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Mertowska P, Mertowski S, Podgajna M, Grywalska E. The Importance of the Transcription Factor Foxp3 in the Development of Primary Immunodeficiencies. J Clin Med 2022; 11:947. [PMID: 35207219 PMCID: PMC8874698 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11040947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors are an extremely important group of proteins that are responsible for the process of selective activation or deactivation of other cellular proteins, usually at the last stage of signal transmission in the cell. An important family of transcription factors that regulate the body's response is the FOX family which plays an important role in regulating the expression of genes involved in cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. The members of this family include the intracellular protein Foxp3, which regulates the process of differentiation of the T lymphocyte subpopulation, and more precisely, is responsible for the development of regulatory T lymphocytes. This protein influences several cellular processes both directly and indirectly. In the process of cytokine production regulation, the Foxp3 protein interacts with numerous proteins and transcription factors such as NFAT, nuclear factor kappa B, and Runx1/AML1 and is involved in the process of histone acetylation in condensed chromatin. Malfunctioning of transcription factor Foxp3 caused by the mutagenesis process affects the development of disorders of the immune response and autoimmune diseases. This applies to the impairment or inability of the immune system to fight infections due to a disruption of the mechanisms supporting immune homeostasis which in turn leads to the development of a special group of disorders called primary immunodeficiencies (PID). The aim of this review is to provide information on the role of the Foxp3 protein in the human body and its involvement in the development of two types of primary immunodeficiency diseases: IPEX (Immunodysregulation Polyendocrinopathy Enteropathy X-linked syndrome) and CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sebastian Mertowski
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.M.); (M.P.); (E.G.)
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2
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Searching for Peptide Inhibitors of T Regulatory Cell Activity by Targeting Specific Domains of FOXP3 Transcription Factor. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020197. [PMID: 33671179 PMCID: PMC7922534 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The ability of cancer cells to evade the immune system is due in part to their capacity to induce and recruit T regulatory cells (Tregs) to the tumor microenvironment. Strategies proposed to improve antitumor immunity by depleting Tregs generally lack specificity and raise the possibility of autoimmunity. Therefore, we propose to control Tregs by their functional inactivation rather than depletion. Tregs are characterized by the expression of the Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) transcription factor, which is considered their “master regulator”. Its interaction with DNA is assisted primarily by its interaction with other proteins in the so-called “Foxp3 interactome”, which elicits much of the characteristic Treg cell transcriptional signature. We speculated that the disruption of such a protein complex by using synthetic peptides able to bind Foxp3 might have an impact on the functionality of Treg cells and thus have a therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. (2) Methods: By using a phage-displayed peptide library, or short synthetic peptides encompassing Foxp3 fragments, or by studying the crystal structure of the Foxp3:NFAT complex, we have identified a series of peptides that are able to bind Foxp3 and inhibit Treg activity. (3) Results: We identified some peptides encompassing fragments of the leuzin zipper or the C terminal domain of Foxp3 with the capacity to inhibit Treg activity in vitro. The acetylation/amidation of linear peptides, head-to-tail cyclization, the incorporation of non-natural aminoacids, or the incorporation of cell-penetrating peptide motifs increased in some cases the Foxp3 binding capacity and Treg inhibitory activity of the identified peptides. Some of them have shown antitumoral activity in vivo. (4) Conclusions: Synthetic peptides constitute an alternative to inhibit Foxp3 protein–protein interactions intracellularly and impair Treg immunosuppressive activity. These peptides might be considered as potential hit compounds on the design of new immunotherapeutic approaches against cancer.
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3
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Park J, Yang HS, Song MK, Kim DI, Lee K. Formaldehyde exposure induces regulatory T cell-mediated immunosuppression via calcineurin-NFAT signalling pathway. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17023. [PMID: 33046725 PMCID: PMC7550593 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72502-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effects of Formaldehyde (FA) exposure on splenic immune responses wherein helper T cells become activated and differentiate into effector T and regulatory T cells. BALB/c mice were exposed to two FA concentrations (1.38 mg/m3 and 5.36 mg/m3) for 4 h/day and 5 days/week for 2 weeks. FA-induced immune responses were examined by the production of cytokines, expression of mRNAs, and distributions of helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Moreover, expression of calcineurin and NFATs, regulatory T cell-related signalling proteins, were evaluated. FA exposure suppressed Th2-, Th1-, and Th17-related splenic cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. mRNA expression of splenic cytokines was also decreased by FA exposure, which correlated with decreased cytokine expression. In parallel, FA exposure promoted T cell differentiation into regulatory T cells in a dose-dependent manner supported by the expression of calcineurin and NFAT1. Taken together, our results indicated that FA exposure increases the number of regulatory T cells via calcineurin-NFAT signalling, thereby leading to effector T cell activity suppression with decreased T cell-related cytokine secretion and mRNA expression. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of FA and accordingly have general implications for human health, particularly in occupational settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongsik Park
- Jeonbuk Department of inhalation Research, National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease Products, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 30 Baehak 1-gil, Jeonguep, Jeollabuk-do, 56212, Republic of Korea
- Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Seon Yang
- Jeonbuk Department of inhalation Research, National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease Products, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 30 Baehak 1-gil, Jeonguep, Jeollabuk-do, 56212, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Kyung Song
- Jeonbuk Department of inhalation Research, National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease Products, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 30 Baehak 1-gil, Jeonguep, Jeollabuk-do, 56212, Republic of Korea
- Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Im Kim
- Jeonbuk Department of inhalation Research, National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease Products, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 30 Baehak 1-gil, Jeonguep, Jeollabuk-do, 56212, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyuhong Lee
- Jeonbuk Department of inhalation Research, National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease Products, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 30 Baehak 1-gil, Jeonguep, Jeollabuk-do, 56212, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Ren J, Liu Y, Wang S, Wang Y, Li W, Chen S, Cui D, Yang S, Li MY, Feng B, Lai PBS, Chen GG. The FKH domain in FOXP3 mRNA frequently contains mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma that influence the subcellular localization and functions of FOXP3. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:5484-5495. [PMID: 32198183 PMCID: PMC7170510 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is a biomarker for regulatory T cells and can also be expressed in cancer cells, but its function in cancer appears to be divergent. The role of hepatocyte-expressed FOXP3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. Here, we collected tumor samples and clinical information from 115 HCC patients and used five human cancer cell lines. We examined FOXP3 mRNA sequences for mutations, used a luciferase assay to assess promoter activities of FOXP3's target genes, and employed mouse tumor models to confirm in vitro results. We detected mutations in the FKH domain of FOXP3 mRNAs in 33% of the HCC tumor tissues, but in none of the adjacent nontumor tissues. None of the mutations occurred at high frequency, indicating that they occurred randomly. Notably, the mutations were not detected in the corresponding regions of FOXP3 genomic DNA, and many of them resulted in amino acid substitutions in the FKH region, altering FOXP3's subcellular localization. FOXP3 delocalization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm caused loss of transcriptional regulation of its target genes, inactivated its tumor-inhibitory capability, and changed cellular responses to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. More complex FKH mutations appeared to be associated with worse prognosis in HCC patients. We conclude that mutations in the FKH domain of FOXP3 mRNA frequently occur in HCC and that these mutations are caused by errors in transcription and are not derived from genomic DNA mutations. Our results suggest that transcriptional mutagenesis of FOXP3 plays a role in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Ren
