RESUMO
Microglia, the parenchymal brain macrophages of the central nervous system, have emerged as critical players in brain development and homeostasis. The immune functions of these cells, however, remain less well defined. We investigated contributions of microglia in a relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis paradigm, experimental autoimmune encephalitis in C57BL/6 x SJL F1 mice. Fate mapping-assisted translatome profiling during the relapsing-remitting disease course revealed the potential of microglia to interact with T cells through antigen presentation, costimulation and coinhibition. Abundant microglia-T cell aggregates, as observed by histology and flow cytometry, supported the idea of functional interactions of microglia and T cells during remission, with a bias towards regulatory T cells. Finally, microglia-restricted interferon-γ receptor and major histocompatibility complex mutagenesis significantly affected the functionality of the regulatory T cell compartment in the diseased central nervous system and remission. Collectively, our data establish critical non-redundant cognate and cytokine-mediated interactions of microglia with CD4+ T cells during autoimmune neuroinflammation.
Assuntos
Encefalomielite Autoimune Experimental , Camundongos , Animais , Microglia , Linfócitos T Reguladores/patologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Comunicação CelularRESUMO
Nucleolin is a multifunctional RNA Binding Protein (RBP) with diverse subcellular localizations, including the nucleolus in all eukaryotic cells, the plasma membrane in tumor cells, and the axon in neurons. Here we show that the glycine arginine rich (GAR) domain of nucleolin drives subcellular localization via protein-protein interactions with a kinesin light chain. In addition, GAR sequences mediate plasma membrane interactions of nucleolin. Both these modalities are in addition to the already reported involvement of the GAR domain in liquid-liquid phase separation in the nucleolus. Nucleolin transport to axons requires the GAR domain, and heterozygous GAR deletion mice reveal reduced axonal localization of nucleolin cargo mRNAs and enhanced sensory neuron growth. Thus, the GAR domain governs axonal transport of a growth controlling RNA-RBP complex in neurons, and is a versatile localization determinant for different subcellular compartments. Localization determination by GAR domains may explain why GAR mutants in diverse RBPs are associated with neurodegenerative disease.
Assuntos
Nucléolo Celular/metabolismo , Gânglios Espinais/metabolismo , Cinesinas/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Fosfoproteínas/química , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA/química , Nervo Isquiático/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Transporte Axonal/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Nucléolo Celular/ultraestrutura , Gânglios Espinais/citologia , Expressão Gênica , Células HEK293 , Células HeLa , Humanos , Cinesinas/genética , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Mutação , Neurônios/citologia , Fosfoproteínas/genética , Fosfoproteínas/metabolismo , Cultura Primária de Células , Domínios Proteicos , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA/metabolismo , Nervo Isquiático/citologia , NucleolinaRESUMO
The evolutionarily conserved Notch pathway plays an important role in regulation of stem cell renewal and cell fate determination in numerous organs, and as such is a key pathway in normal health and disease processes. Canonical Notch signaling is usually activated by cell contact where transmembrane ligands such as Delta-like and Jagged bind to Notch receptors. Notch activation results in the translocation of the cleaved Notch intracellular domain (NICD) into the nucleus and subsequent activation of transcription. Poly-ubiquitination leading to proteosome degradation of pathway components is one mean of regulating the Notch pathway. Here, we identified that Shootin1 exhibits the surprising propensity of activating the pathway either by interacting with LNX1/2 and promoting poly-ubiquitination of Numb or by complexing with Itch and impairing poly-ubiquitination of NICD. Within the developing brain Shootin1 modulates neuroblasts cell fate by executing 2 opposing activities on ubiquitin ligases, which control Notch signaling on 2 different levels.
