Genomic cloning and structural analysis of the murine polymeric receptor (pIgR) gene and promoter region

The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor: bridging innate and adaptive immune responses at mucosal surfaces

Secretory antibodies of the immunoglobulin A (IgA) class form the first line of antigen-specific immune protection against inhaled, ingested, and sexually transmitted pathogens and antigens at mucosal surfaces. Epithelial transcytosis of polymeric IgA (pIgA) is mediated by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). At the apical surface, the extracellular ligand-binding region of pIgR, known as secretory component (SC), is cleaved and released in free form or as a component of secretory IgA (SIgA). SC has innate anti-microbial properties, and it protects SIgA from proteolytic degradation. Expression of pIgR is regulated by microbial products through Toll-like receptor signaling and by host factors such as cytokines and hormones. Recent studies of the structure of the extracellular ligand-binding domain of pIgR have revealed mechanisms by which it binds pIgA and other ligands. During transcytosis, pIgA has been shown to neutralize pathogens and antigens within intracellular vesicular compartments. The recent identification of disease-associated polymorphisms in human pIgR near the cleavage site may help to unravel the mystery of how pIgR is cleaved to SC. The identification of novel functions for SC and SIgA has expanded our view of the immunobiology of pIgR, a key component of the mucosal immune system that bridges innate and adaptive immune defense.

A functional polymeric immunoglobulin receptor in chicken (Gallus gallus) indicates ancient role of secretory IgA in mucosal immunity

Animals are continuously threatened by pathogens entering the body through natural openings. Here we show that in chicken ( Gallus gallus ), secretory IgA (sIgA) protects the epithelia lining these natural cavities. A gene encoding a chicken polymeric Ig receptor ( GG-pIgR ), a key component of sIgA, was identified, and shown to be expressed in the liver, intestine and bursa of Fabricius. All motifs involved in pIgR function are present, with a highly conserved Ig-binding motif in the first Ig-like domain. Physical association of GG-pIgR with pIgA in bile and intestine demonstrates that this protein is a functional receptor. Thus, as shown for mammals, this receptor interacts with J-chain-containing polymeric IgA (pIgA) at the basolateral epithelial cell surface resulting in transcytosis and subsequent cleavage of the pIgR, releasing sIgA in the mucosal lumen. Interestingly, the extracellular portion of GG-pIgR protein comprises only four Ig-like domains, in contrast with the five domain structure found in mammalian pIgR genes. The second Ig-like domain of mammalian pIgR does not have an orthologous domain in the chicken gene. The presence of pIgR in chicken suggests that this gene has evolved before the divergence of birds and reptiles, indicating that secretory Igs may have a prominent role in first line defence in various non-mammalian species.

Characterization of the rat intestinal Fc receptor (FcRn) promoter: transcriptional regulation of FcRn gene by the Sp family of transcription factors

The regulatory elements that control the transcriptional regulation of the intestinal Fc receptor (FcRn) have not been elucidated. The objective of this study was to characterize the core promoter region of the rat FcRn gene. Chimeric clones that contained various regions of the promoter located upstream of the luciferase reporter were transiently transfected into either IEC-6 or Caco-2 cell lines and nuclear extracts were used to perform DNase I footprint and DNA binding assays (EMSA). Transfection of chimeric upstream nested deletions-luciferase reporter clones into either of these cell lines supported robust reporter activity and identified the location of the minimal promoter at -157/+135. DNase I footprint analysis revealed two complexes located within the gene's core promoter region, and site-directed mutagenesis identified two regions that were critical to maintain basal expression. EMSA identified the presence of five Sp elements within the immediate promoter region that are capable of binding members of the Sp family of proteins. Among the five Sp elements, one element appears to not bind Sp1, Sp2, or Sp3 while influencing the interaction of Sp proteins with an adjacent Sp site. Overexpression of either Sp1 or Sp3 augments activity of the minimal promoter in Sp-deficient Drosophila SL2 cells. In summary, we report on the characterization of the rat FcRn minimal promoter, including the characterization of five Sp elements within this region that interact with members of the Sp family of transcriptional factors and drive promoter activity in intestinal cell lines.

