Crossreactive αß T Cell Receptors Are the Predominant Targets of Thymocyte Negative Selection.

The precise impact of thymic positive and negative selection on the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire remains controversial. Here, we used unbiased, high-throughput cloning and retroviral expression of individual pre-selection TCRs to provide a direct assessment of these processes at the clonal level in vivo. We found that 15% of random TCRs induced signaling and directed positive (7.5%) or negative (7.5%) selection, depending on strength of signal, whereas the remaining 85% failed to induce signaling or selection. Most negatively selected TCRs exhibited promiscuous crossreactivity toward multiple other major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes. In contrast, TCRs that were positively selected or non-selected were minimally crossreactive. Negative selection of crossreactive TCRs led to clonal deletion but also recycling into intestinal CD4(-)CD8ß(-) intraepithelial lymphocytes (iIELs). Thus, broadly crossreactive TCRs arise at low frequency in the pre-selection repertoire but constitute the primary drivers of thymic negative selection and iIEL lineage differentiation.

Selective suppression of IL-10 transcription by calcineurin in dendritic cells through inactivation of CREB.

Myeloid cells play a pivotal role in immune responses against bacterial and fungal infection. Among innate immune receptors, C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) can induce a wide spectrum of cytokines through immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs)-mediated signaling pathways. Dendritic cells (DCs) produce IL-10 through CLR stimulation; however, the regulatory mechanism of IL-10 expression has not been elucidated. In the current study, we report that calcium (Ca2+) signaling-deficient DCs produced more IL-10 than wild-type DCs. Mechanistically, Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin directly inactivates cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), a transcription factor of Il10 in DCs, through dephosphorylating CREB at serine 133. In calcineurin-deficient DCs, CREB was highly phosphorylated and increased its binding to the Il10 promoter. Elimination of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling that phosphorylates CREB, deficiency of CREB, as well as deletion of a CREB-binding site in the Il10 promoter could diminish IL-10 production in DCs. Our findings identified a novel substrate of calcineurin as well as a mechanism through which Ca2+ signaling regulates IL-10 expression downstream of CLRs. As IL-10 is a crucial immunosuppressive cytokine, this mechanism may counteract the over-activated IL-10-producing signals induced by CARD9 and MAPK pathways, preventing the ineffectiveness of the immune system during bacterial and fungal infection.

Dectin-2 is a direct receptor for mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan of mycobacteria.

Mycobacteria possess various immunomodulatory molecules on the cell wall. Mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (Man-LAM), a major lipoglycan of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has long been known to have both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on host immunity. However, the direct Man-LAM receptor that explains its pleiotropic activities has not been clearly identified. Here, we report that a C-type lectin receptor Dectin-2 (gene symbol Clec4n) is a direct receptor for Man-LAM. Man-LAM activated bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) to produce pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, whereas it was completely abrogated in Clec4n(-/-) BMDCs. Man-LAM promoted antigen-specific T cell responses through Dectin-2 on DCs. Furthermore, Man-LAM induced experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) as an adjuvant in mice, whereas Clec4n(-/-) mice were resistant. Upon mycobacterial infection, Clec4n(-/-) mice showed augmented lung pathology. These results demonstrate that Dectin-2 contributes to host immunity against mycobacterial infection through the recognition of Man-LAM.

Orai2 channel regulates prostaglandin E2 production in TNFα/IL1α-stimulated astrocytes.

Astrocytes are glial cells that serve homeostatic functions in the central nervous system (CNS). Recent research, however, suggests that under pathological conditions, astrocytes are stimulated by various factors and actively participate in CNS inflammation. In the present study, we found that astrocytes upregulate various inflammatory factors including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) by co-stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-1alpha (IL1α). These TNFα/IL1α-stimulated astrocytes also showed increased Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and increased expression of Orai2, a member of the store-operated calcium channel (SOCC) family. To reveal the role of Orai2, we used astrocytes in which Orai2 was knocked-down (KD) or knocked-out (KO). The expression of the prostaglandin E synthase Ptges and the production of PGE2 were higher in Orai2-KD astrocytes than in WT astrocytes when stimulated with TNFα and IL1α. Orai2-KO astrocytes also showed increased expression of Ptges and increased PGE2 production. The expression of Ptgs2, another PGE2 synthetic enzyme, was also upregulated in Orai2-KO astrocytes. Moreover, Orai2-KO astrocytes showed increased store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) and increased Orai1 expression. These results suggest that Orai2 is upregulated in TNFα/IL1α-stimulated astrocytes and reduces PGE2 production to some extent, modulating CNS inflammation. Our findings may aid in understanding how astrocytes are associated with inflammatory responses, and the identification of new targets that modulate astrocytic reactivity.

