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Klein L, Petrozziello E. Antigen presentation for central tolerance induction. Nat Rev Immunol 2024:10.1038/s41577-024-01076-8. [PMID: 39294277 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-01076-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
The extent of central T cell tolerance is determined by the diversity of self-antigens that developing thymocytes 'see' on thymic antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Here, focusing on insights from the past decade, we review the functional adaptations of medullary thymic epithelial cells, thymic dendritic cells and thymic B cells for the purpose of tolerance induction. Their distinct cellular characteristics range from unconventional phenomena, such as promiscuous gene expression or mimicry of peripheral cell types, to strategic positioning in distinct microenvironments and divergent propensities to preferentially access endogenous or exogenous antigen pools. We also discuss how 'tonic' inflammatory signals in the thymic microenvironment may extend the intrathymically visible 'self' to include autoantigens that are otherwise associated with highly immunogenic peripheral environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Elisabetta Petrozziello
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
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2
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Shirafkan F, Hensel L, Rattay K. Immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases essentially depend on thymic tissue homeostasis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1339714. [PMID: 38571951 PMCID: PMC10987875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1339714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate balance of immune reactions towards invading pathogens and immune tolerance towards self is pivotal in preventing autoimmune diseases, with the thymus playing a central role in establishing and maintaining this equilibrium. The induction of central immune tolerance in the thymus involves the elimination of self-reactive T cells, a mechanism essential for averting autoimmunity. Disruption of the thymic T cell selection mechanisms can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. In the dynamic microenvironment of the thymus, T cell migration and interactions with thymic stromal cells are critical for the selection processes that ensure self-tolerance. Thymic epithelial cells are particularly significant in this context, presenting self-antigens and inducing the negative selection of autoreactive T cells. Further, the synergistic roles of thymic fibroblasts, B cells, and dendritic cells in antigen presentation, selection and the development of regulatory T cells are pivotal in maintaining immune responses tightly regulated. This review article collates these insights, offering a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the establishment of immune tolerance and its implications in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the developmental pathways of the thymus are explored, highlighting how genetic aberrations can disrupt thymic architecture and function, leading to autoimmune conditions. The impact of infections on immune tolerance is another critical area, with pathogens potentially triggering autoimmunity by altering thymic homeostasis. Overall, this review underscores the integral role of thymic tissue homeostasis in the prevention of autoimmune diseases, discussing insights into potential therapeutic strategies and examining putative avenues for future research on developing thymic-based therapies in treating and preventing autoimmune conditions.
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3
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Miccoli A, Pianese V, Bidoli C, Fausto AM, Scapigliati G, Picchietti S. Transcriptome profiling of microdissected cortex and medulla unravels functional regionalization in the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax thymus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 145:109319. [PMID: 38145782 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.109319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a sophisticated primary lymphoid organ in jawed vertebrates, but knowledge on teleost thymus remains scarce. In this study, for the first time in the European sea bass, laser capture microdissection was leveraged to collect two thymic regions based on histological features, namely the cortex and the medulla. The two regions were then processed by RNAseq and in-depth functional transcriptome analyses with the aim of revealing differential gene expression patterns and gene sets enrichments, ultimately unraveling unique microenvironments imperative for the development of functional T cells. The sea bass cortex emerged as a hub of T cell commitment, somatic recombination, chromatin remodeling, cell cycle regulation, and presentation of self antigens from autophagy-, proteasome- or proteases-processed proteins. The cortex therefore accommodated extensive thymocyte proliferation and differentiation up to the checkpoint of positive selection. The medulla instead appeared as the center stage in autoimmune regulation by negative selection and deletion of autoreactive T cells, central tolerance mechanisms and extracellular matrix organization. Region-specific canonical markers of T and non-T lineage cells as well as signals for migration to/from, and trafficking within, the thymus were identified, shedding light on the highly coordinated and exquisitely complex bi-directional interactions among thymocytes and stromal components. Markers ascribable to thymic nurse cells and poorly characterized post-aire mTEC populations were found in the cortex and medulla, respectively. An in-depth data mining also exposed previously un-annotated genomic resources with differential signatures. Overall, our findings contribute to a broader understanding of the relationship between regional organization and function in the European sea bass thymus, and provide essential insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying T-cell mediated adaptive immune responses in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Miccoli
- National Research Council, Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), 60125, Ancona, Italy
| | - V Pianese
- Dept. for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Largo Dell'Università Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - C Bidoli
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - A M Fausto
- Dept. for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Largo Dell'Università Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - G Scapigliati
- Dept. for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Largo Dell'Università Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - S Picchietti
- Dept. for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Largo Dell'Università Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
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4
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Matsumoto M, Matsumoto M. Learning the Autoimmune Pathogenesis Through the Study of Aire. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1444:19-32. [PMID: 38467970 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-9781-7_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
One of the difficulties in studying the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is that the disease is multifactorial involving sex, age, MHC, environment, and some genetic factors. Because deficiency of Aire, a transcriptional regulator, is an autoimmune disease caused by a single gene abnormality, Aire is an ideal research target for approaching the enigma of autoimmunity, e.g., the mechanisms underlying Aire deficiency can be studied using genetically modified animals. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms of the breakdown of self-tolerance due to Aire's dysfunction have not yet been fully clarified. This is due, at least in part, to the lack of information on the exact target genes controlled by Aire. State-of-the-art research infrastructures such as single-cell analysis are now in place to elucidate the essential function of Aire. The knowledge gained through the study of Aire-mediated tolerance should help our understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease in general.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Minoru Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
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5
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Taves MD, Donahue KM, Bian J, Cam MC, Ashwell JD. Aire drives steroid hormone biosynthesis by medullary thymic epithelial cells. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eabo7975. [PMID: 37595021 PMCID: PMC10732315 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abo7975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) produce glucocorticoids, which antagonize negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes and promote a competent T cell antigen-specific repertoire. To characterize their source, we generated a knock-in reporter mouse in which endogenous Cyp11b1, the final enzyme in de novo production of active glucocorticoids, was fluorescently tagged with mScarlet. Here, we find that Cyp11b1 is expressed in medullary TECs (mTECs) but not cortical TECs or other cells in the thymus. A distinct characteristic of mTECs is the presence of Aire, a transcription factor that drives expression of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) important for establishing immune tolerance. Cyp11b1 expression was highest in Aire+ mTECs, lower in post-Aire mTECs, and absent in mTECs of Aire-deficient mice. Transcriptomic analyses found that multiple enzymatic biosynthetic pathways are expressed specifically in mTECs and are also Aire dependent. In particular, we found that the thymus expresses messenger RNA for enzymes that catalyze production of many bioactive steroids and that glucocorticoids and sex steroids were secreted by cultured thymi. Expression of the transcripts for these genes and production of their final steroid products were markedly reduced in the absence of Aire. Thus, in addition to its well-established role in inducing TRAs that promote negative selection, Aire has an additional and contrary function of inducing glucocorticoids that antagonize negative selection, which together may expand and enhance the TCR repertoire. Furthermore, because Aire drives expression of multiple enzymes responsible for production of other non-gene-encoded bioactive molecules, it might have yet other roles in thymus development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Taves
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kaitlynn M. Donahue
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jing Bian
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Margaret C. Cam
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Ashwell
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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6
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Watson SA, Javanmardi Y, Zanieri L, Shahreza S, Ragazzini R, Bonfanti P, Moeendarbary E. Integrated role of human thymic stromal cells in hematopoietic stem cell extravasation. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10454. [PMID: 36925684 PMCID: PMC10013751 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human thymus is the site of T-cell maturation and induction of central tolerance. Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-derived progenitors are recruited to the thymus from the fetal liver during early prenatal development and from bone marrow at later stages and postnatal life. The mechanism by which HSCs are recruited to the thymus is poorly understood in humans, though mouse models have indicated the critical role of thymic stromal cells (TSC). Here, we developed a 3D microfluidic assay based on human cells to model HSC extravasation across the endothelium into the extracellular matrix. We found that the presence of human TSC consisting of cultured thymic epithelial cells (TEC) and interstitial cells (TIC) increases the HSC extravasation rates by 3-fold. Strikingly, incorporating TEC or TIC alone is insufficient to perturb HSC extravasation rates. Furthermore, we identified complex gene expressions from interactions between endothelial cells, TEC and TIC modulates the HSCs extravasation. Our results suggest that comprehensive signaling from the complex thymic microenvironment is crucial for thymus seeding and that our system will allow manipulation of these signals with the potential to increase thymocyte migration in a therapeutic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A. Watson
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUCLLondonUK
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine LabThe Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | | | - Luca Zanieri
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine LabThe Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
- Institute of Immunity and TransplantationDivision of Infection & Immunity, UCLLondonUK
| | | | - Roberta Ragazzini
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine LabThe Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
