1
|
Filipp D, Manning J, Petrusová J. Extrathymic AIRE-Expressing Cells: A Historical Perspective. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1444:33-49. [PMID: 38467971 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-9781-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Since its discovery, Aire has been the topic of numerous studies in its role as a transcriptional regulator in the thymus where it promotes the "promiscuous" expression of a large repertoire of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) that are normally expressed only in the immune periphery. This process occurs in specialized medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and mediates the elimination of self-reactive T cells or promotes their conversion to the Foxp3+ regulatory T cell lineage, both of which are required for the prevention of autoimmunity. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the role of extrathymic Aire expression in peripheral organs. The focus has primarily been on the identification of the cellular source(s) and mechanism(s) by which extrathymic AIRE affects tolerance-related or other physiological processes. A cadre of OMICs tools including single cell RNA sequencing and novel transgenic models to trace Aire expression to perform lineage tracing experiments have shed light on a phenomenon that is more complex than previously thought. In this chapter, we provide a deeper analysis of how extrathymic Aire research has developed and progressed, how cellular sources were identified, and how the function of AIRE was determined. Current data suggests that extrathymic AIRE fulfills a function that differs from what has been observed in the thymus and strongly argues that its main purpose is to regulate transcriptional programs in a cell content-dependent manner. Surprisingly, there is data that also suggests a non-transcriptional role of extrathymic AIRE in the cytoplasm. We have arrived at a potential turning point that will take the field from the classical understanding of AIRE as a transcription factor in control of TRA expression to its role in immunological and non-immunological processes in the periphery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Filipp
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jasper Manning
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Petrusová
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yam-Puc JC, Hosseini Z, Horner EC, Gerber PP, Beristain-Covarrubias N, Hughes R, Lulla A, Rust M, Boston R, Ali M, Fischer K, Simmons-Rosello E, O'Reilly M, Robson H, Booth LH, Kahanawita L, Correa-Noguera A, Favara D, Ceron-Gutierrez L, Keller B, Craxton A, Anderson GSF, Sun XM, Elmer A, Saunders C, Bermperi A, Jose S, Kingston N, Mulroney TE, Piñon LPG, Chapman MA, Grigoriadou S, MacFarlane M, Willis AE, Patil KR, Spencer S, Staples E, Warnatz K, Buckland MS, Hollfelder F, Hyvönen M, Döffinger R, Parkinson C, Lear S, Matheson NJ, Thaventhiran JED. Age-associated B cells predict impaired humoral immunity after COVID-19 vaccination in patients receiving immune checkpoint blockade. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3292. [PMID: 37369658 PMCID: PMC10299999 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38810-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-associated B cells (ABC) accumulate with age and in individuals with different immunological disorders, including cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint blockade and those with inborn errors of immunity. Here, we investigate whether ABCs from different conditions are similar and how they impact the longitudinal level of the COVID-19 vaccine response. Single-cell RNA sequencing indicates that ABCs with distinct aetiologies have common transcriptional profiles and can be categorised according to their expression of immune genes, such as the autoimmune regulator (AIRE). Furthermore, higher baseline ABC frequency correlates with decreased levels of antigen-specific memory B cells and reduced neutralising capacity against SARS-CoV-2. ABCs express high levels of the inhibitory FcγRIIB receptor and are distinctive in their ability to bind immune complexes, which could contribute to diminish vaccine responses either directly, or indirectly via enhanced clearance of immune complexed-antigen. Expansion of ABCs may, therefore, serve as a biomarker identifying individuals at risk of suboptimal responses to vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Yam-Puc
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Zhaleh Hosseini
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily C Horner
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pehuén Pereyra Gerber
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Robert Hughes
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Aleksei Lulla
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Rust
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rebecca Boston
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Magda Ali
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katrin Fischer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Edward Simmons-Rosello
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martin O'Reilly
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Harry Robson
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lucy H Booth
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lakmini Kahanawita
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrea Correa-Noguera
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Favara
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lourdes Ceron-Gutierrez
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Baerbel Keller
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andrew Craxton
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Georgina S F Anderson
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Xiao-Ming Sun
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne Elmer
- NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Areti Bermperi
- NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sherly Jose
- NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nathalie Kingston
- NIHR BioResource, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thomas E Mulroney
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lucia P G Piñon
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael A Chapman
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marion MacFarlane
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne E Willis
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kiran R Patil
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarah Spencer
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily Staples
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Klaus Warnatz
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthew S Buckland
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Barts Health, London, UK
- UCL GOSH Institute of Child Health Division of Infection and Immunity, Section of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, London, UK
| | | | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rainer Döffinger
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christine Parkinson
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sara Lear
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicholas J Matheson
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NHS Blood and Transplant, Cambridge, UK
| | - James E D Thaventhiran
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Cambridge University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang H, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC. Thymic Microenvironment: Interactions Between Innate Immune Cells and Developing Thymocytes. Front Immunol 2022; 13:885280. [PMID: 35464404 PMCID: PMC9024034 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.885280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a crucial organ for the development of T cells. T cell progenitors first migrate from the bone marrow into the thymus. During the journey to become a mature T cell, progenitors require interactions with many different cell types within the thymic microenvironment, such as stromal cells, which include epithelial, mesenchymal and other non-T-lineage immune cells. There are two crucial decision steps that are required for generating mature T cells: positive and negative selection. Each of these two processes needs to be performed efficiently to produce functional MHC-restricted T cells, while simultaneously restricting the production of auto-reactive T cells. In each step, there are various cell types that are required for the process to be carried out suitably, such as scavengers to clean up apoptotic thymocytes that fail positive or negative selection, and antigen presenting cells to display self-antigens during positive and negative selection. In this review, we will focus on thymic non-T-lineage immune cells, particularly dendritic cells and macrophages, and the role they play in positive and negative selection. We will also examine recent advances in the understanding of their participation in thymus homeostasis and T cell development. This review will provide a perspective on how the thymic microenvironment contributes to thymocyte differentiation and T cell maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen Wang
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Juan Carlos Zúñiga-Pflücker
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kaiser C, Bradu A, Gamble N, Caldwell JA, Koh AS. AIRE in context: Leveraging chromatin plasticity to trigger ectopic gene expression. Immunol Rev 2022; 305:59-76. [PMID: 34545959 PMCID: PMC9250823 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of antigen receptor diversity in clonotypic lymphocytes drove the evolution of a novel gene, Aire, that enabled the adaptive immune system to discriminate foreign invaders from self-constituents. AIRE functions in the epithelial cells of the thymus to express genes highly restricted to alternative cell lineages. This somatic plasticity facilitates the selection of a balanced repertoire of T cells that protects the host from harmful self-reactive clones, yet maintains a wide range of affinities for virtually any foreign antigen. Here, we review the latest understanding of AIRE's molecular actions with a focus on its interplay with chromatin. We argue that AIRE is a multi-valent chromatin effector that acts late in the transcription cycle to modulate the activity of previously poised non-coding regulatory elements of tissue-specific genes. We postulate a role for chromatin instability-caused in part by ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling-that variably sets the scope of the accessible landscape on which AIRE can act. We highlight AIRE's intrinsic repressive function and its relevance in providing feedback control. We synthesize these recent advances into a putative model for the mechanistic modes by which AIRE triggers ectopic transcription for immune repertoire selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Kaiser
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alexandra Bradu
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Noah Gamble
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jason A. Caldwell
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew S. Koh
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li JH, Wei TT, Guo L, Cao JH, Feng YK, Guo SN, Liu GH, Ding Y, Chai YR. Curcumin protects thymus against D-galactose-induced senescence in mice. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 394:411-420. [PMID: 32686020 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-020-01945-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Senescence-related decline of thymus affects immune function in the elderly population and contributes to the prevalence of many relevant diseases like cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic diseases. