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Boehm T. Understanding vertebrate immunity through comparative immunology. Nat Rev Immunol 2025; 25:141-152. [PMID: 39317775 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-01083-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Evolutionary immunology has entered a new era. Classical studies, using just a handful of model animal species, combined with clinical observations, provided an outline of how innate and adaptive immunity work together to ensure tissue homeostasis and to coordinate the fight against infections. However, revolutionary advances in cellular and molecular biology, genomics and methods of genetic modification now offer unprecedented opportunities. They provide immunologists with the possibility to consider, at unprecedented scale, the impact of the astounding phenotypic diversity of vertebrates on immune system function. This Perspective is intended to highlight some of the many interesting, but largely unexplored, biological phenomena that are related to immune function among the roughly 60,000 existing vertebrate species. Importantly, hypotheses arising from such wide-ranging comparative studies can be tested in representative and genetically tractable species. The emerging general principles and the discovery of their evolutionarily selected variations may inspire the future development of novel therapeutic strategies for human immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Boehm
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany.
- Institute for Immunodeficiency, Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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2
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Sampson JM, Morrissey KA, Mikolajova KJ, Zimmerly KM, Gemmell NJ, Gardner MG, Bertozzi T, Miller RD. Squamate reptiles may have compensated for the lack of γδTCR with a duplication of the TRB locus. Front Immunol 2025; 15:1524471. [PMID: 39850903 PMCID: PMC11754216 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1524471] [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: 11/07/2024] [Accepted: 12/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2025] Open
Abstract
Squamate reptiles are amongst the most successful terrestrial vertebrate lineages, with over 10,000 species across a broad range of ecosystems. Despite their success, squamates are also amongst the least studied lineages immunologically. Recently, a universal lack of γδ T cells in squamates due to deletions of the genes encoding the T cell receptor (TCR) γ and δ chains was discovered. Here, we begin to address how the loss of γδ T cells may have impacted the evolution of the squamate immune system. Using the skink Tiliqua rugosa, we found that squamates have not significantly increased the complexity of conventional T cell receptor beta (TCRβ or TRB) chain V regions compared to that of the nearest living squamate relative, the tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus or other amniotes. Our analyses include a putative new TCR locus. This novel locus contains V, D, and J gene segments that undergo V(D)J recombination, albeit with a limited number of gene segments in most squamate species. Based on conserved residues, the predicted protein chain would be expected to form a heterodimer with TCRα. This new TCR locus appears to be derived from an ancient duplication of the TRB locus and is homologous to the recently described T cell receptor epsilon (TRE). TRE is absent from the genomes of the tuatara and all Archosaurs examined and appears squamate specific.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Gene Duplication
- Phylogeny
- Reptiles/immunology
- Reptiles/genetics
- Lizards/immunology
- Lizards/genetics
- Evolution, Molecular
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M. Sampson
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Kimberly A. Morrissey
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Kieran J. Mikolajova
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Kourtney M. Zimmerly
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Neil J. Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael G. Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Terry Bertozzi
- South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Robert D. Miller
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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3
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Flajnik MF. The Janus (dual) model of immunoglobulin isotype evolution: Conservation and plasticity are the defining paradigms. Immunol Rev 2024; 328:49-64. [PMID: 39223989 PMCID: PMC12010099 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The study of antibodies in jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) provides every immunologist with a bird's eye view of how human immunoglobulins (Igs) came into existence and subsequently evolved into their present forms. It is a fascinating Darwinian history of conservation on the one hand and flexibility on the other, exemplified by the Ig heavy chain (H) isotypes IgM and IgD/W, respectively. The cartilaginous fish (e.g., sharks) Igs provide a glimpse of "how everything got off the ground," while the amphibians (e.g., the model Xenopus) reveal how the adaptive immune system made an about face with the emergence of Ig isotype switching and IgG-like structure/function. The evolution of mucosal Igs is a captivating account of malleability, convergence, and conservation, and a call to arms for future study! In between there are spellbinding chronicles of antibody evolution in each class of vertebrates and rather incredible stories of how antibodies can adapt to occupy niches, for example, single-domain variable regions, cold-adapted Igs, convergent mechanisms to dampen antibody function, provision of mucosal defense, and many more. The purpose here is not to provide an encyclopedic examination of antibody evolution, but rather to hit the high points and entice readers to appreciate how things "came to be."
