CCR3-dependent eosinophil recruitment is regulated by sialyltransferase ST3Gal-IV.

Eosinophil recruitment is a pathological hallmark of many allergic and helminthic diseases. Here, we investigated chemokine receptor CCR3-induced eosinophil recruitment in sialyltransferase St3gal4-/- mice. We found a marked decrease in eosinophil extravasation into CCL11-stimulated cremaster muscles and into the inflamed peritoneal cavity of St3gal4-/- mice. Ex vivo flow chamber assays uncovered reduced adhesion of St3gal4-/- compared to wild type eosinophils. Using flow cytometry, we show reduced binding of CCL11 to St3gal4-/- eosinophils. Further, we noted reduced binding of CCL11 to its chemokine receptor CCR3 isolated from St3gal4-/- eosinophils. This was accompanied by almost absent CCR3 internalization of CCL11-stimulated St3gal4-/- eosinophils. Applying an ovalbumin-induced allergic airway disease model, we found a dramatic reduction in eosinophil numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following intratracheal challenge with ovalbumin in St3gal4-deficient mice. Finally, we also investigated tissue-resident eosinophils under homeostatic conditions and found reduced resident eosinophil numbers in the thymus and adipose tissue in the absence of ST3Gal-IV. Taken together, our results demonstrate an important role of ST3Gal-IV in CCR3-induced eosinophil recruitment in vivo rendering this enzyme an attractive target in reducing unwanted eosinophil infiltration in various disorders including allergic diseases.

CD74 is a functional MIF receptor on activated CD4+ T cells.

Next to its classical role in MHC II-mediated antigen presentation, CD74 was identified as a high-affinity receptor for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pleiotropic cytokine and major determinant of various acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Recent evidence suggests that CD74 is expressed in T cells, but the functional relevance of this observation is poorly understood. Here, we characterized the regulation of CD74 expression and that of the MIF chemokine receptors during activation of human CD4+ T cells and studied links to MIF-induced T-cell migration, function, and COVID-19 disease stage. MIF receptor profiling of resting primary human CD4+ T cells via flow cytometry revealed high surface expression of CXCR4, while CD74, CXCR2 and ACKR3/CXCR7 were not measurably expressed. However, CD4+ T cells constitutively expressed CD74 intracellularly, which upon T-cell activation was significantly upregulated, post-translationally modified by chondroitin sulfate and could be detected on the cell surface, as determined by flow cytometry, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and re-analysis of available RNA-sequencing and proteomic data sets. Applying 3D-matrix-based live cell-imaging and receptor pathway-specific inhibitors, we determined a causal involvement of CD74 and CXCR4 in MIF-induced CD4+ T-cell migration. Mechanistically, proximity ligation assay visualized CD74/CXCR4 heterocomplexes on activated CD4+ T cells, which were significantly diminished after MIF treatment, pointing towards a MIF-mediated internalization process. Lastly, in a cohort of 30 COVID-19 patients, CD74 surface expression was found to be significantly upregulated on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in patients with severe compared to patients with only mild disease course. Together, our study characterizes the MIF receptor network in the course of T-cell activation and reveals CD74 as a novel functional MIF receptor and MHC II-independent activation marker of primary human CD4+ T cells.

