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Ren A, Yin W, Miller H, Westerberg LS, Candotti F, Park CS, Lee P, Gong Q, Chen Y, Liu C. Novel Discoveries in Immune Dysregulation in Inborn Errors of Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:725587. [PMID: 34512655 PMCID: PMC8429820 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.725587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
With the expansion of our knowledge on inborn errors of immunity (IEI), it gradually becomes clear that immune dysregulation plays an important part. In some cases, autoimmunity, hyperinflammation and lymphoproliferation are far more serious than infections. Thus, immune dysregulation has become significant in disease monitoring and treatment. In recent years, the wide application of whole-exome sequencing/whole-genome sequencing has tremendously promoted the discovery and further studies of new IEI. The number of discovered IEI is growing rapidly, followed by numerous studies of their pathogenesis and therapy. In this review, we focus on novel discovered primary immune dysregulation diseases, including deficiency of SLC7A7, CD122, DEF6, FERMT1, TGFB1, RIPK1, CD137, TET2 and SOCS1. We discuss their genetic mutation, symptoms and current therapeutic methods, and point out the gaps in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwen Ren
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Yin
- Wuhan Children's Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heather Miller
- The Laboratory of Intracellular Parasites, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Lisa S Westerberg
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fabio Candotti
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Chan-Sik Park
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Pamela Lee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Quan Gong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.,Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Yan Chen
- The Second Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Chaohong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Cellular and molecular mechanisms breaking immune tolerance in inborn errors of immunity. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:1122-1140. [PMID: 33795850 PMCID: PMC8015752 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-00626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to susceptibility to infections, conventional primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) and inborn errors of immunity (IEI) can cause immune dysregulation, manifesting as lymphoproliferative and/or autoimmune disease. Autoimmunity can be the prominent phenotype of PIDs and commonly includes cytopenias and rheumatological diseases, such as arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and Sjogren's syndrome (SjS). Recent advances in understanding the genetic basis of systemic autoimmune diseases and PIDs suggest an at least partially shared genetic background and therefore common pathogenic mechanisms. Here, we explore the interconnected pathogenic pathways of autoimmunity and primary immunodeficiency, highlighting the mechanisms breaking the different layers of immune tolerance to self-antigens in selected IEI.
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Zhu ZP, Lin LR, Lv TD, Xu CR, Cai TY, Lin J. High expression levels of DEF6 predicts a poor prognosis for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Oncol Rep 2020; 44:2056-2066. [PMID: 33000227 PMCID: PMC7551049 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common types of malignant tumors and early detection contributes to a better prognosis. Finding new biomarkers for the diagnosis or treatment remains meaningful. DEF6 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (DEF6) is upregulated in ccRCC compared to normal controls, but the relationship between DEF6 expression and prognosis in ccRCC is unclear. Moreover, the potential biological functions of DEF6 in ccRCC remains unclear. In the present study, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), TISIDB and the clinical database of the Peking University First Hospital were used to analyze DEF6 expression in ccRCC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were used to examine the DEF6 protein and mRNA expression levels in cell lines and clinical samples. Subsequently, the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were used to determine the impact of DEF6 expression on the overall survival of patients alongside other clinical variables in both the TCGA database and the present clinical database. The results showed that both DEF6 mRNA and protein expression levels were upregulated in ccRCC compared to normal controls. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with high DEF6 expression had poor prognoses from both the TCGA database and the present clinical database. Univariate survival analysis and multivariate survival analysis revealed that DEF6 could be an independent prognostic factor for ccRCC. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes related to DEF6 expression influenced ccRCC by regulating the tumor immune microenvironment. In conclusion, overexpression of DEF6 is significantly correlated with a poor prognosis for patients with ccRCC and DEF6 may influence the biological processes involved with ccRCC by regulating the immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Peng Zhu
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, P.R. China
| | - Lan-Ruo Lin
- College of Basic Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P.R. China
| | - Tong-De Lv
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Ru Xu
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, P.R. China
| | - Tian-Yu Cai
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, P.R. China
| | - Jian Lin
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, P.R. China
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Human DEF6 deficiency underlies an immunodeficiency syndrome with systemic autoimmunity and aberrant CTLA-4 homeostasis. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3106. [PMID: 31308374 PMCID: PMC6629652 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10812-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune responses need to be controlled tightly to prevent autoimmune diseases, yet underlying molecular mechanisms remain partially understood. Here, we identify biallelic mutations in three patients from two unrelated families in differentially expressed in FDCP6 homolog (DEF6) as the molecular cause of an inborn error of immunity with systemic autoimmunity. Patient T cells exhibit impaired regulation of CTLA-4 surface trafficking associated with reduced functional CTLA-4 availability, which is replicated in DEF6-knockout Jurkat cells. Mechanistically, we identify the small GTPase RAB11 as an interactor of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor DEF6, and find disrupted binding of mutant DEF6 to RAB11 as well as reduced RAB11+CTLA-4+ vesicles in DEF6-mutated cells. One of the patients has been treated with CTLA-4-Ig and achieved sustained remission. Collectively, we uncover DEF6 as player in immune homeostasis ensuring availability of the checkpoint protein CTLA-4 at T-cell surface, identifying a potential target for autoimmune and/or cancer therapy. CTLA-4 is critical for balancing protective immunity with self-tolerance. Here the authors identify homozygous DEF6 mutations in patients with severe autoimmunity, one of which received and responds to CTLA-4-Ig, and show that DEF6 is crucial for CTLA-4 cell surface trafficking and immune regulatory function.
