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McCullough MJ, Tune MK, Cabrera JC, Torres-Castillo J, He M, Feng Y, Doerschuk CM, Dang H, Beltran AS, Hagan RS, Mock JR. Characterization of the MT-2 Treg-like cell line in the presence and absence of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3). Immunol Cell Biol 2024; 102:211-224. [PMID: 38288547 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12725] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
CD4+ forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential in maintaining immune tolerance and suppressing excessive immune responses. Tregs also contribute to tissue repair processes distinct from their roles in immune suppression. For these reasons, Tregs are candidates for targeted therapies for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and in diseases where tissue damage occurs. MT-2 cells, an immortalized Treg-like cell line, offer a model to study Treg biology and their therapeutic potential. In the present study, we use clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-mediated knockdown of FOXP3 in MT-2 cells to understand the transcriptional and functional changes that occur when FOXP3 is lost and to compare MT-2 cells with primary human Tregs. We demonstrate that loss of FOXP3 affects the transcriptome of MT-2 cells and that FOXP3's potential downstream targets include a wide range of transcripts that participate in the cell cycle, promote growth and contribute to inflammatory processes, but do not wholly simulate previously reported human primary Treg transcriptional changes in the absence of FOXP3. We also demonstrate that FOXP3 regulates cell cycling and proliferation, expression of molecules crucial to Treg function and MT-2 cell-suppressive activities. Thus, MT-2 cells offer opportunities to address regulatory T-cell functions in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan J McCullough
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Miriya K Tune
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Jose Torres-Castillo
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Minghong He
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yongqiang Feng
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Claire M Doerschuk
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Center for Airways Disease, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hong Dang
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Adriana S Beltran
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Robert S Hagan
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jason R Mock
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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2
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Borna S, Meffre E, Bacchetta R. FOXP3 deficiency, from the mechanisms of the disease to curative strategies. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:244-258. [PMID: 37994657 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13289] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3 gene is a key transcription factor driving immune tolerance and its deficiency causes immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy X-linked syndrome (IPEX), a prototypic primary immune regulatory disorder (PIRD) with defective regulatory T (Treg) cells. Although life-threatening, the increased awareness and early diagnosis have contributed to improved control of the disease. IPEX currently comprises a broad spectrum of clinical autoimmune manifestations from severe early onset organ involvement to moderate, recurrent manifestations. This review focuses on the mechanistic advancements that, since the IPEX discovery in early 2000, have informed the role of the human FOXP3+ Treg cells in controlling peripheral tolerance and shaping the overall immune landscape of IPEX patients and carrier mothers, contributing to defining new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Borna
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Eric Meffre
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Rosa Bacchetta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine (CDCM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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3
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Trujillo-Ochoa JL, Kazemian M, Afzali B. The role of transcription factors in shaping regulatory T cell identity. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:842-856. [PMID: 37336954 PMCID: PMC10893967 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00893-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead box protein 3-expressing (FOXP3+) regulatory T cells (Treg cells) suppress conventional T cells and are essential for immunological tolerance. FOXP3, the master transcription factor of Treg cells, controls the expression of multiples genes to guide Treg cell differentiation and function. However, only a small fraction (<10%) of Treg cell-associated genes are directly bound by FOXP3, and FOXP3 alone is insufficient to fully specify the Treg cell programme, indicating a role for other accessory transcription factors operating upstream, downstream and/or concurrently with FOXP3 to direct Treg cell specification and specialized functions. Indeed, the heterogeneity of Treg cells can be at least partially attributed to differential expression of transcription factors that fine-tune their trafficking, survival and functional properties, some of which are niche-specific. In this Review, we discuss the emerging roles of accessory transcription factors in controlling Treg cell identity. We specifically focus on members of the basic helix-loop-helix family (AHR), basic leucine zipper family (BACH2, NFIL3 and BATF), CUT homeobox family (SATB1), zinc-finger domain family (BLIMP1, Ikaros and BCL-11B) and interferon regulatory factor family (IRF4), as well as lineage-defining transcription factors (T-bet, GATA3, RORγt and BCL-6). Understanding the imprinting of Treg cell identity and specialized function will be key to unravelling basic mechanisms of autoimmunity and identifying novel targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L Trujillo-Ochoa
- Immunoregulation Section, Kidney Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Majid Kazemian
- Departments of Biochemistry and Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Behdad Afzali
- Immunoregulation Section, Kidney Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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4
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Wobma H, Janssen E. Expanding IPEX: Inborn Errors of Regulatory T Cells. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2023; 49:825-840. [PMID: 37821198 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2023.06.009] [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] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for enforcing peripheral tolerance. Monogenic "Tregopathies" affecting Treg development, stability, and/or function commonly present with polyautoimmunity, atopic disease, and infection. While autoimmune manifestations may present in early childhood, as more disorders are characterized, conditions with later onset have been identified. Treg numbers in the blood may be decreased in Tregopathies, but this is not always the case, and genetic testing should be pursued when there is high clinical suspicion. Currently, hematopoietic cell transplantation is the only curative treatment, but gene therapies are in development, and small molecule inhibitors/biologics may also be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Wobma
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Erin Janssen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Michigan Medicine, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, SPC 5718, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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5
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Lykhopiy V, Malviya V, Humblet-Baron S, Schlenner SM. "IL-2 immunotherapy for targeting regulatory T cells in autoimmunity". Genes Immun 2023; 24:248-262. [PMID: 37741949 PMCID: PMC10575774 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-023-00221-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are indispensable for immune homoeostasis and for the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signalling is critical in all aspects of Treg biology. Consequences of defective IL-2 signalling are insufficient numbers or dysfunction of Treg and hence autoimmune disorders in human and mouse. The restoration and maintenance of immune homoeostasis remain central therapeutic aims in the field of autoimmunity. Historically, broadly immunosuppressive drugs with serious side-effects have been used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or prevention of organ-transplant rejection. More recently, ex vivo expanded or in vivo stimulated Treg have been shown to induce effective tolerance in clinical trials supporting the clinical benefit of targeting natural immunosuppressive mechanisms. Given the central role of exogenous IL-2 in Treg homoeostasis, a new and promising focus in drug development are IL-2-based approaches for in vivo targeted expansion of Treg or for enhancement of their suppressive activity. In this review, we summarise the role of IL-2 in Treg biology and consequences of dysfunctional IL-2 signalling pathways. We then examine evidence of efficacy of IL-2-based biological drugs targeting Treg with specific focus on therapeutic candidates in clinical trials and discuss their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lykhopiy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vanshika Malviya
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Humblet-Baron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susan M Schlenner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Jost P, Klein F, Brand B, Wahl V, Wyatt A, Yildiz D, Boehm U, Niemeyer BA, Vaeth M, Alansary D. Acute Downregulation but Not Genetic Ablation of Murine MCU Impairs Suppressive Capacity of Regulatory CD4 T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097772. [PMID: 37175478 PMCID: PMC10178810 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
