Sumoylated HSP90 is a dominantly inherited plasma cell dyscrasias risk factor

SENP1-Mediated HSP90ab1 DeSUMOylation in Cardiomyocytes Prevents Myocardial Fibrosis by Paracrine Signaling

Myocardial infarction (MI) triggers a poor ventricular remodeling response, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, the authors show that sentrin-specific protease 1 (SENP1) is downregulated in post-MI mice and in patients with severe heart failure. By generating cardiomyocyte-specific SENP1 knockout and overexpression mice to assess cardiac function and ventricular remodeling responses under physiological and pathological conditions. Increased cardiac fibrosis in the cardiomyocyte-specific SENP1 deletion mice, associated with increased fibronectin (Fn) expression and secretion in cardiomyocytes, promotes fibroblast activation in response to myocardial injury. Mechanistically, SENP1 deletion in mouse cardiomyocytes increases heat shock protein 90 alpha family class B member 1 (HSP90ab1) SUMOylation with (STAT3) activation and Fn secretion after ventricular remodeling initiated. Overexpression of SENP1 or mutation of the HSP90ab1 Lys72 ameliorates adverse ventricular remodeling and dysfunction after MI. Taken together, this study identifies SENP1 as a positive regulator of cardiac repair and a potential drug target for the treatment of MI. Inhibition of HSP90ab1 SUMOylation stabilizes STAT3 to inhibit the adverse ventricular remodeling response.

Detecting Posttranslational Modifications of Hsp90 Isoforms

The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is essential in eukaryotes. Hsp90 chaperones proteins that are important determinants of multistep carcinogenesis. There are multiple Hsp90 isoforms including the cytosolic Hsp90α and Hsp90β as well as GRP94 located in the endoplasmic reticulum and TRAP1 in the mitochondria. The chaperone function of Hsp90 is linked to its ability to bind and hydrolyze ATP. Co-chaperones and posttranslational modifications (such as phosphorylation, SUMOylation, and ubiquitination) are important for Hsp90 stability and regulation of its ATPase activity. Both mammalian and yeast cells can be used to express and purify Hsp90 and TRAP1 and also detect post-translational modifications by immunoblotting.

B-cell receptors of EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma bind modified isoforms of autoantigens

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) represents the most aggressive B-cell-lymphoma. Beside the hallmark of IG-MYC-translocation, surface B-cell receptor (BCR) is expressed, and mutations in the BCR pathway are frequent. Coincidental infections in endemic BL, and specific extra-nodal sites suggest antigenic triggers. To explore this hypothesis, BCRs of BL cell lines and cases were screened for reactivities against a panel of bacterial lysates, lysates of Plasmodium falciparum, a custom-made virome array and against self-antigens, including post-translationally modified antigens. An atypically modified, SUMOylated isoform of Bystin, that is, SUMO1-BYSL was identified as the antigen of the BCR of cell line CA46. SUMO1-BYSL was exclusively expressed in CA46 cells with K139 as site of the SUMOylation. Secondly, an atypically acetylated isoform of HSP40 was identified as the antigen of the BCR of cell line BL41. K104 and K179 were the sites of immunogenic acetylation, and the acetylated HSP40 isoform was solely present in BL41 cells. Functionally, addition of SUMO1-BYSL and acetylated HSP40 induced BCR pathway activation in CA46 and BL41 cells, respectively. Accordingly, SUMO1-BYSL-ETA' immunotoxin, produced by a two-step intein-based conjugation, led to the specific killing of CA46 cells. Autoantibodies directed against SUMO1-BYSL were found in 3 of 14 (21.4%), and autoantibodies against acetylated HSP40 in 1/14(7.1%) patients with sporadic Burkitt-lymphoma. No reactivities against antigens of the infectious agent spectrum could be observed. These results indicate a pathogenic role of autoreactivity evoked by immunogenic post-translational modifications in a subgroup of sporadic BL including two EBV-negative BL cell lines.

Identification of the atypically modified autoantigen Ars2 as the target of B-cell receptors from activated B-cell-type diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

It has been suggested that stimulation of B-cell receptors (BCR) by specific antigens plays a pathogenic role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, it was the aim to screen for specific reactivities of DLBCL-BCR in the spectrum of autoantigens and antigens of infectious origin. Arsenite resistance protein 2 (Ars2) was identified as the BCR target of three of five activated B-cell type DLBCL cell lines and two of 11 primary DLBCL cases. Compared to controls, Ars2 was hypophosphorylated exclusively in cases and cell lines with Ars2-specific BCR. In a validation cohort, hypophosphorylated Ars2 was found in eight of 31 activated B-cell type DLBCL, but in only one of 20 germinal center B-cell like type DLBCL. Incubation with Ars2 induced BCR-pathway activation and increased proliferation, while an Ars2/ETA’ toxin conjugate induced killing of cell lines with Ars2-reactive BCR. Ars2 appears to play a role in a subgroup of activated B-cell-type DLBCL. Moreover, transformed DLBCL lines with Ars2-reactive BCR still showed growth advantage after incubation with Ars2. These results provide knowledge about the pathogenic role of a specific antigen stimulating the BCR pathway in DLCBL.