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin F Flajnik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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4
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Hayday A, Dechanet-Merville J, Rossjohn J, Silva-Santos B. Cancer immunotherapy by γδ T cells. Science 2024; 386:eabq7248. [PMID: 39361750 PMCID: PMC7616870 DOI: 10.1126/science.abq7248] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
The premise of cancer immunotherapy is that cancers are specifically visible to an immune system tolerized to healthy self. The promise of cancer immunotherapy is that immune effector mechanisms and immunological memory can jointly eradicate cancers and inoperable metastases and de facto vaccinate against recurrence. For some patients with hitherto incurable diseases, including metastatic melanoma, this promise is being realized by game-changing immunotherapies based on αβ T cells. Today's challenges are to bring benefit to greater numbers of patients of diverse ethnicities, target more cancer types, and achieve a cure while incurring fewer adverse events. In meeting those challenges, specific benefits may be offered by γδ T cells, which compose a second T cell lineage with distinct recognition capabilities and functional traits that bridge innate and adaptive immunity. γδ T cell-based clinical trials, including off-the-shelf adoptive cell therapy and agonist antibodies, are yielding promising results, although identifiable problems remain. In addressing those problems, we advocate that immunotherapies be guided by the distinctive biology of γδ T cells, as elucidated by ongoing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Hayday
- Francis Crick Institute, Peter Gorer Dept of Immunobiology, King’s College London, and CRUK City of London Cancer Centre, UK
| | - Julie Dechanet-Merville
- ImmunoConcEpT, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5164, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program & Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Bruno Silva-Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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5
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Downie AE, Barre RS, Robinson A, Yang J, Chen YH, Lin JD, Oyesola O, Yeung F, Cadwell K, Loke P, Graham AL. Assessing immune phenotypes using simple proxy measures: promise and limitations. DISCOVERY IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 3:kyae010. [PMID: 39045514 PMCID: PMC11264049 DOI: 10.1093/discim/kyae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The study of immune phenotypes in wild animals is beset by numerous methodological challenges, with assessment of detailed aspects of phenotype difficult to impossible. This constrains the ability of disease ecologists and ecoimmunologists to describe immune variation and evaluate hypotheses explaining said variation. The development of simple approaches that allow characterization of immune variation across many populations and species would be a significant advance. Here we explore whether serum protein concentrations and coarse-grained white blood cell profiles, immune quantities that can easily be assayed in many species, can predict, and therefore serve as proxies for, lymphocyte composition properties. We do this in rewilded laboratory mice, which combine the benefits of immune phenotyping of lab mice with the natural context and immune variation found in the wild. We find that easily assayed immune quantities are largely ineffective as predictors of lymphocyte composition, either on their own or with other covariates. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio show the most promise as indicators of other immune traits, but their explanatory power is limited. Our results prescribe caution in inferring immune phenotypes beyond what is directly measured, but they do also highlight some potential paths forward for the development of proxy measures employable by ecoimmunologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander E Downie
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Ramya S Barre
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio; San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Annie Robinson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Jennie Yang
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Ying-Han Chen
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Da Lin
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Center for Computational and Systems Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Oyebola Oyesola
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Frank Yeung
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Ken Cadwell
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - P’ng Loke
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrea L Graham
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Santa Fe Institute; Santa Fe, NM, USA
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6
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Sampson JM, Morrissey KA, Douek DC, Miller RD. A family of olfactory receptors uniquely expanded in marsupial and monotreme genomes are expressed by a T cell subset also unique to marsupials and monotremes. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 154:105149. [PMID: 38340883 PMCID: PMC10926957 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105149] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Olfactory receptors (OR), expressed on olfactory neurons, mediate the sense of smell. Recently, OR have also been shown to be expressed in non-olfactory tissues, including cells of the immune system. An analysis of single-cell transcriptomes of splenocytes of the grey short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) found OR are expressed on a subset of T cells, the γμ T cells, that are unique to marsupials and monotremes. A majority of opossum γμ T cells transcriptomes contain OR family 14 transcripts, specifically, from the OR14C subfamily. Amongst the mammals, the OR14 gene family is expanded in the genomes of marsupials and monotremes, and rarer or absent in placental mammals. In summary, here we demonstrate the intriguing correlation that a family of OR genes, abundant in the genomes of marsupials and monotremes, are ectopically expressed in a particular subset of T cells unique to the marsupials and monotremes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Sampson
- Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Kimberly A Morrissey
- Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Daniel C Douek
- Human Immunology Section, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robert D Miller
- Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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7
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Ott JA, Mitchell C, Sheppard M, Deiss TC, Horton JMC, Haakenson JK, Huang R, Kelley AR, Davis BW, Derr JN, Smider VV, Criscitiello MF. Evolution of immunogenetic components encoding ultralong CDR H3. Immunogenetics 2023; 75:323-339. [PMID: 37084012 PMCID: PMC10119515 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-023-01305-9] [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: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The genomes of most vertebrates contain many V, D, and J gene segments within their Ig loci to construct highly variable CDR3 sequences through combinatorial diversity. This nucleotide variability translates into an antibody population containing extensive paratope diversity. Cattle have relatively few functional VDJ gene segments, requiring innovative approaches for generating diversity like the use of ultralong-encoding IGHV and IGHD gene segments that yield dramatically elongated CDR H3. Unique knob and stalk microdomains create protracted paratopes, where the antigen-binding knob sits atop a long stalk, allowing the antibody to bind both surface and recessed antigen epitopes. We examined genomes of twelve species of Bovidae to determine when ultralong-encoding IGHV and IGHD gene segments evolved. We located the 8-bp duplication encoding the unique TTVHQ motif in ultralong IGHV segments in six Bovid species (cattle, zebu, wild yak, domestic yak, American bison, and domestic gayal), but we did not find evidence of the duplication in species beyond the Bos and Bison genera. Additionally, we analyzed mRNA from bison spleen and identified a rich repertoire of expressed ultralong CDR H3 antibody mRNA, suggesting that bison use ultralong IGHV transcripts in their host defense. We found ultralong-encoding IGHD gene segments in all the same species except domestic yak, but again not beyond the Bos and Bison clade. Thus, the duplication event leading to this ultralong-encoding IGHV gene segment and the emergence of the ultralong-encoding IGHD gene segment appears to have evolved in a common ancestor of the Bos and Bison genera 5-10 million years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannine A Ott
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Christian Mitchell
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Morgan Sheppard
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Thad C Deiss
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - J M Cody Horton
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jeremy K Haakenson
- Applied Biomedical Science Institute, San Diego, CA, 92127, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ruiqi Huang
- Applied Biomedical Science Institute, San Diego, CA, 92127, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | | | - Brian W Davis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - James N Derr
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Vaughn V Smider
- Applied Biomedical Science Institute, San Diego, CA, 92127, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Michael F Criscitiello
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA.
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8
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Vinkler M, Fiddaman SR, Těšický M, O'Connor EA, Savage AE, Lenz TL, Smith AL, Kaufman J, Bolnick DI, Davies CS, Dedić N, Flies AS, Samblás MMG, Henschen AE, Novák K, Palomar G, Raven N, Samaké K, Slade J, Veetil NK, Voukali E, Höglund J, Richardson DS, Westerdahl H. Understanding the evolution of immune genes in jawed vertebrates. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:847-873. [PMID: 37255207 PMCID: PMC10247546 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Driven by co-evolution with pathogens, host immunity continuously adapts to optimize defence against pathogens within a given environment. Recent advances in genetics, genomics and transcriptomics have enabled a more detailed investigation into how immunogenetic variation shapes the diversity of immune responses seen across domestic and wild animal species. However, a deeper understanding of the diverse molecular mechanisms that shape immunity within and among species is still needed to gain insight into-and generate evolutionary hypotheses on-the ultimate drivers of immunological differences. Here, we discuss current advances in our understanding of molecular evolution underpinning jawed vertebrate immunity. First, we introduce the immunome concept, a framework for characterizing genes involved in immune defence from a comparative perspective, then we outline how immune genes of interest can be identified. Second, we focus on how different selection modes are observed acting across groups of immune genes and propose hypotheses to explain these differences. We then provide an overview of the approaches used so far to study the evolutionary heterogeneity of immune genes on macro and microevolutionary scales. Finally, we discuss some of the current evidence as to how specific pathogens affect the evolution of different groups of immune genes. This review results from the collective discussion on the current key challenges in evolutionary immunology conducted at the ESEB 2021 Online Satellite Symposium: Molecular evolution of the vertebrate immune system, from the lab to natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Vinkler
