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Mashayekhi K, Khazaie K, Faubion WA, Kim GB. Biomaterial-enhanced treg cell immunotherapy: A promising approach for transplant medicine and autoimmune disease treatment. Bioact Mater 2024; 37:269-298. [PMID: 38694761 PMCID: PMC11061617 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for preserving tolerance in the body, rendering Treg immunotherapy a promising treatment option for both organ transplants and autoimmune diseases. Presently, organ transplant recipients must undergo lifelong immunosuppression to prevent allograft rejection, while autoimmune disorders lack definitive cures. In the last years, there has been notable advancement in comprehending the biology of both antigen-specific and polyclonal Tregs. Clinical trials involving Tregs have demonstrated their safety and effectiveness. To maximize the efficacy of Treg immunotherapy, it is essential for these cells to migrate to specific target tissues, maintain stability within local organs, bolster their suppressive capabilities, and ensure their intended function's longevity. In pursuit of these goals, the utilization of biomaterials emerges as an attractive supportive strategy for Treg immunotherapy in addressing these challenges. As a result, the prospect of employing biomaterial-enhanced Treg immunotherapy holds tremendous promise as a treatment option for organ transplant recipients and individuals grappling with autoimmune diseases in the near future. This paper introduces strategies based on biomaterial-assisted Treg immunotherapy to enhance transplant medicine and autoimmune treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Mashayekhi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | | | - William A. Faubion
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Gloria B. Kim
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
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2
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Luan J, Truong C, Vuchkovska A, Guo W, Good J, Liu B, Gang A, Infarinato N, Stewart K, Polak L, Pasolli HA, Andretta E, Rudensky AY, Fuchs E, Miao Y. CD80 on skin stem cells promotes local expansion of regulatory T cells upon injury to orchestrate repair within an inflammatory environment. Immunity 2024; 57:1071-1086.e7. [PMID: 38677291 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Following tissue damage, epithelial stem cells (SCs) are mobilized to enter the wound, where they confront harsh inflammatory environments that can impede their ability to repair the injury. Here, we investigated the mechanisms that protect skin SCs within this inflammatory environment. Characterization of gene expression profiles of hair follicle SCs (HFSCs) that migrated into the wound site revealed activation of an immune-modulatory program, including expression of CD80, major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII), and CXC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5). Deletion of CD80 in HFSCs impaired re-epithelialization, reduced accumulation of peripherally generated Treg (pTreg) cells, and increased infiltration of neutrophils in wounded skin. Importantly, similar wound healing defects were also observed in mice lacking pTreg cells. Our findings suggest that upon skin injury, HFSCs establish a temporary protective network by promoting local expansion of Treg cells, thereby enabling re-epithelialization while still kindling inflammation outside this niche until the barrier is restored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Luan
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Cynthia Truong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Development and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Aleksandra Vuchkovska
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Weijie Guo
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Jennifer Good
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Bijun Liu
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Audrey Gang
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
| | - Nicole Infarinato
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Development and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Katherine Stewart
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Development and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lisa Polak
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Development and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hilda Amalia Pasolli
- Electron Microscopy Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emma Andretta
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alexander Y Rudensky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elaine Fuchs
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Development and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Yuxuan Miao
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60615, USA.
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3
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McCullough MJ, Bose PG, Mock JR. Regulatory T cells: Supporting lung homeostasis and promoting resolution and repair after lung injury. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 170:106568. [PMID: 38518980 PMCID: PMC11031275 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells, characterized by their expression of the transcription factor Forkhead box P3, are indispensable in maintaining immune homeostasis. The respiratory system is constantly exposed to many environmental challenges, making it susceptible to various insults and infections. Regulatory T cells play essential roles in maintaining homeostasis in the lung and promoting repair after injury. Regulatory T cell function dysregulation can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, or aberrant repair. Research on regulatory T cell mechanisms in the lung has unveiled their influence on lung inflammation and repair mechanisms. In this review, our goal is to highlight the advances in regulatory T cell biology with respect to lung injury and resolution. We further provide a perspective that a deeper understanding of regulatory T cell interactions in the lung microenvironment in health and disease states offers opportunities for therapeutic interventions as treatments to promote lung health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan J McCullough
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Marsico Lung Institute, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Pria G Bose
- Marsico Lung Institute, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jason R Mock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Marsico Lung Institute, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine School of Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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4
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Peeters JGC, Silveria S, Ozdemir M, Ramachandran S, DuPage M. Increased EZH2 function in regulatory T cells promotes their capacity to suppress autoimmunity by driving effector differentiation prior to activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.05.588284. [PMID: 38645261 PMCID: PMC11030251 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.05.588284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive function of regulatory T (Treg) cells is essential for maintaining immune homeostasis. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methyltransferase, plays a key role in maintaining Treg cell function upon CD28 co-stimulation, and Ezh2 deletion in Treg cells causes autoimmunity. Here we assessed whether increased EZH2 activity in Treg cells would improve Treg cell function. Using an Ezh2 gain-of-function mutation, Ezh2 Y641F , we found that Treg cells expressing Ezh2 Y641F displayed an increased effector Treg phenotype and were poised for improved homing to organ tissues. Expression of Ezh2 Y641F in Treg cells led to more rapid remission from autoimmunity. H3K27me3 profiling and transcriptomic analysis revealed a redistribution of H3K27me3, which prompted a gene expression profile in naïve Ezh2 Y641F Treg cells that recapitulated aspects of CD28-activated Ezh2 WT Treg cells. Altogether, increased EZH2 activity promotes the differentiation of effector Treg cells that can better suppress autoimmunity. Highlights EZH2 function promotes effector differentiation of Treg cells.EZH2 function promotes Treg cell migration to organ tissues.EZH2 function in Treg cells improves remission from autoimmunity.EZH2 function poises naïve Treg cells to adopt a CD28-activated phenotype.
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5
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Zhang YS, Chen YQ. Dysfunctional regulatory T cell: May be an obstacle to immunotherapy in cardiovascular diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116359. [PMID: 38430633 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory responses are linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in various forms. Tregs, members of CD4+ T cells, play important roles in regulating immune system and suppressing inflammatory response, thus contributing to maintaining immune homeostasis. However, Tregs exert their powerful suppressive function relying on the stable phenotype and function. The stability of Tregs primarily depends on the FOXP3 (Forkhead box P3) expression and epigenetic regulation. Although Tregs are quite stable under physiological conditions, prolonged exposure to inflammatory cues, Tregs may lose suppressive function and require proinflammatory phenotype, namely plastic Tregs or ex-Tregs. There are extensive researches have established the beneficial role of Tregs in CVDs. Nevertheless, the potential risks of dysfunctional Tregs lack deep research. Anti-inflammatory and immunological modulation have been hotspots in the treatment of CVDs. Tregs are appealing because of their crucial role in resolving inflammation and promoting tissue repair. If alleviating inflammatory response through modulating Tregs could be a new therapeutic strategy for CVDs, the next step to consider is how to prevent the formation of dysfunctional Tregs or reverse detrimental Tregs to normal phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Sha Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Ya-Qin Chen
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China.