Upstream stimulatory factor but not c-Myc enhances transcription of the human polymeric immunoglobulin receptor gene

Secretory antibodies protect mucosal surfaces from ingested, inhaled and sexually transmitted pathogens. The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) transports antibodies across mucosal epithelia into external secretions. We and others have identified a region of the human polymeric immunoglobulin receptor gene (locus PIGR) that is sufficient for basal transcriptional activity. An E-Box motif, which binds transcription factors of the basic helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper (bHLH/zip) family, was identified as a major regulatory element in the PIGR gene promoter. Transient transfection of PIGR promoter reporter plasmids in intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines suggested that the transcription factors upstream stimulatory factor (USF) and c-Myc may exert opposing effects on PIGR promoter activity. Mutations within and flanking the E-Box that favored USF binding enhanced promoter activity, while mutations that favored c-Myc binding reduced promoter activity. Ectopic expression of USF1 or USF2 enhanced PIGR promoter activity, while exogenous c-Myc did not. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated that USF1 and USF2 bound to the E-Box motif as homo- and heterodimers. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) demonstrated that USF proteins bind the PIGR promoter in vivo, which is enriched in acetylated histones. E-Box motifs are commonly observed in promoters of genes that are highly expressed in the human colon. Genes that are down-regulated in colorectal cancer, including PIGR, frequently have non-canonical E-Boxes, while genes that are up-regulated in colorectal cancer generally have canonical E-Boxes. The results of our experiments may shed light on the mechanisms of dysregulated expression of pIgR in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, diseases associated with aberrant expression of c-Myc.

Transcriptional regulation of the human polymeric Ig receptor gene: analysis of basal promoter elements

Secretory Igs provide the first line of adaptive immune defense against ingested, inhaled, and sexually transmitted pathogens at mucosal surfaces. The polymeric Ig receptor regulates transport of dimeric IgA and pentameric IgM into external secretions. The level of expression of polymeric Ig receptor is controlled to a large extent by transcription of the PIGR gene in mucosal epithelial cells. Here we present a detailed analysis of the promoter of the PIGR gene by transient transfection of luciferase reporter plasmids into cultured cell lines. Comparisons of the human and mouse PIGR promoters in human and mouse intestinal and liver cell lines demonstrated that the human PIGR promoter was 4- to 5-fold more active than the mouse PIGR promoter in all cell types, and that both the human and mouse PIGR promoters were more active in intestinal than in liver cell lines. Targeted deletions of 22-bp segments of the human PIGR promoter revealed that the region from nt -63 to -84 is crucial for basal transcription, and that two upstream regions can act as positive or negative regulators. Point mutations within the region from nt -63 to -84 demonstrated that an E box motif, which binds the basic helix-loop-helix protein upstream stimulatory factor, is required for PIGR promoter activity. Two additional regulatory motifs were identified in the proximal promoter region: a binding site for AP2, and an inverted repeat motif that binds an unidentified protein. These findings suggest that cooperative binding of multiple transcription factors regulates basal activity of the human PIGR promoter.

Multiple transcription factors in 5'-flanking region of human polymeric Ig receptor control its basal expression

The polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) is a critical component of the mucosal immune system and is expressed in largest amounts in the small intestine. In this study, we describe the initial characterization of the core promoter region of this gene. Expression of chimeric promoter-reporter constructs was supported in Caco-2 and HT-29 cells, and DNase I footprint analysis revealed a large protein complex within the core promoter region. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments determined that elements within this region serve to either augment or repress basal activity of the human pIgR promoter. Band shift assays of overlapping oligonucleotides within the core promoter identified eight distinct complexes; the abundance of most complexes was enhanced in post-confluent cells. In summary, we report the characterization of the human pIgR promoter and the essential role that eight different nuclear complexes have in controlling basal expression of this gene in Caco-2 cells.

A novel NF-kappa B/Rel site in intron 1 cooperates with proximal promoter elements to mediate TNF-alpha-induced transcription of the human polymeric Ig receptor

Secretory Abs constitute the first line of specific immune defense at mucosal surfaces. Such Abs are generated by the active transport of polymeric Ig (pIg) across secretory epithelia mediated by the pIgR, also known as transmembrane secretory component (SC). The proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha is a key mediator of host responses to infections, and it can stimulate protein synthesis-dependent transcriptional up-regulation of pIgR/SC in the HT-29 intestinal adenocarcinoma cell line. By reporter gene assay we identified a novel TNF-alpha-responsive region located within a 748-bp fragment in intron 1 of the human pIgR/SC gene which depended on an NF-kappaB/Rel site for full responsiveness. EMSAs demonstrated preferential binding of the NF-kappaB/Rel family member p65 (RelA) to this DNA element after TNF-alpha stimulation, with weaker and more delayed binding of p50. Furthermore, the TNF-alpha-responsive region in intron 1 required cooperation with DNA elements located in the proximal promoter region of the gene. Mutational analysis demonstrated that an IFN-stimulated response element near the transcriptional start site in exon 1 was involved in the TNF-alpha responsiveness. Thus, DNA elements located >4 kb apart were found to cooperate in TNF-alpha-induced pIgR/SC up-regulation. The intronic TNF-alpha-responsive enhancer overlapped with a recently identified IL-4-responsive enhancer. Several intronic DNA elements found to be functionally important in the human gene are highly conserved between the human and mouse pIgR/SC genes, suggesting the presence of a conserved cytokine-responsive enhancer region.

