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Kinsella S, Evandy CA, Cooper K, Iovino L, deRoos PC, Hopwo KS, Granadier DW, Smith CW, Rafii S, Dudakov JA. Attenuation of apoptotic cell detection triggers thymic regeneration after damage. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109789. [PMID: 34610317 PMCID: PMC8627669 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus, which is the primary site of T cell development, is particularly sensitive to insult but also has a remarkable capacity for repair. However, the mechanisms orchestrating regeneration are poorly understood, and delayed repair is common after cytoreductive therapies. Here, we demonstrate a trigger of thymic regeneration, centered on detecting the loss of dying thymocytes that are abundant during steady-state T cell development. Specifically, apoptotic thymocytes suppressed production of the regenerative factors IL-23 and BMP4 via TAM receptor signaling and activation of the Rho-GTPase Rac1, the intracellular pattern recognition receptor NOD2, and micro-RNA-29c. However, after damage, when profound thymocyte depletion occurs, this TAM-Rac1-NOD2-miR29c pathway is attenuated, increasing production of IL-23 and BMP4. Notably, pharmacological inhibition of Rac1-GTPase enhanced thymic function after acute damage. These findings identify a complex trigger of tissue regeneration and offer a regenerative strategy for restoring immune competence in patients whose thymic function has been compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad Kinsella
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| | - Cindy A Evandy
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kirsten Cooper
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Lorenzo Iovino
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Paul C deRoos
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kayla S Hopwo
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - David W Granadier
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Colton W Smith
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jarrod A Dudakov
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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2
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Yusuf B, Mukovozov I, Patel S, Huang YW, Liu GY, Reddy EC, Skrtic M, Glogauer M, Robinson LA. The neurorepellent, Slit2, prevents macrophage lipid loading by inhibiting CD36-dependent binding and internalization of oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3614. [PMID: 33574432 PMCID: PMC7878733 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83046-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is characterized by retention of modified lipoproteins, especially oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) within the sub-endothelial space of affected blood vessels. Recruited monocyte-derived and tissue-resident macrophages subsequently ingest oxLDL by binding and internalizing oxLDL via scavenger receptors, particularly CD36. The secreted neurorepellent, Slit2, acting through its transmembrane receptor, Roundabout-1 (Robo-1), was previously shown to inhibit recruitment of monocytes into nascent atherosclerotic lesions. The effects of Slit2 on oxLDL uptake by macrophages have not been explored. We report here that Slit2 inhibits uptake of oxLDL by human and murine macrophages, and the resulting formation of foam cells, in a Rac1-dependent and CD36-dependent manner. Exposure of macrophages to Slit2 prevented binding of oxLDL to the surface of cells. Using super-resolution microscopy, we observed that exposure of macrophages to Slit2 induced profound cytoskeletal remodeling with formation of a thick ring of cortical actin within which clusters of CD36 could not aggregate, thereby attenuating binding of oxLDL to the surface of cells. By inhibiting recruitment of monocytes into early atherosclerotic lesions, and the subsequent binding and internalization of oxLDL by macrophages, Slit2 could represent a potent new tool to combat individual steps that collectively result in progression of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Yusuf
- Program in Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 2Z9, Canada
| | - Ilya Mukovozov
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sajedabanu Patel
- Program in Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Yi-Wei Huang
- Program in Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Guang Ying Liu
- Program in Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Emily C Reddy
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Marko Skrtic
- Program in Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Michael Glogauer
- Faculty of Dentistry, Matrix Dynamics Group, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1G6, Canada
| | - Lisa A Robinson
- Program in Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada. .,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 2Z9, Canada. .,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada.
