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Wasilewska A, Grabowska M, Moskalik-Kierat D, Brzoza M, Laudański P, Garley M. Immunological Aspects of Infertility-The Role of KIR Receptors and HLA-C Antigen. Cells 2023; 13:59. [PMID: 38201263 PMCID: PMC10778566 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010059] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of immune tolerance of a mother against an antigenically foreign fetus without a concomitant loss of defense capabilities against pathogens are the factors underlying the success of a pregnancy. A significant role in human defense is played by killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) receptors, which regulate the function of the natural killer (NK) cells capable of destroying antigenically foreign cells, virus-infected cells, or tumor-lesioned cells. A special subpopulation of NK cells called uterine NK cells (uNK) is found in the uterus. Disruption of the tolerance process or overactivity of immune-competent cells can lead to immune infertility, a situation in which a woman's immune system attacks her own reproductive cells, making it impossible to conceive or maintain a pregnancy. Since the prominent role of the inflammatory response in infertility, including KIR receptors and NK cells, has been postulated, the process of antigen presentation involving major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (HLA) appears to be crucial for a successful pregnancy. Proper interactions between KIR receptors on female uNK cells and HLA class I molecules, with a predominant role for HLA-C, found on the surface of germ cells, are strategically important during embryo implantation. In addition, maintaining a functional balance between activating and inhibitory KIR receptors is essential for proper placenta formation and embryo implantation in the uterus. A disruption of this balance can lead to complications during pregnancy. The discovery of links between KIR and HLA-C has provided valuable information about the complexity of maternal-fetal immune interactions that determine the success of a pregnancy. The great diversity of maternal KIR and fetal HLA-C ligands is associated with the occurrence of KIR/HLA-C combinations that are more or less favorable for reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wasilewska
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, University Clinical Center, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.)
| | - Marcelina Grabowska
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, University Clinical Center, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.)
| | - Dominika Moskalik-Kierat
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, University Clinical Center, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.)
| | - Martyna Brzoza
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, University Clinical Center, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.)
| | - Piotr Laudański
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Calisia University, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland
- OVIklinika Infertility Center, 01-377 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Garley
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Białystok, Poland
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de Groot NG, Heijmans CM, van der Wiel MK, Bruijnesteijn J, Bontrop RE. The KIR repertoire of a West African chimpanzee population is characterized by limited gene, allele, and haplotype variation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1308316. [PMID: 38149259 PMCID: PMC10750417 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308316] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) play a pivotal role in modulating the NK cell responses, for instance, through interaction with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Both gene systems map to different chromosomes but co-evolved during evolution. The human KIR gene family is characterized by abundant allelic polymorphism and copy number variation. In contrast, our knowledge of the KIR repertoire in chimpanzees is limited to 39 reported alleles, with no available population data. Only three genomic KIR region configurations have been mapped, and seventeen additional ones were deduced by genotyping. Methods Previously, we documented that the chimpanzee MHC class I repertoire has been skewed due to an ancient selective sweep. To understand the depth of the sweep, we set out to determine the full-length KIR transcriptome - in our MHC characterized pedigreed West African chimpanzee cohort - using SMRT sequencing (PacBio). In addition, the genomic organization of 14 KIR haplotypes was characterized by applying a Cas9-mediated enrichment approach in concert with long-read sequencing by Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Results In the cohort, we discovered 35 undescribed and 15 already recorded Patr-KIR alleles, and a novel hybrid KIR gene. Some KIR transcripts are subject to evolutionary conserved alternative splicing events. A detailed insight on the KIR region dynamics (location and order of genes) was obtained, however, only five new KIR region configurations were detected. The population data allowed to investigate the distribution of the MHC-C1 and C2-epitope specificity of the inhibitory lineage III KIR repertoire, and appears to be skewed towards C2. Discussion Although the KIR region is known to evolve fast, as observed in other primate species, our overall conclusion is that the genomic architecture and repertoire in West African chimpanzees exhibit only limited to moderate levels of variation. Hence, the ancient selective sweep that affected the chimpanzee MHC class I region may also have impacted the KIR system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasja G. de Groot
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Corrine M.C. Heijmans
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Marit K.H. van der Wiel
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Ronald E. Bontrop