By virtue of mitochondrial control of energy production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis, mitochondria play an essential role in modulating T cell function. The mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) is the pore-forming unit in the main protein complex mediating mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Recently, MCU has been shown to modulate Ca2+ signals at subcellular organellar interfaces, thus fine-tuning NFAT translocation and T cell activation. The mechanisms underlying this modulation and whether MCU has additional T cell subpopulation-specific effects remain elusive. However, mice with germline or tissue-specific ablation of Mcu did not show impaired T cell responses in vitro or in vivo, indicating that 'chronic' loss of MCU can be functionally compensated in lymphocytes. The current work aimed to specifically investigate whether and how MCU influences the suppressive potential of regulatory CD4 T cells (Treg). We show that, in contrast to genetic ablation, acute siRNA-mediated downregulation of Mcu in murine Tregs results in a significant reduction both in mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and in the suppressive capacity of Tregs, while the ratios of Treg subpopulations and the expression of hallmark transcription factors were not affected. These findings suggest that permanent genetic inactivation of MCU may result in compensatory adaptive mechanisms, masking the effects on the suppressive capacity of Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priska Jost
- Molecular Biophysics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Klein
- Molecular Biophysics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Brand
- Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max Planck Research Group at Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Wahl
- Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Amanda Wyatt
- Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Yildiz
- Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), School of Medicine, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | | | - Martin Vaeth
- Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max Planck Research Group at Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dalia Alansary
- Molecular Biophysics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
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Malla R, Adem M, Chakraborty A. Complexity and diversity of FOXP3 isoforms: Novel insights into the regulation of the immune response in metastatic breast cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 118:110015. [PMID: 36931171 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110015] [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: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3 is a key transcription factor in the regulation of immune responses, and recent studies have uncovered the complexity and diversity of FOXP3 isoforms in various cancers, including metastatic breast cancers (mBCs). It has dual role in the tumor microenvironment of mBCs. This review aims to provide novel insights into the complexity and diversity of FOXP3 isoforms in the regulation of the immune response in breast cancer. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of FOXP3 isoforms, including their interaction with other proteins, regulation of gene expression, and impact on the immune system. We also highlight the importance of understanding the role of FOXP3 isoforms in breast cancer and the potential for using them as therapeutic targets. This review highlights the crucial role of FOXP3 isoforms in the regulation of the immune response in breast cancer and underscores the need for further research to fully comprehend their complex and diverse functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- RamaRao Malla
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India.
| | - Meghapriya Adem
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidhyalayam, Tirupati 517502, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Anindita Chakraborty
- Radiation Biology Laboratory, UGC-DAE-CSR, Kolkata Centere, Kolkata 700098, West Bengal, India
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8
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Guan T, Zhou X, Zhou W, Lin H. Regulatory T cell and macrophage crosstalk in acute lung injury: future perspectives. Cell Death Dis 2023; 9:9. [PMID: 36646692 PMCID: PMC9841501 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01310-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) describes the injury to endothelial cells in the lungs and associated vessels due to various factors. Furthermore, ALI accompanied by inflammation and thrombosis has been reported as a common complication of SARS-COV-2 infection. It is widely accepted that inflammation and the cytokine storm are main causes of ALI. Two classical anti-inflammatory cell types, regulatory T cells (Tregs) and M2 macrophages, are theoretically capable of resisting uncontrolled inflammation. Recent studies have indicated possible crosstalk between Tregs and macrophages involving their mutual activation. In this review, we discuss the current findings related to ALI pathogenesis and the role of Tregs and macrophages. In particular, we review the molecular mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between Tregs and macrophages in ALI pathogenesis. Understanding the role of Tregs and macrophages will provide the potential targets for treating ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianshu Guan
- grid.260463.50000 0001 2182 8825Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, 330006 Nanchang, Jiangxi China ,grid.260463.50000 0001 2182 8825Queen Mary university, Nanchang University, 330006 Nanchang, Jiangxi Province China
| | - Xv Zhou
- grid.260463.50000 0001 2182 8825Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, 330006 Nanchang, Jiangxi China ,grid.260463.50000 0001 2182 8825Queen Mary university, Nanchang University, 330006 Nanchang, Jiangxi Province China
| | - Wenwen Zhou
- grid.260463.50000 0001 2182 8825Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, 330006 Nanchang, Jiangxi China
| | - Hui Lin
- grid.260463.50000 0001 2182 8825Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, 330006 Nanchang, Jiangxi China
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9
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Narula M, Lakshmanan U, Borna S, Schulze JJ, Holmes TH, Harre N, Kirkey M, Ramachandran A, Tagi VM, Barzaghi F, Grunebaum E, Upton JEM, Hong-Diep Kim V, Wysocki C, Dimitriades VR, Weinberg K, Weinacht KG, Gernez Y, Sathi BK, Schelotto M, Johnson M, Olek S, Sachsenmaier C, Roncarolo MG, Bacchetta R. Epigenetic and immunological indicators of IPEX disease in subjects with FOXP3 gene mutation. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:233-246.e10. [PMID: 36152823 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) is the master transcription factor in CD4+CD25hiCD127lo regulatory T (Treg) cells. Mutations in FOXP3 result in IPEX (immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked) syndrome. Clinical presentation of IPEX syndrome is broader than initially described, challenging the understanding of the disease, its evolution, and treatment choice. OBJECTIVE We sought to study the type and extent of immunologic abnormalities that remain ill-defined in IPEX, across genetic and clinical heterogeneity. METHODS We performed Treg-cell-specific epigenetic quantification and immunologic characterization of severe "typical" (n = 6) and "atypical" or asymptomatic (n = 9) patients with IPEX. RESULTS Increased number of cells with Treg-cell-Specific Demethylated Region demethylation in FOXP3 is a consistent feature in patients with IPEX, with (1) highest values in those with typical IPEX, (2) increased values in subjects with pathogenic FOXP3 but still no symptoms, and (3) gradual increase over the course of disease progression. Large-scale profiling using Luminex identified plasma inflammatory signature of macrophage activation and TH2 polarization, with cytokines previously not associated with IPEX pathology, including CCL22, CCL17, CCL15, and IL-13, and the inflammatory markers TNF-α, IL-1A, IL-8, sFasL, and CXCL9. Similarly, both Treg-cell and Teff compartments, studied by Mass Cytometry by Time-Of-Flight, were skewed toward the TH2 compartment, especially in typical IPEX. CONCLUSIONS Elevated TSDR-demethylated cells, combined with elevation of plasmatic and cellular markers of a polarized type 2 inflammatory immune response, extends our understanding of IPEX diagnosis and heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Narula
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Uma Lakshmanan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Simon Borna
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | | | - Tyson H Holmes
- Human Immune Monitoring Center, Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Nicholas Harre
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Matthew Kirkey
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Akshaya Ramachandran
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Veronica Maria Tagi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, Pediatric Immunohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Barzaghi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, Pediatric Immunohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eyal Grunebaum
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julia E M Upton
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vy Hong-Diep Kim
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christian Wysocki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Allergy and Immunology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Victoria R Dimitriades
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, UC Davis Health Medical Center, Sacramento, Calif
| | - Kenneth Weinberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Katja G Weinacht
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Yael Gernez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | | | | | - Matthew Johnson
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Sven Olek
- Ivana Turbachova Laboratory of Epigenetics, Precision for Medicine GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Maria-Grazia Roncarolo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif; Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Rosa Bacchetta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif; Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.
