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Rodríguez-Candela Mateos M, Carpintero-Fernández P, Freijanes PS, Mosquera J, Nebril BA, Mayán MD. Insights into the role of connexins and specialized intercellular communication pathways in breast cancer: Mechanisms and applications. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189173. [PMID: 39154967 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189173] [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: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Gap junctions, membrane-based channels comprised of connexin proteins (Cxs), facilitate direct communication among neighbouring cells and between cells and the extracellular space through their hemichannels. The normal human breast expresses various Cxs family proteins, such as Cx43, Cx30, Cx32, Cx46, and Cx26, crucial for proper tissue development and function. These proteins play a significant role in breast cancer development, progression, and therapy response. In primary tumours, there is often a reduction and cytoplasmic mislocalization of Cx43 and Cx26, while metastatic lesions show an upregulation of these and other Cxs. Although existing research predominantly supports the tumour-suppressing role of Cxs in primary carcinomas through channel-dependent and independent functions, controversies persist regarding their involvement in the metastatic process. This review aims to provide an updated perspective on Cxs in human breast cancer, with a specific focus on intrinsic subtypes due to the heterogeneous nature of this disease. Additionally, the manuscript will explore the role of Cxs in immune interactions and novel forms of intercellular communication, such as tunneling nanotubes and extracellular vesicles, within the breast tumour context and tumour microenvironment. Recent findings suggest that Cxs hold potential as therapeutic targets for mitigating metastasis and drug resistance. Furthermore, they may serve as novel biomarkers for cancer prognosis, offering promising avenues for future research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Rodríguez-Candela Mateos
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Paula Carpintero-Fernández
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain; CellCOM Research Group, Center for Research in Nanomaterials and Biomedicine (CINBIO), Universidade de Vigo, Edificio Olimpia Valencia, Campus Universitario Lagoas Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain; Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS, Spain
| | - Paz Santiago Freijanes
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain; Anatomic Pathology Department, Breast Unit, A Coruña University Hospital, SERGAS, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Joaquin Mosquera
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain; Surgery Department, Breast Unit, A Coruña University Hospital, SERGAS, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Benigno Acea Nebril
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain; Surgery Department, Breast Unit, A Coruña University Hospital, SERGAS, A Coruña, Spain
| | - María D Mayán
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain; CellCOM Research Group, Center for Research in Nanomaterials and Biomedicine (CINBIO), Universidade de Vigo, Edificio Olimpia Valencia, Campus Universitario Lagoas Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain; Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS, Spain.
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2
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Valdebenito S, Ajasin D, Valerdi K, Liu YR, Rao S, Eugenin EA. Mechanisms of Intracellular Communication in Cancer and Pathogen Spreading. Results Probl Cell Differ 2024; 73:301-326. [PMID: 39242384 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62036-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Cell-to-cell interactions are essential for proper development, homeostasis, and complex syncytia/organ formation and function. Intercellular communication are mediated by multiple mechanisms including soluble mediators, adhesion molecules and specific mechanisms of cell to cell communication such as Gap junctions (GJ), tunneling nanotubes (TNT), and exosomes. Only recently, has been discovered that TNTs and exosomes enable the exchange of large signaling molecules, RNA, viral products, antigens, and organelles opening new avenues of research and therapeutic approaches. The focus of this review is to summarize these recent findings in physiologic and pathologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Valdebenito
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - David Ajasin
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Karl Valerdi
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - Samvrit Rao
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - Eliseo A Eugenin
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA.
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3
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Liao W, Liu C, Yang K, Chen J, Wu Y, Zhang S, Yu K, Wang L, Ran L, Chen M, Chen F, Xu Y, Wang S, Wang F, Zhang Q, Zhao J, Ye L, Du C, Wang J. Aged hematopoietic stem cells entrap regulatory T cells to create a prosurvival microenvironment. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:1216-1231. [PMID: 37644165 PMCID: PMC10541885 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01072-3] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Although DNA mutation drives stem cell aging, how mutation-accumulated stem cells obtain clonal advantage during aging remains poorly understood. Here, using a mouse model of irradiation-induced premature aging and middle-aged mice, we show that DNA mutation accumulation in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) during aging upregulates their surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII). MHCII upregulation increases the chance for recognition by bone marrow (BM)-resident regulatory T cells (Tregs), resulting in their clonal expansion and accumulation in the HSC niche. On the basis of the establishment of connexin 43 (Cx43)-mediated gap junctions, BM Tregs transfer cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to aged HSCs to diminish apoptotic priming and promote their survival via activation of protein kinase A (PKA) signaling. Importantly, targeting the HSC-Treg interaction or depleting Tregs effectively prevents the premature/physiological aging of HSCs. These findings show that aged HSCs use an active self-protective mechanism by entrapping local Tregs to construct a prosurvival niche and obtain a clonal advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weinian Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Chaonan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Kidney Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400037, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiding Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuzhen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Kuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Lisha Wang
- Institute of Immunology, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Ran
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Kidney Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400037, Chongqing, China
| | - Mo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Fang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Song Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Fengchao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Naval Medical University, 200433, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinghong Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease of Chongqing, Kidney Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400037, Chongqing, China
| | - Lilin Ye
- Institute of Immunology, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China.
| | - Changhong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China.
| | - Junping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China.
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Basu I, Li H, Trease AJ, Sorgen PL. Regulation of Cx43 Gap Junction Intercellular Communication by Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase and Interleukin-2-Inducible T-Cell Kinase. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040660. [PMID: 37189407 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
T and B cell receptor signaling involves the activation of Akt, MAPKs, and PKC as well as an increase in intracellular Ca2+ and calmodulin activation. While these coordinate the rapid turnover of gap junctions, also implicated in this process is Src, which is not activated as part of T and B cell receptor signaling. An in vitro kinase screen identified that Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) and interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) phosphorylate Cx43. Mass spectroscopy revealed that BTK and ITK phosphorylate Cx43 residues Y247, Y265, and Y313, which are identical to the residues phosphorylated by Src. Overexpression of BTK or ITK in the HEK-293T cells led to increased Cx43 tyrosine phosphorylation as well as decreased gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and Cx43 membrane localization. In the lymphocytes, activation of the B cell receptor (Daudi cells) or T cell receptor (Jurkat cells) increased the BTK and ITK activity, respectively. While this led to increased tyrosine phosphorylation of Cx43 and decreased GJIC, the cellular localization of Cx43 changed little. We have previously identified that Pyk2 and Tyk2 also phosphorylate Cx43 at residues Y247, Y265, and Y313 with a similar cellular fate to that of Src. With phosphorylation critical to Cx43 assembly and turnover, and kinase expression varying between different cell types, there would be a need for different kinases to achieve the same regulation of Cx43. The work presented herein suggests that in the immune system, ITK and BTK have the capacity for the tyrosine phosphorylation of Cx43 to alter the gap junction function in a similar manner as Pyk2, Tyk2, and Src.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishika Basu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Hanjun Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Andrew J Trease
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Paul L Sorgen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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5
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From the Catastrophic Objective Irreproducibility of Cancer Research and Unavoidable Failures of Molecular Targeted Therapies to the Sparkling Hope of Supramolecular Targeted Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032796. [PMID: 36769134 PMCID: PMC9917659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented non-reproducibility of the results published in the field of cancer research has recently come under the spotlight. In this short review, we try to highlight some general principles in the organization and evolution of cancerous tumors, which objectively lead to their enormous variability and, consequently, the irreproducibility of the results of their investigation. This heterogeneity is also extremely unfavorable for the effective use of molecularly targeted medicine. Against the seemingly comprehensive background of this heterogeneity, we single out two supramolecular characteristics common to all tumors: the clustered nature of tumor interactions with their microenvironment and the formation of biomolecular condensates with tumor-specific distinctive features. We suggest that these features can form the basis of strategies for tumor-specific supramolecular targeted therapies.
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The Multifaceted Role of Connexins in Tumor Microenvironment Initiation and Maintenance. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020204. [PMID: 36829482 PMCID: PMC9953436 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Today's research on the processes of carcinogenesis and the vital activity of tumor tissues implies more attention be paid to constituents of the tumor microenvironment and their interactions. These interactions between cells in the tumor microenvironment can be mediated via different types of protein junctions. Connexins are one of the major contributors to intercellular communication. They form the gap junctions responsible for the transfer of ions, metabolites, peptides, miRNA, etc., between neighboring tumor cells as well as between tumor and stromal cells. Connexin hemichannels mediate purinergic signaling and bidirectional molecular transport with the extracellular environment. Additionally, connexins have been reported to localize in tumor-derived exosomes and facilitate the release of their cargo. A large body of evidence implies that the role of connexins in cancer is multifaceted. The pro- or anti-tumorigenic properties of connexins are determined by their abundance, localization, and functionality as well as their channel assembly and non-channel functions. In this review, we have summarized the data on the contribution of connexins to the formation of the tumor microenvironment and to cancer initiation and progression.
