1
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Di Giorgio E, Dalla E, Tolotto V, D’Este F, Paluvai H, Ranzino L, Brancolini C. HDAC4 influences the DNA damage response and counteracts senescence by assembling with HDAC1/HDAC2 to control H2BK120 acetylation and homology-directed repair. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:8218-8240. [PMID: 38874468 PMCID: PMC11317144 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Access to DNA is the first level of control in regulating gene transcription, a control that is also critical for maintaining DNA integrity. Cellular senescence is characterized by profound transcriptional rearrangements and accumulation of DNA lesions. Here, we discovered an epigenetic complex between HDAC4 and HDAC1/HDAC2 that is involved in the erase of H2BK120 acetylation. The HDAC4/HDAC1/HDAC2 complex modulates the efficiency of DNA repair by homologous recombination, through dynamic deacetylation of H2BK120. Deficiency of HDAC4 leads to accumulation of H2BK120ac, impaired recruitment of BRCA1 and CtIP to the site of lesions, accumulation of damaged DNA and senescence. In senescent cells this complex is disassembled because of increased proteasomal degradation of HDAC4. Forced expression of HDAC4 during RAS-induced senescence reduces the genomic spread of γH2AX. It also affects H2BK120ac levels, which are increased in DNA-damaged regions that accumulate during RAS-induced senescence. In summary, degradation of HDAC4 during senescence causes the accumulation of damaged DNA and contributes to the activation of the transcriptional program controlled by super-enhancers that maintains senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Emiliano Dalla
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Vanessa Tolotto
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Francesca D’Este
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Harikrishnareddy Paluvai
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Liliana Ranzino
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy
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2
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Christensen LM, Akimova T, Wang L, Han R, Samanta A, Di Giorgio E, Hancock WW. T-regulatory cells require Sin3a for stable expression of Foxp3. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1444937. [PMID: 39156895 PMCID: PMC11327135 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1444937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 play a major role in the transcriptional regulation of T-regulatory (Treg) cells via interactions with a myriad of coregulatory factors. Sin3a has been well established as a Hdac1/2 cofactor, while its role within Tregs has not been established. In this study, the effects of conditional deletion of Sin3a within Foxp3+ Tregs were evaluated. Developmental deletion of Sin3a from Foxp3+ Tregs resulted in the rapid onset of fatal autoimmunity. Treg numbers were greatly reduced, while residual Tregs had impaired suppressive function. Mice also showed effector T-cell activation, autoantibody production, and widespread tissue injury. Mechanistically, Sin3a deletion resulted in decreased transcription of Foxp3 with a complete lack of CNS2 CpG demethylation. In addition, Foxp3 protein stability was impaired with an increased ex-Treg population. Thus, Sin3a plays a critical role in the maintenance of Treg identity and function and is essential for the expression and stability of Foxp3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanette M. Christensen
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tatiana Akimova
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Liqing Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rongxiang Han
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Arabinda Samanta
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Wayne W. Hancock
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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3
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Sumida TS, Cheru NT, Hafler DA. The regulation and differentiation of regulatory T cells and their dysfunction in autoimmune diseases. Nat Rev Immunol 2024; 24:503-517. [PMID: 38374298 PMCID: PMC11216899 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-00994-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells as a distinct cell lineage with a central role in regulating immune responses provided a deeper understanding of self-tolerance. The transcription factor FOXP3 serves a key role in Treg cell lineage determination and maintenance, but is not sufficient to enable the full potential of Treg cell suppression, indicating that other factors orchestrate the fine-tuning of Treg cell function. Moreover, FOXP3-independent mechanisms have recently been shown to contribute to Treg cell dysfunction. FOXP3 mutations in humans cause lethal fulminant systemic autoinflammation (IPEX syndrome). However, it remains unclear to what degree Treg cell dysfunction is contributing to the pathophysiology of common autoimmune diseases. In this Review, we discuss the origins of Treg cells in the periphery and the multilayered mechanisms by which Treg cells are induced, as well as the FOXP3-dependent and FOXP3-independent cellular programmes that maintain the suppressive function of Treg cells in humans and mice. Further, we examine evidence for Treg cell dysfunction in the context of common autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu S Sumida
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Nardos T Cheru
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David A Hafler
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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4