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6
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Wu Q, Carlos AR, Braza F, Bergman ML, Kitoko JZ, Bastos-Amador P, Cuadrado E, Martins R, Oliveira BS, Martins VC, Scicluna BP, Landry JJ, Jung FE, Ademolue TW, Peitzsch M, Almeida-Santos J, Thompson J, Cardoso S, Ventura P, Slot M, Rontogianni S, Ribeiro V, Domingues VDS, Cabral IA, Weis S, Groth M, Ameneiro C, Fidalgo M, Wang F, Demengeot J, Amsen D, Soares MP. Ferritin heavy chain supports stability and function of the regulatory T cell lineage. EMBO J 2024; 43:1445-1483. [PMID: 38499786 PMCID: PMC11021483 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00064-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (TREG) cells develop via a program orchestrated by the transcription factor forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3). Maintenance of the TREG cell lineage relies on sustained FOXP3 transcription via a mechanism involving demethylation of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG)-rich elements at conserved non-coding sequences (CNS) in the FOXP3 locus. This cytosine demethylation is catalyzed by the ten-eleven translocation (TET) family of dioxygenases, and it involves a redox reaction that uses iron (Fe) as an essential cofactor. Here, we establish that human and mouse TREG cells express Fe-regulatory genes, including that encoding ferritin heavy chain (FTH), at relatively high levels compared to conventional T helper cells. We show that FTH expression in TREG cells is essential for immune homeostasis. Mechanistically, FTH supports TET-catalyzed demethylation of CpG-rich sequences CNS1 and 2 in the FOXP3 locus, thereby promoting FOXP3 transcription and TREG cell stability. This process, which is essential for TREG lineage stability and function, limits the severity of autoimmune neuroinflammation and infectious diseases, and favors tumor progression. These findings suggest that the regulation of intracellular iron by FTH is a stable property of TREG cells that supports immune homeostasis and limits the pathological outcomes of immune-mediated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- International Institutes of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ana Rita Carlos
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Centro de Ecologia, Evolução e Alterações Ambientais, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Faouzi Braza
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Eloy Cuadrado
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rui Martins
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | | | - Brendon P Scicluna
- Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mater Dei Hospital, and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Jonathan Jm Landry
- Genomic Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ferris E Jung
- Genomic Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Mirko Peitzsch
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Manon Slot
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stamatia Rontogianni
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Ribeiro
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Centro de Ecologia, Evolução e Alterações Ambientais, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | | | - Sebastian Weis
- Department for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Institute for Infectious Disease and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll Institute-HKI, Jena, Germany
| | - Marco Groth
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Cristina Ameneiro
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela-Health Research Institute (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Miguel Fidalgo
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela-Health Research Institute (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Fudi Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | | | - Derk Amsen
- Department of Hematopoiesis and Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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7
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Lee S, Song SG, Kim G, Kim S, Yoo HJ, Koh J, Kim YJ, Tian J, Cho E, Choi YS, Chang S, Shin HM, Jung KC, Kim JH, Kim TM, Jeon YK, Kim HY, Shong M, Kim JH, Chung DH. CRIF1 deficiency induces FOXP3 LOW inflammatory non-suppressive regulatory T cells, thereby promoting antitumor immunity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj9600. [PMID: 38536932 PMCID: PMC10971410 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj9600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Recently identified human FOXP3lowCD45RA- inflammatory non-suppressive (INS) cells produce proinflammatory cytokines, exhibit reduced suppressiveness, and promote antitumor immunity unlike conventional regulatory T cells (Tregs). In spite of their implication in tumors, the mechanism for generation of FOXP3lowCD45RA- INS cells in vivo is unclear. We showed that the FOXP3lowCD45RA- cells in human tumors demonstrate attenuated expression of CRIF1, a vital mitochondrial regulator. Mice with CRIF1 deficiency in Tregs bore Foxp3lowINS-Tregs with mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprograming. The enhanced glutaminolysis activated α-ketoglutarate-mTORC1 axis, which promoted proinflammatory cytokine expression by inducing EOMES and SATB1 expression. Moreover, chromatin openness of the regulatory regions of the Ifng and Il4 genes was increased, which facilitated EOMES/SATB1 binding. The increased α-ketoglutarate-derived 2-hydroxyglutarate down-regulated Foxp3 expression by methylating the Foxp3 gene regulatory regions. Furthermore, CRIF1 deficiency-induced Foxp3lowINS-Tregs suppressed tumor growth in an IFN-γ-dependent manner. Thus, CRIF1 deficiency-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction results in the induction of Foxp3lowINS-Tregs including FOXP3lowCD45RA- cells that promote antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangsin Lee
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation in Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Geun Song
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gwanghun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehui Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Yoo
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vaccine Innovation, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaemoon Koh
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ye-Ji Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jingwen Tian
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Eunji Cho
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youn Soo Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sunghoe Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Mu Shin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Cheon Jung
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Kim
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center (AMC), Ulsan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon Kyung Jeon
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Young Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Minho Shong
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ji Hyung Kim
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vaccine Innovation, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Doo Hyun Chung
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation in Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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8
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Alvarez F, Liu Z, Bay A, Piccirillo CA. Deciphering the developmental trajectory of tissue-resident Foxp3 + regulatory T cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1331846. [PMID: 38605970 PMCID: PMC11007185 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1331846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Foxp3+ TREG cells have been at the focus of intense investigation for their recognized roles in preventing autoimmunity, facilitating tissue recuperation following injury, and orchestrating a tolerance to innocuous non-self-antigens. To perform these critical tasks, TREG cells undergo deep epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional changes that allow them to adapt to conditions found in tissues both at steady-state and during inflammation. The path leading TREG cells to express these tissue-specialized phenotypes begins during thymic development, and is further driven by epigenetic and transcriptional modifications following TCR engagement and polarizing signals in the periphery. However, this process is highly regulated and requires TREG cells to adopt strategies to avoid losing their regulatory program altogether. Here, we review the origins of tissue-resident TREG cells, from their thymic and peripheral development to the transcriptional regulators involved in their tissue residency program. In addition, we discuss the distinct signalling pathways that engage the inflammatory adaptation of tissue-resident TREG cells, and how they relate to their ability to recognize tissue and pathogen-derived danger signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Alvarez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Zhiyang Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandre Bay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ciriaco A. Piccirillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC, Canada
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9
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Singh S, Pugliano CM, Honaker Y, Laird A, DeGottardi MQ, Lopez E, Lachkar S, Stoffers C, Sommer K, Khan IF, Rawlings DJ. Efficient and sustained FOXP3 locus editing in hematopoietic stem cells as a therapeutic approach for IPEX syndrome. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101183. [PMID: 38282895 PMCID: PMC10818254 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is a monogenic disorder caused by mutations in the FOXP3 gene, required for generation of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Loss of Treg cells leads to immune dysregulation characterized by multi-organ autoimmunity and early mortality. Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation can be curative, but success is limited by autoimmune complications, donor availability and/or graft-vs.-host disease. Correction of FOXP3 in autologous HSC utilizing a homology-directed repair (HDR)-based platform may provide a safer alternative therapy. Here, we demonstrate efficient editing of FOXP3 utilizing co-delivery of Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes and adeno-associated viral vectors to achieve HDR rates of >40% in vitro using mobilized CD34+ cells from multiple donors. Using this approach to deliver either a GFP or a FOXP3 cDNA donor cassette, we demonstrate sustained bone marrow engraftment of approximately 10% of HDR-edited cells in immune-deficient recipient mice at 16 weeks post-transplant. Further, we show targeted integration of FOXP3 cDNA in CD34+ cells from an IPEX patient and expression of the introduced FOXP3 transcript in gene-edited primary T cells from both healthy individuals and IPEX patients. Our combined findings suggest that refinement of this approach is likely to provide future clinical benefit in IPEX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Singh
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Cole M. Pugliano
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Yuchi Honaker
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Aidan Laird
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - M. Quinn DeGottardi
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Ezra Lopez
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Stefan Lachkar
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Claire Stoffers
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Karen Sommer
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Iram F. Khan
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - David J. Rawlings
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and the Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
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10
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Shouse AN, LaPorte KM, Malek TR. Interleukin-2 signaling in the regulation of T cell biology in autoimmunity and cancer. Immunity 2024; 57:414-428. [PMID: 38479359 PMCID: PMC11126276 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a critical cytokine for T cell peripheral tolerance and immunity. Here, we review how IL-2 interaction with the high-affinity IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) supports the development and homeostasis of regulatory T cells and contributes to the differentiation of helper, cytotoxic, and memory T cells. A critical element for each T cell population is the expression of CD25 (Il2rα), which heightens the receptor affinity for IL-2. Signaling through the high-affinity IL-2R also reinvigorates CD8+ exhausted T (Tex) cells in response to checkpoint blockade. We consider the molecular underpinnings reflecting how IL-2R signaling impacts these various T cell subsets and the implications for enhancing IL-2-dependent immunotherapy of autoimmunity, other inflammatory disorders, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Acacia N Shouse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Kathryn M LaPorte
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Thomas R Malek
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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11
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Ghanim HY, Porteus MH. Gene regulation in inborn errors of immunity: Implications for gene therapy design and efficacy. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:157-177. [PMID: 38233996 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) present a unique paradigm in the realm of gene therapy, emphasizing the need for precision in therapeutic design. As gene therapy transitions from broad-spectrum gene addition to careful modification of specific genes, the enduring safety and effectiveness of these therapies in clinical settings have become crucial. This review discusses the significance of IEIs as foundational models for pioneering and refining precision medicine. We explore the capabilities of gene addition and gene correction platforms in modifying the DNA sequence of primary cells tailored for IEIs. The review uses four specific IEIs to highlight key issues in gene therapy strategies: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD), X-linked hyper IgM syndrome (XHIGM), and immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX). We detail the regulatory intricacies and therapeutic innovations for each disorder, incorporating insights from relevant clinical trials. For most IEIs, regulated expression is a vital aspect of the underlying biology, and we discuss the importance of endogenous regulation in developing gene therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Y Ghanim
- Division of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Matthew H Porteus
- Division of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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12
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Singh V, Nandi S, Ghosh A, Adhikary S, Mukherjee S, Roy S, Das C. Epigenetic reprogramming of T cells: unlocking new avenues for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:175-195. [PMID: 38233727 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10167-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
T cells, a key component of cancer immunotherapy, undergo a variety of histone modifications and DNA methylation changes since their bone marrow progenitor stages before developing into CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. These T cell types can be categorized into distinct subtypes based on their functionality and properties, such as cytotoxic T cells (Tc), helper T cells (Th), and regulatory T cells (Treg) as subtypes for CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Among these, the CD4+ CD25+ Tregs potentially contribute to cancer development and progression by lowering T effector (Teff) cell activity under the influence of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This contributes to the development of therapeutic resistance in patients with cancer. Subsequently, these individuals become resistant to monoclonal antibody therapy as well as clinically established immunotherapies. In this review, we delineate the different epigenetic mechanisms in cancer immune response and its involvement in therapeutic resistance. Furthermore, the possibility of epi-immunotherapeutic methods based on histone deacetylase inhibitors and histone methyltransferase inhibitors are under investigation. In this review we highlight EZH2 as the principal driver of cancer cell immunoediting and an immune escape regulator. We have addressed in detail how understanding T cell epigenetic regulation might bring unique inventive strategies to overcome drug resistance and increase the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Singh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Sandhik Nandi
