1
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Omer OS, Hertweck A, Roberts LB, Lo JW, Clough JN, Jackson I, Pantazi ED, Irving PM, MacDonald TT, Pavlidis P, Jenner RG, Lord GM. Cyclin-dependent Kinase 9 as a Potential Target for Anti-TNF-resistant Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:625-641. [PMID: 35660024 PMCID: PMC9356186 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Resistance to single cytokine blockade, namely anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, is a growing concern for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The transcription factor T-bet is a critical regulator of intestinal homeostasis, is genetically linked to mucosal inflammation and controls the expression of multiples genes such as the pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ and TNF. Inhibiting T-bet may therefore offer a more attractive prospect for treating IBD but remains challenging to target therapeutically. In this study, we evaluate the effect of targeting the transactivation function of T-bet using inhibitors of P-TEFb (CDK9-cyclin T), a transcriptional elongation factor downstream of T-bet. METHODS Using an adaptive immune-mediated colitis model, human colonic lymphocytes from patients with IBD and multiple large clinical datasets, we investigate the effect of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitors on cytokine production and gene expression in colonic CD4+ T cells and link these genetic modules to clinical response in patients with IBD. RESULTS Systemic CDK9 inhibition led to histological improvement of immune-mediated colitis and was associated with targeted suppression of colonic CD4+ T cell-derived IFN-γ and IL-17A. In colonic lymphocytes from patients with IBD, CDK9 inhibition potently repressed genes responsible for pro-inflammatory signalling, and in particular genes regulated by T-bet. Remarkably, CDK9 inhibition targeted genes that were highly expressed in anti-TNF resistant IBD and that predicted non-response to anti-TNF therapy. CONCLUSION Collectively, our findings reveal CDK9 as a potential target for anti-TNF-resistant IBD, which has the potential for rapid translation to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer S. Omer
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK,National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College, London, UK
| | - Arnulf Hertweck
- UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK City of London Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Luke B. Roberts
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan W. Lo
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK,Division of Digestive Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Jennie N. Clough
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College, London, UK
| | - Ian Jackson
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Eirini D. Pantazi
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK,Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter M. Irving
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK,Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Tom T. MacDonald
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Richard G. Jenner
- UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK City of London Centre, University College London, London, UK,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Professor Richard G. Jenner, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
| | - Graham M. Lord
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK,Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,Professor Graham M. Lord, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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2
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Hertweck A, Vila de Mucha M, Barber PR, Dagil R, Porter H, Ramos A, Lord GM, Jenner RG. The TH1 cell lineage-determining transcription factor T-bet suppresses TH2 gene expression by redistributing GATA3 away from TH2 genes. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4557-4573. [PMID: 35438764 PMCID: PMC9071441 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lineage-determining transcription factors (LD-TFs) drive the differentiation of progenitor cells into a specific lineage. In CD4+ T cells, T-bet dictates differentiation of the TH1 lineage, whereas GATA3 drives differentiation of the alternative TH2 lineage. However, LD-TFs, including T-bet and GATA3, are frequently co-expressed but how this affects LD-TF function is not known. By expressing T-bet and GATA3 separately or together in mouse T cells, we show that T-bet sequesters GATA3 at its target sites, thereby removing GATA3 from TH2 genes. This redistribution of GATA3 is independent of GATA3 DNA binding activity and is instead mediated by the T-bet DNA binding domain, which interacts with the GATA3 DNA binding domain and changes GATA3's sequence binding preference. This mechanism allows T-bet to drive the TH1 gene expression program in the presence of GATA3. We propose that redistribution of one LD-TF by another may be a common mechanism that could explain how specific cell fate choices can be made even in the presence of other transcription factors driving alternative differentiation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnulf Hertweck
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Maria Vila de Mucha
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Paul R Barber
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Robert Dagil
- Research Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6XA, UK
| | - Hayley Porter
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Andres Ramos
- Research Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6XA, UK
| | - Graham M Lord
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK
| | - Richard G Jenner
- UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK UCL Centre, University College London (UCL), London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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3