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Zhang Y, Lin W, Yang Y, Zhu S, Chen Y, Wang H, Teng L. MEF2D facilitates liver metastasis of gastric cancer cells through directly inducing H1X under IL-13 stimulation. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216878. [PMID: 38609001 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Liver metastasis is the most common metastatic occurrence in gastric cancer patients, although the precise mechanism behind it remains unclear. Through a combination of proteomics and quantitative RT-PCR, our study has revealed a significant correlation between the upregulation of myocyte enhancer factor-2D (MEF2D) and both distant metastasis and poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients. In mouse models, we observed that overexpressing or knocking down MEF2D in gastric cancer cells respectively promoted or inhibited liver metastasis. Furthermore, our research has demonstrated that MEF2D regulates the transcriptional activation of H1X by binding to the H1X promoter. This regulation leads to the upregulation of H1X, which, in turn, promotes the in vivo metastasis of gastric cancer cells along with the upregulation of the downstream gene β-CATENIN. Additionally, we found that the expression of MEF2D and H1X at both mRNA and protein levels can be induced by the inflammatory factor IL-13, and this induction exhibits a time gradient dependence. In human gastric cancer tissues, the expression of IL13RA1, the receptor for IL-13, positively correlates with the expression of MEF2D and H1X. IL13RA1 has been identified as an intermediate receptor through which IL-13 regulates MEF2D. In conclusion, our findings suggest that MEF2D plays a crucial role in promoting liver metastasis of gastric cancer by upregulating H1X and downstream target β-CATENIN in response to IL-13 stimulation. Targeting MEF2D could therefore be a promising therapeutic strategy for the clinical management of gastric cancer. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: MEF2D promotes its transcriptional activation in gastric cancer cells by binding to the H1X promoter and is upregulated by IL-13-IL13RA1, thereby promoting distant metastasis of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzi Zhang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310020, China.
| | - Wu Lin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310020, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310020, China.
| | - Songting Zhu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310020, China.
| | - Yiran Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310020, China.
| | - Haiyong Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310020, China.
| | - Lisong Teng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310020, China.
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5
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Thomas RM, Pahl MC, Wang L, Grant SFA, Hancock WW, Wells AD. Foxp3 depends on Ikaros for control of regulatory T cell gene expression and function. eLife 2024; 12:RP91392. [PMID: 38655862 PMCID: PMC11042806 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Ikaros is a transcriptional factor required for conventional T cell development, differentiation, and anergy. While the related factors Helios and Eos have defined roles in regulatory T cells (Treg), a role for Ikaros has not been established. To determine the function of Ikaros in the Treg lineage, we generated mice with Treg-specific deletion of the Ikaros gene (Ikzf1). We find that Ikaros cooperates with Foxp3 to establish a major portion of the Treg epigenome and transcriptome. Ikaros-deficient Treg exhibit Th1-like gene expression with abnormal production of IL-2, IFNg, TNFa, and factors involved in Wnt and Notch signaling. While Ikzf1-Treg-cko mice do not develop spontaneous autoimmunity, Ikaros-deficient Treg are unable to control conventional T cell-mediated immune pathology in response to TCR and inflammatory stimuli in models of IBD and organ transplantation. These studies establish Ikaros as a core factor required in Treg for tolerance and the control of inflammatory immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan M Thomas
- Center for Spatial and Functional Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Matthew C Pahl
- Center for Spatial and Functional Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Liqing Wang
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Struan FA Grant
- Center for Spatial and Functional Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Wayne W Hancock
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Andrew D Wells
- Center for Spatial and Functional Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
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6
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Voskamp AL, Khosa S, Phan T, DeBerg HA, Bingham J, Hew M, Smith W, Abramovitch J, Rolland JM, Moyle M, Nadeau KC, Lack G, Larché M, Wambre E, O'Hehir RE, Hickey P, Prickett SR. Phase 1 trial supports safety and mechanism of action of peptide immunotherapy for peanut allergy. Allergy 2024; 79:485-498. [PMID: 38112286 DOI: 10.1111/all.15966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food allergy is a leading cause of anaphylaxis worldwide. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment shown to modify the natural history of allergic disease, but application to food allergy has been hindered by risk of severe allergic reactions and short-lived efficacy. Allergen-derived peptides could provide a solution. PVX108 comprises seven short peptides representing immunodominant T-cell epitopes of major peanut allergens for treatment of peanut allergy. METHODS Pre-clinical safety of PVX108 was assessed using ex vivo basophil activation tests (n = 185). Clinical safety and tolerability of single and repeat PVX108 doses were evaluated in a first-in-human, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in peanut-allergic adults (46 active, 21 placebo). The repeat-dose cohort received six doses over 16 weeks with safety monitored to 21 weeks. Exploratory immunological analyses were performed at pre-dose, Week 21 and Month 18 after treatment. RESULTS PVX108 induced negligible activation of peanut-sensitised basophils. PVX108 was safe and well tolerated in peanut-allergic adults. There were no treatment-related hypersensitivity events or AEs of clinical concern. The only events occurring more frequently in active than placebo were mild injection site reactions. Exploratory immunological analyses revealed a decrease in the ratio of ST2+ Th2A:CCR6+ Th17-like cells within the peanut-reactive Th pool which strengthened following treatment. CONCLUSION This study supports the concept that PVX108 could provide a safe alternative to whole peanut immunotherapies and provides evidence of durable peanut-specific T-cell modulation. Translation of these findings to clinical efficacy in ongoing Phase 2 trials would provide important proof-of-concept for using peptides to treat food allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid L Voskamp
- Aravax Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- WhiteFox Science Consulting, Nelson, New Zealand
| | | | - Tracy Phan
- Aravax Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Judy Bingham
- Aravax Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Easington Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Hew
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Jodie Abramovitch
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Mark Larché
- Schroeder Allergy & Immunology Research Institute, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erik Wambre
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robyn E O'Hehir
- Aravax Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Sara R Prickett
- Aravax Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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7
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Spiliopoulou P, Kaur P, Hammett T, Di Conza G, Lahn M. Targeting T regulatory (T reg) cells in immunotherapy-resistant cancers. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:2. [PMID: 38318526 PMCID: PMC10838381 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Primary or secondary (i.e., acquired) resistance is a common occurrence in cancer patients and is often associated with high numbers of T regulatory (Treg) cells (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+). The approval of ipilimumab and the development of similar pharmacological agents targeting cell surface proteins on Treg cells demonstrates that such intervention may overcome resistance in cancer patients. Hence, the clinical development and subsequent approval of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4) targeting agents can serve as a prototype for similar agents. Such new agents aspire to be highly specific and have a reduced toxicity profile while increasing effector T cell function or effector T/T regulatory (Teff/Treg) ratio. While clinical development with large molecules has shown the greatest advancement, small molecule inhibitors that target immunomodulation are increasingly entering early clinical investigation. These new small molecule inhibitors often target specific intracellular signaling pathways [e.g., phosphoinositide-3-kinase delta (PI3K-δ)] that play an important role in regulating the function of Treg cells. This review will summarize the lessons currently applied to develop novel clinical agents that target Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlina Spiliopoulou
- Department of Drug Development Program, Phase I Unit, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Center, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Paramjit Kaur
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Tracey Hammett
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Giusy Di Conza
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Michael Lahn
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
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8
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Zhang P, Lu R. The Molecular and Biological Function of MEF2D in Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1459:379-403. [PMID: 39017853 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62731-6_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) is a key transcription factor (TF) in skeletal, cardiac, and neural tissue development and includes four isoforms: MEF2A, MEF2B, MEF2C, and MEF2D. These isoforms significantly affect embryonic development, nervous system regulation, muscle cell differentiation, B- and T-cell development, thymocyte selection, and effects on tumorigenesis and leukemia. This chapter describes the multifaceted roles of MEF2 family proteins, covering embryonic development, nervous system regulation, and muscle cell differentiation. It further elucidates the contribution of MEF2 to various blood and immune cell functions. Specifically, in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), MEF2D is aberrantly expressed and forms a fusion protein with BCL9, CSF1R, DAZAP1, HNRNPUL1, and SS18. These fusion proteins are closely related to the pathogenesis of leukemia. In addition, it specifically introduces the regulatory effect of MEF2D fusion protein on the proliferation and growth of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cells. Finally, we detail the positive feedback loop between MEF2D and IRF8 that significantly promotes the progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the importance of the ZMYND8-BRD4 interaction in regulating the IRF8 and MYC transcriptional programs. The MEF2D-CEBPE axis is highlighted as a key transcriptional mechanism controlling the block of leukemic cell self-renewal and differentiation in AML. This chapter starts with the structure and function of MEF2 family proteins, specifically summarizing and analyzing the role of MEF2D in B-ALL and AML, mediating the complex molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and exploring their implications for human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rui Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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9
