MYC directly transactivates CR2/CD21, the receptor of the Epstein-Barr virus, enhancing the viral infection of Burkitt lymphoma cells.

MYC is an oncogenic transcription factor dysregulated in about half of total human tumors. While transcriptomic studies reveal more than 1000 genes regulated by MYC, a much smaller fraction of genes is directly transactivated by MYC. Virtually all Burkitt lymphoma (BL) carry chromosomal translocations involving MYC oncogene. Most endemic BL and a fraction of sporadic BL are associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The currently accepted mechanism is that EBV is the BL-causing agent inducing MYC translocation. Herein we show that the EBV receptor, CR2 (also called CD21), is a direct MYC target gene. This is based on several pieces of evidence: MYC induces CR2 expression in both proliferating and arrested cells and in the absence of protein synthesis, binds the CR2 promoter and transactivates CR2 in an E-box-dependent manner. Moreover, using mice with conditional MYC ablation we show that MYC induces CR2 in primary B cells. Importantly, modulation of MYC levels directly correlates with EBV's ability of infection in BL cells. Altogether, in contrast to the widely accepted hypothesis for the correlation between EBV and BL, we propose an alternative hypothesis in which MYC dysregulation could be the first event leading to the subsequent EBV infection.

INPP5K controls the dynamic structure and signaling of wild-type and mutated, leukemia-associated IL-7 receptors.

The downstream signaling of the interleukin-7 (IL-7) receptor (IL-7R) plays important physiological and pathological roles, including the differentiation of lymphoid cells and proliferation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Gain-of-function mutations in the IL-7Rα chain, the specific component of the receptor for IL-7, result in constitutive, IL-7-independent signaling and trigger acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Here, we show that the loss of the phosphoinositide 5-phosphatase INPP5K is associated with increased levels of the INPP5K substrate phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns[4,5]P2) and causes an altered dynamic structure of the IL-7 receptor. We discovered that the IL-7Rα chain contains a very conserved positively charged polybasic amino acid sequence in its cytoplasmic juxtamembrane region; this region establish stronger ionic interactions with negatively charged PtdIns(4,5)P2 in the absence of INPP5K, freezing the IL-7Rα chain structure. This dynamic structural alteration causes defects in IL-7R signaling, culminating in decreased expressions of EBF1 and PAX5 transcription factors, in microdomain formation, cytoskeletal reorganization, and bone marrow B-cell differentiation. Similar alterations after the reduced INPP5K expression also affected mutated, constitutively activated IL-7Rα chains that trigger leukemia development, leading to reduced cell proliferation. Altogether, our results indicate that the lipid 5-phosphatase INPP5K hydrolyzes PtdIns(4,5)P2, allowing the requisite conformational changes of the IL-7Rα chain for optimal signaling.

Extracellular vesicles from pristane-treated CD38-deficient mice express an anti-inflammatory neutrophil protein signature, which reflects the mild lupus severity elicited in these mice.