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3
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Besnard M, Padonou F, Provin N, Giraud M, Guillonneau C. AIRE deficiency, from preclinical models to human APECED disease. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm046359. [PMID: 33729987 PMCID: PMC7875492 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare life-threatening autoimmune disease that attacks multiple organs and has its onset in childhood. It is an inherited condition caused by a variety of mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene that encodes a protein whose function has been uncovered by the generation and study of Aire-KO mice. These provided invaluable insights into the link between AIRE expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), and the broad spectrum of self-antigens that these cells express and present to the developing thymocytes. However, these murine models poorly recapitulate all phenotypic aspects of human APECED. Unlike Aire-KO mice, the recently generated Aire-KO rat model presents visual features, organ lymphocytic infiltrations and production of autoantibodies that resemble those observed in APECED patients, making the rat model a main research asset. In addition, ex vivo models of AIRE-dependent self-antigen expression in primary mTECs have been successfully set up. Thymus organoids based on pluripotent stem cell-derived TECs from APECED patients are also emerging, and constitute a promising tool to engineer AIRE-corrected mTECs and restore the generation of regulatory T cells. Eventually, these new models will undoubtedly lead to main advances in the identification and assessment of specific and efficient new therapeutic strategies aiming to restore immunological tolerance in APECED patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Besnard
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Francine Padonou
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Nathan Provin
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Matthieu Giraud
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Carole Guillonneau
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
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4
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Michel C, Miller CN, Küchler R, Brors B, Anderson MS, Kyewski B, Pinto S. Revisiting the Road Map of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Differentiation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2017; 199:3488-3503. [PMID: 28993517 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The basic two-step terminal differentiation model of the medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) lineage from immature MHC class II (MHCII)lo to mature MHCIIhi mTECs has recently been extended to include a third stage, namely the post-Aire MHCIIlo subset as identified by lineage-tracing models. However, a suitable surface marker distinguishing the phenotypically overlapping pre- from the post-Aire MHCIIlo stage has been lacking. In this study, we introduce the lectin Tetragonolobus purpureas agglutinin (TPA) as a novel cell surface marker that allows for such delineation. Based on our data, we derived the following sequence of mTEC differentiation: TPAloMHCIIlo → TPAloMHCIIhi → TPAhiMHCIIhi → TPAhiMHCIIlo Surprisingly, in the steady-state postnatal thymus TPAloMHCIIlo pre-Aire rather than terminally differentiated post-Aire TPAhiMHCIIlo mTECs were marked for apoptosis at an exceptionally high rate of ∼70%. Hence, only the minor cycling fraction of the MHCIIlo subset (<20%) potentially qualified as mTEC precursors. FoxN1 expression inversely correlated with the fraction of slow cycling and apoptotic cells within the four TPA subsets. TPA also further subdivided human mTECs, although with different subset distribution. Our revised road map emphazises close parallels of terminal mTEC development with that of skin, undergoing an alternative route of cell death, namely cornification rather than apoptosis. The high rate of apoptosis in pre-Aire MHCIIlo mTECs points to a "quality control" step during early mTEC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Michel
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Corey N Miller
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Rita Küchler
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Benedikt Brors
- Division of Applied Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; and
- German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Mark S Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69120, Germany;
| | - Sheena Pinto
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69120, Germany;
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5
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Ulyanchenko S, O'Neill KE, Medley T, Farley AM, Vaidya HJ, Cook AM, Blair NF, Blackburn CC. Identification of a Bipotent Epithelial Progenitor Population in the Adult Thymus. Cell Rep 2016; 14:2819-32. [PMID: 26997270 PMCID: PMC4819909 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.02.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are critically required for T cell development, but the cellular mechanisms that maintain adult TECs are poorly understood. Here, we show that a previously unidentified subpopulation, EpCam(+)UEA1(-)Ly-51(+)PLET1(+)MHC class II(hi), which comprises <0.5% of adult TECs, contains bipotent TEC progenitors that can efficiently generate both cortical (c) TECs and medullary (m) TECs. No other adult TEC population tested in this study contains this activity. We demonstrate persistence of PLET1(+)Ly-51(+) TEC-derived cells for 9 months in vivo, suggesting the presence of thymic epithelial stem cells. Additionally, we identify cTEC-restricted short-term progenitor activity but fail to detect high efficiency mTEC-restricted progenitors in the adult thymus. Our data provide a phenotypically defined adult thymic epithelial progenitor/stem cell that is able to generate both cTECs and mTECs, opening avenues for improving thymus function in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Ulyanchenko
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Kathy E O'Neill
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Tanya Medley
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Alison M Farley
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Harsh J Vaidya
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Alistair M Cook
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Natalie F Blair
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - C Clare Blackburn
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5, Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK.
