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T Cell-Intrinsic Interleukin 17 Receptor A Signaling Supports the Establishment of Chronic Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Infection. J Virol 2022; 96:e0063922. [PMID: 35758659 PMCID: PMC9327704 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00639-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gammaherpesviruses, such as human Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68), are species-specific, ubiquitous pathogens that are associated with multiple cancers, including B cell lymphomas. These viruses have a natural tropism for B cells and usurp B cell differentiation to drive a unique and robust polyclonal germinal center response to establish a long-term latent reservoir in memory B cells. The robust polyclonal germinal center response driven by gammaherpesvirus infection increases the risk for B cell transformation. Unsurprisingly, many gammaherpesvirus cancers are derived from germinal center or post-germinal center B cells. The viral and host factors that influence the gammaherpesvirus-driven germinal center response are not clearly defined. We previously showed that host interleukin 17 receptor A (IL-17RA) signaling promotes the establishment of chronic MHV68 infection and the MHV68-driven germinal center response. In this study, we found that T cell-intrinsic IL-17RA signaling recapitulates some proviral aspects of global IL-17RA signaling during MHV68 infection. Specifically, we found that T cell-intrinsic IL-17RA signaling supports the MHV68-driven germinal center response, the establishment of latency in the spleen, and viral reactivation in the spleen and peritoneal cavity. Our study unveils an unexpected finding where the T cell-specific IL-17RA signaling supports the establishment of a latent reservoir of a B cell-tropic gammaherpesvirus. IMPORTANCE Gammaherpesviruses, such as human EBV, establish lifelong infection in >95% of adults and are associated with B cell lymphomas. Gammaherpesviruses usurp the germinal center response to establish latent infection, and the germinal center B cells are thought to be the target of viral transformation. We previously found that global expression of IL-17RA promotes the establishment of chronic MHV68 infection and the MHV68-driven germinal center response. In this study, we showed that T cell-intrinsic IL-17RA signaling is necessary to promote the MHV68-driven germinal center response by supporting CD4+ T follicular helper cell expansion. We also found that T cell-intrinsic IL-17RA signaling contributes to but is not solely responsible for the systemic proviral role of IL-17RA signaling, highlighting the multifaceted function of IL-17RA signaling during MHV68 infection.
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Wen Z, Xu L, Xu W, Xiong S. Retinoic Acid Receptor-Related Orphan Nuclear Receptor γt Licenses the Differentiation and Function of a Unique Subset of Follicular Helper T Cells in Response to Immunogenic Self-DNA in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 73:1489-1500. [PMID: 33559400 DOI: 10.1002/art.41687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Accumulating studies have identified self-DNA as driving IgG anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) in lupus, though the underpinning mechanisms of this process remain largely undefined. Here, we explored the activity of transcription factor retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt) in the differentiation and function of self-DNA-specific follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in lupus. METHODS B6, TCRα-/- , CD4-/- , RORγtfl/fl CD4Cre, RORγt+/+ CD4Cre, Bcl-6fl/fl CD4Cre, Bcl-6+/+ CD4Cre, IL-17-/- , and ICOS-/- mice were immunized with normal self-DNA, immunogenic self-DNA, and pathogen DNA to induce the production of Tfh cells and IgG anti-dsDNA. Tfh cells with or without interleukin-17 (IL-17) were evaluated for their role in supporting the generation of IgG. NSG mice were reconstituted with immune cells and circulating DNA from human subjects for translational studies. IL-17-positive Tfh cells were analyzed for their correlation with IgG anti-dsDNA levels as well as their response to circulating self-DNA in lupus patients. RESULTS Unlike normal self-DNA, immunogenic self-DNA and pathogen DNA efficiently induced IgG responses. Immunogenic self-DNA induced IgG in a CD4+ T cell-dependent manner, which was abrogated by RORγt deficiency. In contrast, RORγt was not required for the generation of pathogen DNA-induced IgG. Further analyses identified RORγt as essential for the differentiation and function of Tfh cells in response to immunogenic self-DNA, assigning IL-17 as a feature cytokine. These IL-17-positive Tfh cells functioned independent of inducible costimulator (ICOS), critically supporting IgG generation. Targeting immunogenic self-DNA-specific Tfh cells by RORγ knockdown and IL-17 blockade ameliorated IgG response and lupus nephritis in a humanized mouse model. The presence of IL-17-positive Tfh cells was associated with IgG anti-dsDNA levels and were expanded by circulating immunogenic self-DNA in lupus patients. CONCLUSION Immunogenic self-DNA instructs ICOS-dispensable IL-17-positive Tfh cells via RORγt to produce an IgG anti-dsDNA response. As such, IL-17-positive Tfh cells are a promising therapeutic target for lupus patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lin Xu
- Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Ni X, Wang Y, Wang P, Chu C, Xu H, Hu J, Sun J, Qi H. Death associated protein kinase 2 suppresses T-B interactions and GC formation. Mol Immunol 2020; 128:249-257. [PMID: 33176179 PMCID: PMC7754787 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Germinal center (GC) formation is a critical step during T-dependent humoral immune responses. We report Death Associated Protein Kinase 2, a serine/threonine kinase, is rapidly induced in T cells following activation and plays an inhibitory role in T cell-mediated help for the GC formation. Specifically, T cells deficient in Dapk2 have an increased ability to physically conjugate with antigen-presenting B cells and to promote GC formation. However, Dapk2 does not regulate T cell receptor signaling strength and does not influence cytokine-driven T-cell subset polarization. Instead, Dapk2 dampens mTORC1 activities by associating with Raptor. Silencing of Raptor rescues defects observed with the Dapk2 insufficiency. Our study thus identifies Dapk2 as a new kinase likely involved in negative regulation of contact-dependent help delivery to B cells and GC formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingya Ni
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, China; Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, China; Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Pei Wang
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Coco Chu
- Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Heping Xu
- Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jinzhi Hu
- Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jiahui Sun
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, China; Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hai Qi
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, China; Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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Crepeau RL, Ford ML. Programmed T cell differentiation: Implications for transplantation. Cell Immunol 2020; 351:104099. [PMID: 32247511 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
While T cells play a critical role in protective immunity against infection, they are also responsible for graft rejection in the setting of transplantation. T cell differentiation is regulated by both intrinsic transcriptional pathways as well as extrinsic factors such as antigen encounter and the cytokine milieu. Herein, we review recent discoveries in the transcriptional regulation of T cell differentiation and their impact on the field of transplantation. Recent studies uncovering context-dependent differentiation programs that differ in the setting of infection or transplantation will also be discussed. Understanding the key transcriptional pathways that underlie T cell responses in transplantation has important clinical implications, including development of novel therapeutic agents to mitigate graft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Crepeau
- Emory Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 5208, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Mandy L Ford
- Emory Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 5208, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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Wang P, Wang Y, Xie L, Xiao M, Wu J, Xu L, Bai Q, Hao Y, Huang Q, Chen X, He R, Li B, Yang S, Chen Y, Wu Y, Ye L. The Transcription Factor T-Bet Is Required for Optimal Type I Follicular Helper T Cell Maintenance During Acute Viral Infection. Front Immunol 2019; 10:606. [PMID: 30984183 PMCID: PMC6449430 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Follicular helper T cells (TFH cells), known as the primary “helpers” of the germinal center (GC) reaction, promote the humoral immune response to defend against various pathogens. Under conditions of infection by different types of pathogens, many shared transcription factors (TFs), such as Bcl-6, TCF-1, and Maf, are selectively enriched in pathogen-specific TFH cells, orchestrating TFH cell differentiation and function. In addition, TFH cells also coexpress environmentally associated TFs as their conventional T cell counterparts (such as T-bet, GATA-3, or ROR-γt, which are expressed in Th1, Th2, or Th17 cells, respectively). These features likely indicate both the lineage-specificity and environmental adaption of the TFH cell responses. However, the extent to which the TFH cell response relies on these environmentally specific TFs is not completely understood. Here, we found that T-bet was specifically expressed in Type I TFH cells but not Type II TFH cells. While dispensable for the early fate commitment of TFH cells, T-bet was essential for the maintenance of differentiated TFH cells, promoting their proliferation, and inhibiting their apoptosis during acute viral infection. Microarray analysis showed both similarities and differences in transcriptome dependency on T-bet in TFH and TH1 cells, suggesting the distinctive role of T-bet in TFH cells. Collectively, our findings reveal an important and specific supporting role for T-bet in type I TFH cell response, which can help us gain a deeper understanding of TFH cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Wang