Pathways linking aging and atheroprotection in Mif-deficient atherosclerotic mice.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition of our arteries and the main underlying pathology of myocardial infarction and stroke. The pathogenesis is age-dependent, but the links between disease progression, age, and atherogenic cytokines and chemokines are incompletely understood. Here, we studied the chemokine-like inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in atherogenic Apoe-/- mice across different stages of aging and cholesterol-rich high-fat diet (HFD). MIF promotes atherosclerosis by mediating leukocyte recruitment, lesional inflammation, and suppressing atheroprotective B cells. However, links between MIF and advanced atherosclerosis across aging have not been systematically explored. We compared effects of global Mif-gene deficiency in 30-, 42-, and 48-week-old Apoe-/- mice on HFD for 24, 36, or 42 weeks, respectively, and in 52-week-old mice on a 6-week HFD. Mif-deficient mice exhibited reduced atherosclerotic lesions in the 30/24- and 42/36-week-old groups, but atheroprotection, which in the applied Apoe-/- model was limited to lesions in the brachiocephalic artery and abdominal aorta, was not detected in the 48/42- and 52/6-week-old groups. This suggested that atheroprotection afforded by global Mif-gene deletion differs across aging stages and atherogenic diet duration. To characterize this phenotype and study the underlying mechanisms, we determined immune cells in the periphery and vascular lesions, obtained a multiplex cytokine/chemokine profile, and compared the transcriptome between the age-related phenotypes. We found that Mif deficiency promotes lesional macrophage and T-cell counts in younger but not aged mice, with subgroup analysis pointing toward a role for Trem2+ macrophages. The transcriptomic analysis identified pronounced MIF- and aging-dependent changes in pathways predominantly related to lipid synthesis and metabolism, lipid storage, and brown fat cell differentiation, as well as immunity, and atherosclerosis-relevant enriched genes such as Plin1, Ldlr, Cpne7, or Il34, hinting toward effects on lesional lipids, foamy macrophages, and immune cells. Moreover, Mif-deficient aged mice exhibited a distinct plasma cytokine/chemokine signature consistent with the notion that mediators known to drive inflamm'aging are either not downregulated or even upregulated in Mif-deficient aged mice compared with the corresponding younger ones. Lastly, Mif deficiency favored formation of lymphocyte-rich peri-adventitial leukocyte clusters. While the causative contributions of these mechanistic pillars and their interplay will be subject to future scrutiny, our study suggests that atheroprotection due to global Mif-gene deficiency in atherogenic Apoe-/- mice is reduced upon advanced aging and identifies previously unrecognized cellular and molecular targets that could explain this phenotype shift. These observations enhance our understanding of inflamm'aging and MIF pathways in atherosclerosis and may have implications for translational MIF-directed strategies.

D-dopachrome tautomerase in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases-A new kid on the block or just another MIF?

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as well as its more recently described structural homolog D-dopachrome tautomerase (D-DT), now also termed MIF-2, are atypical cytokines and chemokines with key roles in host immunity. They also have an important pathogenic role in acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, adipose tissue inflammation, and cancer. Although our mechanistic understanding of MIF-2 is relatively limited compared to the extensive body of evidence available for MIF, emerging data suggests that MIF-2 is not only a functional phenocopy of MIF, but may have differential or even oppositional activities, depending on the disease and context. In this review, we summarize and discuss the similarities and differences between MIF and MIF-2, with a focus on their structures, receptors, signaling pathways, and their roles in diseases. While mainly covering the roles of the MIF homologs in cardiovascular, inflammatory, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases, we also discuss their involvement in cancer, sepsis, and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). A particular emphasis is laid upon potential mechanistic explanations for synergistic or cooperative activities of the MIF homologs in cancer, myocardial diseases, and COPD as opposed to emerging disparate or antagonistic activities in adipose tissue inflammation, metabolic diseases, and atherosclerosis. Lastly, we discuss potential future opportunities of jointly targeting MIF and MIF-2 in certain diseases, whereas precision targeting of only one homolog might be preferable in other conditions. Together, this article provides an update of the mechanisms and future therapeutic avenues of human MIF proteins with a focus on their emerging, surprisingly disparate activities, suggesting that MIF-2 displays a variety of activities that are distinct from those of MIF.

Heterocomplexes between the atypical chemokine MIF and the CXC-motif chemokine CXCL4L1 regulate inflammation and thrombus formation.

