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Bittner-Eddy PD, Fischer LA, Parachuru PV, Costalonga M. MHC-II presentation by oral Langerhans cells impacts intraepithelial Tc17 abundance and Candida albicans oral infection via CD4 T cells. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2024; 5:1408255. [PMID: 38872986 PMCID: PMC11169704 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2024.1408255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
In a murine model (LCΔMHC-II) designed to abolish MHC-II expression in Langerhans cells (LCs), ∼18% of oral LCs retain MHC-II, yet oral mucosal CD4 T cells numbers are unaffected. In LCΔMHC-II mice, we now show that oral intraepithelial conventional CD8αβ T cell numbers expand 30-fold. Antibody-mediated ablation of CD4 T cells in wild-type mice also resulted in CD8αβ T cell expansion in the oral mucosa. Therefore, we hypothesize that MHC class II molecules uniquely expressed on Langerhans cells mediate the suppression of intraepithelial resident-memory CD8 T cell numbers via a CD4 T cell-dependent mechanism. The expanded oral CD8 T cells co-expressed CD69 and CD103 and the majority produced IL-17A [CD8 T cytotoxic (Tc)17 cells] with a minority expressing IFN-γ (Tc1 cells). These oral CD8 T cells showed broad T cell receptor Vβ gene usage indicating responsiveness to diverse oral antigens. Generally supporting Tc17 cells, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) increased 4-fold in the oral mucosa. Surprisingly, blocking TGF-β1 signaling with the TGF-R1 kinase inhibitor, LY364947, did not reduce Tc17 or Tc1 numbers. Nonetheless, LY364947 increased γδ T cell numbers and decreased CD49a expression on Tc1 cells. Although IL-17A-expressing γδ T cells were reduced by 30%, LCΔMHC-II mice displayed greater resistance to Candida albicans in early stages of oral infection. These findings suggest that modulating MHC-II expression in oral LC may be an effective strategy against fungal infections at mucosal surfaces counteracted by IL-17A-dependent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D. Bittner-Eddy
- Division of Basic Sciences, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Lori A. Fischer
- Division of Basic Sciences, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Praveen Venkata Parachuru
- Division of Periodontology, Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Massimo Costalonga
- Division of Basic Sciences, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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2
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Fischer LA, Bittner-Eddy PD, Costalonga M. Major Histocompatibility Complex II Expression on Oral Langerhans Cells Differentially Regulates Mucosal CD4 and CD8 T Cells. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:573-584.e1. [PMID: 37838330 PMCID: PMC10922315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.09.277] [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: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
In murine periodontitis, the T helper (Th)17 response against Porphyromonas gingivalis in cervical lymph node is abrogated by diphtheria toxin-driven depletion of Langerhans cells (LCs). We determined the impact of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) presentation in LCs on Th17 cells in the oral mucosa of mice. Using an established human-Langerin promoter-Cre mouse model, we generated LC-specific deletion of the H2-Ab1 (MHC-II) gene. MHC-II expression was ablated in 81.2% of oral-resident LCs compared with >99% of skin-resident LCs. MHC-II (LCΔMHC-II) depletion did not reduce the number of CD4 T cells nor the frequency of Th17 cells compared with that in wild-type mice. However, the frequencies of Th1 cells decreased, and Helios+ T-regulatory cells increased. In ligature-induced periodontitis, the numbers of CD4 T cells and Th17 cells were similar in LCΔMHC-II and wild-type mice. Normal numbers of Th17 cells can therefore be sustained by as little as 18.8% of MHC-II-expressing LCs in oral mucosa. Unexpectedly, oral mucosa CD8 T cells increased >25-fold in LCΔMHC-II mice. Hence, these residual MHC-II-expressing LCs appear unable to suppress the local expansion of CD8 T cells while sufficient to sustain a homeostatic CD4 T-cell response. Reducing the expression of MHC-II on specific LC subpopulations may ultimately boost CD8-mediated intraepithelial surveillance at mucosal surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori A Fischer
- Division of Basic Sciences, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Peter D Bittner-Eddy
- Division of Basic Sciences, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Massimo Costalonga
- Division of Basic Sciences, Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
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3
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Liang C, He J, Zhao X, Hong J, Ma X, Mao M, Nie W, Wu G, Dong Y, Xu W, Huang L, Xie HY. Monitoring the Cascade of Tumor-specific Immune Response in vivo via Chemoenzymatic Proximity Labeling. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202304838. [PMID: 37650228 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202304838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the highly dynamic and complex immune response remains a great challenge owing to the lack of reliable and specific approaches. Here, we develop a strategy to monitor the cascade of tumor immune response through the cooperation of pore-forming alginate gel with chemoenzymatic proximity-labeling. A macroporous gel containing tumor-associated antigens, adjuvants, and pro-inflammatory cytokines is utilized to recruit endogenous DCs and enhance their maturation in vivo. The mature DCs are then modified with GDP-fucose-fucosyltransferase (GDP-Fuc-Fuct) via the self-catalysis of fucosyltransferase (Fuct). Following the migration of the obtained Fuct-DCs to the draining lymph nodes (dLNs), the molecular recognition mediated interaction of DCs and T cells leads to the successful decoration of T cells with GDP-Fuc-azide through the Fuct catalyzed proximity-labeling. Therefore, the activated tumor-specific T cells in dLNs and tumors can be identified through bioorthogonal labeling, opening up a new avenue for studying the immune mechanism of tumors in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Jiaqi He
