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Peeters JGC, Silveria S, Ozdemir M, Ramachandran S, DuPage M. Hyperactivating EZH2 to augment H3K27me3 levels in regulatory T cells enhances immune suppression by driving early effector differentiation. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114724. [PMID: 39264807 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The immunosuppressive function of regulatory T (Treg) cells is essential for maintaining immune homeostasis. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methyltransferase, plays a key role in maintaining Treg cell function upon CD28 co-stimulation, and Ezh2 deletion in Treg cells causes autoimmunity. Here, we assess whether increasing H3K27me3 levels, by using an Ezh2Y641F gain-of-function mutation, will improve Treg cell function. We find that Treg cells expressing Ezh2Y641F display an effector Treg phenotype, are poised for improved homing to organ tissues, and can accelerate remission from autoimmunity. The H3K27me3 landscape and transcriptome of naive Ezh2Y641F Treg cells exhibit a redistribution of H3K27me3 modifications that recapitulates the gene expression profile of activated Ezh2WT Treg cells after CD28 co-stimulation. Altogether, increased H3K27me3 levels promote the differentiation of effector Treg cells that can better suppress autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janneke G C Peeters
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Stephanie Silveria
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Merve Ozdemir
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Srinivas Ramachandran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Michel DuPage
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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2
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Peeters JGC, Silveria S, Ozdemir M, Ramachandran S, DuPage M. Increased EZH2 function in regulatory T cells promotes their capacity to suppress autoimmunity by driving effector differentiation prior to activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.05.588284. [PMID: 38645261 PMCID: PMC11030251 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.05.588284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive function of regulatory T (Treg) cells is essential for maintaining immune homeostasis. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methyltransferase, plays a key role in maintaining Treg cell function upon CD28 co-stimulation, and Ezh2 deletion in Treg cells causes autoimmunity. Here we assessed whether increased EZH2 activity in Treg cells would improve Treg cell function. Using an Ezh2 gain-of-function mutation, Ezh2 Y641F , we found that Treg cells expressing Ezh2 Y641F displayed an increased effector Treg phenotype and were poised for improved homing to organ tissues. Expression of Ezh2 Y641F in Treg cells led to more rapid remission from autoimmunity. H3K27me3 profiling and transcriptomic analysis revealed a redistribution of H3K27me3, which prompted a gene expression profile in naïve Ezh2 Y641F Treg cells that recapitulated aspects of CD28-activated Ezh2 WT Treg cells. Altogether, increased EZH2 activity promotes the differentiation of effector Treg cells that can better suppress autoimmunity. Highlights EZH2 function promotes effector differentiation of Treg cells.EZH2 function promotes Treg cell migration to organ tissues.EZH2 function in Treg cells improves remission from autoimmunity.EZH2 function poises naïve Treg cells to adopt a CD28-activated phenotype.
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3
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Carbone F, Russo C, Colamatteo A, La Rocca C, Fusco C, Matarese A, Procaccini C, Matarese G. Cellular and molecular signaling towards T cell immunological self-tolerance. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107134. [PMID: 38432631 PMCID: PMC10981134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The binding of a cognate antigen to T cell receptor (TCR) complex triggers a series of intracellular events controlling T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation. Upon TCR engagement, different negative regulatory feedback mechanisms are rapidly activated to counterbalance T cell activation, thus preventing excessive signal propagation and promoting the induction of immunological self-tolerance. Both positive and negative regulatory processes are tightly controlled to ensure the effective elimination of foreign antigens while limiting surrounding tissue damage and autoimmunity. In this context, signals deriving from co-stimulatory molecules (i.e., CD80, CD86), co-inhibitory receptors (PD-1, CTLA-4), the tyrosine phosphatase CD45 and cytokines such as IL-2 synergize with TCR-derived signals to guide T cell fate and differentiation. The balance of these mechanisms is also crucial for the generation of CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, a cellular subset involved in the control of immunological self-tolerance. This review provides an overview of the most relevant pathways induced by TCR activation combined with those derived from co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules implicated in the cell-intrinsic modulation of T cell activation. In addition to the latter, we dissected mechanisms responsible for T cell-mediated suppression of immune cell activation through regulatory T cell generation, homeostasis, and effector functions. We also discuss how imbalanced signaling derived from TCR and accessory molecules can contribute to autoimmune disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fortunata Carbone
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Napoli, Italy; Unità di Neuroimmunologia, IRCCS-Fondazione Santa Lucia, Roma, Italy
| | - Claudia Russo
- D.A.I. Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandra Colamatteo
- Treg Cell Lab, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia La Rocca
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Napoli, Italy
| | - Clorinda Fusco
- Treg Cell Lab, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandro Matarese
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Procaccini
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Napoli, Italy; Unità di Neuroimmunologia, IRCCS-Fondazione Santa Lucia, Roma, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Matarese
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto per l'Endocrinologia e l'Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Napoli, Italy; Treg Cell Lab, Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.
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4
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Yahsi B, Palaz F, Dincer P. Applications of CRISPR Epigenome Editors in Tumor Immunology and Autoimmunity. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:413-427. [PMID: 38298016 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, CRISPR-Cas systems have become indispensable tools for genetic engineering and have been used in clinical trials for various diseases. Beyond genome editing, CRISPR-Cas systems can also be used for performing programmable epigenetic modifications. Recent efforts in enhancing CRISPR-based epigenome modifiers have yielded potent tools enabling targeted DNA methylation/demethylation capable of sustaining epigenetic memory through numerous cell divisions. Moreover, it has been understood that during chronic inflammatory states, including cancer, T cells encounter a state called T cell exhaustion that involves elevated inhibitory receptors (e.g., LAG-3, TIM3, PD-1, CD39) and reduced effector T cell-related protein levels (IFN-γ, granzyme B, and perforin). Importantly, epigenetic dysregulation has been identified as one of the key drivers of T cell exhaustion, and it remains one of the biggest obstacles in the field of immunotherapy and decreases the efficiency of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy. Similarly, autoimmune diseases exhibit epigenetically dysfunctional regulatory T (Treg) cells. For instance, FOXP3 intronic regions, known as conserved noncoding sequences, display hypomethylation in healthy states but hypermethylation in pathological contexts. Therefore, the reversal of epigenetic dysregulation in cancer and autoimmune diseases using CRISPR-based epigenome modifiers has important therapeutic implications. In this review, we outline the progressive refinement of CRISPR-based epigenome modifiers and explore their potential therapeutic applications in tumor immunology and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berkay Yahsi
- Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Fahreddin Palaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Pervin Dincer
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
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5
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Malviya V, Yshii L, Junius S, Garg AD, Humblet-Baron S, Schlenner SM. Regulatory T-cell stability and functional plasticity in health and disease. Immunol Cell Biol 2023; 101:112-129. [PMID: 36479949 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
FOXP3-expressing regulatory T cells (Treg ) are indispensable for immune homeostasis and tolerance, and in addition tissue-resident Treg have been found to perform noncanonical, tissue-specific functions. For optimal tolerogenic function during inflammatory disease, Treg are equipped with mechanisms that assure lineage stability. Treg lineage stability is closely linked to the installation and maintenance of a lineage-specific epigenetic landscape, specifically a Treg -specific DNA demethylation pattern. At the same time, for local and directed immune regulation Treg must possess a level of functional plasticity that requires them to partially acquire T helper cell (TH ) transcriptional programs-then referred to as TH -like Treg . Unleashing TH programs in Treg , however, is not without risk and may threaten the epigenetic stability of Treg with consequently pathogenic ex-Treg contributing to (auto-) inflammatory conditions. Here, we review how the Treg -stabilizing epigenetic landscape is installed and maintained, and further discuss the development, necessity and lineage instability risks of TH 1-, TH 2-, TH 17-like Treg and follicular Treg .
