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Wells AC, Hioki KA, Angelou CC, Lynch AC, Liang X, Ryan DJ, Thesmar I, Zhanybekova S, Zuklys S, Ullom J, Cheong A, Mager J, Hollander GA, Pobezinskaya EL, Pobezinsky LA. Let-7 enhances murine anti-tumor CD8 T cell responses by promoting memory and antagonizing terminal differentiation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5585. [PMID: 37696797 PMCID: PMC10495470 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40959-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The success of the CD8 T cell-mediated immune response against infections and tumors depends on the formation of a long-lived memory pool, and the protection of effector cells from exhaustion. The advent of checkpoint blockade therapy has significantly improved anti-tumor therapeutic outcomes by reversing CD8 T cell exhaustion, but fails to generate effector cells with memory potential. Here, using in vivo mouse models, we show that let-7 miRNAs determine CD8 T cell fate, where maintenance of let-7 expression during early cell activation results in memory CD8 T cell formation and tumor clearance. Conversely, let-7-deficiency promotes the generation of a terminal effector population that becomes vulnerable to exhaustion and cell death in immunosuppressive environments and fails to reject tumors. Mechanistically, let-7 restrains metabolic changes that occur during T cell activation through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and production of reactive oxygen species, potent drivers of terminal differentiation and exhaustion. Thus, our results reveal a role for let-7 in the time-sensitive support of memory formation and the protection of effector cells from exhaustion. Overall, our data suggest a strategy in developing next-generation immunotherapies by preserving the multipotency of effector cells rather than enhancing the efficacy of differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria C Wells
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Kaito A Hioki
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
- UMass Biotech Training Program (BTP), Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Constance C Angelou
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Adam C Lynch
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Xueting Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Daniel J Ryan
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Iris Thesmar
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Saule Zhanybekova
- Pediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Saulius Zuklys
- Pediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jacob Ullom
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Agnes Cheong
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mager
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Georg A Hollander
- Pediatric Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elena L Pobezinskaya
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Leonid A Pobezinsky
- Department of Veterinary and Animal science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
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Angelou CC, Wells AC, Vijayarhagavan J, Dougan CE, Lawlor R, Iverson E, Lazarevic V, Kimura MY, Peyton SR, Minter LM, Osborne BA, Pobezinskaya EL, Pobezinsky LA. Pathogenic Th17 cell differentiation is negatively regulated by let-7 microRNAs in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. The Journal of Immunology 2020. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.204.supp.76.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are caused by proinflammatory events mediated by pathogenic Th17 cells. In MS, these cells arise in response to autoantigen recognition and exposure to the cytokines IL-1β and IL-23, migrate to the central nervous system (CNS) by following gradients of CCR2- and CCR5-cognate chemokines, and secrete GM-CSF. GM-CSF is essential for disease development, as it promotes the activation, differentiation, and recruitment of peripheral inflammatory myeloid cells to the CNS that directly demyelinate neurons and damage axons. Th17 cell pathogenicity in MS has been correlated with microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation, which leads to aberrant post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and enhanced autoreactive phenotype. We found that the lethal-7 (let-7) miRNA family is abundantly expressed in naive CD4+ T cells, but gets dramatically downregulated over time following antigen encounter, indicating that let-7 may control the differentiation of pathogenic Th17 cells. To investigate a potential regulatory role for let-7 in Th17 cell autoreactivity, we used experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of MS. Specifically, we demonstrated that let-7 confers protection from EAE by negatively regulating the proliferation, IL-1β/IL-23-dependent differentiation, and CCR2/CCR5-dependent migration of pathogenic Th17 cells to the CNS. Conversely, absence of let-7 led to enhanced Th17 cell autoreactivity and aggravated disease. Therefore, our results identify a novel regulatory role for let-7 miRNAs in pathogenic Th17 differentiation during EAE development, suggesting a promising therapeutic application for the treatment of MS-related autoimmune diseases.
