1
|
Herbert C, Manabe YC, Filippaios A, Lin H, Wang B, Achenbach C, Kheterpal V, Hartin P, Suvarna T, Harman E, Stamegna P, Rao LV, Hafer N, Broach J, Luzuriaga K, Fitzgerald KA, McManus DD, Soni A. Differential Viral Dynamics by Sex and Body Mass Index During Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Results From a Longitudinal Cohort Study. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:1185-1193. [PMID: 37972270 PMCID: PMC11093673 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad701] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence of an association of severe coroanavirus disease (COVID-19) outcomes with increased body mass index (BMI) and male sex. However, few studies have examined the interaction between sex and BMI on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral dynamics. METHODS Participants conducted RT-PCR testing every 24-48 hours over a 15-day period. Sex and BMI were self-reported, and Ct values from E-gene were used to quantify viral load. Three distinct outcomes were examined using mixed-effects generalized linear models, linear models, and logistic models, respectively: all Ct values (model 1), nadir Ct value (model 2), and strongly detectable infection (at least 1 Ct value ≤28 during their infection) (model 3). An interaction term between BMI and sex was included, and inverse logit transformations were applied to quantify the differences by BMI and sex using marginal predictions. RESULTS In total, 7988 participants enrolled in this study and 439 participants (model 1) and 309 (models 2 and 3) were eligible for these analyses. Among males, increasing BMI was associated with lower Ct values in a dose-response fashion. For participants with BMIs greater than 29 kg/m2, males had significantly lower Ct values and nadir Ct values than females. In total, 67.8% of males and 55.3% of females recorded a strongly detectable infection; increasing proportions of men had Ct values <28 with BMIs of 35 and 40 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS We observed sex-based dimorphism in relation to BMI and COVID-19 viral load. Further investigation is needed to determine the cause, clinical impact, and transmission implications of this sex-differential effect of BMI on viral load.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carly Herbert
- Program in Digital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yukari C Manabe
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andreas Filippaios
- Program in Digital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Honghuang Lin
- Program in Digital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Biqi Wang
- Program in Digital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chad Achenbach
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Havey Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Paul Hartin
- Program in Digital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Pamela Stamegna
- Program in Digital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Nathaniel Hafer
- UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John Broach
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine Luzuriaga
- UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David D McManus
- Program in Digital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Apurv Soni
- Program in Digital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Health System Science, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gao KM, Chiang K, Jiang Z, Korkmaz FT, Janardhan HP, Trivedi CM, Quinton LJ, Gingras S, Fitzgerald KA, Marshak-Rothstein A. Endothelial cell expression of a STING gain-of-function mutation initiates pulmonary lymphocytic infiltration. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114114. [PMID: 38625791 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114114] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients afflicted with Stimulator of interferon gene (STING) gain-of-function mutations frequently present with debilitating interstitial lung disease (ILD) that is recapitulated in mice expressing the STINGV154M mutation (VM). Prior radiation chimera studies revealed an unexpected and critical role for non-hematopoietic cells in initiating ILD. To identify STING-expressing non-hematopoietic cell types required for the development of ILD, we use a conditional knockin (CKI) model and direct expression of the VM allele to hematopoietic cells, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, or endothelial cells. Only endothelial cell-targeted VM expression results in enhanced recruitment of immune cells to the lung associated with elevated chemokine expression and the formation of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue, as seen in the parental VM strain. These findings reveal the importance of endothelial cells as instigators of STING-driven lung disease and suggest that therapeutic targeting of STING inhibitors to endothelial cells could potentially mitigate inflammation in the lungs of STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI) patients or patients afflicted with other ILD-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin MingJie Gao
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Kristy Chiang
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Filiz T Korkmaz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Harish P Janardhan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Chinmay M Trivedi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Lee J Quinton
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Sebastien Gingras
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
| | - Ann Marshak-Rothstein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ramalho T, Assis PA, Ojelabi O, Tan L, Carvalho B, Gardinassi L, Campos O, Lorenzi PL, Fitzgerald KA, Haynes C, Golenbock DT, Gazzinelli RT. Itaconate impairs immune control of Plasmodium by enhancing mtDNA-mediated PD-L1 expression in monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Cell Metab 2024; 36:484-497.e6. [PMID: 38325373 PMCID: PMC10940217 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.01.008] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Severe forms of malaria are associated with systemic inflammation and host metabolism disorders; however, the interplay between these outcomes is poorly understood. Using a Plasmodium chabaudi model of malaria, we demonstrate that interferon (IFN) γ boosts glycolysis in splenic monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MODCs), leading to itaconate accumulation and disruption in the TCA cycle. Increased itaconate levels reduce mitochondrial functionality, which associates with organellar nucleic acid release and MODC restraint. We hypothesize that dysfunctional mitochondria release degraded DNA into the cytosol. Once mitochondrial DNA is sensitized, the activation of IRF3 and IRF7 promotes the expression of IFN-stimulated genes and checkpoint markers. Indeed, depletion of the STING-IRF3/IRF7 axis reduces PD-L1 expression, enabling activation of CD8+ T cells that control parasite proliferation. In summary, mitochondrial disruption caused by itaconate in MODCs leads to a suppressive effect in CD8+ T cells, which enhances parasitemia. We provide evidence that ACOD1 and itaconate are potential targets for adjunct antimalarial therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Ramalho
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Patricia A Assis
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ogooluwa Ojelabi
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Lin Tan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Texas MD Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brener Carvalho
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luiz Gardinassi
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Osvaldo Campos
- Plataforma de Medicina Translacional, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Philip L Lorenzi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Texas MD Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Cole Haynes
- Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Douglas T Golenbock
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo T Gazzinelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Centro de Tecnologia de Vacinas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pereira M, Ramalho T, Andrade WA, Durso DF, Souza MC, Fitzgerald KA, Golenbock DT, Silverman N, Gazzinelli RT. The IRAK1/IRF5 axis initiates IL-12 response by dendritic cells and control of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113795. [PMID: 38367238 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113795] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Activation of endosomal Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7, TLR9, and TLR11/12 is a key event in the resistance against the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Endosomal TLR engagement leads to expression of interleukin (IL)-12 via the myddosome, a protein complex containing MyD88 and IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) 4 in addition to IRAK1 or IRAK2. In murine macrophages, IRAK2 is essential for IL-12 production via endosomal TLRs but, surprisingly, Irak2-/- mice are only slightly susceptible to T. gondii infection, similar to Irak1-/- mice. Here, we report that upon T. gondii infection IL-12 production by different cell populations requires either IRAK1 or IRAK2, with conventional dendritic cells (DCs) requiring IRAK1 and monocyte-derived DCs (MO-DCs) requiring IRAK2. In both populations, we identify interferon regulatory factor 5 as the main transcription factor driving the myddosome-dependent IL-12 production during T. gondii infection. Consistent with a redundant role of DCs and MO-DCs, mutations that affect IL-12 production in both cell populations show high susceptibility to infection in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milton Pereira
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Theresa Ramalho
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Warrison A Andrade
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Danielle F Durso
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Maria C Souza
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Douglas T Golenbock
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Neal Silverman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo T Gazzinelli
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Centro de Tecnologia de Vacinas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Johnson JL, Sargsyan D, Neiman EM, Hart A, Stojmirovic A, Kosoy R, Irizar H, Suárez-Fariñas M, Song WM, Argmann C, Avey S, Shmuel-Galia L, Vierbuchen T, Bongers G, Sun Y, Edelstein L, Perrigoue J, Towne JE, Hall AO, Fitzgerald KA, Hoebe K. Gene coexpression networks reveal a broad role for lncRNAs in inflammatory bowel disease. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e168988. [PMID: 38329124 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.168988] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in disease is incompletely understood, but their regulation of inflammation is increasingly appreciated. We addressed the extent of lncRNA involvement in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using biopsy-derived RNA-sequencing data from a large cohort of deeply phenotyped patients with IBD. Weighted gene correlation network analysis revealed gene modules of lncRNAs coexpressed with protein-coding genes enriched for biological pathways, correlated with epithelial and immune cell signatures, or correlated with distal colon expression. Correlation of modules with clinical features uncovered a module correlated with disease severity, with an enriched interferon response signature containing the hub lncRNA IRF1-AS1. Connecting genes to IBD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed an enrichment of SNP-adjacent lncRNAs in biologically relevant modules. Ulcerative colitis-specific SNPs were enriched in distal colon-related modules, suggesting that disease-specific mechanisms may result from altered lncRNA expression. The function of the IBD-associated SNP-adjacent lncRNA IRF1-AS1 was explored in human myeloid cells, and our results suggested IRF1-AS1 promoted optimal production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23. A CRISPR/Cas9-mediated activation screen in THP-1 cells revealed several lncRNAs that modulated LPS-induced TNF-α responses. Overall, this study uncovered the expression patterns of lncRNAs in IBD that identify functional, disease-relevant lncRNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John L Johnson
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Davit Sargsyan
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eric M Neiman
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amy Hart
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Roman Kosoy
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, New York, New York, USA
| | - Haritz Irizar
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mayte Suárez-Fariñas
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Won-Min Song
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, New York, New York, USA
| | - Carmen Argmann
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stefan Avey
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Liraz Shmuel-Galia
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tim Vierbuchen
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gerold Bongers
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yu Sun
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Leonard Edelstein
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Jennifer E Towne
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aisling O'Hara Hall
- Immunology Translational Early Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, New Jersey, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kasper Hoebe
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fitzgerald KA, Shmuel-Galia L. Lnc-ing RNA to intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. Trends Immunol 2024; 45:127-137. [PMID: 38220553 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.12.005] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in numerous biological processes, including the immune system. Initial research in this area focused on cell-based studies, but recent advances underscore the profound significance of lncRNAs at the organismal level, providing invaluable insights into their roles in inflammatory diseases. In this rapidly evolving field, lncRNAs have been described with pivotal roles in the intestinal tract where they regulate intestinal homeostasis and inflammation by influencing processes such as immune cell development, inflammatory signaling pathways, epithelial barrier function, and cellular metabolism. Understanding the regulation and function of lncRNAs in this tissue may position lncRNAs not only as potential disease biomarkers but also as promising targets for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory bowel disease and related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Liraz Shmuel-Galia