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Bruijnesteijn J. HLA/MHC and KIR characterization in humans and non-human primates using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Pacific Biosciences sequencing platforms. HLA 2023; 101:205-221. [PMID: 36583332 DOI: 10.1111/tan.14957] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The gene products of the HLA/MHC and KIR multigene families are important modulators of the immune system and are associated with health and disease. Characterization of the genes encoding these receptors has been integrated into different biomedical applications, including transplantation and reproduction biology, immune therapies and in fundamental research into disease susceptibility or resistance. Conventional short-read sequencing strategies have shown their value in high throughput typing, but are insufficient to uncover the entire complexity of the highly polymorphic HLA/MHC and KIR gene systems. The implementation of single-molecule and real-time sequencing platforms, offered by Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), revolutionized the fields of genomics and transcriptomics. Using fundamentally distinct principles, these platforms generate long-read data that can unwire the plasticity of the HLA/MHC and KIR genes, including high-resolution characterization of genes, alleles, phased haplotypes, transcription levels and epigenetics modification patterns. These insights might have profound clinical relevance, such as improved matching of donors and patients in clinical transplantation, but could also lift disease association studies to a higher level. Even more, a comprehensive characterization may refine animal models in preclinical studies. In this review, the different HLA/MHC and KIR characterization approaches using PacBio and ONT platforms are described and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
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Hu Q, Huang X, Jin Y, Zhang R, Zhao A, Wang Y, Zhou C, Liu W, Liu X, Li C, Fan G, Zhuo M, Wang X, Ling F, Luo W. Long-read assembly of major histocompatibility complex and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genome regions in cynomolgus macaque. Biol Direct 2022; 17:36. [PMID: 36447238 PMCID: PMC9707422 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-022-00350-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are key regulators of immune responses. The cynomolgus macaque, an Old World monkey species, can be applied as an important preclinical model for studying human diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several MHC-KIR combinations have been associated with either a poor or good prognosis. Therefore, macaques with a well-characterized immunogenetic profile may improve drug evaluation and speed up vaccine development. At present, a complete overview of the MHC and KIR haplotype organizations in cynomolgus macaques is lacking, and characterization by conventional techniques is hampered by the extensive expansion of the macaque MHC-B region that complicates the discrimination between genes and alleles. METHODS We assembled complete MHC and KIR genomic regions of cynomolgus macaque using third-generation long-read sequencing approach. We identified functional Mafa-B loci at the transcriptome level using locus-specific amplification in a cohort of 33 Vietnamese cynomolgus macaques. RESULTS This is the first physical mapping of complete MHC and KIR gene regions in a Vietnamese cynomolgus macaque. Furthermore, we identified four functional Mafa-B loci (B2, B3, B5, and B6) and showed that alleles of the Mafa-I*01, -B*056, -B*034, and -B*001 functional lineages, respectively, are highly frequent in the Vietnamese cynomolgus macaque population. CONCLUSION The insights into the MHC and KIR haplotype organizations and the level of diversity may refine the selection of animals with specific genetic markers for future medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxiu Hu
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Xiaoqi Huang
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Yabin Jin
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XThe First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Sun Yat-sen University, Foshan, 528000 China
| | - Rui Zhang
- grid.21155.320000 0001 2034 1839BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, 266555 China
| | - Aimin Zhao
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Yiping Wang
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Chenyun Zhou
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Weixin Liu
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Xunwei Liu
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Chunhua Li
- grid.21155.320000 0001 2034 1839BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, 266555 China
| | - Guangyi Fan
- grid.21155.320000 0001 2034 1839BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, 266555 China
| | - Min Zhuo
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Xiaoning Wang
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894National Clinic Center of Geriatric, The Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - Fei Ling
- grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838Guangdong Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Wei Luo
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XThe First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Sun Yat-sen University, Foshan, 528000 China