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Xin Zhao
- School of Material Science & Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Jie Hong
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Xianbin Ma
- School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Mingchuan Mao
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Weidong Nie
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Guanghao Wu
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Yuping Dong
- School of Material Science & Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Wei Xu
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Lili Huang
- School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Yan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
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4
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Gocher-Demske AM, Cui J, Szymczak-Workman AL, Vignali KM, Latini JN, Pieklo GP, Kimball JC, Avery L, Cipolla EM, Huckestein BR, Hedden L, Meisel M, Alcorn JF, Kane LP, Workman CJ, Vignali DAA. IFNγ-induction of T H1-like regulatory T cells controls antiviral responses. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:841-854. [PMID: 36928412 PMCID: PMC10224582 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01453-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are an immunosuppressive population that are required to maintain peripheral tolerance and prevent tissue damage from immunopathology, via anti-inflammatory cytokines, inhibitor receptors and metabolic disruption. Here we show that Treg cells acquire an effector-like state, yet remain stable and functional, when exposed to interferon gamma (IFNγ) during infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis and influenza A virus. Treg cell-restricted deletion of the IFNγ receptor (encoded by Ifngr1), but not the interleukin 12 (IL12) receptor (encoded by Il12rb2), prevented TH1-like polarization (decreased expression of T-bet, CXC motif chemokine receptor 3 and IFNγ) and promoted TH2-like polarization (increased expression of GATA-3, CCR4 and IL4). TH1-like Treg cells limited CD8+ T cell effector function, proliferation and memory formation during acute and chronic infection. These findings provide fundamental insights into how Treg cells sense inflammatory cues from the environment (such as IFNγ) during viral infection to provide guidance to the effector immune response. This regulatory circuit prevents prolonged immunoinflammatory responses and shapes the quality and quantity of the memory T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Gocher-Demske
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jian Cui
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Kate M Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Julianna N Latini
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Gwen P Pieklo
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jesse C Kimball
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lyndsay Avery
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ellyse M Cipolla
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Program in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Brydie R Huckestein
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Program in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lee Hedden
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Marlies Meisel
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - John F Alcorn
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lawrence P Kane
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Creg J Workman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dario A A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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5
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Lin CH, Wu CJ, Cho S, Patkar R, Lin LL, Chen MC, Israelsson E, Betts J, Niedzielska M, Patel SA, Duong HG, Gerner RR, Hsu CY, Catley M, Maciewicz RA, Chu H, Raffatellu M, Chang JT, Lu LF. Selective IL-27 production by intestinal regulatory T cells permits gut-specific regulation of Th17 immunity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.20.529261. [PMID: 36865314 PMCID: PMC9980002 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.20.529261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are instrumental in establishing immunological tolerance. However, the precise effector mechanisms by which Treg cells control a specific type of immune response in a given tissue remains unresolved. By simultaneously studying Treg cells from different tissue origins under systemic autoimmunity, here we show that IL-27 is specifically produced by intestinal Treg cells to regulate Th17 immunity. Selectively increased intestinal Th17 responses in mice with Treg cell-specific IL-27 ablation led to exacerbated intestinal inflammation and colitis-associated cancer, but also helped protect against enteric bacterial infection. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomic analysis has identified a CD83+TCF1+ Treg cell subset that is distinct from previously characterized intestinal Treg cell populations as the main IL-27 producers. Collectively, our study uncovers a novel Treg cell suppression mechanism crucial for controlling a specific type of immune response in a particular tissue, and provides further mechanistic insights into tissue-specific Treg cell-mediated immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hao Lin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California , CA, USA
