1
|
Chen Y, Liu Z, Liu F, Xu L, Li G, Qiao W, Wang Y, Dong N. T cell specific deletion of IRF4 with Ox40-Cre impairs effector and memory T cell responses in heart transplantation. Clin Immunol 2023; 252:109647. [PMID: 37211291 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109647] [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: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND IRF4 is the pioneer factor for effector T cell maturation. Here we investigated the function of IRF4 in maintaining OX40-related T cell responses following alloantigen activation in a mouse heart transplantation model. METHODS Irf4flox/flox mice were bred with Ox40cre/+ mice to generate Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ mice. Wild type C57BL/6, Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ mice were transplanted with BALB/c heart allografts, with or without BALB/c skin-sensitization. CD4+ TEa T cells co-transfer experiments and flow cytometric analysis were conducted to investigate the amount of CD4+ T cells and the percentage of the T effector subset. RESULTS Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ and Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ TEa mice were constructed successfully. IRF4 ablation in activated OX40-mediated alloantigen specific CD4+ TEa T cells reduced effector T cell differentiation (CD44hiCD62Llo, Ki67, IFN-γ), which caused long-term allograft survival (> 100 d) in the chronic rejection model. In the donor skin-sensitized heart transplantation model, the formation and function of alloantigen-specific memory CD4+ TEa cells were also impaired in Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ mice. Additionally, deletion of IRF4 after T cell activation in Irf4flox/floxOx40cre/+ mice reduced T cell reactivation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS IRF4 ablation after OX40-related T cell activation could reduce effector and memory T cell formation and inhibit their function in response to alloantigen stimulation. These findings could have significant implications in targeting activated T cells to induce transplant tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zongtao Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China
| | - Fayuan Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Geng Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihua Qiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yixuan Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Nianguo Dong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wen M, Ying Y, Xiao X, Arnold PR, Wang G, Chu X, Ghobrial RM, Li XC. Ox40-Cre-mediated deletion of BRD4 reveals an unexpected phenotype of hair follicle stem cells in alopecia. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e164534. [PMID: 36256455 PMCID: PMC9746908 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.164534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BRD4 is a bromodomain extraterminal domain family member and functions primarily as a chromatin reader regulating genes involved in cell-fate decisions. Here, we bred Brd4fl/fl Ox40-Cre mice in which Brd4 was conditionally deleted in OX40-expressing cells to examine the role of BRD4 in regulating immune responses. We found that the Brd4fl/fl Ox40-Cre mice developed profound alopecia and dermatitis, while other organs and tissues were not affected. Surprisingly, lineage-tracing experiments using the Rosa26fl/fl-Yfp mice identified a subset of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) that constitutively express OX40, and deletion of Brd4 specifically in such HFSCs resulted in cell death and a complete loss of skin hair growth. We also found that death of HFSCs triggered massive activation of the intradermal γδ T cells, which induced epidermal hyperplasia and dermatitis by producing the inflammatory cytokine IL-17. Interestingly, deletion of Brd4 in Foxp3+ Tregs, which also constitutively express OX40, compromised their suppressive functions, and this, in turn, contributed to the enhanced activation of γδ T cells, as well as the severity of dermatitis and hair follicle destruction. Thus, our data demonstrate an unexpected role of BRD4 in regulating skin follicle stem cells and skin inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mou Wen
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center and Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuanlin Ying
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center and Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center and Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Preston R. Arnold
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center and Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Guangchuan Wang
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center and Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xiufeng Chu
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center and Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rafik M. Ghobrial
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center and Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Xian C. Li
- Immunobiology and Transplant Science Center and Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nawrocka PM, Galka-Marciniak P, Urbanek-Trzeciak MO, M-Thirusenthilarasan I, Szostak N, Philips A, Susok L, Sand M, Kozlowski P. Profile of Basal Cell Carcinoma Mutations and Copy Number Alterations - Focus on Gene-Associated Noncoding Variants. Front Oncol 2021; 11:752579. [PMID: 34900699 PMCID: PMC8656283 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.752579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin is the most common cancer in humans, characterized by the highest mutation rate among cancers, and is mostly driven by mutations in genes involved in the hedgehog pathway. To date, almost all BCC genetic studies have focused exclusively on protein-coding sequences; therefore, the impact of noncoding variants on the BCC genome is unrecognized. In this study, with the use of whole-exome sequencing of 27 tumor/normal pairs of BCC samples, we performed an analysis of somatic mutations in both protein-coding sequences and gene-associated noncoding regions, including 5'UTRs, 3'UTRs, and exon-adjacent intron sequences. Separately, in each region, we performed hotspot identification, mutation enrichment analysis, and cancer driver identification with OncodriveFML. Additionally, we performed a whole-genome copy number alteration analysis with GISTIC2. Of the >80,000 identified mutations, ~50% were localized in noncoding regions. The results of the analysis generally corroborated the previous findings regarding genes mutated in coding sequences, including PTCH1, TP53, and MYCN, but more importantly showed that mutations were also clustered in specific noncoding regions, including hotspots. Some of the genes specifically mutated in noncoding regions were identified as highly potent cancer drivers, of which BAD had a mutation hotspot in the 3'UTR, DHODH had a mutation hotspot in the Kozak sequence in the 5'UTR, and CHCHD2 frequently showed mutations in the 5'UTR. All of these genes are functionally implicated in cancer-related processes (e.g., apoptosis, mitochondrial metabolism, and de novo pyrimidine synthesis) or the pathogenesis of UV radiation-induced cancers. We also found that the identified BAD and CHCHD2 mutations frequently occur in melanoma but not in other cancers via The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis. Finally, we identified a frequent deletion of chr9q, encompassing PTCH1, and unreported frequent copy number gain of chr9p, encompassing the genes encoding the immune checkpoint ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. In conclusion, this study is the first systematic analysis of coding and noncoding mutations in BCC and provides a strong basis for further analyses of the variants in BCC and cancer in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Maria Nawrocka
