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Ren P, Lu L, Cai S, Chen J, Lin W, Han F. Alternative Splicing: A New Cause and Potential Therapeutic Target in Autoimmune Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:713540. [PMID: 34484216 PMCID: PMC8416054 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.713540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a complex coordinated transcriptional regulatory mechanism. It affects nearly 95% of all protein-coding genes and occurs in nearly all human organs. Aberrant alternative splicing can lead to various neurological diseases and cancers and is responsible for aging, infection, inflammation, immune and metabolic disorders, and so on. Though aberrant alternative splicing events and their regulatory mechanisms are widely recognized, the association between autoimmune disease and alternative splicing has not been extensively examined. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the loss of tolerance of the immune system towards self-antigens and organ-specific or systemic inflammation and subsequent tissue damage. In the present review, we summarized the most recent reports on splicing events that occur in the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and attempted to clarify the role that splicing events play in regulating autoimmune disease progression. We also identified the changes that occur in splicing factor expression. The foregoing information might improve our understanding of autoimmune diseases and help develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Ren
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Nephropathy, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephropathy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luying Lu
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Nephropathy, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephropathy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shasha Cai
- Department of Nephrology, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Taizhou, China
| | - Jianghua Chen
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Nephropathy, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephropathy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiqiang Lin
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Nephropathy, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephropathy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Han
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Nephropathy, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Nephropathy, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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2
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Crispin JC, Hedrich CM, Suárez-Fueyo A, Comte D, Tsokos GC. SLE-Associated Defects Promote Altered T Cell Function. Crit Rev Immunol 2019; 37:39-58. [PMID: 29431078 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2018025213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease linked to profound defects in the function and phenotype of T lymphocytes. Here, we describe abnormal signaling pathways that have been documented in T cells from patients with SLE and discuss how they impact gene expression and immune function, in order to understand how they contribute to disease development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose C Crispin
- Departamento de Inmunologia y Reumatologia, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Christian M Hedrich
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Abel Suárez-Fueyo
- Department of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Denis Comte
- Divisions of Immunology and Allergy, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - George C Tsokos
- Department of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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3
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Katsuyama T, Tsokos GC, Moulton VR. Aberrant T Cell Signaling and Subsets in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1088. [PMID: 29868033 PMCID: PMC5967272 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multi-organ debilitating autoimmune disease, which mainly afflicts women in the reproductive years. A complex interaction of genetics, environmental factors and hormones result in the breakdown of immune tolerance to "self" leading to damage and destruction of multiple organs, such as the skin, joints, kidneys, heart and brain. Both innate and adaptive immune systems are critically involved in the misguided immune response against self-antigens. Dendritic cells, neutrophils, and innate lymphoid cells are important in initiating antigen presentation and propagating inflammation at lymphoid and peripheral tissue sites. Autoantibodies produced by B lymphocytes and immune complex deposition in vital organs contribute to tissue damage. T lymphocytes are increasingly being recognized as key contributors to disease pathogenesis. CD4 T follicular helper cells enable autoantibody production, inflammatory Th17 subsets promote inflammation, while defects in regulatory T cells lead to unchecked immune responses. A better understanding of the molecular defects including signaling events and gene regulation underlying the dysfunctional T cells in SLE is necessary to pave the path for better management, therapy, and perhaps prevention of this complex disease. In this review, we focus on the aberrations in T cell signaling in SLE and highlight therapeutic advances in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vaishali R. Moulton
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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4
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Hong KM, Kim HK, Park SY, Poojan S, Kim MK, Sung J, Tsao BP, Grossman JM, Rullo OJ, Woo JMP, McCurdy DK, Rider LG, Miller FW, Song YW. CD3Z hypermethylation is associated with severe clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus and reduces CD3ζ-chain expression in T cells. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2017; 56:467-476. [PMID: 27940592 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kew405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The importance of hypomethylation in SLE is well recognized; however, the significance of hypermethylation has not been well characterized. We screened hypermethylated marks in SLE and investigated their possible implications. Methods DNA methylation marks were screened in SLE whole-blood DNA by microarray, and two marks ( CD3Z and VHL hypermethylations) were confirmed by a methylation single-base extension method in two independent ethnic cohorts consisting of 207 SLE patients and 151 controls. The correlation with clinical manifestations and the genetic influence on those epigenetic marks were analysed. Results Two epigenetic marks, CD3Z and VHL hypermethylation, were significantly correlated with SLE: CD3Z hypermethylation (odds ratio = 7.76; P = 1.71 × 10 -13 ) and VHL hypermethylation (odds ratio = 3.77; P = 3.20 × 10 -8 ), and the increased CD3Z methylation was correlated with downregulation of the CD3ζ-chain in SLE T cells. In addition, less genetic influence on CD3Z methylation relative to VHL methylation was found in analyses of longitudinal and twin samples. Furthermore, a higher CD3Z methylation level was significantly correlated with a higher SLE disease activity index and more severe clinical manifestations, such as proteinuria, haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia, whereas VHL hypermethylation was not. Conclusion CD3Z hypermethylation is an SLE risk factor that can be modified by environmental factors and is associated with more severe SLE clinical manifestations, which are related to deranged T cell function by downregulating the CD3ζ-chain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shiv Poojan
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang
| | - Mi-Kyung Kim
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang
| | - Joohon Sung
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | - Ornella J Rullo
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jennifer M P Woo
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Deborah K McCurdy
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Lisa G Rider
- Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Frederick W Miller
- Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yeong-Wook Song
- Department of Internal Medicine.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Research Center, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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5
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Li Y, Lai J, Liao Z, Guo L, Li B, Zhu K, Li Y. Deletion with 25 nucleotides of TCRζ gene in T cells from a case with chronic myeloid leukemia. Stem Cell Investig 2017; 4:52. [PMID: 28725648 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2017.05.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.,Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jing Lai
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.,Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ziwei Liao
- Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lixin Guo
- Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Bo Li
- Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Kanger Zhu
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.,Institute of Hematology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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6
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Molecular alterations in the TCR signaling pathway in patients with aplastic anemia. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9:32. [PMID: 27036622 PMCID: PMC4818392 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-016-0261-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A previous study has demonstrated a significantly increased CD3ζ gene expression level in aplastic anemia (AA). However, the mechanism underlying the upregulated CD3ζ mRNA expression level and that of T cell activation signaling molecules in AA patients remains unclear. Thus, we investigated the expression levels of the CD3ζ, CD28, CTLA-4, and Cbl-b genes, the SNP rs231775 in the CTLA-4 gene, and the distribution of the CD3ζ 3′-UTR splice variant in AA patients. Methods CD3ζ 3′-UTR splice variants were identified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 48 healthy individuals and 67 patients with AA [37 cases of severe aplastic anemia (SAA) and 30 cases of non-sever aplastic anemia (NSAA)] by RT-PCR. CD3ζ, CD28, CTLA-4, and Cbl-b gene expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. The SNP rs231775 in CTLA-4 gene was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Results CD3ζ and CD28 expression was significantly higher, while CTLA-4 and Cbl-b expression was significantly lower in AA patients compared with healthy individuals. Significantly higher CD3ζ expression was found in the NSAA subgroup compared with the SAA subgroup. 64 % of the AA samples had the same genotype (WT+AS+CD3ζ 3′-UTR); 22 % of the AA patients had a WT+AS−CD3ζ 3′-UTR genotype, and 14 % of the AA patients had a WT−AS+CD3ζ 3′-UTR genotype. The CD3ζ expression level of WT−AS+ subgroup was the highest in the SAA patients. A significantly higher frequency of the GG genotype (mutant type, homozygous) of SNP rs231775 in CTLA-4 gene was found in the AA patients. Positive correlation between the CTLA-4 and Cbl-b gene expression levels was found in healthy individuals with the AA and AG genotypes, but not in the AA patients. Conclusions This is the first study analyzing the expression characteristics of the CD28, CTLA-4, and Cbl-b genes in AA. Our results suggest that aberrant T cell activation may be related to the first and second signals of T cell activation in AA. The GG genotype of SNP rs231775 in CTLA-4 gene might be associated with AA risk in the Chinese population. The characteristics of CD3ζ 3′-UTR alternative splicing may be an index for evaluating the T cell activation status in AA patients, particularly in SAA patients.