To fulfil its orchestration of immune cell trafficking, a network of chemokines and receptors developed that capitalizes on specificity, redundancy, and functional selectivity. The discovery of heteromeric interactions in the chemokine interactome has expanded the complexity within this network. Moreover, some inflammatory mediators, not structurally linked to classical chemokines, bind to chemokine receptors and behave as atypical chemokines (ACKs). We identified macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as an ACK that binds to chemokine receptors CXCR2 and CXCR4 to promote atherogenic leukocyte recruitment. Here, we hypothesized that chemokine-chemokine interactions extend to ACKs and that MIF forms heterocomplexes with classical chemokines. We tested this hypothesis by using an unbiased chemokine protein array. Platelet chemokine CXCL4L1 (but not its variant CXCL4 or the CXCR2/CXCR4 ligands CXCL8 or CXCL12) was identified as a candidate interactor. MIF/CXCL4L1 complexation was verified by co-immunoprecipitation, surface plasmon-resonance analysis, and microscale thermophoresis, also establishing high-affinity binding. We next determined whether heterocomplex formation modulates inflammatory/atherogenic activities of MIF. Complex formation was observed to inhibit MIF-elicited T-cell chemotaxis as assessed by transwell migration assay and in a 3D-matrix-based live cell-imaging set-up. Heterocomplexation also blocked MIF-triggered migration of microglia in cortical cultures in situ, as well as MIF-mediated monocyte adhesion on aortic endothelial cell monolayers under flow stress conditions. Of note, CXCL4L1 blocked binding of Alexa-MIF to a soluble surrogate of CXCR4 and co-incubation with CXCL4L1 attenuated MIF responses in HEK293-CXCR4 transfectants, indicating that complex formation interferes with MIF/CXCR4 pathways. Because MIF and CXCL4L1 are platelet-derived products, we finally tested their role in platelet activation. Multi-photon microscopy, FLIM-FRET, and proximity-ligation assay visualized heterocomplexes in platelet aggregates and in clinical human thrombus sections obtained from peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients undergoing thrombectomy. Moreover, heterocomplexes inhibited MIF-stimulated thrombus formation under flow and skewed the lamellipodia phenotype of adhering platelets. Our study establishes a novel molecular interaction that adds to the complexity of the chemokine interactome and chemokine/receptor-network. MIF/CXCL4L1, or more generally, ACK/CXC-motif chemokine heterocomplexes may be target structures that can be exploited to modulate inflammation and thrombosis.

Histone Deacetylase 9 Activates IKK to Regulate Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability.

RATIONALE: Arterial inflammation manifested as atherosclerosis is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Genome-wide association studies have identified a prominent role of HDAC (histone deacetylase)-9 in atherosclerosis and its clinical complications including stroke and myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: To determine the mechanisms linking HDAC9 to these vascular pathologies and explore its therapeutic potential for atheroprotection. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied the effects of Hdac9 on features of plaque vulnerability using bone marrow reconstitution experiments and pharmacological targeting with a small molecule inhibitor in hyperlipidemic mice. We further used 2-photon and intravital microscopy to study endothelial activation and leukocyte-endothelial interactions. We show that hematopoietic Hdac9 deficiency reduces lesional macrophage content while increasing fibrous cap thickness thus conferring plaque stability. We demonstrate that HDAC9 binds to IKK (inhibitory kappa B kinase)-α and ß, resulting in their deacetylation and subsequent activation, which drives inflammatory responses in both macrophages and endothelial cells. Pharmacological inhibition of HDAC9 with the class IIa HDAC inhibitor TMP195 attenuates lesion formation by reducing endothelial activation and leukocyte recruitment along with limiting proinflammatory responses in macrophages. Transcriptional profiling using RNA sequencing revealed that TMP195 downregulates key inflammatory pathways consistent with inhibitory effects on IKKß. TMP195 mitigates the progression of established lesions and inhibits the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Moreover, TMP195 diminishes features of plaque vulnerability and thereby enhances plaque stability in advanced lesions. Ex vivo treatment of monocytes from patients with established atherosclerosis reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines including IL (interleukin)-1ß and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identify HDAC9 as a regulator of atherosclerotic plaque stability and IKK activation thus providing a mechanistic explanation for the prominence of HDAC9 as a vascular risk locus in genome-wide association studies. Its therapeutic inhibition may provide a potent lever to alleviate vascular inflammation. Graphical Abstract: A graphical abstract is available for this article.

