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Silva CS, Pinto RD, Pires RA, Correia-Neves M, Reis RL, Alves NL, Martins A, Neves NM. The Influence of Feeder Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix Density on Thymic Epithelial Cell Culture. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:2514-2523. [PMID: 37074315 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00148] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is responsible for the selection and development of T cells, having an essential role in the establishment of adaptive immunity. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are key players in T cell development interacting with thymocytes in the thymic 3D environment. Feeder-layer cells have been frequently used as platforms for the successful establishment of TEC cultures. Nevertheless, the role of the feeder cell-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) on TEC cultures was not previously reported. Therefore, this work aimed at assessing the effect of the ECM produced by feeder cells cultured at two different densities on the establishment of TEC culture. Due to the high surface area and porosity, electrospun fibrous meshes were used to support ECM deposition. The feeder cell-derived ECM was efficiently recovered after decellularization, maintaining the composition of major proteins. All the decellularized matrices were permeable and showed an increase in surface mechanical properties after decellularization. TEC cultures confirmed that the ECM density impacts cellular performance, with higher densities showing a decreased cellular activity. Our findings provide evidence that feeder cell-derived ECM is a suitable substrate for TEC culture and can potentially be applied in thymus bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S Silva
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Rute D Pinto
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo A Pires
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, Universidade do Minho, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Albino Martins
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Nuno M Neves
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
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2
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Alves I, Santos-Pereira B, de la Cruz N, Campar A, Pinto V, Rodrigues PM, Araújo M, Santos S, Ramos-Soriano J, Vasconcelos C, Silva R, Afonso N, Mira F, Barrias CC, Alves NL, Rojo J, Santos L, Marinho A, Pinho SS. Host-derived mannose glycans trigger a pathogenic γδ T cell/IL-17a axis in autoimmunity. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabo1930. [PMID: 36921032 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo1930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are life-threatening disorders that cause increasing disability over time. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases arise when immune stimuli override mechanisms of self-tolerance. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that protein glycosylation is substantially altered in autoimmune disease development, but the mechanisms by which glycans trigger these autoreactive immune responses are still largely unclear. In this study, we found that presence of microbial-associated mannose structures at the surface of the kidney triggers the recognition of DC-SIGN-expressing γδ T cells, inducing a pathogenic interleukin-17a (IL-17a)-mediated autoimmune response. Mice lacking Mgat5, which have a higher abundance of mannose structures in the kidney, displayed increased γδ T cell infiltration into the kidney that was associated with spontaneous development of lupus in older mice. N-acetylglucosamine supplementation, which promoted biosynthesis of tolerogenic branched N-glycans in the kidney, was found to inhibit γδ T cell infiltration and control disease development. Together, this work reveals a mannose-γδ T cell-IL-17a axis in SLE immunopathogenesis and highlights glycometabolic reprogramming as a therapeutic strategy for autoimmune disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Alves
- i3s - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Santos-Pereira
- i3s - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Noelia de la Cruz
- Glycosystems Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ), CSIC - Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ana Campar
- i3s - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vanda Pinto
- i3s - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- i3s - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marco Araújo
- i3s - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia Santos
- Nephrology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Porto, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| | - Javier Ramos-Soriano
- Glycosystems Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ), CSIC - Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carlos Vasconcelos
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| | - Roberto Silva
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitário São João do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Afonso
- Department of Nephrology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipe Mira
- Department of Nephrology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristina C Barrias
- i3s - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- i3s - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Javier Rojo
- Glycosystems Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ), CSIC - Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Lélita Santos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Marinho
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| | - Salomé S Pinho
- i3s - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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3
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Sousa LG, Rodrigues PM, Alves NL. T-cell selection in the thymus: New routes toward the identification of the self-peptide ligandome presented by thymic epithelial cells. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250202. [PMID: 36642953 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250202] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Within the thymus, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide a dedicated niche for the selection of functional T cells expressing a highly variable and self-tolerant T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. In this minireview, we start by summarizing recent studies that have improved our understanding on the composition of cortical TEC and medullary TEC microenvironments. Next, we focus on the molecular processes that control the function of TECs in T-cell selection. In particular, we discuss the role of cortical TECs in positive selection and the pathways employed by these cells to generate and present selecting self-peptides:MHC II complexes. Several studies have underscored the role of the β5t-containing thymoproteasome in the production of unique MHC I-bound peptides critical for CD8 T-cell selection. Contrarily, the identity of the molecular determinants that regulate the generation of MHC II-bound self-peptides capable of positive selecting CD4 T cells is far more uncertain. We highlight recent advances that interconnect the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, the presentation of specific sets of self-peptide:MHC II complexes, and the diversification of CD4 TCR repertoire. Lastly, we discuss how these findings may open up new avenues for deciphering the identity of the MHC I and MHC II ligandome in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura G Sousa
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
- Doctoral Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
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4
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Rodrigues PM, Sousa LG, Perrod C, Maceiras AR, Ferreirinha P, Pombinho R, Romera-Cárdenas G, Gomez-Lazaro M, Senkara M, Pistolic J, Cabanes D, Klein L, Saftig P, Alves NL. LAMP2 regulates autophagy in the thymic epithelium and thymic stroma-dependent CD4 T cell development. Autophagy 2023; 19:426-439. [PMID: 35535798 PMCID: PMC9851248 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2074105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the thymus, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide dedicated thymic stroma microenvironments for T cell development. Because TEC functionality is sensitive to aging and cytoablative therapies, unraveling the molecular elements that coordinate their thymopoietic role has fundamental and clinical implications. Particularly, the selection of CD4 T cells depends on interactions between TCRs expressed on T cell precursors and self-peptides:MHC II complexes presented by cortical TECs (cTECs). Although the macroautophagy/autophagy-lysosomal protein degradation pathway is implicated in CD4 T cell selection, the molecular mechanism that controls the generation of selecting MHC II ligands remains elusive. LAMP2 (lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2) is a well-recognized mediator of autolysosome (AL) maturation. We showed that LAMP2 is highly expressed in cTECs. Notably, genetic inactivation of Lamp2 in thymic stromal cells specifically impaired the development of CD4 T cells that completed positive selection, without misdirecting MHC II-restricted cells into the CD8 lineage. Mechanistically, defects in autophagy in lamp2-deficient cTECs were linked to alterations in MHC II processing, which was associated with a marked reduction in CD4 TCR repertoire diversity selected within the lamp2-deficient thymic stroma. Together, our findings suggest that LAMP2 interconnects the autophagy-lysosomal axis and the processing of selecting self-peptides:MHC II complexes in cTECs, underling its implications for the generation of a broad CD4 TCR repertoire.Abbreviations: AIRE: autoimmune regulator (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy); AL: autolysosome; AP: autophagosome; Baf-A1: bafilomycin A1; B2M: beta-2 microglobulin; CTSL: cathepsin L; CD74/Ii: CD74 antigen (invariant polypeptide of major histocompatibility complex, class II antigen-associated); CFSE: carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester; CFU: colony-forming unit; CLIP: class II-associated invariant chain peptides; cTECs: cortical TECs dKO: double knockout; DN: double negative; DP: double positive; ENPEP/LY51: glutamyl aminopeptidase; FOXP3: forkhead box; P3 IFNG/IFNγ: interferon gamma; IKZF2/HELIOS: IKAROS family zinc finger 2; IL2RA/CD25: interleukin 2 receptor, alpha chain; KO: knockout; LAMP2: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2; LIP: lymphopenia-induced proliferation; Lm: Listeria monocytogenes; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MHC: major histocompatibility complex; mTECs: medullary TECs; PRSS16/TSSP: protease, serine 16 (thymus); SELL/CD62L: selectin, lymphocyte; SP: single positive; TCR: T cell receptor; TCRB: T cell receptor beta chain; TECs: thymic epithelial cells; UEA-1: Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1; WT: wild-type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Laura G. Sousa
