1
|
Perrenoud L, Conley J, Berg LJ. Analysis of T-cell Receptor-Induced Calcium Influx in Primary Murine T-cells by Full Spectrum Flow Cytometry. J Vis Exp 2022:10.3791/64526. [PMID: 36591968 PMCID: PMC11032009 DOI: 10.3791/64526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium influx in response to T-cell receptor stimulation is a common measure of T-cell signaling. Several calcium indicator dyes have been developed to assess calcium signaling by band-pass flow cytometry. This protocol is designed to measure calcium responses in primary murine T-cells using full spectrum flow cytometry. Total splenocytes are labeled with the ratiometric calcium indicator dye Indo-1, along with a panel of fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies to cell surface molecules. Leveraging the capabilities of full spectrum flow cytometry provides a platform for utilizing a wide array of cell surface stains in combination with Indo-1. Cells are then analyzed in real-time at 37 °C before and after the addition of an anti-CD3 antibody to stimulate the T-cell receptor. After unmixing the spectral signals, the ratio of calcium-bound to calcium-free Indo-1 is calculated and can be visualized over time for each gated population of splenocytes. This technique can allow for the simultaneous analysis of calcium responses in multiple cell populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loni Perrenoud
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado-Anschutz School of Medicine
| | - James Conley
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado-Anschutz School of Medicine
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado-Anschutz School of Medicine;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Forconi CS, Mulama DH, Saikumar Lakshmi P, Foley J, Otieno JA, Kurtis JD, Berg LJ, Ong’echa JM, Münz C, Moormann AM. Interplay between IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-17A and PD-1 Expressing EBNA1-Specific CD4 + and CD8 + T Cell Responses in the Etiologic Pathway to Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215375. [PMID: 34771539 PMCID: PMC8582526 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is a common pediatric cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. The incidence of this aggressive B-cell cancer is linked to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) co-infections during childhood. Most eBL tumors contain EBV and are characterized by the Epstein–Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1) latency I pattern of viral gene expression. The aim of our study was to compare the phenotypes and functions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to EBNA1 in children diagnosed with eBL and in healthy EBV-seropositive children to highlight differences that contribute to the balance between anti-viral immunity and eBL pathogenesis. Abstract Children diagnosed with endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) are deficient in interferon-γ (IFN-γ) responses to Epstein–Barr Nuclear Antigen1 (EBNA1), the viral protein that defines the latency I pattern in this B cell tumor. However, the contributions of immune-regulatory cytokines and phenotypes of the EBNA1-specific T cells have not been characterized for eBL. Using a bespoke flow cytometry assay we measured intracellular IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17A expression and phenotyped CD4+ and CD8+ T cell effector memory subsets specific to EBNA1 for eBL patients compared to two groups of healthy children with divergent malaria exposures. In response to EBNA1 and a malaria antigen (PfSEA-1A), the three study groups exhibited strikingly different cytokine expression and T cell memory profiles. EBNA1-specific IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cell response rates were lowest in eBL (40%) compared to children with high malaria (84%) and low malaria (66%) exposures (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0004, respectively). However, eBL patients did not differ in CD8+ T cell response rates or the magnitude of IFN-γ expression. In contrast, eBL children were more likely to have EBNA1-specific CD4+ T cells expressing IL-10, and less likely to have polyfunctional IFN-γ+IL-10+ CD4+ T cells (p = 0.02). They were also more likely to have IFN-γ+IL-17A+, IFN-γ+ and IL-17A+ CD8+ T cell subsets compared to healthy children. Cytokine-producing T cell subsets were predominantly CD45RA+CCR7+ TNAIVE-LIKE cells, yet PD-1, a marker of persistent activation/exhaustion, was more highly expressed by the central memory (TCM) and effector memory (TEM) T cell subsets. In summary, our study suggests that IL-10 mediated immune regulation and depletion of IFN-γ+ EBNA1-specific CD4+ T cells are complementary mechanisms that contribute to impaired T cell cytotoxicity in eBL pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine S. Forconi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; (C.S.F.); (P.S.L.); (J.F.)
| | - David H. Mulama
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu 40100, Kenya; (D.H.M.); (J.M.O.)
| | - Priya Saikumar Lakshmi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; (C.S.F.); (P.S.L.); (J.F.)
| | - Joslyn Foley
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; (C.S.F.); (P.S.L.); (J.F.)
| | - Juliana A. Otieno
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Ministry of Medical Services, Kisumu 40100, Kenya;
| | - Jonathan D. Kurtis
- Center for International Health Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA;
| | - Leslie J. Berg
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - John M. Ong’echa
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu 40100, Kenya; (D.H.M.); (J.M.O.)
| | - Christian Münz
- Department of Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Ann M. Moormann
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; (C.S.F.); (P.S.L.); (J.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +508-856-8826
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Riggs JB, Medina EM, Perrenoud LJ, Bonilla DL, Clambey ET, van Dyk LF, Berg LJ. Optimized Detection of Acute MHV68 Infection With a Reporter System Identifies Large Peritoneal Macrophages as a Dominant Target of Primary Infection. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:656979. [PMID: 33767688 PMCID: PMC7985543 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.656979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating the dynamics of virus-host interactions in vivo remains an important challenge, often limited by the ability to directly identify virally infected cells. Here, we utilize a beta-lactamase activated fluorescent substrate to identify primary targets of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) infection in the peritoneal cavity. By optimizing substrate and detection conditions, we were able to achieve multiparameter characterization of infected cells and the ensuing host response. MHV68 infection leads to a pronounced increase in immune cells, with CD8+ T cells increasing by 3 days, and total infiltrate peaking around 8 days post-infection. MHV68 infection results in near elimination of large peritoneal macrophages (LPMs) by 8 days post-infection, and a concordant increase in small peritoneal macrophages (SPMs) and monocytes. Infection is associated with prolonged changes to myeloid cells, with a distinct population of MHC IIhigh LPMs emerging by 14 days. Targets of MHV68 infection could be readily detected. Between 1 and 3 days post-infection, MHV68 infects ∼5–10% of peritoneal cells, with >75% being LPMs. By 8 days post-infection, the frequency of MHV68 infection is reduced at least 10-fold, with infection primarily in SPMs, with few infected dendritic cells and B cells. Importantly, limiting dilution analysis indicates that at 3 days post-infection, the majority of MHV68-infected cells harbor latent rather than lytic virus at frequencies consistent with those identified based on reporter gene expression. Our findings demonstrate the utility of the beta-lactamase MHV68 reporter system for high throughput single-cell analysis and identify dynamic changes during primary gammaherpesvirus infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julianne B Riggs
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Eva M Medina
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Loni J Perrenoud
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | | | - Eric T Clambey
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Linda F van Dyk
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Conley JM, Gallagher MP, Rao A, Berg LJ. Activation of the Tec Kinase ITK Controls Graded IRF4 Expression in Response to Variations in TCR Signal Strength. J Immunol 2020; 205:335-345. [PMID: 32493815 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
TCR signal strength is critical for CD8+ T cell clonal expansion after Ag stimulation. Levels of the transcription factor IRF4 control the magnitude of this process through the induction of genes involved in proliferation and glycolytic metabolism. The signaling mechanism connecting graded TCR signaling to the generation of varying amounts of IRF4 is not well understood. In this study, we show that Ag potency regulates the kinetics but not the magnitude of NFAT1 activation in single mouse CD8+ T cells. Consequently, T cells that transduce weaker TCR signals exhibit a marked delay in Irf4 mRNA induction, resulting in decreased overall IRF4 expression in individual cells and increased heterogeneity within the clonal population. We further show that the activity of the tyrosine kinase ITK acts as a signaling catalyst that accelerates the rate of the cellular response to TCR stimulation, controlling the time to onset of Irf4 gene transcription. These findings provide insight into the function of ITK in TCR signal transduction that ultimately regulates IRF4 expression levels in response to variations in TCR signal strength.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James M Conley
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Michael P Gallagher
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Anjana Rao
- Division of Signaling and Gene Expression, La Jolla Institute, San Diego, CA 92037; and.,Department of Pharmacology and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045; .,Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ferraj E, Kolli N, Berthelette A, Frascoli M, Andreotti A, Berg LJ, Reboldi A, Kang J. Targeting of ITK-SYK fusion oncogene through in-silico generated and biologically validated ITK-PH domain modulators. The Journal of Immunology 2020. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.204.supp.91.8] [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