Assuntos
Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/metabolismo , Neurogênese/fisiologia , Receptores Notch/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/metabolismo , Animais , Diferenciação Celular/fisiologia , Ativação Enzimática/fisiologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Células-Tronco Neurais/metabolismoRESUMO
The mature gut renews continuously and rapidly throughout adult life, often in a damage-inflicting micro-environment. The major driving force for self-renewal of the intestinal epithelium is the Wnt-mediated signalling pathway, and Wnt signalling is frequently hyperactivated in colorectal cancer. Here we show that casein kinase Iα (CKIα), a component of the ß-catenin-destruction complex, is a critical regulator of the Wnt signalling pathway. Inducing the ablation of Csnk1a1 (the gene encoding CKIα) in the gut triggers massive Wnt activation, surprisingly without causing tumorigenesis. CKIα-deficient epithelium shows many of the features of human colorectal tumours in addition to Wnt activation, in particular the induction of the DNA damage response and cellular senescence, both of which are thought to provide a barrier against malignant transformation. The epithelial DNA damage response in mice is accompanied by substantial activation of p53, suggesting that the p53 pathway may counteract the pro-tumorigenic effects of Wnt hyperactivation. Notably, the transition from benign adenomas to invasive colorectal cancer in humans is typically linked to p53 inactivation, underscoring the importance of p53 as a safeguard against malignant progression; however, the mechanism of p53-mediated tumour suppression is unknown. We show that the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis in CKIα-deficient gut requires p53-mediated growth control, because the combined ablation of Csnk1a1 and either p53 or its target gene p21 (also known as Waf1, Cip1, Sdi1 and Cdkn1a) triggered high-grade dysplasia with extensive proliferation. Unexpectedly, these ablations also induced non-proliferating cells to invade the villous lamina propria rapidly, producing invasive carcinomas throughout the small bowel. Furthermore, in p53-deficient gut, loss of heterozygosity of the gene encoding CKIα caused a highly invasive carcinoma, indicating that CKIα functions as a tumour suppressor when p53 is inactivated. We identified a set of genes (the p53-suppressed invasiveness signature, PSIS) that is activated by the loss of both p53 and CKIα and which probably accounts for the brisk induction of invasiveness. PSIS transcription and tumour invasion were suppressed by p21, independently of cell cycle control. Restraining tissue invasion through suppressing PSIS expression is thus a novel tumour-suppressor function of wild-type p53.
Assuntos
Caseína Quinase Ialfa/deficiência , Neoplasias Colorretais/patologia , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Adenoma/enzimologia , Adenoma/genética , Adenoma/metabolismo , Adenoma/patologia , Animais , Caseína Quinase Ialfa/genética , Caseína Quinase Ialfa/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células , Transformação Celular Neoplásica , Senescência Celular , Neoplasias Colorretais/enzimologia , Neoplasias Colorretais/genética , Neoplasias Colorretais/metabolismo , Inibidor de Quinase Dependente de Ciclina p21/deficiência , Inibidor de Quinase Dependente de Ciclina p21/genética , Inibidor de Quinase Dependente de Ciclina p21/metabolismo , Dano ao DNA , Progressão da Doença , Feminino , Fibroblastos , Genes APC , Genes Supressores de Tumor , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , Humanos , Mucosa Intestinal/enzimologia , Mucosa Intestinal/metabolismo , Mucosa Intestinal/patologia , Perda de Heterozigosidade , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Invasividade Neoplásica/patologia , Transdução de Sinais , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/deficiência , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genética , Proteínas Supressoras de Tumor/deficiência , Proteínas Supressoras de Tumor/genética , Proteínas Supressoras de Tumor/metabolismo , Proteínas Wnt/metabolismo , beta Catenina/metabolismoRESUMO
Macrophages represent a broad spectrum of distinct, but closely related tissue-resident immune cells. This presents a major challenge for the study of functional aspects of these cells using classical Cre recombinase-mediated conditional mutagenesis in mice, since single promoter-driven Cre transgenic models often display limited specificity toward their intended target. The advent of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has now provided a time- and cost-effective method to explore the full potential of binary transgenic, intersectional genetics. Specifically, the use of two promoters driving inactive Cre fragments that, when co-expressed, dimerize and only then gain recombinase activity allows the characterization and manipulation of genetically defined tissue macrophage subpopulations. Here, we will elaborate on the use of this protocol to capitalize on these recent technological advances in mouse genetics and discuss their strengths and pitfalls to improve the study of tissue macrophage subpopulations in physiology and pathophysiology.
Assuntos
Técnicas de Transferência de Genes , Macrófagos , Animais , Camundongos , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , Dimerização , MutagêneseRESUMO
An in-house genotyping facility should aim to be more cost-effective than outsourced service and more reliable than genotyping performed by short-term employees or students of individual research groups. Reliable genotyping allows efficient and economical management of mice colonies and promotes accurate and reproducible research results. Here we provide a detailed description of our approach to establishing a genotyping core facility, relying on automated PCR assembly and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis (first derivative). The workflow we devised was tightly managed by purpose-designed applications developed using MATLAB App Designer that allowed straightforward work planning, ensured sample tracking throughout the process, and provided a platform for reliable data analysis and generation of genotyping reports. We successfully transitioned PCR product analysis of more than 250 different target genes from standard gel electrophoresis to the more advanced HRM analysis. About 23% of the target genes required a redesign of primers to adapt to our protocol. The process was highly universal, and only 2% of the target genes required deviation from the standard PCR method to a more restricted protocol that reduces the amplification of nonspecific products. We currently run more than 1,000 PCR reactions weekly, of samples taken at weaning or experimental endpoint, and assemble a large variety of target genes in every PCR plate. We also showed that genotyping of blastocytes instead of embryos can serve as quality control of cryopreservation. Thus, our genotyping protocol promotes the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principles. Our refined genotyping process facilitates cost-effective colony management, replaces tissue types as well as traditional methods with advanced ones, and provides reliable results in a timely manner. MATLAB codes and related data are available in supplementary materials and online.