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Xiang J, Zhang N, Du A, Li J, Luo M, Wang Y, Liu M, Yang L, Li X, Wang L, Liu Q, Chen D, Wang T, Bian X, Qin Z, Su L, Wen L, Wang B. A Ubiquitin-Dependent Switch on MEF2D Senses Pro-Metastatic Niche Signals to Facilitate Intrahepatic Metastasis of Liver Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2305550. [PMID: 37828611 PMCID: PMC10724427 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Effective treatment for metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-associated death, is still lacking. To seed on a distal organ, disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) must adapt to the local tissue microenvironment. However, it remains elusive how DCCs respond the pro-metastatic niche signals. Here, systemic motif-enrichment identified myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) as a critical sensor of niche signals to regulate DCCs adhesion and colonization, leading to intrahepatic metastasis and recurrence of liver cancer. In this context, MEF2D transactivates Itgb1 (coding β1-integrin) and Itgb4 (coding β4-integrin) to execute temporally unique functions, where ITGB1 recognizes extracellular matrix for early seeding, and ITGB4 acts as a novel sensor of neutrophil extracellular traps-DNA (NETs-DNA) for subsequent chemotaxis and colonization. In turn, an integrin-FAK circuit promotes a phosphorylation-dependent USP14-orchastrated deubiquitination switch to stabilize MEF2D via circumventing degradation by the E3-ubiquitin-ligase MDM2. Clinically, the USP14(pS432)-MEF2D-ITGB1/4 feedback loop is often hyper-active and indicative of inferior outcomes in human malignancies, while its blockade abrogated intrahepatic metastasis of DCCs. Together, DCCs exploit a deubiquitination-dependent switch on MEF2D to integrate niche signals in the liver mesenchyme, thereby amplifying the pro-metastatic integrin-FAK signaling. Disruption of this feedback loop is clinically applicable with fast-track potential to block microenvironmental cues driving metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Xiang
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Ni Zhang
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Aibei Du
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Jinyang Li
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Mengyun Luo
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Yuzhu Wang
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Meng Liu
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Luming Yang
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Xianfeng Li
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Qin Liu
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Dongfeng Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Xiu‐wu Bian
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Centerand Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology of Ministry of Education of ChinaSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400038China
| | - Zhong‐yi Qin
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Centerand Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology of Ministry of Education of ChinaSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400038China
| | - Li Su
- Department of Oncology and HematologyChongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineChongqing400030China
| | - Liangzhi Wen
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of GastroenterologyChongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive MalignanciesDaping HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400042China
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Centerand Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology of Ministry of Education of ChinaSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)Chongqing400038China
- Jinfeng LaboratoryChongqing401329China
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10
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Kim YJ, Oh J, Jung S, Kim CJ, Choi J, Jeon YK, Kim HJ, Kim JW, Suh CH, Lee Y, Im SH, Crotty S, Choi YS. The transcription factor Mef2d regulates B:T synapse-dependent GC-T FH differentiation and IL-21-mediated humoral immunity. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadf2248. [PMID: 36961907 PMCID: PMC10311795 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adf2248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Communication between CD4 T cells and cognate B cells is key for the former to fully mature into germinal center-T follicular helper (GC-TFH) cells and for the latter to mount a CD4 T cell-dependent humoral immune response. Although this interaction occurs in a B:T synapse-dependent manner, how CD4 T cells transcriptionally regulate B:T synapse formation remains largely unknown. Here, we report that Mef2d, an isoform of the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (Mef2) transcription factor family, is a critical regulator of this process. In CD4 T cells, Mef2d negatively regulates expression of Sh2d1a, which encodes SLAM-associated protein (SAP), a critical regulator of B:T synapses. We found that Mef2d regulates Sh2d1a expression via DNA binding-dependent transcriptional repression, inhibiting SAP-dependent B:T synapse formation and preventing antigen-specific CD4 T cells from differentiating into GC-TFH cells. Mef2d also impeded IL-21 production by CD4 T cells, an important B cell help signaling molecule, via direct repression of the Il21 gene. In contrast, CD4 T cell-specific disruption of Mef2d led to a substantial increase in GC-TFH differentiation in response to protein immunization, concurrent with enhanced SAP expression. MEF2D mRNA expression inversely correlates with human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient autoimmune parameters, including circulating TFH-like cell frequencies, autoantibodies, and SLEDAI scores. These findings highlight Mef2d as a pivotal rheostat in CD4 T cells for controlling GC formation and antibody production by B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Ji Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeein Oh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soohan Jung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chan Johng Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea