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Xiao P, Goodarzi P, Pezeshki A, Hagen DE. RNA-seq reveals insights into molecular mechanisms of metabolic restoration via tryptophan supplementation in low birthweight piglet model. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6584466. [PMID: 35552417 PMCID: PMC9155244 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with metabolic disorders in early life. While dietary l-tryptophan (Trp) can ameliorate postprandial plasma triglycerides (TG) disposal in LBW piglets, the genetic and biological basis underlying Trp-caused alterations in lipid metabolism is poorly understood. In this study, we collected 24 liver samples from 1-mo-old LBW and normal birth weight (NBW) piglets supplemented with different concentrations of dietary Trp (NBW with 0% Trp, N0; LBW with 0% Trp, L0; LBW with 0.4% Trp, L4; LBW with 0.8% Trp, L8; N = 6 in each group.) and conducted systematic, transcriptome-wide analysis using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We identified 39 differentially expressed genes (DEG) between N0 and L0, and genes within “increased dose effect” clusters based on dose-series expression profile analysis, enriched in fatty acid response of gene ontology (GO) biological process (BP). We then identified RNA-binding proteins including SRSF1, DAZAP1, PUM2, PCBP3, IGF2BP2, and IGF2BP3 significantly (P < 0.05) enriched in alternative splicing events (ASE) in comparison with L0 as control. There were significant positive and negative relationships between candidate genes from co-expression networks (including PID1, ANKRD44, RUSC1, and CYP2J34) and postprandial plasma TG concentration. Further, we determined whether these candidate hub genes were also significantly associated with metabolic and cardiovascular traits in humans via human phenome-wide association study (Phe-WAS), and analysis of mammalian orthologs suggests a functional conservation between human and pig. Our work demonstrates that transcriptomic changes during dietary Trp supplementation in LBW piglets. We detected candidate genes and related BP that may play roles on lipid metabolism restoration. These findings will help to better understand the amino acid support in LBW metabolic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Xiao
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Parniyan Goodarzi
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Adel Pezeshki
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Zheng G, Jia L, Yang AG. Roles of HLA-G/KIR2DL4 in Breast Cancer Immune Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:791975. [PMID: 35185887 PMCID: PMC8850630 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.791975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a nonclassical MHC Class I molecule, which was initially reported as a mediator of immune tolerance when expressed in extravillous trophoblast cells at the maternal-fetal interface. HLA-G is the only known ligand of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL4 (KIR2DL4), an atypical family molecule that is widely expressed on the surface of NK cells. Unlike other KIR receptors, KIR2DL4 contains both an arginine–tyrosine activation motif in its transmembrane region and an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) in its cytoplasmic tail, suggesting that KIR2DL4 may function as an activating or inhibitory receptor. The immunosuppressive microenvironment exemplified by a rewired cytokine network and upregulated immune checkpoint proteins is a hallmark of advanced and therapy-refractory tumors. Accumulating evidence has shown that HLA-G is an immune checkpoint molecule with specific relevance in cancer immune escape, although the role of HLA-G/KIR2DL4 in antitumor immunity is still uncharacterized. Our previous study had shown that HLA-G was a pivotal mediator of breast cancer resistance to trastuzumab, and blockade of the HLA-G/KIR2DL4 interaction can resensitize breast cancer to trastuzumab treatment. In this review, we aim to summarize and discuss the role of HLA-G/KIR2DL4 in the immune microenvironment of breast cancer. A better understanding of HLA-G is beneficial to identifying novel biomarker(s) for breast cancer, which is important for precision diagnosis and prognostic assessment. In addition, it is also necessary to unravel the mechanisms underlying HLA-G/KIR2DL4 regulation of the immune microenvironment in breast cancer, hopefully providing a rationale for combined HLA-G and immune checkpoints targeting for the effective treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lintao Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - An-Gang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Bruijnesteijn J, de Groot N, de Vos-Rouweler AJM, de Groot NG, Bontrop RE. Comparative genetics of KIR haplotype diversity in humans and rhesus macaques: the balancing act. Immunogenetics 2022; 74:313-326. [PMID: 35291021 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-022-01259-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The role of natural killer (NK) cells is tightly modulated by interactions of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) with their ligands of the MHC class I family. Several characteristics of the KIR gene products are conserved in primate evolution, like the receptor structures and the variegated expression pattern. At the genomic level, however, the clusters encoding the KIR family display species-specific diversity, reflected by differential gene expansions and haplotype architecture. The human KIR cluster is extensively studied in large cohorts from various populations, which revealed two KIR haplotype groups, A and B, that represent more inhibitory and more activating functional profiles, respectively. So far, genomic KIR analyses in large outbred populations of non-human primate species are lacking. In this study, we roughly quadrupled the number of rhesus macaques studied for their KIR transcriptome (n = 298). Using segregation analysis, we defined 112 unique KIR region configurations, half of which display a more inhibitory profile, whereas the other half has a more activating potential. The frequencies and functional potential of these profiles might mirror the human KIR haplotype groups. However, whereas the human group A and B KIR haplotypes are confined to largely fixed organizations, the haplotypes in macaques feature highly variable gene content. Moreover, KIR homozygosity was hardly encountered in this panel of macaques. This study exhibits highly diverse haplotype architectures in humans and macaques, which nevertheless might have an equivalent effect on the modulation of NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, the Netherlands.
