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Vasconcelos-Fontes L, Vieira RC, He M, Ferreira-Reis R, Jurberg AD, Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz D, Andersson J, Cotta-de-Almeida V, Westerberg LS. Controlled WASp activity regulates the proliferative response for Treg cell differentiation in the thymus. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350450. [PMID: 38356202 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350450] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) regulates actin cytoskeletal dynamics and function of hematopoietic cells. Mutations in the WAS gene lead to two different syndromes; Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) caused by loss-of-function mutations, and X-linked neutropenia (XLN) caused by gain-of-function mutations. We previously showed that WASp-deficient mice have a decreased number of regulatory T (Treg) cells in the thymus and the periphery. We here evaluated the impact of WASp mutations on Treg cells in the thymus of WAS and XLN mouse models. Using in vitro Treg differentiation assays, WAS CD4 single-positive thymocytes have decreased differentiation to Treg cells, despite normal early signaling upon IL-2 and TGF-β stimulation. They failed to proliferate and express CD25 at high levels, leading to poor survival and a lower number of Foxp3+ Treg cells. Conversely, XLN CD4 single-positive thymocytes efficiently differentiate into Foxp3+ Treg cells following a high proliferative response to IL-2 and TGF-β, associated with high CD25 expression when compared with WT cells. Altogether, these results show that specific mutations of WASp affect Treg cell development differently, demonstrating a critical role of WASp activity in supporting Treg cell development and expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Vasconcelos-Fontes
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rhaissa C Vieira
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Minghui He
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rafaella Ferreira-Reis
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation (RENEURIN), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Arnon Dias Jurberg
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation (RENEURIN), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation (RENEURIN), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - John Andersson
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vinicius Cotta-de-Almeida
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation (RENEURIN), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lisa S Westerberg
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Vieira RC, Pinho LG, Westerberg LS. Understanding immunoactinopathies: A decade of research on WAS gene defects. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2023; 34:e13951. [PMID: 37102395 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Immunoactinopathies caused by mutations in actin-related proteins are a growing group of inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Immunoactinopathies are caused by a dysregulated actin cytoskeleton and affect hematopoietic cells especially because of their unique capacity to survey the body for invading pathogens and altered self, such as cancer cells. These cell motility and cell-to-cell interaction properties depend on the dynamic nature of the actin cytoskeleton. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is the archetypical immunoactinopathy and the first described. WAS is caused by loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations in the actin regulator WASp, uniquely expressed in hematopoietic cells. Mutations in WAS cause a profound disturbance of actin cytoskeleton regulation of hematopoietic cells. Studies during the last 10 years have shed light on the specific effects on different hematopoietic cells, revealing that they are not affected equally by mutations in the WAS gene. Moreover, the mechanistic understanding of how WASp controls nuclear and cytoplasmatic activities may help to find therapeutic alternatives according to the site of the mutation and clinical phenotypes. In this review, we summarize recent findings that have added to the complexity and increased our understanding of WAS-related diseases and immunoactinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhaissa Calixto Vieira
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lia Goncalves Pinho
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa S Westerberg
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Velnati S, Centonze S, Rossino G, Purghè B, Antona A, Racca L, Mula S, Ruffo E, Malacarne V, Malerba M, Manfredi M, Graziani A, Baldanzi G. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein interacts and inhibits diacylglycerol kinase alpha promoting IL-2 induction. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1043603. [PMID: 37138877 PMCID: PMC10149931 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1043603] [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: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phosphorylation of diacylglycerol by diacylglycerol-kinases represents a major inhibitory event constraining T cell activation upon antigen engagement. Efficient TCR signalling requires the inhibition of the alpha isoform of diacylglycerol kinase, DGKα, by an unidentified signalling pathway triggered by the protein adaptor SAP. We previously demonstrated that, in SAP absence, excessive DGKα activity makes the T cells resistant to restimulation-induced cell death (RICD), an apoptotic program counteracting excessive T cell clonal expansion. Results Herein, we report that the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) inhibits DGKα through a specific interaction of the DGKα recoverin homology domain with the WH1 domain of WASp. Indeed, WASp is necessary and sufficient for DGKα inhibition, and this WASp function is independent of ARP2/3 activity. The adaptor protein NCK-1 and the small G protein CDC42 connect WASp-mediated DGKα inhibition to SAP and the TCR signalosome. In primary human T cells, this new signalling pathway is necessary for a full response in terms of IL-2 production, while minimally affecting TCR signalling and restimulation-induced cell death. Conversely, in T cells made resistant to RICD by SAP silencing, the enhanced DAG signalling due to DGKα inhibition is sufficient to restore apoptosis sensitivity. Conclusion We discover a novel signalling pathway where, upon strong TCR activation, the complex between WASp and DGKα blocks DGKα activity, allowing a full cytokine response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Velnati
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universitàdel Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research on Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Sara Centonze
- Center for Translational Research on Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Heath Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sara Centonze,
| | - Giulia Rossino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Beatrice Purghè
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universitàdel Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research on Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Annamaria Antona
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universitàdel Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Luisa Racca
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universitàdel Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research on Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Sabrina Mula
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Ruffo