RESUMO
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ that is essential for the establishment of adaptive immunity through generation of immunocompetent T cells. In response to various stress signals, the thymus undergoes acute but reversible involution. However, the mechanisms governing its recovery are incompletely understood. Here, we used a dexamethasone-induced acute thymic involution mouse model to investigate how thymic hematopoietic cells (excluding T cells) contribute to thymic regeneration. scRNA-seq analysis revealed marked transcriptional and cellular changes in various thymic populations and highlighted thymus-resident innate lymphoid cells type 2 (ILC2) as a key cell type involved in the response to damage. We identified that ILC2 are activated by the alarmins IL-25 and IL-33 produced in response to tissue damage by thymic tuft cells and fibroblasts, respectively. Moreover, using mouse models deficient in either tuft cells and/or IL-33, we found that these alarmins are required for effective thymus regeneration after dexamethasone-induced damage. We also demonstrate that upon their damage-dependent activation, thymic ILC2 produce several effector molecules linked to tissue regeneration, such as amphiregulin and IL-13, which in turn promote thymic epithelial cell differentiation. Collectively, our study elucidates a previously undescribed role for thymic tuft cells and fibroblasts in thymus regeneration through activation of the type 2 immune response.
Assuntos
Imunidade Inata , Interleucina-33 , Camundongos , Animais , Linfócitos , Células em Tufo , Alarminas , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Fibroblastos , Dexametasona/farmacologiaRESUMO
Nociceptive axons undergo remodeling as they innervate their targets during development and in response to environmental insults and pathological conditions. How is nociceptive morphogenesis regulated? Here, we show that the microtubule destabilizer kinesin family member 2A (Kif2a) is a key regulator of nociceptive terminal structures and pain sensitivity. Ablation of Kif2a in sensory neurons causes hyperinnervation and hypersensitivity to noxious stimuli in young adult mice, whereas touch sensitivity and proprioception remain unaffected. Computational modeling predicts that structural remodeling is sufficient to explain the phenotypes. Furthermore, Kif2a deficiency triggers a transcriptional response comprising sustained upregulation of injury-related genes and homeostatic downregulation of highly specific channels and receptors at the late stage. The latter effect can be predicted to relieve the hyperexcitability of nociceptive neurons, despite persisting morphological aberrations, and indeed correlates with the resolution of pain hypersensitivity. Overall, we reveal a critical control node defining nociceptive terminal structure, which is regulating nociception.
Assuntos
Cinesinas , Nociceptividade , Proteínas Repressoras , Animais , Camundongos , Cinesinas/genética , Neurônios/fisiologia , Dor , Proteínas Repressoras/genéticaRESUMO
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Most patients present with severe chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and organ-specific autoimmunity from early childhood, but the clinical picture is highly variable. AIRE is crucial for negative selection of T cells, and scrutiny of different patient mutations has previously highlighted many of its molecular mechanisms. In patients with a milder adult-onset phenotype sharing a mutation in the canonical donor splice site of intron 7 (c.879+1G>A), both the predicted altered splicing pattern with loss of exon 7 (AireEx7-/-) and normal full-length AIRE mRNA were found, indicating leaky rather than abolished mRNA splicing. Analysis of a corresponding mouse model demonstrated that the AireEx7-/- mutant had dramatically impaired transcriptional capacity of tissue-specific antigens in medullary thymic epithelial cells but still retained some ability to induce gene expression compared with the complete loss-of-function AireC313X-/- mutant. Our data illustrate an association between AIRE activity and the severity of autoimmune disease, with implications for more common autoimmune diseases associated with AIRE variants, such as primary adrenal insufficiency, pernicious anemia, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Assuntos
Doenças Autoimunes , Poliendocrinopatias Autoimunes , Adulto , Animais , Pré-Escolar , Humanos , Camundongos , Mutação , Poliendocrinopatias Autoimunes/genética , RNA Mensageiro , Linfócitos T , Proteína AIRERESUMO
Lymphocyte priming in lymph nodes (LNs) was postulated to depend on the formation of stable T cell receptor (TCR)-specific immune synapses (ISs) with antigen (Ag)-presenting dendritic cells (DCs). The high-affinity LFA-1 ligand ICAM-1 was implicated in different ISs studied in vitro. We dissect the in vivo roles of endogenous DC ICAM-1 in Ag-stimulated T cell proliferation and differentiation and find that under type 1 polarizing conditions in vaccinated or vaccinia virus-infected skin-draining LNs, Ag-presenting DCs engage in ICAM-1-dependent stable conjugates with a subset of Ag-specific CD8 blasts. Nevertheless, in the absence of these conjugates, CD8 lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation into functional cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and skin homing effector lymphocytes takes place normally. Our results suggest that although CD8 T cell blasts engage in tight ICAM-1-dependent DC-T ISs, firm ISs are dispensable for TCR-triggered proliferation and differentiation into productive effector lymphocytes.