A subset of human Peripheral T cell Lymphomas, Not Otherwise Specified (PTCL-NOS), harbors a chromosomal translocation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) inducible T cell kinase (ITK) and spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK), giving rise to the composite ITK-SYK protein. ITK, a TEC family member kinase, plays an essential role in TCR and CD28 signaling. SYK signaling pathway is more broadly linked to activation of diverse lymphoid and myeloid cell types. ITK-SYK fusion protein consists of the PH domain of ITK and the SYK kinase domain allowing localization to the signalosome complex at the membrane via the PH domain and constitutive activity in T cells. Given the ubiquitous activity of SYK, it is predicted that targeting the ITK-PH domain of the fusion protein with small molecules can be a precise and less toxic approach to suppress ITK-SYK+PTCL-NOS in vivo. To this end, we performed a computational screen of small molecule libraries to identify candidate ITK-PH domain interacting compounds. A thermal shift assay was used to verify the specificity of binding of candidates to the target protein domain. Cellular assays tested small molecule activity in human and mouse T cells constitutively expressing the ITK-SYK fusion protein. We showed that the first-pass small molecule candidates specific to ITK-PH domain inhibit cytokine production driven by ITK-SYK fusion protein in human and mouse T cells. Our results demonstrate the efficiency of the virtual screening to identify drug candidates with biological activity in lymphocytes. Development of drugs that target ITK-PH domain is a rationale strategy towards first-in-class therapeutics for this subset of PTCL-NOS with very poor prognoses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enxhi Ferraj
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School
| | - Nilima Kolli
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School
| | | | - Michela Frascoli
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School
| | - Amy Andreotti
- 2Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University
| | - Leslie J. Berg
- 3Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
| | - Andrea Reboldi
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School
| | - Joonsoo Kang
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cho HS, Ha S, Shin HM, Reboldi A, Hall JA, Huh JR, Usherwood EJ, Berg LJ. CD8 + T Cells Require ITK-Mediated TCR Signaling for Migration to the Intestine. Immunohorizons 2020; 4:57-71. [PMID: 32034085 PMCID: PMC7521019 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.1900093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tec kinase IL-2–inducible T cell kinase (ITK) regulates the expression of TCR-induced genes. Itk−/− T cell responses are impaired but not absent. ITK inhibition prevented colitis disease progression and impaired T cell migration to the colon in mice. To examine the function of ITK in T cell migration to the intestine, we examined the number of gut T cells in Itk−/− mice and then evaluated their expression of gut-homing receptors. Combined with in vitro murine T cell stimulation and in vivo migration assay using congenic B6 mice, we demonstrated an essential role for ITK in T cell migration to the intestine in mice. Reconstitution of Itk−/− mouse CD8+ T cells with IFN regulatory factor 4 restored gut-homing properties, providing mechanistic insight into the function of ITK-mediated signaling in CD8+ T cell migration to the intestinal mucosa in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyoung-Soo Cho
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Soyoung Ha
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Hyun Mu Shin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Andrea Reboldi
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Jason A Hall
- The Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine of the Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016; and
| | - Jun R Huh
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Edward J Usherwood
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Signaling through the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) activates a series of tyrosine kinases. Directly associated with the TCR, the SRC family kinase LCK and the SYK family kinase ZAP-70 are essential for all downstream responses to TCR stimulation. In contrast, the TEC family kinase ITK is not an obligate component of the TCR cascade. Instead, ITK functions as a tuning dial, to translate variations in TCR signal strength into differential programs of gene expression. Recent insights into TEC kinase structure have provided a view into the molecular mechanisms that generate different states of kinase activation. In resting lymphocytes, TEC kinases are autoinhibited, and multiple interactions between the regulatory and kinase domains maintain low activity. Following TCR stimulation, newly generated signaling modules compete with the autoinhibited core and shift the conformational ensemble to the fully active kinase. This multidomain control over kinase activation state provides a structural mechanism to account for ITK's ability to tune the TCR signal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy H Andreotti
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA; ,
| | - Raji E Joseph
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA; ,
| | - James M Conley
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA; ,
| | - Janet Iwasa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA;
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA; ,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cho HS, Reboldi A, Hall JA, Berg LJ. The Tec kinase ITK is essential for ILC2 survival and epithelial integrity in the intestine. Nat Commun 2019; 10:784. [PMID: 30770814 PMCID: PMC6377622 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08699-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are lymphocytes that lack an antigen-specific receptor and are preferentially localized in non-lymphoid tissues, such as mucosal barriers. In these locations ILC respond to tissue perturbations by producing factors that promote tissue repair and improve barrier integrity. We show that mice lacking the Tec kinase ITK have impaired intestinal tissue integrity, and a reduced ability to restore homeostasis after tissue damage. This defect is associated with a substantial loss of Type 2 ILC (ILC2) in the intestinal lamina propria. Adoptive transfer of bone marrow ILC2 precursors confirms a cell-intrinsic role for ITK. Intestinal ILC2 numbers in Itk-/- mice are restored by the administration of IL-2 complexes, also leading to improved intestinal tissue damage repair. Reduced Bcl-2 expression in intestinal Itk-/- ILC2 is also restored to WT levels after IL-2 complex treatment, indicating a tissue-specific role for ITK in ILC2 survival in the intestine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyoung-Soo Cho
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Andrea Reboldi
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jason A Hall
- The Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine of the Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
During acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, pathogen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes undergo clonal expansion leading to viral clearance. Following this, the majority of pathogen-specific CD8+ T cells undergo apoptosis, leaving a small number of memory CD8+ T cells that persist long-term and provide rapid protection upon secondary infection. Whereas much is known about the cytokines and transcription factors that regulate the early effector phase of the antiviral CD8+ T cell response, the factors regulating memory T cell homeostasis and survival are not well understood. In this article, we show that the Runt-related transcription factor Runx2 is important for long-term memory CD8+ T cell persistence following acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-Armstrong infection in mice. Loss of Runx2 in T cells led to a reduction in KLRG1lo CD127hi memory precursor cell numbers with no effect on KLRG1hi CD127lo terminal effector cell populations. Runx2 expression levels were transcriptionally regulated by TCR signal strength via IRF4, TLR4/7, and selected cytokines. These data demonstrate a CD8+ T cell–intrinsic role for Runx2 in the long-term maintenance of antiviral memory CD8+ T cell populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Olesin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Ribhu Nayar
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Priya Saikumar-Lakshmi
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gallagher MP, Conley JM, Berg LJ. Peptide Antigen Concentration Modulates Digital NFAT1 Activation in Primary Mouse Naive CD8 + T Cells as Measured by Flow Cytometry of Isolated Cell Nuclei. Immunohorizons 2018; 2:208-215. [PMID: 30221251 PMCID: PMC6135534 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.1800032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating naive T cells exist in a quiescent state. After TCR contact with the cognate peptide presented by APCs in secondary lymphoid structures, T cells undergo a period of rapid transcriptional changes that set the stage for fate-determining effector or memory programming. We describe a novel method to analyze TCR signaling pathway activation in nuclei isolated from primary mouse naive T cells after stimulation with natural peptide Ags. We prelabeled cells with cell tracking dye to easily distinguish CD8+ T cell nuclei from APC nuclei by conventional flow cytometry. Using this approach, we observed clear digital activation of NFAT1 transcription factor in OT-I T cells stimulated with OVA peptide presented by bulk splenocytes. OVA concentration had discrete control over the fraction of the cells that translocated NFAT1, indicating that a distinct threshold amount of TCR signaling is required to switch on NFAT1 in naive T cells. This behavior was cell contact dependent and qualitatively more exact than the NFAT1 response in ionomycin-stimulated naive T cells. These data contribute to our understanding of the digital behavior of TCR signaling components documented in other studies and indicate how T cells might discriminate log-fold changes in Ag availability during an actual infection. Overall, these results highlight the potential of this coculture nuclei isolation protocol to address stimulation-dependent translocation of proteins in primary lymphocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Gallagher
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - James M Conley