Monoclonal immunoglobulins promote bone loss in multiple myeloma

Most patients with multiple myeloma develop a severe osteolytic bone disease. The myeloma cells secrete immunoglobulins, and the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulins in the patient's sera is an important diagnostic criterion. Here, we show that immunoglobulins isolated from myeloma patients with bone disease promote osteoclast differentiation when added to human preosteoclasts in vitro, whereas immunoglobulins from patients without bone disease do not. This effect was primarily mediated by immune complexes or aggregates. The function and aggregation behavior of immunoglobulins are partly determined by differential glycosylation of the immunoglobulin-Fc part. Glycosylation analyses revealed that patients with bone disease had significantly less galactose on immunoglobulin G (IgG) compared with patients without bone disease and also less sialic acid on IgG compared with healthy persons. Importantly, we also observed a significant reduction of IgG sialylation in serum of patients upon onset of bone disease. In the 5TGM1 mouse myeloma model, we found decreased numbers of lesions and decreased CTX-1 levels, a marker for osteoclast activity, in mice treated with a sialic acid precursor, N-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc). ManNAc treatment increased IgG-Fc sialylation in the mice. Our data support that deglycosylated immunoglobulins promote bone loss in multiple myeloma and that altering IgG glycosylation may be a therapeutic strategy to reduce bone loss.

Role of Specific B-Cell Receptor Antigens in Lymphomagenesis

The B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway is a crucial pathway of B cells, both for their survival and for antigen-mediated activation, proliferation and differentiation. Its activation is also critical for the genesis of many lymphoma types. BCR-mediated lymphoma proliferation may be caused by activating BCR-pathway mutations and/or by active or tonic stimulation of the BCR. BCRs of lymphomas have frequently been described as polyreactive. In this review, the role of specific target antigens of the BCRs of lymphomas is highlighted. These antigens have been found to be restricted to specific lymphoma entities. The antigens can be of infectious origin, such as H. pylori in gastric MALT lymphoma or RpoC of M. catarrhalis in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, or they are autoantigens. Examples of such autoantigens are the BCR itself in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, LRPAP1 in mantle cell lymphoma, hyper-N-glycosylated SAMD14/neurabin-I in primary central nervous system lymphoma, hypo-phosphorylated ARS2 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and hyper-phosphorylated SLP2, sumoylated HSP90 or saposin C in plasma cell dyscrasia. Notably, atypical posttranslational modifications are often responsible for the immunogenicity of many autoantigens. Possible therapeutic approaches evolving from these specific antigens are discussed.

SUMOylation of Enzymes and Ion Channels in Sensory Neurons Protects against Metabolic Dysfunction, Neuropathy, and Sensory Loss in Diabetes

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a highly frequent and debilitating clinical complication of diabetes that lacks therapies. Cellular oxidative stress regulates post-translational modifications, including SUMOylation. Here, using unbiased screens, we identified key enzymes in metabolic pathways and ion channels as novel molecular targets of SUMOylation that critically regulated their activity. Sensory neurons of diabetic patients and diabetic mice demonstrated changes in the SUMOylation status of metabolic enzymes and ion channels. In support of this, profound metabolic dysfunction, accelerated neuropathology, and sensory loss were observed in diabetic gene-targeted mice selectively lacking the ability to SUMOylate proteins in peripheral sensory neurons. TRPV1 function was impaired by diabetes-induced de-SUMOylation as well as by metabolic imbalance elicited by de-SUMOylation of metabolic enzymes, facilitating diabetic sensory loss. Our results unexpectedly uncover an endogenous post-translational mechanism regulating diabetic neuropathy in patients and mouse models that protects against metabolic dysfunction, nerve damage, and altered sensory perception.