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Oliveira MC, Verswyvel H, Smits E, Cordeiro RM, Bogaerts A, Lin A. The pro- and anti-tumoral properties of gap junctions in cancer and their role in therapeutic strategies. Redox Biol 2022; 57:102503. [PMID: 36228438 PMCID: PMC9557036 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs), essential structures for cell-cell communication, are made of two hemichannels (commonly called connexons), one on each adjacent cell. Found in almost all cells, GJs play a pivotal role in many physiological and cellular processes, and have even been linked to the progression of diseases, such as cancer. Modulation of GJs is under investigation as a therapeutic strategy to kill tumor cells. Furthermore, GJs have also been studied for their key role in activating anti-cancer immunity and propagating radiation- and oxidative stress-induced cell death to neighboring cells, a process known as the bystander effect. While, gap junction (GJ)-based therapeutic strategies are being developed, one major challenge has been the paradoxical role of GJs in both tumor progression and suppression, based on GJ composition, cancer factors, and tumoral context. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of action, regulation, and the dual characteristics of GJs in cancer is critical for developing effective therapeutics. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of GJs structure, function, and paradoxical pro- and anti-tumoral role in cancer. We also discuss the treatment strategies to target these GJs properties for anti-cancer responses, via modulation of GJ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Oliveira
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-Antwerp (PLASMANT), Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Avenida dos Estados 5001, CEP 09210-580, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
| | - Hanne Verswyvel
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-Antwerp (PLASMANT), Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rodrigo M Cordeiro
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Avenida dos Estados 5001, CEP 09210-580, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Annemie Bogaerts
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-Antwerp (PLASMANT), Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Abraham Lin
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-Antwerp (PLASMANT), Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium
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Ashby JF, Schmidt J, Kc N, Kurum A, Koch C, Harari A, Tang L, Au SH. Microfluidic T Cell Selection by Cellular Avidity. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200169. [PMID: 35657072 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200169] [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: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
No T cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapies have obtained clinical approval. The lack of strategies capable of selecting and recovering potent T cell candidates may be a contributor to this. Existing protocols for selecting TCR T cell clones for cell therapies such as peptide multimer methods have provided effective measurements on TCR affinities. However, these methods lack the ability to measure the collective strength of intercellular interactions (i.e., cellular avidity) and markers of T cell activation such as immunological synapse formation. This study describes a novel microfluidic fluid shear stress-based approach to identify and recover highly potent T cell clones based on the cellular avidity between living T cells and tumor cells. This approach is capable of probing approximately up to 10 000 T cell-tumor cell interactions per run and can recover potent T cells with up to 100% purity from mixed populations of T cells within 30 min. Markers of cytotoxicity, activation, and avidity persist when recovered high cellular avidity T cells are subsequently exposed to fresh tumor cells. These results demonstrate how microfluidic probing of cellular avidity may fast track the therapeutic T cell selection process and move the authors closer to precision cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian F Ashby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Julien Schmidt
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1066, Switzerland
| | - Neelima Kc
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Armand Kurum
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Koch
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Alexandre Harari
- Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1066, Switzerland
| | - Li Tang
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.,Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Sam H Au
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.,Cancer Research UK Convergence Science Centre, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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Meng JH, Chen CX, Ahmadian MR, Zan H, Luo KJ, Jiang JX. Cross-Activation of Hemichannels/Gap Junctions and Immunoglobulin-Like Domains in Innate–Adaptive Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2022; 13:882706. [PMID: 35911693 PMCID: PMC9334851 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.882706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemichannels (HCs)/gap junctions (GJs) and immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain-containing proteins (IGLDCPs) are involved in the innate–adaptive immune response independently. Despite of available evidence demonstrating the importance of HCs/GJs and IGLDCPs in initiating, implementing, and terminating the entire immune response, our understanding of their mutual interactions in immunological function remains rudimentary. IGLDCPs include immune checkpoint molecules of the immunoglobulin family expressed in T and B lymphocytes, most of which are cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens. They also constitute the principal components of the immunological synapse (IS), which is formed on the cell surface, including the phagocytic synapse, T cell synapse, B cell synapse, and astrocytes–neuronal synapse. During the three stages of the immune response, namely innate immunity, innate–adaptive immunity, and adaptive immunity, HCs/GJs and IGLDCPs are cross-activated during the entire process. The present review summarizes the current understanding of HC-released immune signaling factors that influence IGLDCPs in regulating innate–adaptive immunity. ATP-induced “eat me” signals released by HCs, as well as CD31, CD47, and CD46 “don’t eat me” signaling molecules, trigger initiation of innate immunity, which serves to regulate phagocytosis. Additionally, HC-mediated trogocytosis promotes antigen presentation and amplification. Importantly, HC-mediated CD4+ T lymphocyte activation is critical in the transition of the innate immune response to adaptive immunity. HCs also mediate non-specific transcytosis of antibodies produced by mature B lymphocytes, for instance, IgA transcytosis in ovarian cancer cells, which triggers innate immunity. Further understanding of the interplay between HCs/GJs and IGLDCPs would aid in identifying therapeutic targets that regulate the HC–Ig-like domain immune response, thereby providing a viable treatment strategy for immunological diseases. The present review delineates the clinical immunology-related applications of HC–Ig-like domain cross-activation, which would greatly benefit medical professionals and immunological researchers alike. HCs/GJs and IGLDCPs mediate phagocytosis via ATP; “eat me and don’t eat me” signals trigger innate immunity; HC-mediated trogocytosis promotes antigen presentation and amplification in innate–adaptive immunity; HCs also mediate non-specific transcytosis of antibodies produced by mature B lymphocytes in adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Hui Meng
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of the University in Yunnan Province for International Cooperation in Intercellular Communications and Regulations, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Chang-Xu Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of the University in Yunnan Province for International Cooperation in Intercellular Communications and Regulations, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Mohammad R. Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hong Zan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Kai-Jun Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of the University in Yunnan Province for International Cooperation in Intercellular Communications and Regulations, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- *Correspondence: Kai-Jun Luo, ; Jean X. Jiang,
| | - Jean X. Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Kai-Jun Luo, ; Jean X. Jiang,
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10
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Eugenin E, Camporesi E, Peracchia C. Direct Cell-Cell Communication via Membrane Pores, Gap Junction Channels, and Tunneling Nanotubes: Medical Relevance of Mitochondrial Exchange. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6133. [PMID: 35682809 PMCID: PMC9181466 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The history of direct cell-cell communication has evolved in several small steps. First discovered in the 1930s in invertebrate nervous systems, it was thought at first to be an exception to the "cell theory", restricted to invertebrates. Surprisingly, however, in the 1950s, electrical cell-cell communication was also reported in vertebrates. Once more, it was thought to be an exception restricted to excitable cells. In contrast, in the mid-1960s, two startling publications proved that virtually all cells freely exchange small neutral and charged molecules. Soon after, cell-cell communication by gap junction channels was reported. While gap junctions are the major means of cell-cell communication, in the early 1980s, evidence surfaced that some cells might also communicate via membrane pores. Questions were raised about the possible artifactual nature of the pores. However, early in this century, we learned that communication via membrane pores exists and plays a major role in medicine, as the structures involved, "tunneling nanotubes", can rescue diseased cells by directly transferring healthy mitochondria into compromised cells and tissues. On the other hand, pathogens/cancer could also use these communication systems to amplify pathogenesis. Here, we describe the evolution of the discovery of these new communication systems and the potential therapeutic impact on several uncurable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliseo Eugenin
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), 105 11th Street, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Enrico Camporesi
- Department of Surgery and TEAM Health Anesthesia, University of South Florida, 2 Tampa General Circle, Tampa, FL 33606, USA;
| | - Camillo Peracchia
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
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11
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Aghaallaei N, Agarwal R, Benjaminsen J, Lust K, Bajoghli B, Wittbrodt J, Feijoo CG. Antigen-Presenting Cells and T Cells Interact in a Specific Area of the Intestinal Mucosa Defined by the Ccl25-Ccr9 Axis in Medaka. Front Immunol 2022; 13:812899. [PMID: 35185906 PMCID: PMC8853713 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.812899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Organized intestinal mucosal immune response appears to be restricted to tetrapods. In teleost fish, there is no evidence for the existence of a particular intestinal region that facilitates the interaction of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T cells, such as secondary lymphoid organs. Indeed, despite their importance in the defense against pathogens, the location and manner of APC-T cell interaction within the fish gut is unknown. Here, using non-invasive live imaging of newly developed transgenic reporter lines, we addressed the spatial organization and behavior of APCs and T cells in the intestine of medaka fish both during homeostasis and inflammation. We report that Ccr9a+ T cells are recruited to a band in the lamina propria next to the muscularis mucosa in which Ccl25-expressing cells are present. Ccr9a+ T cells contact APCs for several minutes, in a process mediated by connexin 43. This type of interaction was observed in homeostasis and inflammation, with the interaction being longer and more frequent during inflammation. Thus, our results demonstrate that the mucosal immune response in the intestine of medaka is organized and endowed with a specific region with specialized microenvironment and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Aghaallaei
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rashi Agarwal
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joergen Benjaminsen
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Lust
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Baubak Bajoghli
- Directors' Research Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Wittbrodt
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carmen G Feijoo
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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12
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Abnormal Expression of Connexin43 in Cardiac Injury Induced by S-Band and X-Band Microwave Exposure in Rats. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:3985697. [PMID: 34957312 PMCID: PMC8709747 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3985697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the effects of microwave exposure on the heart have gradually become the focus of domestic and foreign scholars, the biological effects caused by different doses and different frequency bands of exposure are still unclear. In this study, we will investigate the damaging effect of S-band and X-band microwave composite exposure on cardiac structure and function, as well as the pathophysiological significance of Cx43 in cardiac conduction dysfunction after exposure. We used S- and X-band radiation sources with the average power density of 5 and 10 mW/cm2 to expose Wistar rats to single or composite exposure. At the 6th hour, on the 7th, 14th, and 28th days after exposure, ECG was used to detect the electrical conduction of the heart, and the myocardial enzyme was measured by the automatic biochemical analyzer. We selected the observation time points and groups with severe damage to observe the changes of myocardial structure and ultrastructure with an optical microscope and TEM; and to detect the expression and distribution of Cx43 by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. After exposure, the heart rate increased, the P wave amplitude decreased, and the R wave amplitude increased; the content of the myocardial enzyme in serum increased; the structure and ultrastructure of cardiac tissue were damaged. The damage was dose-dependent and frequency-dependent. The expression of Cx43 in myocardial tissue decreased, and distribution was abnormal. Taken together, these findings suggested that the mechanism of abnormal electrical conduction in the heart of rats by S- and X-band microwave exposure might be related to the decreased expression and disordered distribution of Cx43 after microwave exposure.
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13
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Tittarelli A. Connexin channels modulation in pathophysiology and treatment of immune and inflammatory disorders. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166258. [PMID: 34450245 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166258] [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: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Connexin-mediated intercellular communication mechanisms include bidirectional cell-to-cell coupling by gap junctions and release/influx of molecules by hemichannels. These intercellular communications have relevant roles in numerous immune system activities. Here, we review the current knowledge about the function of connexin channels, mainly those formed by connexin-43, on immunity and inflammation. Focusing on those evidence that support the design and development of therapeutic tools to modulate connexin expression and/or channel activities with treatment potential for infections, wounds, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Tittarelli
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Santiago 8940577, Chile.