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of curcumin, an agent that could counter aging, and explored its optimal intake and the alteration of autoimmune regulator (Aire) after curcumin treatment in the D-galactose (D-gal)-induced accelerated aging mice. ICR mice were intraperitoneally injected with D-gal for 8 weeks to establish the accelerated aging model and given curcumin with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight per day by gavage, respectively, for 6 weeks. It indicated that the D-gal-treated mice developed structural changes in the thymi compared with the control group without D-gal and curcumin treatment. As the supplements of curcumin, it resulted in a restoration of the normal thymic anatomy with an increase of proliferating cells and a reduction of apoptotic cells in the thymi of the D-gal-induced aging model mice. Curcumin administration could also expand the expression level of Aire from mRNA level and protein level. The current study demonstrated that curcumin could ameliorate senescence-related thymus involution via upregulating Aire expression, suggesting that curcumin can rejuvenate senescence-associated alterations of thymus induced by D-gal accumulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Han Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Ke Xue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Ting-Ting Wei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Ke Xue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Li Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Ke Xue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Jia-Hui Cao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Ke Xue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Yuan-Kang Feng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Ke Xue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Shu-Ning Guo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Ke Xue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Guo-Hong Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Ke Xue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Ke Xue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Yu-Rong Chai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Ke Xue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Matsumoto M, Tsuneyama K, Morimoto J, Hosomichi K, Matsumoto M, Nishijima H. Tissue-specific autoimmunity controlled by Aire in thymic and peripheral tolerance mechanisms. Int Immunol 2020; 32:117-131. [PMID: 31586207 PMCID: PMC7005526 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxz066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue-specific autoimmune diseases are assumed to arise through malfunction of two checkpoints for immune tolerance: defective elimination of autoreactive T cells in the thymus and activation of these T cells by corresponding autoantigens in the periphery. However, evidence for this model and the outcome of such alterations in each or both of the tolerance mechanisms have not been sufficiently investigated. We studied these issues by expressing human AIRE (huAIRE) as a modifier of tolerance function in NOD mice wherein the defects of thymic and peripheral tolerance together cause type I diabetes (T1D). Additive huAIRE expression in the thymic stroma had no major impact on the production of diabetogenic T cells in the thymus. In contrast, huAIRE expression in peripheral antigen-presenting cells (APCs) rendered the mice resistant to T1D, while maintaining other tissue-specific autoimmune responses and antibody production against an exogenous protein antigen, because of the loss of Xcr1+ dendritic cells, an essential component for activating diabetogenic T cells in the periphery. These results contrast with our recent demonstration that huAIRE expression in both the thymic stroma and peripheral APCs resulted in the paradoxical development of muscle-specific autoimmunity. Our results reveal that tissue-specific autoimmunity is differentially controlled by a combination of thymic function and peripheral tolerance, which can be manipulated by expression of huAIRE/Aire in each or both of the tolerance mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Junko Morimoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Hosomichi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Nishijima
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yamano T, Dobeš J, Vobořil M, Steinert M, Brabec T, Ziętara N, Dobešová M, Ohnmacht C, Laan M, Peterson P, Benes V, Sedláček R, Hanayama R, Kolář M, Klein L, Filipp D. Aire-expressing ILC3-like cells in the lymph node display potent APC features. J Exp Med 2019; 216:1027-1037. [PMID: 30918005 PMCID: PMC6504225 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20181430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator (Aire) serves an essential function for T cell tolerance by promoting the "promiscuous" expression of tissue antigens in thymic epithelial cells. Aire is also detected in rare cells in peripheral lymphoid organs, but the identity of these cells is poorly understood. Here, we report that Aire protein-expressing cells in lymph nodes exhibit typical group 3 innate lymphoid cell (ILC3) characteristics such as lymphoid morphology, absence of "classical" hematopoietic lineage markers, and dependence on RORγt. Aire+ cells are more frequent among lineage-negative RORγt+ cells of peripheral lymph nodes as compared with mucosa-draining lymph nodes, display a unique Aire-dependent transcriptional signature, express high surface levels of MHCII and costimulatory molecules, and efficiently present an endogenously expressed model antigen to CD4+ T cells. These findings define a novel type of ILC3-like cells with potent APC features, suggesting that these cells serve a function in the control of T cell responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Yamano
- Institute for Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Dobeš
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matouš Vobořil
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Madlen Steinert
- Institute for Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Tomáš Brabec
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Natalia Ziętara
- Institute for Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Dobešová
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Caspar Ohnmacht
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institut für Allergieforschung, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martti Laan
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Part Peterson
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vladimir Benes
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Services and Technology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Radislav Sedláček
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rikinari Hanayama
- Department of Immunology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and World Premier International Research Center Initiative Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Michal Kolář
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik Filipp
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fergusson JR, Morgan MD, Bruchard M, Huitema L, Heesters BA, van Unen V, van Hamburg JP, van der Wel NN, Picavet D, Koning F, Tas SW, Anderson MS, Marioni JC, Holländer GA, Spits H. Maturing Human CD127+ CCR7+ PDL1+ Dendritic Cells Express AIRE in the Absence of Tissue Restricted Antigens. Front Immunol 2019; 9:2902. [PMID: 30692988 PMCID: PMC6340304 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of the Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) outside of the thymus has long been suggested in both humans and mice, but the cellular source in humans has remained undefined. Here we identify AIRE expression in human tonsils and extensively analyzed these "extra-thymic AIRE expressing cells" (eTACs) using combinations of flow cytometry, CyTOF and single cell RNA-sequencing. We identified AIRE+ cells as dendritic cells (DCs) with a mature and migratory phenotype including high levels of antigen presenting molecules and costimulatory molecules, and specific expression of CD127, CCR7, and PDL1. These cells also possessed the ability to stimulate and re-stimulate T cells and displayed reduced responses to toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists compared to conventional DCs. While expression of AIRE was enriched within CCR7+CD127+ DCs, single-cell RNA sequencing revealed expression of AIRE to be transient, rather than stable, and associated with the differentiation to a mature phenotype. The role of AIRE in central tolerance induction within the thymus is well-established, however our study shows that AIRE expression within the periphery is not associated with an enriched expression of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs). This unexpected finding, suggestive of wider functions of AIRE, may provide an explanation for the non-autoimmune symptoms of APECED patients who lack functional AIRE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joannah R. Fergusson
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Melanie Bruchard
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Leonie Huitema
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology and Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Rheumatology & immunology Center (ARC), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Balthasar A. Heesters
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Jan Piet van Hamburg
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology and Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Rheumatology & immunology Center (ARC), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Daisy Picavet
- EMCA, Medical Biology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Frits Koning
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sander W. Tas
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology and Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Rheumatology & immunology Center (ARC), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - John C. Marioni
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory - European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Georg A. Holländer
- Laboratory of Developmental Immunology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hergen Spits
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hirakawa M, Nagakubo D, Kanzler B, Avilov S, Krauth B, Happe C, Swann JB, Nusser A, Boehm T. Fundamental parameters of the developing thymic epithelium in the mouse. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11095. [PMID: 30038304 PMCID: PMC6056470 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29460-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The numbers of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and thymocytes steadily increase during embryogenesis. To examine this dynamic, we generated several TEC-specific transgenic mouse lines, which express fluorescent proteins in the nucleus, the cytosol and in the membranes under the control of the Foxn1 promoter. These tools enabled us to determine TEC numbers in tissue sections by confocal fluorescent microscopy, and in the intact organ by light-sheet microscopy. Compared to histological procedures, flow cytometric analysis of thymic cellularity is shown to underestimate the numbers of TECs by one order of magnitude; using enzymatic digestion of thymic tissue, the loss of cortical TECs (cTECs) is several fold greater than that of medullary TECs (mTECs), although different cTEC subsets appear to be still present in the final preparation. Novel reporter lines driven by Psmb11 and Prss16 promoters revealed the trajectory of differentiation of cTEC-like cells, and, owing to the additional facility of conditional cell ablation, allowed us to follow the recovery of such cells after their depletion during embryogenesis. Multiparametric histological analyses indicate that the new transgenic reporter lines not only reveal the unique morphologies of different TEC subsets, but are also conducive to the analysis of the complex cellular interactions in the thymus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Hirakawa
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daisuke Nagakubo
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany.,Division of Health and Hygienic Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Himeji Dokkyo University, 7-2-1 Kamiohno, Himeji, Hyogo, 670-8524, Japan
| | - Benoît Kanzler
- Transgenic Mouse Core Facility, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sergiy Avilov
- Imaging Facility, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Krauth
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Happe
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jeremy B Swann
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anja Nusser
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108, Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sakata M, Ohigashi I, Takahama Y. Cellularity of Thymic Epithelial Cells in the Postnatal Mouse. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 200:1382-1388. [PMID: 29298829 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The molecular and cellular biology of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) often relies on the analysis of TECs isolated in enzymatically digested single-cell suspensions derived from mouse thymus. Many independent studies have reported that the estimated cellularity of total TECs isolated from one adult mouse is on the order of up to 105 However, these numbers appear extremely small given that the cellularity of total thymocytes exceeds 108 and that TECs play multiple roles in thymocyte development and repertoire formation. In the present study, we aimed to measure the numbers of β5t-expressing cortical TECs and Aire-expressing medullary TECs in postnatal mouse thymus in situ without enzymatic digestion. The numbers of these TECs were manually counted in individual thymic sections and were three-dimensionally summed throughout the entire thymic lobes. The results show that the cellularity of total TECs in one 5-wk-old female mouse exceeds 106, containing ∼9 × 105 β5t+ cortical TECs and ∼1.1 × 106 Aire+ medullary TECs. These results suggest that the use of conventional enzymatic digestion methods for the isolation of TECs may have resulted in the underestimation of the cellularity, and possibly the biology, of TECs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mie Sakata