Agonist-selected T cell development requires strong T cell receptor signaling and store-operated calcium entry.

T cell receptor (TCR) signaling driven by interaction of the TCR with specific complexes of self-peptide and the major histocompatibility complex determines T cell fate in thymic development. However, the signaling pathway through which TCR signal strength regulates distinct T cell lineages remains unknown. Here we have used mice lacking the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ sensors stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and STIM2 to show that STIM-induced store-operated Ca2+ entry is not essential for thymic development of conventional TCRαß+ T cells but is specifically required for the development of agonist-selected T cells (regulatory T cells, invariant natural killer T cells, and TCRαß+ CD8αα+ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes). The severe impairment of agonist-selected T cell development is mainly due to a defect in interleukin-2 (IL-2) or IL-15 signaling. Thus, STIM1 and STIM2-mediated store-operated Ca2+ influx, leading to efficient activation of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), is critical for the postselection maturation of agonist-selected T cells.

Stromal Interaction Molecule Deficiency in T Cells Promotes Spontaneous Follicular Helper T Cell Development and Causes Type 2 Immune Disorders.

Appropriate T cell responses are controlled by strict balance between activatory and inhibitory pathways downstream of TCR. Although mice or humans with impaired TCR signaling develop autoimmunity, the precise molecular mechanisms linking reduced TCR signaling to autoimmunity are not fully understood. Engagement of TCR activates Ca2+ signaling mainly through store-operated Ca2+ entry activated by stromal interaction molecule (Stim) 1 and Stim2. Despite defective T cell activation, mice deficient in both Stim1 and Stim2 in T cells (conditional double knockout [cDKO]) developed lymphoproliferative disorders and skin inflammation with a concomitant increase in serum IgG1 and IgE levels. In cDKO mice, follicular helper T (Tfh) cells were dramatically increased in number, and they produced IL-4 spontaneously. These inflammatory symptoms were abolished by the deletion of IL-4 in cDKO mice. Tfh development and inflammatory symptoms in cDKO mice were abrogated by further deletion of NFAT2 in T cells. These findings suggest that Tfh cells spontaneously developed in the absence of Ca2+ signaling and caused unregulated type 2 responses.

Dual functions for the endoplasmic reticulum calcium sensors STIM1 and STIM2 in T cell activation and tolerance.

Store-operated Ca2+ entry through calcium release-activated calcium channels is the chief mechanism for increasing intracellular Ca2+ in immune cells. Here we show that mouse T cells and fibroblasts lacking the calcium sensor STIM1 had severely impaired store-operated Ca2+ influx, whereas deficiency in the calcium sensor STIM2 had a smaller effect. However, T cells lacking either STIM1 or STIM2 had much less cytokine production and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NFAT. T cell-specific ablation of both STIM1 and STIM2 resulted in a notable lymphoproliferative phenotype and a selective decrease in regulatory T cell numbers. We conclude that both STIM1 and STIM2 promote store-operated Ca2+ entry into T cells and fibroblasts and that STIM proteins are required for the development and function of regulatory T cells.

STIM2 regulates AMPA receptor trafficking and plasticity at hippocampal synapses.

STIM2 is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that regulates the activity of plasma membrane (PM) channels at ER-PM contact sites. Recent studies show that STIM2 promotes spine maturation and surface expression of the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) subunit GluA1, hinting at a probable role in synaptic plasticity. Here, we used a Stim2 cKO mouse to explore the function of STIM2 in Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) and Depression (LTD), two widely-studied models of synaptic plasticity implicated in information storage. We found that STIM2 is required for the stable expression of both LTP and LTD at CA3-CA1 hippocampal synapses. Altered plasticity in Stim2 cKO mice is associated with subtle alterations in the shape and density of dendritic spines in CA1 neurons. Further, surface delivery of GluA1 in response to LTP-inducing chemical manipulations was markedly reduced in excitatory neurons derived from Stim2 cKO mice. GluA1 endocytosis following chemically-induced LTD was also impaired in Stim2 cKO neurons. We conclude that STIM2 facilitates synaptic delivery and removal of AMPARs and regulates activity-dependent changes in synaptic strength through a unique mode of communication between the ER and the synapse.

Human Mincle Binds to Cholesterol Crystals and Triggers Innate Immune Responses.