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Lo JW, de Mucha MV, Henderson S, Roberts LB, Constable LE, Garrido‐Mesa N, Hertweck A, Stolarczyk E, Houlder EL, Jackson I, MacDonald AS, Powell N, Neves JF, Howard JK, Jenner RG, Lord GM. A population of naive-like CD4 + T cells stably polarized to the T H 1 lineage. Eur J Immunol 2022; 52:566-581. [PMID: 35092032 PMCID: PMC9304323 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
T-bet is the lineage-specifying transcription factor for CD4+ TH 1 cells. T-bet has also been found in other CD4+ T cell subsets, including TH 17 cells and Treg, where it modulates their functional characteristics. However, we lack information on when and where T-bet is expressed during T cell differentiation and how this impacts T cell differentiation and function. To address this, we traced the ontogeny of T-bet-expressing cells using a fluorescent fate-mapping mouse line. We demonstrate that T-bet is expressed in a subset of CD4+ T cells that have naïve cell surface markers and transcriptional profile and that this novel cell population is phenotypically and functionally distinct from previously described populations of naïve and memory CD4+ T cells. Naïve-like T-bet-experienced cells are polarized to the TH 1 lineage, predisposed to produce IFN-γ upon cell activation, and resist repolarization to other lineages in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrate that lineage-specifying factors can polarize T cells in the absence of canonical markers of T cell activation and that this has an impact on the subsequent T-helper response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan W. Lo
- School of Immunology and Microbial SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Division of Digestive DiseasesFaculty of MedicineImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Maria Vila de Mucha
- UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK UCL CentreUniversity College London (UCL)LondonUK
| | - Stephen Henderson
- UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK UCL CentreUniversity College London (UCL)LondonUK
| | - Luke B. Roberts
- School of Immunology and Microbial SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Laura E. Constable
- School of Immunology and Microbial SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Division of Digestive DiseasesFaculty of MedicineImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Natividad Garrido‐Mesa
- School of Immunology and Microbial SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and ChemistryKingston UniversityLondonUK
| | - Arnulf Hertweck
- UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK UCL CentreUniversity College London (UCL)LondonUK
| | - Emilie Stolarczyk
- Abcam Plc.Cambridge Biomedical CampusCambridgeUK
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and SciencesGuy's Campus, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Emma L. Houlder
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Ian Jackson
- School of Immunology and Microbial SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Andrew S. MacDonald
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Nick Powell
- School of Immunology and Microbial SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Division of Digestive DiseasesFaculty of MedicineImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Joana F. Neves
- School of Immunology and Microbial SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Centre for Host‐Microbiome InteractionsKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Jane K. Howard
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and SciencesGuy's Campus, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Richard G. Jenner
- UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK UCL CentreUniversity College London (UCL)LondonUK
| | - Graham M. Lord
- School of Immunology and Microbial SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
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4
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Goldberg R, Clough JN, Roberts LB, Sanchez J, Kordasti S, Petrov N, Hertweck A, Lorenc A, Jackson I, Tasker S, Appios A, Omer O, Parkes M, Prescott N, Jenner RG, Irving PM, Lord GM. A Crohn's Disease-associated IL2RA Enhancer Variant Determines the Balance of T Cell Immunity by Regulating Responsiveness to IL-2 Signalling. J Crohns Colitis 2021; 15:2054-2065. [PMID: 34120187 PMCID: PMC8684452 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Differential responsiveness to interleukin [IL]-2 between effector CD4+ T cells [Teff] and regulatory T cells [Treg] is a fundamental mechanism of immunoregulation. The single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] rs61839660, located within IL2RA [CD25], has been associated with the development of Crohn's disease [CD]. We sought to identify the T cell immune phenotype of IBD patients who carry this SNP. METHODS Teff and Treg were isolated from individuals homozygous [TT], heterozygous [CT], or wild-type [CC] for the minor allele at rs61839660, and used for phenotyping [flow cytometry, Cytometry Time Of Flight] functional assays or T cell receptor [TCR] sequencing. Phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 [STAT5] was assessed in response to IL-2, IL-7, and in the presence of basiliximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against CD25. Teff pro-inflammatory cytokine expression levels were assessed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction after IL-2 and/or TCR stimulation. RESULTS Presence of the minor T allele enhances CD25 expression, leading to increased STAT5 phosphorylation and pro-inflammatory cytokine transcript expression by Teff in response to IL-2 stimulation in vitro. Teff from TT individuals demonstrate a more activated gut homing phenotype. TCR sequencing analysis suggests that TT patients may have a reduced clonal capacity to mount an optimal regulatory T cell response. CONCLUSIONS rs61839660 regulates the responsiveness of T cells to IL-2 signalling by modulating CD25 expression. As low-dose IL-2 is being trialled as a selective Treg modulator in CD, these findings highlight the potential for adverse effects in patients with this genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimma Goldberg