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal,Doctoral Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Chiara Perrod
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R. Maceiras
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Ferreirinha
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Pombinho
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gema Romera-Cárdenas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - María Gomez-Lazaro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Porto, Portugal
| | - Meryem Senkara
- Biochemisches Institut, Christian Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jelena Pistolic
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Didier Cabanes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ludger Klein
- Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Saftig
- Biochemisches Institut, Christian Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Nuno L. Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal,CONTACT Nuno L. Alves Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, Porto4200-135, Portugal
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5
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Gonçalves R, Couto J, Ferreirinha P, Costa JM, Silvério D, Silva ML, Fernandes AI, Madureira P, Alves NL, Lamas S, Saraiva M. SARS-CoV-2 variants induce distinct disease and impact in the bone marrow and thymus of mice. iScience 2023; 26:105972. [PMID: 36687317 PMCID: PMC9838028 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.105972] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has evolved to variants associated with milder disease. We employed the k18-hACE2 mouse model to study how differences in the course of infection by SARS-CoV-2 variants alpha, delta, and omicron relate to tissue pathology and the immune response triggered. We documented a variant-specific pattern of infection severity, inducing discrete lung and blood immune responses and differentially impacting primary lymphoid organs. Infections with variants alpha and delta promoted bone marrow (BM) emergency myelopoiesis, with blood and lung neutrophilia. The defects in the BM hematopoietic compartment extended to the thymus, with the infection by the alpha variant provoking a marked thymic atrophy. Importantly, the changes in the immune responses correlated with the severity of infection. Our study provides a comprehensive platform to investigate the modulation of disease by SARS-CoV-2 variants and underscores the impact of this infection on the function of primary lymphoid organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute Gonçalves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Couto
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Ferreirinha
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,IBMC—Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - José Maria Costa
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,FEUP—Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Diogo Silvério
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta L. Silva
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Isabel Fernandes
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Madureira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,Immunethep, Biocant Park, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Nuno L. Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,IBMC—Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia Lamas
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,IBMC—Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Saraiva
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,IBMC—Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal,Corresponding author
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6
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Ferreirinha P, Pinheiro RGR, Landry JJM, Alves NL. Identification of fibroblast progenitors in the developing mouse thymus. Development 2022; 149:275509. [PMID: 35587733 PMCID: PMC9188757 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The thymus stroma constitutes a fundamental microenvironment for T-cell generation. Despite the chief contribution of thymic epithelial cells, recent studies emphasize the regulatory role of mesenchymal cells in thymic function. Mesenchymal progenitors are suggested to exist in the postnatal thymus; nonetheless, an understanding of their nature and the mechanism controlling their homeostasis in vivo remains elusive. We resolved two new thymic fibroblast subsets with distinct developmental features. Whereas CD140αβ+GP38+SCA-1− cells prevailed in the embryonic thymus and declined thereafter, CD140αβ+GP38+SCA-1+ cells emerged in the late embryonic period and predominated in postnatal life. The fibroblastic-associated transcriptional programme was upregulated in CD140αβ+GP38+SCA-1+ cells, suggesting that they represent a mature subset. Lineage analysis showed that CD140αβ+GP38+SCA-1+ maintained their phenotype in thymic organoids. Strikingly, CD140αβ+GP38+SCA-1− generated CD140αβ+GP38+SCA-1+, inferring that this subset harboured progenitor cell activity. Moreover, the abundance of CD140αβ+GP38+SCA-1+ fibroblasts was gradually reduced in Rag2−/− and Rag2−/−Il2rg−/− thymi, indicating that fibroblast maturation depends on thymic crosstalk. Our findings identify CD140αβ+GP38+SCA-1− as a source of fibroblast progenitors and define SCA-1 as a marker for developmental stages of thymic fibroblast differentiation. Summary: This study resolves previously unidentified subsets of immature and mature thymic fibroblasts, providing further evidence that their homeostasis is controlled by signals provided by developing thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Ferreirinha
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto 1 , 4200-135, Porto , Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular 2 , 4200-135, Porto , Portugal
| | - Ruben G. R. Pinheiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto 1 , 4200-135, Porto , Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular 2 , 4200-135, Porto , Portugal
- Doctoral Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar 3 , , 4200-135, Porto , Portugal
- Universidade do Porto 3 , , 4200-135, Porto , Portugal
| | - Jonathan J. M. Landry
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory 4 , 69117 Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Nuno L. Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto 1 , 4200-135, Porto , Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular 2 , 4200-135, Porto , Portugal
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7
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Bosticardo M, Ohigashi I, Cowan JE, Alves NL. Editorial: Thymic Epithelial Cells: New Insights Into the Essential Driving Force of T-Cell Differentiation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:744623. [PMID: 34484248 PMCID: PMC8414565 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.744623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marita Bosticardo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, IDGS, DIR, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Jennifer E Cowan
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Nuno L Alves
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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8
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Pinheiro RGR, Alves NL. The Early Postnatal Life: A Dynamic Period in Thymic Epithelial Cell Differentiation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:668528. [PMID: 34220815 PMCID: PMC8250140 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.668528] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The microenvironments formed by cortical (c) and medullary (m) thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play a non-redundant role in the generation of functionally diverse and self-tolerant T cells. The role of TECs during the first weeks of the murine postnatal life is particularly challenging due to the significant augment in T cell production. Here, we critically review recent studies centered on the timely coordination between the expansion and maturation of TECs during this period and their specialized role in T cell development and selection. We further discuss how aging impacts on the pool of TEC progenitors and maintenance of functionally thymic epithelial microenvironments, and the implications of these chances in the capacity of the thymus to sustain regular thymopoiesis throughout life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben G R Pinheiro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Doctoral Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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9