- Department of Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Research Institute (SZRI), Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Division of Cellular & Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610
| | - Wende Li
- Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangzhou 510663, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Guangdong Laboratory Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangzhou 510663, China
| | - Dexuan Cui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shengli Yang
- Union Hospital Tumour Center, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Ming-Yue Li
- Department of Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, China
| | - Bo Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Paul B S Lai
- Department of Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - George G Chen
- Department of Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Research Institute (SZRI), Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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5
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Voss K, Lake C, Luthers CR, Lott NM, Dorjbal B, Arjunaraja S, Bauman BM, Soltis AR, Sukumar G, Dalgard CL, Snow AL. FOXP3 protects conventional human T cells from premature restimulation-induced cell death. Cell Mol Immunol 2019; 18:194-205. [PMID: 31659245 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-019-0316-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The adaptive immune response relies on specific apoptotic programs to maintain homeostasis. Conventional effector T cell (Tcon) expansion is constrained by both forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)+-regulatory T cells (Tregs) and restimulation-induced cell death (RICD), a propriocidal apoptosis pathway triggered by repeated stimulation through the T-cell receptor (TCR). Constitutive FOXP3 expression protects Tregs from RICD by suppressing SLAM-associated protein (SAP), a key adaptor protein that amplifies TCR signaling strength. The role of transient FOXP3 induction in activated human CD4 and CD8 Tcons remains unresolved, but its expression is inversely correlated with acquired RICD sensitivity. Here, we describe a novel role for FOXP3 in protecting human Tcons from premature RICD during expansion. Unlike FOXP3-mediated protection from RICD in Tregs, FOXP3 protects Tcons through a distinct mechanism requiring de novo transcription that does not require SAP suppression. Transcriptome profiling and functional analyses of expanding Tcons revealed that FOXP3 enhances expression of the SLAM family receptor CD48, which in turn sustains basal autophagy and suppresses pro-apoptotic p53 signaling. Both CD48 and FOXP3 expression reduced p53 accumulation upon TCR restimulation. Furthermore, silencing FOXP3 expression or blocking CD48 decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential in expanding Tcons with a concomitant reduction in basal autophagy. Our findings suggest that FOXP3 governs a distinct transcriptional program in early-stage effector Tcons that maintains RICD resistance via CD48-dependent protective autophagy and p53 suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Voss
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Camille Lake
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Christopher R Luthers
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Nathaniel M Lott
- The American Genome Center (TAGC), Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Batsukh Dorjbal
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Swadhinya Arjunaraja
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Bradly M Bauman
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Anthony R Soltis
- The American Genome Center (TAGC), Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gauthaman Sukumar
- The American Genome Center (TAGC), Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clifton L Dalgard
- The American Genome Center (TAGC), Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew L Snow
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.
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6
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Gambineri E, Ciullini Mannurita S, Hagin D, Vignoli M, Anover-Sombke S, DeBoer S, Segundo GRS, Allenspach EJ, Favre C, Ochs HD, Torgerson TR. Clinical, Immunological, and Molecular Heterogeneity of 173 Patients With the Phenotype of Immune Dysregulation, Polyendocrinopathy, Enteropathy, X-Linked (IPEX) Syndrome. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2411. [PMID: 30443250 PMCID: PMC6223101 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Immune Dysregulation, Polyendocrinopathy, Enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) Syndrome is a rare recessive disorder caused by mutations in the FOXP3 gene. In addition, there has been an increasing number of patients with wild-type FOXP3 gene and, in some cases, mutations in other immune regulatory genes. Objective: To molecularly asses a cohort of 173 patients with the IPEX phenotype and to delineate the relationship between the clinical/immunologic phenotypes and the genotypes. Methods: We reviewed the clinical presentation and laboratory characteristics of each patient and compared clinical and laboratory data of FOXP3 mutation-positive (IPEX patients) with those from FOXP3 mutation-negative patients (IPEX-like). A total of 173 affected patients underwent direct sequence analysis of the FOXP3 gene while 85 IPEX-like patients with normal FOXP3 were investigated by a multiplex panel of "Primary Immune Deficiency (PID-related) genes." Results: Forty-four distinct FOXP3 variants were identified in 88 IPEX patients, 9 of which were not previously reported. Among the 85 IPEX-like patients, 19 different disease-associated variants affecting 9 distinct genes were identified. Conclusions: We provide a comprehensive analysis of the clinical features and molecular bases of IPEX and IPEX-like patients. Although we were not able to identify major distinctive clinical features to differentiate IPEX from IPEX-like syndromes, we propose a simple flow-chart to effectively evaluate such patients and to focus on the most likely molecular diagnosis. Given the large number of potential candidate genes and overlapping phenotypes, selecting a panel of PID-related genes will facilitate a molecular diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Gambineri
- Department of NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Oncology/Hematology Department, “Anna Meyer” Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Ciullini Mannurita
- Department of NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Oncology/Hematology Department, “Anna Meyer” Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - David Hagin
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Marina Vignoli
- Department of NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Oncology/Hematology Department, “Anna Meyer” Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Stacey DeBoer
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Gesmar R. S. Segundo
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Eric J. Allenspach
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Claudio Favre
- Oncology/Hematology Department, “Anna Meyer” Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Hans D. Ochs
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Troy R. Torgerson
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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7
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Abstract
Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) was first described almost three decades ago as a Ca
2+/calcineurin-regulated transcription factor in T cells. Since then, a large body of research uncovered the regulation and physiological function of different NFAT homologues in the immune system and many other tissues. In this review, we will discuss novel roles of NFAT in T cells, focusing mainly on its function in humoral immune responses, immunological tolerance, and the regulation of immune metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Vaeth
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Stefan Feske
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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8
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Constitutive expression of NF-κB inducing kinase in regulatory T cells impairs suppressive function and promotes instability and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14779. [PMID: 29116141 PMCID: PMC5677020 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14965-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are indispensable negative regulators of immune responses. To understand Treg biology in health and disease, it is critical to elucidate factors that affect Treg homeostasis and suppressive function. Tregs express several costimulatory TNF receptor family members that activate non-canonical NF-κB via accumulation of NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK). We previously showed that constitutive NIK expression in all T cells causes fatal multi-organ autoimmunity associated with hyperactive conventional T cell responses and poor Treg-mediated suppression. Here, we show that constitutive NIK expression that is restricted to Tregs via a Cre-inducible transgene causes an autoimmune syndrome. We found that constitutive NIK expression decreased expression of numerous Treg signature genes and microRNAs involved in Treg homeostasis and suppressive phenotype. NIK transgenic Tregs competed poorly with WT Tregs in vivo and produced pro-inflammatory cytokines upon stimulation. Lineage tracing experiments revealed accumulation of ex-Foxp3+ T cells in mice expressing NIK constitutively in Tregs, and these former Tregs produced copious IFNγ and IL-2. Our data indicate that under inflammatory conditions in which NIK is activated, Tregs may lose suppressive function and may actively contribute to inflammation.