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10
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Dias IB, Bouma HR, Henning RH. Unraveling the Big Sleep: Molecular Aspects of Stem Cell Dormancy and Hibernation. Front Physiol 2021; 12:624950. [PMID: 33867999 PMCID: PMC8047423 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.624950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue-resident stem cells may enter a dormant state, also known as quiescence, which allows them to withstand metabolic stress and unfavorable conditions. Similarly, hibernating mammals can also enter a state of dormancy used to evade hostile circumstances, such as food shortage and low ambient temperatures. In hibernation, the dormant state of the individual and its cells is commonly known as torpor, and is characterized by metabolic suppression in individual cells. Given that both conditions represent cell survival strategies, we here compare the molecular aspects of cellular quiescence, particularly of well-studied hematopoietic stem cells, and torpor at the cellular level. Critical processes of dormancy are reviewed, including the suppression of the cell cycle, changes in metabolic characteristics, and cellular mechanisms of dealing with damage. Key factors shared by hematopoietic stem cell quiescence and torpor include a reversible activation of factors inhibiting the cell cycle, a shift in metabolism from glucose to fatty acid oxidation, downregulation of mitochondrial activity, key changes in hypoxia-inducible factor one alpha (HIF-1α), mTOR, reversible protein phosphorylation and autophagy, and increased radiation resistance. This similarity is remarkable in view of the difference in cell populations, as stem cell quiescence regards proliferating cells, while torpor mainly involves terminally differentiated cells. A future perspective is provided how to advance our understanding of the crucial pathways that allow stem cells and hibernating animals to engage in their 'great slumbers.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Itamar B. Dias
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Hjalmar R. Bouma
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Robert H. Henning
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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11
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Beauford SS, Kumari A, Garnett-Benson C. Ionizing radiation modulates the phenotype and function of human CD4+ induced regulatory T cells. BMC Immunol 2020; 21:18. [PMID: 32299365 PMCID: PMC7164225 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-020-00349-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of immunotherapy strategies for the treatment of advanced cancer is rapidly increasing. Most immunotherapies rely on induction of CD8+ tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells that are capable of directly killing cancer cells. Tumors, however, utilize a variety of mechanisms that can suppress anti-tumor immunity. CD4+ regulatory T cells can directly inhibit cytotoxic T cell activity and these cells can be recruited, or induced, by cancer cells allowing escape from immune attack. The use of ionizing radiation as a treatment for cancer has been shown to enhance anti-tumor immunity by several mechanisms including immunogenic tumor cell death and phenotypic modulation of tumor cells. Less is known about the impact of radiation directly on suppressive regulatory T cells. In this study we investigate the direct effect of radiation on human TREG viability, phenotype, and suppressive activity. RESULTS Both natural and TGF-β1-induced CD4+ TREG cells exhibited increased resistance to radiation (10 Gy) as compared to CD4+ conventional T cells. Treatment, however, decreased Foxp3 expression in natural and induced TREG cells and the reduction was more robust in induced TREGS. Radiation also modulated the expression of signature iTREG molecules, inducing increased expression of LAG-3 and decreased expression of CD25 and CTLA-4. Despite the disconcordant modulation of suppressive molecules, irradiated iTREGS exhibited a reduced capacity to suppress the proliferation of CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that while human TREG cells are more resistant to radiation-induced death, treatment causes downregulation of Foxp3 expression, as well as modulation in the expression of TREG signature molecules associated with suppressive activity. Functionally, irradiated TGF-β1-induced TREGS were less effective at inhibiting CD8+ T cell proliferation. These data suggest that doses of radiotherapy in the hypofractionated range could be utilized to effectively target and reduce TREG activity, particularly when used in combination with cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha S Beauford
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Anita Kumari
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Charlie Garnett-Benson
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 161 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
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12
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Ono M. Control of regulatory T-cell differentiation and function by T-cell receptor signalling and Foxp3 transcription factor complexes. Immunology 2020; 160:24-37. [PMID: 32022254 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Foxp3 controls the differentiation and function of regulatory T-cells (Treg). Studies in the past decades identified numerous Foxp3-interacting protein partners. However, it is still not clear how Foxp3 produces the Treg-type transcriptomic landscape through cooperating with its partners. Here I show the current understanding of how Foxp3 transcription factor complexes regulate the differentiation, maintenance and functional maturation of Treg. Importantly, T-cell receptor (TCR) signalling plays central roles in Treg differentiation and Foxp3-mediated gene regulation. Differentiating Treg will have recognized their cognate antigens and received TCR signals before initiating Foxp3 transcription, which is triggered by TCR-induced transcription factors including NFAT, AP-1 and NF-κB. Once expressed, Foxp3 seizes TCR signal-induced transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms through interacting with AML1/Runx1 and NFAT. Thus, Foxp3 modifies gene expression dynamics of TCR-induced genes, which constitute cardinal mechanisms for Treg-mediated immune suppression. Next, I discuss the following key topics, proposing new mechanistic models for Foxp3-mediated gene regulation: (i) how Foxp3 transcription is induced and maintained by the Foxp3-inducing enhanceosome and the Foxp3 autoregulatory transcription factor complex; (ii) molecular mechanisms for effector Treg differentiation (i.e. Treg maturation); (iii) how Foxp3 activates or represses its target genes through recruiting coactivators and corepressors; (iv) the 'decision-making' Foxp3-containing transcription factor complex for Th17 and Treg differentiation; and (v) the roles of post-translational modification in Foxp3 regulation. Thus, this article provides cutting-edge understanding of molecular biology of Foxp3 and Treg, integrating findings by biochemical and genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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13