| | - Nanine de Groot
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
| | - Annemiek J M de Vos-Rouweler
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
| | - Natasja G de Groot
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics Group, Utrecht University, 3527, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Shen C, Ge Z, Dong C, Wang C, Shao J, Cai W, Huang P, Fan H, Li J, Zhang Y, Yue M. Genetic Variants in KIR/HLA-C Genes Are Associated With the Susceptibility to HCV Infection in a High-Risk Chinese Population. Front Immunol 2021; 12:632353. [PMID: 34220799 PMCID: PMC8253047 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.632353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background KIR/HLA-C signaling pathway influences the innate immune response which is the first defense to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the genetic polymorphisms of KIR/HLA-C genes and the outcomes of HCV infection in a high-risk Chinese population. Methods In this case-control study, four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of KIR/HLA-C genes (KIR2DS4/KIR2DS1/KIR2DL1 rs35440472, HLA-C rs2308557, HLA-C rs1130838, and HLA-C rs2524094) were genotyped by TaqMan assay among drug users and hemodialysis (HD) patients including 1,378 uninfected control cases, 307 subjects with spontaneous viral clearance, and 217 patients with persistent HCV infection. Bioinformatics analysis was used to functionally annotate the SNPs. Results After logistic regression analysis, the rs35440472-A and rs1130838-A alleles were found to be associated with a significantly elevated risk of HCV infection (OR = 1.562, 95% CI: 1.229–1.987, P < 0.001; OR = 2.134, 95% CI: 1.180–3.858, P = 0.012, respectively), which remained significant after Bonferroni correction (0.05/4). The combined effect of their risk alleles and risk genotypes (rs35440472-AA and rs1130838-AA) were linked to the increased risk of HCV infection in a locus-dosage manner (all Ptrend < 0.001). Based on the SNPinfo web server, rs35440472 was predicted to be a transcription factor binding site (TFBS) while rs1130838 was predicted to have a splicing (ESE or ESS) function. Conclusion KIR2DS4/KIR2DS1/KIR2DL1 rs35440472-A and HLA-C rs1130838-A variants are associated with increased susceptibility to HCV infection in a high-risk Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhijun Ge
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, China
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chunhui Wang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Eastern Theater Command Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianguo Shao
- Department of Digestive Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Weihua Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haozhi Fan
- Department of Information, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Eastern Theater Command Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China.,Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Yue
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Su Z, Huang D. Alternative Splicing of Pre-mRNA in the Control of Immune Activity. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040574. [PMID: 33921058 PMCID: PMC8071365 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The human immune response is a complex process that responds to numerous exogenous antigens in preventing infection by microorganisms, as well as to endogenous components in the surveillance of tumors and autoimmune diseases, and a great number of molecules are necessary to carry the functional complexity of immune activity. Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA plays an important role in immune cell development and regulation of immune activity through yielding diverse transcriptional isoforms to supplement the function of limited genes associated with the immune reaction. In addition, multiple factors have been identified as being involved in the control of alternative splicing at the cis, trans, or co-transcriptional level, and the aberrant splicing of RNA leads to the abnormal modulation of immune activity in infections, immune diseases, and tumors. In this review, we summarize the recent discoveries on the generation of immune-associated alternative splice variants, clinical disorders, and possible regulatory mechanisms. We also discuss the immune responses to the neoantigens produced by alternative splicing, and finally, we issue some alternative splicing and immunity correlated questions based on our knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjing Su
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22, Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, China
- Correspondence: (Z.S.); (D.H.)
| | - Dongyang Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22, Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, China
- Correspondence: (Z.S.); (D.H.)
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Gillespie A, Yirsaw A, Kim S, Wilson K, McLaughlin J, Madigan M, Loonie K, Britton E, Zhang F, Damani-Yokota P, Gunasekaran KP, Telfer J, Baldwin CL. Gene characterization and expression of the γδ T cell co-receptor WC1 in sheep. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 116:103911. [PMID: 33137393 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sheep are known to express the hybrid co-receptor/pattern recognition receptor WC1 on their γδ T cells but details of the ovine WC1 multigenic array and gene expression were unknown. Annotation of the sheep genome assembly (Oar_rambouillet_v1.0) yielded 15 complete and 42 partial WC1 genes predicted to code for six different protein structures. RT-PCR amplification of the most distal scavenger receptor cysteine rich (SRCR) domain known as a1, which serves as the gene signature, from genomic and cDNA templates verified the majority of annotated genes. As for cattle and goats, sheep a1 domain sequences included WC1.1 and WC1.2 types. A unique ovine gene, WC1-16, had multiple SRCR a-pattern domains in tandem similar to one found in goats. Intracytoplasmic domains of WC1 transcripts had splice variants that may affect signal transduction. The larger number of WC1 genes in sheep and differences in structures and splice variants relative to cattle could have implications in expression patterns and engagement of γδ T cells by pathogens or vaccine constructs.
