PMID: 11175263 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4400760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Deletion of autoreactive thymocytes at the DP stage is the basis for tolerance to thymus-expressed self antigens. In this study we investigated whether distinct signalling pathways are induced in DP thymocytes as compared to mature T cells upon stimulation with antigen. Using triple transgenic mice expressing a TCR transgene, dominant negative ras/Mek proteins and a reporter gene construct with AP-1 or NF-kappa B binding sites, we showed a complete lack of transcriptional activity of NF-kappa B but not AP-1 in DP thymocytes, whereas both were transcriptionally active in mature T cells after antigenic stimulation. Lack of NF-kappa B induction correlated with increased death in response to antigen. AP-1 induction was dependent on the integrity of the ras/Mek pathway indicating that this pathway was activated in the DP thymocytes. In contrast, we found a complete lack of constitutive expression of the epsilon isoform of Protein Kinase C (PKC) in DP thymocytes, although it was present in mature thymocytes and peripheral T cells. Taken together the results suggest that the lack of PKC epsilon in DP thymocytes could lead to the absence of NF-kappa B activity after antigenic stimulation contributing to negative selection. Cell Death and Differentiation (2000) 7, 1253 - 1262.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Simon
- Centre d'Immunologie INSERM-CNRS de Marseille Luminy, Marseille, France.
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36
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Amasaki Y, Miyatake S, Arai N, Arai K. Regulation of nuclear factor of activated T-cell family transcription factors during T-cell development in the thymus. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000; 106:S1-9. [PMID: 10887328 DOI: 10.1067/mai.2000.106061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND T lymphocytes undergo a series of developmental events in the thymus, and signaling through the T-cell antigen receptor is crucial in this differential program. The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs) may be involved in transcriptional induction of cytokine genes and other immunoregulatory genes in T cells. OBJECTIVES We have examined the distribution of 3 NFAT family members (NFAT1, NFATc, and NFATx) in human fetal thymocytes, by using semiquantitative RT-PCR and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS The messenger RNA of NFATx was expressed in all T-lymphocyte subsets tested, and expression was highest in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes. Conversely, mRNA of NFAT1 was preferentially expressed in mature CD4(+) single-positive cells. NFATc mRNA was present at low levels in all subsets but was strongly induced by treatment with phorbol ester plus calcium ionophore. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we observed stimulation-dependent NFAT-DNA binding in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes, which was largely dependent on NFATx protein. This DNA-binding activity was inhibited by cyclosporin A, which indicated that NFATx nuclear translocation in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes was regulated by calcineurin phosphatase. In contrast, NFAT1 and NFATc (and to some extent NFATx) were responsible for NFAT DNA binding in the CD4(+) cells. CONCLUSIONS Expression of NFAT family members is differentially regulated during T-cell development, and NFATx may be involved in T-cell antigen receptor/calcineurin-dependent signaling in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Amasaki
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
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37
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He YW, Beers C, Deftos ML, Ojala EW, Forbush KA, Bevan MJ. Down-regulation of the orphan nuclear receptor ROR gamma t is essential for T lymphocyte maturation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2000; 164:5668-74. [PMID: 10820242 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.11.5668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymocyte development is a tightly regulated process. CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) immature thymocytes exhibit distinct phenotypic features from mature T cells; they express only 10% of surface TCR that are found on mature T cells and do not proliferate and produce IL-2 in response to stimulation. In this report we show that transgenic expression of the orphan nuclear receptor ROR gamma t in mature T cells down-regulates their surface TCR expression. The ROR gamma t transgene inhibits IL-2 production by mature T cells, and this inhibition may be partially due to the inhibitory effect of ROR gamma t on c-Rel transcription. Furthermore, ectopic expression of ROR gamma t inhibits the proliferation of mature and immature T cells. These results, together with its predominant expression in DP thymocytes, suggest that ROR gamma t controls these distinct phenotypic features of DP thymocytes. Our data suggest that down-regulation of ROR gamma t expression in thymocytes is essential for their maturation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Crosses, Genetic
- Down-Regulation/genetics
- Down-Regulation/immunology
- Fas Ligand Protein
- Gene Expression Regulation/immunology
- Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacology
- Interleukin-2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Interleukin-2/biosynthesis
- Ligands
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Membrane Glycoproteins/biosynthesis
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Mice, Transgenic
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/physiology
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid
- Receptors, Thyroid Hormone
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/cytology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism
- Thymus Gland/cytology
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
- Transgenes/immunology
- Up-Regulation/genetics
- Up-Regulation/immunology
- fas Receptor/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Y W He
- Department of Immunology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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38