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Forstnerič V, Oven I, Ogorevc J, Lainšček D, Praznik A, Lebar T, Jerala R, Horvat S. CRISPRa-mediated FOXP3 gene upregulation in mammalian cells. Cell Biosci 2019; 9:93. [PMID: 31832140 PMCID: PMC6873431 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-019-0357-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forkhead box P3+ (FOXP3 +) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of lymphocytes, critical for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Loss-of-function mutations of the FOXP3 gene in animal models and humans results in loss of differentiation potential into Treg cells and are responsible for several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Strategies of increasing FOXP3 expression represent a potential approach to increase the pool of Tregs within the lymphocyte population and may be employed in therapies of diverse autoimmune conditions. In the present study, a dCas9 CRISPR-based method was systematically employed to achieve upregulation and sustained high expression of endogenous FOXP3 in HEK293 and human Jurkat T cell lines through targeting of the core promotor, three known regulatory regions of the FOXP3 gene (CNS1-3), and two additional regions selected through extensive bioinformatics analysis (Cage1 and Cage2). RESULTS Using an activator-domain fusion based dCas9 transcription activator, robust upregulation of FOXP3 was achieved, and an optimal combination of single guide RNAs was selected, which exerted an additive effect on FOXP3 gene upregulation. Simultaneous targeting of FOXP3 and EOS, a transcription factor known to act in concert with FOXP3 in initiating a Treg phenotype, resulted in upregulation of FOXP3 downstream genes CD25 and TNFR2. When compared to ectopic expression of FOXP3 via plasmid electroporation, upregulation of endogenous FOXP3 via the Cas9-based method resulted in prolonged expression of FOXP3 in Jurkat cells. CONCLUSIONS Transfection of both HEK293 and Jurkat cells with dCas9-activators showed that regulatory regions downstream and upstream of FOXP3 promoter can be very potent transcription inducers in comparison to targeting the core promoter. While introduction of genes by conventional methods of gene therapy may involve a risk of insertional mutagenesis due to viral integration into the genome, transient up- or down-regulation of transcription by a CRISPR-dCas9 approach may resolve this safety concern. dCas9-based systems provide great promise in DNA footprint-free phenotype perturbations (perturbation without the risk of DNA damage) to drive development of transcription modulation-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Forstnerič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Irena Oven
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3, 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Jernej Ogorevc
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3, 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Duško Lainšček
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Arne Praznik
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Lebar
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg Osvobodilne fronte 13, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simon Horvat
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3, 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
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14
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Ronin E, Lubrano di Ricco M, Vallion R, Divoux J, Kwon HK, Grégoire S, Collares D, Rouers A, Baud V, Benoist C, Salomon BL. The NF-κB RelA Transcription Factor Is Critical for Regulatory T Cell Activation and Stability. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2487. [PMID: 31749798 PMCID: PMC6842949 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a major role in immune homeostasis and in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. It has been shown that c-Rel is critical in Treg thymic differentiation, but little is known on the role of NF-κB on mature Treg biology. We thus generated mice with a specific knockout of RelA, a key member of NF-κB, in Tregs. These mice developed a severe autoimmune syndrome with multi-organ immune infiltration and high activation of lymphoid and myeloid cells. Phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses showed that RelA is critical in the acquisition of the effector Treg state independently of surrounding inflammatory environment. Unexpectedly, RelA-deficient Tregs also displayed reduced stability and cells that had lost Foxp3 produced inflammatory cytokines. Overall, we show that RelA is critical for Treg biology as it promotes both the generation of their effector phenotype and the maintenance of their identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Ronin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - Martina Lubrano di Ricco
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - Romain Vallion
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - Jordane Divoux
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - Ho-Keun Kwon
- Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sylvie Grégoire
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - Davi Collares
- Laboratoire NF-κB, Differentiation and Cancer, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Angéline Rouers
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - Véronique Baud
- Laboratoire NF-κB, Differentiation and Cancer, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Benoist
- Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Benoit L Salomon
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
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15
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Emmerson A, Trevelin SC, Mongue-Din H, Becker PD, Ortiz C, Smyth LA, Peng Q, Elgueta R, Sawyer G, Ivetic A, Lechler RI, Lombardi G, Shah AM. Nox2 in regulatory T cells promotes angiotensin II-induced cardiovascular remodeling. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:3088-3101. [PMID: 29688896 PMCID: PMC6025997 DOI: 10.1172/jci97490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The superoxide-generating enzyme Nox2 contributes to hypertension and cardiovascular remodeling triggered by activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Multiple Nox2-expressing cells are implicated in angiotensin II-induced (Ang II-induced) pathophysiology, but the importance of Nox2 in leukocyte subsets is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of Nox2 in T cells, particularly Tregs. Mice globally deficient in Nox2 displayed increased numbers of Tregs in the heart at baseline, whereas Ang II-induced effector T cell (Teff) infiltration was inhibited. To investigate the role of Treg Nox2, we generated a mouse line with CD4-targeted Nox2 deficiency (Nox2fl/flCD4Cre+). These animals showed inhibition of Ang II-induced hypertension and cardiac remodeling related to increased tissue-resident Tregs and reduction in infiltrating Teffs, including Th17 cells. The protection in Nox2fl/flCD4Cre+ mice was reversed by anti-CD25 antibody depletion of Tregs. Mechanistically, Nox2-/y Tregs showed higher in vitro suppression of Teff proliferation than WT Tregs, increased nuclear levels of FoxP3 and NF-κB, and enhanced transcription of CD25, CD39, and CD73. Adoptive transfer of Tregs confirmed that Nox2-deficient cells had greater inhibitory effects on Ang II-induced heart remodeling than WT cells. These results identify a previously unrecognized role of Nox2 in modulating suppression of Tregs, which acts to enhance hypertension and cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Emmerson
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Cellone Trevelin
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heloise Mongue-Din
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pablo D. Becker
- King’s College London, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carla Ortiz
- King’s College London, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lesley A. Smyth
- King’s College London, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Qi Peng
- King’s College London, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Raul Elgueta
- King’s College London, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Greta Sawyer
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aleksandar Ivetic
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert I. Lechler
- King’s College London, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanna Lombardi
- King’s College London, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ajay M. Shah
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, London, United Kingdom
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16
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O'Hagan KL, Miller SD, Phee H. Pak2 is essential for the function of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells through maintaining a suppressive Treg phenotype. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17097. [PMID: 29213081 PMCID: PMC5719048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17078-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Foxp3, a key transcription factor that drives lineage differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), was thought to imprint a unique and irreversible genetic signature within Tregs. Recent evidence, however, suggests that loss or attenuation of Foxp3 expression can cause Tregs to de-differentiate into effector T cells capable of producing proinflammatory cytokines. Herein, we report that the signaling kinase, p21-activated kinase 2 (Pak2), is essential for maintaining Treg stability and suppressive function. Loss of Pak2, specifically in Tregs, resulted in reduced expression of multiple Treg functional molecules, including Foxp3, CD25, Nrp-1 and CTLA-4, coupled with a loss of Treg suppressive function in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, Pak2-deficient Tregs gained expression of Th2-associated cytokines and the transcription factor, Gata3, becoming Th2-like cells, explaining their inability to regulate immune responses. Collectively, these findings suggest Pak2 as an important signaling molecule for guarding against aberrant immune responses through regulating the stability of Foxp3+ Tregs and maintaining a suppressive Treg phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle L O'Hagan