- Department of ZoologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Martin Těšický
- Department of ZoologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Anna E. Savage
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Central FloridaFloridaOrlandoUSA
| | - Tobias L. Lenz
- Research Unit for Evolutionary ImmunogenomicsDepartment of BiologyUniversity of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | | | - Jim Kaufman
- Institute for Immunology and Infection ResearchUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Daniel I. Bolnick
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of ConnecticutStorrsConnecticutUSA
| | | | - Neira Dedić
- Department of Botany and ZoologyMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Andrew S. Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - M. Mercedes Gómez Samblás
- Department of ZoologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
- Department of ParasitologyUniversity of GranadaGranadaSpain
| | | | - Karel Novák
- Department of Genetics and BreedingInstitute of Animal SciencePragueUhříněvesCzech Republic
| | - Gemma Palomar
- Faculty of BiologyInstitute of Environmental SciencesJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - Nynke Raven
- Department of ScienceEngineering and Build EnvironmentDeakin UniversityVictoriaWaurn PondsAustralia
| | - Kalifa Samaké
- Department of Genetics and MicrobiologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Joel Slade
- Department of BiologyCalifornia State UniversityFresnoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Eleni Voukali
- Department of ZoologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Jacob Höglund
- Department of Ecology and GeneticsUppsala UniversitetUppsalaSweden
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9
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Quantitative affinity measurement of small molecule ligand binding to major histocompatibility complex class-I-related protein 1 MR1. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102714. [PMID: 36403855 PMCID: PMC9764189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Major Histocompatibility Complex class I-related protein 1 (MR1) presents small molecule metabolites, drugs, and drug-like molecules that are recognized by MR1-reactive T cells. While we have an understanding of how antigens bind to MR1 and upregulate MR1 cell surface expression, a quantitative, cell-free, assessment of MR1 ligand-binding affinity was lacking. Here, we developed a fluorescence polarization-based assay in which fluorescent MR1 ligand was loaded into MR1 protein in vitro and competitively displaced by candidate ligands over a range of concentrations. Using this assay, ligand affinity for MR1 could be differentiated as strong (IC50 < 1 μM), moderate (1 μM < IC50 < 100 μM), and weak (IC50 > 100 μM). We demonstrated a clear correlation between ligand-binding affinity for MR1, the presence of a covalent bond between MR1 and ligand, and the number of salt bridge and hydrogen bonds formed between MR1 and ligand. Using this newly developed fluorescence polarization-based assay to screen for candidate ligands, we identified the dietary molecules vanillin and ethylvanillin as weak bona fide MR1 ligands. Both upregulated MR1 on the surface of C1R.MR1 cells and the crystal structure of a MAIT cell T cell receptor-MR1-ethylvanillin complex revealed that ethylvanillin formed a Schiff base with K43 of MR1 and was buried within the A'-pocket. Collectively, we developed and validated a method to quantitate the binding affinities of ligands for MR1 that will enable an efficient and rapid screening of candidate MR1 ligands.
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10
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Sušac L, Vuong MT, Thomas C, von Bülow S, O'Brien-Ball C, Santos AM, Fernandes RA, Hummer G, Tampé R, Davis SJ. Structure of a fully assembled tumor-specific T cell receptor ligated by pMHC. Cell 2022; 185:3201-3213.e19. [PMID: 35985289 PMCID: PMC9630439 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The T cell receptor (TCR) expressed by T lymphocytes initiates protective immune responses to pathogens and tumors. To explore the structural basis of how TCR signaling is initiated when the receptor binds to peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules, we used cryogenic electron microscopy to determine the structure of a tumor-reactive TCRαβ/CD3δγε2ζ2 complex bound to a melanoma-specific human class I pMHC at 3.08 Å resolution. The antigen-bound complex comprises 11 subunits stabilized by multivalent interactions across three structural layers, with clustered membrane-proximal cystines stabilizing the CD3-εδ and CD3-εγ heterodimers. Extra density sandwiched between transmembrane helices reveals the involvement of sterol lipids in TCR assembly. The geometry of the pMHC/TCR complex suggests that efficient TCR scanning of pMHC requires accurate pre-positioning of T cell and antigen-presenting cell membranes. Comparisons of the ligand-bound and unliganded receptors, along with molecular dynamics simulations, indicate that TCRs can be triggered in the absence of spontaneous structural rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Sušac
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mai T Vuong
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Christoph Thomas
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sören von Bülow
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Str. 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Caitlin O'Brien-Ball
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Ana Mafalda Santos
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Ricardo A Fernandes
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Str. 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Robert Tampé
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Simon J Davis
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
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11