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen Y, Lei X, Jiang Z, Humphries F, Parsi KM, Mustone NJ, Ramos I, Mutetwa T, Fernandez-Sesma A, Maehr R, Caffrey DR, Fitzgerald KA. Cellular nucleic acid-binding protein restricts SARS-CoV-2 by regulating interferon and disrupting RNA-protein condensates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2308355120. [PMID: 37963251 PMCID: PMC10666094 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308355120] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A detailed understanding of the innate immune mechanisms involved in restricting SARS-CoV-2 infection and how the virus disrupts these processes could reveal new strategies to boost antiviral mechanisms and develop therapeutics for COVID-19. Here, we identify cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP) as a key host factor controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection. In response to RNA-sensing pathways, CNBP is phosphorylated and translocates from the cytosol to the nucleus where it binds to the interferon-β enhancer to initiate transcription. Because SARS-CoV-2 evades immune detection by the host's RNA-sensing pathways, CNBP is largely retained in the cytosol where it restricts SARS-CoV-2 directly, leading to a battle between the host and SARS-CoV-2 that extends beyond antiviral immune signaling pathways. We further demonstrated that CNBP binds SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA directly and competes with the viral nucleocapsid protein to prevent viral RNA and nucleocapsid protein from forming liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) condensates critical for viral replication. Consequently, cells and animals lacking CNBP have higher viral loads, and CNBP-deficient mice succumb rapidly to infection. Altogether, these findings identify CNBP as a key antiviral factor for SARS-CoV-2, functioning both as a regulator of antiviral IFN gene expression and a cell-intrinsic restriction factor that disrupts LLPS to limit viral replication and spread. In addition, our studies also highlight viral condensates as important targets and strategies for the development of drugs to combat COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhi Chen
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Xuqiu Lei
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Fiachra Humphries
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Krishna Mohan Parsi
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Nicholas J. Mustone
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Irene Ramos
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Tinaye Mutetwa
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Ana Fernandez-Sesma
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - René Maehr
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Daniel R. Caffrey
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dong M, Fitzgerald KA. STING channels its proton power. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3402-3403. [PMID: 37802022 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Induction of type I interferon by the STING pathway is a cornerstone of innate immunity. STING also turns on non-canonical autophagy and inflammasome activation although the underlying mechanisms remain ill defined. Liu et al.1 discovered that STING forms a channel that directs proton efflux from the Golgi to drive these responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Dong
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Barasa L, Chaudhuri S, Zhou JY, Jiang Z, Choudhary S, Green RM, Wiggin E, Cameron M, Humphries F, Fitzgerald KA, Thompson PR. Development of LB244, an Irreversible STING Antagonist. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20273-20288. [PMID: 37695732 PMCID: PMC11059204 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The cGMP-AMP Synthase (cGAS)-Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway plays a critical role in sensing dsDNA localized to the cytosol, resulting in the activation of a robust inflammatory response. While cGAS-STING signaling is essential for antiviral immunity, aberrant STING activation is observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), lupus, and autoinflammatory diseases such as Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) and STING associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI). Significant efforts have therefore focused on the development of STING inhibitors. In a concurrent submission, we reported that BB-Cl-amidine inhibits STING-dependent signaling in the nanomolar range, both in vitro and in vivo. Considering this discovery, we sought to generate analogs with higher potency and proteome-wide selectivity. Herein, we report the development of LB244, which displays nanomolar potency and inhibits STING signaling with markedly enhanced proteome-wide selectivity. Moreover, LB244 mirrored the efficacy of BB-Cl-amidine in vivo. In summary, our data identify novel chemical entities that inhibit STING signaling and provide a scaffold for the development of therapeutics for treating STING-dependent inflammatory diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Barasa
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Sauradip Chaudhuri
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jeffrey Y. Zhou
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Shruti Choudhary
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Robert Madison Green
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Elenore Wiggin
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Michael Cameron
- Department of Molecular Medicine, UF Scripps Institute,130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Fiachra Humphries
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Paul R. Thompson
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chibaya L, Lusi CF, DeMarco KD, Kane GI, Brassil ML, Parikh CN, Murphy KC, Li J, Naylor TE, Cerrutti J, Peura J, Pitarresi JR, Zhu LJ, Fitzgerald KA, Atukorale PU, Ruscetti M. Nanoparticle delivery of innate immune agonists combines with senescence-inducing agents to mediate T cell control of pancreatic cancer. bioRxiv 2023:2023.09.18.558307. [PMID: 37790484 PMCID: PMC10542133 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.18.558307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has quickly risen to become the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related death. This is in part due to its fibrotic tumor microenvironment (TME) that contributes to poor vascularization and immune infiltration and subsequent chemo- and immunotherapy failure. Here we investigated an innovative immunotherapy approach combining local delivery of STING and TLR4 innate immune agonists via lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs) co-encapsulation with senescence-inducing RAS-targeted therapies that can remodel the immune suppressive PDAC TME through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Treatment of transplanted and autochthonous PDAC mouse models with these regimens led to enhanced uptake of NPs by multiple cell types in the PDAC TME, induction of type I interferon and other pro-inflammatory signaling, increased antigen presentation by tumor cells and antigen presenting cells, and subsequent activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. This two-pronged approach produced potent T cell-driven and Type I interferon-dependent tumor regressions and long-term survival in preclinical PDAC models. STING and TLR4-mediated Type I interferon signaling were also associated with enhanced NK and CD8+ T cell immunity in human PDAC. Thus, combining localized immune agonist delivery with systemic tumor-targeted therapy can synergize to orchestrate a coordinated innate and adaptive immune assault to overcome immune suppression and activate durable anti-tumor T cell responses against PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loretah Chibaya
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Christina F. Lusi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Kelly D. DeMarco
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Griffin I. Kane
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Meghan L. Brassil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Chaitanya N. Parikh
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Katherine C. Murphy
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Junhui Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Tiana E. Naylor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Julia Cerrutti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Jessica Peura
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jason R. Pitarresi
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Prabhani U. Atukorale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA. USA
| | - Marcus Ruscetti
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA. USA
- Immunology and Microbiology Program, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Humphries F, Shmuel-Galia L, Jiang Z, Zhou JY, Barasa L, Mondal S, Wilson R, Sultana N, Shaffer SA, Ng SL, Pesiridis GS, Thompson PR, Fitzgerald KA. Targeting STING oligomerization with small-molecule inhibitors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305420120. [PMID: 37549268 PMCID: PMC10434303 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305420120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an essential adaptor protein required for the inflammatory response to cytosolic DNA. dsDNA activates cGAS to generate cGAMP, which binds and activates STING triggering a conformational change, oligomerization, and the IRF3- and NFκB-dependent transcription of type I Interferons (IFNs) and inflammatory cytokines, as well as the activation of autophagy. Aberrant activation of STING is now linked to a growing number of both rare as well as common chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, we identify and characterize a potent small-molecule inhibitor of STING. This compound, BB-Cl-amidine inhibits STING signaling and production of type I IFNs, IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) and NFκB-dependent cytokines, but not other pattern recognition receptors. In vivo, BB-Cl-amidine alleviated pathology resulting from accrual of cytosolic DNA in Trex-1 mutant mice. Mechanistically BB-Cl-amidine inhibited STING oligomerization through modification of Cys148. Collectively, our work uncovers an approach to inhibit STING activation and highlights the potential of this strategy for the treatment of STING-driven inflammatory diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiachra Humphries
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Liraz Shmuel-Galia
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Jeffrey Y. Zhou
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Leonard Barasa
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Santanu Mondal
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi110016, India
| | - Ruth Wilson
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Nadia Sultana
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01545
| | - Scott A. Shaffer
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01545
| | - Sze-Ling Ng
- Immunology Research Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Philadelphia, PA19426
| | | | - Paul R. Thompson
- Program in Chemical Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Shmuel-Galia L, Humphries F, Vierbuchen T, Jiang Z, Santos N, Johnson J, Shklyar B, Joannas L, Mustone N, Sherman S, Ward D, Houghton J, Baer CE, O'Hara A, Henao-Mejia J, Hoebe K, Fitzgerald KA. The lncRNA HOXA11os regulates mitochondrial function in myeloid cells to maintain intestinal homeostasis. Cell Metab 2023; 35:1441-1456.e9. [PMID: 37494932 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.06.019] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
This study reveals a previously uncharacterized mechanism to restrict intestinal inflammation via a regulatory RNA transcribed from a noncoding genomic locus. We identified a novel transcript of the lncRNA HOXA11os specifically expressed in the distal colon that is reduced to undetectable levels in colitis. HOXA11os is localized to mitochondria under basal conditions and interacts with a core subunit of complex 1 of the electron transport chain (ETC) to maintain its activity. Deficiency of HOXA11os in colonic myeloid cells results in complex I deficiency, dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS). As a result, HOXA11os-deficient mice develop spontaneous intestinal inflammation and are hypersusceptible to colitis. Collectively, these studies identify a new regulatory axis whereby a lncRNA maintains intestinal homeostasis and restricts inflammation in the colon through the regulation of complex I activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liraz Shmuel-Galia
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Fiachra Humphries
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Tim Vierbuchen
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Nolan Santos
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - John Johnson
- Immunology Discovery, Janssen Research and Development LLC, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Boris Shklyar
- Bioimaging Unit, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Leonel Joannas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicholas Mustone
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Shany Sherman
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Doyle Ward
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Center for Microbiome Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - JeanMarie Houghton
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Christina E Baer
- Sanderson Center for Optical Imaging and Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Aisling O'Hara
- Immunology Discovery, Janssen Research and Development LLC, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Jorge Henao-Mejia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Protective Immunity, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kasper Hoebe
- Immunology Discovery, Janssen Research and Development LLC, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gao KM, Chiang K, Korkmaz FT, Janardhan HP, Trivedi CM, Quinton LJ, Gingras S, Fitzgerald KA, Marshak-Rothstein A. Expression of a STING Gain-of-function Mutation in Endothelial Cells Initiates Lymphocytic Infiltration of the Lungs. bioRxiv 2023:2023.07.27.550897. [PMID: 37547024 PMCID: PMC10402179 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.27.550897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Patients afflicted with STING gain-of-function mutations frequently present with debilitating interstitial lung disease ( ILD ) that is recapitulated in mice expressing the STING V154M mutation ( VM ). Prior radiation chimera studies revealed an unexpected and critical role for non-hematopoietic cells in the initiation of ILD. To identify STING-expressing non-hematopoietic cell types relevant to ILD, we generated a conditional knock-in ( CKI ) model in which expression of the VM allele was directed to hematopoietic cells, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, or endothelial cells. Only endothelial cell-targeted expression of the mutant allele resulted in the recruitment of immune cells to the lung and the formation of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue, as seen in the parental VM strain. These findings reveal the importance of endothelial cells as instigators of STING-driven lung disease and suggest that therapeutic targeting of STING inhibitors to endothelial cells could potentially mitigate inflammation in the lungs of SAVI patients or patients afflicted with other ILD-related disorders. Summary Patients with STING gain-of-function (GOF) mutations develop life-threatening lung autoinflammation. In this study, Gao et al. utilize a mouse model of conditional STING GOF to demonstrate a role for endothelial STING GOF in initiating immune cell recruitment into lung tissues of SAVI mice.