- Institute of Immunity and TransplantationDivision of Infection & Immunity, UCLLondonUK
| | - Paola Bonfanti
- Epithelial Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine LabThe Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
- Institute of Immunity and TransplantationDivision of Infection & Immunity, UCLLondonUK
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7
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Alrumaihi F. The Multi-Functional Roles of CCR7 in Human Immunology and as a Promising Therapeutic Target for Cancer Therapeutics. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:834149. [PMID: 35874608 PMCID: PMC9298655 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.834149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An important hallmark of the human immune system is to provide adaptive immunity against pathogens but tolerance toward self-antigens. The CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) provides a significant contribution in guiding cells to and within lymphoid organs and is important for acquiring immunity and tolerance. The CCR7 holds great importance in establishing thymic architecture and function and naïve and regulatory T-cell homing in the lymph nodes. Similarly, the receptor is a key regulator in cancer cell migration and the movement of dendritic cells. This makes the CCR7 an important receptor as a drug and prognostic marker. In this review, we discussed several biological roles of the CCR7 and its importance as a drug and prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faris Alrumaihi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
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8
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Sun IH, Gillis-Buck E, Mackenzie TC, Gardner JM. Thymic and extrathymic Aire-expressing cells in maternal-fetal tolerance. Immunol Rev 2022; 308:93-104. [PMID: 35535447 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Healthy pregnancy requires maternal immune tolerance to both fetal and placental tissues which contain a range of self- and non-self-antigens. While many of the components and mechanisms of maternal-fetal tolerance have been investigated in detail and previously and thoroughly reviewed (Erlebacher A. Annu Rev Immunol. 2013;31:387-411), the role of autoimmune regulator (Aire), a critical regulator of central tolerance expressed by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), has been less explored. Aire is known to facilitate the expression of a range of otherwise tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) in mTECs, and here we highlight recent work showing a role for mTEC-mediated thymic selection in maintaining maternal-fetal tolerance. Recently, however, our group and others have identified additional populations of extrathymic Aire-expressing cells (eTACs) in the secondary lymphoid organs. These hematopoietic antigen-presenting cells possess the ability to induce functional inactivation and/or deletion of cognate T cells, and deletion of maternal eTACs during pregnancy increases T-cell activation in the lymph nodes and lymphocytic infiltration of the uterus, leading to pregnancy complications including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and fetal resorption. In this review, we briefly summarize findings related to essential Aire biology, discuss the known roles of Aire-deficiency related to pregnancy complications and infertility, review the newly discovered role for eTACs in the maintenance of maternal-fetal tolerance-as well as recent work defining eTACs at the single-cell level-and postulate potential mechanisms by which eTACs may regulate this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Im-Hong Sun
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.,Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Eva Gillis-Buck
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Tippi C Mackenzie
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.,Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James M Gardner
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.,Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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9
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Tanaka PP, Oliveira EH, Vieira-Machado MC, Duarte MJ, Assis AF, Bombonato-Prado KF, Passos GA. miR-155 exerts posttranscriptional control of autoimmune regulator (Aire) and tissue-restricted antigen genes in medullary thymic epithelial cells. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:404. [PMID: 35643451 PMCID: PMC9145475 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08631-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene is critical for the appropriate establishment of central immune tolerance. As one of the main controllers of promiscuous gene expression in the thymus, Aire promotes the expression of thousands of downstream tissue-restricted antigen (TRA) genes, cell adhesion genes and transcription factor genes in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Despite the increasing knowledge about the role of Aire as an upstream transcriptional controller, little is known about the mechanisms by which this gene could be regulated. RESULTS Here, we assessed the posttranscriptional control of Aire by miRNAs. The in silico miRNA-mRNA interaction analysis predicted thermodynamically stable hybridization between the 3'UTR of Aire mRNA and miR-155, which was confirmed to occur within the cellular milieu through a luciferase reporter assay. This finding enabled us to hypothesize that miR-155 might play a role as an intracellular posttranscriptional regulator of Aire mRNA. To test this hypothesis, we transfected a murine mTEC cell line with a miR-155 mimic in vitro, which reduced the mRNA and protein levels of Aire. Moreover, large-scale transcriptome analysis showed the modulation of 311 downstream mRNAs, which included 58 TRA mRNAs. Moreover, miR-155 mimic-transfected cells exhibited a decrease in their chemotaxis property compared with control thymocytes. CONCLUSION Overall, the results indicate that miR-155 may posttranscriptionally control Aire mRNA, reducing the respective Aire protein levels; consequently, the levels of mRNAs encode tissue-restricted antigens were affected. In addition, miR-155 regulated a crucial process by which mTECs allow thymocytes' migration through chemotaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Paranhos Tanaka
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ernna Hérida Oliveira
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayara Cristina Vieira-Machado
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Max Jordan Duarte
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Freire Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Karina Fittipaldi Bombonato-Prado
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Morimoto J, Matsumoto M, Miyazawa R, Yoshida H, Tsuneyama K, Matsumoto M. Aire suppresses CTLA-4 expression from the thymic stroma to control autoimmunity. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110384. [PMID: 35172142 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired production of thymic regulatory T cells (Tregs) is implicated in the development of Aire-dependent autoimmunity. Because Tregs require agonistic T cell receptor stimuli by self-antigens to develop, reduced expression of self-antigens from medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) has been considered to play a major role in the reduced Treg production in Aire deficiency. Here, we show that mTECs abnormally express co-inhibitory receptor CTLA-4 if Aire is non-functional. Upon binding with CD80/CD86 ligands expressed on thymic dendritic cells (DCs), the ectopically expressed CTLA-4 from Aire-deficient mTECs removes the CD80/CD86 ligands from the DCs. This attenuates the ability of DCs to provide co-stimulatory signals and to present self-antigens transferred from mTECs, both of which are required for Treg production. Accordingly, impaired production of Tregs and organ-specific autoimmunity in Aire-deficient mice are rescued by the depletion of CTLA-4 expression from mTECs. Our studies illuminate the significance of mTEC-DC interaction coordinated by Aire for the establishment of thymic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Morimoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Minoru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Miyazawa
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yoshida
- YCI Laboratory for Immunological Transcriptomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
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11
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Margelidon-Cozzolino V, Tsicopoulos A, Chenivesse C, de Nadai P. Role of Th17 Cytokines in Airway Remodeling in Asthma and Therapy Perspectives. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2022; 3:806391. [PMID: 35386663 PMCID: PMC8974749 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2022.806391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway remodeling is a frequent pathological feature of severe asthma leading to permanent airway obstruction in up to 50% of cases and to respiratory disability. Although structural changes related to airway remodeling are well-characterized, immunological processes triggering and maintaining this phenomenon are still poorly understood. As a consequence, no biotherapy targeting cytokines are currently efficient to treat airway remodeling and only bronchial thermoplasty may have an effect on bronchial nerves and smooth muscles with uncertain clinical relevance. Th17 cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22, play a role in neutrophilic inflammation in severe asthma and may be involved in airway remodeling. Indeed, IL-17 is increased in sputum from severe asthmatic patients, induces the expression of "profibrotic" cytokines by epithelial, endothelial cells and fibroblasts, and provokes human airway smooth muscle cell migration in in vitro studies. IL-22 is also increased in asthmatic samples, promotes myofibroblast differentiation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells in vitro. Accordingly, we also found high levels of IL-17 and IL-22 in a mouse model of dog-allergen induced asthma characterized by a strong airway remodeling. Clinical trials found no effect of therapy targeting IL-17 in an unselected population of asthmatic patients but showed a potential benefit in a sub-population of patients exhibiting a high level of airway reversibility, suggesting a potential role on airway remodeling. Anti-IL-22 therapies have not been evaluated in asthma yet but were demonstrated efficient in severe atopic dermatitis including an effect on skin remodeling. In this review, we will address the role of Th17 cytokines in airway remodeling through data from in vitro, in vivo and translational studies, and examine the potential place of Th17-targeting therapies in the treatment of asthma with airway remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Margelidon-Cozzolino
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Unité INSERM U1019-UMR9017-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Anne Tsicopoulos
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Unité INSERM U1019-UMR9017-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Cécile Chenivesse
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Unité INSERM U1019-UMR9017-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
- CRISALIS (Clinical Research Initiative in Severe Asthma: a Lever for Innovation & Science), F-CRIN Network, INSERM US015, Toulouse, France
| | - Patricia de Nadai
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Unité INSERM U1019-UMR9017-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
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12
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Nishijima H, Matsumoto M, Morimoto J, Hosomichi K, Akiyama N, Akiyama T, Oya T, Tsuneyama K, Yoshida H, Matsumoto M. Aire Controls Heterogeneity of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells for the Expression of Self-Antigens. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:303-320. [PMID: 34930780 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The deficiency of Aire, a transcriptional regulator whose defect results in the development of autoimmunity, is associated with reduced expression of tissue-restricted self-Ags (TRAs) in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Although the mechanisms underlying Aire-dependent expression of TRAs need to be explored, the physical identification of the target(s) of Aire has been hampered by the low and promiscuous expression of TRAs. We have tackled this issue by engineering mice with augmented Aire expression. Integration of the transcriptomic data from Aire-augmented and Aire-deficient mTECs revealed that a large proportion of so-called Aire-dependent genes, including those of TRAs, may not be direct transcriptional targets downstream of Aire. Rather, Aire induces TRA expression indirectly through controlling the heterogeneity of mTECs, as revealed by single-cell analyses. In contrast, Ccl25 emerged as a canonical target of Aire, and we verified this both in vitro and in vivo. Our approach has illuminated the Aire's primary targets while distinguishing them from the secondary targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Nishijima