In CD38-deficient ( Cd38-/- ) mice intraperitoneal injection of pristane induces a lupus-like disease, which is milder than that induced in WT mice, showing significant differences in the inflammatory and autoimmune processes triggered by pristane. Extracellular vesicles (EV) are present in all body fluids. Shed by cells, their molecular make-up reflects that of their cell of origin and/or tissue pathological situation. The aim of this study was to analyze the protein composition, protein abundance, and functional clustering of EV released by peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) in the pristane experimental lupus model, to identify predictive or diagnostic biomarkers that might discriminate the autoimmune process in lupus from inflammatory reactions and/or normal physiological processes. In this study, thanks to an extensive proteomic analysis and powerful bioinformatics software, distinct EV subtypes were identified in the peritoneal exudates of pristane-treated mice: 1) small EV enriched in the tetraspanin CD63 and CD9, which are likely of exosomal origin; 2) small EV enriched in CD47 and CD9, which are also enriched in plasma-membrane, membrane-associated proteins, with an ectosomal origin; 3) small EV enriched in keratins, ECM proteins, complement/coagulation proteins, fibrin clot formation proteins, and endopetidase inhibitor proteins. This enrichment may have an inflammation-mediated mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition origin, representing a protein corona on the surface of peritoneal exudate EV; 4) HDL-enriched lipoprotein particles. Quantitative proteomic analysis allowed us to identify an anti-inflammatory, Annexin A1-enriched pro-resolving, neutrophil protein signature, which was more prominent in EV from pristane-treated Cd38-/- mice, and quantitative differences in the protein cargo of the ECM-enriched EV from Cd38-/- vs WT mice. These differences are likely to be related with the distinct inflammatory outcome shown by Cd38-/- vs WT mice in response to pristane treatment. Our results demonstrate the power of a hypothesis-free and data-driven approach to transform the heterogeneity of the peritoneal exudate EV from pristane-treated mice in valuable information about the relative proportion of different EV in a given sample and to identify potential protein markers specific for the different small EV subtypes, in particular those proteins defining EV involved in the resolution phase of chronic inflammation.

Profibrotic Role of Inducible Heat Shock Protein 90α Isoform in Systemic Sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that affects skin and multiple internal organs. TGF-ß, a central trigger of cutaneous fibrosis, activates fibroblasts with the involvement of the stress-inducible chaperone heat shock protein 90 isoform α (Hsp90α). Available evidence supports overexpression and secretion of Hsp90α as a feature in profibrotic pathological conditions. The aim of this work is to investigate the expression and function of Hsp90α in experimental models of skin fibrosis such as human fibroblasts, C57BL/6 mice, and in human SSc. For this purpose, we generated a new experimental model based on doxorubicin administration with improved characteristics with respect to the bleomycin model. We visualized disease progression in vivo by fluorescence imaging. In this work, we obtained Hsp90α mRNA overexpression in human skin fibroblasts, in bleomycin- and doxorubicin-induced mouse fibrotic skin, and in lungs of bleomycin- and doxorubicin-treated mice. Hsp90α-deficient mice showed significantly decreased skin thickness compared with wild-type mice in both animal models. In SSc patients, serum Hsp90α levels were increased in patients with lung involvement and in patients with the diffuse form of SSc (dSSc) compared with patients with the limited form of SSc. The serum Hsp90α levels of patients dSSc were correlated with the Rodnan score and the forced vital capacity variable. These results provide new supportive evidence of the contribution of the Hsp90α isoform in the development of skin fibrosis. In SSc, these results indicated that higher serum levels were associated with dSSc and lung fibrosis.

Oncofid-P-B: a novel treatment for BCG unresponsive carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder: Results of a prospective European Multicentre study at 15 months from treatment start.

PURPOSE: This study reports the safety and efficacy of Oncofid-P-B, a novel compound under development by Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A. with specific binding to CD44 receptor, in patients with CIS unresponsive or intolerant to BCG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a phase 1 open-label, single arm, multicenter European study to assess safety, tolerability and efficacy of Oncofid-P-B administered in 20 patients with CIS ± Ta-T1, unresponsive or intolerant to BCG, unwilling or unfit for cystectomy. Oncofid-P-B was administered by intravesical instillation for 12 consecutive weeks (intensive phase) followed, in CR patients, by 12 monthly instillations (maintenance phase). The primary objective was the overall safety profile. Secondary objectives included: i) any evidence of antitumor activity, ii) patient's compliance, iii) systemic absorption. The CR was defined as a negative cystoscopy, negative biopsy of the urothelium and negative cytology. RESULTS: At the end of the intensive phase, 15 of the 20 enrolled patients (75%), achieved the CR. Patients still in CR after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of maintenance phase were 13 (65%), 12 (60%), 9 (45%) and 8 (40%), respectively. Only seven (5 mild and 2 moderate) drug-related AEs were reported in three patients. No drug related serious AEs and no drug related withdrawals have been reported. In all plasma samples, the drug concentratiosn was below the LLOQ (1ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Oncofid-P-B is very safe, well tolerated and highly effective (75% CR) when administered weekly for up to 12 consecutive weeks (75% CR), with 40% CR still after 15 months from treatment start.