Tissue-specific androgen responses in primary cultures of lacrimal epithelial cells studied by adenoviral gene transfer

The lacrimal gland secretes most of the water and many proteins present in tear fluid. The composition of the tear fluid is affected dramatically by androgens, an observation which has been linked to the fact that more than 90% of the patients with Sjögren syndrome are female. Although the presence of androgen receptors in the lacrimal gland has been established, the molecular biology of the protective effects of androgens remains largely unknown. Here, we report the use of primary cultures of the lacrimal gland which express endogenous proteins under androgen control, as a more homologous test system for tissue-specific transcription studies. Infection with recombinant adenoviral vectors was the most efficient method to introduce foreign gene constructs in these cultures. A thus introduced mouse mammary tumor virus promoter was inducible with androgens and this effect was independent of the sexual genotype of the infected cells. By use of two recombinant adenoviral vectors containing genomic fragments of the SC gene, which is androgen responsive in the lacrimal gland, we could demonstrate the functionality of the sc promoter as well as its androgen regulation in this culture system.

Mechanism of IL-4-mediated up-regulation of the polymeric Ig receptor: role of STAT6 in cell type-specific delayed transcriptional response

The polymeric IgR (pIgR) mediates transport of dimeric IgA and pentameric IgM across mucosal epithelia, thereby generating secretory Abs. Its expression is up-regulated at the transcriptional level by IL-4 in HT-29 cells. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-4 mediates up-regulation of human pIgR through a 554-bp IL-4-responsive enhancer in intron 1. Mutation of a binding site for STAT-6 within this region abolished IL-4-induced enhancement, while an adjacent putative C/EBP site was dispensable. IL-4 treatment induced binding of STAT6 to the intronic STAT6 site, but cooperation with nearby upstream and downstream DNA elements was required for IL-4 responsiveness. Furthermore, IL-4-mediated increased transcription of the pIgR-derived enhancer, like the endogenous pIgR gene, required de novo protein synthesis. Interestingly, a conditionally active form of STAT6 sufficed to activate a pIgR-derived enhancer in HT-29 cells, but not in Cos-1 cells, suggesting a requirement for cell type-specific factors. Thus, STAT6 activation mediates a delayed transcriptional enhancement of pIgR by induction of a de novo synthesized protein that cooperates with STAT6 itself bound to its cognate DNA element in intron 1. This mechanism may represent a general strategy for how pleiotropic cytokines elicit cell type-specific transcriptional responses.

Calorie restriction modulates Th-1 and Th-2 cytokine-induced immunoglobulin secretion in young and old C57BL/6 cultured submandibular glands

Immunoglobulin production by the salivary gland plays an important role in oral and upper respiratory tract immunity. Age and/or disease may compromise salivary gland function. In order to gain insight into the role of calorie restriction (CR) on immunoglobulin (Ig) production, we determined the effect of ad libitum (AL) feeding and CR in young (3 months) and old (18-24 months) C57BL/6 mouse submandibular glands (SM). The SM tissues were fragmented and cultured in the absence (control) or presence of either Th-1 cytokines, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), or Th-2 cytokines, e.g. IL-4 and IL-5, for seven days. Culture supernatants were then analyzed for immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, and IgG2a levels by ELISA. Aging increased basal (control) IgA and IgM production by 3.1-and 3.7-fold, respectively, in AL mice. CR prevented the age-dependent rise of both IgA and IgM, maintaining levels equal to those of young AL mice. Interestingly, age resulted in a decrease of Th-1 cytokine-induced IgA and IgM, and increased IgG2a secretion in AL mice, while Th-2 cytokines did not appear to have an age effect. In general, CR suppressed Ig production induced by both Th-1 and Th-2 cytokines in young mice. In contrast, CR in old mice resulted in enhanced IgA and IgM production to levels similar to those in their young counterparts, while IgG2a was predominantly suppressed by Th-1 and not Th-2 cytokines. The data presented herein show, for the first time, the ability of CR to offset age-induced changes in submandibular gland Ig production, which may play a role in maintaining mucosal immune function, including proper oral health.