| | - Cheng-Jang Wu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California , CA, USA
| | - Sunglim Cho
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California , CA, USA
| | - Rasika Patkar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California , CA, USA
| | - Ling-Li Lin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California , CA, USA
| | - Mei-Chi Chen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California , CA, USA
| | - Elisabeth Israelsson
- Bioscience, Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joanne Betts
- Bioscience, Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Niedzielska
- Bioscience, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Shefali A Patel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Han G Duong
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Romana R Gerner
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chia-Yun Hsu
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Catley
- Bioscience, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rose A Maciewicz
- Bioscience, Research and Early Development, Respiratory & Immunology (R&I), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hiutung Chu
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Chiba University-UC San Diego Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccines (CU-UCSD cMAV), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Manuela Raffatellu
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Chiba University-UC San Diego Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccines (CU-UCSD cMAV), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John T Chang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Li-Fan Lu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California , CA, USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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6
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DNA Methylation in Regulatory T Cell Differentiation and Function: Challenges and Opportunities. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091282. [PMID: 36139121 PMCID: PMC9496199 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As a bona fide epigenetic marker, DNA methylation has been linked to the differentiation and function of regulatory T (Treg) cells, a subset of CD4 T cells that play an essential role in maintaining immune homeostasis and suppressing autoimmunity and antitumor immune response. DNA methylation undergoes dynamic regulation involving maintenance of preexisting patterns, passive and active demethylation, and de novo methylation. Scattered evidence suggests that these processes control different stages of Treg cell lifespan ranging from lineage induction to cell fate maintenance, suppression of effector T cells and innate immune cells, and transdifferentiation. Despite significant progress, it remains to be fully explored how differential DNA methylation regulates Treg cell fate and immunological function. Here, we review recent progress and discuss the questions and challenges for further understanding the immunological roles and mechanisms of dynamic DNA methylation in controlling Treg cell differentiation and function. We also explore the opportunities that these processes offer to manipulate Treg cell suppressive function for therapeutic purposes by targeting DNA methylation.
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7
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Cayrol C, Girard JP. Interleukin-33 (IL-33): A critical review of its biology and the mechanisms involved in its release as a potent extracellular cytokine. Cytokine 2022; 156:155891. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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8
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Efficient spatially targeted gene editing using a near-infrared activatable protein-conjugated nanoparticle for brain applications. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4135. [PMID: 35840564 PMCID: PMC9287341 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31791-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial control of gene expression is critical to modulate cellular functions and deconstruct the function of individual genes in biological processes. Light-responsive gene-editing formulations have been recently developed; however, they have shown limited applicability in vivo due to poor tissue penetration, limited cellular transfection and the difficulty in evaluating the activity of the edited cells. Here, we report a formulation composed of upconversion nanoparticles conjugated with Cre recombinase enzyme through a photocleavable linker, and a lysosomotropic agent that facilitates endolysosomal escape. This formulation allows in vitro spatial control in gene editing after activation with near-infrared light. We further demonstrate the potential of this formulation in vivo through three different paradigms: (i) gene editing in neurogenic niches, (ii) gene editing in the ventral tegmental area to facilitate monitoring of edited cells by precise optogenetic control of reward and reinforcement, and (iii) gene editing in a localized brain region via a noninvasive administration route (i.e., intranasal). Spatial control of gene expression allows precise control over biological processes. Here, the authors develop an efficient light-responsive formulation based on upconversion nanoparticles, and demonstrate on-demand genetic manipulation in deep brain tissue.