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennie N Clough
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- IBD Unit, Gastroenterology Department, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Luke B Roberts
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Jenifer Sanchez
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Shahram Kordasti
- CRUK-KHP Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Nedyalko Petrov
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
| | | | - Anna Lorenc
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Ian Jackson
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Scott Tasker
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Appios
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Omer Omer
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- IBD Unit, Gastroenterology Department, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Miles Parkes
- Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Natalie Prescott
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
- Medical and Molecular Genetics, Kings College London, London, UK
| | | | - Peter M Irving
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- IBD Unit, Gastroenterology Department, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Graham M Lord
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, UK
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5
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Henderson S, Pullabhatla V, Hertweck A, de Rinaldis E, Herrero J, Lord GM, Jenner RG. The Th1 cell regulatory circuitry is largely conserved between human and mouse. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:4/11/e202101075. [PMID: 34531288 PMCID: PMC8960437 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparison of the binding sites of the Th1 lineage-specifying transcription factor T-bet between human and mouse reveals differences in binding sites but that the most of the target genes are shared. Gene expression programs controlled by lineage-determining transcription factors are often conserved between species. However, infectious diseases have exerted profound evolutionary pressure, and therefore the genes regulated by immune-specific transcription factors might be expected to exhibit greater divergence. T-bet (Tbx21) is the immune-specific, lineage-specifying transcription factor for T helper type I (Th1) immunity, which is fundamental for the immune response to intracellular pathogens but also underlies inflammatory diseases. We compared T-bet genomic targets between mouse and human CD4+ T cells and correlated T-bet binding patterns with species-specific gene expression. Remarkably, we found that the majority of T-bet target genes are conserved between mouse and human, either via preservation of binding sites or via alternative binding sites associated with transposon-linked insertion. Species-specific T-bet binding was associated with differences in transcription factor–binding motifs and species-specific expression of associated genes. These results provide a genome-wide cross-species comparison of Th1 gene regulation that will enable more accurate translation of genetic targets and therapeutics from pre-clinical models of inflammatory and infectious diseases and cancer into human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Henderson
- Bill Lyons Informatics Centre, UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK UCL Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Venu Pullabhatla
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Arnulf Hertweck
- Regulatory Genomics Group, UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK UCL Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emanuele de Rinaldis
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Javier Herrero
- Bill Lyons Informatics Centre, UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK UCL Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Graham M Lord
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital and King's College London, London, UK .,School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Richard G Jenner
- Regulatory Genomics Group, UCL Cancer Institute and CRUK UCL Centre, University College London, London, UK
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6
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Anandagoda N, Roberts LB, Willis JCD, Sarathchandra P, Xiao F, Jackson I, Hertweck A, Kapoor P, Jenner RG, Howard JK, Lord GM. Dominant regulation of long-term allograft survival is mediated by microRNA-142. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:2715-2727. [PMID: 32277570 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Organ transplantation is often lifesaving, but the long-term deleterious effects of combinatorial immunosuppression regimens and allograft failure cause significant morbidity and mortality. Long-term graft survival in the absence of continuing immunosuppression, defined as operational tolerance, has never been described in the context of multiple major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatches. Here, we show that miR-142 deficiency leads to indefinite allograft survival in a fully MHC mismatched murine cardiac transplant model in the absence of exogenous immunosuppression. We demonstrate that the cause of indefinite allograft survival in the absence of miR-142 maps specifically to the T cell compartment. Of therapeutic relevance, temporal deletion of miR-142 in adult mice prior to transplantation of a fully MHC mismatched skin allograft resulted in prolonged allograft survival. Mechanistically, miR-142 directly targets Tgfbr1 for repression in regulatory T cells (TREG ). This leads to increased TREG sensitivity to transforming growth factor - beta and promotes transplant tolerance via an augmented peripheral TREG response in the absence of miR-142. These data identify manipulation of miR-142 as a promising approach for the induction of tolerance in human transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelomi Anandagoda
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Luke B Roberts