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shin HM, Kapoor VN, Kim G, Li P, Kim HR, Suresh M, Kaech SM, Wherry EJ, Selin LK, Leonard WJ, Welsh RM, Berg LJ. Transient expression of ZBTB32 in anti-viral CD8+ T cells limits the magnitude of the effector response and the generation of memory. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006544. [PMID: 28827827 PMCID: PMC5578684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus infections induce CD8+ T cell responses comprised of a large population of terminal effector cells and a smaller subset of long-lived memory cells. The transcription factors regulating the relative expansion versus the long-term survival potential of anti-viral CD8+ T cells are not completely understood. We identified ZBTB32 as a transcription factor that is transiently expressed in effector CD8+ T cells. After acute virus infection, CD8+ T cells deficient in ZBTB32 showed enhanced virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses, and generated increased numbers of virus-specific memory cells; in contrast, persistent expression of ZBTB32 suppressed memory cell formation. The dysregulation of CD8+ T cell responses in the absence of ZBTB32 was catastrophic, as Zbtb32-/- mice succumbed to a systemic viral infection and showed evidence of severe lung pathology. We found that ZBTB32 and Blimp-1 were co-expressed following CD8+ T cell activation, bound to each other, and cooperatively regulated Blimp-1 target genes Eomes and Cd27. These findings demonstrate that ZBTB32 is a key transcription factor in CD8+ effector T cells that is required for the balanced regulation of effector versus memory responses to infection. CD8+ T lymphocytes are essential for immune protection against viruses. In response to an infection, these cells are activated, proliferate, and generate antiviral effector cells that eradicate the infection. Following this, the majority of these effector cells die, leaving a small subset of long-lived virus-specific memory T cells. Our study identifies a transcription factor, ZBTB32, that is required for the regulation of CD8+ T cell responses. In its absence, antiviral CD8+ T cell numbers increase to abnormally high levels, and generate an overabundance of memory T cells. When this dysregulated response occurs following infection with a virus that cannot be rapidly eliminated by the immune system, the infected animals die from immune-mediated tissue damage, indicating the importance of this pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Mu Shin
- Dept of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and BK21Plus Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Varun N. Kapoor
- Dept of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gwanghun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and BK21Plus Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Peng Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hang-Rae Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and BK21Plus Biomedical Science Project, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - M. Suresh
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Susan M. Kaech
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - E. John Wherry
- Department of Microbiology and Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Liisa K. Selin
- Dept of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Warren J. Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Raymond M. Welsh
- Dept of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Leslie J. Berg
- Dept of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Falanga YT, Frascoli M, Kaymaz Y, Forconi C, Ong'echa JM, Bailey JA, Berg LJ, Moormann AM. High pathogen burden in childhood promotes the development of unconventional innate-like CD8+ T cells. JCI Insight 2017; 2:93814. [PMID: 28768916 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.93814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular and humoral constituents of the immune system differ significantly between children and adults, yet very little is known about the impact of early-life pathogen exposure on this immunologic transition. We examined CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets defined by CCR7 and CD45RA expression in two longitudinal pediatric cohorts experiencing divergent levels of pathogen burden. Using multiparameter flow cytometry, along with serological, cytokine, and transcriptomic data, we show that cumulative pathogen burden promotes the development of atypical CD8dim T cells with an innate-like profile (Granzyme Bhi, IFNγlow, TNFαlow, PLFZhi, ID2hi, IKZF2hi) in contrast to age-matched children residing in a low pathogen-exposure area who display a more conventional CD8bright profile (IFNγ+, TNFα+, CCL4+). Furthermore, these unconventional T cells had stunted proliferation, distinct transcriptional programs, and impaired T cell receptor signaling and were enriched in hallmark TNFα, NF-κB, and IL-6 gene signaling pathways, reminiscent of NK cells and type-1 innate lymphoid cells. Our findings suggest that these unconventional CD8dim T cells arise in a very particular immunological context and may provide a deeper understanding of the heterogeneity in human immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yves T Falanga
- Department of Pathology.,Program in Molecular Medicine, and
| | | | - Yasin Kaymaz
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey A Bailey
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Schutten EA, Nayar R, Saikumar P, Lu YJ, Abramo K, Berg LJ. The role of Runx2 in CD8+ T cell memory during acute LCMV Armstrong infection. The Journal of Immunology 2017. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.198.supp.78.8] [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: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
During an acute viral infection, CD8+ T lymphocytes with T cell receptors (TCRs) specific for pathogen epitopes undergo clonal expansion and clear viral infection. After infection is cleared, the majority of the pathogen-specific CD8+ T cells undergo apoptosis, leaving a small population of memory CD8+ T cells that rapidly proliferate upon reinfection of the same antigen. How differentiation between the terminal effector cell population (TECs) and the memory cell population (MPECs) is regulated is not completely understood. Our research has focused on the role of the runt-related transcription factor Runx2 in CD8+ T cell memory formation during acute LCMV Armstrong infection. We have found using a mouse line with a T cell-specific deletion of Runx2 that loss of Runx2 leads to a defect in the formation of MPECs. We have also found that this defect is intrinsic to virus-specific CD8+ T cells. To further elucidate the upstream signaling pathways regulating Runx2 we have examined TCR signaling, cytokine signaling, and transcription factor regulation. These studies indicate that IRF4 levels inversely correlate with Runx2 expression in in vitro culture systems. We have also examined downstream pathways regulated by Runx2 in T cells, including gene expression and migration. This analysis has not revealed Runx2-dependent changes in gene expression in T cells isolated from LCMV-infected mice at D6 post-infection, nor in T cells stimulated in vitro; furthermore, we do not observe altered homing properties of Runx2-deficient T cells. Current studies are focused on examining Runx2 phosphorylation during memory CD8+ T cell differentiation. Overall, our data indicate an important role for Runx2 in CD8+ T cell memory during LCMV Armstrong infection.
Collapse
|
14
|
Marshall NB, Vong AM, Devarajan P, Brauner MD, Kuang Y, Nayar R, Schutten EA, Castonguay CH, Berg LJ, Nutt SL, Swain SL. NKG2C/E Marks the Unique Cytotoxic CD4 T Cell Subset, ThCTL, Generated by Influenza Infection. J Immunol 2016; 198:1142-1155. [PMID: 28031335 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
CD4 T cells can differentiate into multiple effector subsets, including ThCTL that mediate MHC class II-restricted cytotoxicity. Although CD4 T cell-mediated cytotoxicity has been reported in multiple viral infections, their characteristics and the factors regulating their generation are unclear, in part due to a lack of a signature marker. We show in this article that, in mice, NKG2C/E identifies the ThCTL that develop in the lung during influenza A virus infection. ThCTL express the NKG2X/CD94 complex, in particular the NKG2C/E isoforms. NKG2C/E+ ThCTL are part of the lung CD4 effector population, and they mediate influenza A virus-specific cytotoxic activity. The phenotype of NKG2C/E+ ThCTL indicates they are highly activated effectors expressing high levels of binding to P-selectin, T-bet, and Blimp-1, and that more of them secrete IFN-γ and readily degranulate than non-ThCTL. ThCTL also express more cytotoxicity-associated genes including perforin and granzymes, and fewer genes associated with recirculation and memory. They are found only at the site of infection and not in other peripheral sites. These data suggest ThCTL are marked by the expression of NKG2C/E and represent a unique CD4 effector population specialized for cytotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikki B Marshall
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Allen M Vong
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | | | - Matthew D Brauner
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Yi Kuang
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Ribhu Nayar
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Elizabeth A Schutten
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Catherine H Castonguay
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Stephen L Nutt
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; and.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Susan L Swain
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605;
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wu T, Shin H, Moseman EA, Ji Y, Huang B, Harly C, Sen JM, Berg LJ, Gattinoni L, McGavern DB, Schwartzberg PL. TCF1 regulates antiviral T follicular helper (Tfh) cell responses through a negative feedback loop with IL-2 and Blimp1. The Journal of Immunology 2016. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.196.supp.147.6] [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
Th1 cells and T follicular helper cells (Tfh cells), are generated early after viral infection. However, the molecular pathways that drive the differentiation of these two distinct subsets remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a molecular circuit involving TCF1, Blimp1, and IL-2 regulates the differentiation of viral-specific Tfh and Th1 cells. Tcf7 gene (encodes TCF1) is actively transcribed in naïve and Tfh cells but strongly repressed in Th1 cells. TCF1 expression was negatively correlated with CD25 and Blimp1 expression, and was suppressed by IL2 signaling and Blimp1. Notably, loss of Tcf7 in T cells led to defective Tfh-cell and GC responses after viral infection. Tcf7-deficient Tfh cells had reduced Tfh transcription signatures and increased Th1 transcription signatures. Moreover, Tcf7-deficient Tfh cells had lower mitochondrial mass and membrane potential, and showed reduced expression of genes related to oxidative metabolism. Il2ra and Prdm1 (encodes Blimp1) were ectopically expressed in Tcf7-deficient Tfh cells and were bound by TCF1, suggesting the existence of a negative feedback loop linking TCF1 to IL-2 and Blimp1. Over-expression of Bcl6 rescued Tfh defects caused by Tcf7 deficiency, demonstrating that TCF1 is upstream of the Bcl6-Blimp1 axis. Finally, we found that Tcf7-deficiency did not cause evident defect in Tfh responses in Th2 immunization models. Therefore, TCF1 specifically regulates antiviral Tfh responses.