Assuntos
Células Dendríticas , Molécula 1 de Adesão Intercelular , Molécula 1 de Adesão Intercelular/metabolismo , Células Dendríticas/metabolismo , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos , Ativação Linfocitária , Antígenos/metabolismo , Diferenciação Celular , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos T/metabolismoRESUMO
FOXN1 is a transcription factor critical for the development of both thymic epithelial cell (TEC) and hair follicle cell (HFC) compartments. However, mechanisms controlling its expression remain poorly understood. To address this question, we performed thorough analyses of the evolutionary conservation and chromatin status of the Foxn1 locus in different tissues and states and identified several putative cis-regulatory regions unique to TECs versus HFCs. Furthermore, experiments using genetically modified mice with specific deletions in the Foxn1 locus and additional bioinformatic analyses helped us identify key regions and transcription factors involved in either positive or negative regulation of Foxn1 in both TECs and HFCs. Specifically, we identified SIX1 and FOXN1 itself as key factors inducing Foxn1 expression in embryonic and neonatal TECs. Together, our data provide important mechanistic insights into the transcriptional regulation of the Foxn1 gene in TEC versus HFC and highlight the role of FOXN1 in its autoregulation.
Assuntos
Células Epiteliais , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Animais , Camundongos , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA , TimoRESUMO
Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDK1-4) inhibit the TCA cycle by phosphorylating pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). Here, we show that PDK family is dispensable for murine embryonic development and that BCKDK serves as a compensatory mechanism by inactivating PDC. First, we knocked out all four Pdk genes one by one. Surprisingly, Pdk total KO embryos developed and were born in expected ratios but died by postnatal day 4 because of hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis. Moreover, PDC was phosphorylated in these embryos, suggesting that another kinase compensates for PDK family. Bioinformatic analysis implicated branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (Bckdk), a key regulator of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) catabolism. Indeed, knockout of Bckdk and Pdk family led to the loss of PDC phosphorylation, an increase in PDC activity and pyruvate entry into the TCA cycle, and embryonic lethality. These findings reveal a regulatory crosstalk hardwiring BCAA and glucose catabolic pathways, which feed the TCA cycle.
Assuntos
Ciclo do Ácido Cítrico , Desenvolvimento Embrionário , Proteínas Quinases/metabolismo , Piruvato Desidrogenase Quinase de Transferência de Acetil/metabolismo , Complexo Piruvato Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Perda do Embrião/enzimologia , Perda do Embrião/patologia , Deleção de Genes , Hipoglicemia/complicações , Hipoglicemia/enzimologia , Hipoglicemia/patologia , Cetose/complicações , Cetose/enzimologia , Cetose/patologia , Camundongos Knockout , Modelos Biológicos , Fosforilação , Ácido Pirúvico/metabolismoRESUMO
The autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is essential for the establishment of central tolerance and prevention of autoimmunity. Interestingly, different AIRE mutations cause autoimmunity in either recessive or dominant-negative manners. Using engineered mouse models, we establish that some monoallelic mutants, including C311Y and C446G, cause breakdown of central tolerance. By using RNAseq, ATACseq, ChIPseq, and protein analyses, we dissect the underlying mechanisms for their dominancy. Specifically, we show that recessive mutations result in a lack of AIRE protein expression, while the dominant mutations in both PHD domains augment the expression of dysfunctional AIRE with altered capacity to bind chromatin and induce gene expression. Finally, we demonstrate that enhanced AIRE expression is partially due to increased chromatin accessibility of the AIRE proximal enhancer, which serves as a docking site for AIRE binding. Therefore, our data not only elucidate why some AIRE mutations are recessive while others dominant, but also identify an autoregulatory mechanism by which AIRE negatively modulates its own expression.
