NF2-Related Schwannomatosis (NF2): Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Avenues.

NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2) is a genetic syndrome characterized by the growth of benign tumors in the nervous system, particularly bilateral vestibular schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas. This review consolidates the current knowledge on NF2 syndrome, emphasizing the molecular pathology associated with the mutations in the gene of the same name, the NF2 gene, and the subsequent dysfunction of its product, the Merlin protein. Merlin, a tumor suppressor, integrates multiple signaling pathways that regulate cell contact, proliferation, and motility, thereby influencing tumor growth. The loss of Merlin disrupts these pathways, leading to tumorigenesis. We discuss the roles of another two proteins potentially associated with NF2 deficiency as well as Merlin: Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP), which may promote tumor growth, and Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP), which appears to suppress tumor development. Additionally, this review discusses the efficacy of various treatments, such as molecular therapies that target specific pathways or inhibit neomorphic protein-protein interaction caused by NF2 deficiency. This overview not only expands on the fundamental understanding of NF2 pathophysiology but also explores the potential of novel therapeutic targets that affect the clinical approach to NF2 syndrome.

Native architecture of a human GBP1 defense complex for cell-autonomous immunity to infection.

All living organisms deploy cell-autonomous defenses to combat infection. In plants and animals, large supramolecular complexes often activate immune proteins for protection. In this work, we resolved the native structure of a massive host-defense complex that polymerizes 30,000 guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) over the surface of gram-negative bacteria inside human cells. Construction of this giant nanomachine took several minutes and remained stable for hours, required guanosine triphosphate hydrolysis, and recruited four GBPs plus caspase-4 and Gasdermin D as a cytokine and cell death immune signaling platform. Cryo-electron tomography suggests that GBP1 can adopt an extended conformation for bacterial membrane insertion to establish this platform, triggering lipopolysaccharide release that activated coassembled caspase-4. Our "open conformer" model provides a dynamic view into how the human GBP1 defense complex mobilizes innate immunity to infection.

Splicing Variants, Protein-Protein Interactions, and Drug Targeting in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome and Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Alternative splicing (AS) is a biological operation that enables a messenger RNA to encode protein variants (isoforms) that give one gene several functions or properties. This process provides one of the major sources of use for understanding the proteomic diversity of multicellular organisms. In combination with post-translational modifications, it contributes to generating a variety of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that are essential to cellular homeostasis or proteostasis. However, cells exposed to many kinds of stresses (aging, genetic changes, carcinogens, etc.) sometimes derive cancer or disease onset from aberrant PPIs caused by DNA mutations. In this review, we summarize how splicing variants may form a neomorphic protein complex and cause diseases such as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and we discuss how protein-protein interfaces obtained from the variants may represent efficient therapeutic target sites to treat HGPS and SCLC.

RKIP Induction Promotes Tumor Differentiation via SOX2 Degradation in NF2-Deficient Conditions.

Loss of NF2 (merlin) has been suggested as a genetic cause of neurofibromatosis type 2 and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). Previously, we demonstrated that NF2 sustained TGFß receptor 2 (TßR2) expression and reduction or loss of NF2 activated non-canonical TGFß signaling, which reduced Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) expression via TßR1 kinase activity. Here, we show that a selective RKIP inducer (novel chemical, Nf18001) inhibits tumor growth and promotes schwannoma cell differentiation into mature Schwann cells under NF2-deficient conditions. In addition, Nf18001 is not cytotoxic to cells expressing NF2 and is not disturb canonical TGFß signaling. Moreover, the novel chemical induces expression of SOX10, a marker of differentiated Schwann cells, and promotes nuclear export and degradation of SOX2, a stem cell factor. Treatment with Nf18001 inhibited tumor growth in an allograft model with mouse schwannoma cells. These results strongly suggest that selective RKIP inducers could be useful for the treatment of neurofibromatosis type 2 as well as NF2-deficient MPNST. IMPLICATIONS: This study identifies that a selective RKIP inducer inhibits tumor growth and promotes schwannoma cell differentiation under NF2-deficient conditions by reducing SOX2 and increasing SOX10 expression.

Novel chemical inhibitor against SOD1 misfolding and aggregation protects neuron-loss and ameliorates disease symptoms in ALS mouse model.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective death of motor neurons. Mutations in Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) causing the gain of its toxic property are the major culprit of familial ALS (fALS). The abnormal SOD1 aggregation in the motor neurons has been suggested as the major pathological hallmark of ALS patients. However, the development of pharmacological interventions against SOD1 still needs further investigation. In this study, using ELISA-based chemical screening with wild and mutant SOD1 proteins, we screened a new small molecule, PRG-A01, which could block the misfolding/aggregation of SOD1 or TDP-43. The drug rescued the cell death induced by mutant SOD1 in human neuroblastoma cell line. Administration of PRG-A01 into the ALS model mouse resulted in significant improvement of muscle strength, motor neuron viability and mobility with extended lifespan. These results suggest that SOD1 misfolding/aggregation is a potent therapeutic target for SOD1 related ALS.