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Joanna C D Willis
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Padmini Sarathchandra
- Heart Science Centre, Harefield Hospital, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Middlesex, UK
| | - Fang Xiao
- School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ian Jackson
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Arnulf Hertweck
- CRUK UCL Centre, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Puja Kapoor
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Richard G Jenner
- CRUK UCL Centre, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jane K Howard
- School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Graham M Lord
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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7
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Anandagoda N, Willis JC, Hertweck A, Roberts LB, Jackson I, Gökmen MR, Jenner RG, Howard JK, Lord GM. microRNA-142-mediated repression of phosphodiesterase 3B critically regulates peripheral immune tolerance. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:1257-1271. [PMID: 30741720 PMCID: PMC6391082 DOI: 10.1172/jci124725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tregs play a fundamental role in immune tolerance via control of self-reactive effector T cells (Teffs). This function is dependent on maintenance of a high intracellular cAMP concentration. A number of microRNAs are implicated in the maintenance of Tregs. In this study, we demonstrate that peripheral immune tolerance is critically dependent on posttranscriptional repression of the cAMP-hydrolyzing enzyme phosphodiesterase-3b (Pde3b) by microRNA-142-5p (miR-142-5p). In this manner, miR-142-5p acts as an immunometabolic regulator of intracellular cAMP, controlling Treg suppressive function. Mir142 was associated with a super enhancer bound by the Treg lineage–determining transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), and Treg-specific deletion of miR-142 in mice (TregΔ142) resulted in spontaneous, lethal, multisystem autoimmunity, despite preserved numbers of phenotypically normal Tregs. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic ablation of PDE3B prevented autoimmune disease and reversed the impaired suppressive function of Tregs in TregΔ142 animals. These findings reveal a critical molecular switch, specifying Treg function through the modulation of a highly conserved, cell-intrinsic metabolic pathway. Modulation of this pathway has direct relevance to the pathogenesis and treatment of autoimmunity and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelomi Anandagoda
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Cd Willis
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arnulf Hertweck
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luke B Roberts
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Jackson
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - M Refik Gökmen
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard G Jenner
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane K Howard
- School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham M Lord
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Soderquest K, Hertweck A, Giambartolomei C, Henderson S, Mohamed R, Goldberg R, Perucha E, Franke L, Herrero J, Plagnol V, Jenner RG, Lord GM. Genetic variants alter T-bet binding and gene expression in mucosal inflammatory disease. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006587. [PMID: 28187197 PMCID: PMC5328407 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The polarization of CD4+ T cells into distinct T helper cell lineages is essential for protective immunity against infection, but aberrant T cell polarization can cause autoimmunity. The transcription factor T-bet (TBX21) specifies the Th1 lineage and represses alternative T cell fates. Genome-wide association studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may be causative for autoimmune diseases. The majority of these polymorphisms are located within non-coding distal regulatory elements. It is considered that these genetic variants contribute to disease by altering the binding of regulatory proteins and thus gene expression, but whether these variants alter the binding of lineage-specifying transcription factors has not been determined. Here, we show that SNPs associated with the mucosal inflammatory diseases Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis (UC) and celiac disease, but not rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, are enriched at T-bet binding sites. Furthermore, we identify disease-associated variants that alter T-bet binding in vitro and in vivo. ChIP-seq for T-bet in individuals heterozygous for the celiac disease-associated SNPs rs1465321 and rs2058622 and the IBD-associated SNPs rs1551398 and rs1551399, reveals decreased binding to the minor disease-associated alleles. Furthermore, we show that rs1465321 is an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) for the neighboring gene IL18RAP, with decreased T-bet binding associated with decreased expression of this gene. These results suggest that genetic polymorphisms may predispose individuals to mucosal autoimmune disease through alterations in T-bet binding. Other disease-associated variants may similarly act by modulating the binding of lineage-specifying transcription factors in a tissue-selective and disease-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Soderquest
- Department of Experimental Immunobiology, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arnulf Hertweck
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Stephen Henderson
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rami Mohamed
- Department of Experimental Immunobiology, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rimma Goldberg
- Department of Experimental Immunobiology, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Esperanza Perucha
- Department of Experimental Immunobiology, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lude Franke
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Javier Herrero