A MIF-Derived Cyclopeptide that Inhibits MIF Binding and Atherogenic Signaling via the Chemokine Receptor CXCR2.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an inflammatory cytokine and atypical chemokine with a key role in inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis. Key atherogenic functions of MIF are mediated by noncognate interaction with the chemokine receptor CXCR2. The MIF N-like loop comprising the sequence 47-56 is an important structural determinant of the MIF/CXCR2 interface and MIF(47-56) blocks atherogenic MIF activities. However, the mechanism and critical structure-activity information within this sequence have remained elusive. Here, we show that MIF(47-56) directly binds to CXCR2 to compete with MIF receptor activation. By using alanine scanning, essential and dispensable residues were identified. Moreover, MIF(cyclo10), a designed cyclized variant of MIF(47-56), inhibited key inflammatory and atherogenic MIF activities in vitro and in vivo/ex vivo, and exhibited strongly improved resistance to proteolytic degradation in human plasma in vitro, thus suggesting that it could serve as a promising basis for MIF-derived anti-atherosclerotic peptides.

Mif-deficiency favors an atheroprotective autoantibody phenotype in atherosclerosis.

The inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) promotes atherosclerosis via lesional monocyte and T-cell recruitment. B cells have emerged as important components in atherogenesis, but the interaction between MIF and B cells in atherogenesis is unknown. Here, we investigated the atherosclerotic phenotype of Mif-gene deletion in Apoe-/- mice. Apoe-/- Mif-/- mice fed a Western diet exhibited strongly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in brachiocephalic artery (BC) and abdominal aorta compared with controls. This phenotype was accompanied by reduced circulating B cells. Flow cytometry revealed a B-cell developmental defect with increased premature and immature B-cell counts in bone marrow (BM) of Apoe-/- Mif-/- mice and diminished B-cell numbers in spleen. This finding was linked with a decreased expression of Baff-R and differentiation-driving transcription factors at the immature B-cell stage, whereas peritoneal B cells exhibited unchanged CD80 and CD86 expression but vastly decreased CD9 and elevated CD23 levels, indicating that the developmental block favors the generation of immature, egressing, and reactive B cells. Mif deficiency did not affect absolute B-cell numbers in the vessel wall but favored a relative increase of B cells in the atheroprone BC region and the appearance of periadventitial B-cell-rich clusters. Of note, Mif-/- mice exhibited a significant increase in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-specific antibodies after the injection of oxLDL, indicating that Mif deficiency is associated with higher sensitivity of B cells against natural-occurring antigens such as oxLDL. Importantly, Apoe-/- mice adoptively transplanted with Apoe-/-Mif-/- BM showed reduced peripheral B cells compared with Apoe-/- BM transplantation but no atheroprotection in the BC; also, whereas there was a selective increase in atheroprotective IgM-anti-oxLDL-antibodies in global Mif deficiency, BM-specific Mif deficiency also led to elevated proatherogenic anti-oxLDL-IgG. Together, these findings reveal a novel link between MIF and B cells in atherogenesis. Protection from atherosclerosis by Mif deficiency is associated with enhanced B-cell hypersensitivity, which in global but not BM-restricted Mif deficiency favors an atheroprotective autoantibody profile in atherosclerotic mice. Targeting MIF may induce protective B-cell responses in atherosclerosis.-Schmitz, C., Noels, H., El Bounkari, O., Straussfeld, E., Megens, R. T. A., Sternkopf, M., Alampour-Rajabi, S., Krammer, C., Tilstam, P. V., Gerdes, N., Bürger, C., Kapurniotu, A., Bucala, R., Jankowski, J., Weber, C., Bernhagen, J. Mif-deficiency favors an atheroprotective autoantibody phenotype in atherosclerosis.