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Xu Y, Hou Y, Liu T, Lou G. Overexpression and clinical significance of IBP in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:6604-6610. [PMID: 29616123 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor-4 binding protein (IBP) is as a type of ρ GTPase suggested to serve an important role in tumor occurrence and development through the effects of cytoskeletal remodeling, and cell conduction mechanism. IBP is widely expressed in the immune system and expressed in several types of tumors. However, its expression and prognostic value in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of IBP in EOC, and its effect on clinicopathological variables and prognosis. A total of 107 and 30 cases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma and benign ovarian disease tissue sections, respectively, were examined using immunohistochemistry. The results indicated that the IBP expression status was negative or markedly weak in normal tissues, but highly expressed in EOC tissues. A significant association was observed between IBP overexpression and various clinicopathological factors, including advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (P<0.001), poor histologic grade (P=0.002), peritoneal carcinomatosis (P<0.001), lymph-node metastasis (P=0.023) and recurrence (P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis additionally suggested that IBP overexpression was an independent factor affecting recurrence-free survival [hazard ratio (HR)=4.099; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.209-7.606; P<0.001) and overall survival (HR=2.317; 95% CI, 1.484-3.617; P<0.001) in patients with EOC. The results of the present study demonstrated that IBP overexpression may be associated with tumor development and progression in EOC, and therefore may serve as a novel target for treating this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjuan Xu
- Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Yangming Hou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Tianbo Liu
- Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
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Joshi RN, Binai NA, Marabita F, Sui Z, Altman A, Heck AJR, Tegnér J, Schmidt A. Phosphoproteomics Reveals Regulatory T Cell-Mediated DEF6 Dephosphorylation That Affects Cytokine Expression in Human Conventional T Cells. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1163. [PMID: 28993769 PMCID: PMC5622166 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) control key events of immune tolerance, primarily by suppression of effector T cells. We previously revealed that Tregs rapidly suppress T cell receptor (TCR)-induced calcium store depletion in conventional CD4+CD25− T cells (Tcons) independently of IP3 levels, consequently inhibiting NFAT signaling and effector cytokine expression. Here, we study Treg suppression mechanisms through unbiased phosphoproteomics of primary human Tcons upon TCR stimulation and Treg-mediated suppression, respectively. Tregs induced a state of overall decreased phosphorylation as opposed to TCR stimulation. We discovered novel phosphosites (T595_S597) in the DEF6 (SLAT) protein that were phosphorylated upon TCR stimulation and conversely dephosphorylated upon coculture with Tregs. Mutation of these DEF6 phosphosites abrogated interaction of DEF6 with the IP3 receptor and affected NFAT activation and cytokine transcription in primary Tcons. This novel mechanism and phosphoproteomics data resource may aid in modifying sensitivity of Tcons to Treg-mediated suppression in autoimmune disease or cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubin N Joshi
- Unit of Computational Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska University Hospital, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nadine A Binai
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Netherlands Proteomics Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Francesco Marabita
- Unit of Computational Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska University Hospital, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhenhua Sui
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Amnon Altman
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Netherlands Proteomics Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jesper Tegnér
- Unit of Computational Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska University Hospital, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.,Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Angelika Schmidt
- Unit of Computational Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska University Hospital, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Manni M, Ricker E, Pernis AB. Regulation of systemic autoimmunity and CD11c + Tbet + B cells by SWEF proteins. Cell Immunol 2017; 321:46-51. [PMID: 28780965 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2017.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed the existence of a T-bet dependent subset of B cells, which expresses unique phenotypic and functional characteristics including high levels of CD11c and CD11b. In the murine system this B cell subset has been termed Age/autoimmune-associated B cells (ABCs) since it expands with age in non-autoimmune mice and it prematurely accumulates in autoimmune-prone strains. The molecular mechanisms that promote the expansion and function of ABCs are largely unknown. This review will focus on the SWEF proteins, a small family of Rho GEFs comprised of SWAP-70 and its homolog DEF6, a newly identified risk variant for human SLE. We will first provide an overview of the SWEF proteins and then discuss the complex array of biological processes that they control and the autoimmune phenotypes that spontaneously develop in their absence, highlighting the emerging involvement of these proteins in regulating ABCs. A better understanding of the pathways controlled by the SWEF proteins could help provide new insights into the mechanisms responsible for the expansion of ABCs in autoimmunity and potentially guide the design of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Manni
- Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edd Ricker
- Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA; Graduate Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alessandra B Pernis
- Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA; Graduate Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA; David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
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Identification of a Novel Alternatively Spliced Form of Inflammatory Regulator SWAP-70-Like Adapter of T Cells. Int J Inflam 2017; 2017:1324735. [PMID: 28523202 PMCID: PMC5421089 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1324735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of naive CD4+ T cells results in the development of several distinct subsets of effector Th cells, including Th2 cells that play a pivotal role in allergic inflammation and helminthic infections. SWAP-70-like adapter of T cells (SLAT), also known as Def6 or IBP, is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for small GTPases, which regulates CD4+ T cell inflammatory responses by controlling Ca2+/NFAT signaling. In this study, we have identified a novel alternatively spliced isoform of SLAT, named SLAT2, which lacks the region encoded by exons 2-7 of the Def6 gene. SLAT2 was selectively expressed in differentiated Th2 cells after the second round of in vitro stimulation, but not in differentiated Th1, Th17, or regulatory T (Treg) cells. Functional assays revealed that SLAT2 shared with SLAT the ability to enhance T cell receptor- (TCR-) mediated activation of NFAT and production of IL-4 but was unable to enhance TCR-induced adhesion to ICAM-1. Ectopic expression of SLAT2 or SLAT in Jurkat T cells resulted in the expression of distinct forms of filopodia, namely, short versus long ones, respectively. These results demonstrate that modulating either SLAT2 or SLAT protein expression could play critical roles in cytokine production and actin reorganization during inflammatory immune responses.
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Liew PL, Fang CY, Lee YC, Lee YC, Chen CL, Chu JS. DEF6 expression in ovarian carcinoma correlates with poor patient survival. Diagn Pathol 2016; 11:68. [PMID: 27488395 PMCID: PMC4973116 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-016-0518-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased expression of DEF6 is correlated with the malignant behavior of various cancers. Both DEF6 and p16 contribute to the regulation of cell cycle progression, and p53 plays important role in the cell cycle checkpoints. This study was designed to elucidate the prognostic significance of DEF6, p53 and p16 immunoexpressions in different histology subtypes of ovarian carcinoma. METHODS Immunohistochemistry results of DEF6, p53 and p16 on ovarian carcinoma were compared with histology subtypes, clinical data, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) by Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS We studied 180 cases of ovarian carcinomas (75 high-grade serous, 41 clear cell, 36 mucinous and 28 endometrioid), including 109 FIGO stage I-II cases and 71 FIGO stage III-IV cases. Ovarian carcinomas positive for both DEF6 and p16 expression were associated with the worst OS (P = 0.027) and DFS (P = 0.023), whereas those negative for both DEF6 and p16 had the best OS and DFS. Aberrant p53 expression combined with positive DEF6 was associated with worst OS (P = 0.031) and DFS (P = 0.028). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that significantly shorter survival rates were seen in patients with high expressions of DEF6 (P = 0.008) and p16 (P = 0.022). Patients with aberrant p53 expression in high-grade serous carcinoma (P = 0.012) and patients with high DEF6 expression in clear cell carcinoma (P = 0.001) were also associated with shorter overall survival. In univariate analysis, FIGO stage, DEF6 and p16 were associated with poor prognosis. DEF6 expression was the only independent prognostic factor correlated with shorted OS (HR 2.115; P = 0.025) and DFS (HR 2.248; P = 0.016) upon multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS DEF6 expression may serve as an independent prognostic factor, and interacted positively with p16 toward high tumor stage and shorter survival.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell/diagnosis
- Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell/mortality
- Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/diagnosis
- Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/mortality
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Endometrioid/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Endometrioid/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Endometrioid/mortality
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cohort Studies