Collapse
|
16
|
Cho HS, Shin HM, Berg LJ. An essential role of ITK in T cell migration to the gut during mouse γ-herpesvirus 68 infection. The Journal of Immunology 2016. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.196.supp.79.2] [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: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
IL-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK) is the predominant Tec family kinase in T cells. ITK functions to regulate the magnitude of T cell receptor signaling. Deficiencies in ITK in humans leads to a fatal lymphoproilferative syndrome due to uncontrolled Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Yet, Itk−/− mice mount protective immune responses against several acute viral infections. To address this dichotomy, we have studied the role of ITK in anti-viral T cell responses to latent γ-herpesvirus infection using mouse γ-herpesvirus 68 (MHV68). Despite a delayed response at D7 post-infection, Itk−/− mice controlled MHV68 replication in the spleen at D14, and WT and Itk−/− mice showed no differences in their viral titers in the spleen during latency. However, MHV68-infected Itk−/− mice (n=11/24) spontaneously developed a severe gastrointestinal pathology after D100 post-infection, whereas WT mice (n=24/24) showed no disease symptoms. Following LPS-induced virus reactivation, Itk−/− mice also showed this pathology in the gut accompanied by a high viral titer in the intestine at various time points during viral latency, while WT mice remained healthy. Consistently, the number of gut-resident T cells were substantially less in Itk−/− mice than WT with or without infection. We also found that P-selectin binding on activated Itk−/− T cells or small molecule inhibitor of ITK (PRN694)-treated WT T cells is greatly impaired. Overall, these data suggest that ITK plays an important role in T cell migration to γ-herpesvirus-infected gut tissue following reactivation from latency.
Collapse
|
17
|
Urban SL, Berg LJ, Welsh RM. Type 1 interferon licenses naïve CD8 T cells to mediate anti-viral cytotoxicity. Virology 2016; 493:52-9. [PMID: 26999026 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Naïve T cells, unlike memory T cells, exhibit very limited effector function in response to cognate antigen, but exposure to type 1 interferon (IFN) prior to cognate antigen allows for rapid manifestation of effector functions. A full assessment of the functions of these IFN-sensitized otherwise naïve T cells has not been made, nor has their capacity to be effector cells in vivo. We describe here that IFN-sensitized naïve T cells in the absence of cognate antigen adopt a partial activated phenotype distinguished by the upregulation of the surface activation marker CD69, effector-associated transcription factors Eomes and IRF4, and cytotoxicity effector molecule granzyme B. IFN-sensitized naive T cells lysed target cells in vivo and responded to low concentrations and affinities of cognate ligands. We suggest that this rapid and sensitive effector function of IFN-conditioned naïve CD8 T cells may play a role in pathogen control and help ward off superinfections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stina L Urban
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, United States
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, United States
| | - Raymond M Welsh
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Conley JM, Gallagher MP, Berg LJ. T Cells and Gene Regulation: The Switching On and Turning Up of Genes after T Cell Receptor Stimulation in CD8 T Cells. Front Immunol 2016; 7:76. [PMID: 26973653 PMCID: PMC4770016 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [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: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling downstream of the T cell receptor (TCR) is directly regulated by the dose and affinity of peptide antigen. The strength of TCR signaling drives a multitude of T cell functions from development to differentiation. CD8 T cells differentiate into a diverse pool of effector and memory cells after activation, a process that is critical for pathogen clearance and is highly regulated by TCR signal strength. T cells rapidly alter their gene expression upon activation. Multiple signaling pathways downstream of the TCR activate transcription factors, which are critical for this process. The dynamics between proximal TCR signaling, transcription factor activation and CD8 T cell function are discussed here. We propose that inducible T cell kinase (ITK) acts as a rheostat for gene expression. This unique regulation of TCR signaling by ITK provides a possible signaling mechanism for the promotion of a diverse T cell repertoire in response to pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James M Conley
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, MA , USA
| | - Michael P Gallagher
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, MA , USA
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, MA , USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Cho HS, Shin HM, Haberstock-Debic H, Xing Y, Owens TD, Funk JO, Hill RJ, Bradshaw JM, Berg LJ. A Small Molecule Inhibitor of ITK and RLK Impairs Th1 Differentiation and Prevents Colitis Disease Progression. J Immunol 2015; 195:4822-31. [PMID: 26466958 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1501828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In T cells, the Tec kinases IL-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK) and resting lymphocyte kinase (RLK) are activated by TCR stimulation and are required for optimal downstream signaling. Studies of CD4(+) T cells from Itk(-/-) and Itk(-/-)Rlk(-/-) mice have indicated differential roles of ITK and RLK in Th1, Th2, and Th17 differentiation and cytokine production. However, these findings are confounded by the complex T cell developmental defects in these mice. In this study, we examine the consequences of ITK and RLK inhibition using a highly selective and potent small molecule covalent inhibitor PRN694. In vitro Th polarization experiments indicate that PRN694 is a potent inhibitor of Th1 and Th17 differentiation and cytokine production. Using a T cell adoptive transfer model of colitis, we find that in vivo administration of PRN694 markedly reduces disease progression, T cell infiltration into the intestinal lamina propria, and IFN-γ production by colitogenic CD4(+) T cells. Consistent with these findings, Th1 and Th17 cells differentiated in the presence of PRN694 show reduced P-selectin binding and impaired migration to CXCL11 and CCL20, respectively. Taken together, these data indicate that ITK plus RLK inhibition may have therapeutic potential in Th1-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyoung-Soo Cho
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605; and
| | - Hyun Mu Shin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605; and
| | | | - Yan Xing
- Principia Biopharma, South San Francisco, CA 94080
| | | | | | | | | | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605; and
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wu T, Shin HM, Moseman EA, Ji Y, Huang B, Harly C, Sen JM, Berg LJ, Gattinoni L, McGavern DB, Schwartzberg PL. TCF1 Is Required for the T Follicular Helper Cell Response to Viral Infection. Cell Rep 2015; 12:2099-110. [PMID: 26365183 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.08.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Revised: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
T follicular helper (TFH) and T helper 1 (Th1) cells generated after viral infections are critical for the control of infection and the development of immunological memory. However, the mechanisms that govern the differentiation and maintenance of these two distinct lineages during viral infection remain unclear. We found that viral-specific TFH and Th1 cells showed reciprocal expression of the transcriptions factors TCF1 and Blimp1 early after infection, even before the differential expression of the canonical TFH marker CXCR5. Furthermore, TCF1 was intrinsically required for the TFH cell response to viral infection; in the absence of TCF1, the TFH cell response was severely compromised, and the remaining TCF1-deficient TFH cells failed to maintain TFH-associated transcriptional and metabolic signatures, which were distinct from those in Th1 cells. Mechanistically, TCF1 functioned through forming negative feedback loops with IL-2 and Blimp1. Our findings demonstrate an essential role of TCF1 in TFH cell responses to viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuoqi Wu
- National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Hyun Mu Shin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - E Ashley Moseman
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yun Ji
- National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Bonnie Huang
- National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Jyoti M Sen
- National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Luca Gattinoni
- National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dorian B McGavern
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Prince AL, Kraus Z, Carty SA, Ng C, Yin CC, Jordan MS, Schwartzberg PL, Berg LJ. Development of innate CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in Itk-deficient mice is regulated by distinct pathways. J Immunol 2014; 193:688-99. [PMID: 24943215 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
T cell development in the thymus produces multiple lineages of cells, including innate T cells such as γδ TCR(+) cells, invariant NKT cells, mucosal-associated invariant T cells, and H2-M3-specific cells. Although innate cells are generally a minor subset of thymocytes, in several strains of mice harboring mutations in T cell signaling proteins or transcriptional regulators, conventional CD8(+) T cells develop as innate cells with characteristics of memory T cells. Thus, in Itk-deficient mice, mature CD4(-)CD8(+) (CD8 single-positive [SP]) thymocytes express high levels of the transcription factor eomesodermin (Eomes) and are dependent on IL-4 being produced in the thymic environment by a poorly characterized subset of CD4(+) thymocytes expressing the transcriptional regulator promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger. In this study, we show that a sizeable proportion of mature CD4(+)CD8(-) (CD4SP) thymocytes in itk(-/-) mice also develop as innate Eomes-expressing T cells. These cells are dependent on MHC class II and IL-4 signaling for their development, indicating that they are conventional CD4(+) T cells that have been converted to an innate phenotype. Surprisingly, neither CD4SP nor CD8SP innate Eomes(+) thymocytes in itk(-/-) or SLP-76(Y145F) mice are dependent on γδ T cells for their development. Instead, we find that the predominant population of Eomes(+) innate itk(-/-) CD4SP thymocytes is largely absent in mice lacking CD1d-specific invariant NKT cells, with no effect on innate itk(-/-) CD8SP thymocytes. In contrast, both subsets of innate Eomes(+)itk(-/-) T cells require the presence of a novel promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger-expressing, SLAM family receptor adapter protein-dependent thymocyte population that is essential for the conversion of conventional CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells into innate T cells with a memory phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Prince