- Department of Surgery and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Valeria Malacarne
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universitàdel Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Mario Malerba
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universitàdel Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Respiratory Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Vercelli, Italy
| | - Marcello Manfredi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universitàdel Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research on Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Andrea Graziani
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universitàdel Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gianluca Baldanzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Universitàdel Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Translational Research on Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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Sabag B, Levy M, Kivelevitz J, Dashevsky N, Ben-Shmuel A, Puthenveetil A, Awwad F, Barda-Saad M. Actin Retrograde Flow Regulated by the Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome Protein Drives the Natural Killer Cell Response. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153756. [PMID: 35954420 PMCID: PMC9367451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the crosstalk between natural killer (NK) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) has enhanced the potential of exploiting the interplay between activation and inhibition of NK cells for immunotherapy. This interaction is crucial for understanding how tumor cells escape NK cell immune surveillance. NK cell dysfunction is regulated by two molecular mechanisms, downregulated activating receptor ligand expression on the tumor cells, and upregulated inhibitory signals delivered to NK cells. Recent studies demonstrated the role of mechanotransduction in modulating NK cell responses in the TME. The immunological synapse represents a functional interface between the NK cell and its target, regulated by Actin Retrograde Flow (ARF), which drives the adhesion molecules and receptors toward the central zone of the immunological synapse (IS). Here, we further characterize the role of ARF in controlling the immune response of NK cells, using CRISPR/cas9-mediated Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) gene silencing of NK cells. We demonstrate that WASp regulates ARF velocity, affecting the conformation and function of the key NK inhibitory regulator, SH2-domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), and consequently, the NK cell response. Our results demonstrate the potential of modulating the biophysical and intracellular regulation of NK activation as a promising approach for improving immunotherapy.
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Sun J, Zhong X, Fu X, Miller H, Lee P, Yu B, Liu C. The Actin Regulators Involved in the Function and Related Diseases of Lymphocytes. Front Immunol 2022; 13:799309. [PMID: 35371070 PMCID: PMC8965893 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.799309] [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: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin is an important cytoskeletal protein involved in signal transduction, cell structure and motility. Actin regulators include actin-monomer-binding proteins, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) family of proteins, nucleation proteins, actin filament polymerases and severing proteins. This group of proteins regulate the dynamic changes in actin assembly/disassembly, thus playing an important role in cell motility, intracellular transport, cell division and other basic cellular activities. Lymphocytes are important components of the human immune system, consisting of T-lymphocytes (T cells), B-lymphocytes (B cells) and natural killer cells (NK cells). Lymphocytes are indispensable for both innate and adaptive immunity and cannot function normally without various actin regulators. In this review, we first briefly introduce the structure and fundamental functions of a variety of well-known and newly discovered actin regulators, then we highlight the role of actin regulators in T cell, B cell and NK cell, and finally provide a landscape of various diseases associated with them. This review provides new directions in exploring actin regulators and promotes more precise and effective treatments for related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxuan Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingyu Zhong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Fu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heather Miller
- Cytek Biosciences, R&D Clinical Reagents, Fremont, CA, United States
| | - Pamela Lee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bing Yu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chaohong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Zhou X, Singh M, Sanz Santos G, Guerlavais V, Carvajal LA, Aivado M, Zhan Y, Oliveira MM, Westerberg LS, Annis DA, Johnsen JI, Selivanova G. Pharmacologic Activation of p53 Triggers Viral Mimicry Response Thereby Abolishing Tumor Immune Evasion and Promoting Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:3090-3105. [PMID: 34230007 PMCID: PMC9414294 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The repression of repetitive elements is an important facet of p53's function as a guardian of the genome. Paradoxically, we found that p53 activated by MDM2 inhibitors induced the expression of endogenous retroviruses (ERV) via increased occupancy on ERV promoters and inhibition of two major ERV repressors, histone demethylase LSD1 and DNA methyltransferase DNMT1. Double-stranded RNA stress caused by ERVs triggered type I/III interferon expression and antigen processing and presentation. Pharmacologic activation of p53 in vivo unleashed the IFN program, promoted T-cell infiltration, and significantly enhanced the efficacy of checkpoint therapy in an allograft tumor model. Furthermore, the MDM2 inhibitor ALRN-6924 induced a viral mimicry pathway and tumor inflammation signature genes in patients with melanoma. Our results identify ERV expression as the central mechanism whereby p53 induction overcomes tumor immune evasion and transforms tumor microenvironment to a favorable phenotype, providing a rationale for the synergy of MDM2 inhibitors and immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE We found that p53 activated by MDM2 inhibitors induced the expression of ERVs, in part via epigenetic factors LSD1 and DNMT1. Induction of IFN response caused by ERV derepression upon p53-targeting therapies provides a possibility to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint blockade and potentially transform "cold" tumors into "hot." This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2945.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Madhurendra Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gema Sanz Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Manuel Aivado
- Aileron Therapeutics, Inc., Watertown, Massachusetts
| | - Yue Zhan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mariana M.S. Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa S. Westerberg
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - John Inge Johnsen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Galina Selivanova
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Corresponding Author: Galina Selivanova, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Biomedicum C8, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 65, Sweden. Phone: 46-8-52486302; E-mail:
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