Collapse
|
14
|
Mattick JS, Amaral PP, Carninci P, Carpenter S, Chang HY, Chen LL, Chen R, Dean C, Dinger ME, Fitzgerald KA, Gingeras TR, Guttman M, Hirose T, Huarte M, Johnson R, Kanduri C, Kapranov P, Lawrence JB, Lee JT, Mendell JT, Mercer TR, Moore KJ, Nakagawa S, Rinn JL, Spector DL, Ulitsky I, Wan Y, Wilusz JE, Wu M. Long non-coding RNAs: definitions, functions, challenges and recommendations. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:430-447. [PMID: 36596869 PMCID: PMC10213152 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00566-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 306] [Impact Index Per Article: 306.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Genes specifying long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) occupy a large fraction of the genomes of complex organisms. The term 'lncRNAs' encompasses RNA polymerase I (Pol I), Pol II and Pol III transcribed RNAs, and RNAs from processed introns. The various functions of lncRNAs and their many isoforms and interleaved relationships with other genes make lncRNA classification and annotation difficult. Most lncRNAs evolve more rapidly than protein-coding sequences, are cell type specific and regulate many aspects of cell differentiation and development and other physiological processes. Many lncRNAs associate with chromatin-modifying complexes, are transcribed from enhancers and nucleate phase separation of nuclear condensates and domains, indicating an intimate link between lncRNA expression and the spatial control of gene expression during development. lncRNAs also have important roles in the cytoplasm and beyond, including in the regulation of translation, metabolism and signalling. lncRNAs often have a modular structure and are rich in repeats, which are increasingly being shown to be relevant to their function. In this Consensus Statement, we address the definition and nomenclature of lncRNAs and their conservation, expression, phenotypic visibility, structure and functions. We also discuss research challenges and provide recommendations to advance the understanding of the roles of lncRNAs in development, cell biology and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John S Mattick
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- UNSW RNA Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Paulo P Amaral
- INSPER Institute of Education and Research, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Piero Carninci
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - Susan Carpenter
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Center for Personal Dynamics Regulomes, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ling-Ling Chen
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Runsheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Big Data Research in Health, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Caroline Dean
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Marcel E Dinger
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | - Mitchell Guttman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Tetsuro Hirose
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Maite Huarte
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Institute of Health Research of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rory Johnson
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Chandrasekhar Kanduri
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Philipp Kapranov
- Institute of Genomics, School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jeanne B Lawrence
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jeannie T Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua T Mendell
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Timothy R Mercer
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kathryn J Moore
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - John L Rinn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - David L Spector
- Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbour, NY, USA
| | - Igor Ulitsky
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yue Wan
- Laboratory of RNA Genomics and Structure, Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeremy E Wilusz
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Therapeutic Innovation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mian Wu
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gao KM, Fitzgerald KA. ERADication of STING limits inflammation. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:635-636. [PMID: 37142792 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01142-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin MingJie Gao
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Baran M, Feriotti C, McGinley A, Carlile SR, Jiang Z, Calderon-Gonzalez R, Dumigan A, Sá-Pessoa J, Sutton CE, Kearney J, McLoughlin RM, Mills KHG, Fitzgerald KA, Bengeochea JA, Bowie AG. PYHIN protein IFI207 regulates cytokine transcription and IRF7 and contributes to the establishment of K. pneumoniae infection. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112341. [PMID: 37018072 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112341] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PYHIN proteins AIM2 and IFI204 sense pathogen DNA, while other PYHINs have been shown to regulate host gene expression through as-yet unclear mechanisms. We characterize mouse PYHIN IFI207, which we find is not involved in DNA sensing but rather is required for cytokine promoter induction in macrophages. IFI207 co-localizes with both active RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) and IRF7 in the nucleus and enhances IRF7-dependent gene promoter induction. Generation of Ifi207-/- mice shows no role for IFI207 in autoimmunity. Rather, IFI207 is required for the establishment of a Klebsiella pneumoniae lung infection and for Klebsiella macrophage phagocytosis. These insights into IFI207 function illustrate that PYHINs can have distinct roles in innate immunity independent of DNA sensing and highlight the need to better characterize the whole mouse locus, one gene at a time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Baran
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Claudia Feriotti
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, UK
| | - Aoife McGinley
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon R Carlile
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Division of Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo Calderon-Gonzalez
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, UK
| | - Amy Dumigan
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, UK
| | - Joana Sá-Pessoa
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, UK
| | - Caroline E Sutton
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jay Kearney
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rachel M McLoughlin
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kingston H G Mills
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jose A Bengeochea
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, UK
| | - Andrew G Bowie
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
MacLauchlan S, Kushwaha P, Tai A, Chen J, Manning C, Swarnkar G, Abu-Amer Y, Fitzgerald KA, Sharma S, Gravallese EM. STING-dependent interferon signatures restrict osteoclast differentiation and bone loss in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2210409120. [PMID: 37023130 PMCID: PMC10104545 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210409120] [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: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a key mediator of type-I interferon (IFN-I) signaling in response to a variety of stimuli, but the contribution of STING to homeostatic processes is not fully characterized. Previous studies showed that ligand activation of STING limits osteoclast differentiation in vitro through the induction of IFNβ and IFN-I interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). In a disease model (SAVI) driven by the V154M gain-of-function mutation in STING, fewer osteoclasts form from SAVI precursors in response to receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) in an IFN-I-dependent manner. Due to the described role of STING-mediated regulation of osteoclastogenesis in activation settings, we sought to determine whether basal STING signaling contributes to bone homeostasis, an unexplored area. Using whole-body and myeloid-specific deficiency, we show that STING signaling prevents trabecular bone loss in mice over time and that myeloid-restricted STING activity is sufficient for this effect. STING-deficient osteoclast precursors differentiate with greater efficiency than wild types. RNA sequencing of wild-type and STING-deficient osteoclast precursor cells and differentiating osteoclasts reveals unique clusters of ISGs including a previously undescribed ISG set expressed in RANKL naïve precursors (tonic expression) and down-regulated during differentiation. We identify a 50 gene tonic ISG signature that is STING dependent and shapes osteoclast differentiation. From this list, we identify interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) as a tonic STING-regulated ISG that limits osteoclast formation. Thus, STING is an important upstream regulator of tonic IFN-I signatures shaping the commitment to osteoclast fates, providing evidence for a nuanced and unique role for this pathway in bone homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan MacLauchlan
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Priyanka Kushwaha
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Albert Tai
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA02111
| | - Jia Chen
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Catherine Manning
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Gaurav Swarnkar
- Department of Orthopedics and Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO63110
| | - Yousef Abu-Amer
- Department of Orthopedics and Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO63110
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Department of Medicine, Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Shruti Sharma
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA02111
| | - Ellen M. Gravallese
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hariharan VN, Shin M, Chang CW, O’Reilly D, Biscans A, Yamada K, Guo Z, Somasundaran M, Tang Q, Monopoli K, Krishnamurthy PM, Devi G, McHugh N, Cooper DA, Echeverria D, Cruz J, Chan IL, Liu P, Lim SY, McConnell J, Singh SP, Hildebrand S, Sousa J, Davis SM, Kennedy Z, Ferguson C, Godinho BMDC, Thillier Y, Caiazzi J, Ly S, Muhuri M, Kelly K, Humphries F, Cousineau A, Parsi KM, Li Q, Wang Y, Maehr R, Gao G, Korkin D, McDougall WM, Finberg RW, Fitzgerald KA, Wang JP, Watts JK, Khvorova A. Divalent siRNAs are bioavailable in the lung and efficiently block SARS-CoV-2 infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219523120. [PMID: 36893269 PMCID: PMC10089225 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219523120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants complicates efforts to combat the ongoing pandemic, underscoring the need for a dynamic platform for the rapid development of pan-viral variant therapeutics. Oligonucleotide therapeutics are enhancing the treatment of numerous diseases with unprecedented potency, duration of effect, and safety. Through the systematic screening of hundreds of oligonucleotide sequences, we identified fully chemically stabilized siRNAs and ASOs that target regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome conserved in all variants of concern, including delta and omicron. We successively evaluated candidates in cellular reporter assays, followed by viral inhibition in cell culture, with eventual testing of leads for in vivo antiviral activity in the lung. Previous attempts to deliver therapeutic oligonucleotides to the lung have met with only modest success. Here, we report the development of a platform for identifying and generating potent, chemically modified multimeric siRNAs bioavailable in the lung after local intranasal and intratracheal delivery. The optimized divalent siRNAs showed robust antiviral activity in human cells and mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infection and represent a new paradigm for antiviral therapeutic development for current and future pandemics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh N. Hariharan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Minwook Shin
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Ching-Wen Chang
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Daniel O’Reilly
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Annabelle Biscans
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Ken Yamada
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Zhiru Guo
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Mohan Somasundaran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Qi Tang
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Kathryn Monopoli
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | | | - Gitali Devi
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Nicholas McHugh
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - David A. Cooper
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Dimas Echeverria
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - John Cruz
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Io Long Chan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Sun-Young Lim
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Jill McConnell
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Satya Prakash Singh
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Samuel Hildebrand
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Jacquelyn Sousa
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Sarah M. Davis
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Zachary Kennedy
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Chantal Ferguson
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Bruno M. D. C. Godinho
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Yann Thillier
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Jillian Caiazzi
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Socheata Ly
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Manish Muhuri
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Karen Kelly
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Fiachra Humphries
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Alyssa Cousineau
- Diabetes Center of Excellence and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Krishna Mohan Parsi
- Diabetes Center of Excellence and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Qi Li
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Yang Wang
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - René Maehr
- Diabetes Center of Excellence and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Guangping Gao