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14
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Lazzerini PE, Acampa M, Cupelli M, Gamberucci A, Srivastava U, Nanni C, Bertolozzi I, Vanni F, Frosali A, Cantore A, Cartocci A, D'Errico A, Salvini V, Accioli R, Verrengia D, Salvadori F, Dokollari A, Maccherini M, El-Sherif N, Laghi-Pasini F, Capecchi PL, Boutjdir M. Unravelling Atrioventricular Block Risk in Inflammatory Diseases: Systemic Inflammation Acutely Delays Atrioventricular Conduction via a Cytokine-Mediated Inhibition of Connexin43 Expression. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e022095. [PMID: 34713715 PMCID: PMC8751850 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.022095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Recent data suggest that systemic inflammation can negatively affect atrioventricular conduction, regardless of acute cardiac injury. Indeed, gap‐junctions containing connexin43 coupling cardiomyocytes and inflammation‐related cells (macrophages) are increasingly recognized as important factors regulating the conduction in the atrioventricular node. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute impact of systemic inflammatory activation on atrioventricular conduction, and elucidate underlying mechanisms. Methods and Results We analyzed: (1) the PR‐interval in patients with inflammatory diseases of different origins during active phase and recovery, and its association with inflammatory markers; (2) the existing correlation between connexin43 expression in the cardiac tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and the changes occurring in patients with inflammatory diseases over time; (3) the acute effects of interleukin(IL)‐6 on atrioventricular conduction in an in vivo animal model, and on connexin43 expression in vitro. In patients with elevated C‐reactive protein levels, atrioventricular conduction indices are increased, but promptly normalized in association with inflammatory markers reduction, particularly IL‐6. In these subjects, connexin43 expression in PBMC, which is correlative of that measured in the cardiac tissue, inversely associated with IL‐6 changes. Moreover, direct IL‐6 administration increased atrioventricular conduction indices in vivo in a guinea pig model, and IL‐6 incubation in both cardiomyocytes and macrophages in culture, significantly reduced connexin43 proteins expression. Conclusions The data evidence that systemic inflammation can acutely worsen atrioventricular conduction, and that IL‐6‐induced down‐regulation of cardiac connexin43 is a mechanistic pathway putatively involved in the process. Though reversible, these alterations could significantly increase the risk of severe atrioventricular blocks during active inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael Cupelli
- VA New York Harbor Healthcare System SUNY Downstate Medical Center New York NY.,NYU School of Medicine New York NY
| | | | - Ujala Srivastava
- VA New York Harbor Healthcare System SUNY Downstate Medical Center New York NY
| | - Claudio Nanni
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine University of Siena Italy
| | - Iacopo Bertolozzi
- Department of Internal Medicine Cardiology Intensive Therapy Unit Nuovo Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio Florence Italy
| | - Francesca Vanni
- Department of Medical Sciences Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Alessandro Frosali
- Department of Medical Sciences Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Anna Cantore
- Department of Medical Sciences Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | | | - Antonio D'Errico
- Department of Medical Sciences Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Viola Salvini
- Department of Medical Sciences Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Riccardo Accioli
- Department of Medical Sciences Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Decoroso Verrengia
- Department of Medical Sciences Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Fabio Salvadori
- Department of Medical Sciences Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | - Aleksander Dokollari
- Department of Cardiac Surgery University Hospital of Siena Italy.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Saint Michael HospitalUniversity of Toronto Ontario Canada
| | | | - Nabil El-Sherif
- VA New York Harbor Healthcare System SUNY Downstate Medical Center New York NY
| | - Franco Laghi-Pasini
- Department of Medical Sciences Surgery and Neurosciences University of Siena Italy
| | | | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- VA New York Harbor Healthcare System SUNY Downstate Medical Center New York NY.,NYU School of Medicine New York NY
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15
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Orellana VP, Tittarelli A, Retamal MA. Connexins in melanoma: Potential role of Cx46 in its aggressiveness. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2021; 34:853-868. [PMID: 33140904 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, and in metastatic advanced states, it is completely refractory to chemotherapy. Therefore, it is relevant to understand the molecular bases that rule their aggressiveness. Connexins (Cxs) are proteins that under normal physiological conditions participate in intercellular communication, via the exchange of signaling molecules between the cytoplasm and extracellular milieu and the exchange of ions/second messengers between the cytoplasm of contacting cells. These proteins have shown important roles in cancer progression, chemo- and radiotherapy resistance, and metastasis. Accordingly, Cx26 and Cx43 seem to play important roles in melanoma progression and metastasis. On the other hand, Cx46 is typically expressed in the eye lens, where it seems to be associated with oxidative stress protection in fiber lens cells. However, in the last decade, Cx46 expression has been associated with breast and brain cancers, due to its role in potentiation of both extracellular vesicle release and cancer stem cell-like properties. In this review, we analyzed a potential role of Cx46 as a new biomarker and therapeutic target in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana P Orellana
- Universidad del Desarrollo. Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Clinica Alemana Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
- Universidad del Desarrollo. Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Clínica Alemana Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrés Tittarelli
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PIDi), Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM), Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio A Retamal
- Universidad del Desarrollo. Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Clinica Alemana Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
- Universidad del Desarrollo. Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Clínica Alemana Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
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16
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Huo Y, Sheng Z, Lu DR, Ellwanger DC, Li CM, Homann O, Wang S, Yin H, Ren R. Blinatumomab-induced T cell activation at single cell transcriptome resolution. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:145. [PMID: 33648458 PMCID: PMC7923532 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07435-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bi-specific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody is a class of bispecific antibodies designed for cancer immunotherapy. Blinatumomab is the first approved BiTE to treat acute B cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). It brings killer T and target B cells into close proximity, activating patient’s autologous T cells to kill malignant B cells via mechanisms such as cytolytic immune synapse formation and inflammatory cytokine production. However, the activated T-cell subtypes and the target cell-dependent T cell responses induced by blinatumomab, as well as the mechanisms of resistance to blinatumomab therapy are largely unknown. Results In this study, we performed single-cell sequencing analysis to identify transcriptional changes in T cells following blinatumomab-induced T cell activation using single cells from both, a human cell line model and a patient-derived model of blinatumomab-mediated cytotoxicity. In total, the transcriptome of 17,920 single T cells from the cell line model and 2271 single T cells from patient samples were analyzed. We found that CD8+ effector memory T cells, CD4+ central memory T cells, naïve T cells, and regulatory T cells were activated after blinatumomab treatment. Here, blinatumomab-induced transcriptional changes reflected the functional immune activity of the blinatumomab-activated T cells, including the upregulation of pathways such as the immune system, glycolysis, IFNA signaling, gap junctions, and IFNG signaling. Co-stimulatory (TNFRSF4 and TNFRSF18) and co-inhibitory (LAG3) receptors were similarly upregulated in blinatumomab-activated T cells, indicating ligand-dependent T cell functions. Particularly, B-ALL cell expression of TNFSF4, which encodes the ligand of T cell co-stimulatory receptor TNFRSF4, was found positively correlated with the response to blinatumomab treatment. Furthermore, recombinant human TNFSF4 protein enhanced the cytotoxic activity of blinatumomab against B-ALL cells. Conclusion These results reveal a target cell-dependent mechanism of T-cell activation by blinatumomab and suggest that TNFSF4 may be responsible for the resistant mechanism and a potential target for combination therapy with blinatumomab, to treat B-ALL or other B-cell malignancies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07435-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Huo
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, RuiJin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Building 11, No. 197, Ruijin No.2 Rd, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China.,Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., 13F, Building 2, No. 4560, Jinke Rd, Shanghai, 201210, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Sheng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, RuiJin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Building 11, No. 197, Ruijin No.2 Rd, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China.,Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., 13F, Building 2, No. 4560, Jinke Rd, Shanghai, 201210, P.R. China
| | - Daniel R Lu
- Genome Analysis Unit, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc.,, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daniel C Ellwanger
- Genome Analysis Unit, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc.,, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Chi-Ming Li
- Genome Analysis Unit, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc.,, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Oliver Homann
- Genome Analysis Unit, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc.,, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Songli Wang
- Genome Analysis Unit, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc.,, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Hong Yin
- Amgen Asia R&D Center, Amgen Biopharmaceutical R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., 13F, Building 2, No. 4560, Jinke Rd, Shanghai, 201210, P.R. China.
| | - Ruibao Ren
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, RuiJin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Building 11, No. 197, Ruijin No.2 Rd, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China.
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17
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Kuczma MP, Szurek EA, Cebula A, Ngo VL, Pietrzak M, Kraj P, Denning TL, Ignatowicz L. Self and microbiota-derived epitopes induce CD4 + T cell anergy and conversion into CD4 +Foxp3 + regulatory cells. Mucosal Immunol 2021; 14:443-454. [PMID: 33139845 PMCID: PMC7946630 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-020-00349-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The physiological role of T cell anergy induction as a key mechanism supporting self-tolerance remains undefined, and natural antigens that induce anergy are largely unknown. In this report, we used TCR sequencing to show that the recruitment of CD4+CD44+Foxp3-CD73+FR4+ anergic (Tan) cells expands the CD4+Foxp3+ (Tregs) repertoire. Next, we report that blockade in peripherally-induced Tregs (pTregs) formation due to mutation in CNS1 region of Foxp3 or chronic exposure to a selecting self-peptide result in an accumulation of Tan cells. Finally, we show that microbial antigens from Akkermansia muciniphila commensal bacteria can induce anergy and drive conversion of naive CD4+CD44-Foxp3- T (Tn) cells to the Treg lineage. Overall, data presented here suggest that Tan induction helps the Treg repertoire to become optimally balanced to provide tolerance toward ubiquitous and microbiome-derived epitopes, improving host ability to avert systemic autoimmunity and intestinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal P Kuczma
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Edyta A Szurek
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna Cebula
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vu L Ngo
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maciej Pietrzak
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Piotr Kraj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Timothy L Denning
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Leszek Ignatowicz
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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18
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Mulkearns-Hubert EE, Reizes O, Lathia JD. Connexins in Cancer: Jekyll or Hyde? Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1654. [PMID: 33321749 PMCID: PMC7764653 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression, localization, and function of connexins, the protein subunits that comprise gap junctions, are often altered in cancer. In addition to cell-cell coupling through gap junction channels, connexins also form hemichannels that allow communication between the cell and the extracellular space and perform non-junctional intracellular activities. Historically, connexins have been considered tumor suppressors; however, they can also serve tumor-promoting functions in some contexts. Here, we review the literature surrounding connexins in cancer cells in terms of specific connexin functions and propose that connexins function upstream of most, if not all, of the hallmarks of cancer. The development of advanced connexin targeting approaches remains an opportunity for the field to further interrogate the role of connexins in cancer phenotypes, particularly through the use of in vivo models. More specific modulators of connexin function will both help elucidate the functions of connexins in cancer and advance connexin-specific therapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E. Mulkearns-Hubert
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (O.R.); (J.D.L.)
| | - Ofer Reizes
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (O.R.); (J.D.L.)
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College, Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Justin D. Lathia
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (O.R.); (J.D.L.)
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College, Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
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19
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Tittarelli A, Navarrete M, Lizana M, Hofmann-Vega F, Salazar-Onfray F. Hypoxic Melanoma Cells Deliver microRNAs to Dendritic Cells and Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes through Connexin-43 Channels. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207567. [PMID: 33066331 PMCID: PMC7589225 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) profiles, induced by tumor microenvironment stressors, like hypoxia, allow cancer cells to acquire immune-resistance phenotypes. Indeed, hypoxia-induced miRNAs have been implicated in cancer progression through numerous cancer cell non-autonomous mechanisms, including the direct transfer of hypoxia-responsive miRNA from cancer to immune cells via extracellular vesicles. Connexin-43 (Cx43)-constituted gap junctions (GJs) have also been involved in miRNA intercellular mobilization, in other biological processes. In this report, we aimed to evaluate the involvement of Cx43-GJs in the shift of miRNAs induced by hypoxia, from hypoxic melanoma cells to dendritic cells and melanoma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Using qRT-PCR arrays, we identified that miR-192-5p was strongly induced in hypoxic melanoma cells. Immune cells acquired this miRNA after co-culture with hypoxic melanoma cells. The transfer of miR-192-5p was inhibited when hypoxic melanoma cells expressed a dominant negative Cx43 mutant or when Cx43 expression was silenced using specific short-hairpin RNAs. Interestingly, miR-192-5p levels on CTLs after co-culture with hypoxic melanoma cells were inversely correlated with the cytotoxic activity of T cells and with ZEB2 mRNA expression, a validated immune-related target of miR-192-5p, which is also observed in vivo. Altogether, our data suggest that hypoxic melanoma cells may suppress CTLs cytotoxic activity by transferring hypoxia-induced miR-192-5p through a Cx43-GJs driven mechanism, constituting a resistance strategy for immunological tumor escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Tittarelli
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PIDi), Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM), Santiago 8940577, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-2-2787-7903
| | - Mariela Navarrete
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (M.N.); (M.L.); (F.H.-V.); (F.S.-O.)
