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Skordos I, Driege Y, Haegman M, Kreike M, Staal J, Demeyer A, Beyaert R. Normal lymphocyte homeostasis and function in
MALT1
protease‐resistant
HOIL
‐1 knock‐in mice. FEBS J 2022; 290:2032-2048. [PMID: 36479846 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16699] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The uniqueness of MALT1 protease activity in controlling several aspects of immunity in humans has made it a very attractive therapeutic target for multiple autoimmune diseases and lymphoid malignancies. Despite several encouraging preclinical studies with MALT1 inhibitors, severe reduction in regulatory T cells and immune-mediated pathology seen in MALT1 protease-dead (MALT1-PD) mice and some, but not all, studies analysing the effect of prolonged pharmacological MALT1 protease inhibition, indicates the need to further unravel the mechanism of MALT1 protease function. Notably, the contribution of individual MALT1 substrates to the immune defects seen in MALT1-PD mice is still unclear. Previous in vitro studies indicated a role for MALT1-mediated cleavage of the E3 ubiquitin ligase HOIL-1 in the modulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling and inflammatory gene expression in lymphocytes. Here, we addressed the immunological consequences of inhibition of HOIL-1 cleavage by generating and immunophenotyping MALT1 cleavage-resistant HOIL-1 knock-in (KI) mice. HOIL-1 KI mice appear healthy and have no overt phenotype. NF-κB activation in T or B cells, as well as IL-2 production and in vitro T-cell proliferation, is comparable between control and HOIL-1 KI cells. Inhibition of HOIL-1 cleavage in mice has no effect on thymic T-cell development and conventional T-cell homeostasis. Likewise, B-cell development and humoral immune responses are not affected. Together, these data exclude an important role of MALT1-mediated HOIL-1 cleavage in T- and B-cell development and function in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Skordos
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology Ghent University, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71 9052 Ghent Belgium
| | - Yasmine Driege
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology Ghent University, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71 9052 Ghent Belgium
| | - Mira Haegman
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology Ghent University, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71 9052 Ghent Belgium
| | - Marja Kreike
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology Ghent University, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71 9052 Ghent Belgium
| | - Jens Staal
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology Ghent University, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71 9052 Ghent Belgium
| | - Annelies Demeyer
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology Ghent University, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71 9052 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Head and Skin Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Rudi Beyaert
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology Ghent University, Technologiepark‐Zwijnaarde 71 9052 Ghent Belgium
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Abstract
T cells play a key role in adaptive immunity. Defects in specific T cell receptors or signaling proteins can alter their frequency and activation status, which may be associated with immune disease or cancer. Monitoring of T cell frequency and function in genetically modified mice or murine models of disease is therefore of high interest. Here, we provide a detailed protocol to analyze regulatory T cells, T cell activation, and cytokine production in thymus, spleen, or blood via flow cytometry. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Demeyer et al. (2020). A protocol for the collection of blood, thymus, and spleen from mice Flow cytometry allows staining of different T cell populations Details for intracellular cytokine staining of T cells Full details for both flow cytometry panels and gating strategies
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Skordos
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Demeyer
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudi Beyaert
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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Demeyer A, Driege Y, Skordos I, Coudenys J, Lemeire K, Elewaut D, Staal J, Beyaert R. Long-Term MALT1 Inhibition in Adult Mice Without Severe Systemic Autoimmunity. iScience 2020; 23:101557. [PMID: 33083726 PMCID: PMC7522757 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The protease MALT1 is a key regulator of NF-κB signaling and a novel therapeutic target in autoimmunity and cancer. Initial enthusiasm supported by preclinical results with MALT1 inhibitors was tempered by studies showing that germline MALT1 protease inactivation in mice results in reduced regulatory T cells and lethal multi-organ inflammation due to expansion of IFN-γ-producing T cells. However, we show that long-term MALT1 inactivation, starting in adulthood, is not associated with severe systemic inflammation, despite reduced regulatory T cells. In contrast, IL-2-, TNF-, and IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells were strongly reduced. Limited formation of tertiary lymphoid structures was detectable in lungs and stomach, which did not affect overall health. Our data illustrate that MALT1 inhibition in prenatal or adult life has a different outcome and that long-term MALT1 inhibition in adulthood is not associated with severe side effects. Inducible MALT1 inactivation for up to 6 months in the absence of severe toxicity MALT1 inactivation in adult mice decreases Tregs without effector T cell activation Long-term MALT1 inactivation results in tertiary lymphoid structure formation MALT1 inhibition in prenatal or adult life has a different outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Demeyer