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Ferreirinha P, Ribeiro C, Morimoto J, Landry JJM, Matsumoto M, Meireles C, White AJ, Ohigashi I, Araújo L, Benes V, Takahama Y, Anderson G, Matsumoto M, Alves NL. A novel method to identify Post-Aire stages of medullary thymic epithelial cell differentiation. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:311-318. [PMID: 32845012 PMCID: PMC7891440 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune regulator+ (Aire) medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play a critical role in tolerance induction. Several studies demonstrated that Aire+ mTECs differentiate further into Post-Aire cells. Yet, the identification of terminal stages of mTEC maturation depends on unique fate-mapping mouse models. Herein, we resolve this limitation by segmenting the mTEChi (MHCIIhi CD80hi ) compartment into mTECA/hi (CD24- Sca1- ), mTECB/hi (CD24+ Sca1- ), and mTECC/hi (CD24+ Sca1+ ). While mTECA/hi included mostly Aire-expressing cells, mTECB/hi contained Aire+ and Aire- cells and mTECC/hi were mainly composed of cells lacking Aire. The differential expression pattern of Aire led us to investigate the precursor-product relationship between these subsets. Strikingly, transcriptomic analysis of mTECA/hi , mTECB/hi , and mTECC/hi sequentially mirrored the specific genetic program of Early-, Late- and Post-Aire mTECs. Corroborating their Post-Aire nature, mTECC/hi downregulated the expression of tissue-restricted antigens, acquired traits of differentiated keratinocytes, and were absent in Aire-deficient mice. Collectively, our findings reveal a new and simple blueprint to survey late stages of mTEC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Ferreirinha
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Camila Ribeiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Junko Morimoto
- Division of Molecular ImmunologyInstitute for Enzyme ResearchTokushima UniversityTokushimaJapan
| | | | - Minoru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular ImmunologyInstitute for Enzyme ResearchTokushima UniversityTokushimaJapan
| | - Catarina Meireles
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Andrea J. White
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental ImmunologyInstitute of Advanced Medical SciencesUniversity of TokushimaTokushimaJapan
| | - Leonor Araújo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Vladimir Benes
- Genomics Core FacilityEuropean Molecular Biology LaboratoryHeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Graham Anderson
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesMedical SchoolUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK
| | - Mitsuru Matsumoto
- Division of Molecular ImmunologyInstitute for Enzyme ResearchTokushima UniversityTokushimaJapan
| | - Nuno L. Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC)Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
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10
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Silva CS, Pinto RD, Amorim S, Pires RA, Correia-Neves M, Reis RL, Alves NL, Martins A, Neves NM. Fibronectin-Functionalized Fibrous Meshes as a Substrate to Support Cultures of Thymic Epithelial Cells. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:4771-4780. [PMID: 33238090 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the main regulators of T lymphocyte development and selection, requiring a three-dimensional (3D) environment to properly perform these biological functions. The aim of this work was to develop a 3D culture substrate that allows the survival and proliferation of TECs. Thus, electrospun fibrous meshes (eFMs) were functionalized with fibronectin, one of the major extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins of the thymus. For that, highly porous eFMs were activated using oxygen plasma treatment followed by amine insertion, which allows the immobilization of fibronectin through EDC/NHS chemistry. The medullary TECs presented increased proliferation, viability, and protein synthesis when cultured on fibronectin-functionalized eFMs (FN-eFMs). These cells showed a spread morphology, with increased migration toward the inner layers of FN-eFMs and the production of thymic ECM proteins, such as collagen type IV and laminin. These results suggest that FN-eFMs are an effective substrate for supporting thymic cell cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S Silva
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Rute D Pinto
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Amorim
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo A Pires
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of MedicineUniversity of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Albino Martins
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno M Neves
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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11
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Alves NL, Carvalho A, Serre K, Martins VC, Saraiva M. The Portuguese Society for Immunology (SPI): history and mission. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:918-920. [PMID: 32617977 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202070075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Karine Serre
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vera C Martins
- Lymphocyte Development and Leukemogenesis Laboratory, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Margarida Saraiva
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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12
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Ribeiro C, Alves NL, Ferreirinha P. Medullary thymic epithelial cells: Deciphering the functional diversity beyond promiscuous gene expression. Immunol Lett 2019; 215:24-27. [PMID: 30853502 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Within the thymus, cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (cTECs and mTECs, respectively) provide unique microenvironments for the development of T cells that are responsive to diverse foreign antigens while self-tolerant. Essential for tolerance induction, mTECs play a critical role in negative selection and T regulatory cell differentiation. In this article, we review the current knowledge on the functional diversity within mTECs and discuss how these novel subsets contribute to tolerance induction and are integrated in the complex blueprint of mTEC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Ribeiro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno L Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Ferreirinha
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
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13
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Ghezzo MN, Fernandes MT, Pacheco-Leyva I, Rodrigues PM, Machado RS, Araújo MAS, Kalathur RK, Futschik ME, Alves NL, dos Santos NR. FoxN1-dependent thymic epithelial cells promote T-cell leukemia development. Carcinogenesis 2018; 39:1463-1476. [DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgy127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marinella N Ghezzo
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Mónica T Fernandes
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Ivette Pacheco-Leyva
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, Porto, Portugal
- Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui S Machado
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- ProRegeM PhD Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Marta A S Araújo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Ravi K Kalathur
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Matthias E Futschik
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine (ITSMED), University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Nuno L Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, Porto, Portugal
- Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno R dos Santos
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
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14
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Gonçalves LS, Oliveira MBL, Alves NL, Mendonça JS, Nojosa JS. Efeito da Técnica Úmida de Adesão com Etanol em Restaurações Adesivas: Revisão de Literatura. J Health Scie 2018. [DOI: 10.17921/2447-8938.2017v19n5p277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o uso da técnica úmida de adesão com etanol (TUAE) como alternativa para melhorar a resistência de união à dentina. Realizou-se uma revisão de literatura na base de dados PubMed, utilizando os descritores MesH (PubMed): “dentin”, “ethanol” e “adhesives”, no período de 2007 a 2017. Foram encontrados 120 resultados na busca e selecionados 9 artigos científicos, utilizando como critérios de inclusão: estudos in vitro que avaliassem a resistência de união à tração de sistemas adesivos associados à técnica úmida com etanol, em dentina coronária humana. Como critérios de exclusão: estudos que combinassem o uso da TUAE com outros métodos experimentais e estudos clínicos. Na maioria dos estudos, relata-se que o uso de sistemas adesivos convencionais e autocondicionantes associados a TUAE proporcionou valores de resistência de união à tração superiores, quando comparados à técnica úmida convencional (TUC). No entanto, não há consenso quanto ao tempo de uso do etanol absoluto. Em avaliações após 6 meses, 9 meses e 18 meses, os valores de resistência de união mantiveram-se superiores. Uma análise da microscopia eletrônica de varredura mostrou que a TUAE permitiu ao adesivo formar uma camada híbrida mais definida e espessa que na TUC. Conclui-se que a dentina saturada por etanol pode ser considerada um substrato mais adequado para os sistemas adesivos. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar o melhor protocolo de aplicação da técnica úmida de adesão com etanol e avaliar, clinicamente, a resistência de união do material ao longo do tempo.Palavras-chave: Dentin. Ethanol. Adhesives.
