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Zhang Y, Morris R, Brown GJ, Lorenzo AMD, Meng X, Kershaw NJ, Kiridena P, Burgio G, Gross S, Cappello JY, Shen Q, Wang H, Turnbull C, Lea-Henry T, Stanley M, Yu Z, Ballard FD, Chuah A, Lee JC, Hatch AM, Enders A, Masters SL, Headley AP, Trnka P, Mallon D, Fletcher JT, Walters GD, Šestan M, Jelušić M, Cook MC, Athanasopoulos V, Fulcher DA, Babon JJ, Vinuesa CG, Ellyard JI. Rare SH2B3 coding variants in lupus patients impair B cell tolerance and predispose to autoimmunity. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20221080. [PMID: 38417019 PMCID: PMC10901239 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with a clear genetic component. While most SLE patients carry rare gene variants in lupus risk genes, little is known about their contribution to disease pathogenesis. Amongst them, SH2B3-a negative regulator of cytokine and growth factor receptor signaling-harbors rare coding variants in over 5% of SLE patients. Here, we show that unlike the variant found exclusively in healthy controls, SH2B3 rare variants found in lupus patients are predominantly hypomorphic alleles, failing to suppress IFNGR signaling via JAK2-STAT1. The generation of two mouse lines carrying patients' variants revealed that SH2B3 is important in limiting the number of immature and transitional B cells. Furthermore, hypomorphic SH2B3 was shown to impair the negative selection of immature/transitional self-reactive B cells and accelerate autoimmunity in sensitized mice, at least in part due to increased IL-4R signaling and BAFF-R expression. This work identifies a previously unappreciated role for SH2B3 in human B cell tolerance and lupus risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyuan Zhang
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Rhiannon Morris
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Grant J. Brown
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Ayla May D. Lorenzo
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Xiangpeng Meng
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Nadia J. Kershaw
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Pamudika Kiridena
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Gaétan Burgio
- Division of Genome Sciences and Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Simon Gross
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Jean Y. Cappello
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Qian Shen
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Hao Wang
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Cynthia Turnbull
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Tom Lea-Henry
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- The Canberra Hospital, Garran, Australia
| | - Maurice Stanley
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Zhijia Yu
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Fiona D. Ballard
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Aaron Chuah
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - James C. Lee
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Department of Gastroenterology, Division of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ann-Maree Hatch
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- The Canberra Hospital, Garran, Australia
| | - Anselm Enders
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Seth L. Masters
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Peter Trnka
- Queensland Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Mario Šestan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Jelušić
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matthew C. Cook
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- The Canberra Hospital, Garran, Australia
- Cambridge Institute for Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Vicki Athanasopoulos
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - David A. Fulcher
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Jeffrey J. Babon
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Carola G. Vinuesa
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Julia I. Ellyard
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
- Centre for Personalised Immunology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia
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Duchniewicz M, Lee JYW, Menon DK, Needham EJ. Candidate Genetic and Molecular Drivers of Dysregulated Adaptive Immune Responses After Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 2024; 41:3-12. [PMID: 37376743 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2023.0187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract Neuroinflammation is a significant and modifiable cause of secondary injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI), driven by both central and peripheral immune responses. A substantial proportion of outcome after TBI is genetically mediated, with an estimated heritability effect of around 26%, but because of the comparatively small datasets currently available, the individual drivers of this genetic effect have not been well delineated. A hypothesis-driven approach to analyzing genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets reduces the burden of multiplicity testing and allows variants with a high prior biological probability of effect to be identified where sample size is insufficient to withstand data-driven approaches. Adaptive immune responses show substantial genetically mediated heterogeneity and are well established as a genetic source of risk for numerous disease states; importantly, HLA class II has been specifically identified as a locus of interest in the largest TBI GWAS study to date, highlighting the importance of genetic variance in adaptive immune responses after TBI. In this review article we identify and discuss adaptive immune system genes that are known to confer strong risk effects for human disease, with the dual intentions of drawing attention to this area of immunobiology, which, despite its importance to the field, remains under-investigated in TBI and presenting high-yield testable hypotheses for application to TBI GWAS datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Duchniewicz