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Wegrecki M, Ocampo TA, Gunasinghe SD, von Borstel A, Tin SY, Reijneveld JF, Cao TP, Gully BS, Le Nours J, Moody DB, Van Rhijn I, Rossjohn J. Atypical sideways recognition of CD1a by autoreactive γδ T cell receptors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3872. [PMID: 35790773 PMCID: PMC9256601 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31443-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CD1a is a monomorphic antigen-presenting molecule on dendritic cells that presents lipids to αβ T cells. Whether CD1a represents a ligand for other immune receptors remains unknown. Here we use CD1a tetramers to show that CD1a is a ligand for Vδ1+ γδ T cells. Functional studies suggest that two γδ T cell receptors (TCRs) bound CD1a in a lipid-independent manner. The crystal structures of three Vγ4Vδ1 TCR-CD1a-lipid complexes reveal that the γδ TCR binds at the extreme far side and parallel to the long axis of the β-sheet floor of CD1a's antigen-binding cleft. Here, the γδ TCR co-recognises the CD1a heavy chain and β2 microglobulin in a manner that is distinct from all other previously observed γδ TCR docking modalities. The 'sideways' and lipid antigen independent mode of autoreactive CD1a recognition induces TCR clustering on the cell surface and proximal T cell signalling as measured by CD3ζ phosphorylation. In contrast with the 'end to end' binding of αβ TCRs that typically contact carried antigens, autoreactive γδ TCRs support geometrically diverse approaches to CD1a, as well as antigen independent recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Wegrecki
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tonatiuh A Ocampo
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Sachith D Gunasinghe
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anouk von Borstel
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shin Yi Tin
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Josephine F Reijneveld
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Thinh-Phat Cao
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin S Gully
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jérôme Le Nours
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Branch Moody
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US.
| | - Ildiko Van Rhijn
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US.
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
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12
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Morrissey KA, Sampson JM, Rivera M, Bu L, Hansen VL, Gemmell NJ, Gardner MG, Bertozzi T, Miller RD. Comparison of Reptilian Genomes Reveals Deletions Associated with the Natural Loss of γδ T Cells in Squamates. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:1960-1967. [PMID: 35346964 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2101158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
T lymphocytes or T cells are key components of the vertebrate response to pathogens and cancer. There are two T cell classes based on their TCRs, αβ T cells and γδ T cells, and each plays a critical role in immune responses. The squamate reptiles may be unique among the vertebrate lineages by lacking an entire class of T cells, the γδ T cells. In this study, we investigated the basis of the loss of the γδ T cells in squamates. The genome and transcriptome of a sleepy lizard, the skink Tiliqua rugosa, were compared with those of tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus, the last living member of the Rhynchocephalian reptiles. We demonstrate that the lack of TCRγ and TCRδ transcripts in the skink are due to large deletions in the T. rugosa genome. We also show that tuataras are on a growing list of species, including sharks, frogs, birds, alligators, and platypus, that can use an atypical TCRδ that appears to be a chimera of a TCR chain with an Ab-like Ag-binding domain. Tuatara represents the nearest living relative to squamates that retain γδ T cells. The loss of γδTCR in the skink is due to genomic deletions that appear to be conserved in other squamates. The genes encoding the αβTCR chains in the skink do not appear to have increased in complexity to compensate for the loss of γδ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Morrissey
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Jordan M Sampson
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Megan Rivera
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Victoria L Hansen
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael G Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; and
| | - Terry Bertozzi
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; and .,The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robert D Miller
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM;
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13
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Xiong X, Samollow PB, Cao W, Metz R, Zhang C, Leandro AC, VandeBerg JL, Wang X. Genetic and genomic architecture in eight strains of the laboratory opossum Monodelphis domestica. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkab389. [PMID: 34751383 PMCID: PMC8728031 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) is an established laboratory-bred marsupial model for biomedical research. It is a critical species for comparative genomics research, providing the pivotal phylogenetic outgroup for studies of derived vs ancestral states of genomic/epigenomic characteristics for eutherian mammal lineages. To characterize the current genetic profile of this laboratory marsupial, we examined 79 individuals from eight established laboratory strains. Double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing and whole-genome resequencing experiments were performed to investigate the genetic architecture in these strains. A total of 66,640 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. We analyzed SNP density, average heterozygosity, nucleotide diversity, and population differentiation parameter Fst within and between the eight strains. Principal component and population structure analysis clearly resolve the strains at the level of their ancestral founder populations, and the genetic architecture of these strains correctly reflects their breeding history. We confirmed the successful establishment of the first inbred laboratory opossum strain LSD (inbreeding coefficient F > 0.99) and a nearly inbred strain FD2M1 (0.98 < F < 0.99), each derived from a different ancestral background. These strains are suitable for various experimental protocols requiring controlled genetic backgrounds and for intercrosses and backcrosses that can generate offspring with informative SNPs for studying a variety of genetic and epigenetic processes. Together with recent advances in reproductive manipulation and CRISPR/Cas9 techniques for Monodelphis domestica, the existence of distinctive inbred strains will enable genome editing on different genetic backgrounds, greatly expanding the utility of this marsupial model for biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Xiong