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15
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Rodrigues PM, Ribeiro AR, Serafini N, Meireles C, Di Santo JP, Alves NL. Intrathymic Deletion of IL-7 Reveals a Contribution of the Bone Marrow to Thymic Rebound Induced by Androgen Blockade. The Journal of Immunology 2018; 200:1389-1398. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Despite the well-documented effect of castration in thymic regeneration, the singular contribution of the bone marrow (BM) versus the thymus to this process remains unclear. The chief role of IL-7 in pre- and intrathymic stages of T lymphopoiesis led us to investigate the impact of disrupting this cytokine during thymic rebound induced by androgen blockade. We found that castration promoted thymopoiesis in young and aged wild-type mice. In contrast, only young germline IL-7–deficient (Il7−/−) mice consistently augmented thymopoiesis after castration. The increase in T cell production was accompanied by the expansion of the sparse medullary thymic epithelial cell and the peripheral T cell compartment in young Il7−/− mice. In contrast to young Il7−/− and wild-type mice, the poor thymic response of aged Il7−/− mice after castration was associated with a defect in the expansion of BM hematopoietic progenitors. These findings suggest that BM-derived T cell precursors contribute to thymic rebound driven by androgen blockade. To assess the role of IL-7 within the thymus, we generated mice with conditional deletion of IL-7 (Il7 conditional knockout [cKO]) in thymic epithelial cells. As expected, Il7cKO mice presented a profound defect in T cell development while maintaining an intact BM hematopoietic compartment across life. Unlike Il7−/− mice, castration promoted the expansion of BM precursors and enhanced thymic activity in Il7cKO mice independently of age. Our findings suggest that the mobilization of BM precursors acts as a prime catalyst of castration-driven thymopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M. Rodrigues
- *Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- †Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ‡Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R. Ribeiro
- *Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- †Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nicolas Serafini
- §Innate Immunity Unit, Pasteur Institute, 75724 Paris, France; and
- ¶INSERM U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Catarina Meireles
- *Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- †Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - James P. Di Santo
- §Innate Immunity Unit, Pasteur Institute, 75724 Paris, France; and
- ¶INSERM U1223, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Nuno L. Alves
- *Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- †Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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16
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Rodrigues PM, Peterson P, Alves NL. Setting Up the Perimeter of Tolerance: Insights into mTEC Physiology. Trends Immunol 2017; 39:2-5. [PMID: 29236672 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) play a central role in T cell tolerance. However, how the mTEC compartment is maintained remains elusive. We review recent discoveries on new transcription factors involved in mTEC homeostasis and discuss the possibility that their actions might be facilitated by the unique biology of mTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pärt Peterson
- Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nuno L Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.
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17
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Resende M, Cardoso MS, Ribeiro AR, Flórido M, Borges M, Castro AG, Alves NL, Cooper AM, Appelberg R. Innate IFN-γ-Producing Cells Developing in the Absence of IL-2 Receptor Common γ-Chain. J Immunol 2017; 199:1429-1439. [PMID: 28687660 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
IFN-γ is known to be predominantly produced by lymphoid cells such as certain subsets of T cells, NK cells, and other group 1 innate lymphoid cells. In this study, we used IFN-γ reporter mouse models to search for additional cells capable of secreting this cytokine. We identified a novel and rare population of nonconventional IFN-γ-producing cells of hematopoietic origin that were characterized by the expression of Thy1.2 and the lack of lymphoid, myeloid, and NK lineage markers. The expression of IFN-γ by this population was higher in the liver and lower in the spleen. Furthermore, these cells were present in mice lacking both the Rag2 and the common γ-chain (γc) genes (Rag2-/-γc-/-), indicating their innate nature and their γc cytokine independence. Rag2-/-γc-/- mice are as resistant to Mycobacterium avium as Rag2-/- mice, whereas Rag2-/- mice lacking IFN-γ are more susceptible than either Rag2-/- or Rag2-/-γc-/- These lineage-negative CD45+/Thy1.2+ cells are found within the mycobacterially induced granulomatous structure in the livers of infected Rag2-/-γc-/- animals and are adjacent to macrophages that expressed inducible NO synthase, suggesting a potential protective role for these IFN-γ-producing cells. Accordingly, Thy1.2-specific mAb administration to infected Rag2-/-γc-/- animals increased M. avium growth in the liver. Overall, our results demonstrate that a population of Thy1.2+ non-NK innate-like cells present in the liver expresses IFN-γ and can confer protection against M. avium infection in immunocompromised mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Resende
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and i3S - Instituto de Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; .,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho and ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4170 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; and
| | - Marcos S Cardoso
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and i3S - Instituto de Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R Ribeiro
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and i3S - Instituto de Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuela Flórido
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and i3S - Instituto de Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Borges
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and i3S - Instituto de Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - António Gil Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho and ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4170 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; and
| | - Nuno L Alves
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and i3S - Instituto de Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Rui Appelberg
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and i3S - Instituto de Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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18
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Meireles C, Ribeiro AR, Pinto RD, Leitão C, Rodrigues PM, Alves NL. Thymic crosstalk restrains the pool of cortical thymic epithelial cells with progenitor properties. Eur J Immunol 2017; 47:958-969. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201746922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Meireles
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde; Universidade do Porto; Porto Portugal
- Thymus Development and Function Laboratory; Infection and Immunity Unit; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular; Porto Portugal
- Doctoral Program in Cell and Molecular Biology; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas; Universidade do Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - Ana R. Ribeiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde; Universidade do Porto; Porto Portugal
- Thymus Development and Function Laboratory; Infection and Immunity Unit; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular; Porto Portugal
| | - Rute D. Pinto
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde; Universidade do Porto; Porto Portugal
- Thymus Development and Function Laboratory; Infection and Immunity Unit; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular; Porto Portugal
| | - Catarina Leitão
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde; Universidade do Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - Pedro M. Rodrigues
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde; Universidade do Porto; Porto Portugal
- Thymus Development and Function Laboratory; Infection and Immunity Unit; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular; Porto Portugal
| | - Nuno L. Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde; Universidade do Porto; Porto Portugal
- Thymus Development and Function Laboratory; Infection and Immunity Unit; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular; Porto Portugal
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19