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - John Y W Lee
- Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David K Menon
- Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Edward J Needham
- Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Chen J, Epstein MP, Schildkraut JM, Kar SP. Mapping inherited genetic variation with opposite effects on autoimmune disease and cancer identifies candidate drug targets associated with the anti-tumor immune response. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.12.23.23300491. [PMID: 38234717 PMCID: PMC10793537 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.23.23300491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Germline alleles near genes that encode certain immune checkpoints (CTLA4, CD200) are associated with autoimmune/autoinflammatory disease and cancer but in opposite directions. This motivates a systematic search for additional germline alleles which demonstrate this pattern with the aim of identifying potential cancer immunotherapeutic targets using human genetic evidence. Methods Pairwise fixed effect cross-disorder meta-analyses combining genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for breast, prostate, ovarian and endometrial cancers (240,540 cases/317,000 controls) and seven autoimmune/autoinflammatory diseases (112,631 cases/895,386 controls) coupled with in silico follow-up. To ensure detection of alleles with opposite effects on cancer and autoimmune/autoinflammatory disease, the signs on the beta coefficients in the autoimmune/autoinflammatory GWAS were reversed prior to meta-analyses. Results Meta-analyses followed by linkage disequilibrium clumping identified 312 unique, independent lead variants with Pmeta<5x10-8 associated with at least one of the cancer types at Pcancer<10-3 and one of the autoimmune/autoinflammatory diseases at Pauto<10-3. At each lead variant, the allele that conferred autoimmune/autoinflammatory disease risk was protective for cancer. Mapping each lead variant to its nearest gene as its putative functional target and focusing on genes with established immunological effects implicated 32 of the nearest genes. Tumor bulk RNA-Seq data highlighted that the tumor expression of 5/32 genes (IRF1, IKZF1, SPI1, SH2B3, LAT) were each strongly correlated (Spearman's ρ>0.5) with at least one intra-tumor T/myeloid cell infiltration marker (CD4, CD8A, CD11B, CD45) in every one of the cancer types. Tumor single-cell RNA-Seq data from all cancer types showed that the five genes were more likely to be expressed in intra-tumor immune versus malignant cells. The five lead SNPs corresponding to these genes were linked to them via expression quantitative trait locus mechanisms and at least one additional line of functional evidence. Proteins encoded by the genes were predicted to be druggable. Conclusion We provide population-scale germline genetic and functional genomic evidence to support further evaluation of the proteins encoded by IRF1, IKZF1, SPI1, SH2B3, and LAT as possible targets for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael P Epstein
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joellen M Schildkraut
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Siddhartha P Kar
- Early Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Ovarian Cancer Programme, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Cambridge, UK
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Sirbe C, Simu G, Szabo I, Grama A, Pop TL. Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hepatitis-Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13578. [PMID: 34948375 PMCID: PMC8703580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric autoimmune liver disorders include autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC), and de novo AIH after liver transplantation. AIH is an idiopathic disease characterized by immune-mediated hepatocyte injury associated with the destruction of liver cells, causing inflammation, liver failure, and fibrosis, typically associated with autoantibodies. The etiology of AIH is not entirely unraveled, but evidence supports an intricate interaction among genetic variants, environmental factors, and epigenetic modifications. The pathogenesis of AIH comprises the interaction between specific genetic traits and molecular mimicry for disease development, impaired immunoregulatory mechanisms, including CD4+ T cell population and Treg cells, alongside other contributory roles played by CD8+ cytotoxicity and autoantibody production by B cells. These findings delineate an intricate pathway that includes gene to gene and gene to environment interactions with various drugs, viral infections, and the complex microbiome. Epigenetics emphasizes gene expression through hereditary and reversible modifications of the chromatin architecture without interfering with the DNA sequence. These alterations comprise DNA methylation, histone transformations, and non-coding small (miRNA) and long (lncRNA) RNA transcriptions. The current first-line therapy comprises prednisolone plus azathioprine to induce clinical and biochemical remission. Further understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms encountered in AIH may depict their impact on clinical aspects, detect biomarkers, and guide toward novel, effective, and better-targeted therapies with fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sirbe
- 2nd Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.S.); (T.L.P.)