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Angelou CC, Wells AC, Vijayaraghavan J, Dougan CE, Lawlor R, Iverson E, Lazarevic V, Kimura MY, Peyton SR, Minter LM, Osborne BA, Pobezinskaya EL, Pobezinsky LA. Differentiation of Pathogenic Th17 Cells Is Negatively Regulated by Let-7 MicroRNAs in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3125. [PMID: 32010153 PMCID: PMC6978752 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling demyelinating autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) which is driven by IL-23- and IL-1β-induced autoreactive Th17 cells that traffic to the CNS and secrete proinflammatory cytokines. Th17 pathogenicity in MS has been correlated with the dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression, and specific miRNAs have been shown to promote the pathogenic Th17 phenotype. In the present study, we demonstrate, using the animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), that let-7 miRNAs confer protection against EAE by negatively regulating the proliferation, differentiation and chemokine-mediated migration of pathogenic Th17 cells to the CNS. Specifically, we found that let-7 miRNAs may directly target the cytokine receptors Il1r1 and Il23r, as well as the chemokine receptors Ccr2 and Ccr5. Therefore, our results identify a novel regulatory role for let-7 miRNAs in pathogenic Th17 differentiation during EAE development, suggesting a promising therapeutic application for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance C. Angelou
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Alexandria C. Wells
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Jyothi Vijayaraghavan
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Carey E. Dougan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Rebecca Lawlor
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Iverson
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Vanja Lazarevic
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Motoko Y. Kimura
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shelly R. Peyton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Lisa M. Minter
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Barbara A. Osborne
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Elena L. Pobezinskaya
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Leonid A. Pobezinsky
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
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Pobezinskaya EL, Wells AC, Angelou CC, Fagerberg E, Aral E, Iverson E, Kimura MY, Pobezinsky LA. Survival of Naïve T Cells Requires the Expression of Let-7 miRNAs. Front Immunol 2019; 10:955. [PMID: 31130952 PMCID: PMC6509570 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining the diversity and constant numbers of naïve T cells throughout the organism's lifetime is necessary for efficient immune responses. Naïve T cell homeostasis, which consists of prolonged survival, occasional proliferation and enforcement of quiescence, is tightly regulated by multiple signaling pathways which are in turn controlled by various transcription factors. However, full understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of the peripheral T cell pool has not been achieved. In the present study, we demonstrate that T cell-specific deficiency in let-7 miRNAs results in peripheral T cell lymphopenia resembling that of Dicer1 knockout mice. Deletion of let-7 leads to profound T cell apoptosis while overexpression prevents it. We further show that in the absence of let-7, T cells cannot sustain optimal levels of the pro-survival factor Bcl2 in spite of the intact IL-7 signaling, and re-expression of Bcl2 in let-7 deficient T cells completely rescues the survival defect. Thus, we have uncovered a novel let-7-dependent mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of naïve T cell survival in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena L. Pobezinskaya
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Alexandria C. Wells
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Constance C. Angelou
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Eric Fagerberg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Esengul Aral
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Iverson
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Motoko Y. Kimura
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Leonid A. Pobezinsky
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
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Wells AC, Daniels KA, Angelou CC, Fagerberg E, Burnside AS, Markstein M, Alfandari D, Welsh RM, Pobezinskaya EL, Pobezinsky LA. Modulation of let-7 miRNAs controls the differentiation of effector CD8 T cells. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28737488 PMCID: PMC5550279 DOI: 10.7554/elife.26398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The differentiation of naive CD8 T cells into effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes upon antigen stimulation is necessary for successful antiviral, and antitumor immune responses. Here, using a mouse model, we describe a dual role for the let-7 microRNAs in the regulation of CD8 T cell responses, where maintenance of the naive phenotype in CD8 T cells requires high levels of let-7 expression, while generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes depends upon T cell receptor-mediated let-7 downregulation. Decrease of let-7 expression in activated T cells enhances clonal expansion and the acquisition of effector function through derepression of the let-7 targets, including Myc and Eomesodermin. Ultimately, we have identified a novel let-7-mediated mechanism, which acts as a molecular brake controlling the magnitude of CD8 T cell responses. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.26398.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria C Wells
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Keith A Daniels
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Constance C Angelou
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Eric Fagerberg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Amy S Burnside
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Michele Markstein
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Dominique Alfandari
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Raymond M Welsh
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Elena L Pobezinskaya
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
| | - Leonid A Pobezinsky
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
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