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanshika Malviya
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lidia Yshii
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steffie Junius
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abhishek D Garg
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Humblet-Baron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susan M Schlenner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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6
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Giri S, Meitei HT, Sonar SA, Shaligram S, Lal G. In vitro-induced Foxp3 + CD8 + regulatory T cells suppress allergic IgE response in the gut. J Leukoc Biol 2022; 112:1497-1507. [PMID: 36000308 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5a0122-027r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Several subsets of CD8+ T cells are known to have a suppressive function in different tissues and diseases in mice and humans. Due to the lack of a consensus on the phenotype of regulatory CD8+ T cells and very low frequency in the body, its clinical use as adoptive cellular therapy has not advanced much. In the present work, using DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (Aza), we efficiently and stably differentiated naïve CD8+ T cells (CD8+ CD25- CD44- cells) into the CD8+ Foxp3+ regulatory CD8+ T cells (CD8 Tregs). We also generated OVA peptide257-264 -specific CD8+ Foxp3+ Tregs. Compared with activated CD8 T cells, Aza plus TGF-β-induced CD8+ Foxp3+ Tregs showed significantly increased surface expression of CD39, CD73, CD122, CD62L, and CD103, and secreted TGF-β and suppressed the proliferation of effector CD4+ T cells. Interestingly, CD8+ Foxp3+ Tregs exhibited low expression of perforin and granzyme required for cytotoxic function. Analysis of chemokine receptors showed that TGF-β + Aza induced CD8+ Foxp3+ Tregs expressed gut-tropic chemokine receptors CCR6 and CCR9, and chemokine receptors CCR7 and CXCR3 required for mobilization into the spleen, lymph nodes, and gut-associated lymphoid tissues. Adoptive transfer of induced CD8+ Foxp3+ Tregs restored cholera toxin-induced breakdown of oral tolerance to OVA by regulating OVA-specific IgE and IgG1. Altogether, we showed an efficient method to generate antigen-specific CD8+ Foxp3+ Tregs, and the adoptive transfer of these cells induces oral tolerance by suppressing allergic response and maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Giri
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | | | - Sandip Ashok Sonar
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Saumitra Shaligram
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Girdhari Lal
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
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7
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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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8
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Long X, Luo C, Zhu Z. Role of CNSs Conserved Distal Cis-Regulatory Elements in CD4 + T Cell Development and Differentiation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:919550. [PMID: 35812386 PMCID: PMC9260786 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.919550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Naïve CD4+ T cells differentiate into diverse subsets of effector cells and perform various homeostatic and immune functions. The differentiation and maintenance of these different subsets are controlled through the upregulation and silencing of master genes. Mechanistic studies of the regulation of these master genes identified conserved and distal intronic regulatory elements, which are accessible subsets of conserved non-coding sequences (CNSs), acting as cis-regulatory elements in a lineage-specific manner that controls the function of CD4+ T cells. Abnormal CNS activity is associated with incorrect expression of master genes and development of autoimmune diseases or immune suppression. Here, we describe the function of several conserved, distal cis-regulatory elements at the Foxp3, Rorc, Il-4, Il-10 and Il-17 gene locus were shown to play important roles in CD4+ T cells differentiation. Together, this review briefly outlines currently known CNSs, with a focus on their regulations and functions in complexes modulating the differentiation and maintenance of various CD4+ T cells subsets, in health and disease contexts, as well as during the conversion of T regulatory cells to T helper 17 cells. This article will provide a comprehensive view of CNSs conserved distal cis-regulatory elements at a few loci that control aspects of CD4+ T cells function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunyi Long
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chen Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhengming Zhu, ; Chen Luo,
| | - Zhengming Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhengming Zhu, ; Chen Luo,
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9
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Le Menn G, Jabłońska A, Chen Z. The effects of post-translational modifications on Th17/Treg cell differentiation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2022; 1869:119223. [PMID: 35120998 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells and Th17 cells are subsets of CD4+ T cells which play an essential role in immune homeostasis and infection. Dysregulation of the Th17/Treg cell balance was shown to be implicated in the development and progression of several disorders such as autoimmune disease, inflammatory disease, and cancer. Multiple factors, including T cell receptor (TCR) signals, cytokines, metabolic and epigenetic regulators can influence the differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells and affect their balance. Accumulating evidence indicates that the activity of key molecules such as forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), the retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)s are modulated by the number of post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, methylation, nitrosylation, acetylation, glycosylation, lipidation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation. PTMs might affect the protein folding efficiency and protein conformational stability, and consequently determine protein structure, localization, and function. Here, we review the recent progress in our understanding of how PTMs modify the key molecules involved in the Th17/Treg cell differentiation, regulate the Th17/Treg balance, and initiate autoimmune diseases caused by dysregulation of the Th17/Treg balance. A better understanding of Th17/Treg regulation may help to develop novel potential therapeutics to treat immune-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaëlle Le Menn
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Agnieszka Jabłońska
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, University of Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Zhi Chen
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, University of Gdańsk, Poland.
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10
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Sarkar T, Dhar S, Chakraborty D, Pati S, Bose S, Panda AK, Basak U, Chakraborty S, Mukherjee S, Guin A, Jana K, Sarkar DK, Sa G. FOXP3/HAT1 Axis Controls Treg Infiltration in the Tumor Microenvironment by Inducing CCR4 Expression in Breast Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:740588. [PMID: 35222362 PMCID: PMC8863663 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.740588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Infiltrating T-regulatory cells in the tumor microenvironment is a key impediment to immunotherapy and is linked to a poor prognosis. We found that tumor-infiltrating Tregs express a higher expression of the chemokine receptor CCR4 than peripheral Tregs in breast cancer patients. CCL22 and CCL17 are released by tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages, attracting CCR4+ Tregs to the tumor site. The Treg lineage-specific transcription factor FOXP3 changes the CCR4 promoter epigenetically in conjunction with HAT1 to provide a space for FOXP3 binding and activation of the CCR4 gene. To increase CCR4 expression in Tregs, the FOXP3/HAT1 axis is required for permissive (K23 and K27) or repressive (K14 and K18) acetylation of histone-3. In murine breast and melanoma tumor models, genetic ablation of FOXP3 reduced CCR4+ Treg infiltration and tumor size while also restoring anti-tumor immunity. Overexpression of FOXP3, on the other hand, increased CCR4+ Treg infiltration, resulting in a decreased anti-tumor immune response and tumor progression. These findings point to FOXP3 playing a new role in the tumor microenvironment as a transcriptional activator of CCR4 and a regulator of Treg infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Sarkar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Subhanki Dhar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Subhadip Pati
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Sayantan Bose
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Abir K. Panda
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Udit Basak
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Sumon Mukherjee
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Aharna Guin
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Kuladip Jana
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Diptendra K. Sarkar
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research-Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital (IPGMER-SSKM) Hospital, Kolkata, India
| | - Gaurisankar Sa
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
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11
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Onodera A, Kiuchi M, Kokubo K, Nakayama T. Epigenetic regulation of inflammation by CxxC domain‐containing proteins*. Immunol Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.13056
expr 964170082 + 969516512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Onodera
- Department of Immunology Graduate School of Medicine Chiba University Chiba Japan
- Institute for Global Prominent Research Chiba University Chiba Japan
| | - Masahiro Kiuchi
- Department of Immunology Graduate School of Medicine Chiba University Chiba Japan
| | - Kota Kokubo
- Department of Immunology Graduate School of Medicine Chiba University Chiba Japan
| | - Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology Graduate School of Medicine Chiba University Chiba Japan
- AMED‐CREST, AMED Chiba Japan
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12
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Onodera A, Kiuchi M, Kokubo K, Nakayama T. Epigenetic regulation of inflammation by CxxC domain-containing proteins. Immunol Rev 2021; 305:137-151. [PMID: 34935162 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of gene transcription in the immune system is important for proper control of protective and pathogenic inflammation. Aberrant epigenetic modifications are often associated with dysregulation of the immune cells, including lymphocytes and macrophages, leading to pathogenic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Two classical epigenetic markers-histone modifications and DNA cytosine methylation, the latter is the 5 position of the cytosine base in the context of CpG dinucleotides-play multiple roles in the immune system. CxxC domain-containing proteins, which basically bind to the non-methylated CpG (i.e., epigenetic "readers"), often function as "writers" of the epigenetic markers via their catalytic domain within the proteins or by interacting with other epigenetic modifiers. We herein report the most recent advances in our understanding of the functions of CxxC domain-containing proteins in the immune system and inflammation, mainly focusing on T cells and macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Onodera
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Institute for Global Prominent Research, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kiuchi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kota Kokubo
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED, Chiba, Japan
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13