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Stephen D Miller
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Hyewon Phee
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Department of Inflammation and Oncology, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
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17
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Won HY, Shin JH, Oh S, Jeong H, Hwang ES. Enhanced CD25 +Foxp3 + regulatory T cell development by amodiaquine through activation of nuclear receptor 4A. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16946. [PMID: 29208963 PMCID: PMC5717225 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17073-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells play key roles in the regulation of immune responses against pathogenic infectious antigens via development into effector T helper and induced regulatory T (iTreg) cells. Particularly, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ iTreg cells are crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis and controlling inflammatory diseases. Anti-inflammatory drugs that enhance iTreg cell generation would be effective at preventing and treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we examined whether anti-malarial and anti-arthritic amodiaquine (AQ) could affect iTreg cell development. Despite the anti-proliferative activity of AQ, AQ only moderately decreased iTreg cell proliferation but substantially increased IL-2 production by iTreg cells. Furthermore, AQ dose-dependently increased iTreg cell development and significantly upregulated iTreg cell markers including CD25. Interestingly, CD25 expression was decreased at later stages of iTreg cell development but was sustained in the presence of AQ, which was independent of IL-2 signaling pathway. AQ directly increased CD25 gene transcription by enhancing the DNA-binding and transcriptional activity of nuclear receptor 4 A. Most importantly, in vivo administration of AQ attenuated inflammatory colitis, resulted in the increased iTreg cells and decreased inflammatory cytokines. The ability of anti-malarial AQ to potentiate iTreg cell development makes it a promising drug for preventing and treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Amodiaquine/pharmacology
- Animals
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Colitis/drug therapy
- Colitis/etiology
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Interleukin-2/metabolism
- Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/genetics
- Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/metabolism
- Receptors, Interleukin-2/metabolism
- Receptors, Steroid/genetics
- Receptors, Steroid/metabolism
- Receptors, Thyroid Hormone/genetics
- Receptors, Thyroid Hormone/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/physiology
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Yeon Won
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Shin
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Korea
| | - Sera Oh
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Korea
| | - Hana Jeong
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Korea
| | - Eun Sook Hwang
- College of Pharmacy and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Korea.
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18
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VanDenBerg KR, Freeborn RA, Liu S, Kennedy RC, Zagorski JW, Rockwell CE. Inhibition of early T cell cytokine production by arsenic trioxide occurs independently of Nrf2. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185579. [PMID: 29049341 PMCID: PMC5648109 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a stress-activated transcription factor that induces a variety of cytoprotective genes. Nrf2 also mediates immunosuppressive effects in multiple inflammatory models. Upon activation, Nrf2 dissociates from its repressor protein, Keap1, and translocates to the nucleus where it induces Nrf2 target genes. The Nrf2-Keap1 interaction is disrupted by the environmental toxicant and chemotherapeutic agent arsenic trioxide (ATO). The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of ATO on early events of T cell activation and the role of Nrf2 in those effects. The Nrf2 target genes Hmox-1, Nqo-1, and Gclc were all upregulated by ATO (1–2 μM) in splenocytes derived from wild-type, but not Nrf2-null, mice, suggesting that Nrf2 is activated by ATO in splenocytes. ATO also inhibited IFNγ, IL-2, and GM-CSF mRNA and protein production in wild-type splenocytes activated with the T cell activator, anti-CD3/anti-CD28. However, ATO also decreased production of these cytokines in activated splenocytes from Nrf2-null mice, suggesting the inhibition is independent of Nrf2. Interestingly, ATO inhibited TNFα protein secretion, but not mRNA expression, in activated splenocytes suggesting the inhibition is due to post-transcriptional modification. In addition, c-Fos DNA binding was significantly diminished by ATO in wild-type and Nrf2-null splenocytes activated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28, consistent with the observed inhibition of cytokine production by ATO. Collectively, this study suggests that although ATO activates Nrf2 in splenocytes, inhibition of early T cell cytokine production by ATO occurs independently of Nrf2 and may instead be due to impaired AP-1 DNA binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly R. VanDenBerg
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Robert A. Freeborn
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Rebekah C. Kennedy
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Joseph W. Zagorski
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Cheryl E. Rockwell
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Vilchez V, Turcios L, Butterfield DA, Mitov MI, Coquillard CL, Brandon JA, Cornea V, Gedaly R, Marti F. Evidence of the immunomodulatory role of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors in transplantation: an experimental study in mice. Transpl Int 2017; 30:1061-1074. [DOI: 10.1111/tri.12989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Valery Vilchez
- Department of Surgery; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
| | - Lilia Turcios
- Department of Surgery; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
| | - David A. Butterfield
- Redox Metabolism (RM) Shared Resource Facility (SRF); Markey Cancer Center; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
- Department of Chemistry; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
| | - Mihail I. Mitov
- Redox Metabolism (RM) Shared Resource Facility (SRF); Markey Cancer Center; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
| | - Cristin L. Coquillard
- Department of Surgery; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
| | - Ja Anthony Brandon
- Department of Internal Medicine; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
| | - Virgilius Cornea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
| | - Roberto Gedaly
- Department of Surgery; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
| | - Francesc Marti
- Department of Surgery; College of Medicine; University of Kentucky; Lexington KY USA
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20