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9
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Self-Transducible Bimodal PDX1-FOXP3 Protein Lifts Insulin Secretion and Curbs Autoimmunity, Boosting Tregs in Type 1 Diabetic Mice. Mol Ther 2017; 26:184-198. [PMID: 28988715 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by massive destruction of insulin-producing β cells by autoreactive T lymphocytes, arising via defective immune tolerance. Therefore, effective anti-T1D therapeutics should combine autoimmunity-preventing and insulin production-restoring properties. We constructed a cell-permeable PDX1-FOXP3-TAT fusion protein (FP) composed of two transcription factors: forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), the master regulator of differentiation and functioning of self-tolerance-promoting Tregs, and pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX1), the crucial factor supporting β cell development and maintenance. The FP was tested in vitro and in a non-obese diabetic mouse T1D model. In vitro, FP converted naive CD4+ T cells into a functional "Treg-like" subset, which suppressed cytokine secretion, downregulated antigen-specific responses, and curbed viability of diabetogenic effector cells. In hepatic stem-like cells, FP potentiated endocrine transdifferentiation, inducing expression of Insulin2 and other β lineage-specific genes. In vivo, FP administration to chronically diabetic mice triggered (1) a significant elevation of insulin and C-peptide levels, (2) the formation of insulin-containing cell clusters in livers, and (3) a systemic anti-inflammatory shift (higher Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cell frequencies, elevated rates of IL-10-producing cells, and reduced rates of IFN-γ-secreting cells). Overall, in accordance with its design, PDX1-FOXP3-TAT FP delivered both Treg-stabilizing anti-autoimmune and de novo insulin-producing effects, proving its anti-T1D therapeutic potential.
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10
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Whitehouse G, Gray E, Mastoridis S, Merritt E, Kodela E, Yang JHM, Danger R, Mairal M, Christakoudi S, Lozano JJ, Macdougall IC, Tree TIM, Sanchez-Fueyo A, Martinez-Llordella M. IL-2 therapy restores regulatory T-cell dysfunction induced by calcineurin inhibitors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:7083-7088. [PMID: 28584086 PMCID: PMC5502598 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1620835114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs constitute a heterogeneous lymphocyte subpopulation essential for curtailing effector T cells and establishing peripheral tolerance. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are among the most effective agents in controlling effector T-cell responses in humans. However, CNIs also reduce the size of the Treg pool. The functional consequences of this negative effect and the mechanisms responsible remain to be elucidated. We report here that CNIs compromise the overall Treg immunoregulatory capacity to a greater extent than would be predicted by the reduction in the size of the Treg compartment, given that they selectively promote the apoptosis of the resting and activated Treg subsets that are known to display the most powerful suppressive function. These effects are caused by reduced access to IL-2, because Tregs remain capable of translocating NFAT even in the presence of high CNI levels. Exogenous IL-2 restores the phenotypic changes and overall gene-expression effects exerted by CNIs and can even promote Treg expansion by enhancing antiapoptotic Bcl-2 expression. In a skin transplant model, the addition of IL-2 synergizes with CNIs treatment, promoting intragraft accumulation of Tregs and prolonged allograft survival. Hence, the combination of IL-2 and CNIs constitutes an optimal immunomodulatory regimen that enhances the pool of suppressive Treg subsets while effectively controlling cytopathic T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Whitehouse
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Gray
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Sotiris Mastoridis
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Elliot Merritt
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Elisavet Kodela
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Jennie H M Yang
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Danger
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Mairal
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia Christakoudi
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
- Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Juan J Lozano
- Bioinformatics Platform, Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Iain C Macdougall
- Department of Renal Medicine, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy I M Tree
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Alberto Sanchez-Fueyo
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Martinez-Llordella
- Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom;
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
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11
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Bin Dhuban K, d’Hennezel E, Nagai Y, Xiao Y, Shao S, Istomine R, Alvarez F, Ben-Shoshan M, Ochs H, Mazer B, Li B, Sekine C, Berezov A, Hancock W, Torgerson TR, Greene MI, Piccirillo CA. Suppression by human FOXP3
+
regulatory T cells requires FOXP3-TIP60 interactions. Sci Immunol 2017; 2. [DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aai9297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Targeting the FOXP3-TIP60 interaction may modulate T
reg
activity in IPEX and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Bin Dhuban
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University and Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Eva d’Hennezel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University and Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Yasuhiro Nagai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6082, USA
| | - Yan Xiao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6082, USA
| | - Steven Shao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University and Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Roman Istomine
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University and Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Fernando Alvarez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University and Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Moshe Ben-Shoshan
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Québec H3H 1P3, Canada
| | - Hans Ochs
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98101–1304, USA
| | - Bruce Mazer
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Québec H3H 1P3, Canada
- FOCiS Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6082, USA
| | | | - Alan Berezov
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6082, USA
| | - Wayne Hancock
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6082, USA
| | - Troy R. Torgerson
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Health Center, Montréal, Québec H3H 1P3, Canada
| | - Mark I. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104–6082, USA
| | - Ciriaco A. Piccirillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University and Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
- FOCiS Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, McGill University and McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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12