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Nunomura S, Sato T, Habu S. Molecular basis for functional maturation of thymocytes: increase in c-fos translation with positive selection. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2000; 164:5590-5. [PMID: 10820233 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.11.5590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In the process of positive selection, immature CD4+8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes expressing TCR reactive to self-MHC by appropriate avidity develop into mature thymocytes. Positive selection involves not only down-regulation of either CD4 or CD8 but also acquisition of immunocompetent potential such as cell proliferation and cytokine production. To understand the molecular basis for such functional maturation during the positive selection process, we examined whether nonselected DP, selected DP, and CD4+8- single positive thymocytes possess the activation potential for signaling pathways from mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase) to AP-1. In response to stimulation, a marked induction of c-Fos protein expression as well as cell proliferation is detected only in CD4+8- single positive cells but not in selected and nonselected DP cells, though mitogen-activated protein kinase activities and c-fos transcripts are equally induced. In the presence of proteasome inhibitors, c-Fos protein became detectable in selected DP cells but still not in nonselected DP cells, suggesting that DP cells receiving positive selection signals acquire the capacity to translate the c-fos gene, but it may not be sufficiently high to overcome the degradation of c-Fos protein. These data indicate that the translating ability of the c-fos gene is up-regulated in the thymic positive selection process, from nonselected DP to CD4+8- single positive cells through positively selected DP cells. The distinguished responsiveness to stimulation in thymocytes with and without positive selection may be a result in part of the distinct regulation of the c-fos gene at the translational level.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nunomura
- Department of Immunology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
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39
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Millet I, Phillips RJ, Sherwin RS, Ghosh S, Voll RE, Flavell RA, Vignery A, Rincón M. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and enhancement of apoptosis by the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:15114-21. [PMID: 10809748 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.275.20.15114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide produced by the central and peripheral nervous systems and by endocrine cells. CGRP exerts diverse biological effects on the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, central nervous and immune systems. Little is known, however, about the molecular mechanisms that mediate CGRP effects. Using the NFkappaB-luciferase reporter transgenic mice, here we show that CGRP selectively inhibits NF-kappaB-mediated transcription in thymocytes in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, CGRP does not affect transcription mediated by the AP-1 and NFAT transcription factors. CGRP inhibits the accumulation of NF-kappaB complexes in the nucleus by preventing phosphorylation and degradation of the NF-kappaB inhibitor IkappaB. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activity is associated with the induction of apoptosis by CGRP in thymocytes. Together these results demonstrate for the first time the selective implication of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in the regulatory function of the neuropeptide CGRP. Our study suggests a potential molecular mechanism by which CGRP can induce cell death in thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Millet
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
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40
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Rincón M, Flavell RA, Davis RA. The JNK and P38 MAP kinase signaling pathways in T cell-mediated immune responses. Free Radic Biol Med 2000; 28:1328-37. [PMID: 10924852 DOI: 10.1016/s0891-5849(00)00219-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family members, which include the extracellular response kinases (ERK), p38, and c-Jun amino terminal kinases (JNK), play a role in mediating signals triggered by cytokines, growth factors, and environmental stress. JNK and p38 MAP kinases have been involved in inflammatory processes induced by a variety of stimuli, such as oxidative stress. Here, we describe the role of the JNK and p38 MAP kinase signaling pathways in the development of T cells in the thymus, and activation and differentiation of T cells in the peripheral immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rincón
- Immunobiology Program, Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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41
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Huang C, Mattjus P, Ma WY, Rincon M, Chen NY, Brown RE, Dong Z. Involvement of nuclear factor of activated T cells activation in UV response. Evidence from cell culture and transgenic mice. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:9143-9. [PMID: 10734048 PMCID: PMC2652749 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.275.13.9143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cells respond to UV radiation by signaling cascades leading to activation of transcription factors, such as activated protein 1, NFkappaB, and p53, a process known as the "UV response." Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) was first identified as an inducible nuclear factor in immune response and subsequently found to be expressed in other tissues and cells. To date, however, the regulation and function of NFAT in tissues and cells, other than the immune system, are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that UV radiation activates NFAT-dependent transcription through a calcium-dependent mechanism in mouse epidermal JB6 cell lines, as well as in the skin of NFAT-luciferase reporter transgenic mice. Exposure of JB6 cells to UV radiation leads to the transactivation of NFAT in a dose-dependent manner. A23187 had a synergistic effect with UV for NFAT induction, whereas pretreatment of cells with nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, dramatically impaired the NFAT activity induced by either UV or UV plus A23187. Calcium-dependent activation of NFAT by UV was further confirmed by an in vivo study using NFAT-luciferase reporter transgenic mice. These results demonstrated that UV radiation is a strong activator for skin NFAT transactivation through calcium-dependent pathways, suggesting that NFAT activation may be a part of the UV response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanshu Huang