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent Plagnol
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard G. Jenner
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham M. Lord
- Department of Experimental Immunobiology, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Hertweck A, Evans CM, Eskandarpour M, Lau JCH, Oleinika K, Jackson I, Kelly A, Ambrose J, Adamson P, Cousins DJ, Lavender P, Calder VL, Lord GM, Jenner RG. T-bet Activates Th1 Genes through Mediator and the Super Elongation Complex. Cell Rep 2016; 15:2756-70. [PMID: 27292648 PMCID: PMC4920892 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor T-bet directs Th1 cell differentiation, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie this lineage-specific gene regulation are not completely understood. Here, we show that T-bet acts through enhancers to allow the recruitment of Mediator and P-TEFb in the form of the super elongation complex (SEC). Th1 genes are occupied by H3K4me3 and RNA polymerase II in Th2 cells, while T-bet-mediated recruitment of P-TEFb in Th1 cells activates transcriptional elongation. P-TEFb is recruited to both genes and enhancers, where it activates enhancer RNA transcription. P-TEFb inhibition and Mediator and SEC knockdown selectively block activation of T-bet target genes, and P-TEFb inhibition abrogates Th1-associated experimental autoimmune uveitis. T-bet activity is independent of changes in NF-κB RelA and Brd4 binding, with T-bet- and NF-κB-mediated pathways instead converging to allow P-TEFb recruitment. These data provide insight into the mechanism through which lineage-specifying factors promote differentiation of alternative T cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnulf Hertweck
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, W1T 4JF London, UK; Department of Experimental Immunobiology and NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital and King's College London, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | - Catherine M Evans
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, W1T 4JF London, UK
| | - Malihe Eskandarpour
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, EC1V 9EL London, UK
| | - Jonathan C H Lau
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, W1T 4JF London, UK
| | - Kristine Oleinika
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, W1T 4JF London, UK
| | - Ian Jackson
- Department of Experimental Immunobiology and NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital and King's College London, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | - Audrey Kelly
- Department of Asthma, Allergy, and Respiratory Science, King's College London, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | - John Ambrose
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, W1T 4JF London, UK
| | - Peter Adamson
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, EC1V 9EL London, UK
| | - David J Cousins
- Department of Asthma, Allergy, and Respiratory Science, King's College London, SE1 9RT London, UK; Leicester Institute for Lung Health and Department of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, NIHR Leicester Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, University of Leicester, LE3 9QP Leicester, UK
| | - Paul Lavender
- Department of Asthma, Allergy, and Respiratory Science, King's College London, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | - Virginia L Calder
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, EC1V 9EL London, UK
| | - Graham M Lord
- Department of Experimental Immunobiology and NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital and King's College London, SE1 9RT London, UK.
| | - Richard G Jenner
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, W1T 4JF London, UK.
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10
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Nguyen LP, Pan J, Dinh TT, Hadeiba H, O'Hara E, Ebtikar A, Hertweck A, Gökmen MR, Lord GM, Jenner RG, Butcher EC, Habtezion A. Role and species-specific expression of colon T cell homing receptor GPR15 in colitis. Nat Immunol 2014; 16:207-213. [PMID: 25531831 PMCID: PMC4338558 DOI: 10.1038/ni.3079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Lymphocyte recruitment maintains intestinal immune homeostasis but also contributes to inflammation. The orphan chemoattractant receptor GPR15 mediates regulatory T cell homing and immunosuppression in the mouse colon. We show that GPR15 is also expressed by mouse TH17 and TH1 effector cells, and is required for colitis in a model that depends on their trafficking to the colon. In humans GPR15 is expressed by effector cells including pathogenic TH2 cells in ulcerative colitis, but is not expressed by regulatory T (Treg) cells. The TH2 transcriptional activator GATA-3 and the Treg–associated transcriptional repressor FOXP3 robustly bind human, but not mouse, GPR15 enhancer sequences, correlating with expression. Our results highlight species differences in GPR15 regulation, and suggest it as a potential therapeutic target for colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh P Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,The Center for Molecular Biology and Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and The Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA
| | - Junliang Pan
- The Center for Molecular Biology and Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and The Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA
| | - Theresa Thanh Dinh
- Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Husein Hadeiba
- The Center for Molecular Biology and Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and The Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA
| | - Edward O'Hara
- The Center for Molecular Biology and Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and The Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA
| | - Ahmad Ebtikar
- The Center for Molecular Biology and Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and The Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA
| | - Arnulf Hertweck