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Schwinge D, von Haxthausen F, Quaas A, Carambia A, Otto B, Glaser F, Höh B, Thiele N, Schoknecht T, Huber S, Steffens N, Lohse AW, Herkel J, Schramm C. Dysfunction of hepatic regulatory T cells in experimental sclerosing cholangitis is related to IL-12 signaling. J Hepatol 2017; 66:798-805. [PMID: 27965154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Reduced numbers of regulatory T cells (Treg) have been reported in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC); therefore, Treg expansion might serve as a therapeutic approach. Here, we explored whether treatment with IL-2/IL-2 monoclonal antibody complex (IL-2/IL-2Ab complex) could provide in vivo Treg expansion and treatment of experimental sclerosing cholangitis. METHODS Treg were expanded by repeated injection of IL-2/IL-2Ab complex in mouse models of cholangitis (Mdr2-/-, DDC) or colitis (dextran sulfate sodium [DSS]) as control. In vitro suppressive capacity and gene expression were analyzed in isolated hepatic and splenic Treg. RESULTS In vivo expansion resulted in a 5-fold increase in hepatic Treg, which localized within the inflamed portal tracts. However, although Treg expansion was associated with reduced pro-inflammatory IL-17 and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 production by hepatic lymphocytes, the severity of cholangitis was not reduced. In contrast, DSS-induced colitis could be improved by Treg expansion, suggesting a selectively reduced functionality of intrahepatic Treg. Indeed, hepatic Treg manifested reduced Foxp3 expression and reduced suppressive capacity compared to splenic Treg. Hepatic Treg dysfunction could be linked to increased IL-12 signaling due to an upregulation of the IL-12 receptor. Accordingly, IL-12 receptor beta 2 knockout mice (IL-12rb2-/-) were able to maintain hepatic Treg functionality. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic Treg expanded in vivo failed to improve the course of cholangitis, which was related to the effects of hepatic IL-12 on Treg. Therefore, neutralization of IL-12 should be considered as part of treatment strategies targeting Treg in sclerosing cholangitis. LAY SUMMARY Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with a paucity of regulatory T cells (Treg) that have a particular ability to control immune responses; therefore, in vivo expansion of Treg might serve as a treatment of cholangitis. However, in a mouse model of PSC, we show that Treg enrichment in the liver was not sufficient to provide effective control of cholangitis, as the suppressive functionality of hepatic Treg was significantly limited by IL-12 signals. Thus, neutralization of IL-12 should be considered as part of treatment strategies to improve the efficacy of Treg-based treatments for liver diseases. Data accession number: GSE 87898.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothee Schwinge
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | | | - Alexander Quaas
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department for Pathology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Antonella Carambia
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Otto
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Glaser
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Höh
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nina Thiele
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tanja Schoknecht
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Huber
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Steffens
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Herkel
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Schramm
- Department of Medicine I., University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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21
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Alvarez Salazar EK, Cortés-Hernández A, Alemán-Muench GR, Alberú J, Rodríguez-Aguilera JR, Recillas-Targa F, Chagoya de Sánchez V, Cuevas E, Mancilla-Urrea E, Pérez García M, Mondragón-Ramírez G, Vilatobá M, Bostock I, Hernández-Méndez E, De Rungs D, García-Zepeda EA, Soldevila G. Methylation of FOXP3 TSDR Underlies the Impaired Suppressive Function of Tregs from Long-term Belatacept-Treated Kidney Transplant Patients. Front Immunol 2017; 8:219. [PMID: 28316600 PMCID: PMC5334349 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are considered key players in the prevention of allograft rejection in transplanted patients. Belatacept (BLT) is an effective alternative to calcineurin inhibitors that appears to preserve graft survival and function; however, the impact of this drug in the homeostasis of Tregs in transplanted patients remains controversial. Here, we analyzed the phenotype, function, and the epigenetic status of the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) in FOXP3 of circulating Tregs from long-term kidney transplant patients under BLT or Cyclosporine A treatment. We found a significant reduction in the proportion of CD4+CD25hiCD127lo/−FOXP3+ T cells in all patients compared to healthy individual (controls). Interestingly, only BLT-treated patients displayed an enrichment of the CD45RA+ “naïve” Tregs, while the expression of Helios, a marker used to identify stable FOXP3+ thymic Tregs remained unaffected. Functional analysis demonstrated that Tregs from transplanted patients displayed a significant reduction in their suppressive capacity compared to Tregs from controls, which is associated with decreased levels of FOXP3 and CD25. Analysis of the methylation status of the FOXP3 gene showed that BLT treatment results in methylation of CpG islands within the TSDR, which could be associated with the impaired Treg suppression function. Our data indicate that analysis of circulating Tregs cannot be used as a marker for assessing tolerance toward the allograft in long-term kidney transplant patients. Trial registration number IM103008.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Katy Alvarez Salazar
- Departmento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Arimelek Cortés-Hernández
- Departmento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Germán Rodrigo Alemán-Muench
- Departmento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Josefina Alberú
- Departmento de Trasplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Jesús R Rodríguez-Aguilera
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Félix Recillas-Targa
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Victoria Chagoya de Sánchez
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Eric Cuevas
- Departmento de Trasplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Eduardo Mancilla-Urrea
- Departamento de Nefrología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - María Pérez García
- Departamento de Nefrología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | | | - Mario Vilatobá
- Departmento de Trasplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Ian Bostock
- Departmento de Trasplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Erick Hernández-Méndez
- Departmento de Trasplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - David De Rungs
- Departmento de Trasplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Eduardo A García-Zepeda
- Departmento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Ciudad de México , Mexico
| | - Gloria Soldevila
- Departmento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Ciudad de México , Mexico
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22
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Lee HJ, Li CW, Hammerstad SS, Stefan M, Tomer Y. Immunogenetics of autoimmune thyroid diseases: A comprehensive review. J Autoimmun 2015; 64:82-90. [PMID: 26235382 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Both environmental and genetic triggers factor into the etiology of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), including Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Although the exact pathogenesis and causative interaction between environment and genes are unknown, GD and HT share similar immune-mediated mechanisms of disease. They both are characterized by the production of thyroid autoantibodies and by thyroidal lymphocytic infiltration, despite being clinically distinct entities with thyrotoxicosis in GD and hypothyroidism in HT. Family and population studies confirm the strong genetic influence and inheritability in the development of AITD. AITD susceptibility genes can be categorized as either thyroid specific (Tg, TSHR) or immune-modulating (FOXP3, CD25, CD40, CTLA-4, HLA), with HLA-DR3 carrying the highest risk. Of the AITD susceptibility genes, FOXP3 and CD25 play critical roles in the establishment of peripheral tolerance while CD40, CTLA-4, and the HLA genes are pivotal for T lymphocyte activation and antigen presentation. Polymorphisms in these immune-modulating genes, in particular, significantly contribute to the predisposition for GD, HT and, unsurprisingly, other autoimmune diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the immunoregulatory genes may functionally hinder the proper development of central and peripheral tolerance and alter T cell interactions with antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the immunological synapse. Thus, susceptibility genes for AITD contribute directly to the key mechanism underlying the development of organ-specific autoimmunity, namely the breakdown in self-tolerance. Here we review the major immune-modulating genes that are associated with AITD and their potential functional effects on thyroidal immune dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna J Lee