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MESH Headings
- Alternative Splicing
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Cattle
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Genome/genetics
- Goats
- Membrane Glycoproteins/classification
- Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics
- Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism
- Phylogeny
- Protein Isoforms/genetics
- Protein Isoforms/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/classification
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/metabolism
- Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Sheep/genetics
- Sheep/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria Gillespie
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Al Yirsaw
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Sookyung Kim
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Katherine Wilson
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Julie McLaughlin
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Mackenzie Madigan
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Kathleen Loonie
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Emily Britton
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Fengqiu Zhang
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Payal Damani-Yokota
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Karthick P Gunasekaran
- College of Information and Computer Sciences, 140 Governors Drive, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Janice Telfer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA
| | - Cynthia L Baldwin
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, 661 N. Pleasant St, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003-9264, USA.
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11
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Weiss E, Andrade HS, Lara JR, Souza AS, Paz MA, Lima THA, Porto IOP, S B Silva N, Castro CFB, Grotto RMT, Donadi EA, Mendes-Junior CT, Castelli EC. KIR2DL4 genetic diversity in a Brazilian population sample: implications for transcription regulation and protein diversity in samples with different ancestry backgrounds. Immunogenetics 2021; 73:227-241. [PMID: 33595694 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-021-01206-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
KIR2DL4 is an important immune modulator expressed in natural killer cells; HLA-G is its main ligand. We have characterized the KIR2DL4 genetic diversity by considering the promoter, all exons, and all introns in a highly admixed Brazilian population sample and by using massively parallel sequencing. We introduce a molecular method to amplify and to sequence the complete KIR2DL4 gene. To avoid the mapping bias and genotype errors commonly observed in gene families, we have developed and validated a bioinformatic pipeline designed to minimize these errors and applied it to survey the variability of 220 individuals from the State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. We have also compared the KIR2DL4 genetic diversity in the Brazilian cohort with the diversity previously reported by the 1000Genomes consortium. KIR2DL4 presents high linkage disequilibrium throughout the gene, with coding sequences associated with specific promoters. There are few but divergent promoter haplotypes. We have also detected many new KIR2DL4 sequences, all bearing nucleotide exchanges in introns and encoding previously described proteins. Exons 3 and 4, which encode the external domains, are the most variable. The ancestry background influences the KIR2DL4 allele frequencies and must be considered for association studies regarding KIR2DL4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliana Weiss
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Genetics Program, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloisa S Andrade
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Genetics Program, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Rodrigues Lara
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andreia S Souza
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Genetics Program, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michelle A Paz
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Pathology Program, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thálitta H A Lima
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Genetics Program, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iane O P Porto
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Pathology Program, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nayane S B Silva
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Pathology Program, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila F Bannwart Castro
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rejane M T Grotto
- Pathology Program, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.,School of Agronomical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A Donadi
- Department of Medicine, Ribeirão, Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Celso T Mendes-Junior
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências E Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Erick C Castelli
- Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics Laboratory - Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. .,Genetics Program, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. .,Pathology Program, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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12
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Ram DR, Kroll K, Reeves RK. Skipped Over: Tuning Natural Killer Cells Toward HIV Through Alternative Splicing. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2020; 36:969-972. [PMID: 32862656 PMCID: PMC7703092 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2020.0116] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells provide some of the earliest immune responses to infection, but when viruses manipulate or perturb the immune environment to alter NK cell function, this places the host at a disadvantage. Indeed, others and we observe that in the context of HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, although NK cells are not infected, they can become dysfunctional over time. Several studies have characterized protein and transcriptional profiles of NK cells during HIV/SIV infection, but none have examined whether the production of alternative transcripts and corresponding isoforms is modulated. This phenomenon occurs broadly in normal biology and in other disease states, and could provide a novel avenue of investigation that may yield better targets to restore or augment NK cell responses to HIV/SIV. Herein, we briefly summarize published and new data that may provide a perspective on how to target NK cell splice variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R. Ram
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kyle Kroll
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - R. Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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13