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, United Kingdom
| | - M Refik Gökmen
- Department of Experimental Immunobiology and NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital and King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Graham M Lord
- Department of Experimental Immunobiology and NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital and King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Richard G Jenner
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, United Kingdom
| | - Eugene C Butcher
- The Center for Molecular Biology and Medicine, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and The Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA.,Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Aida Habtezion
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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11
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Bruno L, Mazzarella L, Hoogenkamp M, Hertweck A, Cobb BS, Sauer S, Hadjur S, Leleu M, Naoe Y, Telfer JC, Bonifer C, Taniuchi I, Fisher AG, Merkenschlager M. Runx proteins regulate Foxp3 expression. J Biophys Biochem Cytol 2009. [DOI: 10.1083/jcb1873oia3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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12
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Bruno L, Mazzarella L, Hoogenkamp M, Hertweck A, Cobb BS, Sauer S, Hadjur S, Leleu M, Naoe Y, Telfer JC, Bonifer C, Taniuchi I, Fisher AG, Merkenschlager M. Runx proteins regulate Foxp3 expression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 206:2329-37. [PMID: 19841090 PMCID: PMC2768863 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20090226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Runx proteins are essential for hematopoiesis and play an important role in T cell development by regulating key target genes, such as CD4 and CD8 as well as lymphokine genes, during the specialization of naive CD4 T cells into distinct T helper subsets. In regulatory T (T reg) cells, the signature transcription factor Foxp3 interacts with and modulates the function of several other DNA binding proteins, including Runx family members, at the protein level. We show that Runx proteins also regulate the initiation and the maintenance of Foxp3 gene expression in CD4 T cells. Full-length Runx promoted the de novo expression of Foxp3 during inducible T reg cell differentiation, whereas the isolated dominant-negative Runt DNA binding domain antagonized de novo Foxp3 expression. Foxp3 expression in natural T reg cells remained dependent on Runx proteins and correlated with the binding of Runx/core-binding factor β to regulatory elements within the Foxp3 locus. Our data show that Runx and Foxp3 are components of a feed-forward loop in which Runx proteins contribute to the expression of Foxp3 and cooperate with Foxp3 proteins to regulate the expression of downstream target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Bruno
- Lymphocyte Development Group, Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, England, UK
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13
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Hadjur S, Bruno L, Hertweck A, Cobb BS, Taylor B, Fisher AG, Merkenschlager M. IL4 blockade of inducible regulatory T cell differentiation: the role of Th2 cells, Gata3 and PU.1. Immunol Lett 2008; 122:37-43. [PMID: 19046990 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2008.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2008] [Revised: 10/30/2008] [Accepted: 11/04/2008] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Naive CD4 T cells differentiate into functionally distinct T helper (Th) cells subsets or into regulatory T (Treg) cells in response to the cytokine milieu in which they encounter antigen. A recurring theme in post-thymic CD4 T cell differentiation is the cross-regulation of lineage choice by cytokines and transcription factors that are expressed in alternative lineages. For example, TGFbeta induces the de novo expression of the Treg cell signature transcription factor Foxp3, but iTreg differentiation is blocked by high concentrations of the Th2 cytokine IL4. However, whether IL4 can antagonise Foxp3 induction in more physiological settings remains to be addressed. Here we use a co-culture system to demonstrate that IL4 provided by Th2 cells in vitro is sufficient to block Foxp3 induction in naive CD4 T cells. In addition, we find that Foxp3 induction is efficiently blocked not only by the Th2 transcription factor Gata3, but also by PU.1, which is transiently induced during Th2 differentiation. These data suggest that iTreg differentiation may be affected by the polarity of immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzana Hadjur
- Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
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14
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Sauer S, Bruno L, Hertweck A, Finlay D, Leleu M, Spivakov M, Knight ZA, Cobb BS, Cantrell D, O'Connor E, Shokat KM, Fisher AG, Merkenschlager M. T cell receptor signaling controls Foxp3 expression via PI3K, Akt, and mTOR. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:7797-802. [PMID: 18509048 PMCID: PMC2409380 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0800928105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 678] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells safeguard against autoimmunity and immune pathology. Because determinants of the Treg cell fate are not completely understood, we have delineated signaling events that control the de novo expression of Foxp3 in naive peripheral CD4 T cells and in thymocytes. We report that premature termination of TCR signaling and inibition of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) p110alpha, p110delta, protein kinase B (Akt), or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) conferred Foxp3 expression and Treg-like gene expression profiles. Conversely, continued TCR signaling and constitutive PI3K/Akt/mTOR activity antagonised Foxp3 induction. At the chromatin level, di- and trimethylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4me2 and -3) near the Foxp3 transcription start site (TSS) and within the 5' untranslated region (UTR) preceded active Foxp3 expression and, like Foxp3 inducibility, was lost upon continued TCR stimulation. These data demonstrate that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling network regulates Foxp3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - David Finlay