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Marcelo Lizana
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (M.N.); (M.L.); (F.H.-V.); (F.S.-O.)
| | - Francisca Hofmann-Vega
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (M.N.); (M.L.); (F.H.-V.); (F.S.-O.)
| | - Flavio Salazar-Onfray
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (M.N.); (M.L.); (F.H.-V.); (F.S.-O.)
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
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20
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Connexin-Mediated Signaling at the Immunological Synapse. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103736. [PMID: 32466338 PMCID: PMC7279457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunological synapse (IS) is an intercellular communication platform, organized at the contact site of two adjacent cells, where at least one is an immune cell. Functional IS formation is fundamental for the modulation of the most relevant immune system activities, such as T cell activation by antigen presenting cells and T cell/natural killer (NK) cell-mediated target cell (infected or cancer) killing. Extensive evidence suggests that connexins, in particular connexin-43 (Cx43) hemichannels and/or gap junctions, regulate signaling events in different types of IS. Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, the current evidence suggests that Cx43 channels could act as facilitators for calcium ions, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and/or adenosine triphosphate uptake and/or release at the interface of interacting cells. These second messengers have relevant roles in the IS signaling during dendritic cell-mediated T and NK cell activation, regulatory T cell-mediated immune suppression, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte or NK cell-mediated target tumor cell killing. Additionally, as the cytoplasmic C-terminus domain of Cx43 interacts with a plethora of proteins, Cx43 may act as scaffolds for integration of various regulatory proteins at the IS, as suggested by the high number of Cx43-interacting proteins that translocate at these cell-cell interface domains. In this review, we provide an updated overview and analysis on the role and possible underlying mechanisms of Cx43 in IS signaling.
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21
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Varela-Vázquez A, Guitián-Caamaño A, Carpintero-Fernandez P, Fonseca E, Sayedyahossein S, Aasen T, Penuela S, Mayán MD. Emerging functions and clinical prospects of connexins and pannexins in melanoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188380. [PMID: 32461135 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cellular communication through gap junctions and hemichannels formed by connexins and through channels made by pannexins allows for metabolic cooperation and control of cellular activity and signalling. These channel proteins have been described to be tumour suppressors that regulate features such as cell death, proliferation and differentiation. However, they display cancer type-dependent and stage-dependent functions and may facilitate tumour progression through junctional and non-junctional pathways. The accumulated knowledge and emerging strategies to target connexins and pannexins are providing novel clinical opportunities for the treatment of cancer. Here, we provide an updated overview of the role of connexins and pannexins in malignant melanoma. We discuss how targeting of these channel proteins may be used to potentiate antitumour effects in therapeutic settings, including through improved immune-mediated tumour elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Varela-Vázquez
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Amanda Guitián-Caamaño
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Paula Carpintero-Fernandez
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Eduardo Fonseca
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain; Dermatology Deparment, University Hospital of A Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Samar Sayedyahossein
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada
| | - Trond Aasen
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Autonomous University of Barcelona, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Penuela
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada
| | - María D Mayán
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain.
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22
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Flow Cytometry Evaluation of Gap Junction-Mediated Intercellular Communication Between Cytotoxic T Cells and Target Tumor Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2346:225-236. [PMID: 33029747 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2020_326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs) are clusters of intercellular connexin-formed channels found at the plasma membrane that allow direct communication between the cytoplasm of adjacent cells. Numerous reports have described GJs as modulators of key immunological processes, including in anti-tumor immune responses. Here, we described a simple flow cytometry method to test in vitro antigen-dependent GJ-mediated cell-to-cell coupling between cytotoxic T cells and target melanoma cells.
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23
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Zhang LΖ, Fan ZR, Wang L, Liu LQ, Li XZ, Li L, Si JQ, Ma KT. Carbenoxolone decreases monocrotaline‑induced pulmonary inflammation and pulmonary arteriolar remodeling in rats by decreasing the expression of connexins in T lymphocytes. Int J Mol Med 2019; 45:81-92. [PMID: 31746364 PMCID: PMC6889920 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptive immune response mediated by T lymphocytes is a well-established factor in the pathogenesis of pulmonary inflammation. Changes in the expression of various connexins (Cxs) or disruption of connexin-mediated cellular communication in T lymphocytes contribute to inflammation or tissue remodeling. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential therapeutic value of blocking Cxs in a monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary inflammation rat model. Carbenoxolone (CBX) was used to inhibit connexin-mediated cellular communication. An MCT rat model was established by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a single dose of MCT (60 mg/kg), and CBX treatment (20 µg/kg/day, i.p.) was initiated on the day following MCT treatment for 28 days. Vehicle-treated male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as the negative control. The MCT rat model was evaluated by measuring the pulmonary artery flow acceleration time and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI). Histopathological features of the lung tissues and pulmonary arteriolar remodeling were assessed. The proportions of T lymphocyte subtypes, Cx40/cx43 expression in the T cell subtypes and the cytokine levels in the plasma and the lung tissues were also analyzed. Pharmacological inhibition of Cxs using CBX attenuated MCT-induced right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary arteriolar remodeling, lung fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration by decreasing the RVHI, pulmonary arterial wall thickening, collagen deposition and pro-inflammatory cytokines production as well as CD3+ and CD4+ T cell accumulation in lung tissues of MCT-treated rats. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis revealed that CBX may inhibit MCT-induced Cx40 and Cx43 expression in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in lung tissues. The present study provides evidence that pharmacological inhibition of Cxs may attenuate MCT-induced pulmonary arteriolar remodeling and pulmonary inflammatory response, at least in part, by decreasing Cx expression. The results highlight the critical role of Cxs in T lymphocytes in the MCT-induced pulmonary inflammatory response and that targeting of Cxs may be a potential therapeutic method for treating pulmonary inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Ζ Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Ru Fan
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Lu-Qian Liu
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Zhi Li
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Qiang Si
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Ke-Tao Ma
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
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24
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Hofmann F, Navarrete M, Álvarez J, Guerrero I, Gleisner MA, Tittarelli A, Salazar-Onfray F. Cx43-Gap Junctions Accumulate at the Cytotoxic Immunological Synapse Enabling Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Melanoma Cell Killing. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184509. [PMID: 31547237 PMCID: PMC6769613 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon tumor antigen recognition, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and target cells form specialized supramolecular structures, called cytotoxic immunological synapses, which are required for polarized delivery of cytotoxic granules. In previous reports, we described the accumulation of connexin 43 (Cx43)-formed gap junctions (GJs) at natural killer (NK) cell–tumor cell cytotoxic immunological synapse. In this report, we demonstrate the functional role of Cx43-GJs at the cytotoxic immunological synapse established between CTLs and melanoma cells during cytotoxicity. Using confocal microscopy, we evaluated Cx43 polarization to the contact site between CTLs isolated from pMEL-1 mice and B16F10 melanoma cells. We knocked down Cx43 expression in B16F10 cells and evaluated its role in the formation of functional GJs and the cytotoxic activity of CTLs, by calcein transfer and granzyme B activity assays, respectively. We found that Cx43 localizes at CTL/B16F10 intercellular contact sites via an antigen-dependent process. We also found that pMEL-1 CTLs but not wild-type naïve CD8+ T cells established functional GJs with B16F10 cells. Interestingly, we observed that Cx43-GJs were required for an efficient granzyme B activity in target B16F10 cells. Using an HLA-A2-restricted/MART-1-specific CD8+ T-cell clone, we confirmed these observations in human cells. Our results suggest that Cx43-channels are relevant components of cytotoxic immunological synapses and potentiate CTL-mediated tumor cell killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Hofmann
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
| | - Mariela Navarrete
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
| | - Javiera Álvarez
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
| | - Israel Guerrero
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
| | - María Alejandra Gleisner
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
| | - Andrés Tittarelli
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
| | - Flavio Salazar-Onfray
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, 8380453 Santiago, Chile.