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7
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Moulton VR, Gillooly AR, Perl MA, Markopoulou A, Tsokos GC. Serine Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 1 (SRSF1) Contributes to the Transcriptional Activation of CD3ζ in Human T Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131073. [PMID: 26134847 PMCID: PMC4489909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
T lymphocytes from many patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) express decreased levels of the T cell receptor (TCR)-associated CD3 zeta (ζ) signaling chain, a feature directly linked to their abnormal phenotype and function. Reduced mRNA expression partly due to defective alternative splicing, contributes to the reduced expression of CD3ζ chain. We previously identified by oligonucleotide pulldown and mass spectrometry approaches, the serine arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) binding to the 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of CD3ζ mRNA. We showed that SRSF1 regulates alternative splicing of the 3’UTR of CD3ζ to promote expression of the normal full length 3`UTR over an unstable splice variant in human T cells. In this study we show that SRSF1 regulates transcriptional activation of CD3ζ. Specifically, overexpression and silencing of SRSF1 respectively increases and decreases CD3ζ total mRNA and protein expression in Jurkat and primary T cells. Using promoter-luciferase assays, we show that SRSF1 enhances transcriptional activity of the CD3ζ promoter in a dose dependent manner. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show that SRSF1 is recruited to the CD3ζ promoter. These results indicate that SRSF1 contributes to transcriptional activation of CD3ζ. Thus our study identifies a novel mechanism whereby SRSF1 regulates CD3ζ expression in human T cells and may contribute to the T cell defect in SLE.
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MESH Headings
- 3' Untranslated Regions
- Alternative Splicing
- CD3 Complex/genetics
- CD3 Complex/metabolism
- Case-Control Studies
- Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Genes, Reporter
- Humans
- Jurkat Cells
- Luciferases/genetics
- Luciferases/metabolism
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology
- Primary Cell Culture
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Protein Binding
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors/genetics
- Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Transcriptional Activation
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali R. Moulton
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrew R. Gillooly
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States of America
| | - Marcel A. Perl
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States of America
| | - Anastasia Markopoulou
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States of America
| | - George C. Tsokos
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States of America
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Liao Z, Zhou L, Wang C, He Z, Wang X, Luo X, Chen S, Yang L, Tan H, Li Y. Characteristics of TCRζ, ZAP-70, and FcɛRIγ gene expression in patients with T- and NK/T-cell lymphoma. DNA Cell Biol 2014; 34:201-7. [PMID: 25513989 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2014.2693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal expression of key signaling molecules and defective T-cell function play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of T-cell immunodeficiency in hematological malignancies. To understand the molecular basis of T-cell signaling abnormalities and TCRζ chain deficiencies in T- and NK/T-cell lymphoma, the expression level of the TCRζ, ZAP-70, and FcɛRIγ genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 25 patients with T-cell lymphoma, 16 patients with NK/T-cell lymphoma (NK/T-CL), and 26 healthy individuals was determined. In addition, their relationship with disease stage and TCRζ 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) splice variants was analyzed in this study. The expression level of all three genes was significantly altered with disease progression, and a decreasing trend was found in patients compared with healthy controls. TCRζ and ZAP-70 were significantly positively related in all samples, and a negative relationship between TCRζ and FcɛRIγ was significantly lost in NK/T-CL patients. Moreover, distinct expression patterns were defined for patient groups with different TCRζ 3'UTR isoforms. In conclusion, a lower expression pattern for all three genes may indicate a weaker immune status based on reduced TCRζ and ZAP-70 expression without the complementary effects of FcɛRIγ, while aberrant TCRζ 3'UTR splicing may contribute to T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling regulation in T cells from patients with T- and NK/T-cell lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Liao
- 1 Institute of Hematology, Jinan University , Guangzhou, China
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Barrera-Vargas A, Gómez-Martín D, Alcocer-Varela J. T cell receptor-associated protein tyrosine kinases: the dynamics of tolerance regulation by phosphorylation and its role in systemic lupus erythematosus. Hum Immunol 2014; 75:945-52. [PMID: 25173412 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2014.08.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
There are different abnormalities that lead to the autoreactive phenotype in T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Proximal signaling, involving the T-cell receptor (TCR) and its associated protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), is significantly affected in SLE. This ultimately leads to aberrant responses, which include enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium release, as well as decreased IL-2 secretion. Lck, ZAP70 and Syk, which are PTKs with a major role in proximal signaling, all present abnormal functioning that contributes to an altered T cell response in these patients. A number of other molecules, especially regulatory proteins, are also involved. This review will focus on the PTKs that participate in proximal signaling, with specific emphasis on their relevance in maintaining peripheral tolerance, their abnormalities in SLE and how these contribute to an altered T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Barrera-Vargas
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Tlalpan, 14000 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Diana Gómez-Martín
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Tlalpan, 14000 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Jorge Alcocer-Varela
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Tlalpan, 14000 Mexico City, Mexico.
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10
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Isomäki P, Clark JM, Vagenas P, Cope AP. Exploring the signalling pathways promoting T cell effector responses in chronic inflammation. Mod Rheumatol 2014; 12:100-6. [DOI: 10.3109/s101650200018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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11
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Naskar S, Deb SM, Kumar S, Niranjan SK, Sharma D, Sakaram D, Sharma A. Molecular characterisation of T cell receptor-zeta subunit (CD247) gene in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2013.822800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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12
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Martinez NM, Lynch KW. Control of alternative splicing in immune responses: many regulators, many predictions, much still to learn. Immunol Rev 2013; 253:216-36. [PMID: 23550649 PMCID: PMC3621013 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Most mammalian pre-mRNAs are alternatively spliced in a manner that alters the resulting open reading frame. Consequently, alternative pre-mRNA splicing provides an important RNA-based layer of protein regulation and cellular function. The ubiquitous nature of alternative splicing coupled with the advent of technologies that allow global interrogation of the transcriptome have led to an increasing awareness of the possibility that widespread changes in splicing patterns contribute to lymphocyte function during an immune response. Indeed, a few notable examples of alternative splicing have clearly been demonstrated to regulate T-cell responses to antigen. Moreover, several proteins key to the regulation of splicing in T cells have recently been identified. However, much remains to be done to truly identify the spectrum of genes that are regulated at the level of splicing in immune cells and to determine how many of these are controlled by currently known factors and pathways versus unknown mechanisms. Here, we describe the proteins, pathways, and mechanisms that have been shown to regulate alternative splicing in human T cells and discuss what is and is not known about the genes regulated by such factors. Finally, we highlight unifying themes with regards to the mechanisms and consequences of alternative splicing in the adaptive immune system and give our view of important directions for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6059, USA
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13
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Co-stimulatory molecules as targets for treatment of lupus. Clin Immunol 2013; 148:369-75. [PMID: 23680362 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2013.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Co-stimulatory molecules help to regulate interactions between T cells and antigen-presenting cells and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus. Both work in murine models and some early studies in human lupus support further examination of these molecules as therapeutic targets. Complexities of lupus clinical trial variables may have hampered progress in this area but recent developments in the field may make interventional trials more feasible in the near future. To date biologics which provide direct blockade of interactions between CD40 and CD154, B7RP-1 and ICOS, and CD80 or CD86 with CD28 have been assessed in multicenter clinical trials. These data will be reviewed and critiqued.