C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) are an emerging family of pattern recognition receptors that recognizes pathogens or damaged tissue to trigger innate immune responses. However, endogenous ligands for CLRs are not fully understood. In this study, we sought to identify an endogenous ligand(s) for human macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (hMincle). A particular fraction of lipid extracts from liver selectively activated reporter cells expressing hMincle. MS analysis determined the chemical structure of the active component as cholesterol. Purified cholesterol in plate-coated and crystalized forms activates reporter cells expressing hMincle but not murine Mincle (mMincle). Cholesterol crystals are known to activate immune cells and induce inflammatory responses through lysosomal damage. However, direct innate immune receptors for cholesterol crystals have not been identified. Murine macrophages transfected with hMincle responded to cholesterol crystals by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Human dendritic cells expressed a set of inflammatory genes in response to cholesterol crystals, and this was inhibited by anti-human Mincle. Importantly, other related CLRs did not bind cholesterol crystals, whereas other steroids were not recognized by hMincle. These results suggest that cholesterol crystals are an endogenous ligand for hMincle and that they activate innate immune responses.

IkappaBzeta regulates T(H)17 development by cooperating with ROR nuclear receptors.

Interleukin (IL)-17-producing helper T (T(H)17) cells are a distinct T-cell subset characterized by its pathological role in autoimmune diseases. IL-6 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induce T(H)17 development, in which the orphan nuclear receptors, RORgammat and RORalpha, have an indispensable role. However, in the absence of IL-6 and TGF-beta, the ectopic expression of RORgammat or RORalpha leads to only a modest IL-17 production. Here we identify a nuclear IkappaB family member, IkappaBzeta (encoded by the Nfkbiz gene), as a transcription factor required for T(H)17 development in mice. The ectopic expression of IkappaBzeta in naive CD4(+) T cells together with RORgammat or RORalpha potently induces T(H)17 development, even in the absence of IL-6 and TGF-beta. Notably, Nfkbiz(-/-) mice have a defect in T(H)17 development and a resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The T-cell-intrinsic function of IkappaBzeta was clearly demonstrated by the resistance to EAE of the Rag2(-/-) mice into which Nfkbiz(-/-) CD4(+) T cells were transferred. In cooperation with RORgammat and RORalpha, IkappaBzeta enhances Il17a expression by binding directly to the regulatory region of the Il17a gene. This study provides evidence for the transcriptional mechanisms underlying T(H)17 development and points to a molecular basis for a novel therapeutic strategy against autoimmune disease.

STIM1 and STIM2 protein deficiency in T lymphocytes underlies development of the exocrine gland autoimmune disease, Sjogren's syndrome.

Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease involving salivary and other exocrine glands that leads to progressive lymphocytic infiltration into the gland, tissue damage, and secretory defects. The mechanism underlying this disease remains poorly understood. Here we report that mice with T-cell-targeted deletion of Stromal Interaction Molecule (STIM) 1 and STIM2 [double-knockout (DKO)] mice develop spontaneous and severe pSS-like autoimmune disease, displaying major hallmarks of the disease. In DKO mice, diffuse lymphocytic infiltration was seen in submandibular glands, a major target of pSS, by age 6 wk, progressing to severe inflammation by age 12 wk. Sjögren's syndrome-specific autoantibodies (SSA/Ro and SSB/La) were detected in the serum, and progressive salivary gland destruction and loss of fluid secretion were also seen. Importantly, we report that peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as lymphocytic infiltrates in submandibular glands from patients with pSS demonstrated significant reductions in STIM1 and STIM2 proteins. Store-operated calcium entry was also reduced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pSS patients compared with those from healthy controls. Thus, deficiency of STIM1 and STIM2 proteins in T cells, and consequent defects in Ca(2+) signaling, are associated with salivary gland autoimmunopathy in DKO mice and pSS patients. These data reveal a previously unreported link between STIM1 and STIM2 proteins and pSS.

Bicarbonate signalling via G protein-coupled receptor regulates ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

Homoeostatic regulation of the acid-base balance is essential for cellular functional integrity. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism through which the acid-base balance regulates cellular responses. Here, we report that bicarbonate ions activate a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), i.e., GPR30, which leads to Gq-coupled calcium responses. Gpr30-Venus knock-in mice reveal predominant expression of GPR30 in brain mural cells. Primary culture and fresh isolation of brain mural cells demonstrate bicarbonate-induced, GPR30-dependent calcium responses. GPR30-deficient male mice are protected against ischemia-reperfusion injury by a rapid blood flow recovery. Collectively, we identify a bicarbonate-sensing GPCR in brain mural cells that regulates blood flow and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Our results provide a perspective on the modulation of GPR30 signalling in the development of innovative therapies for ischaemic stroke. Moreover, our findings provide perspectives on acid/base sensing GPCRs, concomitantly modulating cellular responses depending on fluctuating ion concentrations under the acid-base homoeostasis.