MIF interacts with CXCR7 to promote receptor internalization, ERK1/2 and ZAP-70 signaling, and lymphocyte chemotaxis.

Macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with chemokine-like functions and is a mediator in numerous inflammatory conditions. Depending on the context, MIF signals through 1 or more of its receptors cluster of differentiation (CD)74, CXC-motif chemokine receptor (CXCR)2, and CXCR4. In addition, heteromeric receptor complexes have been identified. We characterized the atypical chemokine receptor CXCR7 as a novel receptor for MIF. MIF promoted human CXCR7 internalization up to 40%, peaking at 50-400 nM and 30 min, but CXCR7 internalization by MIF was not dependent on CXCR4. Yet, by coimmunoprecipitation, fluorescence microscopy, and a proximity ligation assay, CXCR7 was found to engage in MIF receptor complexes with CXCR4 and CD74, both after ectopic overexpression and in endogenous conditions in a human B-cell line. Receptor competition binding and coimmunoprecipitation studies combined with sulfo-SBED-biotin-transfer provided evidence for a direct interaction between MIF and CXCR7. Finally, we demonstrated MIF/CXCR7-mediated functional responses. Blockade of CXCR7 suppressed MIF-mediated ERK- and zeta-chain-associated protein kinase (ZAP)-70 activation (from 2.1- to 1.2-fold and from 2.5- to 1.6-fold, respectively) and fully abrogated primary murine B-cell chemotaxis triggered by MIF, but not by CXCL12. B cells from Cxcr7(-/-) mice exhibited an ablated transmigration response to MIF, indicating that CXCR7 is essential for MIF-promoted B-cell migration. Our findings provide biochemical and functional evidence that MIF is an alternative ligand of CXCR7 and suggest a functional role of the MIF-CXCR7 axis in B-lymphocyte migration.

MIF promotes B cell chemotaxis through the receptors CXCR4 and CD74 and ZAP-70 signaling.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine with chemokine-like functions that plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases by promoting leukocyte recruitment. We showed that MIF promotes the atherogenic recruitment of monocytes and T cells through its receptors CXCR2 and CXCR4. Effects of MIF on B cell recruitment have not been addressed. In this study, we tested the involvement of MIF in B cell chemotaxis and studied the underlying mechanism. We show that MIF promotes primary murine B cell chemotaxis in a dose-dependent manner, comparable to the B cell chemokines CXCL13 and CXCL12. Splenic B cells express CXCR4 and the receptor CD74 but not CXCR2. Inhibition of CXCR4 or CD74 or a genetic deficiency of Cd74 in primary B cells fully abrogated MIF-mediated B cell migration, implying cooperative involvement of both receptors. MIF stimulation of B cells resulted in a rapid increase in intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization and F-actin polymerization. Intriguingly, the tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 was activated upon MIF and CXCL12 treatment in a CXCR4- and CD74-dependent manner. Pharmacological inhibition of ZAP-70 resulted in abrogation of primary B cell migration. Functional involvement of ZAP-70 was confirmed by small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown in Ramos B cell migration. Finally, primary B cells from ZAP-70 gene-deficient mice exhibited ablated transmigration in response to MIF or CXCL12. We conclude that MIF promotes the migration of B cells through a ZAP-70-dependent pathway mediated by cooperative engagement of CXCR4 and CD74. The data also suggest that MIF may contribute to B cell recruitment in vivo (e.g., in B cell-related immune disorders).