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9
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Zhang Z, Salgado OC, Liu B, Moazzami Z, Hogquist KA, Farrar MA, Ruan HB. An OGT-STAT5 Axis in Regulatory T Cells Controls Energy and Iron Metabolism. Front Immunol 2022; 13:874863. [PMID: 35874700 PMCID: PMC9304952 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.874863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunosuppressive regulatory T (Treg) cells exert emerging effects on adipose tissue homeostasis and systemic metabolism. However, the metabolic regulation and effector mechanisms of Treg cells in coping with obesogenic insults are not fully understood. We have previously established an indispensable role of the O-linked N-Acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) signaling in maintaining Treg cell identity and promoting Treg suppressor function, via STAT5 O-GlcNAcylation and activation. Here, we investigate the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT)-STAT5 axis in driving the immunomodulatory function of Treg cells for metabolic homeostasis. Treg cell-specific OGT deficiency renders mice more vulnerable to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced adiposity and insulin resistance. Conversely, constitutive STAT5 activation in Treg cells confers protection against adipose tissue expansion and impaired glucose and insulin metabolism upon HFD feeding, in part by suppressing adipose lipid uptake and redistributing systemic iron storage. Treg cell function can be augmented by targeting the OGT-STAT5 axis to combat obesity and related metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengdi Zhang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Oscar C. Salgado
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Zahra Moazzami
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kristin A. Hogquist
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Michael A. Farrar
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Hai-Bin Ruan
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- *Correspondence: Hai-Bin Ruan,
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10
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Liu Z, Hu X, Liang Y, Yu J, Li H, Shokhirev MN, Zheng Y. Glucocorticoid signaling and regulatory T cells cooperate to maintain the hair-follicle stem-cell niche. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:1086-1097. [PMID: 35739197 PMCID: PMC9283297 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01244-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Maintenance of tissue homeostasis is dependent on the communication between stem cells and supporting cells in the same niche. Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are emerging as a critical component of the stem-cell niche for supporting their differentiation. How Treg cells sense dynamic signals in this microenvironment and communicate with stem cells is mostly unknown. In the present study, by using hair follicles (HFs) to study Treg cell-stem cell crosstalk, we show an unrecognized function of the steroid hormone glucocorticoid in instructing skin-resident Treg cells to facilitate HF stem-cell (HFSC) activation and HF regeneration. Ablation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in Treg cells blocks hair regeneration without affecting immune homeostasis. Mechanistically, GR and Foxp3 cooperate in Treg cells to induce transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3), which activates Smad2/3 in HFSCs and facilitates HFSC proliferation. The present study identifies crosstalk between Treg cells and HFSCs mediated by the GR-TGF-β3 axis, highlighting a possible means of manipulating Treg cells to support tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Liu
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xianting Hu
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuqiong Liang
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jingting Yu
- Razavi Newman Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Huabin Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maxim N Shokhirev
- Razavi Newman Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ye Zheng
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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11
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Severance AL, Kinder JM, Xin L, Burg AR, Shao TY, Pham G, Tilburgs T, Goodman WA, Mesiano S, Way SS. Maternal-fetal conflict averted by progesterone- induced FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. iScience 2022; 25:104400. [PMID: 35637736 PMCID: PMC9142685 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy stimulates an intricately coordinated assortment of physiological changes to accommodate growth of the developing fetus, while simultaneously averting rejection of genetically foreign fetal cells and tissues. Despite increasing evidence that expansion of immune-suppressive maternal regulatory T cells enforces fetal tolerance and protects against pregnancy complications, the pregnancy-associated signals driving this essential