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Robinson TO, Zhang M, Ochsenbauer C, Smythies LE, Cron RQ. CD4 regulatory T cells augment HIV-1 expression of polarized M1 and M2 monocyte derived macrophages. Virology 2017; 504:79-87. [PMID: 28157548 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Previous in vitro studies have shown that the HIV-1 virus can alter the cytokine/chemokine profile of polarized macrophages which may lead to their increased susceptibility to viral infection. Here, we found that M2 monocyte derived macrophages (MDM) were significantly more permissive to productive infection by R5-tropic HIV-1 strains, including transmitted founder (T/F) viruses, than M1 MDM. Previous in vitro studies by our lab showed that regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress HIV-1 infection in non-Treg CD4 T cells. Here, we investigated potential inhibitory effects of Tregs on HIV-1 infection of polarized MDM. We found that Tregs significantly increased HIV-1 infection in M1 and M2 MDM via a mechanism that was cell contact dependent. These findings suggest a potential role for Tregs in HIV-1 infection of tissue resident macrophages of M1 and M2 phenotype, which may contribute to the establishment and pathogenesis of HIV-1 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya O Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's Hospital of Alabama, Children's Park Place, Suite 210, 1601 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, United States
| | - Mingce Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's Hospital of Alabama, Children's Park Place, Suite 210, 1601 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, United States
| | - Christina Ochsenbauer
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States; Center for AIDS Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - Lesley E Smythies
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - Randall Q Cron
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's Hospital of Alabama, Children's Park Place, Suite 210, 1601 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, United States.
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13
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Chen LC, Nicholson YT, Rosborough BR, Thomson AW, Raimondi G. A Novel mTORC1-Dependent, Akt-Independent Pathway Differentiates the Gut Tropism of Regulatory and Conventional CD4 T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 197:1137-47. [PMID: 27402696 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The vitamin A metabolite all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induces a gut-homing phenotype in activated CD4(+) conventional T cells (Tconv) by upregulating the integrin α4β7 and the chemokine receptor CCR9. We report that, in contrast to mouse Tconv, only ∼50% of regulatory T cells (Treg) upregulate CCR9 when stimulated by physiological levels of ATRA, even though Tconv and Treg express similar levels of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR). The resulting bimodal CCR9 expression is not associated with differences in the extent of their proliferation, level of Foxp3 expression, or affiliation with naturally occurring Treg or induced Treg in the circulating Treg pool. Furthermore, we find that exposure of Treg to the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin suppresses upregulation of both CCR9 and α4β7, an effect that is not evident with Tconv. This suggests that in Treg, ATRA-induced upregulation of CCR9 and α4β7 is dependent on activation of a mTOR signaling pathway. The involvement of mTOR is independent of Akt activity, because specific inhibition of Akt, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1, or its downstream target glycogen synthase kinase-3 did not prevent CCR9 expression. Additionally, Rictor (mTOR complex [mTORC]2)-deficient Treg showed unaltered ability to express CCR9, whereas Raptor (mTORC1)-deficient Treg were unable to upregulate CCR9, suggesting the selective participation of mTORC1. These findings reveal a novel difference between ATRA signaling and chemokine receptor induction in Treg versus Tconv and provide a framework via which the migratory behavior of Treg versus Tconv might be regulated differentially for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo C Chen
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; and
| | - Yawah T Nicholson
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; and
| | - Brian R Rosborough
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; and
| | - Angus W Thomson
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Giorgio Raimondi
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; and
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14
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Tang J, Zhou X, Liu J, Meng Q, Han Y, Wang Z, Fan H, Liu Z. IL-25 promotes the function of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells and prolongs skin-graft survival in murine models. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 28:931-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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15
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Lozano T, Villanueva L, Durántez M, Gorraiz M, Ruiz M, Belsúe V, Riezu-Boj JI, Hervás-Stubbs S, Oyarzábal J, Bandukwala H, Lourenço AR, Coffer PJ, Sarobe P, Prieto J, Casares N, Lasarte JJ. Inhibition of FOXP3/NFAT Interaction Enhances T Cell Function after TCR Stimulation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:3180-9. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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16
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Disruption of Th17/Treg Balance in the Sputum of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Med Sci 2015; 349:392-7. [DOI: 10.1097/maj.0000000000000447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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17
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Zhang M, Ma Z, Selliah N, Weiss G, Genin A, Finkel TH, Cron RQ. The impact of Nucleofection® on the activation state of primary human CD4 T cells. J Immunol Methods 2014; 408:123-31. [PMID: 24910411 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gene transfer into primary human CD4 T lymphocytes is a critical tool in studying the mechanism of T cell-dependent immune responses and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Nucleofection® is an electroporation technique that allows efficient gene transfer into primary human CD4 T cells that are notoriously resistant to traditional electroporation. Despite its popularity in immunological research, careful characterization of its impact on the physiology of CD4 T cells has not been documented. Herein, using freshly-isolated primary human CD4 T cells, we examine the effects of Nucleofection® on CD4 T cell morphology, intracellular calcium levels, cell surface activation markers, and transcriptional activity. We find that immediately after Nucleofection®, CD4 T cells undergo dramatic morphological changes characterized by wrinkled and dilated plasma membranes before recovering 1h later. The intracellular calcium level also increases after Nucleofection®, peaking after 1h before recovering 8h post transfection. Moreover, Nucleofection® leads to increased expression of T cell activation markers, CD154 and CD69, for more than 24h, and enhances the activation effects of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation. In addition, transcriptional activity is increased in the first 24h after Nucleofection®, even in the absence of exogenous stimuli. Therefore, Nucleofection® significantly alters the activation state of primary human CD4 T cells. The effect of transferred gene products on CD4 T cell function by Nucleofection® should be assessed after sufficient resting time post transfection or analyzed in light of the activation caveats mentioned above.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingce Zhang
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Blvd,. Shelby Building, Rm. 371, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States.
| | - Zhengyu Ma
- Nemours/A. I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, United States.
| | - Nithianandan Selliah
- Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, 7 Powder Horn Dr., Warren, NJ 07059, United States.
| | - Greta Weiss
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Anna Genin
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Blvd,. Shelby Building, Rm. 371, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States.
| | - Terri H Finkel
- Nemours Children's Hospital, 13535 Nemours Parkway, Orlando, FL 32827, United States.
| | - Randy Q Cron
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Blvd,. Shelby Building, Rm. 371, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States.