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - Zachary Kraus
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; and
| | - Shannon A Carty
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Caleb Ng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Catherine C Yin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - Martha S Jordan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Pamela L Schwartzberg
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; and
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655;
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Prince AL, Watkin LB, Yin CC, Selin LK, Kang J, Schwartzberg PL, Berg LJ. Innate PLZF+CD4+ αβ T cells develop and expand in the absence of Itk. J Immunol 2014; 193:673-87. [PMID: 24928994 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
T cell development in the thymus produces multiple lineages of cells, including innate T cells. Studies in mice harboring alterations in TCR signaling proteins or transcriptional regulators have revealed an expanded population of CD4(+) innate T cells in the thymus that produce IL-4 and express the transcription factor promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF). In these mice, IL-4 produced by the CD4(+)PLZF(+) T cell population leads to the conversion of conventional CD8(+) thymocytes into innate CD8(+) T cells resembling memory T cells expressing eomesodermin. The expression of PLZF, the signature invariant NKT cell transcription factor, in these innate CD4(+) T cells suggests that they might be a subset of αβ or γδ TCR(+) NKT cells or mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. To address these possibilities, we characterized the CD4(+)PLZF(+) innate T cells in itk(-/-) mice. We show that itk(-/-) innate PLZF(+)CD4(+) T cells are not CD1d-dependent NKT cells, MR1-dependent MAIT cells, or γδ T cells. Furthermore, although the itk(-/-) innate PLZF(+)CD4(+) T cells express αβ TCRs, neither β2-microglobulin-dependent MHC class I nor any MHC class II molecules are required for their development. In contrast to invariant NKT cells and MAIT cells, this population has a highly diverse TCRα-chain repertoire. Analysis of peripheral tissues indicates that itk(-/-) innate PLZF(+)CD4(+) T cells preferentially home to spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes owing to increased expression of gut-homing receptors, and that their expansion is regulated by commensal gut flora. These data support the conclusion that itk(-/-) innate PLZF(+)CD4(+) T cells are a novel subset of innate T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Prince
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Levi B Watkin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Catherine C Yin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Liisa K Selin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Joonsoo Kang
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Pamela L Schwartzberg
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Nayar R, Schutten E, Bautista B, Daniels K, Prince AL, Enos M, Brehm MA, Swain SL, Welsh RM, Berg LJ. Graded levels of IRF4 regulate CD8+ T cell differentiation and expansion, but not attrition, in response to acute virus infection. J Immunol 2014; 192:5881-93. [PMID: 24835398 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1303187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In response to acute virus infections, CD8(+) T cells differentiate to form a large population of short-lived effectors and a stable pool of long-lived memory cells. The characteristics of the CD8(+) T cell response are influenced by TCR affinity, Ag dose, and the inflammatory cytokine milieu dictated by the infection. To address the mechanism by which differences in TCR signal strength could regulate CD8(+) T cell differentiation, we investigated the transcription factor, IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4). We show that IRF4 is transiently upregulated to differing levels in murine CD8(+) T cells, based on the strength of TCR signaling. In turn, IRF4 controls the magnitude of the CD8(+) T cell response to acute virus infection in a dose-dependent manner. Modest differences in IRF4 expression dramatically influence the numbers of short-lived effector cells at the peak of the infection, but have no impact on the kinetics of the infection or on the rate of T cell contraction. Furthermore, the expression of key transcription factors such as T cell factor 1 and Eomesodermin are highly sensitive to graded levels of IRF4. In contrast, T-bet expression is less dependent on IRF4 levels and is influenced by the nature of the infection. These data indicate that IRF4 is a key component that translates the strength of TCR signaling into a graded response of virus-specific CD8(+) T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ribhu Nayar
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Elizabeth Schutten
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Bianca Bautista
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Keith Daniels
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Amanda L Prince
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Megan Enos
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Michael A Brehm
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - Susan L Swain
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Raymond M Welsh
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655; and
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Jain N, Miu B, Jiang JK, McKinstry KK, Prince A, Swain SL, Greiner DL, Thomas CJ, Sanderson MJ, Berg LJ, Kang J. CD28 and ITK signals regulate autoreactive T cell trafficking. Nat Med 2013; 19:1632-7. [PMID: 24270545 PMCID: PMC4005518 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Activation of self-reactive T cells and their trafficking to target tissues leads to autoimmune organ destruction. Mice lacking the co-inhibitory receptor cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) develop fatal autoimmunity characterized by lymphocytic infiltration into nonlymphoid tissues. Here, we demonstrate that the CD28 co-stimulatory pathway regulates the trafficking of self-reactive Ctla4(-/-) T cells to tissues. Concurrent ablation of the CD28-activated Tec family kinase ITK does not block spontaneous T cell activation but instead causes self-reactive Ctla4(-/-) T cells to accumulate in secondary lymphoid organs. Despite excessive spontaneous T cell activation and proliferation in lymphoid organs, Itk(-/-); Ctla4(-/-) mice are otherwise healthy, mount antiviral immune responses and exhibit a long lifespan. We propose that ITK specifically licenses autoreactive T cells to enter tissues to mount destructive immune responses. Notably, ITK inhibitors mimic the null mutant phenotype and also prevent pancreatic islet infiltration by diabetogenic T cells in mouse models of type 1 diabetes, highlighting their potential utility for the treatment of human autoimmune disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nitya Jain
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Shin HM, Kapoor V, Guan T, Kaech SM, Welsh RM, Berg LJ. Epigenetic modifications induced by Blimp-1 Regulate CD8⁺ T cell memory progression during acute virus infection. Immunity 2013; 39:661-75. [PMID: 24120360 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2012] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Blimp-1 regulates the overall accumulation of virus-specific CD8⁺ T cells during acute viral infections. We found that increased proliferation and survival of Blimp-1-deficient CD8⁺ T cells resulted from sustained expression of CD25 and CD27 and persistent cytokine responsiveness. Silencing of Il2ra and Cd27 reduced the Blimp-1-deficient CD8⁺ T cell response. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing analysis identified Il2ra and Cd27 as direct targets of Blimp-1. At the peak of the antiviral response, but not earlier, Blimp-1 recruited the histone-modifying enzymes G9a and HDAC2 to the Il2ra and Cd27 loci, thereby repressing expression of these genes. In the absence of Blimp-1, Il2ra and Cd27 exhibited enhanced histone H3 acetylation and reduced histone H3K9 trimethylation. These data elucidate a central mechanism by which Blimp-1 acts as an epigenetic regulator and enhances the numbers of short-lived effector cells while suppressing the development of memory-precursor CD8⁺ T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Mu Shin
- Dept. of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Varun Kapoor
- Dept. of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Tianxia Guan
- Dept. of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA and Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Susan M Kaech
- Dept. of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA and Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Raymond M Welsh
- Dept. of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Leslie J Berg
- Dept. of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Joseph RE, Kleino I, Wales TE, Xie Q, Fulton DB, Engen JR, Berg LJ, Andreotti AH. Activation loop dynamics determine the different catalytic efficiencies of B cell- and T cell-specific tec kinases. Sci Signal 2013; 6:ra76. [PMID: 23982207 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2004298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Itk (interleukin-2-inducible T cell kinase) and Btk (Bruton's tyrosine kinase) are nonreceptor tyrosine kinases of the Tec family that signal downstream of the T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR), respectively. Despite their high sequence similarity and related signaling roles, Btk is a substantially more active kinase than Itk. We showed that substitution of 6 of the 619 amino acid residues of Itk with the corresponding residues of Btk (and vice versa) was sufficient to completely switch the activities of Itk and Btk. The substitutions responsible for the swap in activity are all localized to the activation segment of the kinase domain. Nuclear magnetic resonance and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry analyses revealed that Itk and Btk had distinct protein dynamics in this region, which could explain the differences in catalytic efficiency between these kinases. Introducing Itk with enhanced activity into T cells led to enhanced and prolonged TCR signaling compared to that in cells with wild-type Itk. These findings imply that evolutionary pressures have led to Tec kinases having distinct enzymatic properties, depending on the cellular context. We suggest that the weaker catalytic activities of T cell-specific kinases serve to regulate cellular activation and prevent aberrant immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raji E Joseph