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Dmitry Korkin
- Department of Computer Science, and Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA01609
| | - William M. McDougall
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Robert W. Finberg
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Jennifer P. Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Jonathan K. Watts
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| | - Anastasia Khvorova
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01655
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Miner JJ, Fitzgerald KA. A path towards personalized medicine for autoinflammatory and related diseases. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:182-189. [PMID: 36750685 PMCID: PMC9904876 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-022-00904-2] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The human genome project led to the advancement of genetic technologies and genomic medicine for a variety of human diseases, including monogenic autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. As a result, the genome of an individual can now be rapidly sequenced at a low cost, and this technology is beginning to change the practice of rheumatology. In this Perspective, we describe how new sequencing technologies combined with careful clinical phenotyping have led to the discovery of rare rheumatic diseases and their corresponding disease-causing mutations. Additionally, we explore ways in which single-gene mutations, including somatic mutations, are creating opportunities to develop personalized medicines. To illustrate this idea, we focus on diseases affecting the TREX1-cGAS-STING pathway, which is associated with monogenic autoinflammatory diseases and vasculopathies. For many of the affected patients and families, there is an urgent, unmet need for the development of personalized therapies. New innovations related to small molecular inhibitors and gene therapies have the potential to benefit these families, and might help drive further innovations that could prove useful for patients with more common forms of autoimmunity and autoinflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Miner
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kelliher MA, Fitzgerald KA. TBK1 inhibition unleashes RIPK1, resensitizing tumors to immunotherapy. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:156-158. [PMID: 36740513 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Resistance mechanisms have curbed the potential of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies. Understanding mechanisms that contribute to this resistance should reveal new targets for combinatorial therapy. Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) represents such a target. In recent work by Sun et al., inhibition of TBK1 restored the efficacy of such treatments by sensitizing tumors to RIPK1 kinase-dependent inflammatory cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Kelliher
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gao KM, Marshak-Rothstein A, Fitzgerald KA. Type-1 interferon-dependent and -independent mechanisms in cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes-driven auto-inflammation. Curr Opin Immunol 2023; 80:102280. [PMID: 36638547 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The cyclic cyclic gaunosine monophosphate adenosine monophosphate (GMP-AMP) synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway senses cytosolic dsDNA and initiates immune responses against pathogens. It is also implicated in several auto-inflammatory diseases known as monogenic interferonopathies, specifically Three prime repair exonuclease 1 (Trex1) loss-of-function (LOF), Dnase2 LOF, and stimulator of interferon genes-associated-vasculopathy-with-onset-in-infancy (SAVI). Although monogenic interferonopathies have diverse clinical presentations, they are distinguished by the elevation of type-1 interferons (T1IFNs). However, animal models have demonstrated that T1IFNs contribute to only some disease outcomes and that cGAS-STING activation also promotes T1IFN-independent pathology. For example, while T1IFNs drive the immunopathology associated with Trex1 LOF, disease in Dnase2 LOF is partially independent of T1IFNs, while disease in SAVI appears to occur entirely independent of T1IFNs. Additionally, while the cGAS-STING pathway is well characterized in hematopoietic cells, these animal models point to important roles for STING activity in nonhematopoietic cells in disease. Together, these models illustrate the complex role that cGAS-STING-driven responses play in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases across tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Mj Gao
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ann Marshak-Rothstein
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhou JY, Sarkar MK, Okamura K, Harris JE, Gudjonsson JE, Fitzgerald KA. Activation of the NLRP1 inflammasome in human keratinocytes by the dsDNA mimetic poly(dA:dT). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2213777120. [PMID: 36693106 PMCID: PMC9945980 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2213777120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The accrual of cytosolic DNA leads to transcription of type I IFNs, proteolytic maturation of the IL-1 family of cytokines, and pyroptotic cell death. Caspase-1 cleaves pro-IL1β to generate mature bioactive cytokine and gasdermin D which facilitates IL-1 release and pyroptotic cell death. Absent in melanoma-2 (AIM2) is a sensor of dsDNA leading to caspase-1 activation, although in human monocytes, cGAS-STING acting upstream of NLRP3 mediates the dsDNA-activated inflammasome response. In healthy human keratinocytes, AIM2 is not expressed yet caspase-1 is activated by the synthetic dsDNA mimetic poly(dA:dT). Here, we show that this response is not mediated by either AIM2 or the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 pathway and is instead dependent on NLRP1. Poly(dA:dT) is unique in its ability to activate NLRP1, as conventional linear dsDNAs fail to elicit NLRP1 activation. DsRNA was recently shown to activate NLRP1 and prior work has shown that poly(dA:dT) is transcribed into an RNA intermediate that stimulates the RNA sensor RIG-I. However, poly(dA:dT)-dependent RNA intermediates are insufficient to activate NLRP1. Instead, poly(dA:dT) results in oxidative nucleic acid damage and cellular stress, events which activate MAP3 kinases including ZAKα that converge on p38 to activate NLRP1. Collectively, this work defines a new activator of NLRP1, broadening our understanding of sensors that recognize poly(dA:dT) and advances the understanding of the immunostimulatory potential of this potent adjuvant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Y. Zhou
- aDivision of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Mrinal K. Sarkar
- bDepartment of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Ken Okamura
- cDepartment of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - John E. Harris
- cDepartment of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | | | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- aDivision of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
- 1To whom correspondence may be addressed.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Collins CC, Hahn P, Jiang Z, Fitzgerald KA, Xiao TS, Budd RC. Regulation of Synovial γδ T Cell Ligand Expression by Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species and Gasdermin-D. J Immunol 2023; 210:61-71. [PMID: 36445376 PMCID: PMC9772401 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2101166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
γδ T cells reside at mucosal and epithelial barriers, and they often accumulate at sites of inflammation, both infectious and autoimmune, as well as in certain tumors. However, progress in understanding their function is considerably hampered by a lack of full understanding of the ligands recognized by TCR-γδ and how expression of these ligands is regulated. We recently developed a soluble human TCR-γδ (Vγ9Vδ1) tetramer from a synovial γδ T cell clone of a Lyme arthritis patient and observed that it stains monocytes activated by Borrelia burgdorferi. Those findings are extended in the current study to further examine the physiological regulation of ligand expression on monocytes. The TCR-γδ ligand is induced by a variety of TLR agonists and requires NF-κB activation. Of particular interest is that ligand expression also requires caspase activation of the inflammasome and is dependent on active metabolism, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and activation of gasdermin-D. Consistent with these observations, the TCR-γδ ligand is expressed by a subset of metabolically active CD14+CD16+ monocytes and colocalizes intracellularly with mitochondria. The findings suggest a model in which synovial γδ T cell ligand is a self-antigen whose surface expression is increased by inflammatory conditions and mitochondrial stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl C. Collins
- Department of Medicine, Vermont Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
| | - Peter Hahn
- Department of Medicine, Vermont Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA; and
| | | | - Tsan Sam Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Ralph C. Budd
- Department of Medicine, Vermont Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mondal S, Chen Y, Lockbaum GJ, Sen S, Chaudhuri S, Reyes AC, Lee JM, Kaur AN, Sultana N, Cameron MD, Shaffer SA, Schiffer CA, Fitzgerald KA, Thompson PR. Dual Inhibitors of Main Protease (M Pro) and Cathepsin L as Potent Antivirals against SARS-CoV2. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:21035-21045. [PMID: 36356199 PMCID: PMC9662648 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c04626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Given the current impact of SARS-CoV2 and COVID-19 on human health and the global economy, the development of direct acting antivirals is of paramount importance. Main protease (MPro), a cysteine protease that cleaves the viral polyprotein, is essential for viral replication. Therefore, MPro is a novel therapeutic target. We identified two novel MPro inhibitors, D-FFRCMKyne and D-FFCitCMKyne, that covalently modify the active site cysteine (C145) and determined cocrystal structures. Medicinal chemistry efforts led to SM141 and SM142, which adopt a unique binding mode within the MPro active site. Notably, these inhibitors do not inhibit the other cysteine protease, papain-like protease (PLPro), involved in the life cycle of SARS-CoV2. SM141 and SM142 block SARS-CoV2 replication in hACE2 expressing A549 cells with IC50 values of 8.2 and 14.7 nM. Detailed studies indicate that these compounds also inhibit cathepsin L (CatL), which cleaves the viral S protein to promote viral entry into host cells. Detailed biochemical, proteomic, and knockdown studies indicate that the antiviral activity of SM141 and SM142 results from the dual inhibition of MPro and CatL. Notably, intranasal and intraperitoneal administration of SM141 and SM142 lead to reduced viral replication, viral loads in the lung, and enhanced survival in SARS-CoV2 infected K18-ACE2 transgenic mice. In total, these data indicate that SM141 and SM142 represent promising scaffolds on which to develop antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santanu Mondal
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yongzhi Chen
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gordon J. Lockbaum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Sudeshna Sen
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Sauradip Chaudhuri
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Archie C. Reyes
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jeong Min Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Arshia N. Kaur
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Nadia Sultana
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Michael D. Cameron
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute,130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Scott A. Shaffer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Celia A. Schiffer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Paul R. Thompson
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
MacLauchlan S, Fitzgerald KA, Gravallese EM. Intracellular Sensing of DNA in Autoinflammation and Autoimmunity. Arthritis Rheumatol 2022; 74:1615-1624. [PMID: 35656967 PMCID: PMC9529773 DOI: 10.1002/art.42256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Evidence has shown that DNA is a pathogen-associated molecular pattern, posing a unique challenge in the discrimination between endogenous and foreign DNA. This challenge is highlighted by certain autoinflammatory diseases that arise from monogenic mutations and result in periodic flares of inflammation, typically in the absence of autoantibodies or antigen-specific T lymphocytes. Several autoinflammatory diseases arise due to mutations in genes that normally prevent the accrual of endogenous DNA or are due to mutations that cause activation of intracellular DNA-sensing pathway components. Evidence from genetically modified murine models further support an ability of endogenous DNA and DNA sensing to drive disease pathogenesis, prompting the question of whether endogenous DNA can also induce inflammation in human autoimmune diseases. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of intracellular DNA sensing and downstream signaling pathways as they pertain to autoinflammatory disease, including the development of monogenic disorders such as Stimulator of interferon genes-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. In addition, we discuss systemic rheumatic diseases, including certain forms of systemic lupus erythematosus, familial chilblain lupus, and other diseases with established links to intracellular DNA-sensing pathways, and highlight the lessons learned from these examples as they apply to the development of therapies targeting these pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan MacLauchlan
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
| | - Ellen M. Gravallese