CD38 Deficiency Ameliorates Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Murine Lupus via a B-Cell-Dependent Mechanism.

The absence of the mouse cell surface receptor CD38 in Cd38-/- mice suggests that this receptor acts as a positive regulator of inflammatory and autoimmune responses. Here, we report that, in the context of the chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) lupus inducible model, the transfer of B6.C-H2bm12/KhEg(bm12) spleen cells into co-isogenic Cd38-/- B6 mice causes milder lupus-like autoimmunity with lower levels of anti-ssDNA autoantibodies than the transfer of bm12 spleen cells into WT B6 mice. In addition, significantly lower percentages of Tfh cells, as well as GC B cells, plasma cells, and T-bet+CD11chi B cells, were observed in Cd38-/- mice than in WT mice, while the expansion of Treg cells and Tfr cells was normal, suggesting that the ability of Cd38-/- B cells to respond to allogeneic help from bm12 CD4+ T cells is greatly diminished. The frequencies of T-bet+CD11chi B cells, which are considered the precursors of the autoantibody-secreting cells, correlate with anti-ssDNA autoantibody serum levels, IL-27, and sCD40L. Proteomics profiling of the spleens from WT cGVHD mice reflects a STAT1-driven type I IFN signature, which is absent in Cd38-/- cGVHD mice. Kidney, spleen, and liver inflammation was mild and resolved faster in Cd38-/- cGVHD mice than in WT cGVHD mice. We conclude that CD38 in B cells functions as a modulator receptor that controls autoimmune responses.

Low-Cost Prototype to Automate the 3D Digitization of Pieces: An Application Example and Comparison.

This work is aimed at describing the design of a mechanical and programmable 3D capturing system to be used by either 3D scanner or DSLR camera through photogrammetry. Both methods are widely used in diverse areas, from engineering, architecture or archaeology, up to the field of medicine; but they also entail certain disadvantages, such as the high costs of certain equipment, such as scanners with some precision, and the need to resort to specialized operatives, among others. The purpose of this design is to create a robust, precise and cost-effective system that improves the limitations of the present equipment on the market, such as robotic arms or rotary tables. For this reason, a preliminary study has been conducted to analyse the needs of improvement, later, we have focused on the 3D design and prototyping. For its construction, there have been used the FDM additive technology and structural components that are easy to find in the market. With regards to electronic components, basic electronics and Arduino-based 3D printers firmware have been selected. For system testing, the capture equipment consists of a Spider Artec 3D Scanner and a Nikon 5100 SLR Camera. Finally, 3D models have been developed by comparing the 3D meshes obtained by the two methods, obtaining satisfactory results.