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16/metabolism
- Cystadenoma, Serous/diagnosis
- Cystadenoma, Serous/metabolism
- Cystadenoma, Serous/mortality
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Middle Aged
- Multivariate Analysis
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism
- Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality
- Prognosis
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Phui-Ly Liew
- Department of Pathology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, 23561 Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu Xing Street, Taipei, 11031 Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yeu Fang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu Xing Street, Taipei, 11031 Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 116 Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chieh Lee
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031 Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chih Lee
- Department of International Business, Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, 32097 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Long Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu Xing Street, Taipei, 11031 Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031 Taiwan
| | - Jan-Show Chu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu Xing Street, Taipei, 11031 Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031 Taiwan
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Côte M, Fos C, Canonigo-Balancio AJ, Ley K, Bécart S, Altman A. SLAT promotes TCR-mediated, Rap1-dependent LFA-1 activation and adhesion through interaction of its PH domain with Rap1. J Cell Sci 2015; 128:4341-52. [PMID: 26483383 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.172742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
SLAT (also known as DEF6) promotes T cell activation and differentiation by regulating NFAT-Ca(2+) signaling. However, its role in TCR-mediated inside-out signaling, which induces integrin activation and T cell adhesion, a central process in T cell immunity and inflammation, has not been explored. Here, we show that SLAT is crucial for TCR-induced adhesion to ICAM-1 and affinity maturation of LFA-1 in CD4(+) T cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that SLAT interacts, through its PH domain, with a key component of inside-out signaling, namely the active form of the small GTPase Rap1 (which has two isoforms, Rap1A and Rap1B). This interaction has been further shown to facilitate the interdependent recruitment of Rap1 and SLAT to the T cell immunological synapse upon TCR engagement. Furthermore, a SLAT mutant lacking its PH domain drastically inhibited LFA-1 activation and CD4(+) T cell adhesion. Finally, we established that a constitutively active form of Rap1, which is present at the plasma membrane, rescues the defective LFA-1 activation and ICAM-1 adhesion in SLAT-deficient (Def6(-/-)) T cells. These findings ascribe a new function to SLAT, and identify Rap1 as a target of SLAT function in TCR-mediated inside-out signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie Côte
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Camille Fos
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ann J Canonigo-Balancio
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Klaus Ley
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Stéphane Bécart
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Amnon Altman
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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11
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Altman A, VanHook AM. Science Signaling
Podcast: 30 September 2014. Sci Signal 2014. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2005910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The guanine nucleotide exchange factor SLAT promotes T cell activation by binding to IP
3
receptor 1 at the endoplasmic reticulum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amnon Altman
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Annalisa M. VanHook
- Web Editor, Science Signaling, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
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Chen S, Han Q, Wang X, Yang M, Zhang Z, Li P, Chen A, Hu C, Li S. IBP-mediated suppression of autophagy promotes growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells via activating mTORC2/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway. Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e842. [PMID: 24113176 PMCID: PMC3824689 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor-4 binding protein (IBP) is a novel upstream activator of Rho GTPases. Our previous studies have shown that ectopic expression of IBP was correlated with malignant behaviors of human breast cancer cells, and invasive human breast cancer had high expression of IBP that promoted the proliferation of these cells. However, it remains unknown whether autophagy inhibition contributes to IBP-mediated tumorigenesis. In this study, we for the first time, reported that upregulation of IBP expression significantly suppressed the autophagy of breast cancer cells, and downregulation of IBP expression markedly induced autophagy of these cells. Further investigation revealed that IBP effectively counteracted autophagy by directly activating mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and upregulating phosphorylation of Akt on ser473 and FOXO3a on Thr32. Moreover, IBP-mediated suppression of autophagy was dependent on mTORC2/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway. Finally, our results demonstrated that IBP-mediated breast cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo was strongly correlated with suppression of mTORC2-dependent autophagy. These findings suggest that the anti-autophagic property of IBP has an important role in IBP-mediated tumorigenesis, and IBP may serve as an attractive target for treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Chen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Southwestern Hospital, Third Military Medical University, No. 30 Gaotanyan Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, PR China