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Li Q, Humphries F, Girardin RC, Wallace A, Ejemel M, Amcheslavsky A, McMahon CT, Schiller ZA, Ma Z, Cruz J, Dupuis AP, Payne AF, Maryam A, Yilmaz NK, McDonough KA, Pierce BG, Schiffer CA, Kruse AC, Klempner MS, Cavacini LA, Fitzgerald KA, Wang Y. Mucosal nanobody IgA as inhalable and affordable prophylactic and therapeutic treatment against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants. Front Immunol 2022; 13:995412. [PMID: 36172366 PMCID: PMC9512078 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.995412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-COVID antibody therapeutics have been developed but not widely used due to their high cost and escape of neutralization from the emerging variants. Here, we describe the development of VHH-IgA1.1, a nanobody IgA fusion molecule as an inhalable, affordable and less invasive prophylactic and therapeutic treatment against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants. VHH-IgA1.1 recognizes a conserved epitope of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) and potently neutralizes major global SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) including the Omicron variant and its sub lineages BA.1.1, BA.2 and BA.2.12.1. VHH-IgA1.1 is also much more potent against Omicron variants as compared to an IgG Fc fusion construct, demonstrating the importance of IgA mediated mucosal protection for Omicron infection. Intranasal administration of VHH-IgA1.1 prior to or after challenge conferred significant protection from severe respiratory disease in K18-ACE2 transgenic mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 VOC. More importantly, for cost-effective production, VHH-IgA1.1 produced in Pichia pastoris had comparable potency to mammalian produced antibodies. Our study demonstrates that intranasal administration of affordably produced VHH-IgA fusion protein provides effective mucosal immunity against infection of SARS-CoV-2 including emerging variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Fiachra Humphries
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Roxie C. Girardin
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Aaron Wallace
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Monir Ejemel
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alla Amcheslavsky
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Conor T. McMahon
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zachary A. Schiller
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zepei Ma
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - John Cruz
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Alan P. Dupuis
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Anne F. Payne
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Arooma Maryam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Nese Kurt Yilmaz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Brian G. Pierce
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Celia A. Schiffer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Andrew C. Kruse
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mark S. Klempner
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lisa A. Cavacini
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Yang Wang, ; Katherine A. Fitzgerald, ; Lisa A. Cavacini,
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Yang Wang, ; Katherine A. Fitzgerald, ; Lisa A. Cavacini,
| | - Yang Wang
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Yang Wang, ; Katherine A. Fitzgerald, ; Lisa A. Cavacini,
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Lei X, Ketelut-Carneiro N, Shmuel-Galia L, Xu W, Wilson R, Vierbuchen T, Chen Y, Reboldi A, Kang J, Edelblum KL, Ward D, Fitzgerald KA. Epithelial HNF4A shapes the intraepithelial lymphocyte compartment via direct regulation of immune signaling molecules. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20212563. [PMID: 35792863 PMCID: PMC9263552 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20212563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 α (HNF4A) is a highly conserved nuclear receptor that has been associated with ulcerative colitis. In mice, HNF4A is indispensable for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly characterized. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of HNF4A in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) is required for the proper development and composition of the intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) compartment. HNF4A directly regulates expression of immune signaling molecules including butyrophilin-like (Btnl) 1, Btnl6, H2-T3, and Clec2e that control IEC-IEL crosstalk. HNF4A selectively enhances the expansion of natural IELs that are TCRγδ+ or TCRαβ+CD8αα+ to shape the composition of IEL compartment. In the small intestine, HNF4A cooperates with its paralog HNF4G, to drive expression of immune signaling molecules. Moreover, the HNF4A-BTNL regulatory axis is conserved in human IECs. Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of HNF4A as a conserved transcription factor controlling IEC-IEL crosstalk and suggest that HNF4A maintains intestinal homeostasis through regulation of the IEL compartment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuqiu Lei
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Natalia Ketelut-Carneiro
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Liraz Shmuel-Galia
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Weili Xu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Ruth Wilson
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Tim Vierbuchen
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Yongzhi Chen
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Andrea Reboldi
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Joonsoo Kang
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Karen L. Edelblum
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Doyle Ward
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
- Center for Microbiome Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Zhou JY, Fitzgerald KA. Hold your horses! Reining in your fastest pores with caspase-7. Immunity 2022; 55:1340-1342. [DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
29
|
Gao KM, Motwani M, Tedder T, Marshak-Rothstein A, Fitzgerald KA. Radioresistant cells initiate lymphocyte-dependent lung inflammation and IFNγ-dependent mortality in STING gain-of-function mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2202327119. [PMID: 35696583 PMCID: PMC9231608 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2202327119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric patients with constitutively active mutations in the cytosolic double-stranded-DNA-sensing adaptor STING develop an autoinflammatory syndrome known as STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI). SAVI patients have elevated interferon-stimulated gene expression and suffer from interstitial lung disease (ILD) with lymphocyte predominate bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). Mice harboring SAVI mutations (STING V154M [VM]) that recapitulate human disease also develop lymphocyte-rich BALT. Ablation of either T or B lymphocytes prolongs the survival of SAVI mice, but lung immune aggregates persist, indicating that T cells and B cells can independently be recruited as BALT. VM T cells produced IFNγ, and IFNγR deficiency prolonged the survival of SAVI mice; however, T-cell-dependent recruitment of infiltrating myeloid cells to the lung was IFNγ independent. Lethally irradiated VM recipients fully reconstituted with wild type bone-marrow-derived cells still developed ILD, pointing to a critical role for VM-expressing radioresistant parenchymal and/or stromal cells in the recruitment and activation of pathogenic lymphocytes. We identified lung endothelial cells as radioresistant cells that express STING. Transcriptional analysis of VM endothelial cells revealed up-regulation of chemokines, proinflammatory cytokines, and genes associated with antigen presentation. Together, our data show that VM-expressing radioresistant cells play a key role in the initiation of lung disease in VM mice and provide insights for the treatment of SAVI patients, with implications for ILD associated with other connective tissue disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin MingJie Gao
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Mona Motwani
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Thomas Tedder
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
- Department Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
| | - Ann Marshak-Rothstein
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Crabtree JN, Caffrey DR, de Souza Silva L, Kurt-Jones EA, Dobbs K, Dent A, Fitzgerald KA, Golenbock DT. Lymphocyte crosstalk is required for monocyte-intrinsic trained immunity to Plasmodium falciparum. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e139298. [PMID: 35642634 PMCID: PMC9151696 DOI: 10.1172/jci139298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) induces trained innate immune responses in vitro, where initial stimulation of adherent PBMCs with P. falciparum-infected RBCs (iRBCs) results in hyperresponsiveness to subsequent ligation of TLR2. This response correlates with the presence of T and B lymphocytes in adherent PBMCs, suggesting that innate immune training is partially due to adaptive immunity. We found that T cell-depleted PBMCs and purified monocytes alone did not elicit hyperproduction of IL-6 and TNF-α under training conditions. Analysis of P. falciparum-trained PBMCs showed that DCs did not develop under control conditions, and IL-6 and TNF-α were primarily produced by monocytes and DCs. Transwell experiments isolating purified monocytes from either PBMCs or purified CD4+ T cells, but allowing diffusion of secreted proteins, enabled monocytes trained with iRBCs to hyperproduce IL-6 and TNF-α after TLR restimulation. Purified monocytes stimulated with IFN-γ hyperproduced IL-6 and TNF-α, whereas blockade of IFN-γ in P. falciparum-trained PBMCs inhibited trained responses. Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-Seq) on monocytes from patients with malaria showed persistently open chromatin at genes that appeared to be trained in vitro. Together, these findings indicate that the trained immune response of monocytes to P. falciparum is not completely cell intrinsic but depends on soluble signals from lymphocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliet N. Crabtree
- Program in Innate Immunity and
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel R. Caffrey
- Program in Innate Immunity and
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leandro de Souza Silva
- Program in Innate Immunity and
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Evelyn A. Kurt-Jones
- Program in Innate Immunity and
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Arlene Dent
- Case Western University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity and
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas T. Golenbock
- Program in Innate Immunity and
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Lei X, Carneiro NK, Galia L, Wilson R, Vierbuchen T, Chen Y, Ward D, Fitzgerald KA. Epithelial HNF4A shapes the intraepithelial lymphocyte compartment via direct regulation of immune signaling molecules. The Journal of Immunology 2022. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.208.supp.171.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4A (HNF4A) is a highly conserved orphan nuclear receptor that has been associated with ulcerative colitis. Mice lacking Hnf4a specifically in the intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are more susceptible to DSS-induced colitis and develop spontaneous colonic inflammation with aging. However, the mechanisms how HNF4A maintains intestinal homeostasis and protects against colitis remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that epithelial HNF4A shapes the intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) compartment by selectively promoting the development of natural IEL subsets that are TCRgd+ or TCRab+CD8aa+. Mechanistically, HNF4A serves as a transcription factor that directly regulates epithelial expression of immune signaling molecules involved in the IEC-IEL crosstalk. Those molecules include the butyrophilin-like (Btnl) molecules Btnl1 and Btnl6. Further, while HNF4A is stably expressed along the intestinal tract, these molecules are more abundant in the small intestine, which correlates with the distribution of natural IELs. We propose HNF4A paralog, HNF4G, which is restricted to the small intestine, cooperates with HNF4A in driving expression of signaling molecules and accounts for the geographic specificity. Moreover, HNF4A-BTNL regulatory axis is conserved in Caco2 cells of human colorectal origin. Collectively, our findings underscore the importance of HNF4A as a conserved transcription factor controlling IEC-IEL crosstalk and suggest that HNF4A maintains intestinal homeostasis through regulation of the IEL compartment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuqiu Lei
- 1University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
| | | | - Liraz Galia
- 2Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
| | - Ruth Wilson
- 1University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
| | | | - Yongzhi Chen
- 1University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
| | - Doyle Ward
- 1University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Gao KM, Marshak-Rothstein A, Fitzgerald KA. Radioresistant cells in STING gain-of-function mice initiate lymphocyte dependent lung inflammation and IFNγ dependent mortality. The Journal of Immunology 2022. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.208.supp.158.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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
Abstract
Pediatric patients with gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in the cytosolic dsDNA sensing adaptor STING develop an autoinflammatory syndrome known as STING Associated Vasculopathy with onset in Infancy (SAVI). SAVI patients show elevated interferon signature genes and suffer from interstitial lung disease (ILD) with lymphocyte predominate bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). We genetically engineered SAVI mice (STING V154M or VM) that recapitulates human disease, including lymphocyte rich ILD, and found by genetic ablation that lymphocytes are required for lung pathology. However, while ablation of either T or B lymphocytes prolongs survival, lung immune aggregates persist, indicating either can independently be recruited as BALT. Using radiation chimeras, we found that hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) derived STING GOF was neither sufficient nor required for VM lung disease, suggesting a role for lung radioresistant parenchymal and stromal cell STING GOF in SAVI. We identified lung endothelia as putative radioresistant cells which express STING and confirmed expression by IF microscopy and FACS. FACS analysis also revealed SAVI lung endothelia upregulate MHCII, but only when sufficient for IFNgR. VM T cells produce IFNg, and IFNgR deficiency was sufficient to prevent endothelial MHCII upregulation and attenuate mortality. However, HSC STING GOF was not required for endothelial MHCII upregulation, suggesting stromal intrinsic STING GOF initiates this outcome. These findings suggest that activation of STING in stromal and parenchymal cells play a key role the initiation of lung inflammation in patients with connective tissue disease ILD.