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Li J, Xu B, He M, Zong X, Cunningham T, Sha C, Fan Y, Cross R, Hanna JH, Feng Y. Control of Foxp3 induction and maintenance by sequential histone acetylation and DNA demethylation. Cell Rep 2021; 37:110124. [PMID: 34910919 PMCID: PMC8711072 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells play crucial roles in suppressing deleterious immune response. Here, we investigate how Treg cells are mechanistically induced in vitro (iTreg) and stabilized via transcriptional regulation of Treg lineage-specifying factor Foxp3. We find that acetylation of histone tails at the Foxp3 promoter is required for inducing Foxp3 transcription. Upon induction, histone acetylation signals via bromodomain-containing proteins, particularly targets of inhibitor JQ1, and sustains Foxp3 transcription via a global or trans effect. Subsequently, Tet-mediated DNA demethylation of Foxp3 cis-regulatory elements, mainly enhancer CNS2, increases chromatin accessibility and protein binding, stabilizing Foxp3 transcription and obviating the need for the histone acetylation signal. These processes transform stochastic iTreg induction into a stable cell fate, with the former sensitive and the latter resistant to genetic and environmental perturbations. Thus, sequential histone acetylation and DNA demethylation in Foxp3 induction and maintenance reflect stepwise mechanical switches governing iTreg cell lineage specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Minghong He
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xinying Zong
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Trevor Cunningham
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Cher Sha
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yiping Fan
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Richard Cross
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yongqiang Feng
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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14
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Li J, Li L, Wang Y, Huang G, Li X, Xie Z, Zhou Z. Insights Into the Role of DNA Methylation in Immune Cell Development and Autoimmune Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:757318. [PMID: 34790667 PMCID: PMC8591242 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.757318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, nearly 100 autoimmune diseases have been an area of focus, and these diseases bring health challenges to approximately 5% of the population worldwide. As a type of disease caused by tolerance breakdown, both environmental and genetic risk factors contribute to autoimmune disease development. However, in most cases, there are still gaps in our understanding of disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Therefore, more detailed knowledge of disease pathogenesis and potential therapies is indispensable. DNA methylation, which does not affect the DNA sequence, is one of the key epigenetic silencing mechanisms and has been indicated to play a key role in gene expression regulation and to participate in the development of certain autoimmune diseases. Potential epigenetic regulation via DNA methylation has garnered more attention as a disease biomarker in recent years. In this review, we clarify the basic function and distribution of DNA methylation, evaluate its effects on gene expression and discuss related key enzymes. In addition, we summarize recent aberrant DNA methylation modifications identified in the most important cell types related to several autoimmune diseases and then provide potential directions for better diagnosing and monitoring disease progression driven by epigenetic control, which may broaden our understanding and contribute to further epigenetic research in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology (Central South University), Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lifang Li
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yimeng Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology (Central South University), Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gan Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology (Central South University), Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xia Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology (Central South University), Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiguo Xie
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology (Central South University), Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology (Central South University), Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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15
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Piotrowska M, Gliwiński M, Trzonkowski P, Iwaszkiewicz-Grzes D. Regulatory T Cells-Related Genes Are under DNA Methylation Influence. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7144. [PMID: 34281195 PMCID: PMC8267835 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) exert a highly suppressive function in the immune system. Disturbances in their function predispose an individual to autoimmune dysregulation, with a predominance of the pro-inflammatory environment. Besides Foxp3, which is a master regulator of these cells, other genes (e.g., Il2ra, Ctla4, Tnfrsf18, Ikzf2, and Ikzf4) are also involved in Tregs development and function. Multidimensional Tregs suppression is determined by factors that are believed to be crucial in the action of Tregs-related genes. Among them, epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, tend to be widely studied over the past few years. DNA methylation acts as a repressive mark, leading to diminished gene expression. Given the role of increased CpG methylation upon Tregs imprinting and functional stability, alterations in the methylation pattern can cause an imbalance in the immune response. Due to the fact that epigenetic changes can be reversible, so-called epigenetic modifiers are broadly used in order to improve Tregs performance. In this review, we place emphasis on the role of DNA methylation of the genes that are key regulators of Tregs function. We also discuss disease settings that have an impact on the methylation status of Tregs and systematize the usefulness of epigenetic drugs as factors able to influence Tregs functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dorota Iwaszkiewicz-Grzes
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.P.); (M.G.); (P.T.)
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16
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Abstract
T lymphocytes undergo carefully orchestrated programming during development in the thymus and subsequently during differentiation in the periphery. This intricate specification allows for cell-type and context-specific transcriptional programs that regulate immune responses to infection and malignancy. Epigenetic changes, including histone modifications and covalent modification of DNA itself through DNA methylation, are now recognized to play a critical role in these cell-fate decisions. DNA methylation is mediated primarily by the actions of the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and ten-eleven-translocation (TET) families of epigenetic enzymes. In this review, we discuss the role of DNA methylation and its enzymatic regulators in directing the development and differentiation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis O Correa
- Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Martha S Jordan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Shannon A Carty
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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17
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Cameron J, Martino P, Nguyen L, Li X. Cutting Edge: CRISPR-Based Transcriptional Regulators Reveal Transcription-Dependent Establishment of Epigenetic Memory of Foxp3 in Regulatory T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:2953-2958. [PMID: 33139491 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factor Foxp3 specifies and maintains regulatory T cell (Treg) identity. During Treg differentiation, a CpG-rich Foxp3 intronic enhancer, conserved noncoding sequence 2 (CNS2), is activated via DNA demethylation to establish epigenetic memory of Foxp3 expression to protect Treg identity. However, it is unclear how this epigenetic memory of Foxp3 expression is established, as CNS2 is thought to be demethylated independently of Foxp3 expression. In this article, we uncover an unexpected causal relationship between Foxp3-transcriptional activation and CNS2 demethylation in mice. CRISPR/dCas9-mediated Foxp3-transcriptional activation elicits CNS2 demethylation. Sustaining Foxp3-transcriptional activation in induced Tregs also promotes CNS2 demethylation, enhancing Treg lineage stability and suppressive function. Importantly, CRISPR-mediated silencing of Foxp3 transcription, but not protein expression, abolishes CNS2 demethylation. The novel finding that Foxp3-transcriptional activation promotes CNS2 demethylation may facilitate the development of Treg-based therapies and represent a general mechanism for the establishment of epigenetic memory of immune gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Cameron
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111; and
| | - Pieter Martino
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111
| | - Lina Nguyen
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111
| | - Xudong Li
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111; and .,Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111
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18
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Zeng B, Chen T, Luo JY, Zhang L, Xi QY, Jiang QY, Sun JJ, Zhang YL. Biological Characteristics and Roles of Noncoding RNAs in Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. Adv Nutr 2020; 12:1006-1019. [PMID: 33080010 PMCID: PMC8166544 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmaa124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have diverse roles in the transport of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells, and they serve as mediators of intercellular communication. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are present in EVs, including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have been found to participate in complex networks of interactions and regulate a wide variety of genes in animals. Milk is an important source of nutrition for humans and other mammals. Evidence suggests that milk-derived EVs contain abundant ncRNAs, which are stable and can be transported to the offspring and other consumers. Current data suggest a strong link between milk EV ncRNAs and many biological processes, and these ncRNAs have been drawing increasing attention and might play an epigenetic regulatory role in recipients, though further research is still necessary to understand their precise roles. The present review introduces basic information about milk EV ncRNAs, summarizes their expression profiles, biological characteristics, and functions based on current knowledge, and discusses their biological roles, indeterminate issues, and perspectives. Our goal is to provide a deeper understanding of the physiological effects of milk EV ncRNAs on offspring and to provide a reference for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Yi Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian-Yun Xi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Yan Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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19
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Loo CS, Gatchalian J, Liang Y, Leblanc M, Xie M, Ho J, Venkatraghavan B, Hargreaves DC, Zheng Y. A Genome-wide CRISPR Screen Reveals a Role for the Non-canonical Nucleosome-Remodeling BAF Complex in Foxp3 Expression and Regulatory T Cell Function. Immunity 2020; 53:143-157.e8. [PMID: 32640256 PMCID: PMC7341821 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a pivotal role in suppressing auto-reactive T cells and maintaining immune homeostasis. Treg cell development and function are dependent on the transcription factor Foxp3. Here, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR loss-of-function screen to identify Foxp3 regulators in mouse primary Treg cells. Foxp3 regulators were enriched in genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF nucleosome-remodeling and SAGA chromatin-modifying complexes. Among the three SWI/SNF-related complexes, the Brd9-containing non-canonical (nc) BAF complex promoted Foxp3 expression, whereas the PBAF complex was repressive. Chemical-induced degradation of Brd9 led to reduced Foxp3 expression and reduced Treg cell function in vitro. Brd9 ablation compromised Treg cell function in inflammatory disease and tumor immunity in vivo. Furthermore, Brd9 promoted Foxp3 binding and expression of a subset of Foxp3 target genes. Our findings provide an unbiased analysis of the genetic networks regulating Foxp3 and reveal ncBAF as a target for therapeutic manipulation of Treg cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-San Loo