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Passos GA, Speck‐Hernandez CA, Assis AF, Mendes‐da‐Cruz DA. Update on Aire and thymic negative selection. Immunology 2018; 153:10-20. [PMID: 28871661 PMCID: PMC5721245 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty years ago, the autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene was associated with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy, and was cloned and sequenced. Its importance goes beyond its abstract link with human autoimmune disease. Aire identification opened new perspectives to better understand the molecular basis of central tolerance and self-non-self distinction, the main properties of the immune system. Since 1997, a growing number of immunologists and molecular geneticists have made important discoveries about the function of Aire, which is essentially a pleiotropic gene. Aire is one of the functional markers in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), controlling their differentiation and expression of peripheral tissue antigens (PTAs), mTEC-thymocyte adhesion and the expression of microRNAs, among other functions. With Aire, the immunological tolerance became even more apparent from the molecular genetics point of view. Currently, mTECs represent the most unusual cells because they express almost the entire functional genome but still maintain their identity. Due to the enormous diversity of PTAs, this uncommon gene expression pattern was termed promiscuous gene expression, the interpretation of which is essentially immunological - i.e. it is related to self-representation in the thymus. Therefore, this knowledge is strongly linked to the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes. In this update, we focus on the most relevant results of Aire as a transcriptional and post-transcriptional controller of PTAs in mTECs, its mechanism of action, and its influence on the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes as the bases of the induction of central tolerance and prevention of autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo A. Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics GroupDepartment of GeneticsRibeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSPBrazil
- Discipline of Genetics and Molecular BiologyDepartment of Morphology, Physiology and Basic PathologySchool of Dentistry of Ribeirão PretoUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSPBrazil
| | - Cesar A. Speck‐Hernandez
- Graduate Programme in Basic and Applied ImmunologyRibeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSPBrazil
| | - Amanda F. Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics GroupDepartment of GeneticsRibeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSPBrazil
| | - Daniella A. Mendes‐da‐Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus ResearchOswaldo Cruz InstituteOswaldo Cruz FoundationRio de JaneiroRJBrazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on NeuroimmunomodulationRio de JaneiroRJBrazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mouri Y, Ueda Y, Yamano T, Matsumoto M, Tsuneyama K, Kinashi T, Matsumoto M. Mode of Tolerance Induction and Requirement for Aire Are Governed by the Cell Types That Express Self-Antigen and Those That Present Antigen. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2017; 199:3959-3971. [PMID: 29101311 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aire controls the fate of autoreactive thymocytes (i.e., clonal deletion or development into regulatory T cells [Tregs]) through transcriptional control of the expression of tissue-restricted self-antigens (TRAs) from medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and bone marrow (BM)-derived cells. Although TRAs expressed by mTECs and BM-derived cells are suggested to complement each other to generate a full spectrum of TRAs, little is known about the relative contribution of TRAs from each component for establishment of self-tolerance. Furthermore, the precise role of Aire in specific types of Aire-expressing APCs remains elusive. We have approached these issues by generating two different types of transgenic mouse (Tg) model, which express a prefixed model self-antigen driven by the insulin promoter or the Aire promoter. In the insulin-promoter Tg model, mTECs alone were insufficient for clonal deletion, and BM-derived APCs were required for this action by utilizing Ag transferred from mTECs. In contrast, mTECs alone were able to induce Tregs, although at a much lower efficiency in the absence of BM-derived APCs. Importantly, lack of Aire in mTECs, but not in BM-derived APCs, impaired both clonal deletion and production of Tregs. In the Aire-promoter Tg model, both mTECs and BM-derived APCs could independently induce clonal deletion without Aire, and production of Tregs was impaired by the lack of Aire in mTECs, but not in BM-derived APCs. These results suggest that the fate of autoreactive thymocytes together with the requirement for Aire depend on the cell types that express self-antigens and the types of APCs involved in tolerance induction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Mouri
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ueda
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka 570-8506, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Yamano
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich 80336, Germany
| | - Minoru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; and
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; and
| | - Tatsuo Kinashi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka 570-8506, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan;
- Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bruserud Ø, Bratland E, Hellesen A, Delaleu N, Reikvam H, Oftedal BE, Wolff ASB. Altered Immune Activation and IL-23 Signaling in Response to Candida albicans in Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type 1. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1074. [PMID: 28919897 PMCID: PMC5585148 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is a rare, childhood onset disease caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is one of the three major disease components and is, to date, mainly explained by the presence of neutralizing auto-antibodies against cytokines [interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22] from T helper 17 cells, which are critical for the protection against fungal infections. However, patients without current auto-antibodies also present CMC and we, therefore, hypothesized that other immune mechanisms contribute to CMC in APS-1. METHODS Whole blood was stimulated with Candida albicans (C. albicans) in a standardized assay, and immune activation was investigated by analyzing 46 secreted immune mediators. Then, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with curdlan, a Dectin-1 agonist and IL-23 inducer, and the IL-23p19 response in monocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS We found an altered immune response in APS-1 patients compared with healthy controls. Patients fail to increase the essential ILs, such as IL-2, IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-23, when stimulating whole blood with C. albicans. A significantly altered IL-23p19 response was detected in patients' monocytes upon stimulation with curdlan. CONCLUSION APS-1 patients have an altered immune response to C. albicans including a dysregulation of IL-23p19 production in monocytes. This probably contributes to the selective susceptibility to CMC found in the majority of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Øyvind Bruserud
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eirik Bratland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Nicolas Delaleu
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Håkon Reikvam
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gu B, Lambert JP, Cockburn K, Gingras AC, Rossant J. AIRE is a critical spindle-associated protein in embryonic stem cells. eLife 2017; 6:e28131. [PMID: 28742026 PMCID: PMC5560860 DOI: 10.7554/elife.28131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells go though embryo-like cell cycles regulated by specialized molecular mechanisms. However, it is not known whether there are ES cell-specific mechanisms regulating mitotic fidelity. Here we showed that Autoimmune Regulator (Aire), a transcription coordinator involved in immune tolerance processes, is a critical spindle-associated protein in mouse ES(mES) cells. BioID analysis showed that AIRE associates with spindle-associated proteins in mES cells. Loss of function analysis revealed that Aire was important for centrosome number regulation and spindle pole integrity specifically in mES cells. We also identified the c-terminal LESLL motif as a critical motif for AIRE's mitotic function. Combined maternal and zygotic knockout further revealed Aire's critical functions for spindle assembly in preimplantation embryos. These results uncovered a previously unappreciated function for Aire and provide new insights into the biology of stem cell proliferation and potential new angles to understand fertility defects in humans carrying Aire mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Gu
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Katie Cockburn
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Janet Rossant
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Yanagihara T, Tomino T, Uruno T, Fukui Y. Thymic epithelial cell-specific deletion of Jmjd6 reduces Aire protein expression and exacerbates disease development in a mouse model of autoimmune diabetes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 489:8-13. [PMID: 28546003 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.05.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) establish spatially distinct microenvironments in which developing T cells are selected to mature or die. A unique property of medullary TECs is their expression of thousands of tissue-restricted self-antigens that is largely under the control of the transcriptional regulator Aire. We previously showed that Jmjd6, a lysyl hydroxylase for splicing regulatory proteins, is important for Aire protein expression and that transplantation of Jmjd6-deficient thymic stroma into athymic nude mice resulted in multiorgan autoimmunity. Here we report that TEC-specific deletion of Jmjd6 exacerbates development of autoimmune diabetes in a mouse model, which express both ovalbumin (OVA) under the control of the rat insulin gene promoter and OT-I T cell receptor specific for OVA peptide bound to major histocompatibility complex class I Kb molecules. We found that Aire protein expression in mTECs was reduced in the absence of Jmjd6, with retention of intron 2 in Aire transcripts. Our results thus demonstrate the importance of Jmjd6 in establishment of immunological tolerance in a more physiological setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toyoshi Yanagihara
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan; Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Tomino
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takehito Uruno
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan; Research Center for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Fukui
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan; Research Center for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hamazaki Y, Sekai M, Minato N. Medullary thymic epithelial stem cells: role in thymic epithelial cell maintenance and thymic involution. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:38-55. [PMID: 27088906 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The thymus consists of two distinct anatomical regions, the cortex and the medulla; medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play a crucial role in establishing central T-cell tolerance for self-antigens. Although the understanding of mTEC development in thymic organogenesis as well as the regulation of their differentiation and maturation has improved, the mechanisms of postnatal maintenance remain poorly understood. This issue has a central importance in immune homeostasis and physiological thymic involution as well as autoimmune disorders in various clinicopathological settings. Recently, several reports have demonstrated the existence of TEC stem or progenitor cells in the postnatal thymus, which are either bipotent or unipotent. We identified stem cells specified for mTEC-lineage that are generated in the thymic ontogeny and may sustain mTEC regeneration and lifelong central T-cell self-tolerance. This finding suggested that the thymic medulla is maintained autonomously by its own stem cells. Although several issues, including the relationship with other putative TEC stem/progenitors, remain unclear, further examination of mTEC stem cells (mTECSCs) and their regulatory mechanisms may contribute to the understanding of postnatal immune homeostasis. Possible relationships between decline of mTECSC activity and early thymic involution as well as various autoimmune disorders are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Hamazaki
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Miho Sekai
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nagahiro Minato
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kroger CJ, Spidale NA, Wang B, Tisch R. Thymic Dendritic Cell Subsets Display Distinct Efficiencies and Mechanisms of Intercellular MHC Transfer. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 198:249-256. [PMID: 27895179 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymic dendritic cells (DC) delete self-antigen-specific thymocytes, and drive development of Foxp3-expressing immunoregulatory T cells. Unlike medullary thymic epithelial cells, which express and present peripheral self-antigen, DC must acquire self-antigen to mediate thymic negative selection. One such mechanism entails the transfer of surface MHC-self peptide complexes from medullary thymic epithelial cells to thymic DC. Despite the importance of thymic DC cross-dressing in negative selection, the factors that regulate the process and the capacity of different thymic DC subsets to acquire MHC and stimulate thymocytes are poorly understood. In this study intercellular MHC transfer by thymic DC subsets was investigated using an MHC-mismatch-based in vitro system. Thymic conventional DC (cDC) subsets signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα+) and CD8α+ readily acquired MHC class I and II from thymic epithelial cells but plasmacytoid DC were less efficient. Intercellular MHC transfer was donor-cell specific; thymic DC readily acquired MHC from TEC plus thymic or splenic DC, whereas thymic or splenic B cells were poor donors. Furthermore DC origin influenced cross-dressing; thymic versus splenic DC exhibited an increased capacity to capture TEC-derived MHC, which correlated with direct expression of EpCAM by DC. Despite similar capacities to acquire MHC-peptide complexes, thymic CD8α+ cDC elicited increased T cell stimulation relative to SIRPα+ cDC. DC cross-dressing was cell-contact dependent and unaffected by lipid raft disruption of donor TEC. Furthermore, blocking PI3K signaling reduced MHC acquisition by thymic CD8α+ cDC and plasmacytoid DC but not SIRPα+ cDC. These findings demonstrate that multiple parameters influence the efficiency of and distinct mechanisms drive intercellular MHC transfer by thymic DC subsets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles J Kroger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Nicholas A Spidale