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912
| | - Peter Mattjus
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912
| | - Wei-ya Ma
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912
| | - Mercedes Rincon
- Program in Immunobiology, Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Nan-yue Chen
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912
| | | | - Zigang Dong
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912
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42
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King LB, Tolosa E, Lenczowski JM, Lu F, Lind EF, Hunziker R, Petrie HT, Ashwell JD. A dominant-negative mutant of c-Jun inhibits cell cycle progression during the transition of CD4(-)CD8(-) to CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes. Int Immunol 1999; 11:1203-16. [PMID: 10421778 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/11.8.1203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While Jun/Fos-containing transcription factors are known to be necessary for many TCR-mediated events in mature T cells, relatively little is known about their roles in thymocyte development. We have generated transgenic mice that express a trans-dominant-negative mutant of c-Jun (TAM-67) specifically in thymocytes. Expression of TAM-67 inhibited the up-regulation of AP-1-responsive genes such as c-jun and IL-2 in stimulated thymocytes from transgenic mice. In addition, altered thymocyte development in TAM-67-expressing mice was revealed by a decrease in thymic cellularity ( approximately 50%) which could be accounted for primarily by a reduction in the number of CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes, a large percentage of which retained CD25. The decrease in the number of CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes did not appear to be due to an enhanced rate of apoptosis but rather to a decrease in the number of CD4(-)CD8(-)CD25(-) cells in the S + G(2)/M stages of the cell cycle. These results indicate that Jun/Fos-containing transcription factors promote the proliferative burst that accompanies the transition from the CD4(-)CD8(-) to the CD4(+)CD8(+) stage of thymocyte development.
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Affiliation(s)
- L B King
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD 20892, USA
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43
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Sebzda E, Mariathasan S, Ohteki T, Jones R, Bachmann MF, Ohashi PS. Selection of the T cell repertoire. Annu Rev Immunol 1999; 17:829-74. [PMID: 10358775 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.immunol.17.1.829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 358] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Advances in gene technology have allowed the manipulation of molecular interactions that shape the T cell repertoire. Although recognized as fundamental aspects of T lymphocyte development, only recently have the mechanisms governing positive and negative selection been examined at a molecular level. Positive selection refers to the active process of rescuing MHC-restricted thymocytes from programmed cell death. Negative selection refers to the deletion or inactivation of potentially autoreactive thymocytes. This review focuses on interactions during thymocyte maturation that define the T cell repertoire, with an emphasis placed on current literature within this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Sebzda
- Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Canada
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44
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Anderson MK, Hernandez-Hoyos G, Diamond RA, Rothenberg EV. Precise developmental regulation of Ets family transcription factors during specification and commitment to the T cell lineage. Development 1999; 126:3131-48. [PMID: 10375504 DOI: 10.1242/dev.126.14.3131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Ets family transcription factors control the expression of a large number of genes in hematopoietic cells. Here we show strikingly precise differential expression of a subset of these genes marking critical, early stages of mouse lymphocyte cell-type specification. Initially, the Ets family member factor Erg was identified during an arrayed cDNA library screen for genes encoding transcription factors expressed specifically during T cell lineage commitment. Multiparameter fluorescence-activated cell sorting for over a dozen cell surface markers was used to isolate 18 distinct primary-cell populations representing discrete T cell and B cell developmental stages, pluripotent lymphoid precursors, immature NK-like cells and myeloid hematopoietic cells. These populations were monitored for mRNA expression of the Erg, Ets-1, Ets-2, Fli-1, Tel, Elf-1, GABPalpha, PU.1 and Spi-B genes. The earliest stages in T cell differentiation show particularly dynamic Ets family gene regulation, with sharp transitions in expression correlating with specification and commitment events. Ets, Spi-B and PU.1 are expressed in these stages but not by later T-lineage cells. Erg is induced during T-lineage specification and then silenced permanently, after commitment, at the beta-selection checkpoint. Spi-B is transiently upregulated during commitment and then silenced at the same stage as Erg. T-lineage commitment itself is marked by repression of PU.1, a factor that regulates B-cell and myeloid genes. These results show that the set of Ets factors mobilized during T-lineage specification and commitment is different from the set that maintains T cell gene expression during thymocyte repertoire selection and in all classes of mature T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Anderson
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.