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14
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Takeuchi T, Suzuki K. CD247 variants and single-nucleotide polymorphisms observed in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2013; 52:1551-5. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/ket119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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15
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The applied basic research of systemic lupus erythematosus based on the biological omics. Genes Immun 2013; 14:133-46. [PMID: 23446742 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2013.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies directed against nuclear self-antigens and circulating immune complexes. This results in damages to various organs or systems, including skin, joints, kidneys and the central nervous system. Clinical manifestations of SLE could be diverse, including glomerulonephritis, dermatitis, thrombosis, vasculitis, seizures and arthritis. The complicated pathogenesis and varied clinical symptoms of SLE pose great challenges in the diagnosis and monitoring of this disease. Unfortunately, the etiological factors and pathogenesis of SLE are still not completely understood. It is noteworthy that recent advances in our understanding of the biological omics and emerging technologies have been providing new tools in the analyses of SLE, such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and so on. In this article, we summarize our current knowledge in this field for a better understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment for SLE.
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16
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Zha X, Yan X, Shen Q, Zhang Y, Wu X, Chen S, Li B, Yang L, Geng S, Weng J, Du X, Li Y. Alternative expression of TCRζ related genes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2012; 5:74. [PMID: 23228155 PMCID: PMC3544630 DOI: 10.1186/1756-8722-5-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A previous study has demonstrated a significant decrease in the TCRζ gene expression level in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); thus, we further investigated the expression of TCRζ-regulating factors, the distribution of the TCRζ 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) splice variants, and the expression level and correlation of the alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2 (ASF/SF-2), FcεRIγ and ZAP-70 genes. TCRζ 3'-UTR splice variants were identified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 14 healthy individuals, 40 patients with CML and 22 patients with CML in complete remission (CML-CR) by RT-PCR. The expression level of the TCRζ, FcεRIγ, ASF/SF-2 and ZAP-70 genes was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. While the expression of TCRζ gene in the CML group was significantly lower than that in the healthy individual and CML-CR groups, a significantly higher expression of the FceRIγ and ASF/SF-2 genes was found in the CML group. Two types of splicing forms were detected in all of the healthy individual CML-CR cases: wild type (WT) TCRζ 3'-UTR and alternatively splieced (AS) TCRζ 3'-UTR which have been alternatively splieced in the WT TCRζ 3'-UTR . However, 35% of the CML cases contained only the wild type TCRζ 3'-UTR isoform. Based on the TCRζ 3'-UTR isoform expression characteristic, we divided the patients with CML into two subgroups: the WT+AS- CML group, containing patients that express only the wild type TCRζ 3'-UTR, and the WT+AS+ CML group, which contained patients that expressed two TCRζ 3'-UTR isoforms. A significantly different ASF/SF-2 and FcεRIγ gene expression pattern was found between the WT+AS- and WT+AS+CML groups. We concluded that defective TCRζ expression may be characterized in the WT+AS-and WT+AS+CML subgroups by the different gene expression pattern. The overexpression of ASF/SF2, which alternatively splices the TCRζ 3'-UTR, is thought to participate in feedback regulation. The characteristics of TCRζ 3'-UTR alternative splicing may be a novel immunological marker for the evaluation of the CML immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianfeng Zha
- Institute of Hematology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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17
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Abstract
Abnormalities in T cell signal transduction underlie pathology in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus T cells are more sensitive to stimulation, yet have reduced expression of T cell antigen receptor (TCR) at the surface. The amount of TCR expressed at the surface of a T cell directly determines the ability of a T cell to become activated. The endocytic recycling machinery regulates transport of T cell receptors to the plasma membrane, internalization of surface receptors, and recycling to the cell surface, which determines the ability of a T cell to become activated. Increased recycling of CD3 and CD4 receptors occurs in lupus T cells, and could represent a mechanism by which T cells are sensitized to stimulation. This chapter explains methods used to investigate endocytic recycling of the TCR, CD4, and CD8 co-receptors in peripheral blood lymphocytes, T cells, and in splenocytes from lupus-prone murine models. The assays described will allow the study of surface receptor turnover in live untouched lymphocytes by flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Telarico
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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18
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Keszei M, Detre C, Rietdijk ST, Muñoz P, Romero X, Berger SB, Calpe S, Liao G, Castro W, Julien A, Wu YY, Shin DM, Sancho J, Zubiaur M, Morse HC, Morel L, Engel P, Wang N, Terhorst C. A novel isoform of the Ly108 gene ameliorates murine lupus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 208:811-22. [PMID: 21422172 PMCID: PMC3135348 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20101653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The expression of the new Ly108 isoform H1 weakens lupus-like disease of C57BL/6.Sle1b mice. Studies of human systemic lupus erythematosus patients and of murine congenic mouse strains associate genes in a DNA segment on chromosome 1 with a genetic predisposition for this disease. The systematic analysis of lupus-prone congenic mouse strains suggests a role for two isoforms of the Ly108 receptor in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we demonstrate that Ly108 is involved in the pathogenesis of lupus-related autoimmunity in mice. More importantly, we identified a third protein isoform, Ly108-H1, which is absent in two lupus-prone congenic animals. Introduction of an Ly108-H1–expressing transgene markedly diminishes T cell–dependent autoimmunity in congenic B6.Sle1b mice. Thus, an immune response–suppressing isoform of Ly108 can regulate the pathogenesis of lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marton Keszei
- Division of Immunology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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19
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Moulton VR, Tsokos GC. Abnormalities of T cell signaling in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Res Ther 2011; 13:207. [PMID: 21457530 PMCID: PMC3132009 DOI: 10.1186/ar3251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease resulting from a loss of tolerance to multiple self antigens, and characterized by autoantibody production and inflammatory cell infiltration in target organs, such as the kidneys and brain. T cells are critical players in SLE pathophysiology as they regulate B cell responses and also infiltrate target tissues, leading to tissue damage. Abnormal signaling events link to defective gene transcription and altered cytokine production, contributing to the aberrant phenotype of T cells in SLE. Study of signaling and gene transcription abnormalities in SLE T cells has led to the identification of novel targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali R Moulton
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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20
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Hutton JC, Davidson HW. Cytokine-induced dicing and splicing in the beta-cell and the immune response in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes 2010; 59:335-6. [PMID: 20103713 PMCID: PMC2809971 DOI: 10.2337/db09-1767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John C Hutton
- Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
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21
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Moulton VR, Tsokos GC. Alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2 regulates the expression of the zeta subunit of the human T cell receptor-associated CD3 complex. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:12490-6. [PMID: 20118245 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.091660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus express decreased levels of the T cell receptor-associated CD3 zeta chain, a feature directly linked to their aberrant function. The decrease in CD3zeta protein expression is in part due to decreased levels of functional wild type isoform of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of CD3zeta mRNA with concomitant increased levels of an unstable alternatively spliced isoform. In order to identify factors involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of CD3zeta, we performed mass spectrometric analysis of Jurkat T cell nuclear proteins "pulled down" by a CD3zeta 3'-UTR oligonucleotide, which identified the splicing protein alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2 (ASF/SF2). We show for the first time that ASF/SF2 binds specifically to the 3'-UTR of CD3zeta and regulates expression of CD3zeta protein by limiting the production of the alternatively spliced isoform. During activation of human T cells, an increase in the wild type CD3zeta mRNA is associated with increased expression of ASF/SF2. Finally, we show a significant correlation between ASF/SF2 and CD3zeta protein levels in T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Thus, our results identify ASF/SF2 as a novel factor in the regulation of alternative splicing of the 3'-UTR of CD3zeta and protein expression in human T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali R Moulton
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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22
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Takeuchi T, Tsuzaka K, Abe T, Yoshimoto K, Shiraishi K, Kameda H, Amano K. T cell abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmunity 2009; 38:339-46. [PMID: 16227148 DOI: 10.1080/08916930500123983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Because of the consensus that T cells play a central role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we explored the molecular basis of the defective function of SLE T cells for expression of signal transduction molecules, as well as surface structures such as adhesion molecules, by extensively testing peripheral blood T cells from SLE patients. Upregulated expression and function of adhesion molecules was observed in T cells from patients with active SLE who had specific clinical manifestations such as vasculitis, epithelitis and arthritis, but proximal signal transduction was defective. Comprehensive analysis to identify the molecules responsible for the defects showed the expression of the TCR zeta chain was attenuated, or absent in more than half of SLE patients. Moreover, the aberrant transcripts of the TCR zeta chain, including spliced variants lacking exon 7 and with a short 3' UTR, were detected in SLE T cells. Although attenuated expression of the TCR zeta chain is also observed in patients with cancers, infections and other autoimmune diseases, sustained attenuation of TCR zeta expression and aberrant transcripts are only observed in SLE. In this review we discuss the unique features of the TCR zeta defects in SLE.