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Roland Tisch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lucas B, McCarthy NI, Baik S, Cosway E, James KD, Parnell SM, White AJ, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Control of the thymic medulla and its influence on αβT-cell development. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:23-37. [PMID: 27088905 PMCID: PMC4982089 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a primary lymphoid tissue that supports the generation of αβT cells. In this review, we describe the processes that give rise to the thymus medulla, a site that nurtures self-tolerant T-cell generation following positive selection events that take place in the cortex. To summarize the developmental pathways that generate medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) from their immature progenitors, we describe work on both the initial emergence of the medulla during embryogenesis, and the maintenance of the medulla during postnatal stages. We also investigate the varying roles that receptors belonging to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily have on thymus medulla development and formation, and highlight the impact that T-cell development has on thymus medulla formation. Finally, we examine the evidence that the thymic medulla plays an important role during the intrathymic generation of distinct αβT-cell subtypes. Collectively, these studies provide new insight into the development and functional importance of medullary microenvironments during self-tolerant T-cell production in the thymus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beth Lucas
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Nicholas I. McCarthy
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Song Baik
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Emilie Cosway
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Kieran D. James
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Sonia M. Parnell
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Andrea J. White
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - William E. Jenkinson
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Graham Anderson
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kawano H, Nishijima H, Morimoto J, Hirota F, Morita R, Mouri Y, Nishioka Y, Matsumoto M. Aire Expression Is Inherent to Most Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells during Their Differentiation Program. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2015; 195:5149-58. [PMID: 26503950 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1501000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aire in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) plays an important role in the establishment of self-tolerance. Because Aire(+) mTECs appear to be a limited subset, they may constitute a unique lineage(s) among mTECs. An alternative possibility is that all mTECs are committed to express Aire in principle, but Aire expression by individual mTECs is conditional. To investigate this issue, we established a novel Aire reporter strain in which endogenous Aire is replaced by the human AIRE-GFP-Flag tag (Aire/hAGF-knockin) fusion gene. The hAGF reporter protein was produced and retained very efficiently within mTECs as authentic Aire nuclear dot protein. Remarkably, snapshot analysis revealed that mTECs expressing hAGF accounted for >95% of mature mTECs, suggesting that Aire expression does not represent a particular mTEC lineage(s). We confirmed this by generating Aire/diphtheria toxin receptor-knockin mice in which long-term ablation of Aire(+) mTECs by diphtheria toxin treatment resulted in the loss of most mature mTECs beyond the proportion of those apparently expressing Aire. These results suggest that Aire expression is inherent to all mTECs but may occur at particular stage(s) and/or cellular states during their differentiation, thus accounting for the broad impact of Aire on the promiscuous gene expression of mTECs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kawano
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; and
| | - Hitoshi Nishijima
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Junko Morimoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Fumiko Hirota
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Ryoko Morita
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Mouri
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Nishioka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; and
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Yanagihara T, Sanematsu F, Sato T, Uruno T, Duan X, Tomino T, Harada Y, Watanabe M, Wang Y, Tanaka Y, Nakanishi Y, Suyama M, Yoshinori F. Intronic regulation of Aire expression by Jmjd6 for self-tolerance induction in the thymus. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8820. [PMID: 26531897 PMCID: PMC4667615 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus has spatially distinct microenvironments, the cortex and the medulla, where the developing T-cells are selected to mature or die through the interaction with thymic stromal cells. To establish the immunological self in the thymus, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) express diverse sets of tissue-specific self-antigens (TSAs). This ectopic expression of TSAs largely depends on the transcriptional regulator Aire, yet the mechanism controlling Aire expression itself remains unknown. Here, we show that Jmjd6, a dioxygenase that catalyses lysyl hydroxylation of splicing regulatory proteins, is critical for Aire expression. Although Jmjd6 deficiency does not affect abundance of Aire transcript, the intron 2 of Aire gene is not effectively spliced out in the absence of Jmjd6, resulting in marked reduction of mature Aire protein in mTECs and spontaneous development of multi-organ autoimmunity in mice. These results highlight the importance of intronic regulation in controlling Aire protein expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toyoshi Yanagihara
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Sanematsu
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sato
- Division of Bioinformatics, Multi-scale Research Centre for Medical Science, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takehito Uruno
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Xuefeng Duan
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tomino
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yosuke Harada
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mayuki Watanabe
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Tanaka
- Section of Infection Biology, Department of Functional Bioscience, Fukuoka Dental College, 2-15-1 Tamura, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka 814-0175, Japan
| | - Yoichi Nakanishi
- Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Multi-scale Research Centre for Medical Science, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Fukui Yoshinori
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Research Centre for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
St-Pierre C, Trofimov A, Brochu S, Lemieux S, Perreault C. Differential Features of AIRE-Induced and AIRE-Independent Promiscuous Gene Expression in Thymic Epithelial Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2015; 195:498-506. [PMID: 26034170 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
Establishment of self-tolerance in the thymus depends on promiscuous expression of tissue-restricted Ags (TRA) by thymic epithelial cells (TEC). This promiscuous gene expression (pGE) is regulated in part by the autoimmune regulator (AIRE). To evaluate the commonalities and discrepancies between AIRE-dependent and -independent pGE, we analyzed the transcriptome of the three main TEC subsets in wild-type and Aire knockout mice. We found that the impact of AIRE-dependent pGE is not limited to generation of TRA. AIRE decreases, via non-cell autonomous mechanisms, the expression of genes coding for positive regulators of cell proliferation, and it thereby reduces the number of cortical TEC. In mature medullary TEC, AIRE-driven pGE upregulates non-TRA coding genes that enhance cell-cell interactions (e.g., claudins, integrins, and selectins) and are probably of prime relevance to tolerance induction. We also found that AIRE-dependent and -independent TRA present several distinctive features. In particular, relative to AIRE-induced TRA, AIRE-independent TRA are more numerous and show greater splicing complexity. Furthermore, we report that AIRE-dependent versus -independent TRA project nonredundant representations of peripheral tissues in the thymus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles St-Pierre
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; and
| | - Assya Trofimov
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; and Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sylvie Brochu
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; and
| | - Sébastien Lemieux
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Claude Perreault
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada; and
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
van Delft MAM, Huitema LFA, Tas SW. The contribution of NF-κB signalling to immune regulation and tolerance. Eur J Clin Invest 2015; 45:529-39. [PMID: 25735405 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune regulation is necessary to control inflammatory responses and to prevent autoimmune diseases. Therefore, mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance have evolved to ensure that T cells recognize antigens as self- or non-self-antigens. The thymus is crucially important for central tolerance induction to self-antigens via negative selection of T cells. However, if T cells escape negative selection in the thymus and enter the periphery, peripheral mechanisms are active to warrant immune tolerance. Secondary lymphoid organs, as well as tolerogenic dendritic cells and regulatory T cells, play an important role in peripheral tolerance. In chronic inflammatory diseases, tertiary lymphoid organs are sometimes formed that may also be involved in the induction of peripheral tolerance. This review discusses the main processes that are involved in immune regulation and tolerance, and focuses on the contribution of NF-κB signalling to these processes. MATERIAL AND METHODS This narrative review is based on peer-reviewed publications listed on PubMed up to December 2014. The focus of our literature search was on studies investigating the role of (non)canonical NF-κB signalling in central and peripheral mechanisms of tolerance. Only studies published in English language were considered. RESULTS This review discusses the immune phenotype of mutant mice with defective (non)canonical NF-κB signalling, corroborated with human data, and emphasizes the contribution of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway to immune regulation and tolerance induction. CONCLUSIONS Noncanonical NF-κB signalling has an important immunoregulatory role in the immune system and contributes to both central and peripheral mechanisms of tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Myrthe A M van Delft
- Amsterdam Rheumatology & immunology Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Rattay K, Claude J, Rezavandy E, Matt S, Hofmann TG, Kyewski B, Derbinski J. Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2, a novel autoimmune regulator interaction partner, modulates promiscuous gene expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2015; 194:921-8. [PMID: 25552543 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Promiscuous expression of a plethora of tissue-restricted Ags (TRAs) by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) plays an essential role in T cell tolerance. Although the cellular mechanisms by which promiscuous gene expression (pGE) imposes T cell tolerance have been well characterized, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is to date the only validated molecule known to regulate pGE. AIRE is part of higher-order multiprotein complexes, which promote transcription, elongation, and splicing of a wide range of target genes. How AIRE and its partners mediate these various effects at the molecular level is still largely unclear. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we searched for novel AIRE-interacting proteins and identified the homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) as a novel partner. HIPK2 partially colocalized with AIRE in nuclear bodies upon cotransfection and in human mTECs in situ. Moreover, HIPK2 phosphorylated AIRE in vitro and suppressed the coactivator activity of AIRE in a kinase-dependent manner. To evaluate the role of Hipk2 in modulating the function of AIRE in vivo, we compared whole-genome gene signatures of purified mTEC subsets from TEC-specific Hipk2 knockout mice with control mice and identified a small set of differentially expressed genes. Unexpectedly, most differentially expressed genes were confined to the CD80(lo) mTEC subset and preferentially included AIRE-independent TRAs. Thus, although it modulates gene expression in mTECs and in addition affects the size of the medullary compartment, TEC-specific HIPK2 deletion only mildly affects AIRE-directed pGE in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Rattay