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Minoru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Junko Morimoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Hosomichi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Nobuko Akiyama
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Taishin Akiyama
- Laboratory for Immune Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan; and
| | - Takeshi Oya
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yoshida
- YCI Laboratory for Immunological Transcriptomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan;
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13
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Peterson P, Kisand K, Kluger N, Ranki A. Loss of AIRE-Mediated Immune Tolerance and the Skin. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:760-767. [PMID: 34535292 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The core function of the immune response is to distinguish between self and foreign. The multiorgan human autoimmune disease, autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED/autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1) is an example of what happens in the body when central immune tolerance goes astray. APECED revealed the existence and function of the autoimmune regulator gene, which has a central role in the development of tolerance. The discovery of autoimmune regulator was the start of a new period in immunology and in understanding the role of central and peripheral tolerance, also very relevant to many skin diseases as we highlight in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pärt Peterson
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kai Kisand
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nicolas Kluger
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venereology, Clinicum, University of Helsinki, and Inflammation Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annamari Ranki
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venereology, Clinicum, University of Helsinki, and Inflammation Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
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14
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Borelli A, Irla M. Lymphotoxin: from the physiology to the regeneration of the thymic function. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:2305-2314. [PMID: 34290396 PMCID: PMC8329281 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-021-00834-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The members of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) superfamily, the ligand lymphotoxin α1β2 (LTα1β2) and its unique receptor lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR), play a pivotal role in the establishment and regulation of the immune system by allowing a tight communication between lymphocytes and stromal cells. Recent advances using transgenic mice harboring a specific deletion of the Ltbr gene in distinct stromal cells have revealed important roles for LTβR signaling in the thymic function that ensures the generation of a diverse and self-tolerant T-cell repertoire. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on this signaling axis in the thymic homing of lymphoid progenitors and peripheral antigen-presenting cells, the trafficking and egress of thymocytes, the differentiation of medullary thymic epithelial cells, and the establishment of central tolerance. We also highlight the importance of LTα1β2/LTβR axis in controlling the recovery of the thymic function after myeloablative conditioning regimen, opening novel perspectives in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Borelli
- grid.417850.f0000 0004 0639 5277Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Magali Irla
- grid.417850.f0000 0004 0639 5277Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
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15
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Laan M, Salumets A, Klein A, Reintamm K, Bichele R, Peterson H, Peterson P. Post-Aire Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells and Hassall's Corpuscles as Inducers of Tonic Pro-Inflammatory Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:635569. [PMID: 33868260 PMCID: PMC8050345 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.635569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While there is convincing evidence on the role of Aire-positive medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) in the induction of central tolerance, the nature and function of post-Aire mTECs and Hassall's corpuscles have remained enigmatic. Here we summarize the existing data on these late stages of mTEC differentiation with special focus on their potential to contribute to central tolerance induction by triggering the unique pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the thymus. In order to complement the existing evidence that has been obtained from mouse models, we performed proteomic analysis on microdissected samples from human thymic medullary areas at different differentiation stages. The analysis confirms that at the post-Aire stages, the mTECs lose their nuclei but maintain machinery required for translation and exocytosis and also upregulate proteins specific to keratinocyte differentiation and cornification. In addition, at the late stages of differentiation, the human mTECs display a distinct pro-inflammatory signature, including upregulation of the potent endogenous TLR4 agonist S100A8/S100A9. Collectively, the study suggests a novel mechanism by which the post-Aire mTECs and Hassall's corpuscles contribute to the thymic microenvironment with potential cues on the induction of central tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martti Laan
- Molecular Pathology Research Group, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ahto Salumets
- Molecular Pathology Research Group, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Annabel Klein
- Molecular Pathology Research Group, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kerli Reintamm
- Molecular Pathology Research Group, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Rudolf Bichele
- Molecular Pathology Research Group, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Hedi Peterson
- Institute of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pärt Peterson
- Molecular Pathology Research Group, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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16
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Yamano T, Dobeš J, Vobořil M, Steinert M, Brabec T, Ziętara N, Dobešová M, Ohnmacht C, Laan M, Peterson P, Benes V, Sedláček R, Hanayama R, Kolář M, Klein L, Filipp D. Aire-expressing ILC3-like cells in the lymph node display potent APC features. J Exp Med 2019; 216:1027-1037. [PMID: 30918005 PMCID: PMC6504225 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20181430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator (Aire) serves an essential function for T cell tolerance by promoting the "promiscuous" expression of tissue antigens in thymic epithelial cells. Aire is also detected in rare cells in peripheral lymphoid organs, but the identity of these cells is poorly understood. Here, we report that Aire protein-expressing cells in lymph nodes exhibit typical group 3 innate lymphoid cell (ILC3) characteristics such as lymphoid morphology, absence of "classical" hematopoietic lineage markers, and dependence on RORγt. Aire+ cells are more frequent among lineage-negative RORγt+ cells of peripheral lymph nodes as compared with mucosa-draining lymph nodes, display a unique Aire-dependent transcriptional signature, express high surface levels of MHCII and costimulatory molecules, and efficiently present an endogenously expressed model antigen to CD4+ T cells. These findings define a novel type of ILC3-like cells with potent APC features, suggesting that these cells serve a function in the control of T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Yamano
- Institute for Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Dobeš
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matouš Vobořil
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Madlen Steinert
- Institute for Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Tomáš Brabec
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Natalia Ziętara
- Institute for Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Dobešová
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Caspar Ohnmacht
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institut für Allergieforschung, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martti Laan
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Part Peterson
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vladimir Benes
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Services and Technology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Radislav Sedláček
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rikinari Hanayama
- Department of Immunology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and World Premier International Research Center Initiative Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Michal Kolář
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Dominik Filipp
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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17
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Fergusson JR, Morgan MD, Bruchard M, Huitema L, Heesters BA, van Unen V, van Hamburg JP, van der Wel NN, Picavet D, Koning F, Tas SW, Anderson MS, Marioni JC, Holländer GA, Spits H. Maturing Human CD127+ CCR7+ PDL1+ Dendritic Cells Express AIRE in the Absence of Tissue Restricted Antigens. Front Immunol 2019; 9:2902. [PMID: 30692988 PMCID: PMC6340304 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of the Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) outside of the thymus has long been suggested in both humans and mice, but the cellular source in humans has remained undefined. Here we identify AIRE expression in human tonsils and extensively analyzed these "extra-thymic AIRE expressing cells" (eTACs) using combinations of flow cytometry, CyTOF and single cell RNA-sequencing. We identified AIRE+ cells as dendritic cells (DCs) with a mature and migratory phenotype including high levels of antigen presenting molecules and costimulatory molecules, and specific expression of CD127, CCR7, and PDL1. These cells also possessed the ability to stimulate and re-stimulate T cells and displayed reduced responses to toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists compared to conventional DCs. While expression of AIRE was enriched within CCR7+CD127+ DCs, single-cell RNA sequencing revealed expression of AIRE to be transient, rather than stable, and associated with the differentiation to a mature phenotype. The role of AIRE in central tolerance induction within the thymus is well-established, however our study shows that AIRE expression within the periphery is not associated with an enriched expression of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs). This unexpected finding, suggestive of wider functions of AIRE, may provide an explanation for the non-autoimmune symptoms of APECED patients who lack functional AIRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joannah R. Fergusson
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Melanie Bruchard
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Leonie Huitema
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology and Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Rheumatology & immunology Center (ARC), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Balthasar A. Heesters
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Jan Piet van Hamburg
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology and Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Rheumatology & immunology Center (ARC), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Daisy Picavet
- EMCA, Medical Biology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Frits Koning
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sander W. Tas
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology and Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Rheumatology & immunology Center (ARC), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- UCSF Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - John C. Marioni
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory - European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Georg A. Holländer
- Laboratory of Developmental Immunology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hergen Spits
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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18