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25
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Lazzerini PE, Laghi‐Pasini F, Acampa M, Srivastava U, Bertolozzi I, Giabbani B, Finizola F, Vanni F, Dokollari A, Natale M, Cevenini G, Selvi E, Migliacci N, Maccherini M, Boutjdir M, Capecchi PL. Systemic Inflammation Rapidly Induces Reversible Atrial Electrical Remodeling: The Role of Interleukin-6-Mediated Changes in Connexin Expression. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 8:e011006. [PMID: 31423933 PMCID: PMC6759884 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.118.011006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Systemic inflammation is a strong predictor of atrial fibrillation. A key role for electrical remodeling is increasingly recognized, and experimental data suggest that inflammatory cytokines can directly affect connexins resulting in gap-junction dysfunction. We hypothesized that systemic inflammation, regardless of its origin, promotes atrial electric remodeling in vivo, as a result of cytokine-mediated changes in connexin expression. Methods and Results Fifty-four patients with different inflammatory diseases and elevated C-reactive protein were prospectively enrolled, and electrocardiographic P-wave dispersion indices, cytokine levels (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, interleukin-10), and connexin expression (connexin 40, connexin 43) were measured during active disease and after reducing C-reactive protein by >75%. Moreover, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and atrial tissue specimens from an additional sample of 12 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were evaluated for atrial and circulating mRNA levels of connexins. Finally, in vitro effects of interleukin-6 on connexin expression were studied in HL-1 mouse atrial myocytes. In patients with active inflammatory diseases, P-wave dispersion indices were increased but rapidly decreased within days when C-reactive protein normalizes and interleukin-6 levels decline. In inflammatory disease patients, both P-wave dispersion indices and interleukin-6 changes were inversely associated with circulating connexin levels, and a positive correlation between connexin expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and atrial tissue was demonstrated. Moreover, interleukin-6 significantly reduced connexin expression in HL-1 cells. Conclusions Our data suggest that regardless of specific etiology and organ localization, systemic inflammation, via interleukin-6 elevation, rapidly induces atrial electrical remodeling by down-regulating cardiac connexins. Although transient, these changes may significantly increase the risk for atrial fibrillation and related complications during active inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Franco Laghi‐Pasini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and NeurosciencesUniversity of SienaItaly
| | | | - Ujala Srivastava
- Cardiovascular Research ProgramVA New York Harbor Healthcare SystemBrooklyn, New YorkNY
- Department of Medicine, Cell Biology and PharmacologyState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklyn, New YorkNY
| | - Iacopo Bertolozzi
- Cardiology Intensive Therapy UnitDepartment of Internal MedicineHospital of CarraraItaly
| | - Beatrice Giabbani
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and NeurosciencesUniversity of SienaItaly
| | - Francesco Finizola
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and NeurosciencesUniversity of SienaItaly
| | - Francesca Vanni
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and NeurosciencesUniversity of SienaItaly
| | - Aleksander Dokollari
- Department of Cardiac SurgeryUniversity Hospital of SienaItaly
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgerySaint Michael HospitalUniversity of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Mariarita Natale
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and NeurosciencesUniversity of SienaItaly
| | | | - Enrico Selvi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and NeurosciencesUniversity of SienaItaly
| | - Nicola Migliacci
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and NeurosciencesUniversity of SienaItaly
| | | | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- Cardiovascular Research ProgramVA New York Harbor Healthcare SystemBrooklyn, New YorkNY
- Department of Medicine, Cell Biology and PharmacologyState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklyn, New YorkNY
- Department of MedicineNYU School of MedicineNew YorkNY
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Ni X, Zhang L, Ma X, Shan LY, Li L, Si JQ, Li XZ, Zhang YY, Ma KT. β‑estradiol alleviates hypertension‑ and concanavalin A‑mediated inflammatory responses via modulation of connexins in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Mol Med Rep 2019; 19:3743-3755. [PMID: 30896818 PMCID: PMC6471871 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs) formed by connexins (Cxs) in T lymphocytes have been reported to have important roles in the T lymphocyte-driven inflammatory response and hypertension-mediated inflammation. Estrogen has a protective effect on cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and it attenuates excessive inflammatory responses in certain autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanisms involved in regulating the pro-inflammatory response are complex and poorly understood. The current study investigated whether β-estradiol suppresses hypertension and pro-inflammatory stimuli-mediated inflammatory responses by regulating Cxs and Cx-mediated GJs in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Male, 16-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: WKY rats, vehicle (saline)-treated SHRs, and β-estradiol (20 µg/kg/day)-treated SHRs. β-estradiol was administered subcutaneously for 5 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to evaluate target organ injury. Flow cytometry and ELISA were used to measure the populations of T lymphocyte subtypes in the peripheral blood, and expression of Cx40/Cx43 in T cell subtypes, and pro-inflammation cytokines levels, respectively. ELISA, a dye transfer technique, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were used to analyze the effect of β-estradiol on pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, Cx-mediated GJs and the expression of Cxs in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from WKY rat. β-estradiol significantly decreased blood pressure and inhibited hypertension-induced target organ injury in SHRs. Additionally, β-estradiol treatment significantly improved the immune homeostasis of SHRs, as demonstrated by the decreased percentage of cluster of differentiation (CD)4+/CD8+ T-cell subset ratio, reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells. β-estradiol also markedly reduced the expression of Cx40/Cx43 in T lymphocytes from SHRs. In vitro, β-estradiol significantly suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduced communication via Cx-mediated gap junctions and decreased the expression of Cx40/Cx43 in Con A-stimulated lymphocytes. These results indicate that β-estradiol attenuates inflammation and end organ damage in hypertension, which may be partially mediated via downregulated expression of Cxs and reduced function of Cx-mediated GJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ni
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Xin Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Li-Ya Shan
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Qiang Si
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Zhi Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
| | - You-Yi Zhang
- Department of Cardiology and Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
| | - Ke-Tao Ma
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, P.R. China
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27
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Abstract
The gap junctions (GJs), which form intercellular communicating channels between two apposing cells or form hemichannel with extracellular environment, perform crucial functions to maintain small molecule homeostasis. The central nervous system (CNS) GJs are important for maintenance of myelin sheath and neuronal activity. Connexin (Cx) proteins are building blocks of GJs. Recent cell-biological investigations show that amongst the CNS specific Cxs, the most abundant Cx protein, Cx43 and its oligodendrocytic coupling partner Cx47 primarily important for maintenance of CNS myelin. Recent investigations elucidate that the expression of Cx43 and Cx47 is very important to maintain K+ buffering and nutrient homeostasis in oligodendrocytes, CNS myelin and oligodendrocyte function. The investigations on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patient samples and EAE hypothesized that the functional loss of Cx43/Cx47 could be associated with spread of chronic MS lesions. Exploring the mechanism of initial GJ alteration and its effect on demyelination in this model of MS might play a primary role to understand the basis of altered CNS homeostasis, observed during MS. In this review, we mainly discuss the role of CNS GJs, specifically the Cx43/Cx47 axis in the perspective of demyelination.
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28
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Basu R, Sarma JDAS. Connexin 43/47 channels are important for astrocyte/ oligodendrocyte cross-talk in myelination and demyelination. J Biosci 2018; 43:1055-1068. [PMID: 30541963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2022]
Abstract
The gap junctions (GJs), which form intercellular communicating channels between two apposing cells or form hemichannel with extracellular environment, perform crucial functions to maintain small molecule homeostasis. The central nervous system (CNS) GJs are important for maintenance of myelin sheath and neuronal activity. Connexin (Cx) proteins are building blocks of GJs. Recent cell-biological investigations show that amongst the CNS specific Cxs, the most abundant Cx protein, Cx43 and its oligodendrocytic coupling partner Cx47 primarily important for maintenance of CNS myelin. Recent investigations elucidate that the expression of Cx43 and Cx47 is very important to maintain K? buffering and nutrient homeostasis in oligodendrocytes, CNS myelin and oligodendrocyte function. The investigations on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patient samples and EAE hypothesized that the functional loss of Cx43/Cx47 could be associated with spread of chronic MS lesions. Exploring the mechanism of initial GJ alteration and its effect on demyelination in this model of MS might play a primary role to understand the basis of altered CNS homeostasis, observed during MS. In this review, we mainly discuss the role of CNS GJs, specifically the Cx43/Cx47 axis in the perspective of demyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
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29
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Ni X, Li XZ, Fan ZR, Wang A, Zhang HC, Zhang L, LI L, Si JQ, Ma KT. Increased expression and functionality of the gap junction in peripheral blood lymphocytes is associated with hypertension-mediated inflammation in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2018; 23:40. [PMID: 30151015 PMCID: PMC6102908 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-018-0106-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imbalances in circulating T lymphocytes play critical roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension-mediated inflammation. Connexins (Cxs) in immune cells are involved in the maintenance of homeostasis of T lymphocytes. However, the association between Cxs in peripheral blood T lymphocytes and hypertension-mediated inflammation remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate the role of Cxs in T lymphocytes in hypertension-mediated inflammation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS The systolic blood pressure (SBP) in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHRs was monitored using the tail-cuff method. The serum cytokine level was determined using ELISA. The proportions of different T-lymphocyte subtypes in the peripheral blood, the expressions of Cx40/Cx43 in the T-cell subtypes, and the gap junctional intracellular communication (GJIC) of peripheral blood lymphocytes were measured using flow cytometry (FC). The accumulations of Cx40/Cx43 at the plasma membrane and/or in the cytoplasm were determined using immunofluorescence staining. The in vitro mRNA levels of cytokines and GJIC in the peripheral blood lymphocytes were respectively examined using real-time PCR and FC after treatment with Gap27 and/or concanavalin A (Con A). RESULTS The percentage of CD4+ T cells and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio were high, and the accumulation or expressions of Cx40/Cx43 in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in SHRs were higher than in those of WKY rats. The percentage of CD8+ and CD4+CD25+ T cells was lower in SHRs. The serum levels of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 from SHRs were higher than those from WKY rats, and the serum levels of IL-2 and IL-6 positively correlated with the expression of Cx40/Cx43 in the peripheral blood T lymphocytes from SHRs. The peripheral blood lymphocytes of SHRs exhibited enhanced GJIC. Cx43-based channel inhibition, which was mediated by Gap27, remarkably reduced GJIC in lymphocytes, and suppressed IL-2 and IL-6 mRNA expressions in Con A stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that Cxs may be involved in the regulation of T-lymphocyte homeostasis and the production of cytokines. A clear association was found between alterations in Cxs expression or in Cx43-based GJIC and hypertension-mediated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ni
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, 59 North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002 People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang China
| | - Xin-zhi Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang China
| | - Zhi-ru Fan
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, 59 North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002 People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang China
| | - Ai Wang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, 59 North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002 People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang China
| | - Hai-chao Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, 59 North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002 People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, 59 North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002 People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang China
| | - Li LI
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, 59 North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002 People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang China
| | - Jun-qiang Si
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, 59 North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002 People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang China
| | - Ke-tao Ma
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, 59 North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002 People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang China
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30
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Lu Y, Wang XM, Yang P, Han L, Wang YZ, Zheng ZH, Wu F, Zhang WJ, Zhang L. Effect of gap junctions on RAW264.7 macrophages infected with H37Rv. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e12125. [PMID: 30170447 PMCID: PMC6392813 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000012125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apoptosis and inflammation have been shown to play an important role in the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. When macrophages undergo apoptosis and polarization, gap junctions (GJs) may be needed to provide conditions for their functions. Connexin 43 (Cx43) and connexin 37 (Cx37) are the main connexins in macrophages that participate in the formation of GJ channels. METHODS An H37Rv infection RAW264.7 macrophage model was established to investigate the associate between connexins and host macrophage immune defense response after MTB infection. First, Real-time Polymerase Chian Reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Cx43 and Cx37. Cx43 protein expression and location was detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Confocal microscope was used to assay the gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Then, electron microscope used to observe the morphology of macrophages. Finally, RAW264.7 macrophage apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of inflammation factors such as CD86, CD206, and IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and TGF-β were detected by Real-time PCR and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA). RESULTS H37Rv infection significantly promoted host macrophage Cx43 mRNA and protein expression (increased 1.6-fold and 0.3-fold respectively), and enhanced host macrophage GJIC. When host macrophage cell-to-cell communication induced by H37Rv infection, the apoptosis rate and inflammatory factors expression also increased. CONCLUSIONS The results confirm that H37Rv infection can obviously induce host macrophage Cx43 expression and enhance GJIC, which may implicated in host macrophage inflammatory reaction, to regulate the release of inflammatory factors and/or initiate apoptosis to activate host immune defense response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases
| | - Xin-min Wang
- Department of Urinary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Pu Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Pathophysiology/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases
| | - Ying-zi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases
| | - Zhi-hong Zheng
- Department of Pathophysiology/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases
| | - Fang Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases
| | - Wan-jiang Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases
| | - Le Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases
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31
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Sáez PJ, Sáez JC, Lennon-Duménil AM, Vargas P. Role of calcium permeable channels in dendritic cell migration. Curr Opin Immunol 2018; 52:74-80. [PMID: 29715579 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Calcium ion (Ca2+) is an essential second messenger involved in multiple cellular and subcellular processes. Ca2+ can be released and sensed globally or locally within cells, providing complex signals of variable amplitudes and time-scales. The key function of Ca2+ in the regulation of acto-myosin contractility has provided a simple explanation for its role in the regulation of immune cell migration. However, many questions remain, including the identity of the Ca2+ stores, channels and upstream signals involved in this process. Here, we focus on dendritic cells (DCs), because their immune sentinel function heavily relies on their capacity to migrate within tissues and later on between tissues and lymphoid organs. Deciphering the mechanisms by which cytoplasmic Ca2+ regulate DC migration should shed light on their role in initiating and tuning immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo J Sáez
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, F-75005, France; Instittut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, PSL Research University, F-75005, France.
| | - Juan C Sáez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago 6513677, Chile; Instituto Milenio, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2360103, Chile
| | | | - Pablo Vargas
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, F-75005, France; Instittut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, PSL Research University, F-75005, France.