Therapeutic Effects of Anti-Bone Morphogenetic Protein and Activin Membrane-Bound Inhibitor Treatment in Psoriasis and Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) inhibitor BAMBI (bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor) has been shown to control differentiation of CD4+ T lymphocytes into either tolerogenic Treg cells or pathogenic Th17 cells, through the regulation of TGFß and interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling strength. The present study was undertaken to explore the potential beneficial effects of this strategy of pharmacologic inhibition using novel anti-BAMBI monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in different experimental murine models of chronic skin and joint inflammatory/autoimmune disease. METHODS: Development of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan-induced psoriatic arthritis (MIP) (n = 18-30 mice per group), imiquimod-induced skin psoriasis (n = 20-30 mice per group), or type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) (n = 13-16 mice per group) was analyzed in a total of 2-5 different experiments with either wild-type (WT) or BAMBI-deficient B10.RIII mice that were left untreated or treated with mAb B101.37 (mouse IgG1 anti-BAMBI), a mouse IgG1 anti-TNP isotype control, anti-CD25, or anti-TGFß mAb. RESULTS: Treatment of normal mice with IgG1 anti-BAMBI mAb clone B101.37 led to expansion of Treg cells in vivo, and had both preventive and therapeutic effects in mice with MIP (each P < 0.05 versus controls). The conferred protection against disease progression was found to be mediated by Treg cells, which controlled the activation and expansion of pathogenic IL-17-producing cells, and was dependent on the level of TGFß activity. Furthermore, treatment with B101.37 mAb blocked both the development of skin psoriasis induced by imiquimod and the development of CIA in mice (each P < 0.05 versus controls). Finally, pharmacologic inhibition of BAMBI with the IgM anti-BAMBI mAb B143.14 also potentiated the suppressive activity of Treg cells in vitro (P < 0.001 versus controls). CONCLUSION: These results in murine models identify BAMBI as a promising new therapeutic target for chronic inflammatory diseases and other pathologic conditions modulated by Treg cells.

Multifaceted effects of soluble human CD6 in experimental cancer models.

BACKGROUND: CD6 is a lymphocyte surface co-receptor physically associated with the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex at the center of the immunological synapse. There, CD6 assists in cell-to-cell contact stabilization and modulation of activation/differentiation events through interaction with CD166/ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule), its main reported ligand. While accumulating evidence is attracting new interest on targeting CD6 for therapeutic purposes in autoimmune disorders, little is known on its potential in cancer. In an attempt to elucidate the in vivo relevance of blocking CD6-mediated interactions in health and disease, we explored the consequences of expressing high circulating levels of a soluble form CD6 (sCD6) as a decoy receptor. METHODS: High sCD6 serum levels were achieved by using transgenic C57BL/6 mice expressing human sCD6 under the control of lymphoid-specific transcriptional elements (shCD6LckEµTg) or wild type either transduced with hepatotropic adeno-associated virus coding for mouse sCD6 or undergoing repeated infusions of recombinant human sCD6 protein. Characterization of sCD6-induced changes was performed by ex vivo flow cytometry and functional analyses of mouse lymphoid organ cells. The in vivo relevance of those changes was explored by challenging mice with subcutaneous or metastatic tumors induced by syngeneic cancer cells of different lineage origins. RESULTS: Through a combination of in vitro and in vivo studies, we show that circulating sCD6 expression induces defective regulatory T cell (Treg) generation and function, decreased CD166/ALCAM-mediated tumor cell proliferation/migration and impaired galectin-induced T-cell apoptosis, supporting the fact that sCD6 modulates antitumor lymphocyte effector function and tumorigenesis. Accordingly, sCD6 expression in vivo resulted in delayed subcutaneous tumor growth and/or reduced metastasis on challenge of mice with syngeneic cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence is provided for the disruption of CD6 receptor-ligand interactions as a feasible immunomodulatory approach in cancer.

TGFß Superfamily Members as Regulators of B Cell Development and Function-Implications for Autoimmunity.

The TGFß superfamily is composed of more than 33 growth and differentiation factors, including TGFß1, ß2, ß3, BMPs, GDFs, nodal-related proteins, and activins. These members usually exert pleiotropic actions on several tissues and control multiple cellular processes, such as cell growth, cell survival, cell migration, cell fate specification, and differentiation, both during embryonic development and postnatal life. Although the effects of these factors on immune responses were elucidated long ago, most studies have been focused on the actions of TGFßs on T cells, as major regulators of adaptive immunity. In this review, we discuss new findings about the involvement of TGFß superfamily members in the control of B cell development and function. Moreover, the potential contribution of TGFß signaling to control B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases and its utility in the design of new therapies are also discussed.

Anti-IL17 treatment ameliorates Down syndrome phenotypes in mice.

Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by structural and functional anomalies that are present prenatally and that lead to intellectual disabilities. Later in life, the cognitive abilities of DS individuals progressively deteriorate due to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated neuropathology (i.e., ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neurodegeneration, synaptic pathology, neuroinflammation and increased oxidative stress). Increasing evidence has shown that among these pathological processes, neuroinflammation plays a predominant role in AD etiopathology. In AD mouse models, increased neuroinflammation appears earlier than Aß plaques and NFTs, and in DS and AD models, neuroinflammation exacerbates the levels of soluble and insoluble Aß species, favoring neurodegeneration. The Ts65Dn (TS) mouse, the most commonly used murine model of DS, recapitulates many alterations present in both DS and AD individuals, including enhanced neuroinflammation. In this study, we observed an altered neuroinflammatory milieu in the hippocampus of the TS mouse model. Pro-inflammatory mediators that were elevated in the hippocampus of this model included pro-inflammatory cytokine IL17A, which has a fundamental role in mediating brain damage in neuroinflammatory processes. Here, we analyzed the ability of an anti-IL17A antibody to reduce the neuropathological alterations that are present in TS mice during early neurodevelopmental stages (i.e., hippocampal neurogenesis and hypocellularity) or that are aggravated in later-life stages (i.e., cognitive abilities, cholinergic neuronal loss and increased cellular senescence, APP expression, Aß peptide expression and neuroinflammation). Administration of anti-IL17 for 5 months, starting at the age of 7 months, partially improved the cognitive abilities of the TS mice, reduced the expression of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and the density of activated microglia and normalized the APP and Aß1-42 levels in the hippocampi of the TS mice. These results suggest that IL17-mediated neuroinflammation is involved in several AD phenotypes in TS mice and provide a new therapeutic target to reduce these pathological characteristics.

CD38 promotes pristane-induced chronic inflammation and increases susceptibility to experimental lupus by an apoptosis-driven and TRPM2-dependent mechanism.

In this study, we investigated the role of CD38 in a pristane-induced murine model of lupus. CD38-deficient (Cd38-/-) but not ART2-deficient (Art2-/-) mice developed less severe lupus compared to wild type (WT) mice, and their protective phenotype consisted of (i) decreased IFN-I-stimulated gene expression, (ii) decreased numbers of peritoneal CCR2hiLy6Chi inflammatory monocytes, TNF-α-producing Ly6G+ neutrophils and Ly6Clo monocytes/macrophages, (iii) decreased production of anti-single-stranded DNA and anti-nRNP autoantibodies, and (iv) ameliorated glomerulonephritis. Cd38-/- pristane-elicited peritoneal exudate cells had defective CCL2 and TNF-α secretion following TLR7 stimulation. However, Tnf-α and Cxcl12 gene expression in Cd38-/- bone marrow (BM) cells was intact, suggesting a CD38-independent TLR7/TNF-α/CXCL12 axis in the BM. Chemotactic responses of Cd38-/- Ly6Chi monocytes and Ly6G+ neutrophils were not impaired. However, Cd38-/- Ly6Chi monocytes and Ly6Clo monocytes/macrophages had defective apoptosis-mediated cell death. Importantly, mice lacking the cation channel TRPM2 (Trpm2-/-) exhibited very similar protection, with decreased numbers of PECs, and apoptotic Ly6Chi monocytes and Ly6Clo monocytes/macrophages compared to WT mice. These findings reveal a new role for CD38 in promoting aberrant inflammation and lupus-like autoimmunity via an apoptosis-driven mechanism. Furthermore, given the implications of CD38 in the activation of TRPM2, our data suggest that CD38 modulation of pristane-induced apoptosis is TRPM2-dependent.

Context-dependent regulation of Th17-associated genes and IFNγ expression by the transcription factor NFAT5.