Supported by: T32 GM107000 (MSTP); T32 AI132152 (KMG); F30 HL154674 (KMG); AI128358 (AMR/KAF); Lupus Research Alliance
Collapse
|
33
|
Jabara HH, McDonald DR, Janssen E, Massaad MJ, Ramesh N, Borzutzky A, Rauter I, Benson H, Schneider L, Baxi S, Recher M, Notarangelo LD, Wakim R, Dbaibo G, Dasouki M, Al-Herz W, Barlan I, Baris S, Kutukculer N, Ochs HD, Plebani A, Kanariou M, Lefranc G, Reisli I, Fitzgerald KA, Golenbock D, Manis J, Keles S, Ceja R, Chatila TA, Geha RS. Author Correction: DOCK8 functions as an adaptor that links TLR-MyD88 signaling to B cell activation. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:815. [PMID: 35332329 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01180-8] [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)
- Haifa H Jabara
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas R McDonald
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erin Janssen
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michel J Massaad
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Narayanaswamy Ramesh
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arturo Borzutzky
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ingrid Rauter
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Halli Benson
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lynda Schneider
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sachin Baxi
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mike Recher
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Luigi D Notarangelo
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rima Wakim
- American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Majed Dasouki
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Genetics, Endocrinology & Metabolism, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Waleed Al-Herz
- Department of Pediatrics, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Al-Sabah Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Isil Barlan
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Safa Baris
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Necil Kutukculer
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hans D Ochs
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alessandro Plebani
- Pediatric Clinic and Angelo Nocivelli Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Gerard Lefranc
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Propre de Recherché 1142, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Ismail Reisli
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Meram Medical Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | | | - Douglas Golenbock
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John Manis
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sevgi Keles
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Meram Medical Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.,Division of Allergy and Immunology and Department of Pediatrics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Reuben Ceja
- Division of Allergy and Immunology and Department of Pediatrics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Talal A Chatila
- Division of Allergy and Immunology and Department of Pediatrics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Raif S Geha
- Division of Immunology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Shah JA, Warr AJ, Graustein AD, Saha A, Dunstan SJ, Thuong NTT, Thwaites GE, Caws M, Thai PVK, Bang ND, Chau TTH, Khor CC, Li Z, Hibberd M, Chang X, Nguyen FK, Hernandez CA, Jones MA, Sassetti CM, Fitzgerald KA, Musvosvi M, Gela A, Hanekom WA, Hatherill M, Scriba TJ, Hawn TR. REL and BHLHE40 Variants Are Associated with IL-12 and IL-10 Responses and Tuberculosis Risk. J Immunol 2022; 208:1352-1361. [PMID: 35217585 PMCID: PMC8917052 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100671] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The major human genes regulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced immune responses and tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility are poorly understood. Although IL-12 and IL-10 are critical for TB pathogenesis, the genetic factors that regulate their expression in humans are unknown. CNBP, REL, and BHLHE40 are master regulators of IL-12 and IL-10 signaling. We hypothesized that common variants in CNBP, REL, and BHLHE40 were associated with IL-12 and IL-10 production from dendritic cells, and that these variants also influence adaptive immune responses to bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination and TB susceptibility. We characterized the association between common variants in CNBP, REL, and BHLHE40, innate immune responses in dendritic cells and monocyte-derived macrophages, BCG-specific T cell responses, and susceptibility to pediatric and adult TB in human populations. BHLHE40 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4496464 was associated with increased BHLHE40 expression in monocyte-derived macrophages and increased IL-10 from peripheral blood dendritic cells and monocyte-derived macrophages after LPS and TB whole-cell lysate stimulation. SNP BHLHE40 rs11130215, in linkage disequilibrium with rs4496464, was associated with increased BCG-specific IL-2+CD4+ T cell responses and decreased risk for pediatric TB in South Africa. SNPs REL rs842634 and rs842618 were associated with increased IL-12 production from dendritic cells, and SNP REL rs842618 was associated with increased risk for TB meningitis. In summary, we found that genetic variations in REL and BHLHE40 are associated with IL-12 and IL-10 cytokine responses and TB clinical outcomes. Common human genetic regulation of well-defined intermediate cellular traits provides insights into mechanisms of TB pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javeed A Shah
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA;
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Andrew D Graustein
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA
| | | | | | - Nguyen T T Thuong
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Guy E Thwaites
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Maxine Caws
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Zheng Li
- Genome Institute of Singapore, A-STAR, Singapore
| | - Martin Hibberd
- London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xuling Chang
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anele Gela
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Willem A Hanekom
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark Hatherill
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thomas J Scriba
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Gu L, Casserly D, Brady G, Carpenter S, Bracken AP, Fitzgerald KA, Unterholzner L, Bowie AG. Myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen controls the pathogen-stimulated type I interferon cascade in human monocytes by transcriptional regulation of IRF7. Nat Commun 2022; 13:14. [PMID: 35013241 PMCID: PMC8748983 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27701-x] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) are critical for anti-viral responses, and also drive autoimmunity when dysregulated. Upon viral sensing, monocytes elicit a sequential cascade of IFNβ and IFNα production involving feedback amplification, but how exactly this cascade is regulated in human cells is incompletely understood. Here we show that the PYHIN protein myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA) is required for IFNα induction in monocytes. Unlike other PYHINs, this is not due to a pathogen sensing role, but rather MNDA regulated expression of IRF7, a transcription factor essential for IFNα induction. Mechanistically, MNDA is required for recruitment of STAT2 and RNA polymerase II to the IRF7 gene promoter, and in fact MNDA is itself recruited to the IRF7 promoter after type I IFN stimulation. These data implicate MNDA as a critical regulator of the type I IFN cascade in human myeloid cells and reveal a new role for human PYHINs in innate immune gene induction. The interferon response is a critical component of the innate immune response. Here the authors implicate MNDA in the regulation of type I interferon responses to pathogen infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Gu
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - David Casserly
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Gareth Brady
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Susan Carpenter
- Division of Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Adrian P Bracken
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Leonie Unterholzner
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Andrew G Bowie
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
|
37
|
Kiritsy MC, Ankley LM, Trombley J, Huizinga GP, Lord AE, Orning P, Elling R, Fitzgerald KA, Olive AJ. A genetic screen in macrophages identifies new regulators of IFNγ-inducible MHCII that contribute to T cell activation. eLife 2021; 10:65110. [PMID: 34747695 PMCID: PMC8598162 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokine-mediated activation of host immunity is central to the control of pathogens. Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) is a key cytokine in protective immunity that induces major histocompatibility complex class II molecules (MHCII) to amplify CD4+ T cell activation and effector function. Despite its central role, the dynamic regulation of IFNγ-induced MHCII is not well understood. Using a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen in murine macrophages, we identified genes that control MHCII surface expression. Mechanistic studies uncovered two parallel pathways of IFNγ-mediated MHCII control that require the multifunctional glycogen synthase kinase three beta (GSK3β) or the mediator complex subunit 16 (MED16). Both pathways control distinct aspects of the IFNγ response and are necessary for IFNγ-mediated induction of the MHCII transactivator Ciita, MHCII expression, and CD4+ T cell activation. Our results define previously unappreciated regulation of MHCII expression that is required to control CD4+ T cell responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Kiritsy
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Laurisa M Ankley
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
| | - Justin Trombley
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
| | - Gabrielle P Huizinga
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
| | - Audrey E Lord
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Pontus Orning
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Roland Elling
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Andrew J Olive
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kim H, Subbannayya Y, Humphries F, Skejsol A, Pinto SM, Giambelluca M, Espevik T, Fitzgerald KA, Kandasamy RK. UMP-CMP kinase 2 gene expression in macrophages is dependent on the IRF3-IFNAR signaling axis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258989. [PMID: 34705862 PMCID: PMC8550426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258989] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are highly-conserved pattern recognition receptors that mediate innate immune responses to invading pathogens and endogenous danger signals released from damaged and dying cells. Activation of TLRs trigger downstream signaling cascades, that culminate in the activation of interferon regulatory factors (IRFs), which subsequently leads to type I interferon (IFN) response. In the current study, we sought to expand the scope of gene expression changes in THP1-derived macrophages upon TLR4 activation and to identify interferon-stimulated genes. RNA-seq analysis led to the identification of several known and novel differentially expressed genes, including CMPK2, particularly in association with type I IFN signaling. We performed an in-depth characterization of CMPK2 expression, a nucleoside monophosphate kinase that supplies intracellular UTP/CTP for nucleic acid synthesis in response to type I IFN signaling in macrophages. CMPK2 was significantly induced at both RNA and protein levels upon stimulation with TLR4 ligand-LPS and TLR3 ligand-Poly (I:C). Confocal microscopy and subcellular fractionation indicated CMPK2 localization in both cytoplasm and mitochondria of THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, neutralizing antibody-based inhibition of IFNAR receptor in THP-1 cells and BMDMs derived from IFNAR KO and IRF3 KO knockout mice further revealed that CMPK2 expression is dependent on LPS/Poly (I:C) mediated IRF3- type I interferon signaling. In summary, our findings suggest that CMPK2 is a potential interferon-stimulated gene in THP-1 macrophages and that CMPK2 may facilitate IRF3- type I IFN-dependent anti-bacterial and anti-viral roles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hera Kim
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Yashwanth Subbannayya
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Fiachra Humphries
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Astrid Skejsol