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Finetti F, Cassioli C, Baldari CT. Transcellular communication at the immunological synapse: a vesicular traffic-mediated mutual exchange. F1000Res 2017; 6:1880. [PMID: 29123650 PMCID: PMC5657015 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.11944.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell’s ability to communicate with the extracellular environment, with other cells, and with itself is a crucial feature of eukaryotic organisms. In the immune system, T lymphocytes assemble a specialized structure upon contact with antigen-presenting cells bearing a peptide-major histocompatibility complex ligand, known as the immunological synapse (IS). The IS has been extensively characterized as a signaling platform essential for T-cell activation. Moreover, emerging evidence identifies the IS as a device for vesicular traffic-mediated cell-to-cell communication as well as an active release site of soluble molecules. Here, we will review recent advances in the role of vesicular trafficking in IS assembly and focused secretion of microvesicles at the synaptic area in naïve T cells and discuss the role of the IS in transcellular communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Finetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via A. Moro 2, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Chiara Cassioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via A. Moro 2, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Cosima T Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via A. Moro 2, Siena, 53100, Italy
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Zhang HC, Zhang ZS, Zhang L, Wang A, Zhu H, Li L, Si JQ, Li XZ, Ma KT. Connexin 43 in splenic lymphocytes is involved in the regulation of CD4+CD25+ T lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production in hypertensive inflammation. Int J Mol Med 2017; 41:13-24. [PMID: 29115377 PMCID: PMC5746298 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation promotes the development of hypertension and is associated with increased T cell infiltration and cytokine production in impaired organs. Gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43), is ubiquitously expressed in immune cells and plays an important role in T cell proliferation and activation, and cytokine production. However, the correlation between Cx43 in T cells and the hypertensive inflammatory response remains unknown. Thus, in this study, we wished to examine this correlation. First, our results revealed that hypertension caused significant thickening of the vascular wall, inflammatory cell infiltration into part of the renal interstitium and glomerular atrophy, and it increased the tubular damage scores in the kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Moreover, the SHRs exhibited stenosis in the central artery wall of the spleen with increased serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 compared with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The spleens of the SHRs exhibited a significantly decreased percentage of CD4+CD25+ (Treg) T cells. However, the percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell and the levels of CD4+Cx43 and CD8+Cx43 did not differ significantly between the SHRs and WKY rats. In cultured lymphocytes from the SHRs and WKY rats, low percentages of Treg cells and reduced cytokine (IL-2 and IL-6) mRNA expression levels were observed in the lymphocytes obtained from the SHRs and WKY rats treated with the connexin blocker, Gap27, or concanavalin A (ConA) plus Gap27. The effects of ConA and Gap27 differed between the SHRs and WKY rats. On the whole, our findings demonstrate that the splenic Treg cell-mediated suppression in SHRs may be involved in hypertensive inflammatory responses. Cx43 in the gap junctional channel may regulate lymphocyte activation and inflammatory cytokine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Chao Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China
| | - Zhong-Shuang Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China
| | - Ai Wang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China
| | - He Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Qiang Si
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Zhi Li
- The Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China
| | - Ke-Tao Ma
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China
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Ni X, Wang A, Zhang L, Shan LY, Zhang HC, Li L, Si JQ, Luo J, Li XZ, Ma KT. Up-regulation of gap junction in peripheral blood T lymphocytes contributes to the inflammatory response in essential hypertension. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184773. [PMID: 28910394 PMCID: PMC5599050 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has been shown to play an important role in the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Connexins (Cxs)-based gap junction channels (GJCs) or hemichannels (HCs) are involved in the maintenance of homeostasis in the immune system. However, the role of Cx43-based channels in T-lymphocytes in mediating the immune response in essential hypertension is not fully understand. The present study was designed to investigate the role of Cxs-based channels in T lymphocytes in the regulation of hypertension-mediated inflammation. The surface expressions of T lymphocyte subtypes, Cx40/Cx43, and inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ (interferon-gamma) and TNF-ɑ (tumor necrosis factor alpha)) in T cells, as well as gap junction communication of peripheral blood lymphocytes from essential hypertensive patients (EHs) and normotensive healthy subjects (NTs) were detected by flow cytometry. Expression levels and phosphorylation of Cx43 protein in peripheral blood lymphocytes of EHs and NTs were analyzed by Western blot. The proliferation rate of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after treatment with a Cxs inhibitor was examined by a CCK-8 assay. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected using ELISA. Within the CD3+ T cell subsets, we found a significant trend toward an increase in the percentage of CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio as well as in serum levels of IFN-γ and TNF-ɑ in the peripheral blood of EHs compared with those in NTs. Moreover, the peripheral blood lymphocytes of EH patients exhibited enhanced GJCs formation, increased Cx43 protein level and Cx43 phosphorylation at Ser368, and a significant increase in Cx40/Cx43 surface expressions levels in CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes. Cx43-based channel inhibition by a mimetic peptide greatly reduced the exchange of dye between lymphocytes, proliferation of stimulated lymphocytes and the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels of EHs and NTs. Our data suggest that Cx40/Cx43-based channels in lymphocytes may be involved in the regulation of T lymphocyte proliferation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to the hypertensive inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ni
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ai Wang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Li-Ya Shan
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hai-Chao Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jun-Qiang Si
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jian Luo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xin-Zhi Li
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Department of Pathophysiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ke-Tao Ma
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Xingjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
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35
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Gleisner MA, Navarrete M, Hofmann F, Salazar-Onfray F, Tittarelli A. Mind the Gaps in Tumor Immunity: Impact of Connexin-Mediated Intercellular Connections. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1067. [PMID: 28919895 PMCID: PMC5585150 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs)-mediated intercellular communications (GJICs) are connexin (Cx)-formed plasma membrane channels that allow for the passage of small molecules between adjacent cells, and are involved in several physiopathological processes, including immune responses against cancer. In general, tumor cells are poorly coupled through GJs, mainly due to low Cx expression or reduced channel activity, suggesting that Cxs may have tumor suppressor roles. However, more recent data indicate that Cxs and/or GJICs may also in some cases promote tumor progression. This dual role of Cx channels in tumor outcome may be due, at least partially, to the fact that GJs not only interconnect cells from the same type, such as cancer cells, but also promote the intercellular communication of tumor cells with different types of cells from their microenvironment, and such diverse intercellular interactions have distinctive impact on tumor development. For example, whereas GJ-mediated interactions among tumor cells and microglia have been implicated in promotion of tumor growth, tumor cells delivery to dendritic cells of antigenic peptides through GJs have been associated with enhanced immune-mediated tumor elimination. In this review, we provide an updated overview on the role of GJICs in tumor immunity, focusing on the pro-tumor and antitumor effect of GJs occurring among tumor and immune cells. Accumulated data suggest that GJICs may act as tumor suppressors or enhancers depending on whether tumor cells interact predominantly with antitumor immune cells or with stromal cells. The complex modulation of immune-tumor cell GJICs should be taken into consideration in order to potentiate current cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Alejandra Gleisner
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Faculty of Medicine, Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mariela Navarrete
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Faculty of Medicine, Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca Hofmann
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Faculty of Medicine, Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Flavio Salazar-Onfray
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Faculty of Medicine, Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrés Tittarelli
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Faculty of Medicine, Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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36
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Meens MJ, Kutkut I, Rochemont V, Dubrot J, Kaladji FR, Sabine A, Lyons O, Hendrikx S, Bernier-Latmani J, Kiefer F, Smith A, Hugues S, Petrova TV, Kwak BR. Cx47 fine-tunes the handling of serum lipids but is dispensable for lymphatic vascular function. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181476. [PMID: 28732089 PMCID: PMC5521787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the gap junction protein connexin47 (Cx47) are associated with lymphedema. However, the role of Cx47 in lymphatic pathophysiology is unknown. We demonstrate that Cx47 is expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells by whole-mount immunostaining and qPCR. To determine if Cx47 plays a role in lymphatic vessel function we analysed Cx47-/- mice. Cx47-deficiency did not affect lymphatic contractility (contractile amplitude or frequency) or lymphatic morphology (vessel diameter or number of valves). Interstitial fluid drainage or dendritic cell migration through lymphatic vessels was also not affected by Cx47-deficiency. Cx47 is dispensable for long-chain fatty acid absorption from the gut but rather promotes serum lipid handling as prolonged elevated triglyceride levels were observed in Cx47-deficient mice after oral lipid tolerance tests. When crossed with Apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe-/-) mice, LDL-cholesterol was decreased in young Cx47-/-Apoe-/- adults as compared to Apoe-/- mice, which was inverted later in life. Finally, advanced atherosclerotic plaques in thoracic-abdominal aortas of 15 months-old mice tended to be larger in Cx47-/-Apoe-/- mice. These plaques contained fewer macrophages but similar amounts of T lymphocytes, collagen and lipids than plaques of Apoe-/- mice. In conclusion, Cx47 is expressed in lymphatic endothelium and seems modestly implicated in multiple aspects of lymphatic pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlijn J. Meens
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Issa Kutkut
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Viviane Rochemont
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Juan Dubrot
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fouad R. Kaladji
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Amélie Sabine
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Lyons
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, BHF Centre of Research Excellence & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at King's Health Partners, St Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefanie Hendrikx
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jeremiah Bernier-Latmani
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Friedemann Kiefer
- Mammalian Cell Signalling Laboratory, Department of Vascular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Alberto Smith
- Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, BHF Centre of Research Excellence & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at King's Health Partners, St Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stéphanie Hugues
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tatiana V. Petrova
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Brenda R. Kwak
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Specialties – Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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37
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Tello-Lafoz M, Martínez-Martínez G, Rodríguez-Rodríguez C, Albar JP, Huse M, Gharbi S, Merida I. Sorting nexin 27 interactome in T-lymphocytes identifies zona occludens-2 dynamic redistribution at the immune synapse. Traffic 2017; 18:491-504. [PMID: 28477369 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
T Lymphocyte recognition of antigens leads to the formation of a highly organized structure termed immune synapse (IS) by analogy with the neuronals synapse. Sorting nexin 27 (SNX27) controls the endosomal traffic of PSD95, Dlg1, ZO-1 (PDZ) domain-interacting proteins, and its alteration is associated with impaired synaptic function and neurological diseases. In T-lymphocytes, SNX27-positive vesicles polarize to the IS, the identity of SNX27 interactors in these conditions nonetheless remains unknown. Here we used proteomics to analyze the SNX27 interactome purified from IS-forming T cells, and confirmed the conserved nature of the SNX27/WASH/retromer association in hematopoietic cells. Furthermore, our comparative interactome analysis of SNX27 wild-type and a mutant-deficient for PDZ cargo recognition identified the epithelial cell-cell junction protein zona occludens-2 (ZO-2) as an IS component. Biochemistry and microscopy approaches in T cells confirmed SNX27/ZO-2 PDZ-dependent interaction, and demonstrated its role controlling the dynamic localization of ZO-2 at the IS. This study broadens our knowledge of SNX27 function in T lymphocytes, and suggests that pathways that delimit polarized structures in nervous and epithelial systems also participate in IS regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Tello-Lafoz
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Martínez-Martínez
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan Pablo Albar
- Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Morgan Huse
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York
| | - Severine Gharbi
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Merida
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Valdebenito S, Barreto A, Eugenin EA. The role of connexin and pannexin containing channels in the innate and acquired immune response. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:154-165. [PMID: 28559189 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Connexin (Cx) and pannexin (Panx) containing channels - gap junctions (GJs) and hemichannels (HCs) - are present in virtually all cells and tissues. Currently, the role of these channels under physiological conditions is well defined. However, their role in the immune response and pathological conditions has only recently been explored. Data from several laboratories demonstrates that infectious agents, including HIV, have evolved to take advantage of GJs and HCs to improve viral/bacterial replication, enhance inflammation, and help spread toxicity into neighboring areas. In the current review, we discuss the role of Cx and Panx containing channels in immune activation and the pathogenesis of several infectious diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Gap Junction Proteins edited by Jean Claude Herve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Valdebenito
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), Newark, NJ, USA; Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Andrea Barreto
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), Newark, NJ, USA; Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Eliseo A Eugenin
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI), Newark, NJ, USA; Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA.