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jovylyn Gatchalian
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuqiong Liang
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mathias Leblanc
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mingjun Xie
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Josephine Ho
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Bhargav Venkatraghavan
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Diana C Hargreaves
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, 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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20
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Lio CWJ, Huang SCC. Circles of Life: linking metabolic and epigenetic cycles to immunity. Immunology 2020; 161:165-174. [PMID: 32418209 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolites are the essential substrates for epigenetic modification enzymes to write or erase the epigenetic blueprint in cells. Hence, the availability of nutrients and activity of metabolic pathways strongly influence the enzymatic function. Recent studies have shed light on the choreography between metabolome and epigenome in the control of immune cell differentiation and function, with a major focus on histone modifications. Yet, despite its importance in gene regulation, DNA methylation and its relationship with metabolism is relatively unclear. In this review, we will describe how the metabolic flux can influence epigenetic networks in innate and adaptive immune cells, with a focus on the DNA methylation cycle and the metabolites S-adenosylmethionine and α-ketoglutarate. Future directions will be discussed for this rapidly emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Wang Jerry Lio
- Division of Signaling and Gene Expression, La Jolla Institute, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stanley Ching-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
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21
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Garg G, Muschaweckh A, Moreno H, Vasanthakumar A, Floess S, Lepennetier G, Oellinger R, Zhan Y, Regen T, Hiltensperger M, Peter C, Aly L, Knier B, Palam LR, Kapur R, Kaplan MH, Waisman A, Rad R, Schotta G, Huehn J, Kallies A, Korn T. Blimp1 Prevents Methylation of Foxp3 and Loss of Regulatory T Cell Identity at Sites of Inflammation. Cell Rep 2020; 26:1854-1868.e5. [PMID: 30759395 PMCID: PMC6389594 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.01.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells restrict immune pathology in inflamed tissues; however, an inflammatory environment presents a threat to Treg cell identity and function. Here, we establish a transcriptional signature of central nervous system (CNS) Treg cells that accumulate during experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) and identify a pathway that maintains Treg cell function and identity during severe inflammation. This pathway is dependent on the transcriptional regulator Blimp1, which prevents downregulation of Foxp3 expression and “toxic” gain-of-function of Treg cells in the inflamed CNS. Blimp1 negatively regulates IL-6- and STAT3-dependent Dnmt3a expression and function restraining methylation of Treg cell-specific conserved non-coding sequence 2 (CNS2) in the Foxp3 locus. Consequently, CNS2 is heavily methylated when Blimp1 is ablated, leading to a loss of Foxp3 expression and severe disease. These findings identify a Blimp1-dependent pathway that preserves Treg cell stability in inflamed non-lymphoid tissues. Most Foxp3+ Treg cells in the inflamed CNS express Blimp1 Blimp1 inhibits Dnmt3a and prevents methylation of the Foxp3 locus IL-6 contributes to methylation of the Foxp3 locus in a Dnmt3a-dependent manner Blimp1 counteracts the IL-6-driven destabilization of Treg cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Garg
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Experimental Neuroimmunology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Muschaweckh
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Experimental Neuroimmunology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Helena Moreno
- Biomedical Center (BMC) and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Grosshaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ajithkumar Vasanthakumar
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth St., Melbourne Victoria 3000, Australia; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Stefan Floess
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gildas Lepennetier
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Experimental Neuroimmunology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Oellinger
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, TranslaTUM Cancer Center, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany; Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Medicine II, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Yifan Zhan
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth St., Melbourne Victoria 3000, Australia; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Tommy Regen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Hiltensperger
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Experimental Neuroimmunology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Peter
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Experimental Neuroimmunology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Lilian Aly
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Experimental Neuroimmunology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Feodor-Lynen-Str. 17, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Benjamin Knier
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Experimental Neuroimmunology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Lakshmi Reddy Palam
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Reuben Kapur
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Mark H Kaplan
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Ari Waisman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, TranslaTUM Cancer Center, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany; Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Medicine II, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Gunnar Schotta
- Biomedical Center (BMC) and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Grosshaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Axel Kallies
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth St., Melbourne Victoria 3000, Australia; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Thomas Korn
- Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Department of Experimental Neuroimmunology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Feodor-Lynen-Str. 17, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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22
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Scherm MG, Daniel C. miRNA-Mediated Immune Regulation in Islet Autoimmunity and Type 1 Diabetes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:606322. [PMID: 33329406 PMCID: PMC7731293 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.606322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The important role of microRNAs as major modulators of various physiological processes, including immune regulation and homeostasis, has been increasingly recognized. Consequently, aberrant miRNA expression contributes to the defective regulation of T cell development, differentiation, and function. This can result in immune activation and impaired tolerance mechanisms, which exert a cardinal function for the onset of islet autoimmunity and the progression to T1D. The specific impact of miRNAs for immune regulation and how miRNAs and their downstream targets are involved in the pathogenesis of islet autoimmunity and T1D has been investigated recently. These studies revealed that increased expression of individual miRNAs is involved in several layers of tolerance impairments, such as inefficient Treg induction and Treg instability. The targeted modulation of miRNAs using specific inhibitors, resulting in improved immune homeostasis, as well as improved methods for the targeting of miRNAs, suggest that miRNAs, especially in T cells, are a promising target for the reestablishment of immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin G. Scherm
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Group Immune Tolerance in Type 1 Diabetes, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Carolin Daniel
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Group Immune Tolerance in Type 1 Diabetes, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Carolin Daniel,
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23
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Scherm MG, Serr I, Zahm AM, Schug J, Bellusci S, Manfredini R, Salb VK, Gerlach K, Weigmann B, Ziegler AG, Kaestner KH, Daniel C. miRNA142-3p targets Tet2 and impairs Treg differentiation and stability in models of type 1 diabetes. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5697. [PMID: 31836704 PMCID: PMC6910913 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13587-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In type 1 diabetes, the appearance of islet autoantibodies indicates the onset of islet autoimmunity, often many years before clinical symptoms arise. While T cells play a major role in the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, molecular underpinnings promoting aberrant T cell activation remain poorly understood. Here, we show that during islet autoimmunity an miR142-3p/Tet2/Foxp3 axis interferes with the efficient induction of regulatory T (Treg) cells, resulting in impaired Treg stability in mouse and human. Specifically, we demonstrate that miR142-3p is induced in islet autoimmunity and that its inhibition enhances Treg induction and stability, leading to reduced islet autoimmunity in non-obese diabetic mice. Using various cellular and molecular approaches we identify Tet2 as a direct target of miR142-3p, thereby linking high miR142-3p levels to epigenetic remodeling in Tregs. These findings offer a mechanistic model where during islet autoimmunity miR142-3p/Tet2-mediated Treg instability contributes to autoimmune activation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin G Scherm
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Group Immune Tolerance in Type 1 Diabetes, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, 80939, Munich, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD), 85764, Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Isabelle Serr
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Group Immune Tolerance in Type 1 Diabetes, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, 80939, Munich, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD), 85764, Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Adam M Zahm
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jonathan Schug
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Saverio Bellusci
- German Center for Lung Research, Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary System, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rossella Manfredini
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Victoria K Salb
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Group Immune Tolerance in Type 1 Diabetes, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, 80939, Munich, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD), 85764, Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Gerlach
- Department of Medicine 1, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benno Weigmann
- Department of Medicine 1, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anette-Gabriele Ziegler
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764, Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
- Forschergruppe Diabetes, Technical University Munich, at Klinikum rechts der Isar, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Carolin Daniel
- Institute of Diabetes Research, Group Immune Tolerance in Type 1 Diabetes, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, 80939, Munich, Germany.
- Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD), 85764, Munich-Neuherberg, Germany.
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80337, Munich, Germany.
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Brandt B, Rashidiani S, Bán Á, Rauch TA. DNA Methylation-Governed Gene Expression in Autoimmune Arthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5646. [PMID: 31718084 PMCID: PMC6888626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease hallmarked by progressive and irreversible joint destruction. RA pathogenesis is a T cell-regulated and B cell-mediated process in which activated lymphocyte-produced chemokines and cytokines promote leukocyte infiltration that ultimately leads to destruction of the joints. There is an obvious need to discover new drugs for RA treatment that have different biological targets or modes of action than the currently employed therapeutics. Environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, certain diet components, and oral pathogens can significantly affect gene regulation via epigenetic factors. Epigenetics opened a new field for pharmacology, and DNA methylation and histone modification-implicated factors are feasible targets for RA therapy. Exploring RA pathogenesis involved epigenetic factors and mechanisms is crucial for developing more efficient RA therapies. Here we review epigenetic alterations associated with RA pathogenesis including DNA methylation and interacting factors. Additionally, we will summarize the literature revealing the involved molecular structures and interactions. Finally, potential epigenetic factor-based therapies will be discussed that may help in better management of RA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Brandt
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7624, Hungary; (B.B.); (S.R.)
| | - Shima Rashidiani
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7624, Hungary; (B.B.); (S.R.)
| | - Ágnes Bán
- Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7621, Hungary;
| | - Tibor A. Rauch
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7624, Hungary; (B.B.); (S.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7624, Hungary
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Kumar P, Lele SS, Ragothaman VK, Raghunathan D, Epstein AL, Chiba S, Prabhakar BS. OX40L-JAG1-Induced Expansion of Lineage-Stable Regulatory T Cells Involves Noncanonical NF-κB Signaling. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 203:3225-3236. [PMID: 31704879 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Foxp3+T regulatory cells (Tregs) control autoimmune response by suppressing proliferation and effector functions of self-reactive Foxp3-CD4+/CD8+ T cells and thereby maintain the critical balance between self-tolerance and autoimmunity. Earlier, we had shown that OX40L-JAG1 cosignaling mediated through their cognate receptors OX40 and Notch3 preferentially expressed on murine Tregs can selectively induce their proliferation in the absence of TCR stimulation. However, the differential molecular mechanisms regulating TCR-independent versus TCR-dependent Treg proliferation and lineage stability of the expanded Tregs remained unknown. In this study, we show that OX40L-JAG1 treatment induced TCR-independent proliferation of Tregs in the thymus and periphery. The use of Src kinase inhibitor permitted us to demonstrate selective inhibition of TCR-dependent T cell proliferation with little to no effect on OX40L-JAG1-induced TCR-independent Treg expansion in vitro, which was critically dependent on noncanonical NF-κB signaling. OX40L-JAG1-expanded Tregs showed sustained lineage stability as indicated by stable demethylation marks in Treg signature genes such as Foxp3, Il2ra, Ctla4, Ikzf2, and Ikzf4. Furthermore, OX40L-JAG1 treatment significantly increased CTLA4+ and TIGIT+ Tregs and alleviated experimental autoimmune thyroiditis in mice. Relevance of our findings to humans became apparent when human OX40L and JAG1 induced TCR-independent selective expansion of human Tregs in thymocyte cultures and increased human Tregs in the liver tissue of humanized NSG mice. Our findings suggest that OX40L-JAG1-induced TCR-independent Treg proliferation is a conserved mechanism that can be used to expand lineage-stable Tregs to treat autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakaran Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Swarali Surendra Lele
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Vandhana K Ragothaman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Divya Raghunathan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Alan L Epstein
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 900933
| | - Shigeru Chiba
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Hematology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan; and
| | - Bellur S Prabhakar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612; .,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
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Owen DL, Sjaastad LE, Farrar MA. Regulatory T Cell Development in the Thymus. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2019; 203:2031-2041. [PMID: 31591259 PMCID: PMC6910132 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Development of a comprehensive regulatory T (Treg) cell compartment in the thymus is required to maintain immune homeostasis and prevent autoimmunity. In this study, we review cellular and molecular determinants of Treg cell development in the thymus. We focus on the evidence for a self-antigen-focused Treg cell repertoire as well as the APCs responsible for presenting self-antigens to developing thymocytes. We also cover the contribution of different cytokines to thymic Treg development and the cellular populations that produce these cytokines. Finally, we update the originally proposed "two-step" model of thymic Treg differentiation by incorporating new evidence demonstrating that Treg cells develop from two Treg progenitor populations and discuss the functional importance of Treg cells generated via either progenitor pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Owen
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Louisa E Sjaastad
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Michael A Farrar
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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27
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Sun X, Cui Y, Feng H, Liu H, Liu X. TGF-β signaling controls Foxp3 methylation and T reg cell differentiation by modulating Uhrf1 activity. J Exp Med 2019; 216:2819-2837. [PMID: 31515281 PMCID: PMC6888975 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20190550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (T reg) cells are required for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Both TGF-β signaling and epigenetic modifications are important for Foxp3 induction, but how TGF-β signaling participates in the epigenetic regulation of Foxp3 remains largely unknown. Here we showed that T cell-specific ablation of Uhrf1 resulted in T reg-biased differentiation in TCR-stimulated naive T cells in the absence of TGF-β signaling, and these Foxp3+ T cells had a suppressive function. Adoptive transfer of Uhrf1 -/- naive T cells could significantly suppress colitis due to increased iT reg cell generation. Mechanistically, Uhrf1 was induced upon TCR stimulation and participated in the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns of T reg cell-specific genes during cell division, while it was phosphorylated upon TGF-β stimulation and sequestered outside the nucleus, and ultimately underwent proteasome-dependent degradation. Collectively, our study reveals a novel epigenetic mechanism of TGF-β-mediated iT reg cell differentiation by modulating Uhrf1 activity and suggests that Uhrf1 may be a potential therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases for generating stable iT reg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyun Feng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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28
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Deng Q, Luo Y, Chang C, Wu H, Ding Y, Xiao R. The Emerging Epigenetic Role of CD8+T Cells in Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review. Front Immunol 2019; 10:856. [PMID: 31057561 PMCID: PMC6482221 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are usually complex and multifactorial, characterized by aberrant production of autoreactive immune cells and/or autoantibodies against healthy cells and tissues. However, the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has not been clearly elucidated. The activation, differentiation, and development of CD8+ T cells can be affected by numerous inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors, and chemokines. In recent years, epigenetic modifications have been shown to play an important role in the fate of CD8+ T cells. The discovery of these modifications that contribute to the activation or suppression of CD8+ cells has been concurrent with the increasing evidence that CD8+ T cells play a role in autoimmunity. These relationships have been studied in various autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic sclerosis (SSc), type 1 diabetes (T1D), Grave's disease (GD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), aplastic anemia (AA), and vitiligo. In each of these diseases, genes that play a role in the proliferation or activation of CD8+ T cells have been found to be affected by epigenetic modifications. Various cytokines, transcription factors, and other regulatory molecules have been found to be differentially methylated in CD8+ T cells in autoimmune diseases. These genes are involved in T cell regulation, including interferons, interleukin (IL),tumor necrosis factor (TNF), as well as linker for activation of T cells (LAT), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA4), and adapter proteins. MiRNAs also play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases and several known miRNAs that are involved in these diseases have also been shown to play a role in CD8+ regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiancheng Deng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yangyang Luo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Dermatology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Christopher Chang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Haijing Wu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Dermatology, Hainan Provincial Dermatology Disease Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Rong Xiao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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30