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Aritra Ghosh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Santanu Adhikary
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Structural Biology & Bio-Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Shravanti Mukherjee
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
| | - Siddhartha Roy
- Structural Biology & Bio-Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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Martín-Cruz L, Benito-Villalvilla C, Sirvent S, Angelina A, Palomares O. The Role of Regulatory T Cells in Allergic Diseases: Collegium Internationale Allergologicum (CIA) Update 2024. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2024; 185:503-518. [PMID: 38408438 DOI: 10.1159/000536335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergy represents a major health problem of increasing prevalence worldwide with a high socioeconomic impact. Our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying allergic diseases and their treatments has significantly improved over the last years. The generation of allergen-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) is crucial in the induction of healthy immune responses to allergens, preventing the development and worsening of allergic diseases. SUMMARY In the last decades, intensive research has focused on the study of the molecular mechanisms involved in Treg development and Treg-mediated suppression. These mechanisms are essential for the induction of sustained tolerance by allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) after treatment discontinuation. Compelling experimental evidence demonstrated altered suppressive capacity of Tregs in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, food allergy, or atopic dermatitis, as well as the restoration of their numbers and functionality after successful AIT. KEY MESSAGE The better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in Treg generation during allergen tolerance induction might well contribute to the development of novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Martín-Cruz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Benito-Villalvilla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofía Sirvent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Angelina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Palomares
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
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14
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Sumida TS, Cheru NT, Hafler DA. The regulation and differentiation of regulatory T cells and their dysfunction in autoimmune diseases. Nat Rev Immunol 2024:10.1038/s41577-024-00994-x. [PMID: 38374298 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-00994-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells as a distinct cell lineage with a central role in regulating immune responses provided a deeper understanding of self-tolerance. The transcription factor FOXP3 serves a key role in Treg cell lineage determination and maintenance, but is not sufficient to enable the full potential of Treg cell suppression, indicating that other factors orchestrate the fine-tuning of Treg cell function. Moreover, FOXP3-independent mechanisms have recently been shown to contribute to Treg cell dysfunction. FOXP3 mutations in humans cause lethal fulminant systemic autoinflammation (IPEX syndrome). However, it remains unclear to what degree Treg cell dysfunction is contributing to the pathophysiology of common autoimmune diseases. In this Review, we discuss the origins of Treg cells in the periphery and the multilayered mechanisms by which Treg cells are induced, as well as the FOXP3-dependent and FOXP3-independent cellular programmes that maintain the suppressive function of Treg cells in humans and mice. Further, we examine evidence for Treg cell dysfunction in the context of common autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu S Sumida
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Nardos T Cheru
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David A Hafler
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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15
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Yahsi B, Palaz F, Dincer P. Applications of CRISPR Epigenome Editors in Tumor Immunology and Autoimmunity. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:413-427. [PMID: 38298016 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, CRISPR-Cas systems have become indispensable tools for genetic engineering and have been used in clinical trials for various diseases. Beyond genome editing, CRISPR-Cas systems can also be used for performing programmable epigenetic modifications. Recent efforts in enhancing CRISPR-based epigenome modifiers have yielded potent tools enabling targeted DNA methylation/demethylation capable of sustaining epigenetic memory through numerous cell divisions. Moreover, it has been understood that during chronic inflammatory states, including cancer, T cells encounter a state called T cell exhaustion that involves elevated inhibitory receptors (e.g., LAG-3, TIM3, PD-1, CD39) and reduced effector T cell-related protein levels (IFN-γ, granzyme B, and perforin). Importantly, epigenetic dysregulation has been identified as one of the key drivers of T cell exhaustion, and it remains one of the biggest obstacles in the field of immunotherapy and decreases the efficiency of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy. Similarly, autoimmune diseases exhibit epigenetically dysfunctional regulatory T (Treg) cells. For instance, FOXP3 intronic regions, known as conserved noncoding sequences, display hypomethylation in healthy states but hypermethylation in pathological contexts. Therefore, the reversal of epigenetic dysregulation in cancer and autoimmune diseases using CRISPR-based epigenome modifiers has important therapeutic implications. In this review, we outline the progressive refinement of CRISPR-based epigenome modifiers and explore their potential therapeutic applications in tumor immunology and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berkay Yahsi
- Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Fahreddin Palaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Pervin Dincer
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey
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16
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Yu H, Nishio H, Barbi J, Mitchell-Flack M, Vignali PDA, Zheng Y, Lebid A, Chang KY, Fu J, Higgins M, Huang CT, Zhang X, Li Z, Blosser L, Tam A, Drake CG, Pardoll DM. Neurotrophic factor Neuritin modulates T cell electrical and metabolic state for the balance of tolerance and immunity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.31.578284. [PMID: 38352414 PMCID: PMC10862906 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.31.578284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The adaptive T cell response is accompanied by continuous rewiring of the T cell's electric and metabolic state. Ion channels and nutrient transporters integrate bioelectric and biochemical signals from the environment, setting cellular electric and metabolic states. Divergent electric and metabolic states contribute to T cell immunity or tolerance. Here, we report that neuritin (Nrn1) contributes to tolerance development by modulating regulatory and effector T cell function. Nrn1 expression in regulatory T cells promotes its expansion and suppression function, while expression in the T effector cell dampens its inflammatory response. Nrn1 deficiency causes dysregulation of ion channel and nutrient transporter expression in Treg and effector T cells, resulting in divergent metabolic outcomes and impacting autoimmune disease progression and recovery. These findings identify a novel immune function of the neurotrophic factor Nrn1 in regulating the T cell metabolic state in a cell context-dependent manner and modulating the outcome of an immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yu
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hiroshi Nishio
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Current address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Joseph Barbi
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Current address: Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY14263, USA
| | - Marisa Mitchell-Flack
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Paolo D A Vignali
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Current address: University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon
| | - Ying Zheng
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andriana Lebid
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kwang-Yu Chang
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Current address: National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Juan Fu
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Makenzie Higgins
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ching-Tai Huang
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Current address: Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
| | - Xuehong Zhang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Zhiguang Li
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Lee Blosser
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ada Tam
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles G Drake
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Current address: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - Drew M Pardoll
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Immunology and Hematopoiesis Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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17
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Collins CB, Nguyen TT, Leddy RS, Alula KM, Yeckes AR, Strassheim D, Aherne CM, Luck ME, Karoor V, Jedlicka P, Pierce A, de Zoeten EF. Heat shock factor 1 drives regulatory T-cell induction to limit murine intestinal inflammation. Mucosal Immunol 2024; 17:94-110. [PMID: 37944754 PMCID: PMC10953693 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The heat shock response is a critical component of the inflammatory cascade that prevents misfolding of new proteins and regulates immune responses. Activation of clusters of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells causes an upregulation of heat shock transcription factor, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). We hypothesized that HSF1 promotes a pro-regulatory phenotype during inflammation. To validate this hypothesis, we interrogated cell-specific HSF1 knockout mice and HSF1 transgenic mice using in vitro and in vivo techniques. We determined that while HSF1 expression was induced by anti-CD3 stimulation alone, the combination of anti-CD3 and transforming growth factor β, a vital cytokine for regulatory T cell (Treg) development, resulted in increased activating phosphorylation of HSF1, leading to increased nuclear translocation and binding to heat shock response elements. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we demonstrate the direct binding of HSF1 to foxp3 in isolated murine CD4+ T cells, which in turn coincided with induction of FoxP3 expression. We defined that conditional knockout of HSF1 decreased development and function of Tregs and overexpression of HSF1 led to increased expression of FoxP3 along with enhanced Treg suppressive function. Adoptive transfer of CD45RBHigh CD4 colitogenic T cells along with HSF1 transgenic CD25+ Tregs prevented intestinal inflammation when wild-type Tregs did not. Finally, overexpression of HSF1 provided enhanced barrier function and protection from murine ileitis. This study demonstrates that HSF1 promotes Treg development and function and may represent both a crucial step in the development of induced regulatory T cells and an exciting target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases with a regulatory T-cell component. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The heat shock response (HSR) is a canonical stress response triggered by a multitude of stressors, including inflammation. Evidence supports the role of the HSR in regulating inflammation, yet there is a paucity of data on its influence in T cells specifically. Gut homeostasis reflects a balance between regulatory clusters of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells and pro-inflammatory T-helper (Th)17 cells. We show that upon activation within T cells, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) translocates to the nucleus, and stimulates Treg-specific gene expression. HSF1 deficiency hinders Treg development and function and conversely, HSF1 overexpression enhances Treg development and function. While this work, focuses on HSF1 as a novel therapeutic target for intestinal inflammation, the findings have significance for a broad range of inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm B Collins
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tom T Nguyen
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Robert S Leddy
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kibrom M Alula
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alyson R Yeckes
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Derek Strassheim
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Carol M Aherne
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Marisa E Luck
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Vijaya Karoor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Paul Jedlicka
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Edwin F de Zoeten
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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18
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Zhang J, Liu H, Chen Y, Liu H, Zhang S, Yin G, Xie Q. Augmenting regulatory T cells: new therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1312919. [PMID: 38322264 PMCID: PMC10844451 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1312919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune condition marked by inflammation of the joints, degradation of the articular cartilage, and bone resorption. Recent studies found the absolute and relative decreases in circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs) in RA patients. Tregs are a unique type of cells exhibiting immunosuppressive functions, known for expressing the Foxp3 gene. They are instrumental in maintaining immunological tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. Increasing the absolute number and/or enhancing the function of Tregs are effective strategies for treating RA. This article reviews the studies on the mechanisms and targeted therapies related to Tregs in RA, with a view to provide better ideas for the treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqian Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongjiang Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuehong Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shengxiao Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Geng Yin
- Department of General Practice, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qibing Xie
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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19