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cheuk Wun Li
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sara Salehi Hammerstad
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mihaela Stefan
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yaron Tomer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Bronx VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
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23
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The Regulatory T Cell Lineage Factor Foxp3 Regulates Gene Expression through Several Distinct Mechanisms Mostly Independent of Direct DNA Binding. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005251. [PMID: 26107960 PMCID: PMC4480970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The lineage factor Foxp3 is essential for the development and maintenance of regulatory T cells, but little is known about the mechanisms involved. Here, we demonstrate that an N-terminal proline-rich interaction region is crucial for Foxp3’s function. Subdomains within this key region link Foxp3 to several independent mechanisms of transcriptional regulation. Our study suggests that Foxp3, even in the absence of its DNA-binding forkhead domain, acts as a bridge between DNA-binding interaction partners and proteins with effector function permitting it to regulate a large number of genes. We show that, in one such mechanism, Foxp3 recruits class I histone deacetylases to the promoters of target genes, counteracting activation-induced histone acetylation and thereby suppressing their expression. The suppressive activity of regulatory T cells provides the immune system with a mechanism to prevent detrimental immune responses, such as autoimmunity, attack of the beneficial commensal microbiota and rejection of the fetus. Intriguingly, expression of a single lineage factor Foxp3 is sufficient to completely reprogram T cells from a pro-inflammatory to a suppressive phenotype. Here, we show that Foxp3 alters the expression of thousands of genes through several independent mechanisms. In many cases, its own ability to bind to DNA appears to be dispensable, but rather it binds indirectly to the DNA by interaction with other transcription factors. Foxp3 then in turn recruits other proteins that affect gene expression through chromatin modification. For example, Foxp3 indirectly binds to the IL-2 promoter via interaction with the transcriptional activators c-Rel, AML-1 and NFAT. This leads to the Foxp3 mediated recruitment of class I histone deacetylases HDAC1, 2 and 3, which in turn counteracts the activation-induced hyper-acetylation of the promoter, thereby switching the gene off. In a way, Foxp3 hijacks pre-existing regulatory mechanism to reverse the transcriptional expression status of the target gene. By dissecting Foxp3 on a molecular level, we also show that this is only one of several independent mechanism utilised by Foxp3.
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24
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Huehn J, Beyer M. Epigenetic and transcriptional control of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Semin Immunol 2015; 27:10-8. [PMID: 25801206 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) present a unique T-cell lineage that plays a key role for the initiation and maintenance of immunological tolerance. Treg cells are characterized by the expression of the forkhead box transcription factor Foxp3, which acts as a lineage-specifying factor and determines the unique properties of these immunosuppressive cells. Work over the past few years has shown that well-defined and precisely controlled events on transcriptional and epigenetic level are required to ensure stable expression of Foxp3 in Treg cells. More recent work suggested that in addition to stable Foxp3 expression, epigenetic modifications of Treg-cell specific genes contribute to the unique phenotype of Treg cells by imprinting their transcriptional program and stabilizing the expression of molecules being essential for the suppressive properties of Treg cells. In this review, we will highlight how Foxp3 expression itself is epigenetically and transcriptionally controlled, how the Treg-cell specific epigenetic signature is achieved, how Foxp3 as transcription factor influences the gene expression programs in Treg cells and how unique properties of Treg-cell subsets are defined by other transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Huehn
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Marc Beyer
- LIMES-Institute, Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Str. 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
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25
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Simonetta F, Gestermann N, Bloquet S, Bourgeois C. Interleukin-7 optimizes FOXP3+CD4+ regulatory T cells reactivity to interleukin-2 by modulating CD25 expression. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113314. [PMID: 25485946 PMCID: PMC4259569 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The vast majority of Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Treg) exhibits constitutive expression of CD25 (IL-2Rα), which allows the constitution of the high affinity IL-2Rαβγ receptor, ensuring efficient IL-2 binding by Treg. Maintenance of CD25 expression at Treg surface depends on both cell intrinsic factors and environmental stimuli such as IL-2 itself. Whether other factors can participate to maintenance of CD25 expression in vivo is at present unknown. In the present work we demonstrated that IL-7, a gamma-chain cytokine exerting a crucial role in T cell development and homeostasis, is able and necessary to sustain the expression of high levels of CD25 at Treg surface. We demonstrated that, during in vitro cultures performed in the absence of IL-2, IL-7 is able to sustain CD25 expression at Treg surface through a transcriptional mechanism. By studying mice in which IL-7 signaling is either genetically impaired or increased and by employing adoptive transfer murine models, we demonstrated that IL-7 is necessary for sustained expression of CD25 at Treg surface in vivo. To ascertain the biological impact of IL-7 mediated modulation of CD25 expression, we demonstrated that IL-7 modulation of CD25 expression at Treg surface affected their ability to efficiently bind IL-2 and transduce IL-2 signaling. Finally, we demonstrated that IL-7 dependent modulation of CD25 associated with potentiated IL-2 induced expansion of Treg in vivo. Collectively, our results identify IL-7 as a necessary factor contributing to sustained CD25 expression at Treg surface in vivo thereby affecting their ability to efficiently react to IL-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Simonetta
- INSERM, U1012, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Univ Paris-SUD, UMR-S1012, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medical Specialties, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Gestermann
- INSERM, U1012, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Univ Paris-SUD, UMR-S1012, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Stéphane Bloquet
- Animalerie centrale, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Sud, Univ Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Christine Bourgeois
- INSERM, U1012, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Univ Paris-SUD, UMR-S1012, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- * E-mail:
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26