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45
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Huang C, Ma WY, Li J, Goranson A, Dong Z. Requirement of Erk, but not JNK, for arsenite-induced cell transformation. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:14595-601. [PMID: 10329651 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.21.14595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Trivalent arsenic (arsenite, As3+) is a human carcinogen, which is associated with cancers of skin, lung, liver, and bladder. However, the mechanism by which arsenite causes cancer is not well understood. In this study, we found that exposure of Cl 41 cells, a well characterized mouse epidermal cell model for tumor promotion, to a low concentration of arsenite (<25 microM) induces cell transformation. Interestingly, arsenite induces Erk phosphorylation and increased Erk activity at doses ranging from 0.8 to 200 microM, while higher doses (more than 50 microM) are required for activation of JNK. Arsenite-induced Erk activation was markedly inhibited by introduction of dominant negative Erk2 into cells, while expression of dominant negative Erk2 did not show inhibition of JNK and MEK1/2. Furthermore, arsenite-induced cell transformation was blocked in cells expressing the dominant negative Erk2. In contrast, overexpression of dominant negative JNK1 was shown to increase cell transformation even though it inhibits arsenite-induced JNK activation. Our results not only show that arsenite induces Erk activation, but also for the first time demonstrates that activation of Erk, but not JNK, by arsenite is required for its effects on cell transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Huang
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912, USA
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46
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Chen F, Chen D, Rothenberg EV. Specific regulation of fos family transcription factors in thymocytes at two developmental checkpoints. Int Immunol 1999; 11:677-88. [PMID: 10330273 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/11.5.677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A central question in T cell development is what makes cortical thymocytes respond to stimulation in a qualitatively different way than any other thymocyte subset. Part of the answer is that AP-1 function changes drastically at two stages of T cell development. It undergoes striking down-regulation as thymocytes differentiate from immature, CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative (DN) TCR- thymocytes to CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive (DP) TCRlo cortical cells, and then returns in the cells that mature to TCRhigh, CD4(+)CD8(-) or CD4(-)CD8(+) single-positive (SP) thymocytes. At all three stages, the jun family mRNAs can be induced similarly. However, we demonstrate that DP cortical thymocytes are specifically impaired in c-fos and fosB mRNA induction, even when stimuli are used that optimize survival of the cells and a form of in vitro maturation. fra-2 expression is induction independent but much lower in DP cells than in the other subsets. Overall Fos family protein induction accordingly is severely decreased in DP cells. Defective c-Fos and FosB expression in cortical thymocytes is functionally significant, because antibody supershift experiments show that in activated immature and mature thymocytes, most detectable AP-1 DNA-binding complexes do contain c-Fos or FosB. Thus, defective c-Fos and FosB expression in cortical thymocytes qualitatively alters any AP-1 complexes they might express. The cortical thymocytes are not deficient in mRNA expression for any of the constitutive transcription factors that are known to be needed to drive c-Fos or FosB expression, so it is possible that the activity of these factors is developmentally regulated through a post-transcriptional mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Chen
- Division of Biology 156-29, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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47
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Vichi P, Whelchel A, Posada J. Transmembrane helix 7 of the endothelin B receptor regulates downstream signaling. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:10331-8. [PMID: 10187821 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.15.10331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelin is a 21-amino acid peptide with a striking diversity of important biological responses, including, vasoconstriction, bronchoconstriction, and mitogenesis. Endothelin-1 binding to the endothelin B receptor (ETB), a member of the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors, was associated with catalytic activation of the extracellular-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) and stimulation of AP-1 transcriptional reporter activity. A panel of single point mutations in transmembrane helix 6 (TM6), intracellular loop 3, and transmembrane helix 7 (TM7) were developed to study the structural requirements for ETB activation. Point mutations within highly conserved regions of TM6 and intracellular loop 3 were without effect on agonist-stimulated ERK activation. However, mutations within TM7 of the ETB significantly impacted ligand-stimulated downstream signaling. For example, nine point mutations within TM7 of the ETB were identified that prevented endothelin-stimulated ERK activation. Interestingly, the TM7 mutants fell into two classes; several exhibited greatly decreased AP-1 activity, relative to wild type ETB, whereas others displayed augmented endothelin-stimulated AP-1 transcriptional activity relative to wild type ETB. Our results suggest that TM7 of the ETB is involved in its activation mechanism and regulates agonist-stimulated ERK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Vichi