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Janine Claude
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Esmail Rezavandy
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Sonja Matt
- Zelluläre Seneszenz-Gruppe, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum-Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie Allianz, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas G Hofmann
- Zelluläre Seneszenz-Gruppe, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum-Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie Allianz, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Jens Derbinski
- Division of Developmental Immunobiology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; and
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Dewas C, Chen X, Honda T, Junttila I, Linton J, Udey MC, Porcella SF, Sturdevant DE, Feigenbaum L, Koo L, Williams J, Paul WE. TSLP expression: analysis with a ZsGreen TSLP reporter mouse. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 194:1372-80. [PMID: 25539812 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a type I cytokine that plays a central role in induction of allergic inflammatory responses. Its principal targets have been reported to be dendritic cells and/or CD4 T cells; epithelial cells are a principal source. We report in this study the development of a reporter mouse (TSLP-ZsG) in which a ZsGreen (ZsG)-encoding construct has been inserted by recombineering into a bacterial artificial chromosome immediately at the translation initiating ATG of TSLP. The expression of ZsG by mice transgenic for the recombinant BAC appears to be a faithful surrogate for TSLP expression, particularly in keratinocytes and medullary thymic epithelial cells. Limited ZsG and TSLP mRNA was observed in bone marrow-derived mast cells, basophils, and dendritic cells. Using the TSLP-ZsG reporter mouse, we show that TNF-α and IL-4/IL-13 are potent inducers of TSLP expression by keratinocytes and that local activation of Th2 and Th1 cells induces keratinocyte TSLP expression. We suggest that the capacity of TSLP to both induce Th2 differentiation and to be induced by activated Th2 cells raises the possibility that TSLP may be involved in a positive feedback loop to enhance allergic inflammatory conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cedric Dewas
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Xi Chen
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Tetsuya Honda
- Laboratory of Systems Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Ilkka Junttila
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Jay Linton
- Dermatology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Mark C Udey
- Dermatology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Stephen F Porcella
- Research Technology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Daniel E Sturdevant
- Research Technology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Lionel Feigenbaum
- Laboratory Animal Science Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; and
| | - Lily Koo
- Research Technology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Joy Williams
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - William E Paul
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892;
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Jain R, Gray DH. Isolation of Thymic Epithelial Cells and Analysis by Flow Cytometry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 107:3.26.1-3.26.15. [DOI: 10.1002/0471142735.im0326s107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Reema Jain
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division and Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Daniel H.D. Gray
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division and Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Suzuki S, Suzuki M, Nakai M, Sembon S, Fuchimoto D, Onishi A. Transcriptional and histological analyses of the thymic developmental process in the fetal pig. Exp Anim 2014; 63:215-25. [PMID: 24770647 PMCID: PMC4160976 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.63.215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The humanized pig model, in which human cells or tissues can be functionally maintained
in pigs, can be an invaluable tool for human medical research. Although the recent
development of immunodeficient pigs has opened the door for the development of such a
model, the efficient engraftment and differentiation of human cells may be difficult to
achieve. The transplantation of human cells into fetal pigs, whose immune system is
immature, will ameliorate this problem. Therefore, we examined the development of porcine
fetal thymus, which is critical for the establishment of the immune system. We first
analyzed the levels of mRNA expression of genes that are relevant to the function of
thymic epithelial cells or thymocytes in whole thymi from 35 to 85 days of gestation (DG)
and at 2 days postpartum (DP) by quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, immunohistochemical
analyses of thymic epithelial cells from DG35 to DG55 and DP2 were performed. These
analyses showed that the thymic cortex was formed as early as DG35, and thymic medulla
gradually developed from DG45 to DG55. These findings suggested that, at least before
DG45, the thymus do not differentiate to form fully functional T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunichi Suzuki
- Transgenic Pig Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2 Ikenodai, Tsukuba,Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Milićević NM, Lalić IM, Despotović SZ, Ćirić DN, Westermann J, De Waal Malefyt R, Milićević Ž. Aberrant tissue positioning of metallophilic macrophages in the thymus of XCL1-deficient mice. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2014; 297:1472-7. [PMID: 24778093 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 03/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Metallophilic macrophages hold a strategic position within the thymic tissue and play a considerable function in thymic physiology. The development and positioning of these cells within thymic tissue are regulated by complex molecular mechanisms involving different cytokine/chemokine axes. Herein, we studied the role of XCL1 signaling in these processes. We show that in the XCL1-deficient thymus numerous metallophilic macrophages are aberrantly positioned in the thymic cortex, instead of their normal location in the cortico-medullary zone. Still, these cells retain their normal appearance: very large size with prominent, ramifying cytoplasmic prolongations. This shows that XCL1 signaling is not involved in morphological development, but rather in correct positioning of metallophilic macrophages within the thymic tissue. In contrast to thymic metallophilic macrophages, the positioning of splenic marginal metallophilic macrophages is not affected by XCL1-deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Novica M Milićević
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Shao S, Li XR, Cen H, Yin ZS. Association of AIRE polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in a Chinese population. Inflammation 2014; 37:495-9. [PMID: 24170308 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-013-9763-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Recently, genetic polymorphisms within the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) have been implicated in the genetic susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Japanese and Spanish. The aim of this case-control study involving 232 patients with RA and 313 ethnically matched control subjects was to investigate the association of AIRE rs2075876 and rs760426 polymorphisms with genetic predisposition to RA in a Chinese population. The genotypes of AIRE rs2075876 and rs760426 polymorphisms were determined by SNaPshot assay. A significant difference in the allele frequency of AIRE rs2075876 polymorphism between cases and controls was detected (A versus G, OR 1.33, 95 %CI 1.04-1.69, P = 0.02, P corrected (Bonferroni correction) Pc = 0.04). Significant evidence was found for the association between the minor allele A of AIRE rs2075876 polymorphism and the risk of RA under the recessive model (AA versus AG + GG, P = 7.15 × 10(-3), Pc = 1.43 × 10(-2)). The frequency of the minor allele G of AIRE rs760426 polymorphism was higher in patients compared with controls (47.8 % versus 42.1 %), and this deviation showed a trend towards significant level (P = 0.06, Pc = 0.12). The association between the minor allele G of AIRE rs760426 polymorphism with RA risk under the dominant model and the recessive model revealed that significant evidence was detected under the recessive model (GG versus GA + AA, P = 0.02, Pc = 0.04). Our results indicated that AIRE rs2075876 and rs760426 polymorphisms were involved in the genetic background of RA in the Chinese population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Song Shao
- Department of Orthopaedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Williams JA, Zhang J, Jeon H, Nitta T, Ohigashi I, Klug D, Kruhlak MJ, Choudhury B, Sharrow SO, Granger L, Adams A, Eckhaus MA, Jenkinson SR, Richie ER, Gress RE, Takahama Y, Hodes RJ. Thymic medullary epithelium and thymocyte self-tolerance require cooperation between CD28-CD80/86 and CD40-CD40L costimulatory pathways. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 192:630-40. [PMID: 24337745 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A critical process during thymic development of the T cell repertoire is the induction of self-tolerance. Tolerance in developing T cells is highly dependent on medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC), and mTEC development in turn requires signals from mature single-positive thymocytes, a bidirectional relationship termed thymus crosstalk. We show that CD28-CD80/86 and CD40-CD40L costimulatory interactions, which mediate negative selection and self-tolerance, upregulate expression of LTα, LTβ, and receptor activator for NF-κB in the thymus and are necessary for medullary development. Combined absence of CD28-CD80/86 and CD40-CD40L results in profound deficiency in mTEC development comparable to that observed in the absence of single-positive thymocytes. This requirement for costimulatory signaling is maintained even in a TCR transgenic model of high-affinity TCR-ligand interactions. CD4 thymocytes maturing in the altered thymic epithelial environment of CD40/CD80/86 knockout mice are highly autoreactive in vitro and are lethal in congenic adoptive transfer in vivo, demonstrating a critical role for these costimulatory pathways in self-tolerance as well as thymic epithelial development. These findings demonstrate that cooperativity between CD28-CD80/86 and CD40-CD40L pathways is required for normal medullary epithelium and for maintenance of self-tolerance in thymocyte development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joy A Williams
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
TRAF3 enforces the requirement for T cell cross-talk in thymic medullary epithelial development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:21107-12. [PMID: 24324158 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1314859111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of self-tolerance in developing T cells depends on medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), whose development, in turn, requires signals from single-positive (SP) thymocytes. Thus, the absence of SP thymocytes in Tcra(-/-) mice results in a profound deficiency in mTECs. Here, we have probed the mechanism that underlies this requirement for cross-talk with thymocytes in medullary development. Previous studies have implicated nonclassical NF-κB as a pathway important in the development of mTECs, because mice lacking RelB, NIK, or IKKα, critical components of this pathway, have an almost complete absence of mTECs, with resulting autoimmune pathology. We therefore assessed the effect of selective deletion in TEC of TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3), an inhibitor of nonclassical NF-κB signaling. Deletion of TRAF3 in thymic epithelial cells allowed RelB-dependent development of normal numbers of AIRE-expressing mTECs in the complete absence of SP thymocytes. Thus, mTEC development can occur in the absence of cross-talk with SP thymocytes, and signals provided by SP T cells are needed to overcome TRAF3-imposed arrest in mTEC development mediated by inhibition of nonclassical NF-κB. We further observed that TRAF3 deletion is also capable of overcoming all requirements for LTβR and CD40, which are otherwise necessary for mTEC development, but is not sufficient to overcome the requirement for RANKL, indicating a role for RANKL that is distinct from the signals provided by SP thymocytes. We conclude that TRAF3 plays a central role in regulation of mTEC development by imposing requirements for SP T cells and costimulation-mediated cross-talk in generation of the medullary compartment.