Stress-activated transcription factors influence T-cell function in different physiopathologic contexts. NFAT5, a relative of nuclear factor κB and the calcineurin-activated NFATc transcription factors, protects mammalian cells from hyperosmotic stress caused by the elevation of extracellular sodium levels. In T cells exposed to hypernatremia, NFAT5 not only induces osmoprotective gene products but also cytokines and immune receptors, which raises the question of whether this factor could regulate other T-cell functions in osmostress-independent contexts. Here we have used mice with a conditional deletion of Nfat5 in mature T lymphocytes to explore osmostress-dependent and -independent functions of this factor. In vitro experiments with CD4 T cells stimulated in hyperosmotic medium showed that NFAT5 enhanced the expression of IL-2 and the Th17-associated gene products RORγt and IL-23R. By contrast, NFAT5-deficient CD4 T cells activated in vivo by anti-CD3 antibody exhibited a different activation profile and were skewed towards enhanced interferon γ (IFNγ) and IL-17 expression and attenuated Treg responses. Using a model of experimental colitis, we observed that mice lacking NFAT5 in T cells exhibited exacerbated intestinal colitis and enhanced expression of IFNγ in draining lymph nodes and colon. These results show that NFAT5 can modulate different T-cell responses depending on stress conditions and stimulatory context.

Map3k8 Modulates Monocyte State and Atherogenesis in ApoE-/- Mice.

OBJECTIVE: Map3k8 (Cot/Tpl2) activates the MKK1/2-ERK1/2, MAPK pathway downstream from interleukin-1R, tumor necrosis factor-αR, NOD-2R (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like 2R), adiponectinR, and Toll-like receptors. Map3k8 plays a key role in innate and adaptive immunity and influences inflammatory processes by modulating the functions of different cell types. However, its role in atherogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we analyzed the role of this kinase in this pathology. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We show here that Map3k8 deficiency results in smaller numbers of Ly6ChighCD11clow and Ly6ClowCD11chigh monocytes in ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Map3k8-/-ApoE-/- monocytes displayed high rates of apoptosis and reduced amounts of Nr4a1, a transcription factor known to modulate apoptosis in Ly6ClowCD11chigh monocytes. Map3k8-/-ApoE-/- splenocytes and macrophages showed irregular patterns of cytokine and chemokine expression. Map3k8 deficiency altered cell adhesion and migration in vivo and decreased CCR2 expression, a determinant chemokine receptor for monocyte mobilization, on circulating Ly6ChighCD11clow monocytes. Map3k8-/-ApoE-/- mice fed an HFD showed decreased cellular infiltration in the atherosclerotic plaque, with low lipid content. Lesions had similar size after Map3k8+/+ApoE-/- bone marrow transplant into Map3k8-/-ApoE-/- and Map3k8+/+ApoE-/- mice fed an HFD, whereas smaller plaques were observed after the transplantation of bone marrow lacking both ApoE and Map3k8. CONCLUSIONS: Map3k8 decreases apoptosis of monocytes and enhances CCR2 expression on Ly6ChighCD11clow monocytes of ApoE-/- mice fed an HFD. These findings explain the smaller aortic lesions in ApoE-/- mice with Map3k8-/-ApoE-/- bone marrow cells fed an HFD, supporting further studies of Map3k8 as an antiatherosclerotic target.

CD6 modulates thymocyte selection and peripheral T cell homeostasis.

The CD6 glycoprotein is a lymphocyte surface receptor putatively involved in T cell development and activation. CD6 facilitates adhesion between T cells and antigen-presenting cells through its interaction with CD166/ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule), and physically associates with the T cell receptor (TCR) at the center of the immunological synapse. However, its precise role during thymocyte development and peripheral T cell immune responses remains to be defined. Here, we analyze the in vivo consequences of CD6 deficiency. CD6(-/-) thymi showed a reduction in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) single-positive subsets, and double-positive thymocytes exhibited increased Ca(2+) mobilization to TCR cross-linking in vitro. Bone marrow chimera experiments revealed a T cell-autonomous selective disadvantage of CD6(-/-) T cells during development. The analysis of TCR-transgenic mice (OT-I and Marilyn) confirmed that abnormal T cell selection events occur in the absence of CD6. CD6(-/-) mice displayed increased frequencies of antigen-experienced peripheral T cells generated under certain levels of TCR signal strength or co-stimulation, such as effector/memory (CD4(+)TEM and CD8(+)TCM) and regulatory (T reg) T cells. The suppressive activity of CD6(-/-) T reg cells was diminished, and CD6(-/-) mice presented an exacerbated autoimmune response to collagen. Collectively, these data indicate that CD6 modulates the threshold for thymocyte selection and the generation and/or function of several peripheral T cell subpopulations, including T reg cells.