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23
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Warchoł T, Piotrowski P, Lianeri M, Cieślak D, Wudarski M, Hrycaj P, Lacki JK, Jagodziński PP. The CD3Z 844 T>A polymorphism within the 3'-UTR of CD3Z confers increased risk of incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 74:68-72. [PMID: 19422667 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2009.01264.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a family-based association analysis showed that the haplotype carrying a low expression of the variant CD3Z 844 T>A (rs1052231) polymorphism located in the 3'-untranslated region of CD3Z predisposes to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) incidence. We analyzed the prevalence of the CD3Z 844 T>A polymorphism in SLE patients (n = 152) and controls (n = 304) in Poland. We observed that women with the CD3Z AA and CD3Z AT genotypes exhibited a 1.845-fold increased risk of SLE [95% confidence intervals (95% CI) = 1.222-2.787, P = 0.0038]. However, we did not find an increased risk for the homozygous CD3Z AA genotype (odds ratio = 1.204, 95% CI = 0.2838-5.108, P = 1.0000). This observation confers that genetic factors causing a decreased level of CD3-zeta in T cells may predispose to SLE incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Warchoł
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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24
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Kulkarni DP, Wadia PP, Pradhan TN, Pathak AK, Chiplunkar SV. Mechanisms involved in the down-regulation of TCR zeta chain in tumor versus peripheral blood of oral cancer patients. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:1605-13. [PMID: 19107944 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Immune dysfunction is the hallmark of patients with oral cancer. Down-regulation of T cell receptor (TCR) zeta chain expression was observed in T cells from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. In peripheral blood, the decrease in TCR zeta chain showed an inverse correlation with the tumor stage as demonstrated by western blotting, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The mechanism of TCR zeta chain degradation in the peripheral blood involves ubiquitination and subsequent targeting of TCR zeta for degradation in the lysosome. Decreased expression of PKC theta and the subsequent decrease of TCR zeta chain transcription factor Elf-1 and its binding to DNA may contribute to the decreased/or absent TCR zeta chain transcripts in the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Oral cancer patients exhibiting TCR zeta chain defect also showed impaired lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine profile and intracellular calcium release upon stimulation with anti CD3 mAb. Our data shows that posttranslational degradation is primarily responsible for decreased TCR zeta chain expression in the peripheral blood, while a transcriptional defect is observed in the tumor compartment. The down-regulation of TCR zeta chain culminates into impaired lymphocyte responses in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakshayini P Kulkarni
- Chiplunkar Laboratory, Immunology, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
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25
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Li Y. Alterations in the expression pattern of TCR zeta chain in T cells from patients with hematological diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 13:267-75. [PMID: 18854088 DOI: 10.1179/102453308x343482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The TCR zeta chain, a component of the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex, plays a significant role in the assembly of the receptor complex and in connecting antigen recognition to the intracellular signal transduction apparatus. Recently, studies have demonstrated altered expression and function of this signal transduction molecule in T cells from patients with hematological diseases. In this review, current knowledge concerning the biological feature and function of TCR zeta protein, splice variant and mutation of TCR zeta chain gene and alteration of expression pattern in hematological diseases and the related mechanism are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangqiu Li
- Institute of Hematology, Medical College and Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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26
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Moulton VR, Kyttaris VC, Juang YT, Chowdhury B, Tsokos GC. The RNA-stabilizing protein HuR regulates the expression of zeta chain of the human T cell receptor-associated CD3 complex. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:20037-44. [PMID: 18505733 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m710434200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell dysfunction is crucial to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, the molecular mechanisms involved in the deficient expression of the T cell receptor-associated CD3zeta chain in SLE are not clear. SLE T cells express abnormally increased levels of an alternatively spliced isoform of CD3zeta that lacks a 562-bp region in its 3'-untranslated region (UTR). We showed previously that two adenosine/uridine-rich elements (ARE) in this splice-deleted region of CD3zeta transcript are critical for the mRNA stability and protein expression of CD3zeta. In this study we show for the first time that the mRNA-stabilizing protein HuR binds to these two ARE bearing regions of CD3zeta 3'-UTR. Knockdown of HuR resulted in decreased expression of the CD3zeta chain, whereas overexpression led to the increase of CD3zeta chain levels. Additionally, overexpression of HuR in human T cells resulted in increased mRNA stability of CD3zeta. Our results identify the 3'-UTR of CD3zeta as a novel target for the mRNA-stabilizing protein HuR. Thus, the absence of two critical AREs in the alternatively spliced CD3zeta 3'-UTR found in SLE T cells may result in decreased HuR binding, representing a possible molecular mechanism contributing to the reduced stability and expression of CD3zeta in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali R Moulton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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27
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Gorman CL, Russell AI, Zhang Z, Cunninghame Graham D, Cope AP, Vyse TJ. Polymorphisms in the CD3Z gene influence TCRzeta expression in systemic lupus erythematosus patients and healthy controls. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:1060-70. [PMID: 18178846 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.2.1060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
TCRzeta (CD247) functions as an amplification module in the TCR signaling cascade and is essential for assembly and surface expression of the TCR/CD3 complex. The TCRzeta-chain is down-regulated in many chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is unclear whether reduced TCRzeta expression is a cause or a consequence of chronic inflammatory responses. We have addressed this question by adopting a combined genetic and functional approach. We analyzed TCRzeta protein expression using a FACS-based expression index and documented considerable, but longitudinally stable, variation in TCRzeta expression in healthy individuals. The variation in TCRzeta expression was associated with polymorphisms in the CD3Z 3'-untranslated region (UTR) in SLE patients and healthy controls. Detailed mapping of the 3'-UTR revealed that the minor alleles of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in strong disequilibrium (rs1052230 and rs1052231) were the causal variants associated with low TCRzeta expression (p=0.015). Using allelic imbalance analysis, the minor alleles of these 3'-UTR SNPs were associated with one-third of the level of mRNA compared with the major allele. A family-based association analysis showed that the haplotype carrying the low-expression variants predisposes to SLE (p=0.033). This suggests that a genetically determined reduction in TCRzeta expression has functional consequences manifested by systemic autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire L Gorman
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, UK.