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13
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IBP regulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the motility of breast cancer cells via Rac1, RhoA and Cdc42 signaling pathways. Oncogene 2013; 33:3374-82. [PMID: 23975422 PMCID: PMC4078416 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial process for the invasion and metastasis of epithelial tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this transition are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that interferon regulatory factor 4 binding protein (IBP) regulates EMT and the motility of breast cancer cells through Rac1, RhoA and Cdc42 signaling pathways. We found that increased expression of IBP was associated with the progression of breast cancer and that IBP protein levels were significantly elevated in matched distant metastases. High IBP levels also predict shorter overall survival of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, the forced expression of IBP decreased the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin but increased the mesenchymal markers in breast cancer cells. In contrast, silencing IBP in metastatic breast tumor cells promoted a shift toward an epithelial morphology concomitant with increased expression of E-cadherin and decreased expression of mesenchymal markers. IBP silencing also reduced the expression of EMT-inducing transcription factors (Snail, Slug, ZEB1 and ZEB2). Moreover, we identified a role for IBP in endogenous EMT induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and deletion of IBP attenuated EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, IBP regulates the migration, invasion and matrix metalloprotease production in breast cancer cells as well as actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and the activation of GTP-Rac1, GTP-RhoA and GTP-Cdc42. Taken together, our findings demonstrate an oncogenic property for IBP in promoting the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells.
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Feau S, Schoenberger SP, Altman A, Bécart S. SLAT regulates CD8+ T cell clonal expansion in a Cdc42- and NFAT1-dependent manner. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012. [PMID: 23197258 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
After antigenic stimulation, CD8(+) T cells undergo clonal expansion and differentiation into CTLs that can mount a strong defense against intracellular pathogens and tumors. SWAP-70-like adapter of T cells (SLAT), also known as Def6, is a novel guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Cdc42 GTPase and plays a role in CD4(+) T cell activation and Th cell differentiation by controlling Ca(2+)/NFAT signaling, but its requirement in CD8(+) T cell response has not been explored. Using a range of transgenic and knockout in vivo systems, we show that SLAT is required for efficient expansion of CD8(+) T cells during the primary response but is not necessary for CTL differentiation. The reduced clonal expansion observed in the absence of SLAT resulted from a CD8(+) T cell-intrinsic proliferation defect and a reduced IL-2-dependent cell survival. On a molecular level, we show that Def6 deficiency resulted in defective TCR/CD28-induced NFAT translocation to the nucleus in CD8(+) T cells. Constitutively active Cdc42 or NFAT1 mutants fully restored the impaired expansion of Def6(-/-) CD8(+) T cells. Taken together, these data describe a new and pivotal role of SLAT-mediated NFAT activation in CD8(+) T cells, providing new insight into the signaling pathways involved in CD8(+) T cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Feau
- Division of Developmental Immunology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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15
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Jian CX, Yang MZ, Li P, Xiong J, Zhang ZJ, Li CJ, Chen A, Hu CM, Zhou JX, Li SH. Ectopically expressed IBP promotes cell proliferation in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Invest 2012; 30:748-56. [PMID: 23088770 DOI: 10.3109/07357907.2012.734355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
IFN regulatory factor 4 binding protein (IBP) has been shown to play an important role in the progression of malignant tumors such as breast cancer cells, but its function in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. We found that IBP ectopically expressed in some OSCC specimens but not in normal oral mucosa epithelium tissues. IBP expression was significantly correlated with tumor size, differentiation, clinical stage, and distant metastasis. Furthermore, IBP markedly promoted OSCC cell proliferation, shortened the G1 interval in the cell cycle, and increased cyclin D1 expression. These findings suggest that IBP may be a potential therapeutic target for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Xiang Jian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Laboratory Sciences, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