Pore architecture of the ORAI1 store-operated calcium channel.

ORAI1 is the pore-forming subunit of the calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel, a store-operated channel that is central to Ca(2+) signaling in mammalian cells. Electrophysiological data have shown that the acidic residues E106 in transmembrane helix 1 (TM1) and E190 in TM3 contribute to the high selectivity of ORAI1 channels for Ca(2+). We have examined the pore architecture of the ORAI1 channel using ORAI1 proteins engineered to contain either one or two cysteine residues. Disulfide cross-linking shows that ORAI1 assembles as a tetramer or a higher oligomer with TM1 centrally located. Cysteine side chains projecting from TM1 at position 88, 95, 102, or 106 cross-link efficiently to the corresponding side chain in a second ORAI1 monomer. Cysteine residues at position 190 or at surrounding positions in TM3 do not cross-link. We conclude that E106 residues in wild-type ORAI1 are positioned to form a Ca(2+) binding site in the channel pore and that E190 interacts less directly with ions traversing the pore. The cross-linking data further identify a relatively rigid segment of TM1 adjacent to E106 that is likely to contribute to the selectivity filter.

Calcium signaling in the development and function of T-lineage cells.

Ca2+ signals are essential for diverse cellular functions including differentiation, effector function, and gene transcription in the immune system. In lymphocytes, sustained Ca2+ entry is necessary for complete and long-lasting activation of calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathways. Engagement of immunoreceptors, such as the T-cell antigen receptor, induces store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) through plasma membrane Ca2+ channels. In lymphocytes, mast cells, and other immune cell types, SOCE through highly Ca2+-selective Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels constitute the major pathway of intracellular Ca2+ increase. A recent breakthrough in our understanding of CRAC channel function is the identification of STIM and ORAI, two essential regulators of CRAC channel function. This discovery allows us to directly address the physiological role of Ca2+ entry in lymphocytes. A growing number of studies have emphasized that Ca2+/calcineurin/NFAT pathway is crucial for both development and function of all T-cell lineage cells, such as conventional alphabeta+ TCR T cells, Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, and invariant natural killer T cells. This review focuses on the role of the signaling pathways upstream and downstream of Ca2+ influx in the development and function in T-cell lineages.

Store-operated Ca2+ entry through ORAI1 is critical for T cell-mediated autoimmunity and allograft rejection.

ORAI1 is the pore-forming subunit of the Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel, which is responsible for store-operated Ca(2+) entry in lymphocytes. A role for ORAI1 in T cell function in vivo has been inferred from in vitro studies of T cells from human immunodeficient patients with mutations in ORAI1 and Orai1(-/-) mice, but a detailed analysis of T cell-mediated immune responses in vivo in mice lacking functional ORAI1 has been missing. We therefore generated Orai1 knock-in mice (Orai1(KI/KI)) expressing a nonfunctional ORAI1-R93W protein. Homozygosity for the equivalent ORAI1-R91W mutation abolishes CRAC channel function in human T cells resulting in severe immunodeficiency. Homozygous Orai1(KI/KI) mice die neonatally, but Orai1(KI/KI) fetal liver chimeric mice are viable and show normal lymphocyte development. T and B cells from Orai1(KI/KI) mice display severely impaired store-operated Ca(2+) entry and CRAC channel function resulting in a strongly reduced expression of several key cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Cell-mediated immune responses in vivo that depend on Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell function were severely attenuated in ORAI1-deficient mice. Orai1(KI/KI) mice lacked detectable contact hypersensitivity responses and tolerated skin allografts significantly longer than wild-type mice. In addition, T cells from Orai1(KI/KI) mice failed to induce colitis in an adoptive transfer model of inflammatory bowel disease. These findings reaffirm the critical role of ORAI1 for T cell function and provide important insights into the in vivo functions of CRAC channels for T cell-mediated immunity.

Calcium signaling in lymphocytes.