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sneha M. Pinto
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Miriam Giambelluca
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Terje Espevik
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Richard K. Kandasamy
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Muhuri M, Maeda Y, Ma H, Ram S, Fitzgerald KA, Tai PW, Gao G. Overcoming innate immune barriers that impede AAV gene therapy vectors. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:143780. [PMID: 33393506 DOI: 10.1172/jci143780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of gene therapy has made considerable progress over the past several years. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have emerged as promising and attractive tools for in vivo gene therapy. Despite the recent clinical successes achieved with recombinant AAVs (rAAVs) for therapeutics, host immune responses against the vector and transgene product have been observed in numerous preclinical and clinical studies. These outcomes have hampered the advancement of AAV gene therapies, preventing them from becoming fully viable and safe medicines. The human immune system is multidimensional and complex. Both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system seem to play a concerted role in the response against rAAVs. While most efforts have been focused on the role of adaptive immunity and developing ways to overcome it, the innate immune system has also been found to have a critical function. Innate immunity not only mediates the initial response to the vector, but also primes the adaptive immune system to launch a more deleterious attack against the foreign vector. This Review highlights what is known about innate immune responses against rAAVs and discusses potential strategies to circumvent these pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manish Muhuri
- Horae Gene Therapy Center.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems.,VIDE Program
| | - Yukiko Maeda
- Horae Gene Therapy Center.,VIDE Program.,Department of Medicine
| | | | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology
| | | | - Phillip Wl Tai
- Horae Gene Therapy Center.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems.,VIDE Program
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems.,Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
Ketelut-Carneiro and Fitzgerald discuss the basic concepts about inflammasome composition, assembly and activation, effector functions and role in infection and inflammatory disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natália Ketelut-Carneiro
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Fukuda K, Okamura K, Riding RL, Fan X, Afshari K, Haddadi NS, McCauley SM, Guney MH, Luban J, Funakoshi T, Yaguchi T, Kawakami Y, Khvorova A, Fitzgerald KA, Harris JE. AIM2 regulates anti-tumor immunity and is a viable therapeutic target for melanoma. J Exp Med 2021; 218:212521. [PMID: 34325468 PMCID: PMC8329870 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The STING and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) pathways are activated by the presence of cytosolic DNA, and STING agonists enhance immunotherapeutic responses. Here, we show that dendritic cell (DC) expression of AIM2 within human melanoma correlates with poor prognosis and, in contrast to STING, AIM2 exerts an immunosuppressive effect within the melanoma microenvironment. Vaccination with AIM2-deficient DCs improves the efficacy of both adoptive T cell therapy and anti–PD-1 immunotherapy for “cold tumors,” which exhibit poor therapeutic responses. This effect did not depend on prolonged survival of vaccinated DCs, but on tumor-derived DNA that activates STING-dependent type I IFN secretion and subsequent production of CXCL10 to recruit CD8+ T cells. Additionally, loss of AIM2-dependent IL-1β and IL-18 processing enhanced the treatment response further by limiting the recruitment of regulatory T cells. Finally, AIM2 siRNA-treated mouse DCs in vivo and human DCs in vitro enhanced similar anti-tumor immune responses. Thus, targeting AIM2 in tumor-infiltrating DCs is a promising new treatment strategy for melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Fukuda
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.,Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Okamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Rebecca L Riding
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Xueli Fan
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Khashayar Afshari
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Nazgol-Sadat Haddadi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Sean M McCauley
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Mehmet H Guney
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Jeremy Luban
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Takeru Funakoshi
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomonori Yaguchi
- Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kawakami
- Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Anastasia Khvorova
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - John E Harris
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Chen Y, Lei X, Jiang Z, Fitzgerald KA. Cellular nucleic acid-binding protein is essential for type I interferon-mediated immunity to RNA virus infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2100383118. [PMID: 34168080 PMCID: PMC8255963 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2100383118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) are innate immune cytokines required to establish cellular host defense. Precise control of IFN gene expression is crucial to maintaining immune homeostasis. Here, we demonstrated that cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP) was required for the production of type I IFNs in response to RNA virus infection. CNBP deficiency markedly impaired IFN production in macrophages and dendritic cells that were infected with a panel of RNA viruses or stimulated with synthetic double-stranded RNA. Furthermore, CNBP-deficient mice were more susceptible to influenza virus infection than were wild-type mice. Mechanistically, CNBP was phosphorylated and translocated to the nucleus, where it directly binds to the promoter of IFNb in response to RNA virus infection. Furthermore, CNBP controlled the recruitment of IFN regulatory factor (IRF) 3 and IRF7 to IFN promoters for the maximal induction of IFNb gene expression. These studies reveal a previously unrecognized role for CNBP as a transcriptional regulator of type I IFN genes engaged downstream of RNA virus-mediated innate immune signaling, which provides an additional layer of control for IRF3- and IRF7-dependent type I IFN gene expression and the antiviral innate immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhi Chen
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Xuqiu Lei
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Shmuel-Galia L, Humphries F, Lei X, Ceglia S, Wilson R, Jiang Z, Ketelut-Carneiro N, Foley SE, Pechhold S, Houghton J, Muneeruddin K, Shaffer SA, McCormick BA, Reboldi A, Ward D, Marshak-Rothstein A, Fitzgerald KA. Dysbiosis exacerbates colitis by promoting ubiquitination and accumulation of the innate immune adaptor STING in myeloid cells. Immunity 2021; 54:1137-1153.e8. [PMID: 34051146 PMCID: PMC8237382 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [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: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in the cGAS-STING DNA-sensing pathway affect intestinal homeostasis. We sought to delineate the functional role of STING in intestinal inflammation. Increased STING expression was a feature of intestinal inflammation in mice with colitis and in humans afflicted with inflammatory bowel disease. Mice bearing an allele rendering STING constitutively active exhibited spontaneous colitis and dysbiosis, as well as progressive chronic intestinal inflammation and fibrosis. Bone marrow chimera experiments revealed STING accumulation in intestinal macrophages and monocytes as the initial driver of inflammation. Depletion of Gram-negative bacteria prevented STING accumulation in these cells and alleviated intestinal inflammation. STING accumulation occurred at the protein rather than transcript level, suggesting post-translational stabilization. We found that STING was ubiquitinated in myeloid cells, and this K63-linked ubiquitination could be elicited by bacterial products, including cyclic di-GMP. Our findings suggest a positive feedback loop wherein dysbiosis foments the accumulation of STING in intestinal myeloid cells, driving intestinal inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liraz Shmuel-Galia
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Fiachra Humphries
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Xuqiu Lei
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Simona Ceglia
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ruth Wilson
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Natalia Ketelut-Carneiro
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Sage E Foley
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Center for Microbiome Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Susanne Pechhold
- Flow Cytometry core facility, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - JeanMarie Houghton
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Khaja Muneeruddin
- Department of Biochemistry and molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Mass spectrometry facility, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Scott A Shaffer
- Department of Biochemistry and molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Mass spectrometry facility, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Beth A McCormick
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Center for Microbiome Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Andrea Reboldi
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Doyle Ward
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Center for Microbiome Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ann Marshak-Rothstein
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
FitzGerald ES, Chen Y, Fitzgerald KA, Jamieson AM. Lung Epithelial Cell Transcriptional Regulation as a Factor in COVID-19-associated Coagulopathies. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2021; 64:687-697. [PMID: 33740387 PMCID: PMC8456886 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2020-0453oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly become a global pandemic. In addition to the acute pulmonary symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (the disease associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection), pulmonary and distal coagulopathies have caused morbidity and mortality in many patients. Currently, the molecular pathogenesis underlying COVID-19-associated coagulopathies are unknown. Identifying the molecular basis of how SARS-CoV-2 drives coagulation is essential to mitigating short- and long-term thrombotic risks of sick and recovered patients with COVID-19. We aimed to perform coagulation-focused transcriptome analysis of in vitro infected primary respiratory epithelial cells, patient-derived bronchial alveolar lavage cells, and circulating immune cells during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our objective was to identify transcription-mediated signaling networks driving coagulopathies associated with COVID-19. We analyzed recently published experimentally and clinically derived bulk or single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of SARS-CoV-2 infection to identify changes in transcriptional regulation of blood coagulation. We also confirmed that the transcriptional expression of a key coagulation regulator was recapitulated at the protein level. We specifically focused our analysis on lung tissue-expressed genes regulating the extrinsic coagulation cascade and the plasminogen activation system. Analyzing transcriptomic data of in vitro infected normal human bronchial epithelial cells and patient-derived bronchial alveolar lavage samples revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces the extrinsic blood coagulation cascade and suppresses the plasminogen activation system. We also performed in vitro SARS-CoV-2 infection experiments on primary human lung epithelial cells to confirm that transcriptional upregulation of tissue factor, the extrinsic coagulation cascade master regulator, manifested at the protein level. Furthermore, infection of normal human bronchial epithelial cells with influenza A virus did not drive key regulators of blood coagulation in a similar manner as SARS-CoV-2. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not differentially express genes regulating the extrinsic coagulation cascade or plasminogen activation system during SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting that they are not directly inducing coagulopathy through these pathways. The hyperactivation of the extrinsic blood coagulation cascade and the suppression of the plasminogen activation system in SARS-CoV-2-infected epithelial cells may drive diverse coagulopathies in the lung and distal organ systems. Understanding how hosts drive such transcriptional changes with SARS-CoV-2 infection may enable the design of host-directed therapeutic strategies to treat COVID-19 and other coronaviruses inducing hypercoagulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ethan S. FitzGerald