Metabolic reprogramming of immune cells by mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 to prevent post-vascular injury neointimal hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: New treatments are needed to prevent neointimal hyperplasia that contributes to post-angioplasty and stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We investigated whether modulating mitochondrial function using mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 (Mdivi-1) could reduce post-vascular injury neointimal hyperplasia by metabolic reprogramming of macrophages from a pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vivo Mdivi-1 treatment of Apoe-/- mice fed a high-fat diet and subjected to carotid-wire injury decreased neointimal hyperplasia by 68%, reduced numbers of plaque vascular smooth muscle cells and pro-inflammatory M1-like macrophages, and decreased plaque inflammation, endothelial activation, and apoptosis, when compared to control. Mdivi-1 treatment of human THP-1 macrophages shifted polarization from a pro-inflammatory M1-like to an anti-inflammatory M2-like phenotype, reduced monocyte chemotaxis and migration to CCL2 and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Finally, treatment of pro-inflammatory M1-type-macrophages with Mdivi-1 metabolically reprogrammed them to an anti-inflammatory M2-like phenotype by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation and attenuating the increase in succinate levels and correcting the decreased levels of arginine and citrulline. CONCLUSIONS: We report that treatment with Mdivi-1 inhibits post-vascular injury neointimal hyperplasia by metabolic reprogramming macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype thereby highlighting the therapeutic potential of Mdivi-1 for preventing neointimal hyperplasia and restenosis following angioplasty and stenting in CAD and PAD patients.

Identification of mRNAs that are spliced but not exported to the cytoplasm in the absence of THOC5 in mouse embryo fibroblasts.

The TREX (transcription/export) complex has been conserved throughout evolution from yeast to man and is required for coupled transcription elongation and nuclear export of mRNAs. The TREX complex in mammals and Drosophila is composed of the THO subcomplex (THOC1, THOC2, THOC5, THOC6, and THOC7), THOC3, UAP56, and Aly/THOC4. In human and Drosophila, various studies have shown that THO is required for the export of heat shock mRNAs, but nothing is known about other mRNAs. Our previous study using conditional THOC5 (or FMIP) knockout mice revealed that the presence of THOC5 is critical in hematopoietic cells but not for terminally differentiated cells. In this study, we describe the establishment of a mouse embryo fibroblast cell line (MEF), THOC5 flox/flox. Four days after infection of MEF THOC5 flox/flox with adenovirus carrying Cre-recombinase gene (Ad-GFP-Cre), THOC5 is down-regulated >95% at the protein level, and cell growth is strongly suppressed. Transcriptome analysis using cytoplasmic RNA isolated from cells lacking functional THOC5 reveals that only 2.9% of all genes were down-regulated more than twofold. Although we examined these genes in fibroblasts, one-fifth of all down-regulated genes (including HoxB3 and polycomb CBX2) are known to play a key role in hematopoietic development. We further identified 10 genes that are spliced but not exported to the cytoplasm in the absence of THOC5. These mRNAs were copurified with THOC5. Furthermore, Hsp70 mRNA was exported in the absence of THOC5 at 37°C, but not under heat shock condition (42°C), suggesting that THOC5 may be required for mRNA export under stress and/or upon signaling-induced conditions.

Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1 Interacts with CD74 to Promote AKT Signaling, Monocyte Recruitment Responses, and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), an important regulator of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), has recently been shown to interact with CD74, a receptor for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). However, the biological effects mediated by TIMP-1 through CD74 remain largely unexplored. Using sequence alignment and in silico protein-protein docking analysis, we demonstrated that TIMP-1 shares residues with both MIF and MIF-2, crucial for CD74 binding, but not for CXCR4. Subcellular colocalization, immunoprecipitation, and internalization experiments supported these findings, demonstrating that TIMP-1 interacts with surface-expressed CD74, resulting in its internalization in a dose-dependent manner, as well as with a soluble CD74 ectodomain fragment (sCD74). This prompted us to study the effects of the TIMP-1-CD74 axis on monocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSCMs) to assess its impact on vascular inflammation. A phospho-kinase array revealed the activation of serine/threonine kinases by TIMP-1 in THP-1 pre-monocytes, in particular AKT. Similarly, TIMP-1 dose-dependently triggered the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2 in primary human monocytes. Importantly, Transwell migration, 3D-based Chemotaxis, and flow adhesion assays demonstrated that TIMP-1 engagement of CD74 strongly promotes the recruitment response of primary human monocytes, while live cell imaging studies revealed a profound activating effect on VSMC proliferation. Finally, re-analysis of scRNA-seq data highlighted the expression patterns of TIMP-1 and CD74 in human atherosclerotic lesions, thus, together with our experimental data, indicating a role for the TIMP-1-CD74 axis in vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis.