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Alves NL, Ribeiro AR. Thymus medulla under construction: Time and space oddities. Eur J Immunol 2016; 46:829-33. [PMID: 26947141 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The development of effective T-cell-based immunotherapies to treat infection, cancer, and autoimmunity should incorporate the ground rules that control differentiation of T cells in the thymus. Within the thymus, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide microenvironments supportive of the generation and selection of T cells that are responsive to pathogen-derived antigens, and yet tolerant to self-determinants. Defects in TEC differentiation cause syndromes that range from immunodeficiency to autoimmunity, which makes the study of TECs of fundamental and clinical importance to comprehend how immunity and tolerance are balanced. Critical to tolerance induction are medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), which purge autoreactive T cells, or redirect them to a regulatory T-cell lineage. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, studies by Baik et al. and Mayer et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2016. 46: XXXX-XXXX and 46: XXXX-XXXX]) document novel spatial-temporal singularities in the lineage specification and maintenance of mTECs. While Baik et al. define a developmental checkpoint during mTEC specification in the embryo, Mayer et al. reveal that the generation and maintenance of the adult mTEC compartment is temporally controlled in vivo. The two reports described new developmentally related, but temporally distinct principles that underlie the homeostasis of the thymic medulla across life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), Universidade do Porot, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R Ribeiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), Universidade do Porot, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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20
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Fernandes MT, Ghezzo MN, Silveira AB, Kalathur RK, Póvoa V, Ribeiro AR, Brandalise SR, Dejardin E, Alves NL, Ghysdael J, Barata JT, Yunes JA, dos Santos NR. Lymphotoxin-β receptor in microenvironmental cells promotes the development of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with cortical/mature immunophenotype. Br J Haematol 2015; 171:736-51. [PMID: 26456771 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.13760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Lymphotoxin-mediated activation of the lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR; LTBR) has been implicated in cancer, but its role in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) has remained elusive. Here we show that the genes encoding lymphotoxin (LT)-α and LTβ (LTA, LTB) are expressed in T-ALL patient samples, mostly of the TAL/LMO molecular subtype, and in the TEL-JAK2 transgenic mouse model of cortical/mature T-ALL (Lta, Ltb). In these mice, expression of Lta and Ltb is elevated in early stage T-ALL. Surface LTα1 β2 protein is expressed in primary mouse T-ALL cells, but only in the absence of microenvironmental LTβR interaction. Indeed, surface LT expression is suppressed in leukaemic cells contacting Ltbr-expressing but not Ltbr-deficient stromal cells, both in vitro and in vivo, thus indicating that dynamic surface LT expression in leukaemic cells depends on interaction with its receptor. Supporting the notion that LT signalling plays a role in T-ALL, inactivation of Ltbr results in a significant delay in TEL-JAK2-induced leukaemia onset. Moreover, young asymptomatic TEL-JAK2;Ltbr(-/-) mice present markedly less leukaemic thymocytes than age-matched TEL-JAK2;Ltbr(+/+) mice and interference with LTβR function at this early stage delayed T-ALL development. We conclude that LT expression by T-ALL cells activates LTβR signalling in thymic stromal cells, thus promoting leukaemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica T Fernandes
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Marinella N Ghezzo
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | | | - Ravi K Kalathur
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Vanda Póvoa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana R Ribeiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute for Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Emmanuel Dejardin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Signal Transduction, GIGA-Research, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nuno L Alves
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jacques Ghysdael
- Institut Curie-Centre de Recherche, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France.,CNRS UMR3306, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France.,INSERM U1005, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France
| | - João T Barata
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Andres Yunes
- Centro Infantil Boldrini, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Nuno R dos Santos
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CBMR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
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21
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Ribeiro AR, Meireles C, Rodrigues PM, Alves NL. Intermediate expression of CCRL1 reveals novel subpopulations of medullary thymic epithelial cells that emerge in the postnatal thymus. Eur J Immunol 2014; 44:2918-24. [PMID: 25070355 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201444585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (cTECs and mTECs, respectively) provide inductive microenvironments for T-cell development and selection. The differentiation pathway of cTEC/mTEC lineages downstream of common bipotent progenitors at discrete stages of development remains unresolved. Using IL-7/CCRL1 dual reporter mice that identify specialized TEC subsets, we show that the stepwise acquisition of chemokine (C-C motif) receptor-like 1 (CCRL1) is a late determinant of cTEC differentiation. Although cTECs expressing high CCRL1 levels (CCRL1(hi) ) develop normally in immunocompetent and Rag2(-/-) thymi, their differentiation is partially blocked in Rag2(-/-) Il2rg(-/-) counterparts. These results unravel a novel checkpoint in cTEC maturation that is regulated by the cross-talk between TECs and immature thymocytes. Additionally, we identify new Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 (UEA)(+) mTEC subtypes expressing intermediate CCRL1 levels (CCRL1(int) ) that conspicuously emerge in the postnatal thymus and differentially express Tnfrsf11a, Ccl21, and Aire. While rare in fetal and in Rag2(-/-) thymi, CCRL1(int) mTECs are restored in Rag2(-/-) Marilyn TCR-Tg mice, indicating that the appearance of postnatal-restricted mTECs is closely linked with T-cell selection. Our findings suggest that alternative temporally restricted routes of new mTEC differentiation contribute to the establishment of the medullary niche in the postnatal thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R Ribeiro
- Thymus Development and Function Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Porto, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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22
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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] [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: 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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23
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Ribeiro AR, Rodrigues PM, Meireles C, Di Santo JP, Alves NL. Thymocyte selection regulates the homeostasis of IL-7-expressing thymic cortical epithelial cells in vivo. J Immunol 2013; 191:1200-9. [PMID: 23794633 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1203042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) help orchestrate thymopoiesis, and TEC differentiation relies on bidirectional interactions with thymocytes. Although the molecular mediators that stimulate medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) maturation are partially elucidated, the signals that regulate cortical thymic epithelial cell (cTEC) homeostasis remain elusive. Using IL-7 reporter mice, we show that TECs coexpressing high levels of IL-7 (Il7(YFP+) TECs) reside within a subset of CD205(+)Ly51(+)CD40(low) cTECs that coexpresses Dll4, Ccl25, Ccrl1, Ctsl, Psmb11, and Prss16 and segregates from CD80(+)CD40(high) mTECs expressing Tnfrsf11a, Ctss, and Aire. As the frequency of Il7(YFP+) TECs gradually declines as mTEC development unfolds, we explored the relationship between Il7(YFP+) TECs and mTECs. In thymic organotypic cultures, the thymocyte-induced reduction in Il7(YFP+) TECs dissociates from the receptor activator of NF-κB-mediated differentiation of CD80(+) mTECs. Still, Il7(YFP+) TECs can generate some CD80(+) mTECs in a stepwise differentiation process via YFP(-)Ly51(low)CD80(low) intermediates. Il7(YFP+) TECs are sustained in Rag2(-/-) mice, even following in vivo anti-CD3ε treatment that mimics the process of pre-TCR β-selection of thymocytes to the double positive (DP) stage. Using Marilyn-Rag2(-/-) TCR transgenic, we find that positive selection into the CD4 lineage moderately reduces the frequency of Il7(YFP+) TECs, whereas negative selection provokes a striking loss of Il7(YFP+) TECs. These results imply that the strength of MHC/peptide-TCR interactions between TECs and thymocytes during selection constitutes a novel rheostat that controls the maintenance of IL-7-expressing cTECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R Ribeiro
- Infection and Immunity Unit, CAGE Laboratory, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
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24