Selective Impairment of TH17-Differentiation and Protection against Autoimmune Arthritis after Overexpression of BCL2A1 in T Lymphocytes.

The inhibition of apoptotic cell death in T cells through the dysregulated expression of BCL2 family members has been associated with the protection against the development of different autoimmune diseases. However, multiple mechanisms were proposed to be responsible for such protective effect. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of the T-cell overexpression of BCL2A1, an anti-apoptotic BCL2 family member without an effect on cell cycle progression, in the development of collagen-induced arthritis. Our results demonstrated an attenuated development of arthritis in these transgenic mice. The protective effect was unrelated to the suppressive activity of regulatory T cells but it was associated with a defective activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in CD4+ cells after in vitro TCR stimulation. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo TH17 differentiation were impaired in BCL2A1 transgenic mice. Taken together, we demonstrated here a previously unknown role for BCL2A1 controlling the activation of CD4+ cells and their differentiation into pathogenic proinflammatory TH17 cells and identified BCL2A1 as a potential target in the control of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein and Activin Membrane-Bound Inhibitor, a Transforming Growth Factor ß Rheostat That Controls Murine Treg Cell/Th17 Cell Differentiation and the Development of Autoimmune Arthritis by Reducing Interleukin-2 Signaling.

OBJECTIVE: Transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) plays a prominent role in the establishment of immunologic tolerance, and mice lacking TGFß1 die of multiorgan inflammation early in life. TGFß controls the differentiation of CD4+ lymphocytes into Treg cells or proinflammatory Th17 cells. Although this dual capacity is modulated by the presence of additional cytokines around the activated cells, TGFß also dissociates Th17/Treg cell differentiation in a dose-dependent manner by mechanisms still unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the contribution of bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) to the modulation of TGFß activity during the differentiation of CD4+ cells and in the control of immunologic tolerance in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: The in vitro and in vivo Treg cell and Th17 cell differentiation and the development of CIA were compared in wild-type mice and BAMBI-deficient mice. RESULTS: BAMBI was induced after activation by TGFß and fixed the appropriate intensity level of TGFß signaling in CD4+ cells. Its deficiency protected mice against the development of CIA by a Treg cell- and TGFß-dependent mechanism. Mechanistically, BAMBI was found to regulate CD25 expression and interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling in Treg cells and in IL-2- and/or TGFß-activated CD4+ cells and modulated Treg cell and Th17 cell differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results indicate that BAMBI is a component of a rheostat-like mechanism that, through the control of TGFß and IL-2 signaling strength, regulates the differentiation of CD4+ lymphocytes and the development of autoimmune arthritis.

Distinct serum proteome profiles associated with collagen-induced arthritis and complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammation in CD38⁻/⁻ mice: The discriminative power of protein species or proteoforms.