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28
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Tsuzaka K, Itami Y, Kumazawa C, Suzuki M, Setoyama Y, Yoshimoto K, Suzuki K, Abe T, Takeuchi T. Conservative sequences in 3'UTR of TCRzeta mRNA regulate TCRzeta in SLE T cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2008; 367:311-7. [PMID: 18177736 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.12.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2007] [Accepted: 12/18/2007] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
We have demonstrated that T-cell receptor zeta (zeta) mRNA with a 562-bp deleted alternatively spliced 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) observed in T cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can lead to a reduction in zeta and TCR/CD3 (J. Immunol., 2003 & 2005). To determine the region in zeta mRNA 3'UTR for the regulation of zeta, zeta mRNA with 3'UTR truncations ligated into pDON-AI was used to infect murine T-cell hybridoma MA5.8 cells, which do not contain zeta. As a Western blot analysis demonstrated the importance of the regions from +871 to +950, containing conservative sequence 1 (CS1), and +1070 to +1136, containing CS2, for the production of zeta, we constructed MA5.8 mutants carrying zeta mRNA 3'UTR with deletions of these regions (DeltaCS1 and DeltaCS2 mutants). Western blot and FACS analyses showed significant reduction in the cell surface zeta and TCR/CD3 in both these mutants, and IL-2 production was decreased, compared with MA5.8 cells transfected with wild-type zeta mRNA. Furthermore, real-time PCR demonstrated the instability of zeta mRNA with 3'UTR deletions in these MA5.8 mutants. In conclusion, CS1 and CS2 may be responsible for the regulation of zeta and TCR/CD3 through the stability of zeta mRNA in SLE T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensei Tsuzaka
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, 1981 Kamoda, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-8550, Japan
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29
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Crispín JC, Kyttaris V, Juang YT, Tsokos GC. Systemic lupus erythematosus: new molecular targets. Ann Rheum Dis 2007; 66 Suppl 3:iii65-9. [PMID: 17934100 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2007.078493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus exhibit a notable array of defects that probably contribute to the origin and development of the disease. Such abnormalities include an abnormal response to stimulation, aberrant expression of molecules that play key roles in intracellular signalling pathways, altered transcription factor activation and binding, and skewed gene expression. The combination of these alterations leads the cell to the expression of a particular phenotype that intense research has gradually uncovered over the last years. The aim of this article is to review the findings that have allowed us to better understand the behaviour of the lupus T cell and highlight the molecules that represent potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- José C Crispín
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 4 Blackfan Circle, HIM-244, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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30
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Okoye FI, Krishnan S, Chandok MR, Tsokos GC, Farber DL. Proximal signaling control of human effector CD4 T cell function. Clin Immunol 2007; 125:5-15. [PMID: 17692570 PMCID: PMC2683756 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2007.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2007] [Revised: 07/03/2007] [Accepted: 07/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The functional coupling of T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling events in primary human T cells remains undefined. We demonstrate here that alterations in the expression of proximal TCR-coupled signaling subunits are associated with distinct effector capacities in differentiated human CD4 T cells. Analysis of proximal signaling profiles using biochemical and single cell approaches reveals decreased CD3zeta and ZAP-70 expression correlating with functional anergy, with increased CD3zeta/ ZAP-70 expression and phosphorylation connoting acquisition of effector capacity. By contrast, the FcRgamma signaling subunit known to be expressed in human effector cells and in T cells from the autoimmune disease SLE is up-regulated upon activation, yet does not correlate with functional capacity in effector cells, and does not alter signaling or function in primary FcRgamma transfectants. Our results have implications for targeting signaling molecules in immunotherapy and evaluating the functional consequence of signaling alterations associated with autoimmunity and chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca I Okoye
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, MSTF Building, Room 400, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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31
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Solomou EE, Wong S, Visconte V, Gibellini F, Young NS. Decreased TCR zeta-chain expression in T cells from patients with acquired aplastic anaemia. Br J Haematol 2007; 138:72-6. [PMID: 17555449 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06627.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In aplastic anaemia, T cells have a central role in the pathophysiology of bone marrow destruction. This study showed that T cells from patients with aplastic anaemia expressed decreased T-cell receptor (TCR) zeta-chain protein and mRNA levels compared to healthy controls. Patients with decreased TCR zeta-chain showed an abnormal response in intracellular calcium following stimulation through the TCR. We also observed an altered pattern of the transcription factors CREMalpha and Elf-1 that are implicated in zeta-chain transcription. We concluded that TCR zeta-chain expression was decreased in the majority of patients with aplastic anaemia, regardless of disease activity or treatment status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena E Solomou
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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32
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Chowdhury B, Krishnan S, Tsokos CG, Robertson JW, Fisher CU, Nambiar MP, Tsokos GC. Stability and translation of TCR zeta mRNA are regulated by the adenosine-uridine-rich elements in splice-deleted 3' untranslated region of zeta-chain. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 177:8248-57. [PMID: 17114503 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.11.8248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) T cells display reduced expression of TCR zeta protein. Recently, we reported that in SLE T cells, the residual TCR zeta protein is predominantly derived from an alternatively spliced form that undergoes splice deletion of 562 nt (from 672 to 1233 bases) within the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of TCR zeta mRNA. The stability and translation of the alternatively spliced form of TCR zeta mRNA are low compared with that of the wild-type TCR zeta mRNA. We report that two adenosine-uridine-rich sequence elements (AREs), defined by the splice-deleted 3' UTR region, but not an ARE located upstream are responsible for securing TCR zeta mRNA stability and translation. The stabilizing effect of the splice-deleted region-defined AREs extended to the luciferase mRNA and was not cell type-specific. The findings demonstrate distinct sequences within the splice-deleted region 672 to 1233 of the 3' UTR, which regulate the transcription, mRNA stability, and translation of TCR zeta mRNA. The absence of these sequences represents a molecular mechanism that contributes to altered TCR zeta-chain expression in lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhabadeb Chowdhury
- Department of Cellular Injury, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
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33
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Fairhurst AM, Wandstrat AE, Wakeland EK. Systemic lupus erythematosus: multiple immunological phenotypes in a complex genetic disease. Adv Immunol 2006; 92:1-69. [PMID: 17145301 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2776(06)92001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex polygenic autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANAs) that are often detectable years prior to the onset of clinical disease. The disease is associated with a chronic activation of the immune system, with the most severe forms progressing to inflammatory damage that can impact multiple organ systems in afflicted individuals. Current therapeutic strategies poorly control disease manifestations and are generally immunosuppressive. Recent studies in human patient populations and animal models have associated elements of the innate immune system and abnormalities in the immature B lymphocyte receptor repertoires with disease initiation. A variety of cytokines, most notably type I interferons, play important roles in disease pathogenesis and effector mechanisms. The genetic basis for disease susceptibility is complex, and analyses in humans and mice have identified multiple susceptibility loci, several of which are located in genomic regions that are syntenic between humans and mice. The complexities of the genetic interactions that mediate lupus have been investigated in murine model systems by characterizing the progressive development of disease in strains expressing various combinations of susceptibility alleles. These analyses indicate that genetic epistasis dramatically impact disease development and support the feasibility of identifying molecular pathways that can suppress disease progression without completely impairing normal immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Marie Fairhurst
- Center for Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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34
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Tsuzaka K, Nozaki K, Kumazawa C, Shiraishi K, Setoyama Y, Yoshimoto K, Abe T, Takeuchi T. TCRzeta mRNA splice variant forms observed in the peripheral blood T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 28:185-93. [PMID: 16953440 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-006-0035-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2006] [Accepted: 06/01/2006] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. Tyrosine phosphorylation and protein expression of the T-cell receptor zeta chain (zeta) have been reported to be significantly decreased in SLE T cells. In addition, zeta mRNA with alternatively spliced 3' untranslated region (zetamRNA/as-3'UTR) is detected predominantly in SLE T cells, and aberrant zeta mRNA accompanied by the mutations in the open reading frame including zeta mRNA lacking exon7 (zetamRNA/exon7-) is observed in SLE T cells. These zeta mRNA splice variant forms exhibit a reduction in the expression of TCR/CD3 complex and zeta protein on their cell surface due to the instability of zeta mRNA splice variant forms as well as the reduction in interleukin (IL)-2 production after stimulating with anti-CD3 antibody. Data from cDNA microarray showed that 36 genes encoding cytokines and chemokines, including IL-2, IL-15, IL-18, and TGF-beta2, were down-regulated in the MA5.8 cells transfected with the zeta mRNA splice variant forms. Another 16 genes were up-regulated and included genes associated with membranous proteins and cell damage granules, including the genes encoding poliovirus-receptor-related 2, syndecan-1, and granzyme A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensei Tsuzaka
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, 1981 Kamoda, Kawagoe, Saitama, 350-8550, Japan.