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yasmine Driege
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ioannis Skordos
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Julie Coudenys
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kelly Lemeire
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk Elewaut
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jens Staal
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudi Beyaert
- Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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Demeyer A, Skordos I, Driege Y, Kreike M, Hochepied T, Baens M, Staal J, Beyaert R. MALT1 Proteolytic Activity Suppresses Autoimmunity in a T Cell Intrinsic Manner. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1898. [PMID: 31474984 PMCID: PMC6702287 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
MALT1 is a central signaling component in innate and adaptive immunity by regulating NF-κB and other key signaling pathways in different cell types. Activities of MALT1 are mediated by its scaffold and protease functions. Because of its role in lymphocyte activation and proliferation, inhibition of MALT1 proteolytic activity is of high interest for therapeutic targeting in autoimmunity and certain lymphomas. However, recent studies showing that Malt1 protease-dead knock-in (Malt1-PD) mice suffer from autoimmune disease have somewhat tempered the initial enthusiasm. Although it has been proposed that an imbalance between immune suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) and activated effector CD4+ T cells plays a key role in the autoimmune phenotype of Malt1-PD mice, the specific contribution of MALT1 proteolytic activity in T cells remains unclear. Using T cell-conditional Malt1 protease-dead knock-in (Malt1-PDT) mice, we here demonstrate that MALT1 has a T cell-intrinsic role in regulating the homeostasis and function of thymic and peripheral T cells. T cell-specific ablation of MALT1 proteolytic activity phenocopies mice in which MALT1 proteolytic activity has been genetically inactivated in all cell types. The Malt1-PDT mice have a reduced number of Tregs in the thymus and periphery, although the effect in the periphery is less pronounced compared to full-body Malt1-PD mice, indicating that also other cell types may promote Treg induction in a MALT1 protease-dependent manner. Despite the difference in peripheral Treg number, both T cell-specific and full-body Malt1-PD mice develop ataxia and multi-organ inflammation to a similar extent. Furthermore, reconstitution of the full-body Malt1-PD mice with T cell-specific expression of wild-type human MALT1 eliminated all signs of autoimmunity. Together, these findings establish an important T cell-intrinsic role of MALT1 proteolytic activity in the suppression of autoimmune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Demeyer
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ioannis Skordos
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yasmine Driege
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marja Kreike
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tino Hochepied
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mathijs Baens
- Center for Innovation and Stimulation of Drug Discovery (CISTIM), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jens Staal
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudi Beyaert
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Gavgiotaki E, Filippidis G, Kalognomou M, Tsouko AA, Skordos I, Fotakis C, Athanassakis I. Third Harmonic Generation microscopy as a reliable diagnostic tool for evaluating lipid body modification during cell activation: the example of BV-2 microglia cells. J Struct Biol 2014; 189:105-13. [PMID: 25486610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2014.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 11/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Nonlinear optical processes have found widespread applications in fields ranging from fundamental physics to biomedicine. In this study, we attempted to evaluate cell activation by using the Third Harmonic Generation (THG) imaging microscopy as a new diagnostic tool. The BV-2 microglia cell line with or without activation by lipopolysaccharide was chosen as a representative biological model. The results showed that THG imaging could discriminate between the control versus activated state of BV-2 cells not only as to THG signal intensity but also as to THG signal area, while verifying once more that the majority of the intracellular detected signal corresponds to lipid bodies. Since THG imaging is a real time, non-destructive modality and does not require any prior cell processing and staining, the results presented here provide an important tool for normal versus activated cell discrimination, which could be proved very useful in the study of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gavgiotaki
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, 71110 Heraklion, Greece; Department of Physics, University of Crete, Greece
| | - G Filippidis
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
| | - M Kalognomou
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion 71409, Crete, Greece
| | - A A Tsouko
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, 71110 Heraklion, Greece; Department of Physics, University of Crete, Greece
| | - I Skordos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion 71409, Crete, Greece
| | - C Fotakis
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, 71110 Heraklion, Greece; Department of Physics, University of Crete, Greece
| | - I Athanassakis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion 71409, Crete, Greece.
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