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Jadon N, Shanthalingam S, Tew GN, Minter LM. PRMT5 regulates epigenetic changes in suppressive Th1-like iTregs in response to IL-12 treatment. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1292049. [PMID: 38259494 PMCID: PMC10800960 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1292049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) are a heterogeneous population of immunosuppressive T cells with therapeutic potential. Treg cells show a range of plasticity and can acquire T effector-like capacities, as is the case for T helper 1 (Th1)-like iTregs. Thus, it is important to distinguish between functional plasticity and lineage instability. Aplastic anemia (AA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by immune-mediated destruction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the bone marrow (BM). Th1-like 1 iTregs can be potent suppressors of aberrant Th1-mediated immune responses such as those that drive AA disease progression. Here we investigated the function of the epigenetic enzyme, protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), its regulation of the iTreg-destabilizing deacetylase, sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) in suppressive Th1-like iTregs, and the potential for administering Th1-like iTregs as a cell-based therapy for AA. Methods We generated Th1-like iTregs by culturing iTregs with IL-12, then assessed their suppressive capacity, expression of iTreg suppression markers, and enzymatic activity of PRMT5 using histone symmetric arginine di-methylation (H3R2me2s) as a read out. We used ChIP sequencing on Th1 cells, iTregs, and Th1-like iTregs to identify H3R2me2s-bound genes unique to Th1-like iTregs, then validated targets using CHiP-qPCR. We knocked down PRMT5 to validate its contribution to Th1-like iTreg lineage commitment. Finally we tested the therapeutic potential of Th1-like iTregs using a Th1-mediated mouse model of AA. Results Exposing iTregs to the Th1 cytokine, interleukin-12 (IL-12), during early events of differentiation conveyed increased suppressive function. We observed increased PRMT5 enzymatic activity, as measured by H3R2me2s, in Th1-like iTregs, which was downregulated in iTregs. Using ChIP-sequencing we discovered that H3R2me2s is abundantly bound to the Sirt1 promoter region in Th1-like iTregs to negatively regulate its expression. Furthermore, administering Th1-like iTregs to AA mice provided a survival benefit. Conclusions Knocking down PRMT5 in Th1-like iTregs concomitantly reduced their suppressive capacity, supporting the notion that PRMT5 is important for the superior suppressive capacity and stability of Th1-like iTregs. Conclusively, therapeutic administration of Th1-like iTregs in a mouse model of AA significantly extended their survival and they may have therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Jadon
- Graduate Program in Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Sudarvili Shanthalingam
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Gregory N. Tew
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Lisa M. Minter
- Graduate Program in Animal Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
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Kawakami R, Sakaguchi S. Regulatory T Cells for Control of Autoimmunity. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1444:67-82. [PMID: 38467973 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-9781-7_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells, which specifically express the master transcription factor FoxP3, are indispensable for the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and homeostasis. Their functional or numerical anomalies can be causative of autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases. Recent advances in the research of the cellular and molecular basis of how Treg cells develop, exert suppression, and maintain their function have enabled devising various ways for controlling physiological and pathological immune responses by targeting Treg cells. It is now envisaged that Treg cells as a "living drug" are able to achieve antigen-specific immune suppression of various immune responses and reestablish immunological self-tolerance in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoji Kawakami
- Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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21
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Yilmazer A, Zevla DM, Malmkvist R, Rodríguez CAB, Undurraga P, Kirgin E, Boernert M, Voehringer D, Kershaw O, Schlenner S, Kretschmer K. Selective ablation of thymic and peripheral Foxp3 + regulatory T cell development. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1298938. [PMID: 38164128 PMCID: PMC10757929 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1298938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells of thymic (tTreg) and peripheral (pTreg) developmental origin are thought to synergistically act to ensure immune homeostasis, with self-reactive tTreg cells primarily constraining autoimmune responses. Here we exploited a Foxp3-dependent reporter with thymus-specific GFP/Cre activity to selectively ablate either tTreg (ΔtTreg) or pTreg (ΔpTreg) cell development, while sparing the respective sister populations. We found that, in contrast to the tTreg cell behavior in ΔpTreg mice, pTreg cells acquired a highly activated suppressor phenotype and replenished the Treg cell pool of ΔtTreg mice on a non-autoimmune C57BL/6 background. Despite the absence of tTreg cells, pTreg cells prevented early mortality and fatal autoimmunity commonly observed in Foxp3-deficient models of complete Treg cell deficiency, and largely maintained immune tolerance even as the ΔtTreg mice aged. However, only two generations of backcrossing to the autoimmune-prone non-obese diabetic (NOD) background were sufficient to cause severe disease lethality associated with different, partially overlapping patterns of organ-specific autoimmunity. This included a particularly severe form of autoimmune diabetes characterized by an early onset and abrogation of the sex bias usually observed in the NOD mouse model of human type 1 diabetes. Genetic association studies further allowed us to define a small set of autoimmune risk loci sufficient to promote β cell autoimmunity, including genes known to impinge on Treg cell biology. Overall, these studies show an unexpectedly high functional adaptability of pTreg cells, emphasizing their important role as mediators of bystander effects to ensure self-tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Acelya Yilmazer
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dimitra Maria Zevla
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rikke Malmkvist
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carlos Alejandro Bello Rodríguez
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pablo Undurraga
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Emre Kirgin
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie Boernert
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - David Voehringer
- Department of Infection Biology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Olivia Kershaw
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susan Schlenner
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karsten Kretschmer
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of the Helmholtz Center Munich, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
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22
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Christofi P, Pantazi C, Psatha N, Sakellari I, Yannaki E, Papadopoulou A. Promises and Pitfalls of Next-Generation Treg Adoptive Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5877. [PMID: 38136421 PMCID: PMC10742252 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are fundamental to maintaining immune homeostasis by inhibiting immune responses to self-antigens and preventing the excessive activation of the immune system. Their functions extend beyond immune surveillance and subpopulations of tissue-resident Treg cells can also facilitate tissue repair and homeostasis. The unique ability to regulate aberrant immune responses has generated the concept of harnessing Tregs as a new cellular immunotherapy approach for reshaping undesired immune reactions in autoimmune diseases and allo-responses in transplantation to ultimately re-establish tolerance. However, a number of issues limit the broad clinical applicability of Treg adoptive immunotherapy, including the lack of antigen specificity, heterogeneity within the Treg population, poor persistence, functional Treg impairment in disease states, and in vivo plasticity that results in the loss of suppressive function. Although the early-phase clinical trials of Treg cell therapy have shown the feasibility and tolerability of the approach in several conditions, its efficacy has remained questionable. Leveraging the smart tools and platforms that have been successfully developed for primary T cell engineering in cancer, the field has now shifted towards "next-generation" adoptive Treg immunotherapy, where genetically modified Treg products with improved characteristics are being generated, as regards antigen specificity, function, persistence, and immunogenicity. Here, we review the state of the art on Treg adoptive immunotherapy and progress beyond it, while critically evaluating the hurdles and opportunities towards the materialization of Tregs as a living drug therapy for various inflammation states and the broad clinical translation of Treg therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panayiota Christofi
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.C.); (C.P.); (I.S.); (E.Y.)
- University General Hospital of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece
| | - Chrysoula Pantazi
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.C.); (C.P.); (I.S.); (E.Y.)
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
- Institute of Applied Biosciences (INAB), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikoleta Psatha
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Ioanna Sakellari
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.C.); (C.P.); (I.S.); (E.Y.)
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.C.); (C.P.); (I.S.); (E.Y.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7710, USA
| | - Anastasia Papadopoulou
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.C.); (C.P.); (I.S.); (E.Y.)
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23
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Lyu H, Yuan G, Liu X, Wang X, Geng S, Xia T, Zhou X, Li Y, Hu X, Shi Y. Sustained store-operated calcium entry utilizing activated chromatin state leads to instability in iTregs. eLife 2023; 12:RP88874. [PMID: 38055613 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymus-originated tTregs and in vitro induced iTregs are subsets of regulatory T cells. While they share the capacity of immune suppression, their stabilities are different, with iTregs losing their phenotype upon stimulation or under inflammatory milieu. Epigenetic differences, particularly methylation state of Foxp3 CNS2 region, provide an explanation for this shift. Whether additional regulations, including cellular signaling, could directly lead phenotypical instability requires further analysis. Here, we show that upon TCR (T cell receptor) triggering, SOCE (store-operated calcium entry) and NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) nuclear translocation are blunted in tTregs, yet fully operational in iTregs, similar to Tconvs. On the other hand, tTregs show minimal changes in their chromatin accessibility upon activation, in contrast to iTregs that demonstrate an activated chromatin state with highly accessible T cell activation and inflammation related genes. Assisted by several cofactors, NFAT driven by strong SOCE signaling in iTregs preferentially binds to primed-opened T helper (TH) genes, resulting in their activation normally observed only in Tconv activation, ultimately leads to instability. Conversely, suppression of SOCE in iTregs can partially rescue their phenotype. Thus, our study adds two new layers, cellular signaling and chromatin accessibility, of understanding in Treg stability, and may provide a path for better clinical applications of Treg cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyun Lyu
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Guohua Yuan
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Geng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Tie Xia
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yinqing Li
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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24
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Trujillo-Ochoa JL, Kazemian M, Afzali B. The role of transcription factors in shaping regulatory T cell identity. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:842-856. [PMID: 37336954 PMCID: PMC10893967 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00893-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead box protein 3-expressing (FOXP3+) regulatory T cells (Treg cells) suppress conventional T cells and are essential for immunological tolerance. FOXP3, the master transcription factor of Treg cells, controls the expression of multiples genes to guide Treg cell differentiation and function. However, only a small fraction (<10%) of Treg cell-associated genes are directly bound by FOXP3, and FOXP3 alone is insufficient to fully specify the Treg cell programme, indicating a role for other accessory transcription factors operating upstream, downstream and/or concurrently with FOXP3 to direct Treg cell specification and specialized functions. Indeed, the heterogeneity of Treg cells can be at least partially attributed to differential expression of transcription factors that fine-tune their trafficking, survival and functional properties, some of which are niche-specific. In this Review, we discuss the emerging roles of accessory transcription factors in controlling Treg cell identity. We specifically focus on members of the basic helix-loop-helix family (AHR), basic leucine zipper family (BACH2, NFIL3 and BATF), CUT homeobox family (SATB1), zinc-finger domain family (BLIMP1, Ikaros and BCL-11B) and interferon regulatory factor family (IRF4), as well as lineage-defining transcription factors (T-bet, GATA3, RORγt and BCL-6). Understanding the imprinting of Treg cell identity and specialized function will be key to unravelling basic mechanisms of autoimmunity and identifying novel targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L Trujillo-Ochoa
- Immunoregulation Section, Kidney Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Majid Kazemian
- Departments of Biochemistry and Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Behdad Afzali
- Immunoregulation Section, Kidney Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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25
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Zhang Z, Guo J, Jia R. Treg plasticity and human diseases. Inflamm Res 2023; 72:2181-2197. [PMID: 37878023 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-023-01808-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As a subset of CD4+ T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs) with the characteristic expression of transcription factor FOXP3 play a key role in maintaining self-tolerance and regulating immune responses. However, in some inflammatory circumstances, Tregs can express cytokines of other T help (Th) cells by internal reprogramming, which is called Treg plasticity. These reprogrammed Tregs with impaired suppressive ability contribute to the progression of diseases by secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, in the tumor microenvironment (TME), such changes in phenotype rarely occur in Tregs, on the contrary, Tregs usually display a stronger suppressive function and inhibit anti-tumor immunity. It is important to understand the mechanisms of Treg plasticity in inflammatory diseases and cancers. OBJECTIVES In this review, we summarize the characteristics of different Th-like Tregs and discuss the potential mechanisms of these changes in phenotype. Furthermore, we summarize the Treg plasticity in human diseases and discuss the effects of these changes in phenotype on disease progression, as well as the potential application of drugs or reagents that regulate Treg plasticity in human diseases. CONCLUSIONS Treg plasticity is associated with inflammatory diseases and cancers. Regulating Treg plasticity is a promising direction for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jihua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
- Department of Endodontics, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Rong Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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26
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Kang JH, Zappasodi R. Modulating Treg stability to improve cancer immunotherapy. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:911-927. [PMID: 37598003 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) provide a main mechanism of tumor immune evasion. Targeting Tregs, especially in the tumor microenvironment (TME), continues to be investigated to improve cancer immunotherapy. Recent studies have unveiled intratumoral Treg heterogeneity and plasticity, furthering the complexity of the role of Tregs in tumor immunity and immunotherapy response. The phenotypic and functional diversity of intratumoral Tregs can impact their response to therapy and may offer new targets to modulate specific Treg subsets. In this review we provide a unifying framework of critical factors contributing to Treg heterogeneity and plasticity in the TME, and we discuss how this information can guide the development of more specific Treg-targeting therapies for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Hye Kang
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roberta Zappasodi
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School, New York, NY, USA.