Assuntos
Homeostase/genética , Mutação/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Animais , Autoimunidade/genética , Cromatina/genética , Dissecação/métodos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos NOD , Modelos Animais , Proteína AIRERESUMO
Gaucher disease (GD) is currently the focus of considerable attention due primarily to the association between the gene that causes GD (GBA) and Parkinson's disease. Mouse models exist for the systemic (type 1) and for the acute neuronopathic forms (type 2) of GD. Here we report the generation of a mouse that phenotypically models chronic neuronopathic type 3 GD. Gba-/-;Gbatg mice, which contain a Gba transgene regulated by doxycycline, accumulate moderate levels of the offending substrate in GD, glucosylceramide, and live for up to 10 months, i.e. significantly longer than mice which model type 2 GD. Gba-/-;Gbatg mice display behavioral abnormalities at â¼4 months, which deteriorate with age, along with significant neuropathology including loss of Purkinje neurons. Gene expression is altered in the brain and in isolated microglia, although the changes in gene expression are less extensive than in mice modeling type 2 disease. Finally, bone deformities are consistent with the Gba-/-;Gbatg mice being a genuine type 3 GD model. Together, the Gba-/-;Gbatg mice share pathological pathways with acute neuronopathic GD mice but also display differences that might help understand the distinct disease course and progression of type 2 and 3 patients.
Assuntos
Doença de Gaucher , Células de Purkinje , Animais , Encéfalo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Doença de Gaucher/genética , Glucosilceramidase/genética , Humanos , CamundongosRESUMO
In recent years the notion that malfunctioning of the immune system may result in developmental brain diseases has emerged. However, the role of immune molecules in the developing brain has not been well explored. The complement pathway converges to cleave C3. Here we show that key proteins in the lectin arm of this pathway, MASP1, MASP2 and C3, are expressed in the developing cortex and that neuronal migration is impaired in knockout and knockdown mice. Molecular mimics of C3 cleavage products rescue the migration defects that have been seen following knockdown of C3 or Masp2. Pharmacological activation of the downstream receptors rescue Masp2 and C3 knockdown as well as C3 knockout. Therefore, we propose that the complement pathway is functionally important in migrating neurons of the developing cortex.
Assuntos
Complemento C3/genética , Lectina de Ligação a Manose da Via do Complemento/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento/imunologia , Serina Proteases Associadas a Proteína de Ligação a Manose/genética , Neurônios/imunologia , Animais , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Movimento Celular/genética , Movimento Celular/imunologia , Córtex Cerebral/citologia , Córtex Cerebral/efeitos dos fármacos , Córtex Cerebral/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Córtex Cerebral/imunologia , Complemento C3/antagonistas & inibidores , Complemento C3/imunologia , Embrião de Mamíferos , Feminino , Masculino , Serina Proteases Associadas a Proteína de Ligação a Manose/antagonistas & inibidores , Serina Proteases Associadas a Proteína de Ligação a Manose/imunologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Neurônios/citologia , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Oligopeptídeos/farmacologia , RNA Interferente Pequeno/genética , RNA Interferente Pequeno/metabolismo , Receptor da Anafilatoxina C5a/agonistas , Receptor da Anafilatoxina C5a/genética , Receptor da Anafilatoxina C5a/imunologia , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/agonistas , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/genética , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/imunologia , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a tool for functional phenotyping of the maternal circulation in the mouse placenta. PROCEDURES: In utero macromolecular dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) was performed on embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5), E13.5, and E18.5. Fluorescence analysis was also used for validation of the results. RESULTS: The initial rate of contrast enhancement revealed an increased maternal blood volume fraction as the pregnancy progressed. Serial imaging of E10.5 and E13.5 placentas revealed a loss of contrast enhancement due to phagocytic uptake. A key application of macromolecular DCE-MRI would be to follow mouse pregnancies during fetal and placental manipulation including embryo transfer, tetraploid complementation, and fetal resorptions. We were able to resolve strain differences in ICR outbred mice carrying both ICR and C57Bl/6J embryos and to differentiate in utero resorptions from functional placentas. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the importance of the functional in utero analysis of placental vascularization in physiological phenotyping of transgenic mice and suggest MRI, particularly macromolecular DCE-MRI, as a non-invasive tool for the analysis of the placenta.