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Silva Morales M, Mueller D. Anergy into T regulatory cells: an integration of metabolic cues and epigenetic changes at the Foxp3 conserved non-coding sequence 2. F1000Res 2018; 7. [PMID: 30613389 PMCID: PMC6305231 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.16551.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral immune self-tolerance relies on protective mechanisms to control autoreactive T cells that escape deletion in the thymus. Suppression of autoreactive lymphocytes is necessary to avoid autoimmunity and immune cell–mediated damage of healthy tissues. An intriguing relationship has emerged between two mechanisms of peripheral tolerance—induction of anergy and Foxp3
+ regulatory T (Treg) cells—and is not yet well understood. A subpopulation of autoreactive anergic CD4 T cells is a precursor of Treg cells. We now hypothesize that phenotypic and mechanistic features of Treg cells can provide insights to understand the mechanisms behind anergy-derived Treg cell differentiation. In this short review, we will highlight several inherent similarities between the anergic state in conventional CD4 T cells as compared with fully differentiated natural Foxp3
+ Treg cells and then propose a model whereby modulations in metabolic programming lead to changes in DNA methylation at the Foxp3 locus to allow
Foxp3 expression following the reversal of anergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagros Silva Morales
- Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, Center for Immunology, and the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Daniel Mueller
- Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, Center for Immunology, and the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA
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32
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Development and Functional Modulation of Regulatory T Cells by Transcription Factors and Epigenetics. Cornea 2018; 37 Suppl 1:S42-S49. [PMID: 30211750 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000001720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Studies of Treg are not only necessary for understanding the mechanism of immune homeostasis but also extremely useful for the development of treatments of various immune diseases. Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) was identified as the master gene responsible for the immune-suppressing activity of Tregs. The promoter region and several intronic enhancers, designated conserved noncoding sequence (CNS) 0, 1, 2, and 3, at the Foxp3 gene locus have important roles in Foxp3 expression and Treg development. We demonstrated that transcription factors Nr4a and Smad2/3 are required for development of thymic Tregs and induced Tregs, respectively. In addition to transcription factors, Treg-specific DNA demethylation has been shown to be important for Treg stability. In particular, DNA demethylation of CNS2 was implicated in Treg stability, and members of the ten-eleven translocation family of demethylation factors were recently demonstrated to have important roles in 5'-C-phosphate-G-3' demethylation at CNS2. This article summarizes recent findings regarding the roles of transcription factors and epigenetic modifications in the differentiation, maintenance, and function of Tregs. This review will facilitate clinical application of Tregs to diseases in the field of ophthalmology, including uveitis and age-related macular degeneration.
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33
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Kumar P, Saini S, Khan S, Surendra Lele S, Prabhakar BS. Restoring self-tolerance in autoimmune diseases by enhancing regulatory T-cells. Cell Immunol 2018; 339:41-49. [PMID: 30482489 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Self-tolerance, the state of unresponsiveness to self-tissues/antigens, is maintained through central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms, and a breach of these mechanisms leads to autoimmune diseases. Foxp3 + T-regulatory cells (Tregs) play an essential role in suppressing autoimmune response directed against self-antigens and thereby regulate self-tolerance. Natural Tregs are differentiated in the thymus on the basis of their higher TCR-affinity to self-antigens and migrate to the periphery where they maintain peripheral tolerance. In addition, extra-thymic differentiation of induced Tregs can occur in the periphery which can control abrupt immune responses under inflammatory conditions. A defect in Treg cell numbers and/or function is found to be associated with the development of autoimmune disease in several experimental models and human autoimmune diseases. Moreover, augmentation of Tregs has been shown to be beneficial in treating autoimmunity in preclinical models, and Treg based cellular therapy has shown initial promise in clinical trials. However, emerging studies have identified an unstable subpopulation of Tregs which expresses pro-inflammatory cytokines under both homeostatic and autoimmune conditions, as well as in ex vivo cultures. In addition, clinical translation of Treg cellular therapy is impeded by limitations such as lack of easier methods for selective expansion of Tregs and higher cost associated with GMP-facilities required for cell sorting, ex vivo expansion and infusion of ex vivo expanded Tregs. Here, we discuss the recent advances in molecular mechanisms regulating Treg differentiation, Foxp3 expression and lineage stability, the role of Tregs in the prevention of various autoimmune diseases, and critically review their clinical utility for treating human autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakaran Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois - College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shikha Saini
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois - College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Saad Khan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois - College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Swarali Surendra Lele
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois - College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bellur S Prabhakar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois - College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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34
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Bending D, Ono M. From stability to dynamics: understanding molecular mechanisms of regulatory T cells through Foxp3 transcriptional dynamics. Clin Exp Immunol 2018; 197:14-23. [PMID: 30076771 PMCID: PMC6591142 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on regulatory T cells (Treg) have focused on thymic Treg as a stable lineage of immunosuppressive T cells, the differentiation of which is controlled by the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3). This lineage perspective, however, may constrain hypotheses regarding the role of Foxp3 and Tregin vivo, particularly in clinical settings and immunotherapy development. In this review, we synthesize a new perspective on the role of Foxp3 as a dynamically expressed gene, and thereby revisit the molecular mechanisms for the transcriptional regulation of Foxp3. In particular, we introduce a recent advancement in the study of Foxp3‐mediated T cell regulation through the development of the Timer of cell kinetics and activity (Tocky) system, and show that the investigation of Foxp3 transcriptional dynamics can reveal temporal changes in the differentiation and function of Tregin vivo. We highlight the role of Foxp3 as a gene downstream of T cell receptor (TCR) signalling and show that temporally persistent TCR signals initiate Foxp3 transcription in self‐reactive thymocytes. In addition, we feature the autoregulatory transcriptional circuit for the Foxp3 gene as a mechanism for consolidating Treg differentiation and activating their suppressive functions. Furthermore, we explore the potential mechanisms behind the dynamic regulation of epigenetic modifications and chromatin architecture for Foxp3 transcription. Lastly, we discuss the clinical relevance of temporal changes in the differentiation and activation of Treg.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Bending
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - M Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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35
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Li H, Tsokos MG, Bickerton S, Sharabi A, Li Y, Moulton VR, Kong P, Fahmy TM, Tsokos GC. Precision DNA demethylation ameliorates disease in lupus-prone mice. JCI Insight 2018; 3:120880. [PMID: 30135300 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.120880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective DNA methylation in T cells leads to a series of T cell abnormalities in lupus; however, the full effect of T cell lineage-specific DNA methylation on disease expression has not been explored. Here, we show that 5-azacytidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, targeted to either CD4 or CD8 T cells in mice with established disease using a nanolipogel delivery system dramatically ameliorates lupus-related pathology through distinct mechanisms. In vivo targeted delivery of 5-azacytidine into CD4 T cells favors the expansion and function of Foxp3+ Tregs, whereas targeted delivery to CD8 T cells enhances the cytotoxicity and restrains the expansion of pathogenic TCR-αβ+CD4-CD8- double-negative T cells. Our results signify the importance of cell-specific inhibition of DNA methylation in the treatment of established lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria G Tsokos
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Amir Sharabi
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vaishali R Moulton
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Tarek M Fahmy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering.,Department of Immunobiology, and.,Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - George C Tsokos