In cells of the immune system, calcium signals are essential for diverse cellular functions including differentiation, effector function, and gene transcription. After the engagement of immunoreceptors such as T-cell and B-cell antigen receptors and the Fc receptors on mast cells and NK cells, the intracellular concentration of calcium ions is increased through the sequential operation of two interdependent processes: depletion of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) stores as a result of binding of inositol trisphosphate (IP(3)) to IP(3) receptors, followed by 'store-operated' Ca(2+) entry through plasma membrane Ca(2+) channels. In lymphocytes, mast cells and other immune cell types, store-operated Ca(2+) entry through specialized Ca(2+) release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels constitutes the major pathway of intracellular Ca(2+) increase. A recent breakthrough in our understanding of CRAC channel function is the identification of stromal interaction molecule (STIM) and ORAI, two essential regulators of CRAC channel function. This review focuses on the signaling pathways upstream and downstream of Ca(2+) influx (the STIM/ORAI and calcineurin/NFAT pathways, respectively).

R93W mutation in Orai1 causes impaired calcium influx in platelets.

The intracellular Ca(2+) concentration of many nonexcitable cells is regulated by calcium store release and store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). In platelets, STIM1 was recently identified as the main calcium sensor expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum. To evaluate the role of the SOC channel moiety, Orai1, in platelet SOCE, we generated mice expressing a mutated, inactive form of Orai1 in blood cells only (Orai1(R93W)). Platelets expressing Orai1(R93W) were characterized by markedly reduced SOCE and impaired agonist-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i). Orai1(R93W) platelets showed reduced integrin activation and impaired degranulation when stimulated with low agonist concentrations under static conditions. This defect, however, did not significantly affect the ability of Orai1(R93W) platelets to aggregate or to adhere to collagen under arterial flow conditions ex vivo. In contrast, these adherent Orai1(R93W) platelets were defective in surface phosphatidylserine exposure, suggesting that Orai1 is crucial for the platelets' procoagulant response rather than for other Ca(2+)-dependent cellular responses.

Requirement for Ras guanine nucleotide releasing protein 3 in coupling phospholipase C-gamma2 to Ras in B cell receptor signaling.

Two important Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors, Son of sevenless (Sos) and Ras guanine nucleotide releasing protein (RasGRP), have been implicated in controlling Ras activation when cell surface receptors are stimulated. To address the specificity or redundancy of these exchange factors, we have generated Sos1/Sos2 double- or RasGRP3-deficient B cell lines and determined their ability to mediate Ras activation upon B cell receptor (BCR) stimulation. The BCR requires RasGRP3; in contrast, epidermal growth factor receptor is dependent on Sos1 and Sos2. Furthermore, we show that BCR-induced recruitment of RasGRP3 to the membrane and the subsequent Ras activation are significantly attenuated in phospholipase C-gamma2-deficient B cells. This defective Ras activation is suppressed by the expression of RasGRP3 as a membrane-attached form, suggesting that phospholipase C-gamma2 regulates RasGRP3 localization and thereby Ras activation.

Complementation of placental defects and embryonic lethality by trophoblast-specific lentiviral gene transfer.

Placental dysfunction underlies many complications during pregnancy, and better understanding of gene function during placentation could have considerable clinical relevance. However, the lack of a facile method for placenta-specific gene manipulation has hampered investigation of placental organogenesis and the treatment of placental dysfunction. We showed previously that transduction of fertilized mouse eggs with lentiviral vectors leads to transgene expression in both the fetus and the placenta. Here we report placenta-specific gene incorporation by lentiviral transduction of mouse blastocysts after removal of the zona pellucida. All of the placentas analyzed, but none of the fetuses, were transgenic. Application of this method substantially rescued mice deficient in Ets2, Mapk14 (also known as p38alpha) and Mapk1 (also known as Erk2) from embryonic lethality caused by placental defects. Ectopic expression of Mapk11 also complemented Mapk14 deficiency during placentation.

Pivotal role of STIM2, but not STIM1, in IL-4 production by IL-3-stimulated murine basophils.

Basophils have nonredundant roles in various immune responses that require Ca2+ influx. Here, we examined the role of two Ca2+ sensors, stromal interaction molecule 1 and 2 (STIM1 and STIM2), in basophil activation. We found that loss of STIM1, but not STIM2, impaired basophil IL-4 production after stimulation with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-containing immune complexes. In contrast, when basophils were stimulated with IL-3, loss of STIM2, but not STIM1, reduced basophil IL-4 production. This difference in STIM proteins was associated with distinct time courses of Ca2+ influx and transcription of the Il4 gene that were elicited by each stimulus. Similarly, basophil-specific STIM1 expression was required for IgE-driven chronic allergic inflammation in vivo, whereas STIM2 was required for IL-4 production after combined IL-3 and IL-33 treatment in mice. These data indicate that STIM1 and STIM2 have differential roles in the production of IL-4, which are stimulus dependent. Furthermore, these results illustrate the vital role of STIM2 in basophils, which is often considered to be less important than STIM1.