THOC5 complexes with DDX5, DDX17, and CDK12 to regulate R loop structures and transcription elongation rate.

THOC5, a member of the THO complex, is essential for the 3'processing of some inducible genes, the export of a subset of mRNAs and stem cell survival. Here we show that THOC5 depletion results in altered 3'cleavage of >50% of mRNAs and changes in RNA polymerase II binding across genes. THOC5 is recruited close to high-density polymerase II sites, suggesting that THOC5 is involved in transcriptional elongation. Indeed, measurement of elongation rates in vivo demonstrated decreased rates in THOC5-depleted cells. Furthermore, THOC5 is preferentially recruited to its target genes in slow polymerase II cells compared with fast polymerase II cells. Importantly chromatin-associated THOC5 interacts with CDK12 (a modulator of transcription elongation) and RNA helicases DDX5, DDX17, and THOC6 only in slow polymerase II cells. The CDK12/THOC5 interaction promotes CDK12 recruitment to R-loops in a THOC6-dependent manner. These data demonstrate a novel function of THOC5 in transcription elongation.

CXCR4 and CD74 together enhance cell survival in response to macrophage migration-inhibitory factor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the accumulation of small, mature CD5+ B lymphocytes in the blood, marrow, and lymphoid organs. Cell survival depends on interaction with the leukemic microenvironment. However, the mechanisms controlling CLL cell survival are still incompletely understood. Macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MIF), a pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory chemokine-like cytokine, interacts with CXCR4, a major chemokine receptor, as well as with CD74/invariant chain, a single-pass type II receptor. In this study, we analyzed the roles of CXCR4, CD74, and MIF in CLL. Mononuclear cells from patients with hematological malignancies were analyzed for coexpression of CXCR4 and CD74 by flow cytometry. Strong co- and overexpression of CXCR4 and CD74 were observed on B cells of CLL patients (n = 10). Survival and chemotaxis assays indicated that CXCR4 and CD74 work together to enhance the survival and migration of malignant cells in CLL. Blockade of the receptors, either individually or in combination, promoted cell death and led to an abrogation of MIF-driven migration responses in murine and human CLL cells, suggesting that joint activation of both receptors is crucial for CLL cell survival and mobility. These findings indicate that the MIF/CXCR4/CD74 axis represents a novel therapeutic target in CLL.

Designed peptides as nanomolar cross-amyloid inhibitors acting via supramolecular nanofiber co-assembly.

Amyloid self-assembly is linked to numerous devastating cell-degenerative diseases. However, designing inhibitors of this pathogenic process remains a major challenge. Cross-interactions between amyloid-ß peptide (Aß) and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), key polypeptides of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), have been suggested to link AD with T2D pathogenesis. Here, we show that constrained peptides designed to mimic the Aß amyloid core (ACMs) are nanomolar cross-amyloid inhibitors of both IAPP and Aß42 and effectively suppress reciprocal cross-seeding. Remarkably, ACMs act by co-assembling with IAPP or Aß42 into amyloid fibril-resembling but non-toxic nanofibers and their highly ordered superstructures. Co-assembled nanofibers exhibit various potentially beneficial features including thermolability, proteolytic degradability, and effective cellular clearance which are reminiscent of labile/reversible functional amyloids. ACMs are thus promising leads for potent anti-amyloid drugs in both T2D and AD while the supramolecular nanofiber co-assemblies should inform the design of novel functional (hetero-)amyloid-based nanomaterials for biomedical/biotechnological applications.

THOC5/FMIP, an mRNA export TREX complex protein, is essential for hematopoietic primitive cell survival in vivo.