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18
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Lowe RM, Genin A, Orgun N, Cron RQ. IL-15 prolongs CD154 expression on human CD4 T cells via STAT5 binding to the CD154 transcriptional promoter. Genes Immun 2014; 15:137-44. [PMID: 24500400 PMCID: PMC4133980 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2014.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Activation-induced CD154 expression on CD4 T cells is prolonged in systemic lupus erythematosus, but the mechanism(s) for its dysregulation are unknown. The studies reported herein demonstrate that interleukin-15 (IL-15) is capable of prolonging CD154 expression on phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated CD4 T cells. As IL-15 signals through signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), predicted STAT5 binding sites in the human CD154 transcriptional promoter were identified, and STAT5 binding to the proximal CD154 promoter in vitro and in vivo following primary CD4 T-cell activation was demonstrated. Moreover, overexpression of wild-type STAT5 in primary human CD4 T cells augmented CD154 transcription, whereas overexpression of a dominant-negative (DN) STAT5 protein inhibited CD154 transcription. Mutation of the most proximal STAT5 binding site in the CD154 promoter resulted in diminished DNA binding and reduced CD154 transcriptional activity. Interestingly, STAT5-specific small interfering RNA inhibited CD154 surface expression at 48 but not 24 h after T-cell activation. Thus, these findings provide some of the first evidence to support a possible mechanistic link to explain how the overexpression of IL-15 observed in lupus patients may be involved in the prolonged expression of CD154 that has also been observed on lupus CD4 T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Lowe
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA [2] Division of Rheumatology, The Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - A Genin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - N Orgun
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - R Q Cron
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA [2] Division of Rheumatology, The Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
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19
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Meng L, Tompkins M, Miller M, Fogle J. Lentivirus-activated T regulatory cells suppress T helper cell interleukin-2 production by inhibiting nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 binding to the interleukin-2 promoter. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014; 30:58-66. [PMID: 23924068 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2013.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Using the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) model for AIDS lentivirus infection, we previously demonstrated that Treg cells from FIV-infected cats up-regulate membrane-associated tumor growth factor beta (mTGF-ß) during the course of infection and that activated T lymphocytes up-regulate TGF-ß receptor II (TGF-ßRII) during the course of infection. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that autologous coculture of Tregs with Th cells from FIV-infected cats leads to suppression of interleukin (IL)-2 production and loss of proliferation in a TGF-ß-dependent fashion. Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) 2 has been identified as integral to effector Th cell maturation and function by promoting IL-2 transcription. Therefore, we questioned whether NFAT2 expression might be altered by TGF-β signaling. Feline NFAT2 exon sequences were identified based upon sequence homology to human and murine NFAT2. Following stimulation, IL-2 and NFAT2 mRNA levels were similarly increased in both FIV(-) and FIV(+) cats. Activated CD4(+)CD25(-) cells from both FIV(-) and FIV(+) cats cocultured with autologous CD4(+)CD25(+) cells or treated with TGF-β demonstrated decreased IL-2 production; however, NFAT2 mRNA levels were unaffected. Although NFAT2 mRNA levels were unaffected, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) for NFAT2 indicated decreased NFAT2 binding at the IL-2 promoter in suppressed Th cells. These data suggest that TGF-β-mediated Treg cell suppression of IL-2 transcription is modulated through alterations in NFAT2 binding to the IL-2 promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Meng
- Immunology Program, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine , Raleigh, North Carolina
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20
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Chan DV, Gibson HM, Aufiero BM, Wilson AJ, Hafner MS, Mi QS, Wong HK. Differential CTLA-4 expression in human CD4+ versus CD8+ T cells is associated with increased NFAT1 and inhibition of CD4+ proliferation. Genes Immun 2014; 15:25-32. [PMID: 24173147 PMCID: PMC4284071 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2013.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 09/29/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) is a costimulatory molecule that negatively regulates T-cell activation. Originally identified in murine CD8(+) T cells, it has been found to be rapidly induced on human T cells. Furthermore, CTLA-4 is expressed on regulatory T cells. Clinically, targeting CTLA-4 has clinical utility in the treatment of melanoma. Whether the expression of CTLA-4 is differentially regulated in CD8(+) vs CD4(+) human T cells is unclear. Here, we analyzed CTLA-4 in normal human CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell subsets and show for the first time that CTLA-4 is expressed significantly higher in the CD4(+) T cells than in CD8(+) T cells. CTLA-4 is higher at the protein and the transcriptional levels in CD4(+) T cells. This increase is due to the activation of the CTLA-4 promoter, which undergoes acetylation at the proximal promoter. Furthermore, we show that blocking CTLA-4 on CD4(+) T cells permits greater proliferation in CD4(+) vs CD8(+) cells. These findings demonstrate a differential regulation of CTLA-4 on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell subsets, which is likely important to the clinical efficacy for anti-CTLA-4 therapies. The findings hint to strategies to modulate CTLA-4 expression by targeting epigenetic transcription to alter the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek V. Chan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Heather M. Gibson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Department of Dermatology and Immunology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Barbara M. Aufiero
- Department of Dermatology and Immunology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Adam J. Wilson
- Department of Dermatology and Immunology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Mikehl S. Hafner