- Roy J Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Malhotra N, Narayan K, Cho OH, Sylvia KE, Yin C, Melichar H, Rashighi M, Lefebvre V, Harris JE, Berg LJ, Kang J. A network of high-mobility group box transcription factors programs innate interleukin-17 production. Immunity 2013; 38:681-93. [PMID: 23562159 PMCID: PMC3811080 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2012] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
How innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in the thymus and gut become specialized effectors is unclear. The prototypic innate-like γδ T cells (Tγδ17) are a major source of interleukin-17 (IL-17). We demonstrate that Tγδ17 cells are programmed by a gene regulatory network consisting of a quartet of high-mobility group (HMG) box transcription factors, SOX4, SOX13, TCF1, and LEF1, and not by conventional TCR signaling. SOX4 and SOX13 directly regulated the two requisite Tγδ17 cell-specific genes, Rorc and Blk, whereas TCF1 and LEF1 countered the SOX proteins and induced genes of alternate effector subsets. The T cell lineage specification factor TCF1 was also indispensable for the generation of IL-22 producing gut NKp46(+) ILCs and restrained cytokine production by lymphoid tissue inducer-like effectors. These results indicate that similar gene network architecture programs innate sources of IL-17, independent of anatomical origins.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Ly/metabolism
- Autoantigens/genetics
- Autoantigens/metabolism
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cells, Cultured
- Gene Regulatory Networks/immunology
- Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha/genetics
- Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-alpha/metabolism
- High Mobility Group Proteins/genetics
- High Mobility Group Proteins/metabolism
- Immunity, Innate/genetics
- Interleukin-17/biosynthesis
- Interleukin-17/genetics
- Interleukins/immunology
- Intestines/immunology
- Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1/genetics
- Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic
- Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1/metabolism
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/metabolism
- SOXC Transcription Factors/genetics
- SOXC Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Transcriptional Activation/immunology
- Interleukin-22
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Malhotra
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Yin CC, Cho OH, Sylvia KE, Narayan K, Prince AL, Evans JW, Kang J, Berg LJ. The Tec kinase ITK regulates thymic expansion, emigration, and maturation of γδ NKT cells. J Immunol 2013; 190:2659-69. [PMID: 23378428 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1202531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The Tec family tyrosine kinase, Itk, regulates signaling downstream of the TCR. The absence of Itk in CD4(+) T cells results in impaired Th2 responses along with defects in maturation, cytokine production, and survival of iNKT cells. Paradoxically, Itk(-/-) mice have spontaneously elevated serum IgE levels, resulting from an expansion of the Vγ1.1(+)Vδ6.3(+) subset of γδ T cells, known as γδ NKT cells. Comparisons between γδ NKT cells and αβ iNKT cells showed convergence in the pattern of cell surface marker expression, cytokine profiles, and gene expression, suggesting that these two subsets of NKT cells undergo similar differentiation programs. Hepatic γδ NKT cells have an invariant TCR and are derived predominantly from fetal progenitors that expand in the thymus during the first weeks of life. The adult thymus contains these invariant γδ NKT cells plus a heterogeneous population of Vγ1.1(+)Vδ6.3(+) T cells with diverse CDR3 sequences. This latter population, normally excluded from the liver, escapes the thymus and homes to the liver when Itk is absent. In addition, Itk(-/-) γδ NKT cells persistently express high levels of Zbtb16 (PLZF) and Il4, genes that are normally downregulated in the most mature subsets of NKT cells. These data indicate that Itk signaling is required to prevent the expansion of γδ NKT cells in the adult thymus, to block their emigration, and to promote terminal NKT cell maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine C Yin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Nayar R, Enos M, Prince A, Shin H, Hemmers S, Jiang JK, Klein U, Thomas CJ, Berg LJ. TCR signaling via Tec kinase ITK and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) regulates CD8+ T-cell differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:E2794-802. [PMID: 23011795 PMCID: PMC3478592 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1205742109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [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] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8(+) T-cell development in the thymus generates a predominant population of conventional naive cells, along with minor populations of "innate" T cells that resemble memory cells. Recent studies analyzing a variety of KO or knock-in mice have indicated that impairments in the T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway produce increased numbers of innate CD8(+) T cells, characterized by their high expression of CD44, CD122, CXCR3, and the transcription factor, Eomesodermin (Eomes). One component of this altered development is a non-CD8(+) T cell-intrinsic role for IL-4. To determine whether reduced TCR signaling within the CD8(+) T cells might also contribute to this pathway, we investigated the role of the transcription factor, IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4). IRF4 is up-regulated following TCR stimulation in WT T cells; further, this up-regulation is impaired in T cells treated with a small-molecule inhibitor of the Tec family tyrosine kinase, IL-2 inducible T-cell kinase (ITK). In contrast to WT cells, activation of IRF4-deficient CD8(+) T cells leads to rapid and robust expression of Eomes, which is further enhanced by IL-4 stimulation. In addition, inhibition of ITK together with IL-4 increases Eomeso up-regulation. These data indicate that ITK signaling promotes IRF4 up-regulation following CD8(+) T-cell activation and that this signaling pathway normally suppresses Eomes expression, thereby regulating the differentiation pathway of CD8(+) T cells.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/immunology
- Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Gene Expression/drug effects
- Interferon Regulatory Factors/genetics
- Interferon Regulatory Factors/immunology
- Interferon Regulatory Factors/metabolism
- Interleukin-4/pharmacology
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/immunology
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- T-Box Domain Proteins/genetics
- T-Box Domain Proteins/immunology
- T-Box Domain Proteins/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Thymocytes/immunology
- Thymocytes/metabolism
- Thymus Gland/cytology
- Thymus Gland/immunology
- Thymus Gland/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ribhu Nayar
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - Megan Enos
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - Amanda Prince
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - HyunMu Shin
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - Saskia Hemmers
- Department of Immunology, Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Jian-kang Jiang
- Chemical Genomics Center, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Ulf Klein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032; and
| | - Craig J. Thomas
- Chemical Genomics Center, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Leslie J. Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Chang JT, Ciocca ML, Kinjyo I, Palanivel VR, McClurkin CE, Dejong CS, Mooney EC, Kim JS, Steinel NC, Oliaro J, Yin CC, Florea BI, Overkleeft HS, Berg LJ, Russell SM, Koretzky GA, Jordan MS, Reiner SL. Asymmetric proteasome segregation as a mechanism for unequal partitioning of the transcription factor T-bet during T lymphocyte division. Immunity 2011; 34:492-504. [PMID: 21497118 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2011.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2010] [Revised: 01/04/2011] [Accepted: 02/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Polarized segregation of proteins in T cells is thought to play a role in diverse cellular functions including signal transduction, migration, and directed secretion of cytokines. Persistence of this polarization can result in asymmetric segregation of fate-determining proteins during cell division, which may enable a T cell to generate diverse progeny. Here, we provide evidence that a lineage-determining transcription factor, T-bet, underwent asymmetric organization in activated T cells preparing to divide and that it was unequally partitioned into the two daughter cells. This unequal acquisition of T-bet appeared to result from its asymmetric destruction during mitosis by virtue of concomitant asymmetric segregation of the proteasome. These results suggest a mechanism by which a cell may unequally localize cellular activities during division, thereby imparting disparity in the abundance of cell fate regulators in the daughter cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John T Chang