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Roe D, Vierra-Green C, Pyo CW, Geraghty DE, Spellman SR, Maiers M, Kuang R. A Detailed View of KIR Haplotype Structures and Gene Families as Provided by a New Motif-Based Multiple Sequence Alignment. Front Immunol 2020; 11:585731. [PMID: 33312175 PMCID: PMC7708349 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.585731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human chromosome 19q13.4 contains genes encoding killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). Reported haplotype lengths range from 67 to 269 kb and contain 4 to 18 genes. The region has certain properties such as single nucleotide variation, structural variation, homology, and repetitive elements that make it hard to align accurately beyond single gene alleles. To the best of our knowledge, a multiple sequence alignment of KIR haplotypes has never been published or presented. Such an alignment would be useful to precisely define KIR haplotypes and loci, provide context for assigning alleles (especially fusion alleles) to genes, infer evolutionary history, impute alleles, interpret and predict co-expression, and generate markers. In order to extend the framework of KIR haplotype sequences in the human genome reference, 27 new sequences were generated including 24 haplotypes from 12 individuals of African American ancestry that were selected for genotypic diversity and novelty to the reference, to bring the total to 68 full length genomic KIR haplotype sequences. We leveraged these data and tools from our long-read KIR haplotype assembly algorithm to define and align KIR haplotypes at <5 kb resolution on average. We then used a standard alignment algorithm to refine that alignment down to single base resolution. This processing demonstrated that the high-level alignment recapitulates human-curated annotation of the human haplotypes as well as a chimpanzee haplotype. Further, assignments and alignments of gene alleles were consistent with their human curation in haplotype and allele databases. These results define KIR haplotypes as 14 loci containing 9 genes. The multiple sequence alignments have been applied in two software packages as probes to capture and annotate KIR haplotypes and as markers to genotype KIR from WGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Roe
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Cynthia Vierra-Green
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Chul-Woo Pyo
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Daniel E Geraghty
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Stephen R Spellman
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Martin Maiers
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Rui Kuang
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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14
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Bruijnesteijn J, de Groot NG, Bontrop RE. The Genetic Mechanisms Driving Diversification of the KIR Gene Cluster in Primates. Front Immunol 2020; 11:582804. [PMID: 33013938 PMCID: PMC7516082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.582804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity and function of natural killer (NK) cells are modulated through the interactions of multiple receptor families, of which some recognize MHC class I molecules. The high level of MHC class I polymorphism requires their ligands either to interact with conserved epitopes, as is utilized by the NKG2A receptor family, or to co-evolve with the MHC class I allelic variation, which task is taken up by the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family. Multiple molecular mechanisms are responsible for the diversification of the KIR gene system, and include abundant chromosomal recombination, high mutation rates, alternative splicing, and variegated expression. The combination of these genetic mechanisms generates a compound array of diversity as is reflected by the contraction and expansion of KIR haplotypes, frequent birth of fusion genes, allelic polymorphism, structurally distinct isoforms, and variegated expression, which is in contrast to the mainly allelic nature of MHC class I polymorphism in humans. A comparison of the thoroughly studied human and macaque KIR gene repertoires demonstrates a similar evolutionarily conserved toolbox, through which selective forces drove and maintained the diversified nature of the KIR gene cluster. This hypothesis is further supported by the comparative genetics of KIR haplotypes and genes in other primate species. The complex nature of the KIR gene system has an impact upon the education, activity, and function of NK cells in coherence with an individual’s MHC class I repertoire and pathogenic encounters. Although selection operates on an individual, the continuous diversification of the KIR gene system in primates might protect populations against evolving pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Natasja G de Groot
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands.,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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15
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Wang J, Belosevic M, Stafford JL. Identification of goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) leukocyte immune-type receptors shows alternative splicing as a potential mechanism for receptor diversification. Mol Immunol 2020; 125:83-94. [PMID: 32652363 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Leukocyte immune-type receptors (LITRs) are a multigene family of teleost immunoregulatory proteins that share structural, phylogenetic, and likely functional relationships with several innate immune receptor proteins in other vertebrates, including mammals. Originally discovered in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), representative IpLITR-types have been shown to regulate diverse innate immune cell effector responses including phagocytosis, degranulation, and cytokine secretion. To date, IpLITRs have been primarily characterized using mammalian cell line expression systems, therefore many unanswered questions remain regarding their actual regulatory roles in fish immunity. In the present study, we report on the preliminary molecular characterization of five goldfish (Carassius auratus) CaLITR-types and the identification of several putative splice variants of these receptors cloned from various goldfish tissues and primary myeloid cell cultures. In general, CaLITR mRNA transcripts were detected in all goldfish tissues tested, and also in primary kidney macrophage and neutrophil cultures. Specifically, CaLITR1 is a functionally ambiguous receptor with no charged amino acids in its transmembrane (TM) segment and is devoid of tyrosine-based signaling motifs in its short cytoplasmic tail (CYT) region. CaLITR2 is a putative activating receptor-type that contains immunotyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) within its long CYT region, and CaLITR3 has a positively charged TM segment, suggesting that it may recruit intracellular stimulatory adaptor signaling molecules. CaLITR4 and CaLITR5 appear to have diverse signaling capabilities since they contain various immunoregulatory signaling motifs within their CYT regions including putative Nck and STAT recruitment motifs as well as ITAM-like and ITIM sequences. We also identified putative CaLITR splice variants with altered extracellular Ig-like domain compositions and variable CYT regions. Interestingly, this suggests that alternative splicing-mediated diversification of CaLITRs can generate receptor forms with possible variable binding and/or intracellular signaling abilities. Overall, these findings reveal new information about the teleost LITRs and sets the stage for exploring how alternative splicing leads to the functional diversification of this complex multigene immunoregulatory receptor family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Miodrag Belosevic
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - James L Stafford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