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27
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Medof ME, Rieder SA, Shevach EM. Disabled C3ar1/C5ar1 Signaling in Foxp3+ T Regulatory Cells Leads to TSDR Demethylation and Long-Term Stability. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1359-1366. [PMID: 37756526 PMCID: PMC10591991 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Demethylation of the T regulatory cell (Treg)-specific demethylation region (TSDR) of the Foxp3 gene is the hallmark of Foxp3+ Treg stability, but the cellular signaling that programs this epigenetic state remains undefined. In this article, we show that suppressed C3a and C5a receptor (C3ar1/C5ar1) signaling in murine Tregs plays an obligate role. Murine C3ar1-/-C5ar1-/- Foxp3+ cells showed increased suppressor of cytokine signaling 1/2/3 expression, vitamin C stabilization, and ten-eleven translocation (TET) 1, TET2, and TET3 expression, all of which are linked to Treg stability. C3ar1-/-C5ar1-/- Foxp3+ cells additionally were devoid of BRD4 signaling that primes Th17 cell lineage commitment. Orally induced OVA-specific C3ar1-/-C5ar1-/- Foxp3+ OT-II Tregs transferred to OVA-immunized wild-type recipients remained >90% Foxp3+ out to 4 mo, whereas identically generated CD55-/- (DAF-/-) Foxp3+ OT-II Tregs (in which C3ar1/C5ar1 signaling is potentiated) lost >75% of Foxp3 expression by 14 d. After 4 mo in vivo, the C3ar1-/-C5ar1-/- Foxp3+ OT-II Tregs fully retained Foxp3 expression even with OVA challenge and produced copious TGF-β and IL-10. Their TSDR was demethylated comparably with that of thymic Tregs. They exhibited nuclear translocation of NFAT and NF-κB reported to stabilize thymic Tregs by inducing hairpin looping of the TSDR to the Foxp3 promoter. Thus, disabled CD4+ cell C3ar1/C5ar1 signaling triggers the sequential cellular events that lead to demethylation of the Foxp3 TSDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Edward Medof
- Institute of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Sadiye A. Rieder
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD USA
| | - Ethan M. Shevach
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD USA
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28
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Requejo Cier CJ, Valentini N, Lamarche C. Unlocking the potential of Tregs: innovations in CAR technology. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1267762. [PMID: 37900916 PMCID: PMC10602912 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1267762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) adoptive immunotherapy is emerging as a viable treatment option for both autoimmune and alloimmune diseases. However, numerous challenges remain, including limitations related to cell number, availability of target-specific cells, stability, purity, homing ability, and safety concerns. To address these challenges, cell engineering strategies have emerged as promising solutions. Indeed, it has become feasible to increase Treg numbers or enhance their stability through Foxp3 overexpression, post-translational modifications, or demethylation of the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR). Specificity can be engineered by the addition of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), with new techniques designed to fine-tune specificity (tandem chimeric antigen receptors, universal chimeric antigen receptors, synNotch chimeric antigen receptors). The introduction of B-cell targeting antibody receptor (BAR) Tregs has paved the way for effective regulation of B cells and plasma cells. In addition, other constructs have emerged to enhance Tregs activation and function, such as optimized chimeric antigen receptors constructs and the use of armour proteins. Chimeric antigen receptor expression can also be better regulated to limit tonic signaling. Furthermore, various opportunities exist for enhancing the homing capabilities of CAR-Tregs to improve therapy outcomes. Many of these genetic modifications have already been explored for conventional CAR-T therapy but need to be further considered for CAR-Tregs therapies. This review highlights innovative CAR-engineering strategies that have the potential to precisely and efficiently manage immune responses in autoimmune diseases and improve transplant outcomes. As these strategies are further explored and optimized, CAR-Treg therapies may emerge as powerful tools for immune intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Requejo Cier
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Institute, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Valentini
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Institute, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Lamarche
- Department of Medicine, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Institute, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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29
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Luo Z, Zhang Y, Saleh QW, Zhang J, Zhu Z, Tepel M. Metabolic regulation of forkhead box P3 alternative splicing isoforms and their impact on health and disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1278560. [PMID: 37868998 PMCID: PMC10588449 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1278560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3) is crucial for the development and suppressive function of human regulatory T cells (Tregs). There are two predominant FOXP3 splicing isoforms in healthy humans, the full-length isoform and the isoform lacking exon 2, with different functions and regulation mechanisms. FOXP3 splicing isoforms show distinct abilities in the cofactor interaction and the nuclear translocation, resulting in different effects on the differentiation, cytokine secretion, suppressive function, linage stability, and environmental adaptation of Tregs. The balance of FOXP3 splicing isoforms is related to autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. In response to environmental challenges, FOXP3 transcription and splicing can be finely regulated by T cell antigen receptor stimulation, glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and reactive oxygen species, with various signaling pathways involved. Strategies targeting energy metabolism and FOXP3 splicing isoforms in Tregs may provide potential new approaches for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries about the FOXP3 splicing isoforms and address the metabolic regulation and specific functions of FOXP3 splicing isoforms in Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidan Luo
- Department of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Yihua Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Fifth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Qais Waleed Saleh
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiming Zhu
- Department of Hypertension and Endocrinology, Daping Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Martin Tepel
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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30
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Khatun A, Wu X, Qi F, Gai K, Kharel A, Kudek MR, Fraser L, Ceicko A, Kasmani MY, Majnik A, Burns R, Chen Y, Salzman N, Taparowsky EJ, Fang D, Williams CB, Cui W. BATF is Required for Treg Homeostasis and Stability to Prevent Autoimmune Pathology. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206692. [PMID: 37587835 PMCID: PMC10558681 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are inevitable to prevent deleterious immune responses to self and commensal microorganisms. Treg function requires continuous expression of the transcription factor (TF) FOXP3 and is divided into two major subsets: resting (rTregs) and activated (aTregs). Continuous T cell receptor (TCR) signaling plays a vital role in the differentiation of aTregs from their resting state, and in their immune homeostasis. The process by which Tregs differentiate, adapt tissue specificity, and maintain stable phenotypic expression at the transcriptional level is still inconclusivei. In this work, the role of BATF is investigated, which is induced in response to TCR stimulation in naïve T cells and during aTreg differentiation. Mice lacking BATF in Tregs developed multiorgan autoimmune pathology. As a transcriptional regulator, BATF is required for Treg differentiation, homeostasis, and stabilization of FOXP3 expression in different lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. Epigenetically, BATF showed direct regulation of Treg-specific genes involved in differentiation, maturation, and tissue accumulation. Most importantly, FOXP3 expression and Treg stability require continuous BATF expression in Tregs, as it regulates demethylation and accessibility of the CNS2 region of the Foxp3 locus. Considering its role in Treg stability, BATF should be considered an important therapeutic target in autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achia Khatun
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Xiaopeng Wu
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Fu Qi
- Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City2401 Gillham RdKansas CityMO64108USA
| | - Kexin Gai
- Department of PathologyFeinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University303 E Chicago AveChicagoIL60611USA
| | - Arjun Kharel
- Department of PathologyFeinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University303 E Chicago AveChicagoIL60611USA
| | - Matthew R. Kudek
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Department of PediatricsMedical College of Wisconsin8701 Watertown Plank RoadMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Lisa Fraser
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Ashley Ceicko
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Moujtaba Y. Kasmani
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Amber Majnik
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City2401 Gillham RdKansas CityMO64108USA
| | - Robert Burns
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Yi‐Guang Chen
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Max McGee National Research Center for Juvenile DiabetesMedical College of Wisconsin8701 Watertown Plank RoadMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Nita Salzman
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Department of PediatricsMedical College of Wisconsin8701 Watertown Plank RoadMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | | | - Dayu Fang
- Department of PathologyFeinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University303 E Chicago AveChicagoIL60611USA
| | - Calvin B. Williams
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Department of PediatricsMedical College of Wisconsin8701 Watertown Plank RoadMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Weiguo Cui
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Department of PathologyFeinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University303 E Chicago AveChicagoIL60611USA
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31
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Dykema AG, Zhang J, Cheung LS, Connor S, Zhang B, Zeng Z, Cherry CM, Li T, Caushi JX, Nishimoto M, Munoz AJ, Ji Z, Hou W, Zhan W, Singh D, Zhang T, Rashid R, Mitchell-Flack M, Bom S, Tam A, Ionta N, Aye THK, Wang Y, Sawosik CA, Tirado LE, Tomasovic LM, VanDyke D, Spangler JB, Anagnostou V, Yang S, Spicer J, Rayes R, Taube J, Brahmer JR, Forde PM, Yegnasubramanian S, Ji H, Pardoll DM, Smith KN. Lung tumor-infiltrating T reg have divergent transcriptional profiles and function linked to checkpoint blockade response. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadg1487. [PMID: 37713507 PMCID: PMC10629528 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adg1487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg) are conventionally viewed as suppressors of endogenous and therapy-induced antitumor immunity; however, their role in modulating responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is unclear. In this study, we integrated single-cell RNA-seq/T cell receptor sequencing (TCRseq) of >73,000 tumor-infiltrating Treg (TIL-Treg) from anti-PD-1-treated and treatment-naive non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) with single-cell analysis of tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-specific Treg derived from a murine tumor model. We identified 10 subsets of human TIL-Treg, most of which have high concordance with murine TIL-Treg subsets. Only one subset selectively expresses high levels of TNFRSF4 (OX40) and TNFRSF18 (GITR), whose engangement by cognate ligand mediated proliferative programs and NF-κB activation, as well as multiple genes involved in Treg suppression, including LAG3. Functionally, the OX40hiGITRhi subset is the most highly suppressive ex vivo, and its higher representation among total TIL-Treg correlated with resistance to PD-1 blockade. Unexpectedly, in the murine tumor model, we found that virtually all TIL-Treg-expressing T cell receptors that are specific for TAA fully develop a distinct TH1-like signature over a 2-week period after entry into the tumor, down-regulating FoxP3 and up-regulating expression of TBX21 (Tbet), IFNG, and certain proinflammatory granzymes. Transfer learning of a gene score from the murine TAA-specific TH1-like Treg subset to the human single-cell dataset revealed a highly analogous subcluster that was enriched in anti-PD-1-responding tumors. These findings demonstrate that TIL-Treg partition into multiple distinct transcriptionally defined subsets with potentially opposing effects on ICB-induced antitumor immunity and suggest that TAA-specific TIL-Treg may positively contribute to antitumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arbor G. Dykema