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Li CW, Concepcion E, Tomer Y. Dissecting the role of the FOXP3 gene in the joint genetic susceptibility to autoimmune thyroiditis and diabetes: a genetic and functional analysis. Gene 2014; 556:142-8. [PMID: 25481456 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.11.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that a (TC)n microsatellite in intron 5 of the Forkhead Box Protein 3 (FOXP3) gene was associated with a variant of the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 3 (APS3v), that is defined as the co-occurrence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AITD). Allele 10, containing 25 repeats of the microsatellite (long repeats), is preferentially transmitted to offspring with APS3v, while allele 2, containing 14 repeats of the microsatellite (short repeats), is protective. We hypothesized that the long repeats of the intron 5 microsatellite decrease FOXP3 splicing and function, thereby reducing regulatory T cell activity and promoting the development of APS3v. We cloned genomic DNA from two males hemizygous for the long and short repeats of the microsatellite on their X-chromosomes and transfected them into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells to perform direct splicing analysis. We identified a novel splice variant of FOXP3 lacking exon 6, and showed that it is expressed in human thymus and lymph node. However, the length of the repeats in the microsatellite did not significantly influence the expression of this FOXP3 splice variant in vitro. Interestingly, this splice variant was expressed in human regulatory T cells, suggesting that it may play a role in their function. In conclusion, we identified a novel splice variant FOXP3Δ6. The role of its expression in regulatory T cells in the development of autoimmunity remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheuk Wun Li
- Division of Endocrinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Erlinda Concepcion
- Division of Endocrinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yaron Tomer
- Division of Endocrinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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27
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Kim JH, Hong JM, Jeong EM, Lee WJ, Kim HR, Kang JS, Kim IG, Hwang YI. Lack of transglutaminase 2 diminished T-cell responses in mice. Immunology 2014; 142:506-16. [PMID: 24628083 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Revised: 03/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) has been reported to play a role in dendritic cell activation and B-cell differentiation after immunization. Its presence and role in T cells, however, has not been explored. In the present study, we determined the expression of TG2 on mouse T cells, and evaluated its role by comparing the behaviours of wild-type and TG2(-/-) T cells after activation. In our results, naive T cells minimally expressed TG2, expression of which was increased after activation. T-cell proliferation, expression of activation markers such as CD69 and CD25, and secretions of interleukin-2 and interferon-γ were suppressed in the absence of TG2, presumably due, in part, to diminished nuclear factor-κB activation. These effects on T cells seemed to be reflected in the in vivo immune response, the contact hypersensitivity reaction elicited by 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene, with lowered peak responses in the TG2(-/-) mice. When splenic T cells from mice immunized with tumour lysate-loaded wild-type dendritic cells were re-challenged ex vivo with the same antigen, the profile of surface markers including CD44, CD62L, and CD127 strongly indicated lesser generation of memory CD8(+) T cells in TG2(-/-) mice. In the TG2(-/-) CD8(+) T cells, moreover, Eomes expression was markedly decreased. These results indicate possible roles of TG2 in CD8(+) T-cell activation and CD8(+) memory T-cell generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hee Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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28
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Inflammation-induced repression of chromatin bound by the transcription factor Foxp3 in regulatory T cells. Nat Immunol 2014; 15:580-587. [PMID: 24728351 PMCID: PMC4112080 DOI: 10.1038/ni.2868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Foxp3 is indispensable for the ability of regulatory T (Treg) cells to suppress fatal inflammation. Here, we characterized the role of Foxp3 in chromatin remodeling and regulation of gene expression in actively suppressing Treg cells in an inflammatory setting. Although genome-wide Foxp3 occupancy of DNA regulatory elements was similar in resting and in vivo activated Treg cells, Foxp3-bound enhancers were poised for repression only in activated Treg cells. Following activation, Foxp3-bound sites showed reduced chromatin accessibility and selective H3K27 tri-methylation, which was associated with Ezh2 recruitment and downregulation of nearby gene expression. Thus, Foxp3 poises its targets for repression by facilitating formation of repressive chromatin in regulatory T cells upon their activation in response to inflammatory cues.
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29
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Camperio C, Muscolini M, Volpe E, Di Mitri D, Mechelli R, Buscarinu MC, Ruggieri S, Piccolella E, Salvetti M, Gasperini C, Battistini L, Tuosto L. CD28 ligation in the absence of TCR stimulation up-regulates IL-17A and pro-inflammatory cytokines in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis T lymphocytes. Immunol Lett 2014; 158:134-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2013.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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30
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Delacher M, Schreiber L, Richards DM, Farah C, Feuerer M, Huehn J. Transcriptional control of regulatory T cells. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2014; 381:83-124. [PMID: 24831347 DOI: 10.1007/82_2014_373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) constitute unique T cell lineage that plays a key role for immunological tolerance. Tregs are characterized by the expression of the forkhead box transcription factor Foxp3, which acts as a lineage-specifying factor by determining the unique suppression profile of these immune cells. Here, we summarize the recent progress in understanding how Foxp3 expression itself is epigenetically and transcriptionally controlled, how the Treg-specific signature is achieved and how unique properties of Treg subsets are defined by other transcription factors. Finally, we will discuss recent studies focusing on the molecular targeting of Tregs to utilize the specific properties of this unique cell type in therapeutic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Delacher
- Immune Tolerance, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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31
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Luo CT, Li MO. Transcriptional control of regulatory T cell development and function. Trends Immunol 2013; 34:531-9. [PMID: 24016547 PMCID: PMC7106436 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2013.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Revised: 08/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
An intermediate amount of T cell stimulation induces Foxp3 transcription. Treg cell lineage factor Foxp3 cooperates with its partners to promote Treg cell function. Cell signaling-regulated Foxo1 is indispensable for Treg cell function.
Regulatory T (Treg) cells differentiate from thymocytes or peripheral T cells in response to host and environmental cues, culminating in induction of the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and the Treg cell-specific epigenome. An intermediate amount of antigen stimulation is required to induce Foxp3 expression by engaging T cell receptor (TCR)-activated [e.g., nuclear factor (NF)-κB] and TCR-inhibited (e.g., Foxo) transcription factors. Furthermore, Treg cell differentiation is associated with attenuated Akt signaling, resulting in enhanced nuclear retention of Foxo1, which is indispensable for Treg cell function. These findings reveal that Treg cell lineage commitment is not only controlled by genetic and epigenetic imprinting, but also modulated by transcriptional programs responding to extracellular signals.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/immunology
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Humans
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic/genetics
- Transcription, Genetic/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong T. Luo
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ming O. Li
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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32
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Vent-Schmidt J, Han JM, MacDonald KG, Levings MK. The Role of FOXP3 in Regulating Immune Responses. Int Rev Immunol 2013; 33:110-28. [DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2013.811657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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