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Wang J, Sekai M, Matsui T, Fujii Y, Matsumoto M, Takeuchi O, Minato N, Hamazaki Y. Hassall’s corpuscles with cellular-senescence features maintain IFNα production through neutrophils and pDC activation in the thymus. Int Immunol 2018; 31:127-139. [PMID: 30534943 PMCID: PMC9271218 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxy073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hassall’s corpuscles (HCs) are composed of cornifying, terminally differentiated medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) that are developed under the control of Aire. Here, we demonstrated that HC-mTECs show features of cellular senescence and produce inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including CXCL5, thereby recruiting and activating neutrophils to produce IL-23 in the thymic medulla. We further indicated that thymic plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) expressing IL-23 receptors constitutively produced Ifna, which plays a role in single positive (SP) cell maturation, in an Il23a-dependent manner. Neutrophil depletion with anti-Ly6G antibody injection resulted in a significant decrease of Ifna expression in the thymic pDCs, suggesting that thymic neutrophil activation underlies the Ifna expression in thymic pDCs in steady state conditions. A New Zealand White mouse strain showing HC hyperplasia exhibited greater numbers and activation of thymic neutrophils and pDCs than B6 mice, whereas Aire-deficient B6 mice with defective HC development and SP thymocyte maturation showed significantly compromised numbers and activation of these cells. These results collectively suggested that HC-mTECs with cell-senescence features initiate a unique cell activation cascade including neutrophils and pDCs leading to the constitutive IFNα expression required for SP T-cell maturation in the thymic medulla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Wang
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Miho Sekai
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Matsui
- Laboratory for Skin Homeostasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yosuke Fujii
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Osamu Takeuchi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nagahiro Minato
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoko Hamazaki
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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19
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Fülle L, Offermann N, Hansen JN, Breithausen B, Erazo AB, Schanz O, Radau L, Gondorf F, Knöpper K, Alferink J, Abdullah Z, Neumann H, Weighardt H, Henneberger C, Halle A, Förster I. CCL17 exerts a neuroimmune modulatory function and is expressed in hippocampal neurons. Glia 2018; 66:2246-2261. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Fülle
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Nina Offermann
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Jan Niklas Hansen
- Neuroimmunology, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (CAESAR); Bonn Germany
| | - Björn Breithausen
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences; University of Bonn Medical School; Bonn Germany
| | - Anna Belen Erazo
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Oliver Schanz
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Luca Radau
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Fabian Gondorf
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Konrad Knöpper
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Judith Alferink
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Münster; Münster Germany
| | - Zeinab Abdullah
- Institute of Experimental Immunology and Molecular Medicine; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Harald Neumann
- Neural Regeneration Group, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Heike Weighardt
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Christian Henneberger
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences; University of Bonn Medical School; Bonn Germany
- Institute of Neurology; University College London; London United Kingdom
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE); Bonn Germany
| | - Annett Halle
- Neuroimmunology, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (CAESAR); Bonn Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE); Bonn Germany
| | - Irmgard Förster
- Immunology & Environment; Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
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20
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Villegas JA, Gradolatto A, Truffault F, Roussin R, Berrih-Aknin S, Le Panse R, Dragin N. Cultured Human Thymic-Derived Cells Display Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Phenotype and Functionality. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1663. [PMID: 30083154 PMCID: PMC6064927 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells are one of the main components of the thymic microenvironment required for T-cell development. In this work, we describe an efficient method free of enzymatic and Facs-sorted methods to culture human medullary thymic epithelial cells without affecting the cell phenotypic, physiologic and functional features. Human medulla thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are obtained by culturing thymic biopsies explants. After 7 days of primo-culture, mTECs keep their ability to express key molecules involved in immune tolerance processes such as autoimmune regulator, tissue-specific antigens, chemokines, and cytokines. In addition, the cells sensor their cultured environment and consequently adjust their gene expression network. Therefore, we describe and provide a human mTEC model that may be used to test the effect of various molecules on thymic epithelial cell homeostasis and physiology. This method should allow the investigations of the specificities and the knowledge of human mTECs in normal or pathological conditions and therefore discontinue the extrapolations done on the murine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Villegas
- INSERM, AIM, Center of Research in Myology, UMRS974, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Angeline Gradolatto
- INSERM, AIM, Center of Research in Myology, UMRS974, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Frédérique Truffault
- INSERM, AIM, Center of Research in Myology, UMRS974, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | | | - Sonia Berrih-Aknin
- INSERM, AIM, Center of Research in Myology, UMRS974, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Rozen Le Panse
- INSERM, AIM, Center of Research in Myology, UMRS974, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Nadine Dragin
- INSERM, AIM, Center of Research in Myology, UMRS974, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.,Inovarion, Paris, France
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21
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Lovewell TRJ, McDonagh AJG, Messenger AG, Azzouz M, Tazi-Ahnini R. Meta-Analysis of Autoimmune Regulator-Regulated Genes in Human and Murine Models: A Novel Human Model Provides Insights on the Role of Autoimmune Regulator in Regulating STAT1 and STAT1-Regulated Genes. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1380. [PMID: 30002654 PMCID: PMC6031710 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) regulates promiscuous expression of tissue-restricted antigens in medullary epithelial cells (mTEC) of the thymus. To understand the diverse effects of AIRE, it is crucial to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of AIRE-regulated gene expression. In this study, we generated a recombinant AIRE expression variant of the TEC 1A3 human cell line, TEC 1A3 AIREhi, to determine genes targeted by AIRE, and using microarray analysis, we identified 482 genes showing significant differential expression (P < 0.05; false discovery rate <5%), with 353 upregulated and 129 downregulated by AIRE expression. Microarray data were validated by quantitative PCR, confirming the differential expression of 12 known AIRE-regulated genes. Comparison of AIRE-dependent differential expression in our cell line model with murine datasets identified 447 conserved genes with a number of transcription regulatory interactions, forming several key nodes, including STAT1, which had over 30 interactions with other AIRE-regulated genes. As STAT1 mutations cause dominant chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and decreased STAT1 levels in monocytes of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome 1 (APS-1) patients, it was important to further characterize AIRE–STAT1 interactions. TEC 1A3AIREhi were treated with the STAT1 phosphorylation inhibitors fludarabine and LLL3 showed that phosphorylated STAT1 (p-STAT1) was not responsible for any of the observed differential expression. Moreover, treatment of TEC 1A3 AIREhi with STAT1 shRNA did not induce any significant variation in the expression of unphosphorylated STAT1 (U-STAT1) downstream genes, suggesting that these genes were directly regulated by AIRE but not via U-STAT1. The novel model system we have developed provides potential opportunities for further analysis of the pathogenesis of (APS-1) and the wider roles of the AIRE gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R J Lovewell
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J G McDonagh
- Department of Dermatology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew G Messenger
- Department of Dermatology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mimoun Azzouz
- Department of Neuroscience, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Rachid Tazi-Ahnini
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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22
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Cowan JE, Baik S, McCarthy NI, Parnell SM, White AJ, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Aire controls the recirculation of murine Foxp3 + regulatory T-cells back to the thymus. Eur J Immunol 2018; 48:844-854. [PMID: 29285761 PMCID: PMC6001551 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In the thymus, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) determine the fate of newly selected CD4+ and CD8+ single positive (SP) thymocytes. For example, mTEC expression of Aire controls intrathymic self-antigen availability for negative selection. Interestingly, alterations in both Foxp3+ Regulatory T-cells (T-Reg) and conventional SP thymocytes in Aire-/- mice suggest additional, yet poorly understood, roles for Aire during intrathymic T-cell development. To examine this, we analysed thymocytes from Aire-/- mice using Rag2GFP and Foxp3 expression, and a recently described CD69/MHCI subset definition of post-selection CD4+ conventional thymocytes. We show that while Aire is dispensable for de novo generation of conventional αβT-cells, it plays a key role in controlling the intrathymic T-Reg pool. Surprisingly, a decline in intrathymic T-Reg in Aire-/- mice maps to a reduction in mature recirculating Rag2GFP- T-Reg that express CCR6 and re-enter the thymus from the periphery. Furthermore, we show mTEC expression of the CCR6 ligand CCL20 is reduced in Aire-/- mice, and that CCR6 is required for T-Reg recirculation back to the thymus. Collectively, our study re-defines requirements for late stage intrathymic αβT-cell development, and demonstrates that Aire controls a CCR6-CCL20 axis that determines the developmental makeup of the intrathymic T-Reg pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E. Cowan
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Song Baik
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Nicholas I. McCarthy
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Sonia M. Parnell
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Andrea J. White
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - William E. Jenkinson
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamUK
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23
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Abstract
About two decades ago, cloning of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene materialized one of the most important actors on the scene of self-tolerance. Thymic transcription of genes encoding tissue-specific antigens (ts-ags) is activated by AIRE protein and embodies the essence of thymic self-representation. Pathogenic AIRE variants cause the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1, which is a rare and complex disease that is gaining attention in research on autoimmunity. The animal models of disease, although not identically reproducing the human picture, supply fundamental information on mechanisms and extent of AIRE action: thanks to its multidomain structure, AIRE localizes to chromatin enclosing the target genes, binds to histones, and offers an anchorage to multimolecular complexes involved in initiation and post-initiation events of gene transcription. In addition, AIRE enhances mRNA diversity by favoring alternative mRNA splicing. Once synthesized, ts-ags are presented to, and cause deletion of the self-reactive thymocyte clones. However, AIRE function is not restricted to the activation of gene transcription. AIRE would control presentation and transfer of self-antigens for thymic cellular interplay: such mechanism is aimed at increasing the likelihood of engagement of the thymocytes that carry the corresponding T-cell receptors. Another fundamental role of AIRE in promoting self-tolerance is related to the development of thymocyte anergy, as thymic self-representation shapes at the same time the repertoire of regulatory T cells. Finally, AIRE seems to replicate its action in the secondary lymphoid organs, albeit the cell lineage detaining such property has not been fully characterized. Delineation of AIRE functions adds interesting data to the knowledge of the mechanisms of self-tolerance and introduces exciting perspectives of therapeutic interventions against the related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perniola
- Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care, Vito Fazzi Regional Hospital, Lecce, Italy
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24
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Passos GA, Speck‐Hernandez CA, Assis AF, Mendes‐da‐Cruz DA. Update on Aire and thymic negative selection. Immunology 2018; 153:10-20. [PMID: 28871661 PMCID: PMC5721245 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty years ago, the autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene was associated with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy, and was cloned and sequenced. Its importance goes beyond its abstract link with human autoimmune disease. Aire identification opened new perspectives to better understand the molecular basis of central tolerance and self-non-self distinction, the main properties of the immune system. Since 1997, a growing number of immunologists and molecular geneticists have made important discoveries about the function of Aire, which is essentially a pleiotropic gene. Aire is one of the functional markers in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), controlling their differentiation and expression of peripheral tissue antigens (PTAs), mTEC-thymocyte adhesion and the expression of microRNAs, among other functions. With Aire, the immunological tolerance became even more apparent from the molecular genetics point of view. Currently, mTECs represent the most unusual cells because they express almost the entire functional genome but still maintain their identity. Due to the enormous diversity of PTAs, this uncommon gene expression pattern was termed promiscuous gene expression, the interpretation of which is essentially immunological - i.e. it is related to self-representation in the thymus. Therefore, this knowledge is strongly linked to the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes. In this update, we focus on the most relevant results of Aire as a transcriptional and post-transcriptional controller of PTAs in mTECs, its mechanism of action, and its influence on the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes as the bases of the induction of central tolerance and prevention of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo A. Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics GroupDepartment of GeneticsRibeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSPBrazil
- Discipline of Genetics and Molecular BiologyDepartment of Morphology, Physiology and Basic PathologySchool of Dentistry of Ribeirão PretoUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSPBrazil
| | - Cesar A. Speck‐Hernandez
- Graduate Programme in Basic and Applied ImmunologyRibeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSPBrazil
| | - Amanda F. Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics GroupDepartment of GeneticsRibeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloRibeirão PretoSPBrazil
| | - Daniella A. Mendes‐da‐Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus ResearchOswaldo Cruz InstituteOswaldo Cruz FoundationRio de JaneiroRJBrazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on NeuroimmunomodulationRio de JaneiroRJBrazil
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25
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Mouri Y, Ueda Y, Yamano T, Matsumoto M, Tsuneyama K, Kinashi T, Matsumoto M. Mode of Tolerance Induction and Requirement for Aire Are Governed by the Cell Types That Express Self-Antigen and Those That Present Antigen. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2017; 199:3959-3971. [PMID: 29101311 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aire controls the fate of autoreactive thymocytes (i.e., clonal deletion or development into regulatory T cells [Tregs]) through transcriptional control of the expression of tissue-restricted self-antigens (TRAs) from medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and bone marrow (BM)-derived cells. Although TRAs expressed by mTECs and BM-derived cells are suggested to complement each other to generate a full spectrum of TRAs, little is known about the relative contribution of TRAs from each component for establishment of self-tolerance. Furthermore, the precise role of Aire in specific types of Aire-expressing APCs remains elusive. We have approached these issues by generating two different types of transgenic mouse (Tg) model, which express a prefixed model self-antigen driven by the insulin promoter or the Aire promoter. In the insulin-promoter Tg model, mTECs alone were insufficient for clonal deletion, and BM-derived APCs were required for this action by utilizing Ag transferred from mTECs. In contrast, mTECs alone were able to induce Tregs, although at a much lower efficiency in the absence of BM-derived APCs. Importantly, lack of Aire in mTECs, but not in BM-derived APCs, impaired both clonal deletion and production of Tregs. In the Aire-promoter Tg model, both mTECs and BM-derived APCs could independently induce clonal deletion without Aire, and production of Tregs was impaired by the lack of Aire in mTECs, but not in BM-derived APCs. These results suggest that the fate of autoreactive thymocytes together with the requirement for Aire depend on the cell types that express self-antigens and the types of APCs involved in tolerance induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Mouri
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ueda
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka 570-8506, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Yamano
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich 80336, Germany
| | - Minoru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; and
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan; and
| | - Tatsuo Kinashi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka 570-8506, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan;
- Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
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26
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Wang L, Winnewisser J, Federle C, Jessberger G, Nave KA, Werner HB, Kyewski B, Klein L, Hinterberger M. Epitope-Specific Tolerance Modes Differentially Specify Susceptibility to Proteolipid Protein-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1511. [PMID: 29170668 PMCID: PMC5684123 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunization with myelin components can elicit experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE susceptibility varies between mouse strains, depending on the antigen employed. BL/6 mice are largely resistant to EAE induction with proteolipid protein (PLP), probably a reflection of antigen-specific tolerance. However, the extent and mechanism(s) of tolerance to PLP remain unclear. Here, we identified three PLP epitopes in PLP-deficient BL/6 mice. PLP-sufficient mice did not respond against two of these, whereas tolerance was “leaky” for an epitope with weak predicted MHCII binding, and only this epitope was encephalitogenic. In TCR transgenic mice, the “EAE-susceptibility-associated” epitope was “ignored” by specific CD4 T cells, whereas the “resistance-associated” epitope induced clonal deletion and Treg induction in the thymus. Central tolerance was autoimmune regulator dependent and required expression and presentation of PLP by thymic epithelial cells (TECs). TEC-specific ablation of PLP revealed that peripheral tolerance, mediated by dendritic cells through recessive tolerance mechanisms (deletion and anergy), could largely compensate for a lack of central tolerance. However, adoptive EAE was exacerbated in mice lacking PLP in TECs, pointing toward a non-redundant role of the thymus in dominant tolerance to PLP. Our findings reveal multiple layers of tolerance to a central nervous system autoantigen that vary among epitopes and thereby specify disease susceptibility. Understanding how different modalities of tolerance apply to distinct T cell epitopes of a target in autoimmunity has implications for antigen-specific strategies to therapeutically interfere with unwanted immune reactions against self.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC) Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Winnewisser
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC) Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Federle
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC) Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Gregor Jessberger
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC) Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Hauke B Werner
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC) Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Hinterberger
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center (BMC) Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
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27
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Takaba H, Takayanagi H. The Mechanisms of T Cell Selection in the Thymus. Trends Immunol 2017; 38:805-816. [PMID: 28830733 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
T cells undergo positive and negative selection in the thymic cortex and medulla, respectively. A promiscuous expression of a wide array of self-antigens in the thymus is essential for the negative selection of self-reactive T cells and the establishment of central tolerance. Aire was originally thought to be the exclusive factor regulating the expression of tissue-restricted antigens, but Fezf2 recently emerged as a critical transcription factor in this regulatory activity. Fezf2 is selectively expressed in thymic medullary epithelial cells, regulates a large number of tissue-restricted antigens and suppresses the onset of autoimmune responses. Here, we discuss novel findings on the transcriptional mechanisms of tissue restricted-antigen expression in the medullary thymic epithelial cells and its effects on T cell selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Takaba
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takayanagi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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28
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Vuddamalay Y, van Meerwijk JPM. CD28 - and CD28 lowCD8 + Regulatory T Cells: Of Mice and Men. Front Immunol 2017; 8:31. [PMID: 28167946 PMCID: PMC5256148 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the rebirth of regulatory (formerly known as suppressor) T cells in the early 1990s, research in the field of immune-regulation by various T cell populations has quickly gained momentum. While T cells expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 are currently in the spotlight, several other T cell populations endowed with potent immunomodulatory capacities have been identified in both the CD8+ and CD4+ compartment. The fundamental difference between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in terms of antigen recognition suggests non-redundant, and perhaps complementary, functions of regulatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in immunoregulation. This emphasizes the importance and necessity of continuous research on both subpopulations of regulatory T cells (Tregs) so as to decipher their complex physiological relevance and possible synergy. Two distinct CD8-expressing Treg populations can be distinguished based on expression of the co-stimulatory receptor CD28. Here, we review the literature on these (at least in part) thymus-derived CD28low and peripherally induced CD28-CD8+ Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yirajen Vuddamalay
- School of Health Sciences, University of Technology , Port Louis , Mauritius
| | - Joost P M van Meerwijk
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1043, Toulouse, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), U5282, Toulouse, France; Université de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Toulouse, France
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29
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Haljasorg U, Dooley J, Laan M, Kisand K, Bichele R, Liston A, Peterson P. Irf4 Expression in Thymic Epithelium Is Critical for Thymic Regulatory T Cell Homeostasis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 198:1952-1960. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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30
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Jin R, Aili A, Wang Y, Wu J, Sun X, Zhang Y, Ge Q. Critical role of SP thymocyte motility in regulation of thymic output in neonatal Aire-/- mice. Oncotarget 2017; 8:83-94. [PMID: 27965471 PMCID: PMC5352200 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune regulator (Aire) is essential in the perinatal period to prevent the multiorgan autoimmunity. Here we show that Aire-regulated single positive thymocyte trafficking in neonatal period is critical for thymic egress. Reduced thymic emigration was found in Aire-/- mice during neonatal period, leading to enhanced homeostatic expansion of peripheral T cells as early as 2 weeks of age. In neonatal Aire-/- mice, thymic expression of CCR7 ligands were dramatically reduced, resulting in decreased thymocyte motility and thymocyte emigration. This reduction of thymic egress in Aire-/- mice was alleviated beyond 3 weeks of age by an early upregulation of S1P1 signaling. As the numbers and quality of thymic emigrants are essential for the establishment and maintenance of peripheral tolerance, the reduced thymic emigration during neonatal period may deteriorate autoimmunity caused by the emigration of autoreactive T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Jin