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Circulating Zonulin Correlates with Density of Enteroviruses and Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells in the Small Bowel Mucosa of Celiac Disease Patients. Dig Dis Sci 2017; 62:358-371. [PMID: 27995404 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-016-4403-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired intestinal integrity, including increased permeability of the small bowel mucosa, has been shown in patients with celiac disease (CD) as well as with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Zonulin (ZO, pre-haptoglobin), a tight junction regulator, plays a particular role in the regulation of intestinal barrier function and in the pathogenesis of the above-mentioned diseases. AIM To investigate whether enteroviruses (EVs) and immunoregulatory cells are associated with intestinal permeability in patients with CD alone and with coexistent T1D. MATERIALS AND METHODS Altogether 80 patients (mean age 10.68 ± 6.69 years) who had undergone small bowel biopsy were studied. Forty patients with functional dyspepsia and normal small bowel mucosa formed the control group. The circulating ZO level in sera was evaluated using ELISA. The densities of EV, FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO+) dendritic cells (DCs) and glutamic acid dexarboxylase (GAD)65+ cells in small bowel mucosa were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The expression analysis of FOXP3, tight junction protein 1 (TJP1), gap junction (GJA1), IDO and CD103 genes was evaluated by real-time PCR. RESULTS The ZO level was higher in CD patients compared to subjects with a normal small bowel mucosa, particularly in those with Marsh IIIc atrophy (p = 0.01), and correlated with the density of EV (r = 0.63; p = 0.0003) and IDO+ DCs (r = 0.58; p = 0.01) in the small bowel mucosa. The density of GAD65+ epithelial cells was correlated with the density of EV (r = 0.59; p = 0.03) and IDO+ DCs (r = 0.78; p = 0.004) in CD patients. The relative expression of FOXP3 mRNA in the small bowel mucosa tissue was significantly higher in patients with CD, compared to subjects with a normal mucosa, and correlated with the density of EV (r = 0.62; p = 0.017) as well as with the relative expression of IDO mRNA (r = 0.54; p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS The CD is associated with elevation of the circulating ZO level, the value of which correlates with the density of EV in CD patients with severe atrophic changes in the small bowel mucosa, particularly in cases of concomitant T1D. The CD is also characterized by the close relationship of the density of GAD65+ epithelial cells with the EV, ZO level and IDO+ DCs.
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40
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Lin HC, Yang CJ, Kuan YD, Wang WK, Chang WW, Lee CH. The inhibition of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 by connexin 43. Int J Med Sci 2017; 14:1181-1188. [PMID: 29104473 PMCID: PMC5666550 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.20661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Upregulation of connexin 43 (Cx43) showed potential in enhancing immune surveillance that was suppressed in the tumor microenvironment. The expression of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) is one of the crucial factors contributing to tumor immune tolerance by depletion of tryptophan and IDO-mediated tryptophan metabolites. Here, we aim to investigate the role of Cx43 in IDO production in murine tumor by using Cx43 inducers. Resveratrol (trans-3, 5, 4 '-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural plant-derived polyphenol possessing positive effect against cancer. Salmonella enterica serovar choleraesuis (S.C.) was proved to target and inhibit tumor growth. Both of them regulated Cx43 expression in tumor cells and led to either chemosensitizing or immune-activating. In this study, the correlation between Cx43 and IDO were determined by the treatment of resveratrol and S.C. Our data showed an increase in Cx43 while IDO protein and IDO-mediated inhibited effects on T cell decreased after tumor cells are given with resveratrol and S.C. TREATMENTS All of which could be inhibited once the expression of Cx43 was blocked. Cx43 involved in IDO regulation might be useful in developing IDO-targeted cancer immune therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Chen Lin
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Jen Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Diao Kuan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Kuang Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Wei Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medical Science and Technology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Che-Hsin Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
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Gajardo-Gómez R, Labra VC, Orellana JA. Connexins and Pannexins: New Insights into Microglial Functions and Dysfunctions. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:86. [PMID: 27713688 PMCID: PMC5031785 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Under physiological conditions, microglia adopt a resting phenotype associated with the production of anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic factors. In response to a wide variety of insults, these cells shift to an activated phenotype that is necessary for the proper restoration of brain homeostasis. However, when the intensity of a threat is relatively high, microglial activation worsens the progression of damage rather than providing protection, with potentially significant consequences for neuronal survival. Coordinated interactions among microglia and other brain cells, including astrocytes and neurons, are critical for the development of timely and optimal inflammatory responses in the brain parenchyma. Tissue synchronization is in part mediated by connexins and pannexins, which are protein families that form different plasma membrane channels to communicate with neighboring cells. Gap junction channels (which are exclusively formed by connexins in vertebrates) connect the cytoplasm of contacting cells to coordinate electrical and metabolic coupling. Hemichannels (HCs) and pannexons (which are formed by connexins and pannexins, respectively) communicate the intra- and extracellular compartments and serve as diffusion pathways for the exchange of ions and small molecules. In this review article, we discuss the available evidence concerning the functional expression and regulation of connexin- and pannexin-based channels in microglia and their contributions to microglial function and dysfunction. Specifically, we focus on the possible implications of these channels in microglia-to-microglia, microglia-to-astrocyte and neuron-to-microglia interactions in the inflamed brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Gajardo-Gómez
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago, Chile
| | - Valeria C Labra
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan A Orellana
- Departamento de Neurología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago, Chile
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Li S, Peng W, Chen X, Geng X, Zhan W, Sun J. Expression and role of gap junction protein connexin43 in immune challenge-induced extracellular ATP release in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 55:348-357. [PMID: 27291350 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Connexin43 (Cx43) is the best characterized gap junction protein that allows the direct exchange of signaling molecules during cell-to-cell communications. The immunological functions and ATP permeable properties of Cx43 have been insensitively examined in mammals. The similar biological significance of Cx43 in lower vertebrates, however, is not yet understood. In the present study we identified and characterized a Cx43 ortholog (termed PoCx43) from Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and investigated its role in immune challenge-induced extracellular ATP release. PoCx43 mRNA transcripts are widely distributed in all tested normal tissues and cells with predominant expression in the brain, and are significantly up-regulated by LPS, poly(I:C) and zymosan challenges and Edwardsiella tarda infections as well, suggesting that PoCx43 expression was modulated by the inflammatory stresses. In addition, cyclic AMP (cAMP), an essential second messenger, also plays an important role in regulating PoCx43 gene expression, by which the PoCx43-mediated gap junctional communication may be regulated. Furthermore, overexpression of PoCx43 in Japanese flounder FG-9307 cells significantly potentiates the LPS- and poly(I:C)-induced extracellular ATP release and this enhanced ATP release was attenuated by pre-incubation with Cx43 inhibitor carbenoxolone. In a complementary experiment, down-regulation of PoCx43 endogenous expression in FG-9307 cells with small interfering RNA also significantly reduced the PAMP-induced extracellular ATP release, suggesting that PoCx43 is an important ATP release conduit under the immune challenge conditions. Finally, we showed that extracellular ATP stimulation led to an increased PoCx43 expression which probably provides a feedback mechanism in regulating PoCx43 expression at the transcriptional level. These findings suggest that PoCx43 is an inducible immune response gene and an important conduit for immune challenge-induced extracellular ATP release in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, 393 West Binshui Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300387, China.
| | - Weijiao Peng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, 393 West Binshui Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, 393 West Binshui Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Xuyun Geng
- Tianjin Center for Control and Prevention of Aquatic Animal Infectious Disease, 442 South Jiefang Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300221, China
| | - Wenbin Zhan
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology of Aquatic Animals, LMMEC, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jinsheng Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, 393 West Binshui Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300387, China.