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35
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Abstract
Susceptibility to the autoimmune phenotype of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is heritable. Linkage analysis and recent advances in the field of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have resulted in the identification of several genetic loci and functional allelic variants of signaling proteins which have become the mainstay of understanding disease susceptibility and exploring the basis of autoimmunity in SLE. However, genetic heterogeneity and possible epistatic interactions among genetic elements have precluded replication of these findings in multiple population groups and thus complicated their interpretation. In this regard, the discovery that a plethora of normal signaling proteins are expressed in abnormal amounts in immune cells from patients with SLE has gained significance. Thus, the key to precise elucidation of the pathologic basis of autoimmunity in SLE lies in tying genetics and disease biology. This review highlights recent discoveries of important functional genetic variants and altered expression of normal signaling proteins that network together to disrupt peripheral tolerance and initiate the autoimmune process in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Krishnan
- Department of Cellular Injury, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
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36
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Tsuzaka K, Nozaki K, Kumazawa C, Shiraishi K, Setoyama Y, Yoshimoto K, Suzuki K, Abe T, Takeuchi T. DNA microarray gene expression profile of T cells with the splice variants of TCRzeta mRNA observed in systemic lupus erythematosus. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 176:949-56. [PMID: 16393980 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.2.949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have reported that the TCRzeta mRNA with alternatively spliced 3' UTR (zeta mRNA/as-3'-untranslated region (UTR)) and zeta mRNA lacking exon 7 (zeta mRNA/exon 7-) observed in systemic lupus erythematosus patient T cells can lead to down-regulation of both zeta and TCR/CD3 complexes. To determine whether these T cells expressing decreased zeta exhibit differential transcription patterns, we transfected retrovirus vectors containing wild-type zeta cDNA, zeta cDNA/as-3' UTR, and zeta cDNA/exon 7- into murine T cell hybridoma MA5.8 cells which lack zeta expression to construct the MA5.8 mutants WT, AS3' UTR, and EX7-, respectively. FACS analyses demonstrated reduced cell surface expression of zeta and TCR/CD3 complexes on the AS3' UTR mutant and the EX7- mutant in comparison to that on the WT mutant. Total RNA was collected after stimulating the MA5.8 mutants with anti-CD3 Ab. Reverse-transcribed cDNA was applied to the mouse cDNA microarray containing 8691 genes, and the results were confirmed by real-time PCR. The results showed that 36 genes encoding cytokines and chemokines, including IL-2, IL-15, IL-18, and TGF-beta2, were down-regulated in both the AS3' UTR mutant and the EX7- mutant. Another 16 genes were up-regulated in both, and included genes associated with membranous proteins and cell damage granules, including the genes encoding poliovirus receptor-related 2, syndecan-1, and granzyme A. Increased protein expression of these genes was confirmed by Western blot and FACS analyses. Identification of these responsive genes in T cells in which the zeta and TCR/CD3 complexes were down-regulated may help to better understand the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensei Tsuzaka
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical School, Saitama, Japan.
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37
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Lopez-Santalla M, Krishnan S, Valeri AP, Aguilera-Montilla N, Fisher CU, Perez-Blas M, Gutierrez-Calvo A, Lasa I, Granell-Vicent J, Tsokos GC, Martin-Villa JM. Defective CD3ζ chain expression in Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS)-derived T-cell lines in gastric adenocarcinoma. Cell Immunol 2005; 238:113-22. [PMID: 16616055 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2006.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2006] [Revised: 02/27/2006] [Accepted: 02/27/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Low expression of the CD3zeta chain has been reported in patients with cancer and it has been suggested that tumor-derived factors are involved in its downregulation. The expression of CD3zeta chain was measured in T-cell lines from patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and healthy volunteers and grown in vitro for several months and, hence, in the absence of any tumor-derived factors. T-cell lines of mucosal origin were obtained by Herpesvirus saimiri transformation from gastric cancer patients. The expression of CD3zeta and CD3epsilon was measured by flow cytometry and Western-blot analysis. Calcium mobilization and apoptosis rate were also measured. The levels of CD3zeta, but not CD3epsilon, chain on the cell surface were significantly reduced in T-cell lines derived from patients with gastric cancer when cultured in the absence of IL-2. Western-blot analysis of total cell extracts or lipid raft fractions confirmed this finding. Calcium mobilization, a measure of signal transduction, was reduced in T cell lines from patients with gastric cancer. We conclude that T cells from patients with cancer express lower levels of CD3zeta. This downregulation is not caused by a direct effect of tumor-derived factors but, rather, it appears to be inherent to the patient cells. The low CD3zeta expression would render T lymphocytes unable to control the growth of tumor cells.
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38
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Abstract
Susceptibility to lupus nephritis is the end-result of complex interactions between polymorphic genetic factors involved in the regulation of immune responses. In humans, genome-wide screens and candidate-gene analyses led to the identification of several loci containing potential targets (FcgammaRIIa, PTPN22, PD-1, IL-10) for physiopathological research and therapeutic interventions. In mice, the generation of congenic mice, bearing in a normal genetic background one single disease-associated locus, greatly improved our understanding of the mechanisms mediating the genetic contribution to the disease. In the future, the identification of disease-associated genes will open new perspectives for the development of more targeted therapies of lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Lauwerys
- Service de Rhumatologie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium.
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39
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Tsuzaka K, Setoyama Y, Yoshimoto K, Shiraishi K, Suzuki K, Abe T, Takeuchi T. A splice variant of the TCR zeta mRNA lacking exon 7 leads to the down-regulation of TCR zeta, the TCR/CD3 complex, and IL-2 production in systemic lupus erythematosus T cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 174:3518-25. [PMID: 15749888 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.6.3518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The reduction or absence of TCR zeta-chain (zeta) expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is thought to be a factor in the pathogenesis of SLE. We previously reported a splice variant of zeta mRNA that lacks the 36-bp exon 7 (zeta mRNA/exon 7(-)) and is accompanied by the down-regulation of zeta protein in T cells from SLE patients. In this study, we show that EX7- mutants (MA5.8 cells deficient in zeta protein that have been transfected with zeta mRNA/exon 7(-)) exhibit a reduction in the expression of TCR/CD3 complex and zeta protein on their cell surface as well as a reduction in the production of IL-2 after stimulation with anti-CD3 Ab, compared with that in wild-type (WT) mutants (MA5.8 cells transfected with the WT zeta mRNA). Furthermore, real-time PCR analyses demonstrated that zeta mRNA/exon 7(-) in EX7- mutants was easily degraded compared with zeta mRNA by the WT mutants. Pulse-chase experiment showed zeta protein produced by this EX7- mutants was more rapidly decreased compared with the WT mutants. Thus, the lower stability of zeta mRNA/exon 7(-) might also be responsible for the reduced expression of the TCR/CD3 complex, including zeta protein, in SLE T cells.
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MESH Headings
- Alternative Splicing
- Animals
- Cell Line
- Down-Regulation
- Exons
- Humans
- Hybridomas
- Interleukin-2/biosynthesis
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Mice
- RNA Stability
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensei Tsuzaka
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical School, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan.