Post-translational modifications of Hsp90 and translating the chaperone code

Cells have a remarkable ability to synthesize large amounts of protein in a very short period of time. Under these conditions, many hydrophobic surfaces on proteins may be transiently exposed, and the likelihood of deleterious interactions is quite high. To counter this threat to cell viability, molecular chaperones have evolved to help nascent polypeptides fold correctly and multimeric protein complexes assemble productively, while minimizing the danger of protein aggregation. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an evolutionarily conserved molecular chaperone that is involved in the stability and activation of at least 300 proteins, also known as clients, under normal cellular conditions. The Hsp90 clients participate in the full breadth of cellular processes, including cell growth and cell cycle control, signal transduction, DNA repair, transcription, and many others. Hsp90 chaperone function is coupled to its ability to bind and hydrolyze ATP, which is tightly regulated both by co-chaperone proteins and post-translational modifications (PTMs). Many reported PTMs of Hsp90 alter chaperone function and consequently affect myriad cellular processes. Here, we review the contributions of PTMs, such as phosphorylation, acetylation, SUMOylation, methylation, O-GlcNAcylation, ubiquitination, and others, toward regulation of Hsp90 function. We also discuss how the Hsp90 modification state affects cellular sensitivity to Hsp90-targeted therapeutics that specifically bind and inhibit its chaperone activity. The ultimate challenge is to decipher the comprehensive and combinatorial array of PTMs that modulate Hsp90 chaperone function, a phenomenon termed the "chaperone code."

Lymphocyte predominant cells detect Moraxella catarrhalis-derived antigens in nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare lymphoma of B-cell origin with frequent expression of functional B-cell receptors (BCRs). Here we report that expression cloning followed by antigen screening identifies DNA-directed RNA polymerase beta’ (RpoC) from Moraxella catarrhalis as frequent antigen of BCRs of IgD⁺ LP cells. Patients show predominance of HLA-DRB1*04/07 and the IgVH genes encode extraordinarily long CDR3s. High-titer, light-chain-restricted anti-RpoC IgG1/κ-type serum-antibodies are additionally found in these patients. RpoC and MID/hag, a superantigen co-expressed by Moraxella catarrhalis that is known to activate IgD⁺ B cells by binding to the Fc domain of IgD, have additive activation effects on the BCR, the NF-κB pathway and the proliferation of IgD⁺ DEV cells expressing RpoC-specific BCRs. This suggests an additive antigenic and superantigenic stimulation of B cells with RpoC-specific IgD⁺ BCRs under conditions of a permissive MHC-II haplotype as a model of NLPHL lymphomagenesis, implying future treatment strategies.

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma with IgD+ lymphocyte-predominant (LP) cells is a rare clinical distinct lymphoma subset of B-cell origin. Here the authors show that antigens expressed by Moraxella catarrhalis are recognized by B cell receptors of IgD+ LP cells, suggesting the contribution of chronic antigen stimulation to lymphomagenesis.

Roles of Extracellular HSPs as Biomarkers in Immune Surveillance and Immune Evasion

Extracellular heat shock proteins (ex-HSPs) have been found in exosomes, oncosomes, membrane surfaces, as well as free HSP in cancer and various pathological conditions, also known as alarmins. Such ex-HSPs include HSP90 (α, β, Gp96, Trap1), HSP70, and large and small HSPs. Production of HSPs is coordinately induced by heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), while matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and heterochromatin protein 1 are novel inducers of HSPs. Oncosomes released by tumor cells are a major aspect of the resistance-associated secretory phenotype (RASP) by which immune evasion can be established. The concepts of RASP are: (i) releases of ex-HSP and HSP-rich oncosomes are essential in RASP, by which molecular co-transfer of HSPs with oncogenic factors to recipient cells can promote cancer progression and resistance against stresses such as hypoxia, radiation, drugs, and immune systems; (ii) RASP of tumor cells can eject anticancer drugs, targeted therapeutics, and immune checkpoint inhibitors with oncosomes; (iii) cytotoxic lipids can be also released from tumor cells as RASP. ex-HSP and membrane-surface HSP (mHSP) play immunostimulatory roles recognized by CD91+ scavenger receptor expressed by endothelial cells-1 (SREC-1)+ Toll-like receptors (TLRs)+ antigen-presenting cells, leading to antigen cross-presentation and T cell cross-priming, as well as by CD94+ natural killer cells, leading to tumor cytolysis. On the other hand, ex-HSP/CD91 signaling in cancer cells promotes cancer progression. HSPs in body fluids are potential biomarkers detectable by liquid biopsies in cancers and tissue-damaged diseases. HSP-based vaccines, inhibitors, and RNAi therapeutics are also reviewed.

Lymphocyte Subsets and Inflammatory Cytokines of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Multiple Myeloma

Almost all multiple myeloma (MM) cases have been demonstrated to be linked to earlier monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Nevertheless, there are no identified characteristics in the diagnosis of MGUS that have been helpful in differentiating subjects whose cancer may progress to a malignant situation. Regarding malignancy, the role of lymphocyte subsets and cytokines at the beginning of neoplastic diseases is now incontestable. In this review, we have concentrated our attention on the equilibrium between the diverse lymphocyte subsets and the cytokine system and summarized the current state of knowledge, providing an overview of the condition of the entire system in MGUS and MM. In an age where the therapy of neoplastic monoclonal gammopathies largely relies on drugs capable of acting on the immune system (immunomodulants, immunological checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T), detailed knowledge of the the differences existing in benign and neoplastic forms of gammopathy is the main foundation for the adequate and optimal use of new drugs.