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health. Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Abudureyimujiang Aili
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health. Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health. Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Wu
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health. Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuyuan Sun
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health. Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health. Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Ge
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health. Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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31
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Pezzi N, Assis AF, Cotrim-Sousa LC, Lopes GS, Mosella MS, Lima DS, Bombonato-Prado KF, Passos GA. Aire knockdown in medullary thymic epithelial cells affects Aire protein, deregulates cell adhesion genes and decreases thymocyte interaction. Mol Immunol 2016; 77:157-73. [PMID: 27505711 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate that even a partial reduction of Aire mRNA levels by siRNA-induced Aire knockdown (Aire KD) has important consequences to medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). Aire knockdown is sufficient to reduce Aire protein levels, impair its nuclear location, and cause an imbalance in large-scale gene expression, including genes that encode cell adhesion molecules. These genes drew our attention because adhesion molecules are implicated in the process of mTEC-thymocyte adhesion, which is critical for T cell development and the establishment of central self-tolerance. Accordingly, we consider the following: 1) mTECs contribute to the elimination of self-reactive thymocytes through adhesion; 2) Adhesion molecules play a crucial role during physical contact between these cells; and 3) Aire is an important transcriptional regulator in mTECs. However, its role in controlling mTEC-thymocyte adhesion remains unclear. Because Aire controls adhesion molecule genes, we hypothesized that the disruption of its expression could influence mTEC-thymocyte interaction. To test this hypothesis, we used a murine Aire(+) mTEC cell line as a model system to reproduce mTEC-thymocyte adhesion in vitro. Transcriptome analysis of the mTEC cell line revealed that Aire KD led to the down-modulation of more than 800 genes, including those encoding for proteins involved in cell adhesion, i.e., the extracellular matrix constituent Lama1, the CAM family adhesion molecules Vcam1 and Icam4, and those that encode peripheral tissue antigens. Thymocytes co-cultured with Aire KD mTECs had a significantly reduced capacity to adhere to these cells. This finding is the first direct evidence that Aire also plays a role in controlling mTEC-thymocyte adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Pezzi
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Freire Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Larissa Cotrim Cotrim-Sousa
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Sarti Lopes
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maritza Salas Mosella
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Djalma Sousa Lima
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Karina F Bombonato-Prado
- Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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32
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Chang AL, Miska J, Wainwright DA, Dey M, Rivetta CV, Yu D, Kanojia D, Pituch KC, Qiao J, Pytel P, Han Y, Wu M, Zhang L, Horbinski CM, Ahmed AU, Lesniak MS. CCL2 Produced by the Glioma Microenvironment Is Essential for the Recruitment of Regulatory T Cells and Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells. Cancer Res 2016; 76:5671-5682. [PMID: 27530322 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 424] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In many aggressive cancers, such as glioblastoma multiforme, progression is enabled by local immunosuppression driven by the accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). However, the mechanistic details of how Tregs and MDSCs are recruited in various tumors are not yet well understood. Here we report that macrophages and microglia within the glioma microenvironment produce CCL2, a chemokine that is critical for recruiting both CCR4+ Treg and CCR2+Ly-6C+ monocytic MDSCs in this disease setting. In murine gliomas, we established novel roles for tumor-derived CCL20 and osteoprotegerin in inducing CCL2 production from macrophages and microglia. Tumors grown in CCL2-deficient mice failed to maximally accrue Tregs and monocytic MDSCs. In mixed-bone marrow chimera assays, we found that CCR4-deficient Treg and CCR2-deficient monocytic MDSCs were defective in glioma accumulation. Furthermore, administration of a small-molecule antagonist of CCR4 improved median survival in the model. In clinical specimens of glioblastoma multiforme, elevated levels of CCL2 expression correlated with reduced overall survival of patients. Finally, we found that CD163-positive infiltrating macrophages were a major source of CCL2 in glioblastoma multiforme patients. Collectively, our findings show how glioma cells influence the tumor microenvironment to recruit potent effectors of immunosuppression that drive progression. Cancer Res; 76(19); 5671-82. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan L Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jason Miska
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Derek A Wainwright
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mahua Dey
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana. Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Claudia V Rivetta
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Dou Yu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Deepak Kanojia
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Katarzyna C Pituch
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jian Qiao
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois. Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Peter Pytel
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Yu Han
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Meijing Wu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lingjiao Zhang
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Craig M Horbinski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Atique U Ahmed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Maciej S Lesniak
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
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Lucas B, McCarthy NI, Baik S, Cosway E, James KD, Parnell SM, White AJ, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Control of the thymic medulla and its influence on αβT-cell development. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:23-37. [PMID: 27088905 PMCID: PMC4982089 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a primary lymphoid tissue that supports the generation of αβT cells. In this review, we describe the processes that give rise to the thymus medulla, a site that nurtures self-tolerant T-cell generation following positive selection events that take place in the cortex. To summarize the developmental pathways that generate medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) from their immature progenitors, we describe work on both the initial emergence of the medulla during embryogenesis, and the maintenance of the medulla during postnatal stages. We also investigate the varying roles that receptors belonging to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily have on thymus medulla development and formation, and highlight the impact that T-cell development has on thymus medulla formation. Finally, we examine the evidence that the thymic medulla plays an important role during the intrathymic generation of distinct αβT-cell subtypes. Collectively, these studies provide new insight into the development and functional importance of medullary microenvironments during self-tolerant T-cell production in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Lucas
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Nicholas I. McCarthy
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Song Baik
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Emilie Cosway
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Kieran D. James
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Sonia M. Parnell
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Andrea J. White
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - William E. Jenkinson
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Graham Anderson
- MRC Centre for Immune RegulationInstitute for Immunology and ImmunotherapyMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
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34
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Abstract
More than 15 years ago, mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene were identified as the cause of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS1). It is now clear that this transcription factor has a crucial role in promoting self-tolerance in the thymus by regulating the expression of a wide array of self-antigens that have the commonality of being tissue-restricted in their expression pattern in the periphery. In this Review, we highlight many of the recent advances in our understanding of the complex biology that is related to AIRE, with a particular focus on advances in genetics, molecular interactions and the effect of AIRE on thymic selection of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, we highlight new areas of biology that are potentially affected by this key regulator of immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen A. Su
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
- Department of Microbiology/Immunology, School of Medicine, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Mark S. Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
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35
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TNF superfamily members play distinct roles in shaping the thymic stromal microenvironment. Mol Immunol 2016; 72:92-102. [PMID: 27011037 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2016.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The differentiation and proper function of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) depend on various tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) signals that are needed to maintain the thymic stromal microenvironment. Nevertheless, the direct transcriptional effects of these signals on TECs remain unclear. To address this issue, we stimulated murine embryonic thymus tissue with selected TNFSF ligands and performed a gene expression profiling study. We show that Aire expression is a direct and specific effect of RANKL stimulation, whereas LTβ and TNFα are major inducers of chemokines in the thymic stroma and we propose differential NF-κB binding as one possible cause of these gene expression patterns. Our work provides further insight into the complex molecular pathways that shape the thymic microenvironment and maintain central tolerance.
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36
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Nitta T, Suzuki H. Thymic stromal cell subsets for T cell development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:1021-37. [PMID: 26825337 PMCID: PMC11108406 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2107-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The thymus provides a specialized microenvironment in which a variety of stromal cells of both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic origin regulate development and repertoire selection of T cells. Recent studies have been unraveling the inter- and intracellular signals and transcriptional networks for spatiotemporal regulation of development of thymic stromal cells, mainly thymic epithelial cells (TECs), and the molecular mechanisms of how different TEC subsets control T cell development and selection. TECs are classified into two functionally different subsets: cortical TECs (cTECs) and medullary TECs (mTECs). cTECs induce positive selection of diverse and functionally distinct T cells by virtue of unique antigen-processing systems, while mTECs are essential for establishing T cell tolerance via ectopic expression of peripheral tissue-restricted antigens and cooperation with dendritic cells. In addition to reviewing the role of the thymic stroma in conventional T cell development, we will discuss recently discovered novel functions of TECs in the development of unconventional T cells, such as natural killer T cells and γδT cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Nitta
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan.
| | - Harumi Suzuki
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan.