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Marshall HD, Prince AL, Berg LJ, Welsh RM. IFN-alpha beta and self-MHC divert CD8 T cells into a distinct differentiation pathway characterized by rapid acquisition of effector functions. J Immunol 2010; 185:1419-28. [PMID: 20592282 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1001140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nonvirus-specific bystander CD8 T cells bathe in an inflammatory environment during viral infections. To determine whether bystander CD8 T cells are affected by these environments, we examined P14, HY, and OT-I TCR transgenic CD8 T cells sensitized in vivo by IFN-alphabeta-inducing viral infections or by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid. These sensitized cells rapidly exerted effector functions, such as IFN-gamma production and degranulation, on contact with their high-affinity cognate Ag. Sensitization required self-MHC I and indirect effects of IFN-alphabeta, which together upregulated the T-box transcription factor Eomesodermin, potentially enabling the T cells to rapidly transcribe CTL effector genes and behave like memory cells rather than naive T cells. IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, and IFN-gamma were not individually required for sensitization to produce IFN-gamma, but IL-15 was required for upregulation of granzyme B. These experiments indicate that naive CD8 T cells receive signals from self-MHC and IFN-alphabeta and that, by this process, CD8 T cell responses to viral infection can undergo distinct differentiation pathways, depending on the timing of Ag encounter during the virus-induced IFN response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather D Marshall
- Department of Pathology, Program in Immunology and Virology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
The Tec family tyrosine kinases regulate lymphocyte development, activation, and differentiation. In T cells, the predominant Tec kinase is Itk, which functions downstream of the T-cell receptor to regulate phospholipase C-gamma. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of Itk kinase structure and enzymatic regulation, focusing on Itk protein domain interactions and mechanisms of substrate recognition. We also discuss the role of Itk in the development of conventional versus innate T-cell lineages, including both alphabeta and gammadelta T-cell subsets. Finally, we describe the complex role of Itk signaling in effector T-cell differentiation and the regulation of cytokine gene expression. Together, these data implicate Itk as an important modulator of T-cell signaling and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy H Andreotti
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
In this issue of Immunity, Gomez-Rodriguez et al. (2009) demonstrate that signaling via the Itk kinase, a component of the T cell receptor signaling pathway, is required for interleukin-17A but not interleukin-17F expression in T helper 17 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie J Berg
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Sacristán C, Schattgen SA, Berg LJ, Bunnell SC, Roy AL, Rosenstein Y. Characterization of a novel interaction between transcription factor TFII-I and the inducible tyrosine kinase in T cells. Eur J Immunol 2009; 39:2584-95. [PMID: 19701889 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200839031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
TCR signaling leads to the activation of kinases such as inducible tyrosine kinase (Itk), a key regulatory protein in T-lymphocyte activation and function. The homolog of Itk in B cells is Bruton's tyrosine kinase, previously shown to bind and phosphorylate the transcription factor TFII-I. TFII-I plays major roles in transcription and signaling. Our purpose herein was twofold: first, to identify some of the molecular determinants involved in TFII-I activation downstream of receptor crosslinking in T cells and second, to uncover the existence of Itk-TFII-I signaling in T lymphocytes. We report for the first time that TFII-I is tyrosine phosphorylated upon TCR, TCR/CD43, and TCR/CD28 co-receptor engagement in human and/or murine T cells. We show that Itk physically interacts with TFII-I and potentiates TFII-I-driven c-fos transcription. We demonstrate that TFII-I is phosphorylated upon co-expression of WT, but not kinase-dead, or kinase-dead/R29C mutant Itk, suggesting these residues are important for TFII-I phosphorylation, presumably via an Itk-dependent mechanism. Structural analysis of TFII-I-Itk interactions revealed that the first 90 residues of TFII-I are dispensable for Itk binding. Mutations within Itk's kinase, pleckstrin-homology, and proline-rich regions did not abolish TFII-I-Itk binding. Our results provide an initial step in understanding the biological role of Itk-TFII-I signaling in T-cell function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Sacristán
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Shi M, Lin TH, Appell KC, Berg LJ. Cell cycle progression following naive T cell activation is independent of Jak3/common gamma-chain cytokine signals. J Immunol 2009; 183:4493-501. [PMID: 19734221 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0804339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
T cell proliferation following activation is an essential aspect of the adaptive immune response. Multiple factors, such as TCR signaling, costimulation, and signals from cytokines, each contribute to determine the magnitude of T cell expansion. In this report, we examine in detail the role of Jak3/common gamma-chain-dependent cytokines in promoting cell cycle progression and proliferation of naive T cells. Using naive CD4+ T cells from Jak3-deficient mice and wild-type CD4+ T cells treated with a small molecule inhibitor of Jak3, we find that these cytokine signals are not required for proliferation; instead, they are important for the survival of activated T cells. In addition, we show that the percentage of cells entering the cell cycle and the percentage of cells in each round of cell division are comparable between Jak3-deficent and wild-type T cells. Furthermore, cell cycle progression and the regulated expression of key cell cycle proteins are independent of Jak3/common gamma-chain cytokine signals. These findings hold true over a wide range of TCR signal strengths. However, when CD28 costimulatory signals, but not TCR signals, are limiting, Jak3-dependent cytokine signals become necessary for the proliferation of naive T cells. Because CD28 signaling has been found to be dispensable for autoreactive T cell responses, these data suggest the potential for interfering with autoimmune T cell responses by inhibition of Jak3 signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Shi
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
Tec family kinases are important components of antigen receptor signaling pathways in B cells, T cells, and mast cells. In T cells, three members of this family, inducible T-cell kinase (Itk), resting lymphocyte kinase (Rlk), and Tec, are expressed. In the absence of Itk and Rlk, T-cell receptor signaling is impaired, with defects in mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, Ca(2+) mobilization, and actin polymerization. During T-cell development in the thymus, no role has been found for these kinases in the CD4(+) versus CD8(+) T-cell lineage decision; however, several studies indicate that Itk and Rlk contribute to the signaling leading to positive and negative selection. In addition, we and others have recently described an important role for Itk and Rlk in the development of conventional as opposed to innate CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Natural killer T and gammadelta T-cell populations are also altered in Itk- and Rlk/Itk-deficient mice. These findings strongly suggest that the strength of T-cell receptor signaling during development determines whether T cells mature into conventional versus innate lymphocyte lineages. This lineage decision is also influenced by signaling via signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) family receptors. Here we discuss these two signaling pathways that each contribute to conventional versus innate T-cell lineage commitment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Prince
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachussets Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Yin CC, Felices M, Kosaka Y, Kang J, Berg LJ. Role of Itk in γδ T cell development and function (84.22). The Journal of Immunology 2009. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.182.supp.84.22] [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
In conventional αβ T cells, the Tec family tyrosine kinase Itk is required for signaling downstream of the TCR. Itk also regulates αβ T cell development, lineage commitment, and effector function. A well established feature of Itk-/- mice is their inability to generate T helper type 2 (Th2) responses that produce IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13; yet these mice have spontaneously elevated levels of serum IgE and increased numbers of germinal center B cells. Here we show that the source of this phenotype is γδ T cells, as normal IgE levels are observed in Itk-/-Tcrd-/- mice. Further, we find that γδ T cells numbers are increased in Itk-/- mice, along with elevated proportions of γδ T cells expressing CD4 and NK1.1. When stimulated through the γδ TCR, Itk-/- γδ T cells produce high levels of the Th2 cytokines, but diminished IFNg. In addition, activated Itk-/- γδ T cells upregulate costimulatory molecules important for B cell help, suggesting that they may directly promote B cell activation and Ig class switching. Together, these data indicate that Itk signaling regulates γδ T cell lineage development and effector function, and is required to control IgE production in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yoko Kosaka
- 1Pathology, UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Evans JW, Falk M, Schattgen SA, Kosaka Y, Berg LJ. Itk acts as a negative regulator in mast cell activation (91.19). The Journal of Immunology 2009. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.182.supp.91.19] [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: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Mast cells are key effectors of allergic and innate immune responses and have been implicated as 'immuno-modulators' in adaptive immunity. Mast cell activation through the immuno-receptor, FceR1, propagates a complex signaling cascade which culminates in a broad range of effector functions. Central to this signal transduction are various protein tyrosine kinase families including members of the Tec family.
The Tec family kinases, Itk and Btk, have been extensively studied in T cells and B cells, respectively, and have been shown to play positive signaling roles. Deficiency in either of these two kinases results in diminished signal transduction downstream of their respective immuno-receptors leading to defects in development as well as effector function.
In contrast to T cells and B cells, mast cells express both Itk and Btk at similar levels. Btk-deficient mast cells exhibit a decreased effector function consisting of reduced degranulation and cytokine production. Furthermore, this phenotype is accompanied by diminished signal transduction downstream of FceR1, as shown by decreased Ca2+ flux and PLCγ phosphorylation.