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Youping Wang
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Luoyingzi Xie
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Minglu Xiao
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jialin Wu
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lifan Xu
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Bai
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yaxing Hao
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qizhao Huang
- Cancer Center, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiangyu Chen
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ran He
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Baohua Li
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sen Yang
- Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Yaokai Chen
- Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuzhang Wu
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lilin Ye
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Dominguez-Villar M, Hafler DA. Regulatory T cells in autoimmune disease. Nat Immunol 2018; 19:665-673. [PMID: 29925983 PMCID: PMC7882196 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-018-0120-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 447] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the understanding of regulatory T cell (Treg cell) biology has expanded considerably. Key observations have challenged the traditional definition of Treg cells and have provided insight into the underlying mechanisms responsible for the development of autoimmune diseases, with new therapeutic strategies that improve disease outcome. This Review summarizes the newer concepts of Treg cell instability, Treg cell plasticity and tissue-specific Treg cells, and their relationship to autoimmunity. Those three main concepts have changed the understanding of Treg cell biology: how they interact with other immune and non-immune cells; their functions in specific tissues; and the implications of this for the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David A Hafler
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CN, USA.
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CN, USA.
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Ferretti A, Fortwendel JR, Gebb SA, Barrington RA. Autoantibody-Mediated Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis in Rasgrp1-Deficient Mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 197:470-9. [PMID: 27279372 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1502248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung syndrome caused by the accumulation of surfactants in the alveoli. The most prevalent clinical form of PAP is autoimmune PAP (aPAP) whereby IgG autoantibodies neutralize GM-CSF. GM-CSF is a pleiotropic cytokine that promotes the differentiation, survival, and activation of alveolar macrophages, the cells responsible for surfactant degradation. IgG-mediated neutralization of GM-CSF thereby inhibits alveolar macrophage homeostasis and function, leading to surfactant accumulation and innate immunodeficiency. Importantly, there are no rodent models for this disease; therefore, underlying immune mechanisms regulating GM-CSF-specific IgG in aPAP are not well understood. In this article, we identify that autoimmune-prone Rasgrp1-deficient mice develop aPAP: 1) Rasgrp1-deficient mice exhibit reduced pulmonary compliance and lung histopathology characteristic of PAP; 2) alveolar macrophages from Rasgrp1-deficient mice are enlarged and exhibit reduced surfactant degradation; 3) the concentration of GM-CSF-specific IgG is elevated in both serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from Rasgrp1-deficient mice; 4) GM-CSF-specific IgG is capable of neutralizing GM-CSF bioactivity; and 5) Rasgrp1-deficient mice also lacking CD275/ICOSL, a molecule necessary for conventional T cell-dependent Ab production, have reduced GM-CSF-specific autoantibody and do not develop PAP. Collectively, these studies reveal that Rasgrp1-deficient mice, to our knowledge, represent the first rodent model for aPAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Ferretti
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688; Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688; and
| | - Jarrod R Fortwendel
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688; Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688; and
| | - Sarah A Gebb
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688; and Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688
| | - Robert A Barrington
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688; Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688; and
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