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Mark Foundation Center for Advanced Genomics and Imaging, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Mark Foundation Center for Advanced Genomics and Imaging, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Laurene S. Cheung
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sydney Connor
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Boyang Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhen Zeng
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Mark Foundation Center for Advanced Genomics and Imaging, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Taibo Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Justina X. Caushi
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marni Nishimoto
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew J. Munoz
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhicheng Ji
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Wenpin Hou
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wentao Zhan
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dipika Singh
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tianbei Zhang
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rufiaat Rashid
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marisa Mitchell-Flack
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sadhana Bom
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ada Tam
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nick Ionta
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thet H. K. Aye
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Camille A. Sawosik
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lauren E. Tirado
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luke M. Tomasovic
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Derek VanDyke
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jamie B. Spangler
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Valsamo Anagnostou
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephen Yang
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Roni Rayes
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Janis Taube
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Mark Foundation Center for Advanced Genomics and Imaging, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Julie R. Brahmer
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Patrick M. Forde
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hongkai Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Drew M. Pardoll
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Mark Foundation Center for Advanced Genomics and Imaging, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kellie N. Smith
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Mark Foundation Center for Advanced Genomics and Imaging, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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32
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Rahman T, Das A, Abir MH, Nafiz IH, Mahmud AR, Sarker MR, Emran TB, Hassan MM. Cytokines and their role as immunotherapeutics and vaccine Adjuvants: The emerging concepts. Cytokine 2023; 169:156268. [PMID: 37320965 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a protein family comprising interleukins, lymphokines, chemokines, monokines and interferons. They are significant constituents of the immune system, and they act in accordance with specific cytokine inhibiting compounds and receptors for the regulation of immune responses. Cytokine studies have resulted in the establishment of newer therapies which are being utilized for the treatment of several malignant diseases. The advancement of these therapies has occurred from two distinct strategies. The first strategy involves administrating the recombinant and purified cytokines, and the second strategy involves administrating the therapeutics which inhibits harmful effects of endogenous and overexpressed cytokines. Colony stimulating factors and interferons are two exemplary therapeutics of cytokines. An important effect of cytokine receptor antagonist is that they can serve as anti-inflammatory agents by altering the treatments of inflammation disorder, therefore inhibiting the effects of tumour necrosis factor. In this article, we have highlighted the research behind the establishment of cytokines as therapeutics and vaccine adjuvants, their role of immunotolerance, and their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanjilur Rahman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Ayan Das
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Mehedy Hasan Abir
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Iqbal Hossain Nafiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Aar Rafi Mahmud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh
| | - Md Rifat Sarker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chattogram 4381, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
- Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh; Queensland Alliance for One Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4343, Australia.
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Gao X, Tang Y, Kong L, Fan Y, Wang C, Wang R. Treg cell: Critical role of regulatory T-cells in depression. Pharmacol Res 2023; 195:106893. [PMID: 37611836 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a highly prevalent disorder of the central nervous system. The neuropsychiatric symptoms of clinical depression are persistent and include fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, altered sleep patterns, hyperalgesia, melancholia, anxiety, and impaired social behaviours. Mounting evidences suggest that neuroinflammation triggers dysregulated cellular immunity and increases susceptibility to psychiatric diseases. Neuroimmune responses have transformed the clinical approach to depression because of their roles in its pathophysiology and their therapeutic potential. In particular, activated regulatory T (Treg) cells play an increasingly evident role in the inflammatory immune response. In this review, we summarized the available data and discussed in depth the fundamental roles of Tregs in the pathogenesis of depression, as well as the clinical therapeutic potential of Tregs. We aimed to provide recent information regarding the potential of Tregs as immune-modulating biologics for the treatment and prevention of long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Gao
- Department of Geriatrics, Qingdao Mental Health Center, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yuru Tang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lingli Kong
- Department of Geriatrics, Qingdao Mental Health Center, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yong Fan
- Department of Geriatrics, Qingdao Mental Health Center, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chunxia Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Qingdao Mental Health Center, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Pain Management, Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
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34
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Wang J, Zhao X, Wan YY. Intricacies of TGF-β signaling in Treg and Th17 cell biology. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:1002-1022. [PMID: 37217798 PMCID: PMC10468540 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01036-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Balanced immunity is pivotal for health and homeostasis. CD4+ helper T (Th) cells are central to the balance between immune tolerance and immune rejection. Th cells adopt distinct functions to maintain tolerance and clear pathogens. Dysregulation of Th cell function often leads to maladies, including autoimmunity, inflammatory disease, cancer, and infection. Regulatory T (Treg) and Th17 cells are critical Th cell types involved in immune tolerance, homeostasis, pathogenicity, and pathogen clearance. It is therefore critical to understand how Treg and Th17 cells are regulated in health and disease. Cytokines are instrumental in directing Treg and Th17 cell function. The evolutionarily conserved TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) cytokine superfamily is of particular interest because it is central to the biology of both Treg cells that are predominantly immunosuppressive and Th17 cells that can be proinflammatory, pathogenic, and immune regulatory. How TGF-β superfamily members and their intricate signaling pathways regulate Treg and Th17 cell function is a question that has been intensely investigated for two decades. Here, we introduce the fundamental biology of TGF-β superfamily signaling, Treg cells, and Th17 cells and discuss in detail how the TGF-β superfamily contributes to Treg and Th17 cell biology through complex yet ordered and cooperative signaling networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junying Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Xingqi Zhao
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yisong Y Wan
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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35
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Mikami N, Sakaguchi S. Regulatory T cells in autoimmune kidney diseases and transplantation. Nat Rev Nephrol 2023; 19:544-557. [PMID: 37400628 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00733-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells that express the transcription factor forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) are naturally present in the immune system and have roles in the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and immune system and tissue homeostasis. Treg cells suppress T cell activation, expansion and effector functions by various mechanisms, particularly by controlling the functions of antigen-presenting cells. They can also contribute to tissue repair by suppressing inflammation and facilitating tissue regeneration, for example, via the production of growth factors and the promotion of stem cell differentiation and proliferation. Monogenic anomalies of Treg cells and genetic variations of Treg cell functional molecules can cause or predispose patients to the development of autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory disorders, including kidney diseases. Treg cells can potentially be utilized or targeted to treat immunological diseases and establish transplantation tolerance, for example, by expanding natural Treg cells in vivo using IL-2 or small molecules or by expanding them in vitro for adoptive Treg cell therapy. Efforts are also being made to convert antigen-specific conventional T cells into Treg cells and to generate chimeric antigen receptor Treg cells from natural Treg cells for adoptive Treg cell therapies with the aim of achieving antigen-specific immune suppression and tolerance in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norihisa Mikami
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shimon Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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36
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Gu Q, Zhao X, Guo J, Jin Q, Wang T, Xu W, Li L, Zhang J, Zhang W, Hong S, Zhang F, Hou B, Zhou X. The splicing isoform Foxp3Δ2 differentially regulates tTreg and pTreg homeostasis. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112877. [PMID: 37498744 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Foxp3 is the master transcription factor for regulatory T cells (Tregs). Alternative splicing of human Foxp3 results in the expression of two isoforms: the full length and an exon 2-deleted protein. Here, AlphaFold2 predictions and in vitro experiments demonstrate that the N-terminal domain of Foxp3 inhibits DNA binding by moving toward the C terminus and that this movement is mediated by exon 2. Consequently, we find that Foxp3Δ2-bearing thymus-derived Tregs (tTregs) in the peripheral lymphoid organ are less sensitive to T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation due to the enhanced binding of Foxp3Δ2 to the Batf promoter and are hyporesponsive to interleukin-2 (IL-2). In contrast, among RORγt+ peripherally induced Tregs (pTregs) in the large intestine, Foxp3Δ2 pTregs express many more RORγt-related genes, conferring a competitive advantage. Together, our results reveal that alternative splicing of exon 2 generates an active form of Foxp3, which plays a differential role in regulating tTreg and pTreg homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianchong Gu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiufeng Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qiuzhu Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ting Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liping Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Sheng Hong
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fuping Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Baidong Hou
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xuyu Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China.