adaptation remain poorly understood. Here we show that the female reproductive hormone, progesterone, coordinates immune tolerance by stimulating expansion of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. Conditional loss of the canonical nuclear progesterone receptor in maternal FOXP3+ regulatory T cells blunts their proliferation and accumulation, which is associated with fetal wastage and decidual infiltration of activated CD8+ T cells. Reciprocally, the synthetic progestin 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) administered to pregnant mice reinforces fetal tolerance and protects against fetal wastage. These immune modulatory effects of progesterone that promote fetal tolerance establish a molecular link between immunological and other physiological adaptions during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L. Severance
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jeremy M. Kinder
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lijun Xin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ashley R. Burg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tzu-Yu Shao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Immunology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Giang Pham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tamara Tilburgs
- Division of Immunobiology, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Wendy A. Goodman
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sam Mesiano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Corresponding author
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12
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Chawda C, McMorrow R, Gaspar N, Zambito G, Mezzanotte L. Monitoring Immune Cell Function Through Optical Imaging: a Review Highlighting Transgenic Mouse Models. Mol Imaging Biol 2021; 24:250-263. [PMID: 34735680 PMCID: PMC8983637 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-021-01662-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic mouse models have facilitated research of human diseases and validation of therapeutic approaches. Inclusion of optical reporter genes (fluorescent or bioluminescent genes) in the targeting vectors used to develop such models makes in vivo imaging of cellular and molecular events possible, from the microscale to the macroscale. In particular, transgenic mouse models expressing optical reporter genes allowed accurately distinguishing immune cell types from trafficking in vivo using intravital microscopy or whole-body optical imaging. Besides lineage tracing and trafficking of different subsets of immune cells, the ability to monitor the function of immune cells is of pivotal importance for investigating the effects of immunotherapies against cancer. Here, we introduce the reader to state-of-the-art approaches to develop transgenics, optical imaging techniques, and several notable examples of transgenic mouse models developed for immunology research by critically highlighting the models that allow the following of immune cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chintan Chawda
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roisin McMorrow
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Percuros B.V, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Natasa Gaspar
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Percuros B.V, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Giorgia Zambito
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Mezzanotte
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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13
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Tissue-restricted control of established central nervous system autoimmunity by TNF receptor 2-expressing Treg cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2014043118. [PMID: 33766913 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2014043118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are central modulators of autoimmune diseases. However, the timing and location of Treg cell-mediated suppression of tissue-specific autoimmunity remain undefined. Here, we addressed these questions by investigating the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 2 (TNFR2) signaling in Treg cells during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of multiple sclerosis. We found that TNFR2-expressing Treg cells were critical to suppress EAE at peak disease in the central nervous system but had no impact on T cell priming in lymphoid tissues at disease onset. Mechanistically, TNFR2 signaling maintained functional Treg cells with sustained expression of CTLA-4 and Blimp-1, allowing active suppression of pathogenic T cells in the inflamed central nervous system. This late effect of Treg cells was further confirmed by treating mice with TNF and TNFR2 agonists and antagonists. Our findings show that endogenous Treg cells specifically suppress an autoimmune disease by acting in the target tissue during overt inflammation. Moreover, they bring a mechanistic insight to some of the adverse effects of anti-TNF therapy in patients.