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Huntington ND, Alves NL, Legrand N, Lim A, Strick-Marchand H, Plet A, Weijer K, Jacques Y, Spits H, Di Santo JP. Autonomous and extrinsic regulation of thymopoiesis inhuman immune system (HIS) mice. Eur J Immunol 2011; 41:2883-2893. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.201141586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
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Abstract
Apoptosis provoked by glucose shortage in dividing T cells is mediated via the BH3-only protein Noxa and inhibition of its binding partner Mcl-1. It is unknown how signals from cellular metabolism can affect the balance between Mcl-1 and Noxa and to what extent other Bcl-2 members are involved in this apoptosis cascade. Here, we defined the mechanism underlying apoptosis in relation to various types of metabolic stress. First, we established that the Noxa/Mcl-1 balance is regulated by glucose deprivation as well as by general metabolic stress, via changes in proteasome-mediated degradation of Mcl-1. Second, in contrast with cytokine-deprivation, no transcriptional modulation of Mcl-1, Puma, Bim or Noxa was observed during glucose deprivation. Third, no changes in PKB or GSK3 activity occurred and no clear role for AMPK was detected. Fourth, apoptosis triggered by nutrient deprivation was executed without signs of overt autophagy and independent of ROS production or p38 MAP kinase activity. Lastly, apoptosis under nutrient limitation could also be delayed by knock-down of Bim or overexpression of Bcl-2. In conclusion, Noxa functions in a specific apoptotic pathway that integrates overall nutrient stress, independent from attenuated PI3K/PKB signaling and without clear involvement of autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix M. Wensveen
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, Room K0-144, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nuno L. Alves
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, Room K0-144, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Present Address: Cell Activation and Gene Expression Group, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ingrid A. M. Derks
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, Room K0-144, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kris A. Reedquist
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, Room K0-144, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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26
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Alves NL, Huntington ND, Mention JJ, Richard-Le Goff O, Di Santo JP. Cutting Edge: a thymocyte-thymic epithelial cell cross-talk dynamically regulates intrathymic IL-7 expression in vivo. J Immunol 2010; 184:5949-53. [PMID: 20439914 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1000601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the predominant intrathymic source of the essential thymopoietin IL-7. Whether thymocyte-TEC interactions have a role in the regulation of IL-7 expression is not known. By exploiting IL-7 reporter mice in which yellow fluorescent protein expression identifies TECs expressing high levels of IL-7 (Il7(+) TECs), we show that Il7(+) TECs segregate from emerging medullary TECs during thymic organogenesis. Although Il7(+) TECs normally diminish with age, we found that Il7(+) TECs are markedly retained in alymphoid Rag2(-/-)Il2rg(-/-) IL-7 reporter mice that manifest a profound thymopoietic arrest. Transfer of Tcra(-/-) or wild-type (but not Rag2(-/-)) hematopoietic progenitors to alymphoid IL-7 reporter recipients normalizes the frequency of Il7(+) TECs and re-establishes cortical TEC/medullary TEC segregation. Although thymocyte-derived signals are often considered stimulatory for TEC maturation, our findings identify a negative feedback mechanism in which signals derived from TCRbeta-selected thymocytes modulate TEC-dependent IL-7 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Cytokines and Lymphoid Development Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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27
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Lalanne AI, Moraga I, Hao Y, Pereira JP, Alves NL, Huntington ND, Freitas AA, Cumano A, Vieira P. CpG inhibits pro-B cell expansion through a cathepsin B-dependent mechanism. J Immunol 2010; 184:5678-85. [PMID: 20400700 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0903854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
TLR9 is expressed in cells of the innate immune system, as well as in B lymphocytes and their progenitors. We investigated the effect of the TLR9 ligand CpG DNA on the proliferation of pro-B cells. CpG DNA inhibits the proliferation of pro-B, but not pre-B, cells by inducing caspase-independent cell death through a pathway that requires the expression of cathepsin B. This pathway is operative in Rag-deficient mice carrying an SP6 transgene, in which B lymphopoiesis is compromised, to reduce the size of the B lymphocyte precursor compartments in the bone marrow. Thus, TLR9 signals can regulate B lymphopoiesis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Inés Lalanne
- Unité du Développement des Lymphocytes, Département d'Immunologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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28
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Huntington ND, Labi V, Cumano A, Vieira P, Strasser A, Villunger A, Di Santo JP, Alves NL. Loss of the pro-apoptotic BH3-only Bcl-2 family member Bim sustains B lymphopoiesis in the absence of IL-7. Int Immunol 2009; 21:715-25. [PMID: 19454543 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxp043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
IL-7 is pivotal for B cell development. Proteins of the Bcl-2 family are essential regulators of lymphocyte survival. Particularly, the pro-apoptotic BH3-only members Bim and Puma mediate lymphocyte apoptosis provoked by cytokine deprivation. Herein, we addressed whether the absence of Bim or Puma within the hematopoietic compartment could bypass the requirement for IL-7-driven B cell development in adult mice. We found that deficiency of Bim, but not Puma, partially rescued B cell development in the absence of IL-7. The numbers of both sIgM(-) and sIgM(+) B cells were markedly increased in the bone marrow of recipients lacking IL-7 upon reconstitution with Bim-deficient hematopoietic progenitors, compared with their control or Puma-deficient counterparts. The augmentation of B cell lymphopoiesis in the absence of Bim was reflected in the mature peripheral compartment by an increase in both the number of immature and mature B cells in the spleen and in the circulating IgM levels. Bim-deficient B cells were also increased in IL-7-sufficient recipients suggesting that peripheral B cells homeostasis is governed by a Bim-dependent and IL-7-independent mechanism. Our data highlight the role of Bim as a key regulator of cell survival during B lymphocyte development in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D Huntington
- Cytokines and Lymphoid Development Unit, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris, France
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29
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Huntington ND, Legrand N, Alves NL, Jaron B, Weijer K, Plet A, Corcuff E, Mortier E, Jacques Y, Spits H, Di Santo JP. IL-15 trans-presentation promotes human NK cell development and differentiation in vivo. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 206:25-34. [PMID: 19103877 PMCID: PMC2626663 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20082013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 417] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The in vivo requirements for human natural killer (NK) cell development and differentiation into cytotoxic effectors expressing inhibitory receptors for self-major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I; killer Ig-like receptors [KIRs]) remain undefined. Here, we dissect the role of interleukin (IL)-15 in human NK cell development using Rag2(-/-)gamma c(-/-) mice transplanted with human hematopoietic stem cells. Human NK cell reconstitution was intrinsically low in this model because of the poor reactivity to mouse IL-15. Although exogenous human IL-15 (hIL-15) alone made little improvement, IL-15 coupled to IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15R alpha) significantly augmented human NK cells. IL-15-IL-15R alpha complexes induced extensive NK cell proliferation and differentiation, resulting in accumulation of CD16(+)KIR(+) NK cells, which was not uniquely dependent on enhanced survival or preferential responsiveness of this subset to IL-15. Human NK cell differentiation in vivo required hIL-15 and progressed in a linear fashion from CD56(hi)CD16(-)KIR(-) to CD56(lo)CD16(+)KIR(-), and finally to CD56(lo)CD16(+)KIR(+). These data provide the first evidence that IL-15 trans-presentation regulates human NK cell homeostasis. Use of hIL-15 receptor agonists generates a robust humanized immune system model to study human NK cells in vivo. IL-15 receptor agonists may provide therapeutic tools to improve NK cell reconstitution after bone marrow transplants, enhance graft versus leukemia effects, and increase the pool of IL-15-responsive cells during immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D Huntington
- Immunology Department, 2 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U668, 3 INSERM U883, Unité de Régulation Immunitaire et Vaccinologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75724, France.