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37
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Haljasorg U, Bichele R, Saare M, Guha M, Maslovskaja J, Kõnd K, Remm A, Pihlap M, Tomson L, Kisand K, Laan M, Peterson P. A highly conserved NF-κB-responsive enhancer is critical for thymic expression of Aire in mice. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:3246-56. [PMID: 26364592 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201545928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune regulator (Aire) has a unique expression pattern in thymic medullary epithelial cells (mTECs), in which it plays a critical role in the activation of tissue-specific antigens. The expression of Aire in mTECs is activated by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) signaling; however, the molecular mechanism behind this activation is unknown. Here, we characterize a conserved noncoding sequence 1 (CNS1) containing two NF-κB binding sites upstream of the Aire coding region. We show that CNS1-deficient mice lack thymic expression of Aire and share several features of Aire-knockout mice, including downregulation of Aire-dependent genes, impaired terminal differentiation of the mTEC population, and reduced production of thymic Treg cells. In addition, we show that CNS1 is indispensable for RANK-induced Aire expression and that CNS1 is activated by NF-κB pathway complexes containing RelA. Together, our results indicate that CNS1 is a critical link between RANK signaling, NF-κB activation, and thymic expression of Aire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uku Haljasorg
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Rudolf Bichele
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mario Saare
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mithu Guha
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Julia Maslovskaja
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Karin Kõnd
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Remm
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maire Pihlap
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Laura Tomson
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kai Kisand
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Martti Laan
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pärt Peterson
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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38
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Takaba H, Morishita Y, Tomofuji Y, Danks L, Nitta T, Komatsu N, Kodama T, Takayanagi H. Fezf2 Orchestrates a Thymic Program of Self-Antigen Expression for Immune Tolerance. Cell 2015; 163:975-87. [PMID: 26544942 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Self-tolerance to immune reactions is established via promiscuous expression of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), leading to the elimination of T cells that respond to self-antigens. The transcriptional regulator Aire has been thought to be sufficient for the induction of TRAs, despite some indications that other factors may promote TRA expression in the thymus. Here, we show that the transcription factor Fezf2 directly regulates various TRA genes in mTECs independently of Aire. Mice lacking Fezf2 in mTECs displayed severe autoimmune symptoms, including the production of autoantibodies and inflammatory cell infiltration targeted to peripheral organs. These responses differed from those detected in Aire-deficient mice. Furthermore, Fezf2 expression and Aire expression are regulated by distinct signaling pathways and promote the expression of different classes of proteins. Thus, two independent factors, Fezf2 and Aire, permit the expression of TRAs in the thymus to ensure immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Takaba
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Takayanagi Osteonetwork Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology Program, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Morishita
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Tomofuji
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Lynett Danks
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Takayanagi Osteonetwork Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology Program, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nitta
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Noriko Komatsu
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Kodama
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Systems Biology and Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takayanagi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Takayanagi Osteonetwork Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology Program, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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39
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Hobbs RP, DePianto DJ, Jacob JT, Han MC, Chung BM, Batazzi AS, Poll BG, Guo Y, Han J, Ong S, Zheng W, Taube JM, Čiháková D, Wan F, Coulombe PA. Keratin-dependent regulation of Aire and gene expression in skin tumor keratinocytes. Nat Genet 2015; 47:933-8. [PMID: 26168014 PMCID: PMC4520766 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Expression of the intermediate filament protein keratin 17 (K17) is robustly upregulated in inflammatory skin diseases and in many tumors originating in stratified and pseudostratified epithelia. We report that autoimmune regulator (Aire), a transcriptional regulator, is inducibly expressed in human and mouse tumor keratinocytes in a K17-dependent manner and is required for timely onset of Gli2-induced skin tumorigenesis in mice. The induction of Aire mRNA in keratinocytes depends on a functional interaction between K17 and the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein hnRNP K. Further, K17 colocalizes with Aire protein in the nucleus of tumor-prone keratinocytes, and each factor is bound to a specific promoter region featuring an NF-κB consensus sequence in a relevant subset of K17- and Aire-dependent proinflammatory genes. These findings provide radically new insight into keratin intermediate filament and Aire function, along with a molecular basis for the K17-dependent amplification of inflammatory and immune responses in diseased epithelia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P. Hobbs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daryle J. DePianto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Justin T. Jacob
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Minerva C. Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Byung-Min Chung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Adriana S. Batazzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brian G. Poll
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yajuan Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jingnan Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - SuFey Ong
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Wenxin Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Janis M. Taube
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daniela Čiháková
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Fengyi Wan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
| | - Pierre A. Coulombe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
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40
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Lopes N, Ferrier P, Irla M. [Induction of central tolerance by the factor Aire: molecular and epigenetic regulation]. Med Sci (Paris) 2015; 31:742-7. [PMID: 26340833 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20153108012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The establishment of thymic central tolerance is a critical process to prevent the development of autoimmune diseases. Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) are essential to this process through the expression of the transcription factor Aire, which controls the transcription of many genes encoding tissue-restricted antigens. Mutations in the Aire gene are responsible for a rare autoimmune disorder called APECED (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy). This review summarizes our current knowledge on the mode of action of Aire at the molecular and epigenetic levels in controlling the expression of tissue-restricted antigens. We also discuss recently described additional roles of this transcription factor in the induction of central T-cell tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlla Lopes
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université UM2, Inserm, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Pierre Ferrier
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université UM2, Inserm, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Magali Irla
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université UM2, Inserm, U1104, CNRS UMR7280, 13288 Marseille, France
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41
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Passos GA, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Oliveira EH. The Thymic Orchestration Involving Aire, miRNAs, and Cell-Cell Interactions during the Induction of Central Tolerance. Front Immunol 2015; 6:352. [PMID: 26236310 PMCID: PMC4500981 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing thymocytes interact sequentially with two distinct structures within the thymus: the cortex and medulla. Surviving single-positive and double-positive thymocytes from the cortex migrate into the medulla, where they interact with medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). These cells ectopically express a vast set of peripheral tissue antigens (PTAs), a property termed promiscuous gene expression that is associated with the presentation of PTAs by mTECs to thymocytes. Thymocyte clones that have a high affinity for PTAs are eliminated by apoptosis in a process termed negative selection, which is essential for tolerance induction. The Aire gene is an important factor that controls the expression of a large set of PTAs. In addition to PTAs, Aire also controls the expression of miRNAs in mTECs. These miRNAs are important in the organization of the thymic architecture and act as posttranscriptional controllers of PTAs. Herein, we discuss recent discoveries and highlight open questions regarding the migration and interaction of developing thymocytes with thymic stroma, the ectopic expression of PTAs by mTECs, the association between Aire and miRNAs and its effects on central tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo , Brazil ; Disciplines of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation , Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Ernna Hérida Oliveira
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo , Brazil
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42
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Yamano T, Nedjic J, Hinterberger M, Steinert M, Koser S, Pinto S, Gerdes N, Lutgens E, Ishimaru N, Busslinger M, Brors B, Kyewski B, Klein L. Thymic B Cells Are Licensed to Present Self Antigens for Central T Cell Tolerance Induction. Immunity 2015; 42:1048-61. [PMID: 26070482 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2015.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Thymic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) use distinct strategies of self-antigen expression and presentation to mediate central tolerance. The thymus also harbors B cells; whether they also display unique tolerogenic features and how they genealogically relate to peripheral B cells is unclear. Here, we found that Aire is expressed in thymic but not peripheral B cells. Aire expression in thymic B cells coincided with major histocompatibility class II (MHCII) and CD80 upregulation and immunoglobulin class-switching. These features were recapitulated upon immigration of naive peripheral B cells into the thymus, whereby this intrathymic licensing required CD40 signaling in the context of cognate interactions with autoreactive CD4(+) thymocytes. Moreover, a licensing-dependent neo-antigen selectively upregulated in immigrating B cells mediated negative selection through direct presentation. Thus, autoreactivity within the nascent T cell repertoire fuels a feed forward loop that endows thymic B cells with tolerogenic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Yamano
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Jelena Nedjic
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Hinterberger
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Madlen Steinert
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra Koser
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sheena Pinto
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Gerdes
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 9, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 9, 80336 Munich, Germany; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Naozumi Ishimaru
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Meinrad Busslinger
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 7, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Brors
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno Kyewski
- Division of Developmental Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Goethestrasse 31, 80336 Munich, Germany.
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43
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Cowan JE, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Thymus medulla fosters generation of natural Treg cells, invariant γδ T cells, and invariant NKT cells: what we learn from intrathymic migration. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:652-60. [PMID: 25615828 PMCID: PMC4405047 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The organization of the thymus into distinct cortical and medullary regions enables it to control the step-wise migration and development of immature T-cell precursors. Such a process provides access to specialized cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells at defined stages of maturation, ensuring the generation of self-tolerant and MHC-restricted conventional CD4+ and CD8+ αβ T cells. The migratory cues and stromal cell requirements that regulate the development of conventional αβ T cells have been well studied. However, the thymus also fosters the generation of several immunoregulatory T-cell populations that form key components of both innate and adaptive immune responses. These include Foxp3+ natural regulatory T cells, invariant γδ T cells, and CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells). While less is known about the intrathymic requirements of these nonconventional T cells, recent studies have highlighted the importance of the thymus medulla in their development. Here, we review recent findings on the mechanisms controlling the intrathymic migration of distinct T-cell subsets, and relate this to knowledge of the microenvironmental requirements of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Cowan
- MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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44