| | - Jinyong Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon Kyung Jeon
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jik Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Won Kim
- Department of Rheumatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Chang-Hee Suh
- Department of Rheumatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Yoontae Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea
| | - Sin-Hyeog Im
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea
- ImmunoBiome Inc., Pohang, Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Shane Crotty
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- University of California San Diego, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Youn Soo Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Transplantation Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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11
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Obata-Ninomiya K, de Jesus Carrion S, Hu A, Ziegler SF. Emerging role for thymic stromal lymphopoietin-responsive regulatory T cells in colorectal cancer progression in humans and mice. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabl6960. [PMID: 35584230 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abl6960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recruitment of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to tumors is a hallmark of cancer progression. Tumor-derived factors, such as the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), can influence Treg function in tumors. In our study, we identified a subset of Tregs expressing the receptor for TSLP (TSLPR+ Tregs) that were increased in colorectal tumors in humans and mice and largely absent in adjacent normal colon. This Treg subset was also found in the peripheral blood of patients with colon cancer but not in the peripheral blood of healthy control subjects. Mechanistically, we found that this Treg subset coexpressed the interleukin-33 (IL-33) receptor [suppressor of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2)] and had high programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) expression, regulated in part by the transcription factor Mef2c. Treg-specific deletion of TSLPR, but not ST2, was associated with a reduction in tumor number and size with concomitant increase in TH1 cells in tumors in chemically induced mouse models of colorectal cancer. Therapeutic blockade of TSLP using TSLP-specific monoclonal antibodies effectively inhibited the progression of colorectal tumors in this mouse model. Collectively, these data suggest that TSLP controls the progression of colorectal cancer through regulation of tumor-specific Treg function and represents a potential therapeutic target that requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alex Hu
- Center for Systems Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Steven F Ziegler
- Center for Fundamental Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
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12
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Yoshida M, Yokoi N, Takahashi H, Hatano N, Hayami T, Ogawa W, Seino S. O-GlcNAcylation of myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2D negatively regulates insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 605:90-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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13
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Transcription factor MEF2D is required for the maintenance of MLL-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Adv 2021; 5:4727-4740. [PMID: 34597364 PMCID: PMC8759131 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MEF2D is highly expressed in MLL-rearranged AML and required for leukemia development in vitro and in vivo. MEF2D suppresses CEBPE-mediated myeloid differentiation in AML.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with MLL-rearrangement (MLL-r) comprises ∼10% of all AML cases and portends poor outcomes. Much remains uncovered on how MLL-r AML drives leukemia development while preventing cells from normal myeloid differentiation. Here, we identified that transcription factor MEF2D is a super-enhancer-associated, highly expressed gene in MLL-r AML. Knockout of MEF2D profoundly impaired leukemia growth, induced myeloid differentiation, and delayed oncogenic progression in vivo. Mechanistically, MEF2D loss led to robust activation of a CEBPE-centered myeloid differentiation program in AML cells. Chromatin profiling revealed that MEF2D binds to and suppresses the chromatin accessibility of CEBPE cis-regulatory regions. In human acute leukemia samples, MEF2D expression showed a strong negative correlation with the expression of CEBPE. Depletion of CEBPE partially rescued the cell growth defect and myeloid cell differentiation induced by the loss of MEF2D. Lastly, we show that MEF2D is positively regulated by HOXA9, and downregulation of MEF2D is an important mechanism for DOT1L inhibitor-induced antileukemia effects. Collectively, our findings suggest that MEF2D plays a critical role in human MLL-r AML and uncover the MEF2D-CEBPE axis as a crucial transcriptional mechanism regulating leukemia cell self-renewal and differentiation block.