Collapse
|
31
|
Gardner JM, Metzger TC, McMahon EJ, Au-Yeung BB, Krawisz AK, Lu W, Price JD, Johannes KP, Satpathy AT, Murphy KM, Tarbell KV, Weiss A, Anderson MS. Extrathymic Aire-expressing cells are a distinct bone marrow-derived population that induce functional inactivation of CD4⁺ T cells. Immunity 2013; 39:560-72. [PMID: 23993652 PMCID: PMC3804105 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 05/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator (Aire) is essential for prevention of autoimmunity; its role is best understood in the thymus, where it promotes self-tolerance through tissue-specific antigen (TSA) expression. Recently, extrathymic Aire-expressing cells (eTACs) have been described in murine secondary lymphoid organs, but the identity of such cells and their role in immune tolerance remains unclear. Here we have shown that eTACs are a discrete major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II)(hi), CD80(lo), CD86(lo), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)(hi), CD45(lo) bone marrow-derived peripheral antigen-presenting cell (APC) population. We also have demonstrated that eTACs can functionally inactivate CD4⁺ T cells through a mechanism that does not require regulatory T cells (Treg) and is resistant to innate inflammatory stimuli. Together, these findings further define eTACs as a distinct tolerogenic cell population in secondary lymphoid organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James M Gardner
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0540, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0540, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Aharoni R, Aricha R, Eilam R, From I, Mizrahi K, Arnon R, Souroujon MC, Fuchs S. Age dependent course of EAE in Aire-/- mice. J Neuroimmunol 2013; 262:27-34. [PMID: 23849800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This study explores the consequences of deficiency in the autoimmune regulator (Aire) on the susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Increased susceptibility to EAE was found in Aire knockout (KO) compared to wild type (WT) in 6month old mice. In contrast, 2month old Aire KO mice were less susceptible to EAE than WT mice, and this age-related resistance correlated with elevated proportions of T regulatory (Treg) cells in their spleen and brain. Combined with our previous findings in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis, we suggest an age-related association between Aire and Treg cells in the susceptibility to autoimmunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rina Aharoni
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Akiyama T, Shinzawa M, Qin J, Akiyama N. Regulations of gene expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells required for preventing the onset of autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2013; 4:249. [PMID: 23986760 PMCID: PMC3752772 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Elimination of potential self-reactive T cells in the thymus is crucial for preventing the onset of autoimmune diseases. Epithelial cell subsets localized in thymic medulla [medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs)] contribute to this process by supplying a wide range of self-antigens that are otherwise expressed in a tissue-specific manner (TSAs). Expression of some TSAs in mTECs is controlled by the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) protein, of which dysfunctional mutations are the causative factor of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED). In addition to the elimination of self-reactive T cells, recent studies indicated roles of mTECs in the development of Foxp3-positive regulatory T cells, which suppress autoimmunity and excess immune reactions in peripheral tissues. The TNF family cytokines, RANK ligand, CD40 ligand, and lymphotoxin were found to promote the differentiation of AIRE- and TSA-expressing mTECs. Furthermore, activation of NF-κB is essential for mTEC differentiation. In this mini-review, we focus on molecular mechanisms that regulate induction of AIRE and TSA expression and discuss possible contributions of these mechanisms to prevent the onset of autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taishin Akiyama
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Epithelial cytoprotection sustains ectopic expression of tissue-restricted antigens in the thymus during murine acute GVHD. Blood 2013; 122:837-41. [PMID: 23719300 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-12-474759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) predisposes to chronic GVHD with autoimmune manifestations. A characteristic of experimental aGVHD is the de novo generation of autoreactive T cells. Central tolerance is dependent on the intrathymic expression of tissue-restricted peripheral self-antigens (TRA), which is in mature medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC(high)) partly controlled by the autoimmune regulator (Aire). Because TECs are targets of donor T-cell alloimmunity, we tested whether murine aGVHD interfered with the capacity of recipient Aire(+)mTEC(high) to sustain TRA diversity. We report that aGVHD weakens the platform for central tolerance induction because individual TRAs are purged from the total repertoire secondary to a decline in the Aire(+)mTEC(high) cell pool. Peritransplant administration of an epithelial cytoprotective agent, fibroblast growth factor-7, maintained a stable pool of Aire(+)mTEC(high), with an improved TRA transcriptome despite aGVHD. Taken together, our data provide a mechanism for how autoimmunity may develop in the context of antecedent alloimmunity.
Collapse
|
35
|
Lkhagvasuren E, Sakata M, Ohigashi I, Takahama Y. Lymphotoxin β receptor regulates the development of CCL21-expressing subset of postnatal medullary thymic epithelial cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2013; 190:5110-7. [PMID: 23585674 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1203203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play a pivotal role in the establishment of self-tolerance in T cells by ectopically expressing various tissue-restricted self-Ags and by chemoattracting developing thymocytes. The nuclear protein Aire expressed by mTECs contributes to the promiscuous expression of self-Ags, whereas CCR7-ligand (CCR7L) chemokines expressed by mTECs are responsible for the attraction of positively selected thymocytes. It is known that lymphotoxin signals from the positively selected thymocytes preferentially promote the expression of CCR7L rather than Aire in postnatal mTECs. However, it is unknown how lymphotoxin signals differentially regulate the expression of CCR7L and Aire in mTECs and whether CCR7L-expressing mTECs and Aire-expressing mTECs are distinct populations. In this study, we show that the majority of postnatal mTECs that express CCL21, a CCR7L chemokine, represent an mTEC subpopulation distinct from the Aire-expressing mTEC subpopulation. Interestingly, the development of CCL21-expressing mTECs, but not Aire-expressing mTECs, is impaired in mice deficient in the lymphotoxin β receptor. These results indicate that postnatal mTECs consist of heterogeneous subsets that differ in the expression of CCL21 and Aire, and that lymphotoxin β receptor regulates the development of the CCL21-expressing subset rather than the Aire-expressing subset of postnatal mTECs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enkhsaikhan Lkhagvasuren
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute for Genome Research, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Tan DSY, Gan PY, O'Sullivan KM, Hammett MV, Summers SA, Ooi JD, Lundgren BA, Boyd RL, Scott HS, Kitching AR, Chidgey AP, Holdsworth SR. Thymic deletion and regulatory T cells prevent antimyeloperoxidase GN. J Am Soc Nephrol 2013; 24:573-85. [PMID: 23393320 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2012090898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of tolerance to neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) underlies the development of ANCA-associated vasculitis and GN, but the mechanisms underlying this loss of tolerance are poorly understood. Here, we assessed the role of the thymus in deletion of autoreactive anti-MPO T cells and the importance of peripheral regulatory T cells in maintaining tolerance to MPO and protecting from GN. Thymic expression of MPO mRNA predominantly localized to medullary thymic epithelial cells. To assess the role of MPO in forming the T cell repertoire and the role of the autoimmune regulator Aire in thymic MPO expression, we compared the effects of immunizing Mpo(-/-) mice, Aire(-/-) mice, and control littermates with MPO. Immunized Mpo(-/-) and Aire(-/-) mice developed significantly more proinflammatory cytokine-producing anti-MPO T cells and higher ANCA titers than control mice. When we triggered GN with a subnephritogenic dose of anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody, Aire(-/-) mice had more severe renal disease than Aire(+/+) mice, consistent with a role for Aire-dependent central deletion in establishing tolerance to MPO. Furthermore, depleting peripheral regulatory T cells in wild-type mice also led to more anti-MPO T cells, higher ANCA titers, and more severe GN after immunization with MPO. Taken together, these results suggest that Aire-dependent central deletion and regulatory T cell-mediated peripheral tolerance both play major roles in establishing and maintaining tolerance to MPO, thereby protecting against the development of anti-MPO GN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana S Y Tan
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
For a very long time, we studied the metallophilic macrophages of the rodent thymus and in this review our results on morphological, histochemical, enzymehistochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and functional features of these cells, as well as the molecular regulation of their development, will be presented. Furthermore, the differences between species will also be discussed and the comparisons with similar/related cell types (metallophilic macrophages in the marginal sinus of the spleen, subcapsular sinus of the lymph nodes and germinal centers of secondary lymphoid follicles) will be made. Metallophilic macrophages are strategically positioned in the thymic cortico-medullary zone and are very likely to be involved in: (i) the metabolism, synthesis and production of bioactive lipids, most likely arachidonic acid metabolites, based on their histochemical and enzymehistochemical features, and (ii) the process of negative selection that occurs in the thymus, based on their ultrastructural features and their reactivity after the application of toxic or immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory agents. Taken together, their phenotypic and functional features strongly suggest that metallophilic macrophages play a significant role in the thymic physiology.
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
The development of CD4(+) helper and CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cells expressing the αβ form of the T-cell receptor (αβTCR) takes place in the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ containing distinct cortical and medullary microenvironments. While the cortex represents a site of early T-cell precursor development, and the positive selection of CD4(+)8(+) thymocytes, the thymic medulla plays a key role in tolerance induction, ensuring that thymic emigrants are purged of autoreactive αβTCR specificities. In recent years, advances have been made in understanding the development and function of thymic medullary epithelial cells, most notably the subset defined by expression of the Autoimmune Regulator (Aire) gene. Here, we summarize current knowledge of the developmental mechanisms regulating thymus medulla development, and examine the role of the thymus medulla in recessive (negative selection) and dominant (T-regulatory cell) tolerance.