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Hey F, Czyzewicz N, Jones P, Sablitzky F. DEF6, a novel substrate for the Tec kinase ITK, contains a glutamine-rich aggregation-prone region and forms cytoplasmic granules that co-localize with P-bodies. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:31073-84. [PMID: 22829599 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.346767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Localization of DEF6 (SLAT/IBP), a Rho-family guanine nucleotide exchange factor, to the center of the immune synapse is dependent upon ITK, a Tec-family kinase that regulates the spatiotemporal organization of components of T cell signaling pathways and Cdc42-dependent actin polymerization. Here we demonstrate that ITK both interacts with DEF6 and phosphorylates DEF6 at tyrosine residues Tyr(210) and Tyr(222). Expression of a GFP-tagged Y210E-Y222E phosphomimic resulted in the formation of DEF6 cytoplasmic granules that co-localized with decapping enzyme 1 (DCP1), a marker of P-bodies; sites of mRNA degradation. Similarly treatment of cells with puromycin or sodium arsenite, reagents that arrest translation, also resulted in the accumulation of DEF6 in cytoplasmic granules. Bioinformatics analysis identified a glutamine-rich, heptad-repeat region; a feature of aggregating proteins, within the C-terminal region of DEF6 with the potential to promote granule formation through a phosphorylation-dependent unmasking of this region. These data suggest that in addition to its role as a GEF, DEF6 may also function in regulating mRNA translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Hey
- School of Biology, Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
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Vistica BP, Shi G, Nugent L, Tan C, Altman A, Gery I. SLAT/Def6 plays a critical role in the pathogenic process of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Mol Vis 2012; 18:1858-64. [PMID: 22815639 PMCID: PMC3398495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE SWAP 70-like adaptor of T cells (SLAT; aka Def6) is a recently discovered guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho guanosine triphosphate (GTP)ases that has been previously shown to play a role in cluster of differentiation(CD)4+ T cell activation, T-helper (Th)1/Th2/Th17 differentiation and development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Here, we investigated the role of SLAT/Def6 in the development of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), an animal model for several uveitic conditions in humans. METHODS SLAT/Def6 deficient ("KO") mice and C57BL/6 controls were immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), along with pertussis toxin. The development of ocular inflammation was determined by both fundoscopy and histological examination. Lymphoid cells from draining lymph nodes were cultured with IRBP to measure lymphocyte proliferation and release of cytokines. Purified dendritic cells were tested for their capacity to present antigen to responding lymphocytes. In addition, the lymphoid cells were tested for the expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), using conventional methods, and the activity of T-regulatory cells was determined by their capacity to inhibit in vitro proliferative responses. Serum anti -IRBP antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine the transcript levels of cytokines in inflamed eyes. RESULTS SLAT/Def6 KO mice had significantly reduced EAU compared to controls. Cells isolated from draining lymph nodes of SLAT/Def6 KO mice exhibited impaired proliferation and production of Th1 and Th17 signature cytokines (interferon [IFN]-γ and interleukin [IL]-17, respectively) when compared with cells isolated from control mice. qPCR of inflamed eyes detected similar levels of IFN-γ transcript in control and SLAT/Def6 KO mice, whereas the IL-17 transcript levels in eyes of the SLAT/Def6 KO mice were lower than in eyes of the controls. The SLAT/Def6 KO mice resembled their wild type (WT) controls, however, in the levels of their serum antibody against IRBP, the antigen presenting capacity of their dendritic cells, the proportion of cells expressing Foxp3 and the immunosuppressive activity of their T-regulatory cells. CONCLUSIONS SLAT/Def6 KO mice exhibit reduced capacity to develop ocular inflammation and cellular activity when immunized with IRBP. Our study provides new data showing that SLAT/Def6 plays a major role in the T cell-mediated autoimmune processes that bring about the inflammatory eye disease, EAU.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guangpu Shi
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Lindsey Nugent
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Cuiyan Tan
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Amnon Altman
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA
| | - Igal Gery
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD
