Regulation of Transcription Factor E2-2 in Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells by Monocyte-Derived TNFα

Regulation and function of Id2 in plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are specialized type I interferon (IFN-I) producing cells that promote anti-viral immune responses and contribute to autoimmunity. Development of pDCs requires the transcriptional regulator E2-2 and is opposed by inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (Id2). Prior work indicates Id2 is induced in pDCs upon maturation and may affect pDC IFN-I production via suppression of E2-2, suggesting an important yet uncharacterized role in this lineage. We found TLR7 agonists stimulate Id2 mRNA and protein expression in pDCs. We further show that transcriptional activation of Id2 is dependent on the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc13, but independent of IFN-I signaling in response to TLR7 agonist stimulation. Nonetheless, conditional Id2 depletion in pDCs indicates Id2 is dispensable for TLR7 agonist-induced maturation and inhibition of E2-2 expression. Thus, we identify new mechanisms of Id2 regulation by Ubc13, which may be relevant for understanding Id2 gene regulation in other contexts, while ruling out major roles for Id2 in pDC responses to TLR7 agonists.

Monocytes Exposed to Immune Complexes Reduce pDC Type 1 Interferon Response to Vidutolimod

Vidutolimod, also known as CMP-001, is a virus-like particle composed of the Qβ bacteriophage coat protein encasing a TLR9 agonist. Vidutolimod injected intratumorally is showing promise in early phase clinical trials based on its ability to alter the tumor microenvironment and induce an anti-tumor immune response. We previously demonstrated that the in vivo efficacy of vidutolimod is dependent on the presence of anti-Qβ antibodies that enhance opsonization and uptake of vidutolimod by TLR9-expressing plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Here, we evaluated the effect of immune complexes, including anti-Qβ-coated vidutolimod, on induction of Type 1 Interferon production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to vidutolimod and soluble TLR9 agonists. Immune complexes, including but not limited to anti-Qβ-coated vidutolimod, indirectly suppressed TLR9-mediated Type 1 Interferon production by pDCs in a monocyte-dependent manner. These findings indicate that anti-Qβ-coated vidutolimod has effects in addition to those mediated by TLR9 that could have important clinical implications for understanding the mechanism of action of this exciting new approach to in situ immunization and cancer immunotherapy.