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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36
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Jaggi U, Varanasi SK, Bhela S, Rouse BT. On the role of retinoic acid in virus induced inflammatory response in cornea. Microbes Infect 2018; 20:337-345. [PMID: 29842984 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ocular infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) can result in a chronic immune inflammatory lesion that is a significant cause of human blindness. A key to controlling stromal keratitis (SK) lesion severity is to identify cellular and molecular events responsible for tissue damage and to counteract them. One potentially useful approach to achieve such therapy is Retinoic Acid (RA). Here we show that RA therapy reduces the severity of SK by having inhibitory effects on the T effector subtypes responsible for orchestrating SK. RA also served to stabilize the function of regulatory T cell (Treg) which counteract inflammatory cell activity. The Treg stabilizing effect was demonstrated by in vitro studies where RA was shown to retain Foxp3 expression when exposed to proinflammatory conditions such as IL-12 and IL-6+TGF-β. in vivo studies revealed that RA exerted its stabilizing effects by downregulating IL-6R expression on Treg after HSV-1 infection and this helped to control the progression of SK. Since the therapy was effective when used both early and after the initiation of lesions, it may represent a valuable means of therapy when used alone or along with additional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ujjaldeep Jaggi
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Siva Karthik Varanasi
- Department of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Siddheshvar Bhela
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Barry T Rouse
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
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37
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Sharma R, Kinsey GR. Regulatory T cells in acute and chronic kidney diseases. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2018; 314:F679-F698. [PMID: 28877881 PMCID: PMC6031912 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00236.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Foxp3-expressing CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) make up one subset of the helper T cells (Th) and are one of the major mechanisms of peripheral tolerance. Tregs prevent abnormal activation of the immune system throughout the lifespan, thus protecting from autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have elucidated the role of Tregs beyond autoimmunity. Tregs play important functions in controlling not only innate and adaptive immune cell activation, but also regulate nonimmune cell function during insults and injury. Inflammation contributes to a multitude of acute and chronic diseases affecting the kidneys. This review examines the role of Tregs in pathogenesis of renal inflammatory diseases and explores the approaches for enhancing Tregs for prevention and therapy of renal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Sharma
- Division of Nephrology and Center for Immunity, Inflammation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Gilbert R Kinsey
- Division of Nephrology and Center for Immunity, Inflammation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia
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Mohammad I, Starskaia I, Nagy T, Guo J, Yatkin E, Väänänen K, Watford WT, Chen Z. Estrogen receptor α contributes to T cell–mediated autoimmune inflammation by promoting T cell activation and proliferation. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/526/eaap9415. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aap9415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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39
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Soltanzadeh-Yamchi M, Shahbazi M, Aslani S, Mohammadnia-Afrouzi M. MicroRNA signature of regulatory T cells in health and autoimmunity. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 100:316-323. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a distinct subset of CD4+ T cells. Instead of triggering adaptive immunity, they suppress immune responses. Small numbers of Treg cells reside within lymphoid organs and peripheral tissues, but their contribution to immune tolerance is so significant that defects in Treg cell function cause catastrophic immune disorders. Since they were first discovered 20 years ago, efforts have been made to understand the differences in developmental processes between Treg cells and conventional T cells that determine the ultimate fate of the overall T-cell population. Transcription factor Foxp3 is crucial for Treg cell differentiation, but it is not the whole story. Owing to recent advances in Treg cell research, we are now on the verge of appreciating the comprehensive mechanisms underlying Treg cell generation. Here, we discuss major discoveries, active study topics and remaining questions regarding Treg cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonyong Lee
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Korea
| | - Gap Ryol Lee
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Korea
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41
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Freudenberg K, Lindner N, Dohnke S, Garbe AI, Schallenberg S, Kretschmer K. Critical Role of TGF-β and IL-2 Receptor Signaling in Foxp3 Induction by an Inhibitor of DNA Methylation. Front Immunol 2018; 9:125. [PMID: 29456534 PMCID: PMC5801288 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Under physiological conditions, CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 are generated in the thymus [thymus-derived Foxp3+ Treg (tTregs) cells] and extrathymically at peripheral sites [peripherally induced Foxp3+ Treg (pTreg) cell], and both developmental subsets play non-redundant roles in maintaining self-tolerance throughout life. In addition, a variety of experimental in vitro and in vivo modalities can extrathymically elicit a Foxp3+ Treg cell phenotype in peripheral CD4+Foxp3− T cells, which has attracted much interest as an approach toward cell-based therapy in clinical settings of undesired immune responses. A particularly notable example is the in vitro induction of Foxp3 expression and Treg cell activity (iTreg cells) in initially naive CD4+Foxp3− T cells through T cell receptor (TCR) and IL-2R ligation, in the presence of exogenous TGF-β. Clinical application of Foxp3+ iTreg cells has been hampered by the fact that TGF-β-driven Foxp3 induction is not sufficient to fully recapitulate the epigenetic and transcriptional signature of in vivo induced Foxp3+ tTreg and pTreg cells, which includes the failure to imprint iTreg cells with stable Foxp3 expression. This hurdle can be potentially overcome by pharmacological interference with DNA methyltransferase activity and CpG methylation [e.g., by the cytosine nucleoside analog 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC)] to stabilize TGF-β-induced Foxp3 expression and to promote a Foxp3+ iTreg cell phenotype even in the absence of added TGF-β. However, the molecular mechanisms of 5-aza-dC-mediated Foxp3+ iTreg cell generation have remained incompletely understood. Here, we show that in the absence of exogenously added TGF-β and IL-2, efficient 5-aza-dC-mediated Foxp3+ iTreg cell generation from TCR-stimulated CD4+Foxp3− T cells is critically dependent on TGF-βR and IL-2R signaling and that this process is driven by TGF-β and IL-2, which could either be FCS derived or produced by T cells on TCR stimulation. Overall, these findings contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of Foxp3 induction and may provide a rational basis for generating phenotypically and functionally stable iTreg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Freudenberg
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nadja Lindner
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dohnke
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Osteoimmunology, DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Annette I Garbe
- Osteoimmunology, DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sonja Schallenberg
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karsten Kretschmer
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University Hospital and Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
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42
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Iizuka-Koga M, Nakatsukasa H, Ito M, Akanuma T, Lu Q, Yoshimura A. Induction and maintenance of regulatory T cells by transcription factors and epigenetic modifications. J Autoimmun 2017; 83:113-121. [PMID: 28709726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an essential cell subset for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Foxp3 (Forkhead box P3) is the Treg master gene which is essential for immune suppressing activity. In addition, Tregs are characterized by a distinct pattern of gene expression, including upregulation of immune-suppressive genes and silencing of inflammatory genes. The molecular mechanisms of Treg development and maintenance have been intensively investigated. Tregs are characterized by expression of the transcription factor Foxp3. Several intronic enhancers and a promoter at the Foxp3 gene locus were shown to play important roles in Treg differentiation. The enhancers have been designated as conserved non-coding sequences (CNSs) 0, 1, 2, and 3. We showed that the transcription factors Nr4a and Smad2/3 are essential for the development of thymic Tregs and induced Tregs, respectively. Recently, Treg-specific DNA demethylation has been shown to play an important role in Treg stability. DNA demethylation of CNS2 has been implicated in Treg stability, and recent reports have revealed that the ten-eleven translocation (Tet) family of demethylation factor plays an important role in CpG demethylation at CNS2. This article reviews the recent progress on the roles of transcription factors and epigenetic modifications in the differentiation, maintenance, and function of Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mana Iizuka-Koga
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroko Nakatsukasa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Minako Ito