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Ni A, Chen H, Wu Y, Li W, Chen S, Li J. Expression of IRF-4 and IBP in skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 32:287-290. [PMID: 22528235 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-012-0050-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The expression of the interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF-4) and the IRF-4-binding protein (IBP) in psoriatic skin lesions was investigated. The expression of IRF-4 and IBP in skin lesions of 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris were immunohistochemically dectected. Normal skin from 10 healthy people was used as normal control. The study showed that expression of IRF-4 was increased significantly in keratinocytes and inflammatory cells in the lesions of psoriasis vulgaris than that in the normal control. The detection revealed that IBP expression in keratinocytes, lymphocytes, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands in normal skin was significantly lower than that in the lesions of psoriasis vulgaris (P<0.05). Both IRF-4 and IBP might be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anhong Ni
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hongxiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shanjuan Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jiawen Li
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Biswas PS, Gupta S, Stirzaker RA, Kumar V, Jessberger R, Lu TT, Bhagat G, Pernis AB. Dual regulation of IRF4 function in T and B cells is required for the coordination of T-B cell interactions and the prevention of autoimmunity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 209:581-96. [PMID: 22370718 PMCID: PMC3302237 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20111195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Effective humoral responses to protein antigens require the precise execution of carefully timed differentiation programs in both T and B cell compartments. Disturbances in this process underlie the pathogenesis of many autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is induced upon the activation of T and B cells and serves critical functions. In CD4(+) T helper cells, IRF4 plays an essential role in the regulation of IL-21 production, whereas in B cells it controls class switch recombination and plasma cell differentiation. IRF4 function in T helper cells can be modulated by its interaction with regulatory protein DEF6, a molecule that shares a high degree of homology with only one other protein, SWAP-70. Here, we demonstrate that on a C57BL/6 background the absence of both DEF6 and SWAP-70 leads to the development of a lupus-like disease in female mice, marked by simultaneous deregulation of CD4(+) T cell IL-21 production and increased IL-21 B cell responsiveness. We furthermore show that DEF6 and SWAP-70 are differentially used at distinct stages of B cell differentiation to selectively control the ability of IRF4 to regulate IL-21 responsiveness in a stage-specific manner. Collectively, these data provide novel insights into the mechanisms that normally couple and coordinately regulate T and B cell responses to ensure tight control of productive T-B cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha S Biswas
- Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Kong KF, Yokosuka T, Canonigo-Balancio AJ, Isakov N, Saito T, Altman A. A motif in the V3 domain of the kinase PKC-θ determines its localization in the immunological synapse and functions in T cells via association with CD28. Nat Immunol 2011; 12:1105-12. [PMID: 21964608 PMCID: PMC3197934 DOI: 10.1038/ni.2120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase C-θ (PKC-θ) translocates to the center of the immunological synapse, but the underlying mechanism and its importance in T cell activation are unknown. Here we found that the V3 domain of PKC-θ was necessary and sufficient for localization to the immunological synapse mediated by association with the coreceptor CD28 and dependent on the kinase Lck. We identified a conserved proline-rich motif in V3 required for association with CD28 and immunological synapse localization. We found association with CD28 to be essential for PKC-θ-mediated downstream signaling and the differentiation of T helper type 2 cells (T(H)2 cells) and interleukin 17-producing helper T cells (T(H)17 cells) but not of T helper type 1 cells (T(H)1 cells). Ectopic expression of V3 sequestered PKC-θ from the immunological synapse and interfered with its functions. Our results identify a unique mode of CD28 signaling, establish a molecular basis for the immunological synapse localization of PKC-θ and indicate V3-based 'decoys' may be therapeutic modalities for T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kok-Fai Kong
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
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Zhang X, Tao Y, Troiani L, Markovic-Plese S. Simvastatin inhibits IFN regulatory factor 4 expression and Th17 cell differentiation in CD4+ T cells derived from patients with multiple sclerosis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:3431-7. [PMID: 21856936 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1100580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Subsequent to the clinical trial of simvastatin in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RR MS), which demonstrated the ability of simvastatin to inhibit new inflammatory CNS lesion formation, the current in vitro study has characterized the mechanisms through which simvastatin inhibits Th17 cell differentiation. The anti-inflammatory effects of statins are mediated by the inhibition of isoprenylation, which ensures proper membrane insertion