- 2nd Pediatric Clinic, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gelu Simu
- Cardiology Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Cardiology Department, Rehabilitation Hospital, 400066 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Iulia Szabo
- Department of Rheumatology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Alina Grama
- 2nd Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.S.); (T.L.P.)
- 2nd Pediatric Clinic, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Tudor Lucian Pop
- 2nd Pediatric Discipline, Department of Mother and Child, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (C.S.); (T.L.P.)
- 2nd Pediatric Clinic, Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Engel B, Laschtowitz A, Janik MK, Junge N, Baumann U, Milkiewicz P, Taubert R, Sebode M. Genetic aspects of adult and pediatric autoimmune hepatitis: A concise review. Eur J Med Genet 2021; 64:104214. [PMID: 33812046 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2021.104214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) is a heterogenous, mostly chronic liver disease that affects people of all age groups, women more often than men. The aim of therapy is to prevent cirrhosis, as it mainly accounts for liver-related mortality in patients with AIH. Rates of remission are high in patients with AIH, but life-long immunosuppressive therapy is required. AIH is hypothesized to originate from immunologic reactivity targeted against mostly unknown self-antigens, potentially triggered by viral infections among other factors. While AIH does not follow a Mendelian inheritance pattern, part of the risk of developing AIH or worse disease course, is attributed to specific genetic risk factors. Major associations for the risk of development of AIH were found for HLA-DRB1*03:01 and HLA-DRB1*04:01 in adult AIH in the only genome-wide association study on AIH. However, other potential risk loci in SH2B3, CARD10 and KIR genes were described. This review covers the current knowledge on genetic risk factors in adult and pediatric AIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Engel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Germany.
| | - Alena Laschtowitz
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Germany
| | - Maciej K Janik
- Liver and Internal Medicine Unit, Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Germany
| | - Norman Junge
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Germany
| | - Ulrich Baumann
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Germany
| | - Piotr Milkiewicz
- Liver and Internal Medicine Unit, Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Translational Medicine Group, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Germany
| | - Richard Taubert
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Germany
| | - Marcial Sebode
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Germany
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LNK deficiency decreases obesity-induced insulin resistance by regulating GLUT4 through the PI3K-Akt-AS160 pathway in adipose tissue. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:17150-17166. [PMID: 32911464 PMCID: PMC7521507 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, LNK, an adapter protein, has been found to be associated with metabolic diseases, including hypertension and diabetes. We found that the expression of LNK in human adipose tissue was positively correlated with serum glucose and insulin in obese people. We examined the role of LNK in insulin resistance and systemic energy metabolism using LNK-deficient mice (LNK-/-). With consumption of a high-fat diet, wild type (WT) mice accumulated more intrahepatic triglyceride, higher serum triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) compared with LNK-/- mice. However, there was no significant difference between LNK-/- and WT mice under normal chow diet. Meanwhile, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expression in adipose tissue and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes were increased in LNK-/- mice. LNK-/- adipose tissue showed activated reactivity for IRS1/PI3K/Akt/AS160 signaling, and administration of a PI3K inhibitor impaired glucose uptake. In conclusion, LNK plays a pivotal role in adipose glucose transport by regulating insulin-mediated IRS1/PI3K/Akt/AS160 signaling.