- Department of Dermatology and Immunology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Qing-Sheng Mi
- Department of Dermatology and Immunology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Henry K. Wong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Department of Dermatology and Immunology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
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21
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Lozano T, Casares N, Lasarte JJ. Searching for the Achilles Heel of FOXP3. Front Oncol 2013; 3:294. [PMID: 24350059 PMCID: PMC3847665 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
FOXP3 is a multifaceted transcription factor with a major role in the control of immune homeostasis mediated by T regulatory cells (Treg). The immunoregulatory function of FOXP3 may hinder the induction of immune responses against cancer and infectious agents, and thus, development of inhibitors of its functions might give new therapeutic opportunities for these diseases. But also, FOXP3 is an important tumor suppressor factor in some types of cancers, and therefore, understanding the structure and function of FOXP3 is crucial to gaining insights into the development of FOXP3-targeted therapeutic strategies. FOXP3 homodimerize and likely form supramolecular complexes which might include hundreds of proteins which constitute the FOXP3 interactome. Many of the functions of FOXP3 are clearly regulated by the interactions with these cofactors contributing importantly on the establishment of Treg-cell signature. We summarize here the structural/functional information on this FOXP3 complex, to identify potential opportunities for the development of new strategies to modulate FOXP3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Lozano
- Gene Therapy and Hepatology Area, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra , Pamplona , Spain
| | - Noelia Casares
- Gene Therapy and Hepatology Area, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra , Pamplona , Spain
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Gene Therapy and Hepatology Area, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra , Pamplona , Spain
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22
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Inhibiting cardiac allograft rejection with interleukin-35 therapy combined with decitabine treatment in mice. Transpl Immunol 2013; 29:99-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2013.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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23
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Liu X, Xu X, Lin X, Tian Y, Ji B, Xia S, Xu S, Yin Q, Zhang M, Jiao Z, Wang S, Xu H, Shao Q. PTD-hFOXP3 protein acts as an immune regulator to convert human CD4+CD25−T cells to regulatory T-like cells. J Cell Biochem 2012; 113:3797-809. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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24
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Miroux C, Morales O, Ghazal K, Othman SB, de Launoit Y, Pancré V, Conti F, Delhem N. In vitro effects of cyclosporine A and tacrolimus on regulatory T-cell proliferation and function. Transplantation 2012; 94:123-31. [PMID: 22743548 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3182590d8f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver transplantation is the treatment of end-stage liver diseases, including hepatitis C. Immunosuppression prevents graft rejection but seems to accelerate the recurrence of hepatitis C. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may be beneficial in tolerance but deleterious in recurrent hepatitis C. We evaluated the effects of cyclosporine or tacrolimus, the principal immunosuppressive drugs, on Treg proliferation and function. METHODS Human Tregs were isolated from healthy donors and cultured with cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or NIM811, a cyclosporine analog devoid of calcineurin-inhibiting activity. Treg proliferation and suppressive activity were assessed. The phenotype, cytokine production, and phosphorylation profile of nuclear factor of activated T cell of Tregs were also analyzed. RESULTS Cyclosporine and tacrolimus both decreased Treg proliferation, but only low doses of cyclosporine reduced Treg activity, by inducing the production of interleukin 2 proinflammatory cytokines in these cells. Moreover, NIM811 also inhibited Treg activity. The phosphorylation of nuclear factor of activated T cell in Tregs was not altered by cyclosporine, suggesting that the effects of this drug are independent of the calcineurin pathway. CONCLUSION In summary, low doses of cyclosporine inhibit Treg activity, a finding that might explain the beneficial effect of this drug on hepatitis C recurrence. In contrast, by maintaining Treg activity, tacrolimus could be more helpful than cyclosporine in controlling rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Miroux
- CNRS UMR8161, Institut de Biologie de Lille, Universités Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
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25
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Dependence on nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) levels discriminates conventional T cells from Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:16258-63. [PMID: 22991461 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1203870109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) to control regulatory T cells: thymus-derived naturally occurring regulatory T cells (nTreg) depend on calcium signals, the Foxp3 gene harbors several NFAT binding sites, and the Foxp3 (Fork head box P3) protein interacts with NFAT. Therefore, we investigated the impact of NFAT on Foxp3 expression. Indeed, the generation of peripherally induced Treg (iTreg) by TGF-β was highly dependent on NFAT expression because the ability of CD4(+) T cells to differentiate into iTreg diminished markedly with the number of NFAT family members missing. It can be concluded that the expression of Foxp3 in TGF-β-induced iTreg depends on the threshold value of NFAT rather than on an individual member present. This is specific for iTreg development, because frequency of nTreg remained unaltered in mice lacking NFAT1, NFAT2, or NFAT4 alone or in combination. Different from expectation, however, the function of both nTreg and iTreg was independent on robust NFAT levels, reflected by less nuclear NFAT in nTreg and iTreg. Accordingly, absence of one or two NFAT members did not alter suppressor activity in vitro or during colitis and transplantation in vivo. This scenario emphasizes an inhibition of high NFAT activity as treatment for autoimmune diseases and in transplantation, selectively targeting the proinflammatory conventional T cells, while keeping Treg functional.