and function of proteins. Small GTPases, involved in multiple signal transduction pathways, are the key targets for isoprenylation. We report that simvastatin, one of the most hydrophobic statins with good CNS penetration, inhibited Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22 secretion in in vitro-differentiated naive CD4(+) T cells from RR MS patients. Simvastatin exerted a less prominent effect on the cells from healthy controls, as it inhibited only IL-17F secretion. The inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation was mediated via inhibition of IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) expression, which was identified as a key transcription factor for human Th17 cell differentiation using both IRF4 gene knockdown and overexpression experiments. In studies addressing which isoprenylation pathway--geranylgeranylation or farnesylation--is inhibited by simvastatin, we demonstrated that the geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor replicated the effect of simvastatin. Selective inhibition of geranylgeranylated RhoA-associated kinase replicated the effect of simvastatin on the inhibition of IRF4 expression and IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22 secretion, presenting a promising new therapeutic approach for this disabling disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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23
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Biswas PS, Gupta S, Chang E, Song L, Stirzaker RA, Liao JK, Bhagat G, Pernis AB. Phosphorylation of IRF4 by ROCK2 regulates IL-17 and IL-21 production and the development of autoimmunity in mice. J Clin Invest 2010; 120:3280-95. [PMID: 20697158 PMCID: PMC2929726 DOI: 10.1172/jci42856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2010] [Accepted: 06/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated production of IL-17 and IL-21 plays a key pathogenic role in many autoimmune disorders. A delineation of the mechanisms that underlie the inappropriate synthesis of IL-17 and IL-21 in autoimmune diseases can thus provide important insights into potential therapies for these disorders. Here we have shown that the serine-threonine kinase Rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) becomes activated in mouse T cells under Th17 skewing conditions and phosphorylates interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), a transcription factor that is absolutely required for the production of IL-17 and IL-21. We furthermore demonstrated that ROCK2-mediated phosphorylation of IRF4 regulated the synthesis of IL-17 and IL-21 and the differentiation of Th17 cells. Whereas CD4+ T cells from WT mice activated ROCK2 physiologically under Th17 conditions, CD4+ T cells from 2 different mouse models of spontaneous autoimmunity aberrantly activated ROCK2 under neutral conditions. Moreover, administration of ROCK inhibitors ameliorated the deregulated production of IL-17 and IL-21 and the inflammatory and autoantibody responses observed in these autoimmune mice. Our findings thus uncover a crucial link among ROCK2, IRF4, and the production of IL-17 and IL-21 and support the idea that selective inhibition of ROCK2 could represent an important therapeutic regimen for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha S Biswas
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Bécart S, Altman A. SWAP-70-like adapter of T cells: a novel Lck-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor coordinating actin cytoskeleton reorganization and Ca2+ signaling in T cells. Immunol Rev 2009; 232:319-33. [PMID: 19909373 PMCID: PMC2801603 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2009.00839.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
SWAP-70-like adapter of T cells (SLAT) is a recently identified guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Cdc42 and Rac1, which is highly expressed in both thymocytes and peripheral T cells. Here, we present and discuss findings resulting from biochemical and genetic analyses aimed at unveiling the role of SLAT in CD4+ T-cell development, activation, and T-helper (Th) cell differentiation. Slat(-/-) mice display a developmental defect at one of the earliest stages of thymocyte differentiation, the double negative 1 (DN1) stage, leading to decreased peripheral T-cell numbers. Slat(-/-) peripheral CD4+ T cells demonstrate impaired T-cell receptor/CD28-induced proliferation and IL-2 production. Moreover, SLAT positively regulates the development of Th1 and Th2 inflammatory responses by controlling Ca2+/NFAT signaling. SLAT is also a positive regulator of the recently emerging Th subset, i.e., Th17 cells, as evidenced by its critical role in Th17 cell-mediated central nervous system inflammation. Furthermore, TCR engagement induces SLAT translocation to the immunological synapse, a process mediated by its Lck-dependent phosphorylation, which thereafter facilitates the triggering of SLAT GEF activity towards Cdc42 and Rac1, leading to NFAT activation and Th1/Th2 differentiation. Future work will aim to dissect the interacting partners of SLAT and may thus shed light on the poorly understood events that coordinate and link actin cytoskeleton reorganization to Ca2+ signaling and gene transcription in T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Bécart
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Amnon Altman
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
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