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Lnk/Sh2b3 Regulates Adipose Inflammation and Glucose Tolerance through Group 1 ILCs. Cell Rep 2019; 24:1830-1841. [PMID: 30110639 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lnk/Sh2b3 is an adaptor protein that negatively regulates cytokine signaling in lymphohematopoiesis. A missense variant within the LNK/SH2B3 gene has been reported to be a risk variant for several autoimmune diseases, including diabetes. We found that glucose tolerance and insulin responses were impaired in Lnk-/- mice. Moreover, immune cells such as group 1 innate lymphoid cells (G1-ILCs), CD8+ T cells, and M1 macrophages accumulated in adipose tissue. When Lnk-/- mice were crossed with Il15-/- mice or depleted of G1-ILCs but not CD8+ T cells, glucose intolerance and adipose inflammation were ameliorated. Lnk-/- G1-ILCs showed activated phenotypes as well as enhanced reactivity for IL-15, and administration of a JAK inhibitor improved glucose tolerance. Accordingly, a high-fat diet greatly worsened glucose intolerance in Lnk-/- mice. Thus, Lnk/Sh2b3 controls homeostasis in adipose tissue and reduces the risk of onset of diabetes by regulating the expansion and activation of IL-15-dependent adipose G1-ILCs.
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Webb GJ, Hirschfield GM, Krawitt EL, Gershwin ME. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Autoimmune Hepatitis. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2019; 13:247-292. [PMID: 29140756 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-020117-043534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis is an uncommon idiopathic syndrome of immune-mediated destruction of hepatocytes, typically associated with autoantibodies. The disease etiology is incompletely understood but includes a clear association with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variants and other non-HLA gene variants, female sex, and the environment. Pathologically, there is a CD4+ T cell-rich lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate with variable hepatocyte necrosis and subsequent hepatic fibrosis. Attempts to understand pathogenesis are informed by several monogenetic syndromes that may include autoimmune liver injury, by several drug and environmental agents that have been identified as triggers in a minority of cases, by human studies that point toward a central role for CD4+ effector and regulatory T cells, and by animal models of the disease. Nonspecific immunosuppression is the current standard therapy. Further understanding of the disease's cellular and molecular mechanisms may assist in the design of better-targeted therapies, aid the limitation of adverse effects from therapy, and inform individualized risk assessment and prognostication.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Webb
- National Institute for Health Research Liver Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; ,
| | - G M Hirschfield
- National Institute for Health Research Liver Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; ,
| | - E L Krawitt
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA; .,Department of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA
| | - M E Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95817, USA;
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular and renal morbidity, and mortality. Genome-wide association studies identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the gene SH2B3 encoding the lymphocyte adaptor protein, LNK, but, until recently, little was known about how LNK contributes to hypertension. This review summarizes recent work highlighting a central role for LNK in inflammation and hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS Using a systems biology approach that integrates genomic data with whole blood transcriptomic data and network modeling, LNK/SH2B3 was identified as a key driver gene for hypertension in humans. LNK is an intracellular adaptor protein expressed predominantly in hematopoietic and endothelial cells that negatively regulates cell proliferation and cytokine signaling. Genetic animal models with deletion or mutation of LNK revealed an important role for LNK in renal and vascular inflammation, glomerular injury, oxidative stress, interferon-γ production, and hypertension. Bone marrow transplantation experiments revealed that LNK in hematopoietic cells is primarily responsible for blood pressure regulation. SUMMARY LNK/SH2B3 is a key driver gene for human hypertension, and alteration of LNK in animal models has a profound effect on inflammation and hypertension. Thus, LNK is a potential therapeutic target for this disease and its devastating consequences.