Saposin C is a frequent target of paraproteins in Gaucher disease-associated MGUS/multiple myeloma

Patients with Gaucher disease (GD) have an increased risk of monoclonal gammopathies for which antigenic targets might play a role in their pathogenesis. Here we report the identification of saposin C (sapC) as high-titre (1:1 000 000) target structure of 7/16 GD-associated paraproteins. Anti-sapC immunoglobulin (Ig) showed identity with the paraprotein Ig type and subclass in each patient that showed anti-sapC immunoreactivity. Absorption and depletion studies completely removed the paraprotein from the sera of GD patients. No immunoreactivity against sapC was detected in healthy donors and in other plasma cell dyscrasias, demonstrating that anti-sapC reactivity is highly restricted to GD. Several uncharacterized forms of post-translational modified sapC were detected but their role in the pathogenesis is not clear. We confirm the frequent presence of low-titre (1:250) anti-lysolipid reactivities in the sera of GD patients but we could show that this immunoreactivity is not mediated by the paraprotein and is not restricted to GD patients.

Hyper-N-glycosylated SAMD14 and neurabin-I as driver autoantigens of primary central nervous system lymphoma

To address the role of chronic antigenic stimulation in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), we searched for autoantigens and identified sterile α-motif domain containing protein 14 (SAMD14) and neural tissue-specific F-actin binding protein I (neurabin-I) as autoantigenic targets of the B-cell receptors (BCRs) from 8/12 PCNSLs. In the respective cases, SAMD14 and neurabin-I were atypically hyper-N-glycosylated (SAMD14 at ASN339 and neurabin-I at ASN1277), explaining their autoimmunogenicity. SAMD14 and neurabin-I induced BCR pathway activation and proliferation of aggressive lymphoma cell lines transfected with SAMD14- and neurabin-I-reactive BCRs. Moreover, the BCR binding epitope of neurabin-I conjugated to truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin-killed lymphoma cells expressing the respective BCRs. These results support the role of chronic antigenic stimulation by posttranslationally modified central nervous system (CNS) driver autoantigens in the pathogenesis of PCNSL, serve as an explanation for their CNS tropism, and provide the basis for a novel specific treatment approach.

LRPAP1 is a frequent proliferation-inducing antigen of BCRs of mantle cell lymphomas and can be used for specific therapeutic targeting

The predominant usage of VH4-34 and V3-21 and reports of stereotyped CDR3s suggest a shared antigenic target of B-cell receptors (BCR) from mantle cell lymphomas (MCL). To identify the target antigens of MCL-BCRs, BCRs from 21 patients and seven MCL cell lines were recombinantly expressed and used for antigen screening. The BCRs from 8/21 patients and 2/7 MCL cell lines reacted specifically with the autoantigen low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-associated protein 1 (LRPAP1). High-titered and light chain-restricted anti-LRPAP1 serum antibodies were found in MCL patients, but not in controls. LRPAP1 induced proliferation by BCR pathway activation, while an LRPAP1-ETA' toxin-conjugate specifically killed MCL cells with LRPAP1-specific BCRs. Our results suggest a role of LRPAP1 in lymphomagenesis and maintenance of a considerable proportion of MCL cases by chronic autoantigenic stimulation, likely evolving from a chronic autoreactive B-cell response. Importantly, LRPAP1 can be used for a novel therapeutic approach that targets MCL with LRPAP1-reactive BCRs with high specificity.

Detecting Posttranslational Modifications of Hsp90

The molecular chaperone Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) is essential in eukaryotes. Hsp90 chaperones proteins that are important determinants of multistep carcinogenesis. The chaperone function of Hsp90 is linked to its ability to bind and hydrolyze ATP. Co-chaperones as well as posttranslational modifications (phosphorylation, SUMOylation, and ubiquitination) are important for its stability and regulation of the ATPase activity. Both mammalian and yeast cells can be used to express and purify Hsp90 and also detect its posttranslational modifications by immunoblotting.

Clonal Immunoglobulin against Lysolipids in the Origin of Myeloma

Antigen-driven selection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of monoclonal gammopathies. Patients with Gaucher's disease have an increased risk of monoclonal gammopathies. Here we show that the clonal immunoglobulin in patients with Gaucher's disease and in mouse models of Gaucher's disease-associated gammopathy is reactive against lyso-glucosylceramide (LGL1), which is markedly elevated in these patients and mice. Clonal immunoglobulin in 33% of sporadic human monoclonal gammopathies is also specific for the lysolipids LGL1 and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). Substrate reduction ameliorates Gaucher's disease-associated gammopathy in mice. Thus, long-term immune activation by lysolipids may underlie both Gaucher's disease-associated gammopathies and some sporadic monoclonal gammopathies.