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40
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Chowdhury B, Tsokos CG, Krishnan S, Robertson J, Fisher CU, Warke RG, Warke VG, Nambiar MP, Tsokos GC. Decreased stability and translation of T cell receptor zeta mRNA with an alternatively spliced 3'-untranslated region contribute to zeta chain down-regulation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:18959-66. [PMID: 15743765 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m501048200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms involved in the aberrant expression of T cell receptor (TCR) zeta chain of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are not known. Previously we demonstrated that although normal T cells express high levels of TCR zeta mRNA with wild-type (WT) 3' untranslated region (3' UTR), systemic lupus erythematosus T cells display significantly high levels of TCR zeta mRNA with the alternatively spliced (AS) 3' UTR form, which is derived by splice deletion of nucleotides 672-1233 of the TCR zeta transcript. Here we report that the stability of TCR zeta mRNA with an AS 3' UTR is low compared with TCR zeta mRNA with WT 3' UTR. AS 3' UTR, but not WT 3' UTR, conferred similar instability to the luciferase gene. Immunoblotting of cell lysates derived from transfected COS-7 cells demonstrated that TCR zeta with AS 3' UTR produced low amounts of 16-kDa protein. In vitro transcription and translation also produced low amounts of protein from TCR zeta with AS 3' UTR. Taken together our findings suggest that nucleotides 672-1233 bp of TCR zeta 3' UTR play a critical role in its stability and also have elements required for the translational regulation of TCR zeta chain expression in human T cells.
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MESH Headings
- 3' Untranslated Regions
- Alternative Splicing
- Animals
- COS Cells
- Cloning, Molecular
- DNA Primers/chemistry
- Densitometry
- Down-Regulation
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Genes, Reporter
- Humans
- Immunoblotting
- Jurkat Cells
- Luciferases/metabolism
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism
- Membrane Proteins/chemistry
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Protein Biosynthesis
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Time Factors
- Transcription, Genetic
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhabadeb Chowdhury
- Department of Cellular Injury, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-7500, USA
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41
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Tsuzaka K, Fukuhara I, Setoyama Y, Yoshimoto K, Suzuki K, Abe T, Takeuchi T. TCR zeta mRNA with an alternatively spliced 3'-untranslated region detected in systemic lupus erythematosus patients leads to the down-regulation of TCR zeta and TCR/CD3 complex. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2003; 171:2496-503. [PMID: 12928398 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.5.2496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The reduction or absence of TCR zeta-chain (zeta) expression in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is thought to be related to the pathogenesis of SLE. Recently, we reported the predominant expression of zeta mRNA containing an alternatively spliced 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR; zetamRNA/as-3'UTR) and a reduction in the expression of zeta mRNA containing the wild-type 3'UTR (zetamRNA/w-3'UTR) in T cells from SLE patients. Here we show that AS3'UTR mutants (MA5.8 cells deficient in zeta protein that have been transfected with zetamRNA/as-3'UTR) exhibit a reduction in the expression of TCR/CD3 complex and zeta protein on their cell surface as well as a reduction in the production of IL-2 after stimulation with anti-CD3 Ab compared with that in wild-type 3'UTR mutants (MA5.8 cells transfected with zetamRNA/w-3'UTR). Furthermore, the real-time PCR analyses demonstrated that the half-life of zetamRNA/as-3'UTR in AS3'UTR mutants (3 h) was much shorter than that of zetamRNA/w-3'UTR in wild-type 3'UTR mutants (15 h). Thus, the lower stability of zetamRNA/as-3'UTR, which is predominant in SLE T cells, may be responsible for the reduced expression of the TCR/CD3 complex, including zeta protein, in SLE T cells.
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MESH Headings
- 3' Untranslated Regions/antagonists & inhibitors
- 3' Untranslated Regions/biosynthesis
- 3' Untranslated Regions/physiology
- 3T3 Cells
- Alternative Splicing/physiology
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Membrane/genetics
- Cell Membrane/immunology
- Cell Membrane/metabolism
- Down-Regulation/genetics
- Down-Regulation/immunology
- Humans
- Interleukin-2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Interleukin-2/biosynthesis
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism
- Membrane Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Membrane Proteins/biosynthesis
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Mice
- RNA Stability/genetics
- RNA Stability/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/antagonists & inhibitors
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/physiology
- Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Sequence Deletion
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensei Tsuzaka
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical School, Kamoda 1981, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-8550, Japan.
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42
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Nambiar MP, Mitchell JP, Ceruti RP, Malloy MA, Tsokos GC. Prevalence of T cell receptor zeta chain deficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2003; 12:46-51. [PMID: 12587826 DOI: 10.1191/0961203303lu281oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) display antigen receptor-mediated signaling aberrations associated with defective T cell receptor (TCR) zeta chain expression. We determined the prevalence of TCR zeta chain deficiency in SLE from a large cohort of unselected racially diverse patients with different levels of clinical disease activity as determined by SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Our data show that the occurrence of TCR zeta chain deficiency is 78% in SLE patients. There was no relationship between the deficiency of TCR zeta chain and the SLEDAI scores or theapy. TCR zeta chain deficiency was also not associated with age, race or gender and persisted over a 3 year follow-up period. Thus, there is a high prevalence of TCR zeta chain deficiency in SLE patients that is independent of disease activity, and persists over time indicating an important role for TCR zeta chain deficiency in SLE pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Nambiar
- Department of Cellular Injury, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-7500, USA
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43
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Hviid TVF, Hylenius S, Rørbye C, Nielsen LG. HLA-G allelic variants are associated with differences in the HLA-G mRNA isoform profile and HLA-G mRNA levels. Immunogenetics 2003; 55:63-79. [PMID: 12712263 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-003-0547-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2002] [Revised: 01/22/2003] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the human extra-villous trophoblast in the contact zone between maternal and fetal tissue in the placenta does not express the classical MHC class I and II molecules. Instead, HLA-G and -C, and possibly HLA-E, are expressed. HLA-G may modulate the immunological relationship between mother and fetus in several ways. Finally, the expression of membrane-bound HLA-G and soluble HLA-G has been proposed to influence the outcome of pregnancy, and an aberrant HLA-G expression in pre-eclamptic placentas and spontaneous abortions has been reported. Here, an association between certain HLA-G polymorphisms and the mRNA levels of the different alternatively spliced HLA-G isoforms in first trimester trophoblast cell populations is reported. Several alternatively spliced HLA-G mRNA isoforms, including a 14-bp polymorphism in the 3'UTR end (exon 8) of the HLA-G gene, are expressed at a significantly lower level than the corresponding HLA-G mRNA isoforms with the 14-bp sequence deleted. Furthermore, characteristic HLA-G mRNA isoform expression patterns were associated with specific HLA-G genotypes and alleles. In the HLA-G*01012 and - G*01013 alleles that include the 14-bp sequence, an additional alternative splicing was observed, with the first 92-bp of exon 8 spliced out. This was most pronounced in HLA-G genotypes with G*01013. These findings may have functional implications for the recent reports of aberrant HLA-G expression and reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Vauvert F Hviid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, H:S Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, 30 Kettegaard Allé, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark.
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44
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Tsokos GC, Nambiar MP, Juang YT. Activation of the Ets transcription factor Elf-1 requires phosphorylation and glycosylation: defective expression of activated Elf-1 is involved in the decreased TCR zeta chain gene expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2003; 987:240-5. [PMID: 12727645 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb06054.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Elf-1, a member of the Ets transcription factor family with an estimated molecular mass of 68 kDa, is involved in the transcriptional regulation of several hematopoietic cell genes. It is shown that following O-GlcNAc glycosylation and phosphorylation by PKC theta, the cytoplasm-located, 80-kDa Elf-1 translocates to the nucleus as a 98-kDa protein. In the nucleus, Elf-1 binds to the promoter of the TCR zeta gene and promotes its transcription in Jurkat and fresh human T cells. It is also shown that in the majority of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), who are known to express decreased levels of T cell receptor (TCR) zeta chain and mRNA, the 80-kDa Elf-1 protein does not undergo proper post-transcriptional modification, which results in low levels of the 98-kDa protein, lack of Elf-binding to the TCR zeta promoter, and decreased gene transcription. Therefore, a novel activation pathway for a member of the Ets family of transcription factors, which is defective in patients with systemic autoimmunity, has been revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C Tsokos
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA.