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14
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Ma X, Somasundaram A, Qi Z, Hartman D, Singh H, Osmanbeyoglu H. SPaRTAN, a computational framework for linking cell-surface receptors to transcriptional regulators. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9633-9647. [PMID: 34500467 PMCID: PMC8464045 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The identity and functions of specialized cell types are dependent on the complex interplay between signaling and transcriptional networks. Recently single-cell technologies have been developed that enable simultaneous quantitative analysis of cell-surface receptor expression with transcriptional states. To date, these datasets have not been used to systematically develop cell-context-specific maps of the interface between signaling and transcriptional regulators orchestrating cellular identity and function. We present SPaRTAN (Single-cell Proteomic and RNA based Transcription factor Activity Network), a computational method to link cell-surface receptors to transcription factors (TFs) by exploiting cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (CITE-seq) datasets with cis-regulatory information. SPaRTAN is applied to immune cell types in the blood to predict the coupling of signaling receptors with cell context-specific TFs. Selected predictions are validated by prior knowledge and flow cytometry analyses. SPaRTAN is then used to predict the signaling coupled TF states of tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells in malignant peritoneal and pleural mesotheliomas. SPaRTAN enhances the utility of CITE-seq datasets to uncover TF and cell-surface receptor relationships in diverse cellular states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Ma
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ashwin Somasundaram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Zengbiao Qi
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Douglas J Hartman
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Harinder Singh
- Center for Systems Immunology and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Hatice Ulku Osmanbeyoglu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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15
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González-Navajas JM, Elkord E, Lee J. Editorial: CD4 + T Cells in Cancer Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:737615. [PMID: 34552596 PMCID: PMC8450435 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.737615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- José M González-Navajas
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.,Department of Pharmacology, University Miguel Hernández (UMH), Elche, Spain
| | - Eyad Elkord
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jongdae Lee
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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16
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Mapping of de novo mutations in primary biliary cholangitis to a disease-specific co-expression network underlying homeostasis and metabolism. J Genet Genomics 2021; 49:145-154. [PMID: 34433101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease involving dysregulation of a broad array of homeostatic and metabolic processes. Although considerable single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been unveiled, a large fraction of risk factors remains enigmatic. Candidate genes with rare mutations that tend to confer more deleterious effects need to be identified. To help pinpoint cellular and developmental mechanisms beyond common noncoding variants, we integrated whole exome sequencing with integrative network analysis to investigate genes harboring de novo mutations. Prominent convergence has been revealed on a network of disease-specific co-expression comprised of 55 genes associated with homeostasis and metabolism. The transcription factor MEF2D and the DNA repair gene PARP2 were highlighted as hub genes and identified to be up- and down-regulated, respectively, in peripheral blood data set. Enrichment analysis demonstrated altered expression of MEF2D and PARP2 may trigger a series of molecular and cellular processes with pivotal roles in PBC pathophysiology. Our study identified genes with de novo mutations in PBC and suggested a subset of genes in homeostasis and metabolism tend to act in synergy through converging on co-expression network, providing novel insights into the etiology of PBC and expanding the pool of molecular candidates for discovering clinically actionable biomarkers.