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López-Abente J, Correa-Rocha R, Pion M. Functional Mechanisms of Treg in the Context of HIV Infection and the Janus Face of Immune Suppression. Front Immunol 2016; 7:192. [PMID: 27242797 PMCID: PMC4871867 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in infections, by modulating host immune responses and avoiding the overreactive immunity that in the case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to a marked erosion and deregulation of the entire immune system. Therefore, the suppressive function of Treg in HIV-infected patients is critical because of their implication on preventing the immune hyperactivation, even though it could also have a detrimental effect by suppressing HIV-specific immune responses. In recent years, several studies have shown that HIV-1 can directly infect Treg, disturbing their phenotype and suppressive capacity via different mechanisms. These effects include Foxp3 and CD25 downregulation, and the impairment of suppressive capacity. This review describes the functional mechanisms of Treg to modulate immune activation during HIV infection, and how such control is no longer fine-tune orchestrated once Treg itself get infected. We will review the current knowledge about the HIV effects on the Treg cytokine expression, on pathways implying the participation of different ectoenzymes (i.e., CD39/CD73 axis), transcription factors (ICER), and lastly on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), one of the keystones in Treg-suppressive function. To define which are the HIV effects upon these regulatory mechanisms is crucial not only for the comprehension of immune deregulation in HIV-infected patients but also for the correct understanding of the role of Tregs in HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobo López-Abente
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, "Gregorio Marañón" Health Research Institute (IISGM) , Madrid , Spain
| | - Rafael Correa-Rocha
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, "Gregorio Marañón" Health Research Institute (IISGM) , Madrid , Spain
| | - Marjorie Pion
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, "Gregorio Marañón" Health Research Institute (IISGM) , Madrid , Spain
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Glass AM, Snyder EG, Taffet SM. Connexins and pannexins in the immune system and lymphatic organs. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:2899-910. [PMID: 26100515 PMCID: PMC11113820 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-1966-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Connexin43 and pannexin1 are found in immune cells. While gap junctional communication has been demonstrated between immune cells, hemichannels have been implicated in many cellular functions. Among the functions involved as being connexin dependent and pannexin dependent are cell migration, phagocytosis, antigen presentation, T-cell reactivity and B-cell responses. Surprisingly, many of these connexin-related and pannexin-related functions are not recapitulated in in vivo models. This is leading to a reevaluation of the role of these proteins in immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M. Glass
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA
| | - Elizabeth G. Snyder
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA
| | - Steven M. Taffet
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA
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45
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Tittarelli A, Janji B, Van Moer K, Noman MZ, Chouaib S. The Selective Degradation of Synaptic Connexin 43 Protein by Hypoxia-induced Autophagy Impairs Natural Killer Cell-mediated Tumor Cell Killing. J Biol Chem 2015. [PMID: 26221040 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.651547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Although natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in the control of melanoma, hypoxic stress in the tumor microenvironment may impair NK-mediated tumor cell killing by mechanisms that are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of hypoxia on the expression and channel activity of connexin 43 (Cx43) in melanoma cells and its impact on their susceptibility to NK cell-mediated lysis. Our results demonstrated that hypoxic stress increases Cx43 expression in melanoma cells via hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) transcriptional activity. Hypoxic cells displaying increased Cx43 expression were less susceptible to NK cell-mediated lysis compared with normoxic cells expressing a moderate level of Cx43. Conversely, when overexpressed in normoxic tumor cells, Cx43 improves their susceptibility to N cell-mediated killing. We show that the NK cell immune synapse formed with normoxic melanoma cells is more stable and contains a high level of gap-junctional Cx43 whereas that formed with hypoxic cells is less stable and contains a significant lower level of gap-junctional Cx43. We provide evidence that the activation of autophagy in hypoxic melanoma cells selectively degrades gap-junctional Cx43, leading to the destabilization of the immune synapse and the impairment of NK cell-mediated killing. Inhibition of autophagy by genetic or pharmacological approaches as well as expression of the non-degradable form of Cx43 significantly restore its accumulation at the immune synapse and improves N cell-mediated lysis of hypoxic melanoma cells. This study provides the first evidence that the hypoxic microenvironment negatively affects the immune surveillance of tumors by NK cells through the modulation of Cx43-mediated intercellular communications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Tittarelli
- From the INSERM U753, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France and
| | - Bassam Janji
- the Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1526 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Kris Van Moer
- the Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1526 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Muhammad Zaeem Noman
- From the INSERM U753, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France and
| | - Salem Chouaib
- From the INSERM U753, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France and
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González-Nieto D, Chang KH, Fasciani I, Nayak R, Fernandez-García L, Barrio LC, Cancelas JA. Connexins: Intercellular Signal Transmitters in Lymphohematopoietic Tissues. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 318:27-62. [PMID: 26315883 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Life-long hematopoietic demands are met by a pool of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) with self-renewal and multipotential differentiation ability. Humoral and paracrine signals from the bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic microenvironment control HSC activity. Cell-to-cell communication through connexin (Cx) containing gap junctions (GJs) allows pluricellular coordination and synchronization through transfer of small molecules with messenger activity. Hematopoietic and surrounding nonhematopoietic cells communicate each other through GJs, which regulate fetal and postnatal HSC content and function in hematopoietic tissues. Traffic of HSC between peripheral blood and BM is also dependent on Cx proteins. Cx mutations are associated with human disease and hematopoietic dysfunction and Cx signaling may represent a target for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we illustrate and highlight the importance of Cxs in the regulation of hematopoietic homeostasis under normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel González-Nieto
- Unit of Cellular and Animal Models, Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Kyung-Hee Chang
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ilaria Fasciani
- Unit of Experimental Neurology, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramesh Nayak
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Laura Fernandez-García
- Unit of Cellular and Animal Models, Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis C Barrio
- Unit of Experimental Neurology, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A Cancelas
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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47
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Tittarelli A, Guerrero I, Tempio F, Gleisner MA, Avalos I, Sabanegh S, Ortíz C, Michea L, López MN, Mendoza-Naranjo A, Salazar-Onfray F. Overexpression of connexin 43 reduces melanoma proliferative and metastatic capacity. Br J Cancer 2015; 113:259-67. [PMID: 26135897 PMCID: PMC4506378 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2015.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Alterations in connexin 43 (Cx43) expression and/or gap junction (GJ)-mediated intercellular communication are implicated in cancer pathogenesis. Herein, we have investigated the role of Cx43 in melanoma cell proliferation and apoptosis sensitivity in vitro, as well as metastatic capability and tumour growth in vivo. Methods: Connexin 43 expression levels, GJ coupling and proliferation rates were analysed in four different human melanoma cell lines. Furthermore, tumour growth and lung metastasis of high compared with low Cx43-expressing FMS cells were evaluated in vivo using a melanoma xenograft model. Results: Specific inhibition of Cx43 channel activity accelerated melanoma cell proliferation, whereas overexpression of Cx43 increased GJ coupling and reduced cell growth. Moreover, Cx43 overexpression in FMS cells increased basal and tumour necrosis factor-α-induced apoptosis and resulted in decreased melanoma tumour growth and lower number and size of metastatic foci in vivo. Conclusions: Our findings reveal an important role for Cx43 in intrinsically controlling melanoma growth, death and metastasis, and emphasise the potential use of compounds that selectively enhance Cx43 expression on melanoma in the future chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tittarelli
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - I Guerrero
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - F Tempio
- 1] Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile [2] Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - M A Gleisner
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - I Avalos
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - S Sabanegh
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - C Ortíz
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - L Michea
- 1] Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile [2] Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - M N López
- 1] Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile [2] Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile [3] Research Support Office, University of Chile Clinical Hospital, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - A Mendoza-Naranjo
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - F Salazar-Onfray
- 1] Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile [2] Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
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48
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Kuczma M, Wang CY, Ignatowicz L, Gourdie R, Kraj P. Altered connexin 43 expression underlies age-dependent decrease of regulatory T cell suppressor function in nonobese diabetic mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:5261-71. [PMID: 25911751 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is one of the most extensively studied autoimmune diseases, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to T cell-mediated destruction of insulin-producing β cells are still not well understood. In this study, we show that regulatory T cells (T(regs)) in NOD mice undergo age-dependent loss of suppressor functions exacerbated by the decreased ability of activated effector T cells to upregulate Foxp3 and generate T(regs) in the peripheral organs. This age-dependent loss is associated with reduced intercellular communication mediated by gap junctions, which is caused by impaired upregulation and decreased expression of connexin 43. Regulatory functions can be corrected, even in T cells isolated from aged, diabetic mice, by a synergistic activity of retinoic acid, TGF-β, and IL-2, which enhance connexin 43 and Foxp3 expression in T(regs) and restore the ability of conventional CD4(+) T cells to upregulate Foxp3 and generate peripherally derived T(regs). Moreover, we demonstrate that suppression mediated by T(regs) from diabetic mice is enhanced by a novel reagent, which facilitates gap junction aggregation. In summary, our report identifies gap junction-mediated intercellular communication as an important component of the T(reg) suppression mechanism compromised in NOD mice and suggests how T(reg) mediated immune regulation can be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kuczma
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912
| | - Cong-Yi Wang
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912; The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China; and
| | - Leszek Ignatowicz
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912
| | - Robert Gourdie
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA 24015
| | - Piotr Kraj
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912;
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Smyth LA, Boardman DA, Tung SL, Lechler R, Lombardi G. MicroRNAs affect dendritic cell function and phenotype. Immunology 2015; 144:197-205. [PMID: 25244106 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that have been linked with immunity through regulating/modulating gene expression. A role for these molecules in T-cell and B-cell development and function has been well established. An increasing body of literature now highlights the importance of specific miRNA in dendritic cell (DC) development as well as their maturation process, antigen presentation capacity and cytokine release. Given the unique role of DC within the immune system, linking the innate and adaptive immune responses, understanding how specific miRNA affect DC function is of importance for understanding disease. In this review we summarize recent developments in miRNA and DC research, highlighting the requirement of miRNA in DC lineage commitment from bone marrow progenitors and for the development of subsets such as plasmacytoid DC and conventional DC. In addition, we discuss how infections and tumours modulate miRNA expression and consequently DC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley A Smyth
- MRC Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
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50
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Exchange protein directly activated by cAMP modulates regulatory T-cell-mediated immunosuppression. Biochem J 2015; 465:295-303. [PMID: 25339598 DOI: 10.1042/bj20140952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The cAMP signalling pathway plays an essential role in immune functions. In the present study we examined the role of the cAMP/EPAC1 (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP) axis in regulatory T-cell (Treg)-mediated immunosuppression using genetic and pharmacological approaches. Genetic deletion of EPAC1 in Tregs and effector T-cells (Teffs) synergistically attenuated Treg-mediated suppression of Teffs. Mechanistically, EPAC1 inhibition enhanced activation of the transcription factor STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and up-regulated SMAD7 expression while down-regulating expression of SMAD4. Consequently, CD4+ T-cells were desensitized to transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, a cytokine employed by Tregs to exert a broad inhibitory function within the immune system. Furthermore, deletion of EPAC1 led to production of significant levels of ovalbumin IgG antibodies in a low-dose, oral-tolerance mouse model. These in vivo observations are consistent with the finding that EPAC1 plays an important role in Treg-mediated suppression. More importantly, pharmacological inhibition of EPAC1 using an EPAC-specific inhibitor recapitulates the EPAC1 deletion phenotype both in vivo and in vitro. The results of the present study show that EPAC1 boosts Treg-mediated suppression, and identifies EPAC1 as a target with broad therapeutic potential because Tregs are involved in numerous pathologies, including autoimmunity, infections and a wide range of cancers.
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