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Paul B Samollow
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Wenqi Cao
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Richard Metz
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Service Center, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX 77845, USA
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ana C Leandro
- South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute and Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
| | - John L VandeBerg
- South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute and Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
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14
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Schraven AL, Hansen VL, Morrissey KA, Stannard HJ, Ong OT, Douek DC, Miller RD, Old JM. Developmental and comparative immunology single-cell transcriptome analysis of the B-cell repertoire reveals the usage of immunoglobulins in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 123:104141. [PMID: 34038789 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
B-cells are key to humoral immunity, are found in multiple lymphoid organs, and have the unique ability to mediate the production of antigen-specific antibodies in the presence of pathogens. The marsupial immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy (H) chain locus encodes four constant region isotypes, IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE, but no IgD, and there are two light (L) chain isotypes, lambda (Igλ) and kappa (Igκ). To gain an understanding of the marsupial humoral immune system, B-cell transcriptomes generated by single-cell RNA sequencing from gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) splenocytes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analysed. The cells used were from a single unimmunized animal and the majority of B-cells were transcribing IgM heavy chains. The ratio of Ig light chain use was roughly 2:1, Igλ:Igκ in this individual. This was not predicted due to Igκ being the more complex of the two L chain loci. The variable (V) gene segment pairs used in individual B-cells confirm greater diversity provided by the L chain V. This study is the first to report on using single cell analysis to investigate Ig repertoires in a marsupial and confirms a number of prior hypothesis, as well as revealing some surprises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Schraven
- School of Science and Health, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Victoria L Hansen
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Kimberly A Morrissey
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Hayley J Stannard
- Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
| | - Oselyne Tw Ong
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Daniel C Douek
- Human Immunology Section, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robert D Miller
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Julie M Old
- School of Science and Health, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
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15
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Eaglesham JB, Garcia A, Berkmen M. Production of antibodies in SHuffle Escherichia coli strains. Methods Enzymol 2021; 659:105-144. [PMID: 34752282 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies are globally important macromolecules, used for research, diagnostics, and as therapeutics. The common mammalian antibody immunoglobulin G (IgG) is a complex glycosylated macromolecule, composed of two heavy chains and two light chains held together by multiple disulfide bonds. For this reason, IgG and related antibody fragments are usually produced through secretion from mammalian cell lines, such as Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. However, there is growing interest in production of antibodies in prokaryotic systems due to the potential for rapid and cheap production in a highly genetically manipulable system. Research on oxidative protein folding in prokaryotes has enabled engineering of Escherichia coli strains capable of producing IgG and other disulfide bonded proteins in the cytoplasm, known as SHuffle. In this protocol, we provide a review of research on prokaryotic antibody production, guidelines on cloning of antibody expression constructs, conditions for an initial expression and purification experiment, and parameters which may be optimized for increased purification yields. Last, we discuss the limitations of prokaryotic antibody production, and highlight potential future avenues for research on antibody expression and folding.
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16
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Call MJ, Davey AS. Hello Possums! Immunol Cell Biol 2021; 99:674-676. [PMID: 34180552 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Call
- Structural Biology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashleigh S Davey
- Structural Biology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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17
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