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30
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Alves NL, van Leeuwen EMM, Derks IAM, van Lier RAW. Differential regulation of human IL-7 receptor alpha expression by IL-7 and TCR signaling. J Immunol 2008; 180:5201-10. [PMID: 18390701 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.8.5201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
IL-7Ralpha is essential for the development and homeostatic maintenance of mature T cells. Studies in humans and mice have shown that IL-7Ralpha expression is reduced by its cognate cytokine, IL-7, and Ag, suggesting that active regulation of IL-7 responsiveness is necessary to balance T cell numbers. We show that IL-7- or TCR/CD28-mediated signaling induced a rapid down-regulation of IL-7Ralpha expression on naive T cells on the mRNA and protein level, with a mild (10-fold) or strong (50-fold) gene suppression, respectively. In both situations, the down-regulation of IL-7Ralpha was blocked by cyclohexamide and actinomycin D, indicating the involvement of an active mechanism dependent on new transcription and protein synthesis. Upon IL-7 withdrawal, IL-7Ralpha mRNA and surface protein reappeared in a transcription-dependent manner within 7 h. Yet, IL-7Ralpha was hardly re-expressed during the same period after TCR/CD28-activation. Likewise, T cells that were activated through CMV in vivo did not re-express IL-7Ralpha after in vitro culture. Functionally, IL-7-induced down-regulation of IL-7Ralpha did not hinder the responsiveness of naive T cells to IL-7. Conversely, down-regulation of IL-7Ralpha on TCR/CD28-activated cells limited IL-7 responsiveness. Strikingly, ectopic expression of IL-7Ralpha cells on TCR/CD28-activated cells conferred a selective advantage in the response to IL-7. In conclusion, our data show that IL-7- and TCR/CD28-mediated signaling differentially regulate IL-7Ralpha expression on human T cells with a transient and chronic effect, respectively. The stringent and active regulation of IL-7Ralpha may constitute a homeostatic mechanism to curtail unwarranted T cell expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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31
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Hallaert DYH, Spijker R, Jak M, Derks IAM, Alves NL, Wensveen FM, de Boer JP, de Jong D, Green SR, van Oers MHJ, Eldering E. Crosstalk among Bcl-2 family members in B-CLL: seliciclib acts via the Mcl-1/Noxa axis and gradual exhaustion of Bcl-2 protection. Cell Death Differ 2007; 14:1958-67. [PMID: 17703234 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4402211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Seliciclib (R-roscovitine) is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor in clinical development. It triggers apoptosis by inhibiting de novo transcription of the short-lived Mcl-1 protein, but it is unknown how this leads to Bax/Bak activation that is required for most forms of cell death. Here, we studied the effects of seliciclib in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), a malignancy with aberrant expression of apoptosis regulators. Although seliciclib-induced Mcl-1 degradation within 4 h, Bax/Bak activation occurred between 16 and 20 h. During this period, no transcriptional changes in apoptosis-related genes occurred. In untreated cells, prosurvival Mcl-1 was engaged by the proapoptotic proteins Noxa and Bim. Upon drug treatment, Bim was quickly released. The contribution of Noxa and Bim as a specific mediator of seliciclib-induced apoptosis was demonstrated via RNAi. Significantly, 16 h after seliciclib treatment, there was accumulation of Bcl-2, Bim and Bax in the 'mitochondria-rich' insoluble fraction of the cell. This suggests that after Mcl-1 degradation, the remaining apoptosis neutralizing capacity of Bcl-2 is gradually overwhelmed, until Bax forms large multimeric pores in the mitochondria. These data demonstrate in primary leukemic cells hierarchical binding and crosstalk among Bcl-2 members, and suggest that their functional interdependence can be exploited therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Y H Hallaert
- Department of Hematology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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32
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Alves NL, van Leeuwen EMM, Remmerswaal EBM, Vrisekoop N, Tesselaar K, Roosnek E, ten Berge IJM, van Lier RAW. A New Subset of Human Naive CD8+T Cells Defined by Low Expression of IL-7Rα. J Immunol 2007; 179:221-8. [PMID: 17579041 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.1.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Concomitant with an increased number of memory-type cells, the amount of naive T cells steadily declines with age. Although the regulatory mechanisms behind this conversion are not fully understood, the suggestion is that both alterations in thymic output and homeostatic signals mold the naive T cell pool. In this study, we identify a new subset of circulating CD27(high)CD45RA(high) CD8+ T cells characterized by low IL-7Ralpha message and protein expression. Analysis of TCR repertoire and TCR excision circle content together with ex vivo recovery of IL-7Ralpha expression indicated that these cells should be placed into the naive T cell pool. Compared with conventional IL-7Ralpha(high) naive T cells, this subset displayed significantly lower levels of CD28 and higher levels of HLA-DR. Proliferative responses to anti-CD3/CD28 mAbs were indistinguishable from conventional naive T cells, but the responsiveness to IL-7 was limited. Strikingly, IL-7Ralpha(low) naive T cells were particularly increased in circumstances of naive CD8+ T cells shortage, as in the elderly, in patients early after hemopoietic stem cell transplantation, and in HIV-infected individuals. As common gamma chain cytokines induce rapid down-regulation of IL-7Ralpha, we propose that this new subset of naive T cells may encompass cells that have recently received homeostatic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Laboratory for Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Alves NL, van Lier RAW, Eldering E. Withdrawal symptoms on display: Bcl-2 members under investigation. Trends Immunol 2007; 28:26-32. [PMID: 17129763 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2006.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2006] [Revised: 10/26/2006] [Accepted: 11/15/2006] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The balance between survival and apoptosis of lymphocytes is considered to be regulated by specific signals delivered through cell surface receptors binding either antigen (fragments) or homeostatic cytokines. Expanding lymphocytes must also compete for nutrients. For growth factors and nutrients, recent data indicate how these generic environmental signals couple to members of the apoptosis-regulating Bcl-2 family. The prosurvival molecule Mcl-1 is engaged by lethal BH3-only proteins Puma and Noxa under these circumstances. We propose that Puma and Noxa have specific roles in tipping the balance towards apoptosis after growth factor withdrawal and nutrient shortage, respectively. These complementary mechanisms tune survival in the various niches when lymphocytes compete for resources during selection and expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, AZ 1105 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Alves NL, Arosa FA, van Lier RAW. Common gamma chain cytokines: dissidence in the details. Immunol Lett 2006; 108:113-20. [PMID: 17194484 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2006.