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37
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Yan M, Tsukasaki M, Muro R, Ando Y, Nakamura K, Komatsu N, Nitta T, Okamura T, Okamoto K, Takayanagi H. Identification of an intronic enhancer regulating RANKL expression in osteocytic cells. Bone Res 2023; 11:43. [PMID: 37563119 PMCID: PMC10415388 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-023-00277-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The bony skeleton is continuously renewed throughout adult life by the bone remodeling process, in which old or damaged bone is removed by osteoclasts via largely unknown mechanisms. Osteocytes regulate bone remodeling by producing the osteoclast differentiation factor RANKL (encoded by the TNFSF11 gene). However, the precise mechanisms underlying RANKL expression in osteocytes are still elusive. Here, we explored the epigenomic landscape of osteocytic cells and identified a hitherto-undescribed osteocytic cell-specific intronic enhancer in the TNFSF11 gene locus. Bioinformatics analyses showed that transcription factors involved in cell death and senescence act on this intronic enhancer region. Single-cell transcriptomic data analysis demonstrated that cell death signaling increased RANKL expression in osteocytic cells. Genetic deletion of the intronic enhancer led to a high-bone-mass phenotype with decreased levels of RANKL in osteocytic cells and osteoclastogenesis in the adult stage, while RANKL expression was not affected in osteoblasts or lymphocytes. These data suggest that osteocytes may utilize a specialized regulatory element to facilitate osteoclast formation at the bone surface to be resorbed by linking signals from cellular senescence/death and RANKL expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minglu Yan
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Tsukasaki
- Department of Osteoimmunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ryunosuke Muro
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaro Ando
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Nakamura
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Sensory and Motor System Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Komatsu
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nitta
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Okamura
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Okamoto
- Department of Osteoimmunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takayanagi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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Xiao C, Fan T, Zheng Y, Tian H, Deng Z, Liu J, Li C, He J. H3K4 trimethylation regulates cancer immunity: a promising therapeutic target in combination with immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e005693. [PMID: 37553181 PMCID: PMC10414074 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
With the advances in cancer immunity regulation and immunotherapy, the effects of histone modifications on establishing antitumor immunological ability are constantly being uncovered. Developing combination therapies involving epigenetic drugs (epi-drugs) and immune checkpoint blockades or chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapies are promising to improve the benefits of immunotherapy. Histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) is a pivotal epigenetic modification in cancer immunity regulation, deeply involved in modulating tumor immunogenicity, reshaping tumor immune microenvironment, and regulating immune cell functions. However, how to integrate these theoretical foundations to create novel H3K4 trimethylation-based therapeutic strategies and optimize available therapies remains uncertain. In this review, we delineate the mechanisms by which H3K4me3 and its modifiers regulate antitumor immunity, and explore the therapeutic potential of the H3K4me3-related agents combined with immunotherapies. Understanding the role of H3K4me3 in cancer immunity will be instrumental in developing novel epigenetic therapies and advancing immunotherapy-based combination regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Xiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yujia Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - He Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ziqin Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chunxiang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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39
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Jovisic M, Mambetsariev N, Singer BD, Morales-Nebreda L. Differential roles of regulatory T cells in acute respiratory infections. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e170505. [PMID: 37463441 DOI: 10.1172/jci170505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute respiratory infections trigger an inflammatory immune response with the goal of pathogen clearance; however, overexuberant inflammation causes tissue damage and impairs pulmonary function. CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) interact with cells of both the innate and the adaptive immune system to limit acute pulmonary inflammation and promote its resolution. Tregs also provide tissue protection and coordinate lung tissue repair, facilitating a return to homeostatic pulmonary function. Here, we review Treg-mediated modulation of the host response to respiratory pathogens, focusing on mechanisms underlying how Tregs promote resolution of inflammation and repair of acute lung injury. We also discuss potential strategies to harness and optimize Tregs as a cellular therapy for patients with severe acute respiratory infection and discuss open questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Jovisic
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine
- Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Science
| | | | - Benjamin D Singer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine
- Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Science
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, and
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Luisa Morales-Nebreda
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine
- Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Science
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40
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Li J, Chen Z, Kim G, Luo J, Hori S, Wu C. Cathepsin W restrains peripheral regulatory T cells for mucosal immune quiescence. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf3924. [PMID: 37436991 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf3924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral regulatory T (pTreg) cells are a key T cell lineage for mucosal immune tolerance and anti-inflammatory responses, and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) signaling is critical for Treg cell generation, expansion, and maintenance. The expression of IL-2R on pTreg cells is tightly regulated to ensure proper induction and function of pTreg cells without a clear molecular mechanism. We here demonstrate that Cathepsin W (CTSW), a cysteine proteinase highly induced in pTreg cells under transforming growth factor-β stimulation is essential for the restraint of pTreg cell differentiation in an intrinsic manner. Loss of CTSW results in elevated pTreg cell generation, protecting the animals from intestinal inflammation. Mechanistically, CTSW inhibits IL-2R signaling in pTreg cells by cytosolic interaction with and process of CD25, repressing signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 activation to restrain pTreg cell generation and maintenance. Hence, our data indicate that CTSW acts as a gatekeeper to calibrate pTreg cell differentiation and function for mucosal immune quiescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zuojia Chen
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Girak Kim
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jialie Luo
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shohei Hori
- Laboratory of Immunology and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Chuan Wu
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Valentini N, Requejo Cier CJ, Lamarche C. Regulatory T-cell dysfunction and its implication for cell therapy. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 213:40-49. [PMID: 37158407 PMCID: PMC10324551 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subtype of CD4+ T cells that can mediate immune tolerance by a multitude of immunomodulatory mechanisms. Treg-based adoptive immunotherapy is currently being tested in multiple phases I and II clinical trials in transplantation and autoimmune diseases. We have learned from the work done on conventional T cells that distinct mechanistic states can define their dysfunctions, such as exhaustion, senescence, and anergy. All three can negatively impact the therapeutic effectiveness of T-cell-based therapies. However, whether Tregs are susceptible to such dysfunctional states is not well studied, and results are sometimes found to be controversial. In addition, Treg instability and loss of FOXP3 expression is another Treg-specific dysfunction that can decreasein their suppressive potential. A better understanding of Treg biology and pathological states will be needed to compare and interpret the results of the different clinical and preclinical trials. We will review herein Tregs' mechanisms of action, describe different T-cell dysfunction subtypes and how and if they apply to Tregs (exhaustion, senescence, anergy, and instability), and finally how this knowledge should be taken into consideration when designing and interpreting Treg adoptive immunotherapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Valentini
- Medicine Department, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology Department, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christopher J Requejo Cier
- Medicine Department, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology Department, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Lamarche
- Medicine Department, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Medicine Department, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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42
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Wang X, Liu D, Luo J, Kong D, Zhang Y. Exploring the Role of Enhancer-Mediated Transcriptional Regulation in Precision Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10843. [PMID: 37446021 PMCID: PMC10342031 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of precision biology has been driven by the development of advanced technologies and techniques in high-resolution biological research systems. Enhancer-mediated transcriptional regulation, a complex network of gene expression and regulation in eukaryotes, has attracted significant attention as a promising avenue for investigating the underlying mechanisms of biological processes and diseases. To address biological problems with precision, large amounts of data, functional information, and research on the mechanisms of action of biological molecules is required to address biological problems with precision. Enhancers, including typical enhancers and super enhancers, play a crucial role in gene expression and regulation within this network. The identification and targeting of disease-associated enhancers hold the potential to advance precision medicine. In this review, we present the concepts, progress, importance, and challenges in precision biology, transcription regulation, and enhancers. Furthermore, we propose a model of transcriptional regulation for multi-enhancers and provide examples of their mechanisms in mammalian cells, thereby enhancing our understanding of how enhancers achieve precise regulation of gene expression in life processes. Precision biology holds promise in providing new tools and platforms for discovering insights into gene expression and disease occurrence, ultimately benefiting individuals and society as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyan Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics of MARA, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China; (D.L.); (J.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Danli Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics of MARA, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China; (D.L.); (J.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Jing Luo
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics of MARA, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China; (D.L.); (J.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Dashuai Kong
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics of MARA, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China; (D.L.); (J.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Yubo Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics of MARA, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China; (D.L.); (J.L.); (D.K.)
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43
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Sun L, Su Y, Jiao A, Wang X, Zhang B. T cells in health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:235. [PMID: 37332039 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are crucial for immune functions to maintain health and prevent disease. T cell development occurs in a stepwise process in the thymus and mainly generates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Upon antigen stimulation, naïve T cells differentiate into CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic effector and memory cells, mediating direct killing, diverse immune regulatory function, and long-term protection. In response to acute and chronic infections and tumors, T cells adopt distinct differentiation trajectories and develop into a range of heterogeneous populations with various phenotype, differentiation potential, and functionality under precise and elaborate regulations of transcriptional and epigenetic programs. Abnormal T-cell immunity can initiate and promote the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of T cell development, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell classification, and differentiation in physiological settings. We further elaborate the heterogeneity, differentiation, functionality, and regulation network of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in infectious disease, chronic infection and tumor, and autoimmune disease, highlighting the exhausted CD8+ T cell differentiation trajectory, CD4+ T cell helper function, T cell contributions to immunotherapy and autoimmune pathogenesis. We also discuss the development and function of γδ T cells in tissue surveillance, infection, and tumor immunity. Finally, we summarized current T-cell-based immunotherapies in both cancer and autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on their clinical applications. A better understanding of T cell immunity provides insight into developing novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Yanhong Su
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Anjun Jiao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China.