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom; and
| | | | | | - Zachary A. Knight
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | | | - Doreen Cantrell
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom; and
| | - Eric O'Connor
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Kevan M. Shokat
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
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15
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Cobb BS, Hertweck A, Smith J, O'Connor E, Graf D, Cook T, Smale ST, Sakaguchi S, Livesey FJ, Fisher AG, Merkenschlager M. A role for Dicer in immune regulation. J Biophys Biochem Cytol 2006. [DOI: 10.1083/jcb1753oia7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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16
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Cobb BS, Hertweck A, Smith J, O'Connor E, Graf D, Cook T, Smale ST, Sakaguchi S, Livesey FJ, Fisher AG, Merkenschlager M. A role for Dicer in immune regulation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 203:2519-27. [PMID: 17060477 PMCID: PMC2118134 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20061692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 449] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Micro RNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Here we show that regulatory T (T reg) cells have a miRNA profile distinct from conventional CD4 T cells. A partial T reg cell–like miRNA profile is conferred by the enforced expression of Foxp3 and, surprisingly, by the activation of conventional CD4 T cells. Depleting miRNAs by eliminating Dicer, the RNAse III enzyme that generates functional miRNAs, reduces T reg cell numbers and results in immune pathology. Dicer facilitates, in a cell-autonomous fashion, the development of T reg cells in the thymus and the efficient induction of Foxp3 by transforming growth factor β. These results suggest that T reg cell development involves Dicer-generated RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley S Cobb
- Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, England, UK
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17
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Bilic I, Koesters C, Unger B, Sekimata M, Hertweck A, Maschek R, Wilson CB, Ellmeier W. Negative regulation of CD8 expression via Cd8 enhancer-mediated recruitment of the zinc finger protein MAZR. Nat Immunol 2006; 7:392-400. [PMID: 16491076 PMCID: PMC3001192 DOI: 10.1038/ni1311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2005] [Accepted: 01/17/2006] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Coreceptor expression is tightly regulated during thymocyte development. Deletion of specific Cd8 enhancers leads to variegated expression of CD8alphabeta heterodimers in double-positive thymocytes. Here we show CD8 variegation is correlated with an epigenetic 'off' state, linking Cd8 enhancer function with chromatin remodeling of the adjacent genes Cd8a and Cd8b1 (Cd8). The zinc finger protein MAZR bound the Cd8 enhancer and interacted with the nuclear receptor corepressor N-CoR complex in double-negative thymocytes. MAZR was downregulated in double-positive and CD8 single-positive thymocytes. 'Enforced' expression of MAZR led to impaired Cd8 activation and variegated CD8 expression. Our results demonstrate epigenetic control of the Cd8 loci and identify MAZR as an important regulator of Cd8 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Bilic
- Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
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18
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Cobb BS, Nesterova TB, Thompson E, Hertweck A, O'Connor E, Godwin J, Wilson CB, Brockdorff N, Fisher AG, Smale ST, Merkenschlager M. T cell lineage choice and differentiation in the absence of the RNase III enzyme Dicer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 201:1367-73. [PMID: 15867090 PMCID: PMC2213187 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20050572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 407] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The ribonuclease III enzyme Dicer is essential for the processing of micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) from double-stranded RNA precursors. miRNAs and siRNAs regulate chromatin structure, gene transcription, mRNA stability, and translation in a wide range of organisms. To provide a model system to explore the role of Dicer-generated RNAs in the differentiation of mammalian cells in vivo, we have generated a conditional Dicer allele. Deletion of Dicer at an early stage of T cell development compromised the survival of αβ lineage cells, whereas the numbers of γδ-expressing thymocytes were not affected. In developing thymocytes, Dicer was not required for the maintenance of transcriptional silencing at pericentromeric satellite sequences (constitutive heterochromatin), the maintenance of DNA methylation and X chromosome inactivation in female cells (facultative heterochromatin), and the stable shutdown of a developmentally regulated gene (developmentally regulated gene silencing). Most remarkably, given that one third of mammalian mRNAs are putative miRNA targets, Dicer seems to be dispensable for CD4/8 lineage commitment, a process in which epigenetic regulation of lineage choice has been well documented. Thus, although Dicer seems to be critical for the development of the early embryo, it may have limited impact on the implementation of some lineage-specific gene expression programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley S Cobb
- Lymphocyte Development Group, Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, England, UK
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