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14
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Wu D, Wong CK, Han JM, Orban PC, Huang Q, Gillies J, Mojibian M, Gibson WT, Levings MK. T reg-specific insulin receptor deletion prevents diet-induced and age-associated metabolic syndrome. J Exp Med 2021; 217:151826. [PMID: 32478834 PMCID: PMC7398165 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20191542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue (AT) regulatory T cells (T regs) control inflammation and metabolism. Diet-induced obesity causes hyperinsulinemia and diminishes visceral AT (VAT) T reg number and function, but whether these two phenomena were mechanistically linked was unknown. Using a T reg–specific insulin receptor (Insr) deletion model, we found that diet-induced T reg dysfunction is driven by T reg–intrinsic insulin signaling. Compared with Foxp3cre mice, after 13 wk of high-fat diet, Foxp3creInsrfl/fl mice exhibited improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, effects associated with lower AT inflammation and increased numbers of ST2+ T regs in brown AT, but not VAT. Similarly, Foxp3creInsrfl/fl mice were protected from the metabolic effects of aging, but surprisingly had reduced VAT T regs and increased VAT inflammation compared with Foxp3cre mice. Thus, in both diet- and aging-associated hyperinsulinemia, excessive Insr signaling in T regs leads to undesirable metabolic outcomes. Ablation of Insr signaling in T regs represents a novel approach to mitigate the detrimental effects of hyperinsulinemia on immunoregulation of metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Chi Kin Wong
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jonathan M Han
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paul C Orban
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Qing Huang
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jana Gillies
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Majid Mojibian
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - William T Gibson
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Megan K Levings
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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15
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Stéphan P, Lautraite R, Voisin A, Grinberg-Bleyer Y. Transcriptional Control of Regulatory T Cells in Cancer: Toward Therapeutic Targeting? Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3194. [PMID: 33143070 PMCID: PMC7693300 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive research in the past decades has highlighted the tight link between immunity and cancer, leading to the development of immunotherapies that have revolutionized cancer care. However, only a fraction of patients display durable responses to these treatments, and a deeper understanding of the cellular and mechanisms orchestrating immune responses to tumors is mandatory for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. Among the most scrutinized immune cells, Forkhead Box Protein P3 (Foxp3)+ Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are central inhibitors of protective anti-tumor immunity. These tumor-promoting functions render Treg cells attractive immunotherapy targets, and multiple strategies are being developed to inhibit their recruitment, survival, and function in the tumor microenvironment. In this context, it is critical to decipher the complex and multi-layered molecular mechanisms that shape and stabilize the Treg cell transcriptome. Here, we provide a global view of the transcription factors, and their upstream signaling pathways, involved in the programming of Treg cell homeostasis and functions in cancer. We also evaluate the feasibility and safety of novel therapeutic approaches aiming at targeting specific transcriptional regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yenkel Grinberg-Bleyer
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre Léon Bérard, 69008 Lyon, France; (P.S.); (R.L.); (A.V.)
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16
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Almanan M, Raynor J, Ogunsulire I, Malyshkina A, Mukherjee S, Hummel SA, Ingram JT, Saini A, Xie MM, Alenghat T, Way SS, Deepe GS, Divanovic S, Singh H, Miraldi E, Zajac AJ, Dent AL, Hölscher C, Chougnet C, Hildeman DA. IL-10-producing Tfh cells accumulate with age and link inflammation with age-related immune suppression. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabb0806. [PMID: 32832688 PMCID: PMC7439492 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb0806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Aging results in profound immune dysfunction, resulting in the decline of vaccine responsiveness previously attributed to irreversible defects in the immune system. In addition to increased interleukin-6 (IL-6), we found aged mice exhibit increased systemic IL-10 that requires forkhead box P3-negative (FoxP3-), but not FoxP3+, CD4+T cells. Most IL-10-producing cells manifested a T follicular helper (Tfh) phenotype and required the Tfh cytokines IL-6 and IL-21 for their accrual, so we refer to them as Tfh10 cells. IL-21 was also required to maintain normal serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10. Notably, antigen-specific Tfh10 cells arose after immunization of aged mice, and neutralization of IL-10 receptor signaling significantly restored Tfh-dependent antibody responses, whereas depletion of FoxP3+ regulatory and follicular regulatory cells did not. Thus, these data demonstrate that immune suppression with age is reversible and implicate Tfh10 cells as an intriguing link between "inflammaging" and impaired immune responses with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Almanan
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jana Raynor
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ireti Ogunsulire
- Division of Infection Immunology, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Anna Malyshkina