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Takashi Akanuma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Akihiko Yoshimura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
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43
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Dogra P, Ghoneim HE, Abdelsamed HA, Youngblood B. Generating long-lived CD8(+) T-cell memory: Insights from epigenetic programs. Eur J Immunol 2017; 46:1548-62. [PMID: 27230488 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201545550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
T-cell-based immunological memory has the potential to provide the host with life-long protection against pathogen reexposure and thus offers tremendous promise for the design of vaccines targeting chronic infections or cancer. In order to exploit this potential in the design of new vaccines, it is necessary to understand how and when memory T cells acquire their poised effector potential, and moreover, how they maintain these properties during homeostatic proliferation. To gain insight into the persistent nature of memory T-cell functions, investigators have turned their attention to epigenetic mechanisms. Recent efforts have revealed that many of the properties acquired among memory T cells are coupled to stable changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that the delineating features among memory T cells subsets are also linked to distinct epigenetic events, such as permissive and repressive histone modifications and DNA methylation programs, providing exciting new hypotheses regarding their cellular ancestry. Here, we review recent studies focused on epigenetic programs acquired during effector and memory T-cell differentiation and discuss how these data may shed new light on the developmental path for generating long-lived CD8(+) T-cell memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranay Dogra
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hazem E Ghoneim
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hossam A Abdelsamed
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ben Youngblood
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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44
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Sanjabi S, Oh SA, Li MO. Regulation of the Immune Response by TGF-β: From Conception to Autoimmunity and Infection. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017; 9:cshperspect.a022236. [PMID: 28108486 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a022236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 377] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in both suppressive and inflammatory immune responses. After 30 years of intense study, we have only begun to elucidate how TGF-β alters immunity under various conditions. Under steady-state conditions, TGF-β regulates thymic T-cell selection and maintains homeostasis of the naïve T-cell pool. TGF-β inhibits cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), Th1-, and Th2-cell differentiation while promoting peripheral (p)Treg-, Th17-, Th9-, and Tfh-cell generation, and T-cell tissue residence in response to immune challenges. Similarly, TGF-β controls the proliferation, survival, activation, and differentiation of B cells, as well as the development and functions of innate cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and granulocytes. Collectively, TGF-β plays a pivotal role in maintaining peripheral tolerance against self- and innocuous antigens, such as food, commensal bacteria, and fetal alloantigens, and in controlling immune responses to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shomyseh Sanjabi
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California 94158.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Soyoung A Oh
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065
| | - Ming O Li
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065
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45
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Tsagaratou A, Lio CWJ, Yue X, Rao A. TET Methylcytosine Oxidases in T Cell and B Cell Development and Function. Front Immunol 2017; 8:220. [PMID: 28408905 PMCID: PMC5374156 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is established by DNA methyltransferases and is a key epigenetic mark. Ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins are enzymes that oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and further oxidization products (oxi-mCs), which indirectly promote DNA demethylation. Here, we provide an overview of the effect of TET proteins and altered DNA modification status in T and B cell development and function. We summarize current advances in our understanding of the role of TET proteins and 5hmC in T and B cells in both physiological and pathological contexts. We describe how TET proteins and 5hmC regulate DNA modification, chromatin accessibility, gene expression, and transcriptional networks and discuss potential underlying mechanisms and open questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ageliki Tsagaratou
- Department of Signaling and Gene Expression, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chan-Wang J Lio
- Department of Signaling and Gene Expression, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xiaojing Yue
- Department of Signaling and Gene Expression, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anjana Rao
- Department of Signaling and Gene Expression, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
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46
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Nair VS, Song MH, Ko M, Oh KI. DNA Demethylation of the Foxp3 Enhancer Is Maintained through Modulation of Ten-Eleven-Translocation and DNA Methyltransferases. Mol Cells 2016; 39:888-897. [PMID: 27989104 PMCID: PMC5223106 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2016.0276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Stable expression of Foxp3 is ensured by demethylation of CpG motifs in the Foxp3 intronic element, the conserved non-coding sequence 2 (CNS2), which persists throughout the lifespan of regulatory T cells (Tregs). However, little is known about the mechanisms on how CNS2 demethylation is sustained. In this study, we found that Ten-Eleven-Translocation (Tet) DNA dioxygenase protects the CpG motifs of CNS2 from re-methylation by DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) and prevents Tregs from losing Foxp3 expression under inflammatory conditions. Upon stimulation of Tregs by interleukin-6 (IL6), Dnmt1 was recruited to CNS2 and induced methylation, which was inhibited by Tet2 recruited by IL2. Tet2 prevented CNS2 re-methylation by not only the occupancy of the CNS2 locus but also by its enzymatic activity. These results show that the CNS2 methylation status is dynamically regulated by a balance between Tets and Dnmts which influences the expression of Foxp3 in Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Sasidharan Nair
- Department of Pathology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252,
Korea
| | - Mi Hye Song
- Department of Pathology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252,
Korea
| | - Myunggon Ko
- School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44949,
Korea
| | - Kwon Ik Oh
- Department of Pathology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252,
Korea
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47
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Induced Regulatory T Cells: Their Development, Stability, and Applications. Trends Immunol 2016; 37:803-811. [DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2016.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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48
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Kasper IR, Apostolidis SA, Sharabi A, Tsokos GC. Empowering Regulatory T Cells in Autoimmunity. Trends Mol Med 2016; 22:784-797. [PMID: 27461103 PMCID: PMC5003773 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are capable of dampening immune-mediated inflammation and avert the destructive effects of uncontrolled inflammation. Distinct molecules and pathways, including various transcription factors, phosphatases, and kinases, impact the ability of Tregs to function as negative regulators of the immune response, and are presumably amenable to therapeutic manipulation. Here, we discuss recently identified molecular networks and the therapeutic potential for treating autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac R Kasper
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Sokratis A Apostolidis
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Amir Sharabi
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Clinical Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - George C Tsokos
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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49
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T cell receptor signalling in the control of regulatory T cell differentiation and function. Nat Rev Immunol 2016; 16:220-33. [PMID: 27026074 DOI: 10.1038/nri.2016.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 354] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (TReg cells), a specialized T cell lineage, have a pivotal function in the control of self tolerance and inflammatory responses. Recent studies have revealed a discrete mode of T cell receptor (TCR) signalling that regulates TReg cell differentiation, maintenance and function and that affects gene expression, metabolism, cell adhesion and migration of these cells. Here, we discuss the emerging understanding of TCR-guided differentiation of TReg cells in the context of their function in health and disease.
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50
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Mohammadzadeh A, Pourfathollah AA, Shahrokhi S, Fallah A, Tahoori MT, Amari A, Forouzandeh M, Soleimani M. Evaluation of AD-MSC (adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells) as a vehicle for IFN-β delivery in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Clin Immunol 2016; 169:98-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2016.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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