Here we show that Itk-deficient mast cells display almost the opposite phenotype. These mast cells show enhanced levels of Th2-associated cytokines as well as some pro-inflammatory factors. We show that signal transduction events downstream of FceR1, including Ca2+ flux and PLCγ phosphorylation, are enhanced in the absence of Itk. Additionally, we show that Itk interacts with and phosphorylates the phosphatase, SHIP-1, a negative regulator in mast cells. Finally, we show that Itk co-localizes with a negative signaling complex in wild-type mast cells. Taken together, these data indicate that Itk can impact mast cell activation by dampening the Ag-mediated response. This work suggests a novel role for Itk as a negative regulator in mast cell signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John W Evans
- 1Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Markus Falk
- 1Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | | | - Yoko Kosaka
- 1Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Leslie J Berg
- 1Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Affiliation(s)
- Wenfang Wu
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
The Tec kinases Itk and Rlk are required for efficient positive selection of conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the thymus. In contrast, recent studies have shown that these Tec kinases are dispensable for the development of CD8+ T cells with characteristics of innate T cells. These findings raise questions about the potential role of Itk and Rlk in NKT cell development, because NKT cells represent a subset of innate T cells. To address this issue, we examined invariant NKT cells in Itk-/- and Itk/Rlk-/- mice. We find, as has been reported previously, that Itk-/- mice have reduced numbers of NKT cells with a predominantly immature phenotype. We further show that this defect is greatly exacerbated in the absence of both Itk and Rlk, leading to a 7-fold reduction in invariant NKT cell numbers in the thymus of Itk/Rlk-/- mice and a more severe block in NKT cell maturation. Splenic Itk-/- and Itk/Rlk-/- NKT cells are also functionally defective, because they produce little to no cytokine following in vivo activation. Tec kinase-deficient NKT cells also show enhanced cell death in the spleen. These defects correlate with greatly diminished expression of CD122, the IL-2R/IL-15R beta-chain, and impaired expression of the T-box transcription factor, T-bet. These data indicate that the Tec kinases Itk and Rlk provide important signals for terminal maturation, efficient cytokine production, and peripheral survival of NKT cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Felices
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Shi M, Lin TH, Appell KC, Berg LJ. Janus-kinase-3-dependent signals induce chromatin remodeling at the Ifng locus during T helper 1 cell differentiation. Immunity 2008; 28:763-73. [PMID: 18549798 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2008.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2008] [Revised: 04/10/2008] [Accepted: 04/11/2008] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into T helper type 1 (Th1) effector cells requires both T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and cytokines such as interleukin-12 and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). Here, we report that a third cytokine signal, mediated by the Janus family tyrosine kinase 3 (Jak3) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) pathway, is also required for Th1 cell differentiation. In the absence of Jak3-dependent signals, naive CD4+ T cells proliferate robustly but produce little IFN-gamma after Th1 cell polarization in vitro. This defect is not due to reduced activation of STAT1 or STAT4 or to impaired upregulation of the transcription factor T-bet. Instead, we find that T-bet binding to the Ifng promoter is greatly diminished in the absence of Jak3-dependent signals, correlating with a decrease in Ifng promoter accessibility and histone acetylation. These data indicate that Jak3 regulates epigenetic modification and chromatin remodeling of the Ifng locus during Th1 cell differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Shi
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Prince AL, Marshall HD, Atherly LO, Lucas JA, Felices M, Berg LJ. The role of tec kinases in CD8+ T cell memory differentiation. FASEB J 2008. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luana O Atherly
- PathologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMA
| | - Julie A Lucas
- PathologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMA
| | - Martin Felices
- PathologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMA
| | - Leslie J Berg
- PathologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
alphabeta T cell development in the thymus is dependent on signaling through the TCR. The first of these signals is mediated by the pre-TCR, which is responsible for promoting pre-T cell proliferation and the differentiation of CD4(-)8(-)3(-) (DN) thymocytes into CD4(+)8(+)3(+) (DP) cells. In many cases, T cell signaling proteins known to be essential for TCR signaling in mature T cells are also required for pre-TCR signaling in DN thymocytes. Therefore, it came as a surprise to discover that mice lacking the Tec kinases Itk and Rlk, enzymes required for efficient activation of phospholipase C-gamma1 in mature T cells, showed no obvious defects in pre-TCR-dependent selection events in the thymus. In this report, we demonstrate that DN thymocytes lacking Itk, or Itk and Rlk, are impaired in their ability to generate normal numbers of DP thymocytes, especially when placed in direct competition with WT DN thymocytes. We also show that Itk is required for maximal pre-TCR signaling in DN thymocytes. These data demonstrate that the Tec kinases Itk and Rlk are involved in, but are not essential for, pre-TCR signaling in the thymus, suggesting that there is an alternative mechanism for activating phospholipase C-gamma1 in DN thymocytes that is not operating in DP thymocytes and mature T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Lucas
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Recent data from three laboratories have identified the TEC kinases, ITK and RLK, as crucial regulators of CD8(+) T-cell development into the conventional lymphocyte lineage. In the absence of ITK and RLK, CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes upregulate the T-box transcription factor eomesodermin, and develop into mature CD8(+) T cells that resemble memory cells, exhibit immediate effector cytokine production and depend on IL-15. Furthermore, the selection of these non-conventional 'innate' T cells results from interactions with haematopoietic cells in the thymus. These findings lead to the hypothesis that altered TCR signalling, together with distinct co-stimulatory signals, is the basis for the development of non-conventional T-cell lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie J Berg
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
The Tec family of tyrosine kinases consists of five members (Itk, Rlk, Tec, Btk, and Bmx) that are expressed predominantly in hematopoietic cells. The exceptions, Tec and Bmx, are also found in endothelial cells. Tec kinases constitute the second largest family of cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases. While B cells express Btk and Tec, and T cells express Itk, Rlk, and Tec, all four of these kinases (Btk, Itk, Rlk, and Tec) can be detected in mast cells. This chapter will focus on the biochemical and cell biological data that have been accumulated regarding Itk, Rlk, Btk, and Tec. In particular, distinctions between the different Tec kinase family members will be highlighted, with a goal of providing insight into the unique functions of each kinase. The known functions of Tec kinases in T cell and mast cell signaling will then be described, with a particular focus on T cell receptor and mast cell Fc epsilon RI signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Felices
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
The Tec family tyrosine kinase, Itk, was initially characterized as a crucial component of T-cell receptor signaling pathways resulting in phospholipase C-gamma1 activation and actin polymerization. In 1999, a seminal report by Fowell, Locksley and colleagues demonstrated that, in CD4+ T cells, Itk-dependent signals are differentially required for T-helper (Th)2 versus Th1 differentiation and effector function. These findings launched a series of in vitro and in vivo studies addressing the molecular defects of Itk-/- CD4+ T cells, and the impaired immune responses of intact Itk-deficient mice. While demonstrating a bias against Th2 differentiation, overall these experiments have indicated that the most significant failing is an inability of Itk-/- CD4+ T cells to produce Th2 cytokines in a recall response, rather than an absolute defect in Th2 differentiation by T cells lacking Itk. In this review, we discuss the pathways by which Itk might impact the differentiation of Th cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Kosaka
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Atherly LO, Lucas JA, Felices M, Yin CC, Reiner SL, Berg LJ. The Tec family tyrosine kinases Itk and Rlk regulate the development of conventional CD8+ T cells. Immunity 2006; 25:79-91. [PMID: 16860759 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2006.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2005] [Revised: 04/24/2006] [Accepted: 05/05/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The Tec family tyrosine kinases, Itk and Rlk, are expressed in thymocytes and peripheral T cells and regulate thresholds of T cell receptor signaling. Yet little is known about the specific role of Itk- and Rlk-dependent signals in CD8(+) T cell maturation. We show here that Itk(-/-) and Rlk(-/-)Itk(-/-) mice were nearly devoid of conventional CD8(+) T cells and, instead, contained a large population of CD8(+) T cells that bear striking similarity to lineages of innate lymphocytes. Itk(-/-) and Rlk(-/-)Itk(-/-) CD8(+) thymocytes and T cells were CD44(hi), CD122(+), and NK1.1(+); were able to produce interferon-gamma directly ex vivo; and were dependent on interleukin-15. Itk(-/-) and Rlk(-/-)Itk(-/-) CD8(+) thymocytes expressed abundant transcripts for the T box transcription factor, eomesodermin, correlating with their phenotype and function. These data indicate a critical role for Itk and Rlk in conventional CD8(+) T cell development in the thymus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luana O Atherly
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, 01655, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Atherly LO, Brehm MA, Welsh RM, Berg LJ. Tec kinases Itk and Rlk are required for CD8+ T cell responses to virus infection independent of their role in CD4+ T cell help. J Immunol 2006; 176:1571-81. [PMID: 16424186 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.3.1571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Itk and Rlk are members of the Tec kinase family of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases that are expressed in T cells, NK cells, and mast cells. These proteins are involved in the regulation of signaling processes downstream of the TCR in CD4(+) T cells, particularly in the phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma1 after TCR activation; furthermore, both Itk and Rlk are important in CD4(+) T cell development, differentiation, function, and homeostasis. However, few studies have addressed the roles of these kinases in CD8(+) T cell signaling and function. Using Itk(-/-) and Itk(-/-)Rlk(-/-) mice, we examined the roles of these Tec family kinases in CD8(+) T cells, both in vitro and in vivo. These studies demonstrate that the loss of Itk and Rlk impairs TCR-dependent signaling, causing defects in phospholipase C-gamma1, p38, and ERK activation as well as defects in calcium flux and cytokine production in vitro and expansion and effector cytokine production by CD8(+) T cells in response to viral infection. These defects cannot be rescued by providing virus-specific CD4(+) T cell help, thereby substantiating the important role of Tec kinases in CD8(+) T cell signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luana O Atherly
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|