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45
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Nambiar MP, Warke VG, Fisher CU, Tsokos GC. Effect of trichostatin A on human T cells resembles signaling abnormalities in T cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a new mechanism for TCR zeta chain deficiency and abnormal signaling. J Cell Biochem 2002; 85:459-69. [PMID: 11967985 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.10160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Trichostatin A (TSA) is a potent reversible inhibitor of histone deacetylase, and it has been reported to have variable effects on the expression of a number of genes. In this report, we show that TSA suppresses the expression of the T cell receptor zeta chain gene, whereas, it upregulates the expression if its homologous gene Fc(epsilon) receptor I gamma chain. These effects are associated with decreased intracytoplasmic-free calcium responses and altered tyrosine phosphorylation pattern of cytosolic proteins. Along with these effects, we report that TSA suppresses the expression of the interleukin-2 gene. The effects of TSA on human T cells are predominantly immunosuppressive and reminiscent of the signaling aberrations that have been described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- CD3 Complex/drug effects
- CD3 Complex/metabolism
- Calcium Signaling
- Cells, Cultured
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Ephrin-A2/drug effects
- Ephrin-A2/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Humans
- Hydroxamic Acids/pharmacology
- Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacology
- Interleukin-2/genetics
- Interleukin-2/metabolism
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology
- Membrane Proteins/deficiency
- Membrane Proteins/drug effects
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/deficiency
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/drug effects
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, IgE/drug effects
- Receptors, IgE/genetics
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Time Factors
- Tyrosine/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhusoodana P Nambiar
- Department of Cellular Injury, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Building 503, Robert Grant Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-7500, USA
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46
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Juang YT, Tenbrock K, Nambiar MP, Gourley MF, Tsokos GC. Defective production of functional 98-kDa form of Elf-1 is responsible for the decreased expression of TCR zeta-chain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2002; 169:6048-55. [PMID: 12421992 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.169.10.6048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the prototypic autoimmune disease, is characterized by defective expression of TCR zeta-chain. Elf-1 (E-74-like factor) is a member of the Ets (E-26-specific) family and is crucial for the basal transcription of TCR zeta-chain in Jurkat cells. We previously demonstrated that Elf-1 exists in the cytoplasm mainly as 80-kDa form and after phosphorylation and O-glycosylation it moves to the nucleus as a 98-kDa which binds DNA. We now demonstrate that Elf-1 is crucial for the transactivation of TCR zeta-chain promoter in normal and SLE T cells. Defective expression of TCR zeta-chain in SLE T cells is associated with two distinct molecular defects in the generation of the 98-kDa DNA binding Elf-1 form. In the first, the levels of the 98-kDa form were either decreased or absent. In the second, the apparent levels of the nuclear Elf-1 form were normal but included only two of the three bands into which the nuclear Elf-1 form separated in isoelectric focusing gels. Because both the transcription and the translation processes of Elf-1 gene are normal in SLE T cells, our data demonstrate that abnormal posttranslational mechanisms of the Elf-1 protein result in defective expression of functional Elf-1, and consequently, the transcriptional defect of TCR zeta-chain in patients of SLE.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- DNA-Binding Proteins/deficiency
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Down-Regulation/genetics
- Down-Regulation/immunology
- Ephrin-A2/biosynthesis
- Ephrin-A2/deficiency
- Ephrin-A2/metabolism
- Ephrin-A2/physiology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation/immunology
- Humans
- Isoelectric Point
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology
- Male
- Membrane Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Membrane Proteins/biosynthesis
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Weight
- Nuclear Proteins/biosynthesis
- Nuclear Proteins/deficiency
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/immunology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/biosynthesis
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/deficiency
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/physiology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
- RNA, Messenger/antagonists & inhibitors
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/pathology
- Transcription Factors/biosynthesis
- Transcription Factors/deficiency
- Transcription Factors/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuang-Taung Juang
- Department of Cellular Injury, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
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47
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Laxminarayana D, Khan IU, Kammer G. Transcript mutations of the alpha regulatory subunit of protein kinase A and up-regulation of the RNA-editing gene transcript in lupus T lymphocytes. Lancet 2002; 360:842-9. [PMID: 12243919 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(02)09966-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by diverse dysfunctions of immune effector cells, including proliferation and cytotoxicity. In T cells from patients with SLE, activity of type 1 protein kinase A isozymes is greatly reduced because of decreased expression of the alpha and beta regulatory subunits (RI alpha and RI beta). We aimed to identify a molecular mechanism or mechanisms for this isozyme deficiency by assessing occurrence of mutations in transcripts of the RI alpha subunit in patients with SLE. METHODS We cloned and sequenced cDNA of RI alpha and corresponding genomic DNA of the coding region to detect sequence changes from eight patients with SLE and six healthy controls. Because transcript editing is regulated by adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADAR), we quantified expression of ADAR1 transcripts in SLE and control T cells by competitive PCR. FINDINGS Sequence analyses of cDNA showed heterogeneous transcript mutations, including deletions, transitions, and transversions. We identified 1.22 x 10(-3)/bp transcript mutations in SLE T cells-a frequency 7.5 times higher than that in control T cells. By contrast, we identified no genomic mutations. Two hotspots were identified in the RI alpha subunit transcripts from SLE T cells, one located adjacent to a pseudosubstrate site of the RI alpha subunit and the other a component of the cAMP binding A domain. ADAR1 mRNA content was 3.5 times higher in SLE cells than in control T cells (p=0.001). INTERPRETATION An RNA-editing enzyme could be converting adenosine to inosine within double-stranded regions of RNA, resulting in transcript mutations. This process could be one mechanism resulting in mutations in the RI alpha subunit of type 1 protein kinase A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dama Laxminarayana
- Section on Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
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Kammer GM, Perl A, Richardson BC, Tsokos GC. Abnormal T cell signal transduction in systemic lupus erythematosus. ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM 2002; 46:1139-54. [PMID: 12115215 DOI: 10.1002/art.10192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gary M Kammer
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
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Nambiar MP, Enyedy EJ, Fisher CU, Krishnan S, Warke VG, Gilliland WR, Oglesby RJ, Tsokos GC. Abnormal expression of various molecular forms and distribution of T cell receptor zeta chain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM 2002; 46:163-74. [PMID: 11817588 DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(200201)46:1<163::aid-art10065>3.0.co;2-j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE T cells from the majority of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) display antigen receptor-mediated signaling aberrations associated with defective T cell receptor (TCR) zeta chain expression. The TCR zeta chain, a critical signaling molecule, exists in multiple molecular forms and membrane fractions with distinct functions in antigen-mediated signaling processes. This study was undertaken to investigate the complete spectrum of expression of the different forms and distribution of the TCR zeta chain in SLE T cells. METHODS T cells were isolated from 48 SLE patients and 21 healthy subjects. The expression of various forms of the TCR zeta chain was investigated by immunoblotting with specific antibodies. The lipid raft-associated form of the zeta chain was determined by quantitating the solubilized zeta chain after disruption of the lipid rafts by cholesterol depletion using methyl-betacyclodextrin. The distribution of the zeta chain was investigated by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS The phosphorylated 21- and 23-kd forms and the detergent-insoluble membrane-associated form of the TCR zeta chain and alternatively spliced zeta chain were significantly decreased in SLE T cells. In contrast, major ubiquitinated forms of the zeta chain were increased in these cells. We also identified up-regulation of a novel 14-kd form of the zeta chain in SLE T cells. Resting SLE T cell membranes had an increased percentage of the residual membrane-bound zeta chain in the lipid rafts. Fluorescence microscopy findings indicated that the residual zeta chain is more clustered on the cell membranes of SLE T cells. CONCLUSION These results suggest that, in addition to the 16-kd form, expression of other molecular forms and fractions of the TCR zeta chain as well as its membrane distribution are abnormal in SLE T cells. Increased lipid raft association and surface clustering of the zeta chain may explain the molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling abnormalities in these cells.
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