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6
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Yamazoe T, Shiraki N, Toyoda M, Kiyokawa N, Okita H, Miyagawa Y, Akutsu H, Umezawa A, Sasaki Y, Kume K, Kume S. A synthetic nanofibrillar matrix promotes in vitro hepatic differentiation of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. J Cell Sci 2013; 126:5391-9. [PMID: 24101719 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.129767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells recapitulate normal developmental processes and serve as an attractive source for routine access to a large number of cells for research and therapies. We previously reported that ES cells cultured on M15 cells, or a synthesized basement membrane (sBM) substratum, efficiently differentiated into an endodermal fate and subsequently adopted fates of various digestive organs, such as the pancreas and liver. Here, we established a novel hepatic differentiation procedure using the synthetic nanofiber (sNF) as a cell culture scaffold. We first compared endoderm induction and hepatic differentiation between murine ES cells grown on sNF and several other substrata. The functional assays for hepatocytes reveal that the ES cells grown on sNF were directed into hepatic differentiation. To clarify the mechanisms for the promotion of ES cell differentiation in the sNF system, we focused on the function of Rac1, which is a Rho family member protein known to regulate the actin cytoskeleton. We observed the activation of Rac1 in undifferentiated and differentiated ES cells cultured on sNF plates, but not in those cultured on normal plastic plates. We also show that inhibition of Rac1 blocked the potentiating effects of sNF on endoderm and hepatic differentiation throughout the whole differentiation stages. Taken together, our results suggest that morphological changes result in cellular differentiation controlled by Rac1 activation, and that motility is not only the consequence, but is also able to trigger differentiation. In conclusion, we believe that sNF is a promising material that might contribute to tissue engineering and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiji Yamazoe
- Division of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Honjo 2-2-1, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
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7
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Pinto S, Schmidt K, Egle S, Stark HJ, Boukamp P, Kyewski B. An organotypic coculture model supporting proliferation and differentiation of medullary thymic epithelial cells and promiscuous gene expression. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2013; 190:1085-93. [PMID: 23269248 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding intrathymic T cell differentiation has been greatly aided by the development of various reductionist in vitro models that mimic certain steps/microenvironments of this complex process. Most models focused on the faithful in vitro restoration of T cell differentiation and selection. In contrast, suitable in vitro models emulating the developmental pathways of the two major thymic epithelial cell lineages--cortical thymic epithelial cells and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs)--are yet to be developed. In this regard, lack of an in vitro model mimicking the developmental biology of the mTEC lineage has hampered the molecular analysis of the so-called "promiscuous expression" of tissue-restricted genes, a key property of terminally differentiated mTECs. Based on the close biological relationship between the skin and thymus epithelial cell compartments, we adapted a three-dimensional organotypic coculture model, originally developed to provide a bona fide in vitro dermal equivalent, for the culture of isolated mTECs. This three-dimensional model preserves key features of mTECs: proliferation and terminal differentiation of CD80(lo), Aire(-) mTECs into CD80(hi), Aire(+) mTECs; responsiveness to RANKL; and sustained expression of FoxN1, Aire, and tissue-restricted genes in CD80(hi) mTECs. This in vitro culture model should facilitate the identification of molecular components and pathways involved in mTEC differentiation in general and in promiscuous gene expression in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Pinto
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Eph/ephrinB signalling is involved in the survival of thymic epithelial cells. Immunol Cell Biol 2012; 91:130-8. [PMID: 23146940 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2012.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The signals that determine the survival/death of the thymic epithelial cells (TECs) component during embryonic development of the thymus are largely unknown. In this study, we combine different in vivo and in vitro experimental approaches to define the role played by the tyrosine kinase receptors EphB2 and EphB3 and their ligands, ephrinsB, in the survival of embryonic and newborn (NB) TECs. Our results conclude that EphB2 and EphB3 are involved in the control of TEC survival and that the absence of these molecules causes increased apoptotic TEC proportions that result in decreased numbers of thymic cells and a smaller-sized gland. Furthermore, in vitro studies using either EphB2-Fc or ephrinB1-Fc fusion proteins demonstrate that the blockade of Eph/ephrinB signalling increases TEC apoptosis, whereas its activation rescues TECs from cell death. In these assays, both heterotypic thymocyte-TEC and homotypic TEC-TEC interactions are important for Eph/ephrinB-mediated TEC survival.
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