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Shibabrata Mukherjee
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sarah A. Hummel
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jennifer T. Ingram
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ankur Saini
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Markus M. Xie
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Theresa Alenghat
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - George S. Deepe
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Senad Divanovic
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Harinder Singh
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Emily Miraldi
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Allan J. Zajac
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Alexander L. Dent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Christoph Hölscher
- Division of Infection Immunology, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Claire Chougnet
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - David A. Hildeman
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Center for Systems Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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17
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Bittner-Eddy PD, Fischer LA, Costalonga M. Transient Expression of IL-17A in Foxp3 Fate-Tracked Cells in Porphyromonas gingivalis-Mediated Oral Dysbiosis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:677. [PMID: 32391008 PMCID: PMC7190800 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In periodontitis Porphyromonas gingivalis contributes to the development of a dysbiotic oral microbiome. This altered ecosystem elicits a diverse innate and adaptive immune response that simultaneously involves Th1, Th17, and Treg cells. It has been shown that Th17 cells can alter their gene expression to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) is considered the master regulator of Treg cells that produce inhibitory cytokines like IL-10. Differentiation pathways that lead to Th17 and Treg cells from naïve progenitors are considered antagonistic. However, it has been reported that Treg cells expressing IL-17A as well as IFN-γ producing Th17 cells have been observed in several inflammatory conditions. Each scenario appears plausible with T cell transdifferentiation resulting from persistent microbial challenge and consequent inflammation. We established that oral colonization with P. gingivalis drives an initial IL-17A dominated Th17 response in the oral mucosa that is dependent on intraepithelial Langerhans cells (LCs). We hypothesized that Treg cells contribute to this initial IL-17A response through transient expression of IL-17A and that persistent mucosal colonization with P. gingivalis drives Th17 cells toward an IFN-γ phenotype at later stages of infection. We utilized fate-tracking mice where IL-17A- or Foxp3-promoter activity drives the permanent expression of red fluorescent protein tdTomato to test our hypothesis. At day 28 of infection timeline, Th17 cells dominated in the oral mucosa, outnumbering Th1 cells by 3:1. By day 48 this dominance was inverted with Th1 cells outnumbering Th17 cells by nearly 2:1. Tracking tdTomato+ Th17 cells revealed only sporadic transdifferentiation to an IFN-γ-producing phenotype by day 48; the appearance of Th1 cells at day 48 was due to a late de novo Th1 response. tdTomato+ Foxp3+ T cells were 35% of the total live CD4+T cells in the oral mucosa and 3.9% of them developed a transient IL-17A-producing phenotype by day 28. Interestingly, by day 48 these IL-17A-producing Foxp3+ T cells had disappeared. Therefore, persistent oral P. gingivalis infection stimulates an initial IL-17A-biased response led by Th17 cells and a small but significant number of IL-17A-expressing Treg cells that changes into a late de novo Th1 response with only sporadic transdifferentiation of Th17 cells.
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18
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Wu D, Huang Q, Orban PC, Levings MK. Ectopic germline recombination activity of the widely used Foxp3-YFP-Cre mouse: a case report. Immunology 2019; 159:231-241. [PMID: 31713233 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cell-specific deletion of a gene of interest is a procedure widely used to study mechanisms controlling Treg development, homeostasis and function. Accordingly, several transgenic mouse lines have been generated that bear the Cre recombinase under control of the Foxp3 promoter either as a random transgene insertion or knocked into the endogenous Foxp3 locus, with the Foxp3YFP-Cre strain of mice being one of the most widely used. In an attempt to generate Treg cells that lacked expression of the insulin receptor (Insr), we crossed Foxp3YFP-Cre mice with Insrfl/fl mice. Using a conventional two-band PCR genotyping method we found that offspring genotypes did not correspond to the expected Mendelian ratios. We therefore developed a quantitative PCR-based genotyping method to investigate possible ectopic recombination outside the Treg lineage. With this method we found that ~50% of the F1 -generation mice showed evidence of ectopic recombination and that ~10% of the F2 -generation mice had germline Cre recombination activity leading to a high frequency of offspring with global Insr deletion. Use of the quantitative PCR genotyping method enabled accurate selection of mice without ectopic recombination and only the desired Treg cell-specific Insr deletion. Our data highlight the need to use genotyping methods that allow for assessment of possible ectopic recombination driven by the Foxp3YFP-Cre allele, particularly when studying genes that are systemically expressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Qing Huang
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul C Orban
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Megan K Levings
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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