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2006] [Revised: 11/23/2006] [Accepted: 11/26/2006] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines of the common cytokine-receptor gamma-chain (gamma(c)) family are essential for the development and maintenance of lymphocytes. Herein, we will focus on the roles of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21, in the orchestration of CD8 T cell responses. Among these cytokines, IL-7 has emerged as a master regulator of survival of immature and mature T lymphocytes, while IL-2, IL-15 and IL-21 appear to have specific functions in T cell homeostasis and differentiation. Hence, the gamma(c) has evolved as an elegant anchor through which related cytokines regulate distinct biological responses in T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academical Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Alves NL, Derks IAM, Berk E, Spijker R, van Lier RAW, Eldering E. The Noxa/Mcl-1 Axis Regulates Susceptibility to Apoptosis under Glucose Limitation in Dividing T Cells. Immunity 2006; 24:703-716. [PMID: 16782027 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2006.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2005] [Revised: 02/22/2006] [Accepted: 03/14/2006] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Throughout lymphocyte development, cellular persistence and expansion are tightly regulated by survival and apoptosis. Within the Bcl-2 family, distinct apoptogenic BH3-only members like Bid, Bim, and Puma appear to function in specific cell death pathways. We found that naive human T cells after mitogenic activation, apart from expected protective Bcl-2 members, also rapidly upregulate the BH3-only protein Noxa in a p53-independent fashion. The specific role of Noxa became apparent during glucose limitation and involves interaction with the labile Bcl-2 homolog Mcl-1. Knockdown of Noxa or Mcl-1 results in protection or susceptibility, respectively, to apoptosis induced by glucose deprivation. Declining Mcl-1 levels and apoptosis induction are inversely correlated to Noxa levels and prevented by readdition of glucose. We propose that the Noxa/Mcl-1 axis is an apoptosis rheostat in dividing cells, in a selective pathway that functions to restrain lymphocyte expansion and can be triggered by glucose deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, 1005 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid A M Derks
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, 1005 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Berk
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, 1005 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René Spijker
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, 1005 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Hematology, Academic Medical Center, 1005 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René A W van Lier
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, 1005 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, 1005 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
Human naive CD8+ T cells are able to respond in an Ag-independent manner to IL-7 and IL-15. Whereas IL-7 largely maintains CD8+ T cells in a naive phenotype, IL-15 drives these cells to an effector phenotype characterized, among other features, by down-regulation of the costimulatory molecule CD28. We evaluated the influence of the CD4+ Th cell-derived common gamma-chain cytokine IL-21 on cytokine-induced naive CD8+ T cell activation. Stimulation with IL-21 did not induce division and only slightly increased IL-15-induced proliferation of naive CD8+ T cells. Strikingly, however, IL-15-induced down-modulation of CD28 was completely prevented by IL-21 at the protein and transcriptional level. Subsequent stimulation via combined TCR/CD3 and CD28 triggering led to a markedly higher production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma in IL-15/IL-21-stimulated cells compared with IL-15-stimulated T cells. Our data show that IL-21 modulates the phenotype of naive CD8+ T cells that have undergone IL-15 induced homeostatic proliferation and preserves their responsiveness to CD28 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Gimeno R, Weijer K, Voordouw A, Uittenbogaart CH, Legrand N, Alves NL, Wijnands E, Blom B, Spits H. Monitoring the effect of gene silencing by RNA interference in human CD34+ cells injected into newborn RAG2-/- gammac-/- mice: functional inactivation of p53 in developing T cells. Blood 2004; 104:3886-93. [PMID: 15319293 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2004-02-0656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor suppressor p53 plays an important role in regulating cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Here we applied RNA interference to study the role of p53 in human hematopoietic development in vivo. An siRNA construct specifically targeting the human tumor-suppressor gene p53 was introduced into human CD34(+) progenitor cells by lentivirus-mediated gene transfer, which resulted in more than 95% knockdown of p53. We adapted the human-SCID mouse model to optimize the development of hematopoietic cells, particularly of T cells. This was achieved by the intraperitoneal injection of CD34(+) precursor cells into newborn Rag2(-/-) gammac(-/-) mice that lack T, B, and NK cells. Robust development of T cells was observed in these mice, with peripheral T-cell repopulation 8 weeks after injection of the precursor cells. Other lymphocyte and myeloid subsets also developed in these mice. Injecting p53 siRNA-transduced CD34(+) cells resulted in stable expression and down-modulation of p53 in the mature T-cell offspring. Inactivating p53 did not affect the development of CD34(+) cells into various mature leukocyte subsets, including T cells, but it conferred resistance to gamma-irradiation and other p53-dependent apoptotic stimuli to the T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon Gimeno
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Abstract
Recent studies in mice have shown that although interleukin 15 (IL-15) plays an important role in regulating homeostasis of memory CD8+ T cells, it has no apparent function in controlling homeostatic proliferation of naive T cells. We here assessed the influence of IL-15 on antigen-independent expansion and differentiation of human CD8+ T cells. Both naive and primed human T cells divided in response to IL-15. In this process, naive CD8+ T cells successively down-regulated CD45RA and CD28 but maintained CD27 expression. Concomitant with these phenotypic changes, naive cells acquired the ability to produce interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), expressed perforin and granzyme B, and acquired cytotoxic properties. Primed CD8+ T cells, from both noncytotoxic (CD45RA-CD27+) and cytotoxic (CD45RA+CD27-) subsets, responded to IL-15 and yielded ample numbers of cytokine-secreting and cytotoxic effector cells. In summary, all human CD8+ T-cell subsets had the ability to respond to IL-15, which suggests a generic influence of this cytokine on CD8+ T-cell homeostasis in man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno L Alves
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology, G1-133, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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