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Paulina Galka-Marciniak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | | | | | - Natalia Szostak
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Philips
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Laura Susok
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michael Sand
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Department of Plastic Surgery, St. Josef Hospital, Catholic Clinics of the Ruhr Peninsula, Essen, Germany Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, St. Josef Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Piotr Kozlowski
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Page A, Navarro M, Suárez-Cabrera C, Bravo A, Ramirez A. Context-Dependent Role of IKKβ in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E376. [PMID: 29292732 PMCID: PMC5748694 DOI: 10.3390/genes8120376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta (IKKβ) is a kinase principally known as a positive regulator of the ubiquitous transcription factor family Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In addition, IKKβ also phosphorylates a number of other proteins that regulate many cellular processes, from cell cycle to metabolism and differentiation. As a consequence, IKKβ affects cell physiology in a variety of ways and may promote or hamper tumoral transformation depending on hitherto unknown circumstances. In this article, we give an overview of the NF-κB-dependent and -independent functions of IKKβ. We also summarize the current knowledge about the relationship of IKKβ with cellular transformation and cancer, obtained mainly through the study of animal models with cell type-specific modifications in IKKβ expression or activity. Finally, we describe the most relevant data about IKKβ implication in cancer obtained from the analysis of the human tumoral samples gathered in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angustias Page
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Oncogenomic Unit, Institute of Biomedical Investigation "12 de Octubre i+12", 28041 Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Manuel Navarro
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Oncogenomic Unit, Institute of Biomedical Investigation "12 de Octubre i+12", 28041 Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Cristian Suárez-Cabrera
- Oncogenomic Unit, Institute of Biomedical Investigation "12 de Octubre i+12", 28041 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana Bravo
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
| | - Angel Ramirez
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Oncogenomic Unit, Institute of Biomedical Investigation "12 de Octubre i+12", 28041 Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kirkley KS, Walton KD, Duncan C, Tjalkens RB. Spontaneous Development of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Mice with Cell-specific Deletion of Inhibitor of κB Kinase 2. Comp Med 2017; 67:407-415. [PMID: 28935002 PMCID: PMC5621568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The deletion of NFκB in epithelial tissues by using skin-specific promoters can cause both tumor formation and severe inflammatory dermatitis, indicating that this signaling pathway is important for the maintenance of immune homeostasis in epithelial tissues. In the present study, we crossed mice transgenic for loxP-Ikbk2 and human Gfap-cre to selectively delete IKK2 in CNS astrocytes. Unexpectedly, a subset of mice developed severe and progressive skin lesions marked by hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, dysplasia, inflammation, and neoplasia with a subset of lesions diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The development of lesions was monitored over a 3.5-y period and over 4 filial generations. Average age of onset of was 4 mo of age with 19.5% of mice affected with frequency increasing in progressive generations. Lesion development appeared to correlate not only with unintended IKK2 deletion in GFAP expressing cells of the epidermis, but also with increased expression of TNF in lesioned skin. The skins changes described in these animals are similar to those in transgenic mice with an epidermis-specific deletion of NFκB and thus represents another genetic mouse model that can be used to study the role of NFκB signaling in regulating the development of SCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly S Kirkley
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Kelly D Walton
- Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Colleen Duncan
- Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Ronald B Tjalkens
- Departments of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado;,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yu M, Owens DM, Ghosh S, Farber DL. Conditional PDK1 Ablation Promotes Epidermal and T-Cell-Mediated Dysfunctions Leading to Inflammatory Skin Disease. J Invest Dermatol 2015; 135:2688-2696. [PMID: 26099023 PMCID: PMC4640961 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2015.232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) is a key signaling molecule downstream of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway and is a master regulator of multiple kinases in cells of epithelial and hematopoietic lineages. The physiological role of PDK1 in regulating skin and immune homeostasis is not known. Here we developed a mouse model in which PDK1 is conditionally ablated in activated CD4 T cells, regulatory T cells, and mature keratinocytes through OX40-Cre recombinase expression. The resultant mice (PDK1-CKO) spontaneously developed severe dermatitis, skin fibrosis, and systemic T helper type 2 immunity, succumbing by 11 weeks of age. Through a series of T-cell transfers, bone marrow reconstitutions, and crossing to lymphocyte-deficient backgrounds, we demonstrate that ablation of PDK1 in keratinocytes is the major driver of disease pathogenesis. PDK1-deficient keratinocytes exhibit intrinsic defects in the expression of key structural proteins including cytokeratin-10 and loricrin, resulting in increased keratinocyte turnover, which in turn triggers inflammation, T-cell recruitment, and immune-mediated destruction. Our results reveal PDK1 as a central regulator of keratinocyte homeostasis that prevents skin immune infiltration and inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minjun Yu
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - David M Owens
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sankar Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Donna L Farber
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Department of Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
| |
Collapse
|