Collapse
|
39
|
Irla M, Guenot J, Sealy G, Reith W, Imhof BA, Sergé A. Three-dimensional visualization of the mouse thymus organization in health and immunodeficiency. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 190:586-96. [PMID: 23248258 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lymphoid organs exhibit complex structures tightly related to their function. Surprisingly, although the thymic medulla constitutes a specialized microenvironment dedicated to the induction of T cell tolerance, its three-dimensional topology remains largely elusive because it has been studied mainly in two dimensions using thymic sections. To overcome this limitation, we have developed an automated method for full organ reconstruction in three dimensions, allowing visualization of intact mouse lymphoid organs from a collection of immunolabeled slices. We validated full organ reconstruction in three dimensions by reconstructing the well-characterized structure of skin-draining lymph nodes, before revisiting the complex and poorly described corticomedullary organization of the thymus. Wild-type thymi contain ~200 small medullae that are connected to or separated from a major medullary compartment. In contrast, thymi of immunodeficient Rag2(-/-) mice exhibit only ~20 small, unconnected medullary islets. Upon total body irradiation, medullary complexity was partially reduced and then recovered upon bone marrow transplantation. This intricate topology presents fractal properties, resulting in a considerable corticomedullary area. This feature ensures short distances between cortex and medulla, hence efficient thymocyte migration, as assessed by mathematical models. Remarkably, this junction is enriched, particularly in neonates, in medullary thymic epithelial cells expressing the autoimmune regulator. The emergence of a major medullary compartment is induced by CD4(+) thymocytes via CD80/86 and lymphotoxin-α signals. This comprehensive three-dimensional view of the medulla emphasizes a complex topology favoring efficient interactions between developing T cells and autoimmune regulator-positive medullary thymic epithelial cells, a key process for central tolerance induction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magali Irla
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Perniola R. Expression of the autoimmune regulator gene and its relevance to the mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance. Clin Dev Immunol 2012; 2012:207403. [PMID: 23125865 PMCID: PMC3485510 DOI: 10.1155/2012/207403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 08/26/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is a monogenic disease due to pathogenic variants occurring in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Its related protein, AIRE, activates the transcription of genes encoding for tissue-specific antigens (TsAgs) in a subset of medullary thymic epithelial cells: the presentation of TsAgs to the maturating thymocytes induces the apoptosis of the autoreactive clones and constitutes the main form of central tolerance. Dysregulation of thymic AIRE expression in genetically transmitted and acquired diseases other than APS-1 may contribute to further forms of autoimmunity. As AIRE and its murine homolog are also expressed in the secondary lymphoid organs, the extent and relevance of AIRE participation in the mechanisms of peripheral tolerance need to be thoroughly defined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perniola
- Neonatal Intensive Care, Department of Pediatrics, V. Fazzi Regional Hospital, Piazza F. Muratore, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Bin G, Jiarong Z, Shihao W, Xiuli S, Cheng X, Liangbiao C, Ming Z. Aire promotes the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells through Lin28. Stem Cells Dev 2012; 21:2878-90. [PMID: 22540148 PMCID: PMC3464070 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Autoimmune regulator (Aire) is one of the most well-characterized molecules in autoimmunity, but its function outside the immune system is largely unknown. The recent discovery of Aire expression in stem cells and early embryonic cells and its function in the self-renewal of embryonic stem (ES) cells highlight the importance of Aire in these cells. In this study, we present evidence that Aire promotes the expression of the pluripotent factor Lin28 and the self-renewal of ES cells. We presented the first evidence that the let-7 microRNA family contributed to the self-renewal promoting effect of Aire on ES cells. Moreover, we showed that Aire and Lin28 are co-expressed in the genital ridge, oocytes, and cleavage-stage embryos, and the expression level of Lin28 is correlated with the expression level of Aire. Although it is widely considered to be a promiscuous gene expression activator, these results indicated that Aire promotes the self-renewal of ES cells through a specific pathway (i.e., the activation of Lin28 and the inhibition of the let-7 microRNA family). The correlation between Aire and Lin28 expression in germ cells and early embryos indicated an in vivo function for Aire in toti- and pluripotent stem cells. This study presents the first molecular pathway that incorporates Aire into the pluripotency network. Moreover, it presents the first evidence that microRNAs contribute to the regulatory function of Aire and highlights a novel function of Aire in stem cell biology and reproduction. These functions reveal novel perspectives for studying the molecular mechanisms behind the establishment and sustenance of pluripotent identity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gu Bin
- The Institute of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhang Jiarong
- The Institute of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wang Shihao
- The Institute of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Song Xiuli
- The Institute of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xu Cheng
- The Institute of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Liangbiao
- The Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhang Ming
- The Institute of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Bonner SM, Pietropaolo SL, Fan Y, Chang Y, Sethupathy P, Morran MP, Beems M, Giannoukakis N, Trucco G, Palumbo MO, Solimena M, Pugliese A, Polychronakos C, Trucco M, Pietropaolo M. Sequence variation in promoter of Ica1 gene, which encodes protein implicated in type 1 diabetes, causes transcription factor autoimmune regulator (AIRE) to increase its binding and down-regulate expression. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:17882-17893. [PMID: 22447927 PMCID: PMC3366781 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.319020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Revised: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ICA69 (islet cell autoantigen 69 kDa) is a protein implicated in type 1 diabetes mellitus in both the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model and humans. ICA69 is encoded by the Ica1 gene on mouse chromosome 6 A1-A2. We previously reported reduced ICA69 expression in the thymus of NOD mice compared with thymus of several non-diabetic mouse strains. We propose that reduced thymic ICA69 expression could result from variations in transcriptional regulation of the gene and that polymorphisms within the Ica1 core promoter may partially determine this transcriptional variability. We characterized the functional promoter of Ica1 in NOD mice and compared it with the corresponding portions of Ica1 in non-diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Luciferase reporter constructs demonstrated that the NOD Ica1 promoter region exhibited markedly reduced luciferase expression in transiently transfected medullary thymus epithelial (mTEC(+)) and B-cell (M12)-derived cell lines. However, in a non-diabetic strain, C57BL/6, the Ica1 promoter region was transcriptionally active when transiently transfected into the same cell lines. We concomitantly identified five single nucleotide polymorphisms within the NOD Ica1 promoter. One of these single nucleotide polymorphisms increases the binding affinity for the transcription factor AIRE (autoimmune regulator), which is highly expressed in thymic epithelial cells, where it is known to play a key role regulating self-antigen expression. We conclude that polymorphisms within the NOD Ica1 core promoter may determine AIRE-mediated down-regulation of ICA69 expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells, thus providing a novel mechanistic explanation for the loss of immunologic tolerance to this self-antigen in autoimmunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Bonner
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
| | - Susan L Pietropaolo
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
| | - Yong Fan
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Pediatrics, Rangos Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224
| | - Yigang Chang
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
| | - Praveen Sethupathy
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Michael P Morran
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
| | - Megan Beems
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
| | - Nick Giannoukakis
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Pediatrics, Rangos Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224; Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
| | - Giuliana Trucco
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
| | - Michael O Palumbo
- Endocrine Genetics Laboratory, Montreal Children Hospital-Research Institute, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1P3, Canada
| | - Michele Solimena
- Department of Molecular Diabetology, Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus School of Medicine, Dresden University of Technology, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alberto Pugliese
- Immunogenetics Program, Diabetes Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Constantin Polychronakos
- Endocrine Genetics Laboratory, Montreal Children Hospital-Research Institute, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1P3, Canada
| | - Massimo Trucco
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Pediatrics, Rangos Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224
| | - Massimo Pietropaolo
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Brehm Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Hadeiba H, Lahl K, Edalati A, Oderup C, Habtezion A, Pachynski R, Nguyen L, Ghodsi A, Adler S, Butcher EC. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells transport peripheral antigens to the thymus to promote central tolerance. Immunity 2012; 36:438-50. [PMID: 22444632 PMCID: PMC3315699 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2012.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Revised: 10/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Central tolerance can be mediated by peripheral dendritic cells (DCs) that transport innocuous antigens (Ags) to the thymus for presentation to developing T cells, but the responsible DC subsets remained poorly defined. Immature plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) express CCR9, a chemokine receptor involved in migration of T cell precursors to the thymus. We show here that CCR9 mediated efficient thymic entry of endogenous or i.v. transfused pDCs. pDCs activated by Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands downregulated CCR9 and lost their ability to home to the thymus. Moreover, endogenous pDCs took up subcutaneously injected fluorescent Ag and, in the absence of TLR signals, transported Ag to the thymus in a CCR9-dependent fashion. Injected, Ag-loaded pDCs effectively deleted Ag-specific thymocytes, and this thymic clonal deletion required CCR9-mediated homing and was prevented by infectious signals. Thus, peripheral pDCs can contribute to immune tolerance through CCR9-dependent transport of peripheral Ags and subsequent deletion of Ag-reactive thymocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Husein Hadeiba