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Blass G, Mattson DL, Staruschenko A. The function of SH2B3 (LNK) in the kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2016; 311:F682-F685. [PMID: 27440780 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00373.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence indicates the adaptor protein SH2B3 has a major role in the progression of renal diseases. SH2B3 is highly expressed by hematopoietic cells and regulates cytokine signaling, inducing cell-specific effects. Additionally, its expression in other cell types suggests that SH2B3 may have a more extensive role within the kidney. Ex vivo studies have determined targets of SH2B3 cell-specific signaling, while in vivo studies have observed the SH2B3 overall affects in the progression of renal diseases. This mini-review covers the function of SH2B3-expressing cell types that contribute to renal pathologies and their regulation by SH2B3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Blass
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - David L Mattson
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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11
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Webb GJ, Hirschfield GM. Using GWAS to identify genetic predisposition in hepatic autoimmunity. J Autoimmun 2016; 66:25-39. [PMID: 26347073 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) represent the three major hepatic autoimmune conditions. Patient morbidity and mortality remain high across these three diseases, and an unmet need for rational therapy exists. Disease understanding has focused on combining clinical and laboratory based science to provide better insights into the joint host and environmental factors necessary for the initiation, and perpetuation, of hepato-biliary inflammation. Twin studies, family studies, population studies and an inter-relationship with other autoimmune phenomena suggest a genetic component to risk for each disease. Until recently, understanding of this genetic risk has been limited to HLA haplotypes. Associations with risk-conferring and protective HLA haplotypes are present in all three diseases. Over the last few years, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and related genetic association studies, have greatly increased understanding of the genetic risk signature of these three diseases and autoimmunity in general. Here we consider the rationale for GWAS in general and with specific reference to hepatic autoimmunity. We consider the process of GWAS, and highlight major findings to date. Potential functional implications of key findings are discussed including the IL-12/STAT4 pathway in PBC and the CD28/IL-2 pathway in PSC. We describe the marked pleiotropy demonstrated by PBC and PSC, which is consistent with other autoimmune diseases. Further, we focus on specific gene associations including SH2B3, which is common to all three diseases, and FUT2 in PSC, which represents a link between environment and genetics. We review attempts to translate GWAS findings into basic laboratory models including in vivo systems and highlight where clinical observations relate to genetics. Finally we describe deficiencies in GWAS to date and consider future study of genetics in hepatic autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Webb
- NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - G M Hirschfield
- NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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Webb GJ, Siminovitch KA, Hirschfield GM. The immunogenetics of primary biliary cirrhosis: A comprehensive review. J Autoimmun 2015; 64:42-52. [PMID: 26250073 PMCID: PMC5014907 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), a classic autoimmune liver disease, is characterised by a progressive T cell predominant lymphocytic cholangitis, and a serologic pattern of reactivity in the form of specific anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA). CD4+ T cells are particularly implicated by PBC's cytokine signature, the presence of CD4+ T cells specific to mitochondrial auto-antigens, the expression of MHC II on injured biliary epithelial cells, and PBC's coincidence with other similar T cell mediated autoimmune conditions. CD4+ T cells are also central to current animal models of PBC, and their transfer typically also transfers disease. The importance of genetic risk to developing PBC is evidenced by a much higher concordance rate in monozygotic than dizygotic twins, increased AMA rates in asymptomatic relatives, and disproportionate rates of disease in siblings of PBC patients, PBC family members and certain genetically defined populations. Recently, high-throughput genetic studies have greatly expanded our understanding of the gene variants underpinning risk for PBC development, so linking genetics and immunology. Here we summarize genetic association data that has emerged from large scale genome-wide association studies and discuss the evidence for the potential functional significance of the individual genes and pathways identified; we particularly highlight associations in the IL-12-STAT4-Th1 pathway. HLA associations and epigenetic effects are specifically considered and individual variants are linked to clinical phenotypes where data exist. We also consider why there is a gap between calculated genetic risk and clinical data: so-called missing heritability, and how immunogenetic observations are being translated to novel therapies. Ultimately whilst genetic risk factors will only account for a proportion of disease risk, ongoing efforts to refine associations and understand biologic links to disease pathways are hoped to drive more rational therapy for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Webb
- NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - K A Siminovitch
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto General Research Institute, and Departments of Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - G M Hirschfield
- NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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Saleh MA, McMaster WG, Wu J, Norlander AE, Funt SA, Thabet SR, Kirabo A, Xiao L, Chen W, Itani HA, Michell D, Huan T, Zhang Y, Takaki S, Titze J, Levy D, Harrison DG, Madhur MS. Lymphocyte adaptor protein LNK deficiency exacerbates hypertension and end-organ inflammation. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:1189-202. [PMID: 25664851 DOI: 10.1172/jci76327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The lymphocyte adaptor protein LNK (also known as SH2B3) is primarily expressed in hematopoietic and endothelial cells, where it functions as a negative regulator of cytokine signaling and cell proliferation. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding LNK are associated with autoimmune and cardiovascular disorders; however, it is not known how LNK contributes to hypertension. Here, we determined that loss of LNK exacerbates angiotensin II-induced (Ang II-induced) hypertension and the associated renal and vascular dysfunction. At baseline, kidneys from Lnk-/- mice exhibited greater levels of inflammation, oxidative stress, and glomerular injury compared with WT animals, and these parameters were further exacerbated by Ang II infusion. Aortas from Lnk-/- mice exhibited enhanced inflammation, reduced nitric oxide levels, and impaired endothelial-dependent relaxation. Bone marrow transplantation studies demonstrated that loss of LNK in hematopoietic cells is primarily responsible for the observed renal and vascular inflammation and predisposition to hypertension. Ang II infusion increased IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells in the spleen and kidneys of Lnk-/- mice compared with WT mice. Moreover, IFN-γ deficiency resulted in blunted hypertension in response to Ang II infusion. Together, these results suggest that LNK is a potential therapeutic target for hypertension and its associated renal and vascular sequela.
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Mori T, Iwasaki Y, Seki Y, Iseki M, Katayama H, Yamamoto K, Takatsu K, Takaki S. Lnk/Sh2b3 controls the production and function of dendritic cells and regulates the induction of IFN-γ-producing T cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:1728-36. [PMID: 25024389 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1303243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are proficient APCs that play crucial roles in the immune responses to various Ags and pathogens and polarize Th cell immune responses. Lnk/SH2B adaptor protein 3 (Sh2b3) is an intracellular adaptor protein that regulates B lymphopoiesis, megakaryopoiesis, and expansion of hematopoietic stem cells by constraining cytokine signals. Recent genome-wide association studies have revealed a link between polymorphism in this adaptor protein and autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. We found that Lnk/Sh2b3 was also expressed in DCs and investigated its role in the production and function of DC lineage cells. In Lnk(-/-) mice, DC numbers were increased in the spleen and lymph nodes, and growth responses of bone marrow-derived DCs to GM-CSF were augmented. Mature DCs from Lnk(-/-) mice were hypersensitive and showed enhanced responses to IL-15 and GM-CSF. Compared to normal DCs, Lnk(-/-) DCs had enhanced abilities to support the differentiation of IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells from naive CD4(+) T cells. This was due to their elevated expression of IL-12Rβ1 and increased production of IFN-γ. Lnk(-/-) DCs supported the appearance of IFN-γ-producing T cells even under conditions in which normal DCs supported induction of regulatory T cells. These results indicated that Lnk/Sh2b3 plays a regulatory role in the expansion of DCs and might influence inflammatory immune responses in peripheral lymphoid tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taizo Mori
- Department of Immune Regulation, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba 272-8516, Japan
| | - Yukiko Iwasaki
- Department of Immune Regulation, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba 272-8516, Japan; Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Yoichi Seki
- Department of Immune Regulation, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba 272-8516, Japan
| | - Masanori Iseki
- Department of Immune Regulation, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba 272-8516, Japan
| | - Hiroko Katayama
- Department of Immune Regulation, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba 272-8516, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Yamamoto
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Takatsu
- Department of Immunobiology and Pharmacological Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; and Prefectural Institute for Pharmaceutical Research, Toyama 939-0363, Japan
| | - Satoshi Takaki
- Department of Immune Regulation, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba 272-8516, Japan;
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