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26
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Serfling E, Avots A, Klein-Hessling S, Rudolf R, Vaeth M, Berberich-Siebelt F. NFATc1/αA: The other Face of NFAT Factors in Lymphocytes. Cell Commun Signal 2012; 10:16. [PMID: 22764736 PMCID: PMC3464794 DOI: 10.1186/1478-811x-10-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Accepted: 06/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In effector T and B cells immune receptor signals induce within minutes a rise of intracellular Ca++, the activation of the phosphatase calcineurin and the translocation of NFAT transcription factors from cytosol to nucleus. In addition to this first wave of NFAT activation, in a second step the occurrence of NFATc1/αA, a short isoform of NFATc1, is strongly induced. Upon primary stimulation of lymphocytes the induction of NFATc1/αA takes place during the G1 phase of cell cycle. Due to an auto-regulatory feedback circuit high levels of NFATc1/αA are kept constant during persistent immune receptor stimulation. Contrary to NFATc2 and further NFATc proteins which dampen lymphocyte proliferation, induce anergy and enhance activation induced cell death (AICD), NFATc1/αA supports antigen-mediated proliferation and protects lymphocytes against rapid AICD. Whereas high concentrations of NFATc1/αA can also lead to apoptosis, in collaboration with NF-κB-inducing co-stimulatory signals they support the survival of mature lymphocytes in late phases after their activation. However, if dysregulated, NFATc1/αA appears to contribute to lymphoma genesis and - as we assume - to further disorders of the lymphoid system. While the molecular details of NFATc1/αA action and its contribution to lymphoid disorders have to be investigated, NFATc1/αA differs in its generation and function markedly from all the other NFAT proteins which are expressed in lymphoid cells. Therefore, it represents a prime target for causal therapies of immune disorders in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Serfling
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str 2, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andris Avots
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str 2, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Klein-Hessling
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str 2, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ronald Rudolf
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str 2, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Vaeth
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str 2, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Friederike Berberich-Siebelt
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str 2, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany
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Dumas EK, Cox PM, Fullenwider CO, Nguyen M, Centola M, Frank MB, Dozmorov I, James JA, Farris AD. Anthrax lethal toxin-induced gene expression changes in mouse lung. Toxins (Basel) 2011; 3:1111-30. [PMID: 22039574 PMCID: PMC3202878 DOI: 10.3390/toxins3091111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2011] [Revised: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A major virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis is the anthrax Lethal Toxin (LeTx), a bipartite toxin composed of Protective Antigen and Lethal Factor. Systemic administration of LeTx to laboratory animals leads to death associated with vascular leakage and pulmonary edema. In this study, we investigated whether systemic exposure of mice to LeTx would induce gene expression changes associated with vascular/capillary leakage in lung tissue. We observed enhanced susceptibility of A/J mice to death by systemic LeTx administration compared to the C57BL/6 strain. LeTx-induced groups of both up- and down-regulated genes were observed in mouse lungs 6 h after systemic administration of wild type toxin compared to lungs of mice exposed to an inactive mutant form of the toxin. Lungs of the less susceptible C57BL/6 strain showed 80% fewer differentially expressed genes compared to lungs of the more sensitive A/J strain. Expression of genes known to regulate vascular permeability was modulated by LeTx in the lungs of the more susceptible A/J strain. Unexpectedly, the largest set of genes with altered expression was immune specific, characterized by the up-regulation of lymphoid genes and the down-regulation of myeloid genes. Transcripts encoding neutrophil chemoattractants, modulators of tumor regulation and angiogenesis were also differentially expressed in both mouse strains. These studies provide new directions for the investigation of vascular leakage and pulmonary edema induced by anthrax LeTx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric K. Dumas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1100 N. Lindsay, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (E.K.D.); (M.N.); (J.A.J.)
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; 825 NE 13 Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.M.C.); (C.O.F.); (M.C.); (M.B.K.); (I.D.)
| | - Philip M. Cox
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; 825 NE 13 Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.M.C.); (C.O.F.); (M.C.); (M.B.K.); (I.D.)
| | - Charles O’Connor Fullenwider
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; 825 NE 13 Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.M.C.); (C.O.F.); (M.C.); (M.B.K.); (I.D.)
| | - Melissa Nguyen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1100 N. Lindsay, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (E.K.D.); (M.N.); (J.A.J.)
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; 825 NE 13 Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.M.C.); (C.O.F.); (M.C.); (M.B.K.); (I.D.)
| | - Michael Centola
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; 825 NE 13 Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.M.C.); (C.O.F.); (M.C.); (M.B.K.); (I.D.)
- Microarray Research Facility, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Mark Barton Frank
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; 825 NE 13 Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.M.C.); (C.O.F.); (M.C.); (M.B.K.); (I.D.)
- Microarray Research Facility, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Igor Dozmorov
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; 825 NE 13 Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.M.C.); (C.O.F.); (M.C.); (M.B.K.); (I.D.)
| | - Judith A. James
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1100 N. Lindsay, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (E.K.D.); (M.N.); (J.A.J.)
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; 825 NE 13 Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.M.C.); (C.O.F.); (M.C.); (M.B.K.); (I.D.)
| | - A. Darise Farris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1100 N. Lindsay, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (E.K.D.); (M.N.); (J.A.J.)
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; 825 NE 13 Street, MS 53, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (P.M.C.); (C.O.F.); (M.C.); (M.B.K.); (I.D.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; ; Tel.: +1-405-271-7389; Fax: +1-405-271-706
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Smyth LJC, Eustace A, Kolsum U, Blaikely J, Singh D. Increased airway T regulatory cells in asthmatic subjects. Chest 2010; 138:905-12. [PMID: 20453071 DOI: 10.1378/chest.09-3079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T regulatory cells (Tregs) may play a role in the suppression of effector lymphocyte activity in asthma. We hypothesized that Treg numbers would be increased in patients with more severe asthma. We also investigated the regulatory function of CD4 cells by expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), and the number of these cells that are intraepithelial lymphocytes expressing CD103. OBJECTIVES The primary aim was to investigate Treg numbers in the BAL of patients with moderate to severe asthma compared with mild asthma and healthy controls. The secondary aim was to investigate BAL CD4(+)CTLA4 and CD4(+)CD103 expression in these groups. METHODS Airway lymphocytes obtained by bronchoscopy from healthy control subjects (six) and patients with mild (15) and moderate to severe (13) asthma were characterized by multiparameter flow cytometric analysis using three methods to determine the numbers of CD4(+) Treg cells: CD4(+)CD25(bright), CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-), and CD4(+)FoxP3(+). RESULTS The %CD4(+)FoxP3(+) Tregs were increased in the BAL of patients with moderate to severe asthma (median 4.8%) compared with both mild asthma patients (median 2.5%, P = .03) and healthy subjects (median 0.95, P = .003). Similar findings were observed for CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-) Treg numbers, but not CD4CD25(bright). CD4(+) CTLA4 and CD103 expressions were raised in moderate to severe asthma patients compared with those with mild asthma and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS The number of cells displaying regulatory capacity, either through FoxP3 expression or CTLA4 expression, is increased in moderate to severe asthma. CD4(+)CD103(+) intraepithelial lymphocytes can be retained at tissue sites of inflammation; our findings indicate a role for these cells in asthma pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy J C Smyth
- University of Manchester, NIHR Translational Research Facility, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, England.