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Capalbo D, De Martino L, Giardino G, Di Mase R, Di Donato I, Parenti G, Vajro P, Pignata C, Salerno M. Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy: insights into genotype-phenotype correlation. Int J Endocrinol 2012; 2012:353250. [PMID: 23133448 PMCID: PMC3485503 DOI: 10.1155/2012/353250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, caused by mutations of a single gene named autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE) which results in a failure of T cell tolerance within the thymus. Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, chronic hypoparathyroidism, and Addison's disease are the hallmarks of the syndrome. APECED is also characterized by several autoimmune endocrine and nonendocrine manifestations, and the phenotype is often complex. Moreover, even though APECED is a monogenic disease, its clinical picture is generally dominated by a wide heterogeneity both in the severity and in the number of components even among siblings with the same AIRE genotype. The variability of its clinical expression implies that diagnosis can be challenging, and a considerable delay often occurs between the appearance of symptoms and the diagnosis. Since a prompt diagnosis is essential to prevent severe complications, clinicians should be aware of all symptoms and signs of suspicion. The aim of this paper is to give an overview on the clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria of APECED and to focus on current knowledge on genotype-phenotype correlation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Capalbo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia De Martino
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana Giardino
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Di Mase
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Iolanda Di Donato
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Parenti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Vajro
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Salerno, 84081 Salerno, Italy
| | - Claudio Pignata
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariacarolina Salerno
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- *Mariacarolina Salerno:
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Wang X, Laan M, Bichele R, Kisand K, Scott HS, Peterson P. Post-Aire maturation of thymic medullary epithelial cells involves selective expression of keratinocyte-specific autoantigens. Front Immunol 2012; 3:19. [PMID: 22448160 PMCID: PMC3310317 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator (Aire)-directed ectopic expression of tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) by mature medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) has been viewed as an essential mechanism in the induction of central tolerance. Recent data suggest that the survival of mTECs extends beyond the Aire+ cell population to form the post-Aire mTEC population and Hassall’s corpuscles (HCs). The nature and function of these post-Aire epithelial cells and structures, however, have remained unidentified. In this study, we characterized in detail the end-stage development of mTECs and HCs in both Aire-sufficient and Aire-deficient mice. In addition, using a transgenic mouse model in which the LacZ reporter gene is under the control of the endogenous Aire promoter, we purified and analyzed the post-Aire mTECs to characterize their function. We showed that the end-stage maturation of mTECs closely resembles that of keratinocytes and that the lack of Aire results in a marked block of mTEC differentiation, which is partially overcome by ligands for RANK and CD40. We also provide evidence that, during mTEC development, Aire is expressed only once and during a limited 1–2 day period. The following loss of Aire expression is accompanied by a quick downregulation of MHC class II and CD80, and of most of the Aire-dependent and Aire-independent TSAs, with the exception of keratinocyte-specific genes. In the final stage of maturation, the mTECs lose their nuclei to become HCs and specifically express desmogleins (DGs) 1 and 3, which, via cross-presentation by APCs, may contribute to tolerance against these pemphigus vulgaris-related TSAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Wang
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of General and Molecular Pathology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Hubert FX, Kinkel SA, Davey GM, Phipson B, Mueller SN, Liston A, Proietto AI, Cannon PZF, Forehan S, Smyth GK, Wu L, Goodnow CC, Carbone FR, Scott HS, Heath WR. Aire regulates the transfer of antigen from mTECs to dendritic cells for induction of thymic tolerance. Blood 2011; 118:2462-72. [PMID: 21505196 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-06-286393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the role of Aire in thymic selection, we examined the cellular requirements for generation of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells in mice expressing OVA under the control of the rat insulin promoter. Aire deficiency reduced the number of mature single-positive OVA-specific CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells in the thymus, independent of OVA expression. Importantly, it also contributed in 2 ways to OVA-dependent negative selection depending on the T-cell type. Aire-dependent negative selection of OVA-specific CD8 T cells correlated with Aire-regulated expression of OVA. By contrast, for OVA-specific CD4 T cells, Aire affected tolerance induction by a mechanism that operated independent of the level of OVA expression, controlling access of antigen presenting cells to medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC)-expressed OVA. This study supports the view that one mechanism by which Aire controls thymic negative selection is by regulating the indirect presentation of mTEC-derived antigens by thymic dendritic cells. It also indicates that mTECs can mediate tolerance by direct presentation of Aire-regulated antigens to both CD4 and CD8 T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- François-Xavier Hubert
- Immunology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Brahmaraju M, Bhagya KP, Titus S, Sebastian A, Devi AN, Laloraya M, Kumar PG. AIRE1A might be involved in cyclin B2 degradation in testicular lysates. Biochem Cell Biol 2011; 89:411-22. [PMID: 21819345 DOI: 10.1139/o11-029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator gene Aire shows predominant expression in thymus and other immunologically relevant tissues, and is assigned the major function of programming autoreactive T-cell deletion. However, the expression of this gene in tissues outside the immune system raises a question about its possible function beyond the T-cell deletion dogma. We detected Aire in mouse testis, and the expression of AIRE protein was remarkably high in postmeiotic germ cells. Sequencing results indicate that testis expressed Aire variant 1a. AIRE could be detected in spermatozoa, with heavy localization on the principal acrosomal domains. Mouse oocytes stained negatively for AIRE before fertilization, but stained positively for AIRE 30 min after fertilization. In the zygote, the levels of AIRE correlated negatively with cyclin B2 levels. Goat testicular lysates spiked with recombinant human AIRE exhibited augmented cyclin B2 degradation in the presence of protease inhibitors, which was inhibited by MG-132, indicating the operation of proteasomal pathways. Thus, this study identifies a correlation between the presence of AIRE and proteasomal breakdown of cyclin B2, which leads us to speculate that cyclin B2 could be a target of AIRE's E3-ubiquitin ligase activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Brahmaraju
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Poojappura, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Danso-Abeam D, Humblet-Baron S, Dooley J, Liston A. Models of aire-dependent gene regulation for thymic negative selection. Front Immunol 2011; 2:14. [PMID: 22566805 PMCID: PMC3342030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2011.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2011] [Accepted: 04/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene lead to autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type 1 (APS1), characterized by the development of multi-organ autoimmune damage. The mechanism by which defects in AIRE result in autoimmunity has been the subject of intense scrutiny. At the cellular level, the working model explains most of the clinical and immunological characteristics of APS1, with AIRE driving the expression of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) in the epithelial cells of the thymic medulla. This TRA expression results in effective negative selection of TRA-reactive thymocytes, preventing autoimmune disease. At the molecular level, the mechanism by which AIRE initiates TRA expression in the thymic medulla remains unclear. Multiple different models for the molecular mechanism have been proposed, ranging from classical transcriptional activity, to random induction of gene expression, to epigenetic tag recognition effect, to altered cell biology. In this review, we evaluate each of these models and discuss their relative strengths and weaknesses.
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
The negative selection of self-reactive thymocytes depends on the expression of tissue-specific antigens by medullary thymic epithelial cells. The autoimmune regulator (Aire) protein plays an important role in turning on these antigens, and the absence of even one Aire-induced tissue-specific antigen in the thymus can lead to autoimmunity in the antigen-expressing target organ. Recently, Aire protein has been detected in peripheral lymphoid organs, suggesting that peripheral Aire plays a complementary role here. In these peripheral sites, Aire was found to regulate the expression of a group of tissue-specific antigens that is distinct from those expressed in the thymus. Furthermore, transgenic antigen expression in extrathymic Aire-expressing cells (eTACs) can mediate deletional tolerance, but the immunological relevance of Aire-dependent, endogenous tissue-specific antigens remains to be determined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Todd C Metzger
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Zamudio NM, Scott HS, Wolski K, Lo CY, Law C, Leong D, Kinkel SA, Chong S, Jolley D, Smyth GK, de Kretser D, Whitelaw E, O'Bryan MK. DNMT3L is a regulator of X chromosome compaction and post-meiotic gene transcription. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18276. [PMID: 21483837 PMCID: PMC3069080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2010] [Accepted: 03/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies on the epigenetic regulator DNA methyltransferase 3-Like (DNMT3L), have demonstrated it is an essential regulator of paternal imprinting and early male meiosis. Dnmt3L is also a paternal effect gene, i.e., wild type offspring of heterozygous mutant sires display abnormal phenotypes suggesting the inheritance of aberrant epigenetic marks on the paternal chromosomes. In order to reveal the mechanisms underlying these paternal effects, we have assessed X chromosome meiotic compaction, XY chromosome aneuploidy rates and global transcription in meiotic and haploid germ cells from male mice heterozygous for Dnmt3L. XY bodies from Dnmt3L heterozygous males were significantly longer than those from wild types, and were associated with a three-fold increase in XY bearing sperm. Loss of a Dnmt3L allele resulted in deregulated expression of a large number of both X-linked and autosomal genes within meiotic cells, but more prominently in haploid germ cells. Data demonstrate that similar to embryonic stem cells, DNMT3L is involved in an auto-regulatory loop in germ cells wherein the loss of a Dnmt3L allele resulted in increased transcription from the remaining wild type allele. In contrast, however, within round spermatids, this auto-regulatory loop incorporated the alternative non-coding alternative transcripts. Consistent with the mRNA data, we have localized DNMT3L within spermatids and sperm and shown that the loss of a Dnmt3L allele results in a decreased DNMT3L content within sperm. These data demonstrate previously unrecognised roles for DNMT3L in late meiosis and in the transcriptional regulation of meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells. These data provide a potential mechanism for some cases of human Klinefelter's and Turner's syndromes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natasha M. Zamudio
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hamish S. Scott
- The Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Katja Wolski
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chi-Yi Lo
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charity Law
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dillon Leong
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah A. Kinkel
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suyinn Chong
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Damien Jolley
- The Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gordon K. Smyth
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David de Kretser
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma Whitelaw
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Moira K. O'Bryan
- The Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: Moira.O'
| |
Collapse
|