- Department of Biomedical Technologies, School of Allied Health, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
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48
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Abstract
CTLA4 is currently viewed as a late-appearing T cell surface receptor which is able to inhibit the proliferation of activated T cells. We sought to identify how CTLA4 ligation exerts these anti-proliferative effects by studying its influence on the activities of the relevant nuclear transcription factors AP-1, NFAT and NF-kappaB. We found that cross-linking CTLA4 on activated T cells completely blocks AP-1 and NFAT transcription factor activity before any effects on T cell proliferation can be observed, with NF-kappaB activity affected to a lesser degree. The suppression of AP-1 and NFAT transcriptional activity correlates with reduced levels of AP-1 and NFAT DNA binding as early as 10 h after T cell activation, prior to detectable up-regulation of CTLA4 on the T cell surface. Additionally, inhibitory effects on T cell proliferation only occurred when CTLA4 molecules were ligated in proximity to signaling TCR complexes, and inhibition of transcription factor DNA binding and activity was observed in the absence of CD28 stimulation. CTLA4 can thus act early during T cell activation to reduce the activity of several key nuclear transcription factors important for continued T cell proliferation and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Fraser
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
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49
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He YW, Deftos ML, Ojala EW, Bevan MJ. RORgamma t, a novel isoform of an orphan receptor, negatively regulates Fas ligand expression and IL-2 production in T cells. Immunity 1998; 9:797-806. [PMID: 9881970 PMCID: PMC2776668 DOI: 10.1016/s1074-7613(00)80645-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We have identified RORgamma t, a novel, thymus-specific isoform of the orphan nuclear receptor RORgamma that is expressed predominantly in CD4+ CD8+ double-positive thymocytes. Ectopic expression of RORgamma t protects T cell hybridomas from activation-induced cell death by inhibiting the upregulation of Fas ligand. Following hybridoma stimulation, RORgamma t also inhibits IL-2 production but does not affect the induction of Nur-77 and Egr-3 nor the upregulation of CD69. Both the ligand-binding and DNA-binding domains of RORgamma t are required for this effect. We propose that the role of RORgamma t expression in immature thymocytes is to inhibit Fas ligand expression and cytokine secretion following engagement of their TCR during positive or negative selection.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Cloning, Molecular
- DNA, Complementary
- Fas Ligand Protein
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Hybridomas
- Interleukin-2/biosynthesis
- L Cells
- Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
- Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid
- Receptors, Thyroid Hormone
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Wen He
- Department of Immunology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Washington Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Michael L. Deftos
- Department of Immunology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Washington Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Ethan W. Ojala
- Department of Immunology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Washington Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Michael J. Bevan
- Department of Immunology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Washington Seattle, Washington 98195
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50
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Rincón M, Whitmarsh A, Yang DD, Weiss L, Dérijard B, Jayaraj P, Davis RJ, Flavell RA. The JNK pathway regulates the In vivo deletion of immature CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes. J Exp Med 1998; 188:1817-30. [PMID: 9815259 PMCID: PMC2212412 DOI: 10.1084/jem.188.10.1817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/1998] [Revised: 08/18/1998] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAP kinase pathways are triggered upon ligation of the antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR). During the development of T cells in the thymus, the ERK pathway is required for differentiation of CD4(-)CD8(-) into CD4(+)CD8(+) double positive (DP) thymocytes, positive selection of DP cells, and their maturation into CD4(+) cells. However, the ERK pathway is not required for negative selection. Here, we show that JNK is activated in DP thymocytes in vivo in response to signals that initiate negative selection. The activation of JNK in these cells appears to be mediated by the MAP kinase kinase MKK7 since high levels of MKK7 and low levels of Sek-1/MKK4 gene expression were detected in thymocytes. Using dominant negative JNK transgenic mice, we show that inhibition of the JNK pathway reduces the in vivo deletion of DP thymocytes. In addition, the increased resistance of DP thymocytes to cell death in these mice produces an accelerated reconstitution of normal thymic populations upon in vivo DP elimination. Together, these data indicate that the JNK pathway contributes to the deletion of DP thymocytes by apoptosis in response to TCR-derived and other thymic environment- mediated signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rincón
- Immunobiology Program, Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA
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