- Division of Biology and Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; and
| | - Yongzhi Chen
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
| | - Amanda M. Jamieson
- Division of Biology and Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; and
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Humphries F, Shmuel-Galia L, Jiang Z, Wilson R, Landis P, Ng SL, Parsi KM, Maehr R, Cruz J, Morales-Ramos A, Ramanjulu JM, Bertin J, Pesiridis GS, Fitzgerald KA. A diamidobenzimidazole STING agonist protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sci Immunol 2021; 6:eabi9002. [PMID: 34010139 PMCID: PMC8158975 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abi9002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses are a family of RNA viruses that cause acute and chronic diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract in humans and other animals. SARS-CoV-2 is a recently emerged coronavirus that has led to a global pandemic causing a severe respiratory disease known as COVID-19 with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The development of antiviral therapeutics are urgently needed while vaccine programs roll out worldwide. Here we describe a diamidobenzimidazole compound, diABZI-4, that activates STING and is highly effective in limiting SARS-CoV-2 replication in cells and animals. diABZI-4 inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung epithelial cells. Administration of diABZI-4 intranasally before or even after virus infection conferred complete protection from severe respiratory disease in K18-ACE2-transgenic mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. Intranasal delivery of diABZI-4 induced a rapid short-lived activation of STING, leading to transient proinflammatory cytokine production and lymphocyte activation in the lung associated with inhibition of viral replication. Our study supports the use of diABZI-4 as a host-directed therapy which mobilizes antiviral defenses for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiachra Humphries
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Liraz Shmuel-Galia
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ruth Wilson
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Philip Landis
- Innate Immunity Research Unit. GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Sze-Ling Ng
- Innate Immunity Research Unit. GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Krishna-Mohan Parsi
- Program in molecular medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Rene Maehr
- Program in molecular medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - John Cruz
- Department of pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | | | | | - John Bertin
- Innate Immunity Research Unit. GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | | | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Morales Y, Miller EA, Shecter I, Fitzgerald KA, Golenbock DT, Stadecker MJ, Kalantari P. NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome-triggered Th17 cell response promotes severe immunopathology in schistosomiasis. The Journal of Immunology 2021. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.206.supp.112.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Infection with the helminth Schistosoma mansoni can cause exacerbated morbidity and mortality via a pathogenic host CD4 T cell-mediated immune response directed against parasite egg antigens, with T helper (Th) 17 cells playing a major role in the development of increased granulomatous hepatic immunopathology. A role of inflammasomes in intensifying disease has been reported, however, neither the types of inflammasomes involved, nor their impact on the Th17 response are known. Here we show that the observed enhanced egg-induced IL-1β secretion and pyroptotic cell death required both NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome activation. Schistosome genomic DNA activated AIM2, whereas reactive oxygen species, as well as potassium efflux, were the major activators of NLRP3. In addition, dual activation of caspase-1 and caspase-8 was required for egg-induced IL17 production. NLRP3 and AIM2 deficiency led to a significant reduction in Th17 responses, suggesting that both play a crucial role in triggering inflammation. We also determined that inflammasome-induced IL-1β promotes the anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokine IL-4. Our findings establish NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes as central inducers of pathogenic Th17 responses in schistosomiasis.
Collapse
|
47
|
Motwani M, McGowan J, Antonovitch J, Gao KM, Jiang Z, Sharma S, Baltus GA, Nickerson KM, Marshak-Rothstein A, Fitzgerald KA. cGAS-STING Pathway Does Not Promote Autoimmunity in Murine Models of SLE. Front Immunol 2021; 12:605930. [PMID: 33854495 PMCID: PMC8040952 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.605930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Detection of DNA is an important determinant of host-defense but also a driver of autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Failure to degrade self-DNA in DNAseII or III(TREX1)-deficient mice results in activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. Deficiency of cGAS or STING in these models ameliorates disease manifestations. However, the contribution of the cGAS-STING pathway, relative to endosomal TLRs, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is controversial. In fact, STING deficiency failed to rescue, and actually exacerbated, disease manifestations in Fas-deficient SLE-prone mice. We have now extended these observations to a chronic model of SLE induced by the i.p. injection of TMPD (pristane). We found that both cGAS- and STING-deficiency not only failed to rescue mice from TMPD-induced SLE, but resulted in increased autoantibody production and higher proteinuria levels compared to cGAS STING sufficient mice. Further, we generated cGASKOFaslpr mice on a pure MRL/Faslpr background using Crispr/Cas9 and found slightly exacerbated, and not attenuated, disease. We hypothesized that the cGAS-STING pathway constrains TLR activation, and thereby limits autoimmune manifestations in these two models. Consistent with this premise, mice lacking cGAS and Unc93B1 or STING and Unc93B1 developed minimal systemic autoimmunity as compared to cGAS or STING single knock out animals. Nevertheless, TMPD-driven lupus in B6 mice was abrogated upon AAV-delivery of DNAse I, implicating a DNA trigger. Overall, this study demonstrated that the cGAS-STING pathway does not promote systemic autoimmunity in murine models of SLE. These data have important implications for cGAS-STING-directed therapies being developed for the treatment of systemic autoimmunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Motwani
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jason McGowan
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer Antonovitch
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Kevin MingJie Gao
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Shruti Sharma
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Kevin M Nickerson
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ann Marshak-Rothstein
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Vierbuchen T, Fitzgerald KA. Long non-coding RNAs in antiviral immunity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 111:126-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
49
|
Agarwal S, Vierbuchen T, Ghosh S, Chan J, Jiang Z, Kandasamy RK, Ricci E, Fitzgerald KA. The long non-coding RNA LUCAT1 is a negative feedback regulator of interferon responses in humans. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6348. [PMID: 33311506 PMCID: PMC7733444 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20165-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs are important regulators of biological processes including immune responses. The immunoregulatory functions of lncRNAs have been revealed primarily in murine models with limited understanding of lncRNAs in human immune responses. Here, we identify lncRNA LUCAT1 which is upregulated in human myeloid cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and other innate immune stimuli. Targeted deletion of LUCAT1 in myeloid cells increases expression of type I interferon stimulated genes in response to LPS. By contrast, increased LUCAT1 expression results in a reduction of the inducible ISG response. In activated cells, LUCAT1 is enriched in the nucleus where it associates with chromatin. Further, LUCAT1 limits transcription of interferon stimulated genes by interacting with STAT1 in the nucleus. Together, our study highlights the role of the lncRNA LUCAT1 as a post-induction feedback regulator which functions to restrain the immune response in human cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiuli Agarwal
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Tim Vierbuchen
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Sreya Ghosh
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jennie Chan
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Zhaozhao Jiang
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Richard K Kandasamy
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Emiliano Ricci
- Université de Lyon, ENSL, UCBL, CNRS, INSERM, LBMC, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Magupalli VG, Negro R, Tian Y, Hauenstein AV, Di Caprio G, Skillern W, Deng Q, Orning P, Alam HB, Maliga Z, Sharif H, Hu JJ, Evavold CL, Kagan JC, Schmidt FI, Fitzgerald KA, Kirchhausen T, Li Y, Wu H. HDAC6 mediates an aggresome-like mechanism for NLRP3 and pyrin inflammasome activation. Science 2020; 369:369/6510/eaas8995. [PMID: 32943500 DOI: 10.1126/science.aas8995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inflammasomes are supramolecular complexes that play key roles in immune surveillance. This is accomplished by the activation of inflammatory caspases, which leads to the proteolytic maturation of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and pyroptosis. Here, we show that nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)- and pyrin-mediated inflammasome assembly, caspase activation, and IL-1β conversion occur at the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC). Furthermore, the dynein adapter histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is indispensable for the microtubule transport and assembly of these inflammasomes both in vitro and in mice. Because HDAC6 can transport ubiquitinated pathological aggregates to the MTOC for aggresome formation and autophagosomal degradation, its role in NLRP3 and pyrin inflammasome activation also provides an inherent mechanism for the down-regulation of these inflammasomes by autophagy. This work suggests an unexpected parallel between the formation of physiological and pathological aggregates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venkat Giri Magupalli
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. .,Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Roberto Negro
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. .,Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yuzi Tian
- Department of Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Arthur V Hauenstein
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Giuseppe Di Caprio
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Departments of Cell Biology and Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wesley Skillern
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Qiufang Deng
- Department of Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Pontus Orning
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hasan B Alam
- Department of Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Zoltan Maliga
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Humayun Sharif
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jun Jacob Hu
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Charles L Evavold
- Harvard Medical School and Division of Gastroenterology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan C Kagan
- Harvard Medical School and Division of Gastroenterology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Florian I Schmidt
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Biomedical Center, University Hospitals, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Program in Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tom Kirchhausen
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Departments of Cell Biology and Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yongqing Li
- Department of Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. .,Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|