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16
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Goodson-Gregg FJ, Krepel SA, Anderson SK. Tuning of human NK cells by endogenous HLA-C expression. Immunogenetics 2020; 72:205-215. [PMID: 32219494 PMCID: PMC7182622 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-020-01161-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
NK cells are primarily responsible for detecting malignant or pathogen-infected cells, and their function is influenced both by stress-associated activating signals and opposing inhibitory signals from receptors that recognize self MHC. The receptors that produce this inhibitory signal shift from the NKG2A:HLA-E system to that of KIR:HLA as the NK cells mature. This maturation is associated with an increase in lytic activity, as well as an increase in HLA-C protein levels controlled by the NK-specific HLA-C promoter, NK-Pro. We propose that modulation of the translatability of HLA-C transcripts in NK cells constitutes an evolutionary mechanism to control cis inhibitory signaling by HLA-C, which fine tunes NK cell activity. Furthermore, the high degree of variability in KIR receptor affinity for HLA alleles, as well as the variable expression levels of both KIR and HLA, suggest an evolutionary requirement for the tuning of NK lytic activity. Various data have demonstrated that mature NK cells may gain or lose lytic activity when placed in different environments. This indicates that NK cell activity may be more a function of constant tuning by inhibitory signals, rather than a static, irreversible "license to kill" granted to mature NK cells. Inhibitory signaling controls the filling of the cytolytic granule reservoir, which becomes depleted if there are insufficient inhibitory signals, leading to a hyporesponsive NK cell. We propose a novel model for the tuning of human NK cell activity via cis interactions in the context of recent findings on the mechanism of NK education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick J Goodson-Gregg
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Stacey A Krepel
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Stephen K Anderson
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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17
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Solloch UV, Schefzyk D, Schäfer G, Massalski C, Kohler M, Pruschke J, Heidl A, Schetelig J, Schmidt AH, Lange V, Sauter J. Estimation of German KIR Allele Group Haplotype Frequencies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:429. [PMID: 32226430 PMCID: PMC7080815 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of the highly polymorphic Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene cluster on the outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCST) is subject of current research. To further understand the involvement of this gene family into Natural Killer (NK) cell-mediated graft-versus-leukemia reactions, knowledge of haplotype structures, and allelic linkage is of importance. In this analysis, we estimate population-specific KIR haplotype frequencies at allele group resolution in a cohort of n = 458 German families. We addressed the polymorphism of the KIR gene complex and phasing ambiguities by a combined approach. Haplotype inference within first-degree family relations allowed us to limit the number of possible diplotypes. Structural restriction to a pattern set of 92 previously described KIR copy number haplotypes further reduced ambiguities. KIR haplotype frequency estimation was finally accomplished by means of an expectation-maximization algorithm. Applying a resolution threshold of ½ n, we were able to identify a set of 551 KIR allele group haplotypes, representing 21 KIR copy number haplotypes. The haplotype frequencies allow studying linkage disequilibrium in two-locus as well as in multi-locus analyses. Our study reveals associations between KIR haplotype structures and allele group frequencies, thereby broadening our understanding of the KIR gene complex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Johannes Schetelig
- DKMS, Tübingen, Germany.,University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
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18
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Bruijnesteijn J, de Groot N, van der Wiel MKH, Otting N, de Vos-Rouweler AJM, de Groot NG, Bontrop RE. Unparalleled Rapid Evolution of KIR Genes in Rhesus and Cynomolgus Macaque Populations. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:1770-1786. [PMID: 32111732 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR) modulate immune responses through interactions with MHC class I molecules. The KIR region in large cohorts of rhesus and cynomolgus macaque populations were characterized, and the experimental design enabled the definition of a considerable number of alleles (n = 576) and haplotypes, which are highly variable with regard to architecture. Although high levels of polymorphism were recorded, only a few alleles are shared between species and populations. The rapid evolution of allelic polymorphism, accumulated by point mutations, was further confirmed by the emergence of a novel KIR allele in a rhesus macaque family. In addition to allelic variation, abundant orthologous and species-specific KIR genes were identified, the latter of which are frequently generated by fusion events. The concerted action of both genetic mechanisms, in combination with differential selective pressures at the population level, resulted in the unparalleled rapid evolution of the KIR gene region in two closely related macaque species. The variation of the KIR gene repertoire at the species and population level might have an impact on the outcome of preclinical studies with macaque models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Nanine de Groot
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Marit K H van der Wiel
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Nel Otting
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Annemiek J M de Vos-Rouweler
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Natasja G de Groot
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands; and .,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics Group, Utrecht University, 3527 Utrecht, the Netherlands
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19
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Nomenclature report for killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) in macaque species: new genes/alleles, renaming recombinant entities and IPD-NHKIR updates. Immunogenetics 2019; 72:37-47. [PMID: 31781789 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-019-01135-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) are encoded by a diverse group of genes, which are characterized by allelic polymorphism, gene duplications, and recombinations, which may generate recombinant entities. The number of reported macaque KIR sequences is steadily increasing, and these data illustrate a gene system that may match or exceed the complexity of the human KIR cluster. This report lists the names of quality controlled and annotated KIR genes/alleles with all the relevant references for two different macaque species: rhesus and cynomolgus macaques. Numerous recombinant KIR genes in these species necessitate a revision of some of the earlier-published nomenclature guidelines. In addition, this report summarizes the latest information on the Immuno Polymorphism Database (IPD)-NHKIR Database, which contains annotated KIR sequences from four non-human primate species.
