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Neurath MF, Berg LJ. VAV1 as a putative therapeutic target in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Trends Immunol 2024; 45:580-596. [PMID: 39060140 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2024.06.004] [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: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) VAV1, a previously 'undruggable' protein integral to T/B lymphocyte antigen-receptor signaling, promotes actin polymerization, immunological synapse formation, T cell activation and differentiation, and cytokine production. With the development of novel modalities for targeting proteins, we hypothesize that interventions targeting VAV1 will have therapeutic potential in T and T/B cell-mediated autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. This opinion is supported by recent CRISPR-Cas9 studies showing VAV1 as a key positive regulator of T cell receptor (TCR) activation and cytokine production in primary human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; data demonstrating that loss/suppression of VAV1 regulates autoimmunity and inflammation; and promising preclinical data from T and T/B cell-mediated disease models of arthritis and colitis showing the effectiveness of selective VAV1 targeting via protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus F Neurath
- Department of Medicine, 1 & Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Kussmaul Campus for Medical Research, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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Tommasini D, Fox R, Ngo KJ, Hinman JD, Fogel BL. Alterations in oligodendrocyte transcriptional networks reveal region-specific vulnerabilities to neurological disease. iScience 2023; 26:106358. [PMID: 36994077 PMCID: PMC10040735 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological disease is characterized the by dysfunction of specific neuroanatomical regions. To determine whether region-specific vulnerabilities have a transcriptional basis at cell-type-specific resolution, we analyzed gene expression in mouse oligodendrocytes across various brain regions. Oligodendrocyte transcriptomes cluster in an anatomical arrangement along the rostrocaudal axis. Moreover, regional oligodendrocyte populations preferentially regulate genes implicated in diseases that target their region of origin. Systems-level analyses identify five region-specific co-expression networks representing distinct molecular pathways in oligodendrocytes. The cortical network exhibits alterations in mouse models of intellectual disability and epilepsy, the cerebellar network in ataxia, and the spinal network in multiple sclerosis. Bioinformatic analyses reveal potential molecular regulators of these networks, which were confirmed to modulate network expression in vitro in human oligodendroglioma cells, including reversal of the disease-associated transcriptional effects of a pathogenic Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 allele. These findings identify targetable region-specific vulnerabilities to neurological disease mediated by oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Tommasini
- Department of Neurology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Fox
- Department of Human Genetics, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathie J. Ngo
- Department of Neurology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason D. Hinman
- Department of Neurology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brent L. Fogel
- Department of Neurology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Chi G, Pei JH, Li XQ. EZH2-mediated H3K27me3 promotes autoimmune hepatitis progression by regulating macrophage polarization. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 106:108612. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Walsh AD, Nguyen LT, Binder MD. miRNAs in Microglia: Important Players in Multiple Sclerosis Pathology. ASN Neuro 2021; 13:1759091420981182. [PMID: 33517686 PMCID: PMC7863159 DOI: 10.1177/1759091420981182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system and important regulators of brain homeostasis. Central to this role is a dynamic phenotypic plasticity that enables microglia to respond to environmental and pathological stimuli. Importantly, different microglial phenotypes can be both beneficial and detrimental to central nervous system health. Chronically activated inflammatory microglia are a hallmark of neurodegeneration, including the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS). By contrast, microglial phagocytosis of myelin debris is essential for resolving inflammation and promoting remyelination. As such, microglia are being explored as a potential therapeutic target for MS. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding ribonucleic acids that regulate gene expression and act as master regulators of cellular phenotype and function. Dysregulation of certain miRNAs can aberrantly activate and promote specific polarisation states in microglia to modulate their activity in inflammation and neurodegeneration. In addition, miRNA dysregulation is implicated in MS pathogenesis, with circulating biomarkers and lesion specific miRNAs identified as regulators of inflammation and myelination. However, the role of miRNAs in microglia that specifically contribute to MS progression are still largely unknown. miRNAs are being explored as therapeutic agents, providing an opportunity to modulate microglial function in neurodegenerative diseases such as MS. This review will focus firstly on elucidating the complex role of microglia in MS pathogenesis. Secondly, we explore the essential roles of miRNAs in microglial function. Finally, we focus on miRNAs that are implicated in microglial processes that contribute directly to MS pathology, prioritising targets that could inform novel therapeutic approaches to MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Walsh
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Linda T Nguyen
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michele D Binder
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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Zhao D, Li Z, Liu X, Liu N, Bao X, Sun H, Meng Q, Ren H, Bai J, Zhou X, Tang L. Lymphocyte expression of EZH2 is associated with mortality and secondary infectious complications in sepsis. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 89:107042. [PMID: 33068867 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that epigenetic factors may affect immune responses. We previously reported that histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) was involved in the innate inflammatory responses both in animal model of sepsis and in septic patients. In this study, we prospectively evaluated EZH2 expression kinetics in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and HLA-DR expression in CD14+ cells from 48 patients with sepsis and 48 healthy controls. Results showed higher level of EZH2 in CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in sepsis patients than in controls. Meanwhile, EZH2 expression was correlated with CD27 status on T cells. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of EZH2 in CD8+ T cells on day 1 independently predicted death in septic patients. Also, the combination of CD8+ T cell EZH2 expression with APACHEII and SOFA score could enhance the prognostic predictive ability. Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased expression (proportion and MFI) of EZH2 in CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes on day 3 were independently associated with nosocomial infection in septic patients. Additionally, spearman correlation analysis indicated that the levels of EZH2 in CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells correlated to CD14+ cells-expressing HLA-DR in patients with sepsis at each time point. Overall, these findings suggest that EZH2 in CD4+ T cells or/and CD8+ T cells may be a novel biomarker for predicting adverse outcomes (mortality and secondary infectious complications) in patients with sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Zhao
- Department of Internal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Shanghai East Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Internal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Shanghai East Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Medical School/Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xiandong Liu
- Department of Internal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Shanghai East Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xiaowei Bao
- Department of Internal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Shanghai East Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Internal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Shanghai East Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Qinshu Meng
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Huijuan Ren
- Department of Internal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Shanghai East Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Jianwen Bai
- Department of Internal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Shanghai East Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhou
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.
| | - Lunxian Tang
- Department of Internal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Shanghai East Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai 200120, China.
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Yang YX, Shen HH, Cao F, Xie LY, Zhu GL, Sam NB, Wang DG, Pan HF. Therapeutic potential of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 in autoimmune diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2019; 23:1015-1030. [PMID: 31747802 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1696309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are idiopathic and heterogeneous disorders with contentious pathophysiology. Great strides have been made in epigenetics and its involvement in ADs. Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has sparked extensive interest because of its pleiotropic roles in distinct pathologic contexts.Areas covered: This review summarizes the epigenetic functions and the biological significance of EZH2 in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), type 1 diabetes (T1D), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and systemic sclerosis (SSc). A brief recapitulation of the therapeutic potential of EZH2 targeting is provided.Expert opinion: There are questions marks and controversies surrounding the feasibility and safety of EZH2 targeting; it is recommended in RA and SLE, but queried in T1D, IBD, MS, and SSc. Future work should focus on contrast studies, systematic analyses and preclinical studies with optimizing methodologies. Selective research studies conducted in a stage-dependent manner are necessary because of the relapsing-remitting clinical paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Xin Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hui-Hui Shen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fan Cao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Liang-Yu Xie
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guang-Lin Zhu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Napoleon Bellua Sam
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - De-Guang Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hai-Feng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, China
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