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Chung HK, Liu C, Sun M, Casillas E, Chen T, Chick B, Wang J, Ma S, Mcdonald B, He P, Yang Q, Varanasi SK, Mann T, Chen D, Hoffmann F, Tripple V, Hang Y, Ho J, Cho UH, Williams A, Wang Y, Hargreaves D, Kaech SM, Wang W. Multiomics atlas-assisted discovery of transcription factors enables specific cell state programming. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.03.522354. [PMID: 36711632 PMCID: PMC9881845 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.03.522354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The same types of cells can assume diverse states with varying functionalities. Effective cell therapy can be achieved by specifically driving a desirable cell state, which requires the elucidation of key transcription factors (TFs). Here, we integrated epigenomic and transcriptomic data at the systems level to identify TFs that define different CD8 + T cell states in an unbiased manner. These TF profiles can be used for cell state programming that aims to maximize the therapeutic potential of T cells. For example, T cells can be programmed to avoid a terminal exhaustion state (Tex Term ), a dysfunctional T cell state that is often found in tumors or chronic infections. However, Tex Term exhibits high similarity with the beneficial tissue-resident memory T states (T RM ) in terms of their locations and transcription profiles. Our bioinformatic analysis predicted Zscan20 , a novel TF, to be uniquely active in Tex Term . Consistently, Zscan20 knock-out thwarted the differentiation of Tex Term in vivo , but not that of T RM . Furthermore, perturbation of Zscan20 programs T cells into an effector-like state that confers superior tumor and virus control and synergizes with immune checkpoint therapy. We also identified Jdp2 and Nfil3 as powerful Tex Term drivers. In short, our multiomics-based approach discovered novel TFs that enhance anti-tumor immunity, and enable highly effective cell state programming. One sentence summary Multiomics atlas enables the systematic identification of cell-state specifying transcription factors for therapeutic cell state programming.
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Hecker D, Lauber M, Behjati Ardakani F, Ashrafiyan S, Manz Q, Kersting J, Hoffmann M, Schulz MH, List M. Computational tools for inferring transcription factor activity. Proteomics 2023; 23:e2200462. [PMID: 37706624 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200462] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are essential players in orchestrating the regulatory landscape in cells. Still, their exact modes of action and dependencies on other regulatory aspects remain elusive. Since TFs act cell type-specific and each TF has its own characteristics, untangling their regulatory interactions from an experimental point of view is laborious and convoluted. Thus, there is an ongoing development of computational tools that estimate transcription factor activity (TFA) from a variety of data modalities, either based on a mapping of TFs to their putative target genes or in a genome-wide, gene-unspecific fashion. These tools can help to gain insights into TF regulation and to prioritize candidates for experimental validation. We want to give an overview of available computational tools that estimate TFA, illustrate examples of their application, debate common result validation strategies, and discuss assumptions and concomitant limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Hecker
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael Lauber
- Big Data in BioMedicine Group, Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Fatemeh Behjati Ardakani
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Shamim Ashrafiyan
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Quirin Manz
- Big Data in BioMedicine Group, Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Johannes Kersting
- Big Data in BioMedicine Group, Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- GeneSurge GmbH, München, Germany
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Big Data in BioMedicine Group, Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
- National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marcel H Schulz
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Markus List
- Big Data in BioMedicine Group, Chair of Experimental Bioinformatics, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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Shin B, Rothenberg EV. Multi-modular structure of the gene regulatory network for specification and commitment of murine T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1108368. [PMID: 36817475 PMCID: PMC9928580 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1108368] [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: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells develop from multipotent progenitors by a gradual process dependent on intrathymic Notch signaling and coupled with extensive proliferation. The stages leading them to T-cell lineage commitment are well characterized by single-cell and bulk RNA analyses of sorted populations and by direct measurements of precursor-product relationships. This process depends not only on Notch signaling but also on multiple transcription factors, some associated with stemness and multipotency, some with alternative lineages, and others associated with T-cell fate. These factors interact in opposing or semi-independent T cell gene regulatory network (GRN) subcircuits that are increasingly well defined. A newly comprehensive picture of this network has emerged. Importantly, because key factors in the GRN can bind to markedly different genomic sites at one stage than they do at other stages, the genes they significantly regulate are also stage-specific. Global transcriptome analyses of perturbations have revealed an underlying modular structure to the T-cell commitment GRN, separating decisions to lose "stem-ness" from decisions to block alternative fates. Finally, the updated network sheds light on the intimate relationship between the T-cell program, which depends on the thymus, and the innate lymphoid cell (ILC) program, which does not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyoung Shin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Ellen V. Rothenberg
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
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Tsagaratou A. TET Proteins in the Spotlight: Emerging Concepts of Epigenetic Regulation in T Cell Biology. Immunohorizons 2023; 7:106-115. [PMID: 36645853 PMCID: PMC10152628 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2200067] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins are dioxygenases that oxidize 5-methylcytosine to form 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and downstream oxidized modified cytosines. In the past decade, intensive research established that TET-mediated DNA demethylation is critical for immune cell development and function. In this study, we discuss major advances regarding the role of TET proteins in regulating gene expression in the context of T cell lineage specification, function, and proliferation. Then, we focus on open questions in the field. We discuss recent findings regarding the diverse roles of TET proteins in other systems, and we ask how these findings might relate to T cell biology. Finally, we ask how this tremendous progress on understanding the multifaceted roles of TET proteins in shaping T cell identity and function can be translated to improve outcomes of human disease, such as hematological malignancies and immune response to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ageliki Tsagaratou
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
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