Collagen-type-II-induced arthritis (CIA) is an autoimmune disease, which involves a complex host systemic response including inflammatory and autoimmune reactions. CIA is milder in CD38(-/-) than in wild-type (WT) mice. ProteoMiner-equalized serum samples were subjected to 2D-DiGE and MS-MALDI-TOF/TOF analyses to identify proteins that changed in their relative abundances in CD38(-/-) versus WT mice either with arthritis (CIA(+) ), with no arthritis (CIA(-) ), or with inflammation (complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-treated mice). Multivariate analyses revealed that a multiprotein signature (n = 28) was able to discriminate CIA(+) from CIA(-) mice, and WT from CD38(-/-) mice within each condition. Likewise, a distinct multiprotein signature (n = 16) was identified which differentiated CIA(+) CD38(-/-) mice from CIA(+) WT mice, and lastly, a third multiprotein signature (n = 18) indicated that CD38(-/-) and WT mice could be segregated in response to CFA treatment. Further analyses showed that the discriminative power to distinguish these groups was reached at protein species level and not at the protein level. Hence, the need to identify and quantify proteins at protein species level to better correlate proteome changes with disease processes. It is crucial for plasma proteomics at the low-abundance protein species level to apply the ProteoMiner enrichment. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD001788, PXD001799 and PXD002071 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001788, http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001799 and http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD002071).

Transgenic expression of soluble human CD5 enhances experimentally-induced autoimmune and anti-tumoral immune responses.

CD5 is a lymphoid-specific transmembrane glycoprotein constitutively expressed on thymocytes and mature T and B1a lymphocytes. Current data support the view that CD5 is a negative regulator of antigen-specific receptor-mediated signaling in these cells, and that this would likely be achieved through interaction with CD5 ligand/s (CD5L) of still undefined nature expressed on immune or accessory cells. To determine the functional consequence of loss of CD5/CD5L interaction in vivo, a new transgenic mouse line was generated (shCD5EµTg), expressing a circulating soluble form of human CD5 (shCD5) as a decoy to impair membrane-bound CD5 function. These shCD5EµTg mice showed an enhanced response to autologous antigens, as deduced from the presentation of more severe forms of experimentally inducible autoimmune disease (collagen-induced arthritis, CIA; and experimental autoimmune encephalitis, EAE), as well as an increased anti-tumoral response in non-orthotopic cancer models (B16 melanoma). This enhancement of the immune response was in agreement with the finding of significantly reduced proportions of spleen and lymph node Treg cells (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+), and of peritoneal IL-10-producing and CD5+ B cells, as well as an increased proportion of spleen NKT cells in shCD5EµTg mice. Similar changes in lymphocyte subpopulations were observed in wild-type mice following repeated administration of exogenous recombinant shCD5 protein. These data reveal the relevant role played by CD5/CD5L interactions on the homeostasis of some functionally relevant lymphocyte subpopulations and the modulation of immune responses to autologous antigens.

p27(Kip1) inhibits systemic autoimmunity through the control of Treg cell activity and differentiation.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the importance of Treg cells in the maintenance of immunologic tolerance, the mechanisms that control their generation and activity are unknown. Since the cell cycle inhibitor p27(Kip1) (p27) was involved in T cell anergy, we undertook this study to explore its role in both Treg cell processes. METHODS: The development of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and lupus-like abnormalities was compared between transgenic mice overexpressing human Bcl-2 in T cells (BCL2-TgT mice) and nontransgenic mice that were deficient or not deficient in p27. The contribution of Treg cells to disease evolution was also explored. Finally, the in vitro activity of Treg cells and their differentiation from naive CD4+ cells was compared between these strains of mice. RESULTS: BCL2-TgT mice were protected against CIA by a Treg cell-dependent mechanism. In association with this protection, the overexpression of Bcl-2 in T cells enhanced the differentiation and activity of Treg cells. Both Bcl-2 effects were independent of its antiapoptotic activity but dependent on its capacity to induce the expression of p27 that augmented the strength of transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) signaling in T cells. Accordingly, down-modulation of p27 expression in BCL2-TgT mice promoted CIA. In addition, p27 deficiency in aged C57BL/6 mice reduced the number and activity of Treg cells and induced the development of mild lupus-like abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Our results point to p27 as a critical regulator of Treg cell differentiation and function through the positive modulation of TGFß signaling strength in T cells.