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20
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de Groot N, Groen R, Orie V, Bruijnesteijn J, de Groot NG, Doxiadis GGM, Bontrop RE. Analysis of macaque BTN3A genes and transcripts in the extended MHC: conserved orthologs of human γδ T cell modulators. Immunogenetics 2019; 71:545-559. [PMID: 31384962 PMCID: PMC6790196 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-019-01126-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Butyrophilins (BTN), specifically BTN3A, play a central role in the modulation of γδ T cells, which are mainly present in gut and mucosal tissues. BTN3A1 is known, for example, to activate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells by means of a phosphoantigen interaction. In the extended HLA region, three genes are located, designated BTN3A1, BTN3A2 and BTN3A3, which were also defined in rhesus macaques. In contrast to humans, rhesus monkeys have an additional gene, BTN3A3Like, which has the features of a pseudogene. cDNA analysis of 32 Indian rhesus and 16 cynomolgus macaques originating from multiple-generation families revealed that all three genes are oligomorphic, and the deduced amino acids display limited variation. The macaque BTN3A alleles segregated together with MHC alleles, proving their location in the extended (Major Histocompatibility Complex) MHC. BTN3A nearly full-length transcripts of macaques and humans cluster tightly together in the phylogenetic tree, suggesting that the genes represent true orthologs of each other. Despite the limited level of polymorphism, 15 Mamu- and 14 Mafa-BTN3A haplotypes were defined, and, as in humans, all three BTN3A genes are transcribed in PBMCs and colon tissues. In addition to regular full-length transcripts, a high number of various alternative splicing (AS) products were observed for all BTN3A alleles, which may result in different isoforms. The comparable function of certain subsets of γδ T cells in human and non-human primates in concert with high levels of sequence conservation observed for the BTN3A transcripts presents the opportunity to study these not yet well understood molecules in macaques as a model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanine de Groot
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Rens Groen
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Vaneesha Orie
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Jesse Bruijnesteijn
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Natasja G de Groot
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Gaby G M Doxiadis
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.,Department of Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Duan S, Guo W, Xu Z, He Y, Liang C, Mo Y, Wang Y, Xiong F, Guo C, Li Y, Li X, Li G, Zeng Z, Xiong W, Wang F. Natural killer group 2D receptor and its ligands in cancer immune escape. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:29. [PMID: 30813924 PMCID: PMC6391774 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-0956-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays important roles in tumor development. According to the immune-editing theory, immune escape is the key to tumor survival, and exploring the mechanisms of tumor immune escape can provide a new basis for the treatment of tumors. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) receptor and NKG2D ligand (NKG2DL) in tumor immune responses. Natural killer (NK) cells are important cytotoxic cells in the immune system, and the activated NKG2D receptor on the NK cell surface can bind to NKG2DL expressed in tumor cells, enabling NK cells to activate and kill tumor cells. However, tumors can escape the immune clearance mediated by NKG2D receptor/NKG2DL through various mechanisms. The expression of NKG2D receptor on NK cells can be regulated by cells, molecules, and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells regulate the expression of NKG2DL at the level of transcription, translation, and post-translation and thereby escape recognition by NK cells. In particular, viruses and hormones have special mechanisms to affect the expression of NKG2D receptor and NKG2DL. Therefore, NKG2D\NKG2DL may have applications as targets for more effective antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixin Duan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University) and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Weihua Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University) and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zuxing Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yunbo He
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chuting Liang
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongzhen Mo
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yian Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fang Xiong
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Can Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Xiaoling Li
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University) and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University) and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University) and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Fuyan Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University) and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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