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Mehta J, Genin A, Brunner M, Scalzi LV, Mishra N, Beukelman T, Cron RQ. Prolonged expression of CD154 on CD4 T cells from pediatric lupus patients correlates with increased CD154 transcription, increased nuclear factor of activated T cell activity, and glomerulonephritis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 62:2499-509. [PMID: 20506525 DOI: 10.1002/art.27554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess CD154 expression in patients with pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to explore a transcriptional mechanism that may explain dysregulated expression of CD154. METHODS Cell surface CD154 expression (pre- and postactivation) in peripheral blood CD4 T cells from 29 children with lupus and 29 controls matched for age, sex, and ethnicity was examined by flow cytometry. CD154 expression was correlated with clinical features, laboratory parameters, and treatments received. Increased CD154 expression on CD4 T cells from the SLE patients was correlated with CD154 message and transcription rates by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nuclear run-on assays, respectively. Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NF-AT) transcription activity and mRNA levels in CD4 T cells from SLE patients were explored by reporter gene analysis and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS CD154 surface protein levels were increased 1.44-fold in CD4 T cells from SLE patients as compared with controls in cells evaluated 1 day postactivation ex vivo. This increase correlated clinically with the presence of nephritis and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Increased CD154 protein levels also correlated with increased CD154 mRNA levels and with CD154 transcription rates, particularly at later time points following T cell activation. Reporter gene analyses revealed a trend for increased NF-AT, but decreased activator protein 1 and similar NF-kappaB, activity in CD4 T cells from SLE patients as compared with controls. Moreover, NF-AT1 and, in particular, NF-AT2 mRNA levels were notably increased in CD4 T cells from SLE patients as compared with controls. CONCLUSION Following activation, cell surface CD154 is increased on CD4 T cells from pediatric lupus patients as compared with controls, and this increase correlates with the presence of nephritis, increased CD154 transcription rates, and increased NF-AT activity. These results suggest that NF-AT/calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus and cyclosporine, may be beneficial in the treatment of lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Mehta
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
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Sadlon TJ, Wilkinson BG, Pederson S, Brown CY, Bresatz S, Gargett T, Melville EL, Peng K, D'Andrea RJ, Glonek GG, Goodall GJ, Zola H, Shannon MF, Barry SC. Genome-wide identification of human FOXP3 target genes in natural regulatory T cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 185:1071-81. [PMID: 20554955 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1000082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor FOXP3 is essential for the formation and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and Tregs are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis and tolerance. This is demonstrated by a lethal autoimmune defect in mice lacking Foxp3 and in immunodysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy X-linked syndrome patients. However, little is known about the molecular basis of human FOXP3 function or the relationship between direct and indirect targets of FOXP3 in human Tregs. To investigate this, we have performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis for human FOXP3 target genes from cord blood Tregs using chromatin immunoprecipitation array profiling and expression profiling. We have identified 5579 human FOXP3 target genes and derived a core Treg gene signature conserved across species using mouse chromatin immunoprecipitation data sets. A total of 739 of the 5579 FOXP3 target genes were differentially regulated in Tregs compared with Th cells, thus allowing the identification of a number of pathways and biological functions overrepresented in Tregs. We have identified gene families including cell surface molecules and microRNAs that are differentially expressed in FOXP3(+) Tregs. In particular, we have identified a novel role for peptidase inhibitor 16, which is expressed on the cell surface of >80% of resting human CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Tregs, suggesting that in conjunction with CD25 peptidase inhibitor 16 may be a surrogate surface marker for Tregs with potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Sadlon
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Huber SA. Autoimmunity in Coxsackievirus B3 induced myocarditis: role of estrogen in suppressing autoimmunity. Future Virol 2010; 5:273-286. [PMID: 20963181 DOI: 10.2217/fvl.10.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Picornaviruses are small, non-enveloped, single stranded, positive sense RNA viruses which cause multiple diseases including myocarditis/dilated cardiomyopathy, type 1 diabetes, encephalitis, myositis, orchitis and hepatitis. Although picornaviruses directly kill cells, tissue injury primarily results from autoimmunity to self antigens. Viruses induce autoimmunity by: aborting deletion of self-reactive T cells during T cell ontogeny; reversing anergy of peripheral autoimmune T cells; eliminating T regulatory cells; stimulating self-reactive T cells through antigenic mimicry or cryptic epitopes; and acting as an adjuvant for self molecules released during virus infection. Most autoimmune diseases (SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, Grave's disease) predominate in females, but diseases associated with picornavirus infections predominate in males. T regulatory cells are activated in infected females because of the combined effects of estrogen and innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- SA Huber
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont, 208 S Park Drive, Colchester, VT 05446, USA
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Abstract
The Ca(2+) dependent transcription factor family known as nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) has been shown to be important in T-cell immune responses. Because NFAT proteins have a weak DNA-binding capacity, they cooperate with other transcription factors at composite sites within the promoters of target genes. Recently, NFAT was shown to also be important for the induction of specific genetic programs that guide the differentiation and effector or regulatory activities of CD4(+) T helper subsets via the transcriptional regulation of their lineage-specific transcription factors, specifically T-bet (Th1), Gata3 (Th2), RORgammat (Th17), and Foxp3 (iTregs). In addition, the NFAT family governs the transcription of several signature cytokines, including their cytokine receptors. Subsequently, the integration of these complex intracellular signal transduction cascades is considered to critically determine the crosstalk between the T-cell receptor and receptors that are activated by both the adaptive and innate immune systems to determine pathways of T helper cell differentiation and function. Here, we carefully review the critical role of the established transcriptional partners and functional outcomes of these NFAT interactions in regard to the effector responses of these clinically relevant CD4(+) T helper subsets.
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Dozmorov I, Lefkovits I. Internal standard-based analysis of microarray data. Part 1: analysis of differential gene expressions. Nucleic Acids Res 2009; 37:6323-39. [PMID: 19720734 PMCID: PMC2770671 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-scale microarray experiments for comparative analysis of gene expressions produce massive amounts of information. Traditional statistical approaches fail to achieve the required accuracy in sensitivity and specificity of the analysis. Since the problem can be resolved neither by increasing the number of replicates nor by manipulating thresholds, one needs a novel approach to the analysis. This article describes methods to improve the power of microarray analyses by defining internal standards to characterize features of the biological system being studied and the technological processes underlying the microarray experiments. Applying these methods, internal standards are identified and then the obtained parameters are used to define (i) genes that are distinct in their expression from background; (ii) genes that are differentially expressed; and finally (iii) genes that have similar dynamical behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Dozmorov
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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