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44
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Nixon BG, Gao S, Wang X, Li MO. TGFβ control of immune responses in cancer: a holistic immuno-oncology perspective. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:346-362. [PMID: 36380023 PMCID: PMC10634249 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-022-00796-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The immune system responds to cancer in two main ways. First, there are prewired responses involving myeloid cells, innate lymphocytes and innate-like adaptive lymphocytes that either reside in premalignant tissues or migrate directly to tumours, and second, there are antigen priming-dependent responses, in which adaptive lymphocytes are primed in secondary lymphoid organs before homing to tumours. Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) - one of the most potent and pleiotropic regulatory cytokines - controls almost every stage of the tumour-elicited immune response, from leukocyte development in primary lymphoid organs to their priming in secondary lymphoid organs and their effector functions in the tumour itself. The complexity of TGFβ-regulated immune cell circuitries, as well as the contextual roles of TGFβ signalling in cancer cells and tumour stromal cells, necessitates the use of rigorous experimental systems that closely recapitulate human cancer, such as autochthonous tumour models, to uncover the underlying immunobiology. The diverse functions of TGFβ in healthy tissues further complicate the search for effective and safe cancer therapeutics targeting the TGFβ pathway. Here we discuss the contextual complexity of TGFβ signalling in tumour-elicited immune responses and explain how understanding this may guide the development of mechanism-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana G Nixon
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shengyu Gao
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ming O Li
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
- Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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45
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Blinova VG, Vasilyev VI, Rodionova EB, Zhdanov DD. The Role of Regulatory T Cells in the Onset and Progression of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome. Cells 2023; 12:1359. [PMID: 37408193 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in maintaining immune balance and regulating the loss of self-tolerance mechanisms in various autoimmune diseases, including primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). With the development of pSS primarily in the exocrine glands, lymphocytic infiltration occurs in the early stages, mainly due to activated CD4+ T cells. Subsequently, in the absence of rational therapy, patients develop ectopic lymphoid structures and lymphomas. While the suppression of autoactivated CD4+ T cells is involved in the pathological process, the main role belongs to Tregs, making them a target for research and possible regenerative therapy. However, the available information about their role in the onset and progression of this disease seems unsystematized and, in certain aspects, controversial. In our review, we aimed to organize the data on the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of pSS, as well as to discuss possible strategies of cell therapy for this disease. This review provides information on the differentiation, activation, and suppressive functions of Tregs and the role of the FoxP3 protein in these processes. It also highlights data on various subpopulations of Tregs in pSS, their proportion in the peripheral blood and minor salivary glands of patients as well as their role in the development of ectopic lymphoid structures. Our data emphasize the need for further research on Tregs and highlight their potential use as a cell-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varvara G Blinova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir I Vasilyev
- Joint and Heart Treatment Center, Nizhnyaya Krasnoselskaya St. 4, 107140 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Dmitry D Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia
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46
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León B. A model of Th2 differentiation based on polarizing cytokine repression. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:399-407. [PMID: 37100645 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) can integrate multiple stimuli from the environment and provide three separate outputs in terms of antigen presentation, costimulation, and cytokine production; this guides the activation, expansion, and differentiation of distinct functional T helper subsets. Accordingly, the current dogma posits that T helper cell specification requires these three signals in sequence. Data show that T helper 2 (Th2) cell differentiation requires antigen presentation and costimulation from cDCs but does not require polarizing cytokines. In this opinion article, we propose that the 'third signal' driving Th2 cell responses is, in fact, the absence of polarizing cytokines; indeed, the secretion of the latter is actively suppressed in cDCs, concomitant with acquired pro-Th2 functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz León
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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47
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review addresses recent progress in our understanding of the role of regulatory T (Treg) cells in enforcing immune tolerance and tissue homeostasis in the lung at steady state and in directing the immune response in asthmatic lung inflammation. RECENT FINDINGS Regulatory T cells regulate the innate and adaptive immune responses at steady state to enforce immune tolerance in lung tissues at steady state and their control of the allergic inflammatory responses induced by allergens. This regulatory function can break down in the context of chronic asthmatic airway inflammation such that the lung tissue Treg cells become skewed towards a pathogenic phenotype that aggravates and perpetuates disease. Subversion of lung tissue Treg cell function involves their upregulation of Notch4 expression, which in turn acts to amplify T helper type 2 and type 17 and innate lymphoid cell type 2 responses in the airways. SUMMARY A dual role for Treg cells has emerged both as immune regulators but also a potential disease effectors in asthma, with implications for disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hani Harb
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Germany
| | - Talal A Chatila
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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48
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McBride DA, Kerr MD, Johnson WT, Nguyen A, Zoccheddu M, Yao M, Prideaux EB, Dorn NC, Wang W, Svensson MN, Bottini N, Shah NJ. Immunomodulatory Microparticles Epigenetically Modulate T Cells and Systemically Ameliorate Autoimmune Arthritis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2202720. [PMID: 36890657 PMCID: PMC10104670 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have improved the prognosis of autoimmune inflammatory arthritides but a large fraction of patients display partial or nonresponsiveness to front-line DMARDs. Here, an immunoregulatory approach based on sustained joint-localized release of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), which modulates local immune activation and enhances disease-protective T cells and leads to systemic disease control is reported. ATRA imprints a unique chromatin landscape in T cells, which is associated with an enhancement in the differentiation of naïve T cells into anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Treg ) and suppression of Treg destabilization. Sustained release poly-(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)-based biodegradable microparticles encapsulating ATRA (PLGA-ATRA MP) are retained in arthritic mouse joints after intra-articular (IA) injection. IA PLGA-ATRA MP enhance migratory Treg which in turn reduce inflammation and modify disease in injected and uninjected joints, a phenotype that is also reproduced by IA injection of Treg . PLGA-ATRA MP reduce proteoglycan loss and bone erosions in the SKG and collagen-induced arthritis mouse models of autoimmune arthritis. Strikingly, systemic disease modulation by PLGA-ATRA MP is not associated with generalized immune suppression. PLGA-ATRA MP have the potential to be developed as a disease modifying agent for autoimmune arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. McBride
- Department of NanoengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
- Chemical Engineering ProgramUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
| | - Matthew D. Kerr
- Department of NanoengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
- Chemical Engineering ProgramUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
| | - Wade T. Johnson
- Department of NanoengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
| | - Anders Nguyen
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation ResearchSahlgrenska AcademyInstitute of MedicineUniversity of GothenburgGothenburg41346Sweden
| | - Martina Zoccheddu
- Department of MedicineDivision of RheumatologyAllergy and ImmunologyUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
| | - Mina Yao
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
| | - Edward B. Prideaux
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
| | - Nicholas C. Dorn
- Department of NanoengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
- Chemical Engineering ProgramUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
| | - Mattias N.D. Svensson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation ResearchSahlgrenska AcademyInstitute of MedicineUniversity of GothenburgGothenburg41346Sweden
| | - Nunzio Bottini
- Department of MedicineDivision of RheumatologyAllergy and ImmunologyUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
| | - Nisarg J. Shah
- Department of NanoengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
- Chemical Engineering ProgramUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaSan DiegoCA92093USA
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49
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Dolsten GA, Pritykin Y. Genomic Analysis of Foxp3 Function in Regulatory T Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:880-887. [PMID: 36947819 PMCID: PMC10037560 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical for tolerance to self-antigens and for preventing autoimmunity. Foxp3 has been identified as a Treg cell lineage-defining transcription factor controlling Treg cell differentiation and function. In this article, we review the current mechanistic and systemic understanding of Foxp3 function enabled by experimental and computational advances in high-throughput genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel A Dolsten
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Quantitative and Computational Biology Graduate Program, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Yuri Pritykin
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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50
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Tai X, Indart A, Rojano M, Guo J, Apenes N, Kadakia T, Craveiro M, Alag A, Etzensperger R, Badr ME, Zhang F, Zhang Z, Mu J, Guinter T, Crossman A, Granger L, Sharrow S, Zhou X, Singer A. How autoreactive thymocytes differentiate into regulatory versus effector CD4 + T cells after avoiding clonal deletion. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:637-651. [PMID: 36959291 PMCID: PMC10063450 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01469-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Thymocytes bearing autoreactive T cell receptors (TCRs) are agonist-signaled by TCR/co-stimulatory molecules to either undergo clonal deletion or to differentiate into specialized regulatory T (Treg) or effector T (Teff) CD4+ cells. How these different fates are achieved during development remains poorly understood. We now document that deletion and differentiation are agonist-signaled at different times during thymic selection and that Treg and Teff cells both arise after clonal deletion as alternative lineage fates of agonist-signaled CD4+CD25+ precursors. Disruption of agonist signaling induces CD4+CD25+ precursors to initiate Foxp3 expression and become Treg cells, whereas persistent agonist signaling induces CD4+CD25+ precursors to become IL-2+ Teff cells. Notably, we discovered that transforming growth factor-β induces Foxp3 expression and promotes Treg cell development by disrupting weaker agonist signals and that Foxp3 expression is not induced by IL-2 except under non-physiological in vivo conditions. Thus, TCR signaling disruption versus persistence is a general mechanism of lineage fate determination in the thymus that directs development of agonist-signaled autoreactive thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuguang Tai
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alyssa Indart
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mirelle Rojano
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jie Guo
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nicolai Apenes
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tejas Kadakia
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marco Craveiro
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amala Alag
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ruth Etzensperger
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mohamed Elsherif Badr
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Flora Zhang
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhongmei Zhang
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jie Mu
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Terry Guinter
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Assiatu Crossman
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Larry Granger
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Susan Sharrow
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xuyu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Alfred Singer
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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