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Skogberg G, Lundberg V, Lindgren S, Gudmundsdottir J, Sandström K, Kämpe O, Annerén G, Gustafsson J, Sunnegårdh J, van der Post S, Telemo E, Berglund M, Ekwall O. Altered expression of autoimmune regulator in infant down syndrome thymus, a possible contributor to an autoimmune phenotype. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2014; 193:2187-95. [PMID: 25038256 PMCID: PMC4135177 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy of chromosome 21, is associated with immunological dysfunctions such as increased frequency of infections and autoimmune diseases. Patients with DS share clinical features, such as autoimmune manifestations and specific autoantibodies, with patients affected by autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 is caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene, located on chromosome 21, which regulates the expression of tissue-restricted Ags (TRAs) in thymic epithelial cells. We investigated the expression of AIRE and TRAs in DS and control thymic tissue using quantitative PCR. AIRE mRNA levels were elevated in thymic tissue from DS patients, and trends toward increased expression of the AIRE-controlled genes INSULIN and CHRNA1 were found. Immunohistochemical stainings showed altered cell composition and architecture of the thymic medulla in DS individuals with increased frequencies of AIRE-positive medullary epithelial cells and CD11c-positive dendritic cells as well as enlarged Hassall's corpuscles. In addition, we evaluated the proteomic profile of thymic exosomes in DS individuals and controls. DS exosomes carried a broader protein pool and also a larger pool of unique TRAs compared with control exosomes. In conclusion, the increased AIRE gene dose in DS could contribute to an autoimmune phenotype through multiple AIRE-mediated effects on homeostasis and function of thymic epithelial cells that affect thymic selection processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Skogberg
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Vanja Lundberg
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Lindgren
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Judith Gudmundsdottir
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Pediatrics at the Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 416 86 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Sandström
- Department of Pediatric Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 416 86 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Centre of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 750 03 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Göran Annerén
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Gustafsson
- Department of Women's and Children´s Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; and
| | - Jan Sunnegårdh
- Department of Pediatrics at the Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 416 86 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sjoerd van der Post
- Proteomics Core Facility at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Esbjörn Telemo
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin Berglund
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olov Ekwall
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Pediatrics at the Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 416 86 Gothenburg, Sweden
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45
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Milićević NM, Lalić IM, Despotović SZ, Ćirić DN, Westermann J, De Waal Malefyt R, Milićević Ž. Aberrant tissue positioning of metallophilic macrophages in the thymus of XCL1-deficient mice. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2014; 297:1472-7. [PMID: 24778093 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 03/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Metallophilic macrophages hold a strategic position within the thymic tissue and play a considerable function in thymic physiology. The development and positioning of these cells within thymic tissue are regulated by complex molecular mechanisms involving different cytokine/chemokine axes. Herein, we studied the role of XCL1 signaling in these processes. We show that in the XCL1-deficient thymus numerous metallophilic macrophages are aberrantly positioned in the thymic cortex, instead of their normal location in the cortico-medullary zone. Still, these cells retain their normal appearance: very large size with prominent, ramifying cytoplasmic prolongations. This shows that XCL1 signaling is not involved in morphological development, but rather in correct positioning of metallophilic macrophages within the thymic tissue. In contrast to thymic metallophilic macrophages, the positioning of splenic marginal metallophilic macrophages is not affected by XCL1-deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Novica M Milićević
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Cowan JE, McCarthy NI, Parnell SM, White AJ, Bacon A, Serge A, Irla M, Lane PJL, Jenkinson EJ, Jenkinson WE, Anderson G. Differential requirement for CCR4 and CCR7 during the development of innate and adaptive αβT cells in the adult thymus. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:1204-12. [PMID: 24990081 PMCID: PMC4105241 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
αβT cell development depends upon serial migration of thymocyte precursors through cortical and medullary microenvironments, enabling specialized stromal cells to provide important signals at specific stages of their development. Although conventional αβT cells are subject to clonal deletion in the medulla, entry into the thymus medulla also fosters αβT cell differentiation. For example, during postnatal periods, the medulla is involved in the intrathymic generation of multiple αβT cell lineages, notably the induction of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cell development and the completion of invariant NKT cell development. Although migration of conventional αβT cells to the medulla is mediated by the chemokine receptor CCR7, how other T cell subsets gain access to medullary areas during their normal development is not clear. In this study, we show that combining a panel of thymocyte maturation markers with cell surface analysis of CCR7 and CCR4 identifies distinct stages in the development of multiple αβT cell lineages in the thymus. Although Aire regulates expression of the CCR4 ligands CCL17 and CCL22, we show that CCR4 is dispensable for thymocyte migration and development in the adult thymus, demonstrating defective T cell development in Aire(-/-) mice is not because of a loss of CCR4-mediated migration. Moreover, we reveal that CCR7 controls the development of invariant NKT cells by enabling their access to IL-15 trans-presentation in the thymic medulla and influences the balance of early and late intrathymic stages of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cell development. Collectively, our data identify novel roles for CCR7 during intrathymic T cell development, highlighting its importance in enabling multiple αβT cell lineages to access the thymic medulla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Cowan
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas I McCarthy
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia M Parnell
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea J White
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Bacon
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Arnauld Serge
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, INSERM Unité Mixte de Recherche 1068, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 7258, Aix-Marseille University, UM 105, F-13009 Marseille, France; and
| | - Magali Irla
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, INSERM Unité Mixte de Recherche 631, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 6102, Aix-Marseille University, UM 2, F-13009 Marseille, France
| | - Peter J L Lane
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Eric J Jenkinson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Anderson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom;
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Kisand K, Peterson P, Laan M. Lymphopenia-induced proliferation in aire-deficient mice helps to explain their autoimmunity and differences from human patients. Front Immunol 2014; 5:51. [PMID: 24592265 PMCID: PMC3923166 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) and its mouse model – both caused by mutant AIRE – have greatly advanced the understanding of thymic processes that generate a self-tolerant T-cell repertoire. Much is now known about the molecular mechanisms by which AIRE induces tissue-specific antigen expression in thymic epithelium, and how this leads to negative selection of auto-reactive thymocytes. However, we still do not understand the processes that lead to the activation of any infrequent naïve auto-reactive T-cells exported by AIRE-deficient thymi. Also, the striking phenotypic differences between APECED and its mouse models have puzzled researchers for years. The aim of this review is to suggest explanations for some of these unanswered questions, based on a fresh view of published experiments. We review evidence that auto-reactive T-cells can be activated by the prolonged neonatal lymphopenia that naturally develops in young Aire-deficient mice due to delayed export of mature thymocytes. Lymphopenia-induced proliferation (LIP) helps to fill the empty space; by favoring auto-reactive T-cells, it also leads to lymphocyte infiltration in the same tissues as in day 3 thymectomized animals. The LIP becomes uncontrolled when loss of Aire is combined with defects in genes responsible for anergy induction and Treg responsiveness, or in signaling from the T-cell receptor and homeostatic cytokines. In APECED patients, LIP is much less likely to be involved in activation of naïve auto-reactive T-cells, as humans are born with a more mature immune system than in neonatal mice. We suggest that human AIRE-deficiency presents with different phenotypes because of additional precipitating factors that compound the defective negative selection of potentially autoaggressive tissue-specific thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Kisand
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Pärt Peterson
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Martti Laan
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
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Alves NL, Takahama Y, Ohigashi I, Ribeiro AR, Baik S, Anderson G, Jenkinson WE. Serial progression of cortical and medullary thymic epithelial microenvironments. Eur J Immunol 2014; 44:16-22. [PMID: 24214487 PMCID: PMC4253091 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201344110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide key instructive signals for T-cell differentiation. Thymic cortical (cTECs) and medullary (mTECs) epithelial cells constitute two functionally distinct microenvironments for T-cell development, which derive from a common bipotent TEC progenitor. While seminal studies have partially elucidated events downstream of bipotent TECs in relation to the emergence of mTECs and their progenitors, the control and timing of the emergence of the cTEC lineage, particularly in relation to that of mTEC progenitors, has remained elusive. In this review, we describe distinct models that explain cTEC/mTEC lineage divergence from common bipotent progenitors. In particular, we summarize recent studies in mice providing evidence that mTECs, including the auto-immune regulator(+) subset, derive from progenitors initially endowed with phenotypic properties typically associated with the cTEC lineage. These observations support a novel "serial progression" model of TEC development, in which progenitors serially acquire cTEC lineage markers, prior to their commitment to the mTEC differentiation pathway. Gaining a better understanding of the phenotypic properties of early stages in TEC progenitor development should help in determining the mechanisms regulating cTEC/mTEC lineage development, and in strategies aimed at thymus reconstitution involving TEC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Infection and Immunity Unit, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of PortoPorto, Portugal
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute for Genome Research, University of TokushimaTokushima, Japan
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute for Genome Research, University of TokushimaTokushima, Japan
| | - Ana R Ribeiro
- Infection and Immunity Unit, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of PortoPorto, Portugal
| | - Song Baik
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, Medical School, University of BirminghamBirmingham, UK
| | - Graham Anderson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, Medical School, University of BirminghamBirmingham, UK
| | - William E Jenkinson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, Medical School, University of BirminghamBirmingham, UK
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Jin R, Teng F, Xu X, Yao Y, Zhang S, Sun X, Zhang Y, Ge Q. Redox balance of mouse medullary CD4 single-positive thymocytes. Immunol Cell Biol 2013; 91:634-41. [PMID: 24100390 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2013.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
After positive selection, the newly differentiated single-positive (SP) thymocytes undergo negative selection to eliminate autoreactive T cells, functional maturation to acquire immunocompetence and egress capability. To investigate whether the intracellular reduction/oxidation (redox) balance has an important role on SP maturation, the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of proteins that regulate ROS were compared among the four subsets of mouse TCRαβ(+)CD4(+)CD8(-) thymocytes (SP1-SP4) that represent sequential stages of SP differentiation program. A gradual increase of ROS and a gradual decrease of thioredoxin were revealed along the SP maturation process. The high ROS level at the mature SP stage did not result from a specific enrichment at this stage of natural regulatory T cells and SP thymocytes undergoing negative selection (Helios positive). An increase of ROS in the most mature SP4 cells resulted in enhanced cytokine production upon stimulation, whereas an early increase of ROS in the immature SP1 thymocytes resulted in enhanced apoptosis. Aire(-/-) mice that have defects in negative selection and a developmental blockage at the SP3-SP4 transition showed significantly less ROS in SP3 thymocytes. Thymic epithelial cells that have been shown to promote SP maturation in vitro also increased the ROS level of SP thymocytes. These results suggest that ROS may be involved in promoting the functional maturation of CD4(+) SPs and thymic medullary microenvironment contributes to the pro-oxidant shift of SP thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Jin
- Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Ministry of Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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De Martino L, Capalbo D, Improda N, D'Elia F, Di Mase R, D'Assante R, D'Acunzo I, Pignata C, Salerno M. APECED: A Paradigm of Complex Interactions between Genetic Background and Susceptibility Factors. Front Immunol 2013; 4:331. [PMID: 24167503 PMCID: PMC3805967 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, caused by mutations of a single gene named Autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE) which results in a failure of T-cell tolerance. Central tolerance takes place within the thymus and represents the mechanism by which potentially auto-reactive T-cells are eliminated through the negative selection process. The expression of tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) in the thymus is a key process in the central tolerance and is driven by the protein encoded by AIRE gene, the transcription factor autoimmune regulator (AIRE). A failure in this process caused by AIRE mutations is thought to be responsible of the systemic autoimmune reactions of APECED. APECED is characterized by several autoimmune endocrine and non-endocrine manifestations and the phenotype is often complex. Although APECED is the paradigm of a monogenic autoimmune disorder, it is characterized by a wide variability of the clinical expression even between siblings with the same genotype, thus implying that additional mechanisms, other than the failure of Aire function, are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Unraveling open issues of the molecular basis of APECED, will help improve diagnosis, management, and therapeutical strategies of this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia De Martino
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" University , Naples , Italy
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