BACKGROUND: The transcription/export complex is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to man and is required for coupled transcription elongation and nuclear export of mRNAs. FMIP(Fms interacting protein) is a member of the THO (suppressors of the transcriptional defects of hpr1delta by overexpression) complex which is a subcomplex of the transcription/export complex. THO complex (THOC) components are not essential for bulk poly (A)+ RNA export in higher eukaryotes, but for the nuclear export of subset of mRNAs, however, their exact role is still unclear. RESULTS: To study the role of THOC5/Fms interacting protein in vivo, we generated THOC5/Fms interacting protein knockout mice. Since these mice are embryonic lethal, we then generated interferon inducible conditional THOC5/Fms interacting protein knockout mice. After three poly injections all of the mice died within 14 days. No pathological alterations, however, were observed in liver, kidney or heart. Thus we considered the hematopoietic system and found that seven days after poly injection, the number of blood cells in peripheral blood decreased drastically. Investigation of bone marrow cells showed that these became apoptotic within seven days after poly injection. Committed myeloid progenitor cells and cells with long term reconstituting potential were lost from bone marrow within four days after poly injection. Furthermore, infusion of normal bone marrow cells rescued mice from death induced by loss of THOC5/Fms interacting protein. CONCLUSION: THOC5/Fms interacting protein is an essential element in the maintenance of hematopoiesis. Furthermore, mechanistically depletion of THOC5/Fms interacting protein causes the down-regulation of its direct interacting partner, THOC1 which may contribute to altered THO complex function and cell death.

Studying the Pro-Migratory Effects of MIF.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an upstream regulator of innate immunity and dysregulated MIF is a key mediator of acute and chronic inflammatory processes, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer. MIF is a pleiotropic cytokine with chemokine-like functions that has been designated as an atypical chemokine (ACK). It orchestrates leukocyte recruitment and migration into inflamed tissues through non-cognate interactions with the classical chemokine receptors CXCR2 and CXCR4, pathways that are further facilitated by MIF's cognate receptor CD74. Here, we describe two complementary methods that can be used to characterize immune cell migration and motility responses controlled by MIF and its receptors. These are the Transwell filter migration assay, also known as modified Boyden chamber assay, a two-dimensional (2D) device, and a matrix-based three-dimensional (3D) chemotaxis assay. The Transwell system is primarily suitable to study chemotactic cell transmigration responses toward a chemoattractant such as MIF through a porous filter membrane. The 3D chemotaxis setup enables for the cellular tracking of migration, invasion, and motility of single cells using live cell imaging.

Designed CXCR4 mimic acts as a soluble chemokine receptor that blocks atherogenic inflammation by agonist-specific targeting.

Targeting a specific chemokine/receptor axis in atherosclerosis remains challenging. Soluble receptor-based strategies are not established for chemokine receptors due to their discontinuous architecture. Macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) is an atypical chemokine that promotes atherosclerosis through CXC-motif chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4). However, CXCR4/CXCL12 interactions also mediate atheroprotection. Here, we show that constrained 31-residue-peptides ('msR4Ms') designed to mimic the CXCR4-binding site to MIF, selectively bind MIF with nanomolar affinity and block MIF/CXCR4 without affecting CXCL12/CXCR4. We identify msR4M-L1, which blocks MIF- but not CXCL12-elicited CXCR4 vascular cell activities. Its potency compares well with established MIF inhibitors, whereas msR4M-L1 does not interfere with cardioprotective MIF/CD74 signaling. In vivo-administered msR4M-L1 enriches in atherosclerotic plaques, blocks arterial leukocyte adhesion, and inhibits atherosclerosis and inflammation in hyperlipidemic Apoe-/- mice in vivo. Finally, msR4M-L1 binds to MIF in plaques from human carotid-endarterectomy specimens. Together, we establish an engineered GPCR-ectodomain-based mimicry principle that differentiates between disease-exacerbating and -protective pathways and chemokine-selectively interferes with atherosclerosis.