Generation of Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor-Deficient Mouse with Marked Reduction of Secretory IgA

We generated mouse lacking exon 2 of polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) gene by a gene-targeting strategy (pIgR-deficient mouse; pIgR−/− mouse) to define the physiological role of pIgR in the transcytosis of Igs. pIgR−/− mice were born at the expected ratio from a cross between pIgR+/− mice, indicating that disruption of the pIgR gene in mice is not lethal. pIgR and secretory component proteins were not detected in pIgR−/− mice by Western blot analysis. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis showed that pIgR protein is not expressed in jejunal and colonic epithelial cells of pIgR−/− mice, whereas IgA+ cells are present in the intestinal mucosa of pIgR−/− mice as well as wild-type littermates. Disruption of the pIgR gene caused a remarkable increase in serum IgA concentration and a slight increment of serum IgG and IgE levels, leaving serum IgM level unaltered. In contrast, IgA was much reduced but not negligible in the bile, feces, and intestinal contents of pIgR−/− mice. Additionally, IgA with a molecular mass of 280 kDa preferentially accumulated in the serum of pIgR−/− mice, suggesting that transepithelial transport of dIgA is severely blocked in pIgR−/− mice. These results demonstrate that dIgA is mainly transported by pIgR on the epithelial cells of intestine and hepatocytes, but a small quantity of IgA may be secreted via other pathways.

The first exon of the human sc gene contains an androgen responsive unit and an interferon regulatory factor element

Secretory component (SC) plays a key role in the transport of IgA and IgM to the lumina of many glands. The gene is constitutively expressed, but can be modulated by hormonal and immunological stimuli. Recently, the promoter and the first exon of the human sc gene have been cloned. The first exon contains a putative androgen/glucocorticoid response element (ARE/GRE) and an Interferon Regulatory Factor Element (IRF-E). Here we show that the ARE/GRE can bind the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of both the androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) with a preference for the AR-DBD. In transient transfection experiments, this element confers higher responsiveness to androgens than to glucocorticoids. The IRF-E can function as an IRF-2, but surprisingly not as an IRF-I responsive element. We postulate that these two regulatory elements play a key role in the complex regulation of the sc gene in vivo.

Transcriptional control of the murine polymeric IgA receptor promoter by glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids have been implicated as an important regulator of intestinal epithelial cell ontogeny. The polymeric IgA receptor (pIgR) is expressed in the intestinal epithelial layer and is regulated by several mediators, including glucocorticoids. The mechanism of how corticosteroids alter the transcriptional regulation of pIgR expression has not been defined. In this study, we demonstrated that glucocorticoids upregulate steady-state pIgR mRNA levels in the proximal intestine of suckling rats and in the IEC-6 intestinal cell line. We performed functional analysis of the 5'-flanking region in the presence of glucocorticoids and its receptor using the intestinal cell line Caco-2. We screened 4.7 kb of the upstream region of the murine gene and identified the most potent steroid response element to reside between nt -215 and -163 relative to the start of transcription. Substitution mutation analysis of this region identified the location of the putative steroid response element to be between nt -195 and -176. In vitro DNase I footprint analysis using the recombinant glucocorticoid receptor DNA binding domain confirmed a single area of protection that spans the nt identified by mutagenesis analysis. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays of the putative element confirmed the binding of both recombinant and cell synthesized glucocorticoid receptor in a specific manner. In summary, we report the identification and characterization of the glucocorticoid-DNA response element located in the immediate 5'-upstream region of the murine pIgR gene.

Cutting Edge: Coordinate Regulation of IFN Regulatory Factor-1 and the Polymeric Ig Receptor by Proinflammatory Cytokines

The polymeric IgR (pIgR) mediates transcytosis of IgA across epithelial barriers of mucous membranes and exocrine glands. Synthesis of pIgR is up-regulated by the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1 in HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. We previously reported that IFN-γ and TNF-α induce production of the transcription factor IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) in HT-29 cells and that IRF-1 binds to an element in exon 1 of the PIGR gene. We now report that levels of IRF-1 and pIgR mRNA are coordinately regulated in HT-29 cells by TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in vivo expression of pIgR mRNA is greatly depressed in the intestine and liver of IRF-1-deficient mice. Our findings indicate a major role for the IRF-1 transcription factor in regulation of the PIGR gene and suggest a model for regulation of important genes in the mucosal immune system by proinflammatory cytokines.

Characterization of the 5'-flanking region of the murine polymeric IgA receptor gene

The regulatory elements that control basal and activated transcriptional expression of the polymeric IgA receptor gene (pIgR) have not been defined. In this study, we performed functional analysis of the murine pIgR 5'-upstream region. Transient transfection studies identified the gene's minimal promoter to reside within 110 nucleotides upstream from the start of transcription. Substitution mutations of this region identified both a putative activator (-78 to -70) and a repressor (-66 to -52) element. DNase I footprint analysis confirmed an area of protection that spans from nucleotides -85 to -62. Mobility shift assays of the putative region confirmed binding of upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF1) to an E box element at positions -75 and -70, representing the putative enhancer. Overexpression studies using various forms of USF suggest that both USF1 and USF2 enhance activity of the pIgR minimal promoter. We report the identification and characterization of the murine pIgR minimal promoter, as well as the critical role of USF in enhancing its basal level of transcription in Caco-2 cells.