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17
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Saxena V, Lakhan R, Iyyathurai J, Bromberg JS. Mechanisms of exTreg induction. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1956-1967. [PMID: 33975379 PMCID: PMC8338747 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202049123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Tregs play an important role in the maintenance of the immune system by regulating immune responses and resolving inflammation. Tregs exert their function by suppressing other immune cells and mediating peripheral self-tolerance. Under homeostatic conditions, Tregs are stable T-cell populations. However, under inflammatory environments, Tregs are converted to CD4+ CD25low Foxp3low cells. These cells are termed "exTreg" or "exFoxp3" cells. The molecular mechanism of Treg transition to exTregs remains incompletely understood. Uncertainties might be explained by a lack of consensus of biological markers to define Treg subsets in general and exTregs in particular. In this review, we summarize known markers of Tregs and factors responsible for exTreg generation including cytokines, signaling pathways, transcription factors, and epigenetic mechanisms. We also identify studies demonstrating the presence of exTregs in various diseases and sources of exTregs. Understanding the biology of Treg transition to exTregs will help in designing Treg-based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Saxena
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Ram Lakhan
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jegan Iyyathurai
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Bromberg
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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18
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Di Giorgio E, Wang L, Xiong Y, Christensen LM, Akimova T, Han R, Samanta A, Trevisanut M, Brancolini C, Beier UH, Hancock WW. A Biological Circuit Involving Mef2c, Mef2d, and Hdac9 Controls the Immunosuppressive Functions of CD4+Foxp3+ T-Regulatory Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:703632. [PMID: 34290714 PMCID: PMC8287581 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.703632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mads/Mef2 (Mef2a/b/c/d) family of transcription factors (TFs) regulates differentiation of muscle cells, neurons and hematopoietic cells. By functioning in physiological feedback loops, Mef2 TFs promote the transcription of their repressor, Hdac9, thereby providing temporal control of Mef2-driven differentiation. Disruption of this feedback is associated with the development of various pathologic states, including cancer. Beside their direct involvement in oncogenesis, Mef2 TFs indirectly control tumor progression by regulating antitumor immunity. We recently reported that in CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T-regulatory (Treg) cells, Mef2d is required for the acquisition of an effector Treg (eTreg) phenotype and for the activation of an epigenetic program that suppresses the anti-tumor immune responses of conventional T and B cells. We now report that as with Mef2d, the deletion of Mef2c in Tregs switches off the expression of Il10 and Icos and leads to enhanced antitumor immunity in syngeneic models of lung cancer. Mechanistically, Mef2c does not directly bind the regulatory elements of Icos and Il10, but its loss-of-function in Tregs induces the expression of the transcriptional repressor, Hdac9. As a consequence, Mef2d, the more abundant member of the Mef2 family, is converted by Hdac9 into a transcriptional repressor on these loci. This leads to the impairment of Treg suppressive properties in vivo and to enhanced anti-cancer immunity. These data further highlight the central role played by the Mef2/Hdac9 axis in the regulation of CD4+Foxp3+ Treg function and adds a new level of complexity to the analysis and study of Treg biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Liqing Wang
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yan Xiong
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Centre of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lanette M Christensen
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tatiana Akimova
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rongxiang Han
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Arabinda Samanta
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Matteo Trevisanut
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Ulf H Beier
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Wayne W Hancock
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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19
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Brancolini C, Di Giorgio E, Formisano L, Gagliano T. Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes (Who Controls the Controllers)? Two Decades of Studies on HDAC9. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11020090. [PMID: 33513699 PMCID: PMC7912504 DOI: 10.3390/life11020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how an epigenetic regulator drives different cellular responses can be a tricky task. Very often, their activities are modulated by large multiprotein complexes, the composition of which is context- and time-dependent. As a consequence, experiments aimed to unveil the functions of an epigenetic regulator can provide different outcomes and conclusions, depending on the circumstances. HDAC9 (histone deacetylase), an epigenetic regulator that influences different differentiating and adaptive responses, makes no exception. Since its discovery, different phenotypes and/or dysfunctions have been observed after the artificial manipulation of its expression. The cells and the microenvironment use multiple strategies to control and monitor HDAC9 activities. To date, some of the genes under HDAC9 control have been identified. However, the exact mechanisms through which HDAC9 can achieve all the different tasks so far described, remain mysterious. Whether it can assemble into different multiprotein complexes and how the cells modulate these complexes is not clearly defined. In summary, despite several cellular responses are known to be affected by HDAC9, many aspects of its network of interactions still remain to be defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Brancolini
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy; (E.D.G.); (T.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eros Di Giorgio
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy; (E.D.G.); (T.G.)
| | - Luigi Formisano
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Teresa Gagliano
- Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100 Udine, Italy; (E.D.G.); (T.G.)
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