NADPH Oxidase and Guanylate Binding Protein 5 Restrict Survival of Avirulent Type III Strains of Toxoplasma gondii in Naive Macrophages.

Phagocytic cells are the first line of innate defense against intracellular pathogens, and yet Toxoplasma gondii is renowned for its ability to survive in macrophages, although this paradigm is based on virulent type I parasites. Surprisingly, we find that avirulent type III parasites are preferentially cleared in naive macrophages, independent of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) activation. The ability of naive macrophages to clear type III parasites was dependent on enhanced activity of NADPH oxidase (Nox)-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of guanylate binding protein 5 (Gbp5). Macrophages infected with type III parasites (CTG strain) showed a time-dependent increase in intracellular ROS generation that was higher than that induced by type I parasites (GT1 strain). The absence of Nox1 or Nox2, gp91 subunit isoforms of the Nox complex, reversed ROS-mediated clearance of CTG parasites. Consistent with this finding, both Nox1-/- and Nox2-/- mice showed higher susceptibility to CTG infection than wild-type mice. Additionally, Gbp5 expression was induced upon infection and the enhanced clearance of CTG strain parasites was reversed in Gbp5-/- macrophages. Expression of a type I ROP18 allele in CTG prevented clearance in naive macrophages, suggesting that it plays a role counteracting Gbp5. Although ROS and Gbp5 have been linked to activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, clearance of CTG parasites did not rely on induction of pyroptosis. Collectively, these findings reveal that not all strains of T. gondii are adept at avoiding clearance in macrophages and define new roles for ROS and Gbps in controlling this important intracellular pathogen.IMPORTANCEToxoplasma infections in humans and other mammals are largely controlled by IFN-γ produced by the activated adaptive immune system. However, we still do not completely understand the role of cell-intrinsic functions in controlling Toxoplasma or other apicomplexan infections. The present work identifies intrinsic activities in naive macrophages in counteracting T. gondii infection. Using an avirulent strain of T. gondii, we highlight the importance of Nox complexes in conferring protection against parasite infection both in vitro and in vivo We also identify Gbp5 as a novel macrophage factor involved in limiting intracellular infection by avirulent strains of T. gondii The rarity of human infections caused by type III strains suggests that these mechanisms may also be important in controlling human toxoplasmosis. These findings further extend our understanding of host responses and defense mechanisms that act to control parasitic infections at the cellular level.

Enhancement of host immune responses by oral vaccination to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium harboring both FliC and FljB flagella.

Flagellin, the structural component of the flagellar filament in various motile bacteria, can contribute to the activation of NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokine expression during the innate immune response in host cells. Thus, flagellin proteins represent a particularly attractive target for the development of vaccine candidates. In this study, we investigated the immune response by increasing the flagella number in the iacP mutant strain and the adjuvant activity of the flagellin component FljB of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. We found that the iacP mutant strain expresses two flagellin proteins (FliC and FljB), which result in increased NF-κB-dependent gene expression in bone marrow derived macrophages. Using an oral immunization mouse model, we observed that the administration of a live attenuated S. typhimurium BRD509 strain expressing the FliC and FljB flagellins induced significantly enhanced flagellin-specific IgG responses in the systemic compartment. The mice immunized with the recombinant attenuated S. typhimurium strain that has two types of flagella were protected from lethal challenge with the Salmonella SL1344 strain. These results indicate that overexpression of flagella in the iacP mutant strain enhance the induction of an antigen-specific immune responses in macrophage cell, and both the FliC and FljB flagellar filament proteins-producing S. typhimurium can induce protective immune responses against salmonellosis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a critical mediator of the innate immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an innate cytokine encoded in a functionally polymorphic genetic locus, contributes to detrimental inflammation but may be crucial for controlling infection. We explored the role of variant MIF alleles in tuberculosis. In a Ugandan cohort, genetic low expressers of MIF were 2.4-times more frequently identified among patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) bacteremia than those without. We also found mycobacteria-stimulated transcription of MIF and serum MIF levels to be correlated with MIF genotype in human macrophages and in a separate cohort of US TB patients, respectively. To determine mechanisms for MIF's protective role, we studied both aerosolized and i.v. models of mycobacterial infection and observed MIF-deficient mice to succumb more quickly with higher organism burden, increased lung pathology, and decreased innate cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-12, IL-10). MIF-deficient animals showed increased pulmonary neutrophil accumulation but preserved adaptive immune response. MIF-deficient macrophages demonstrated decreased cytokine and reactive oxygen production and impaired mycobacterial killing. Transcriptional investigation of MIF-deficient macrophages revealed reduced expression of the pattern recognition receptor dectin-1; restoration of dectin-1 expression recovered innate cytokine production and mycobacterial killing. Our data place MIF in a crucial upstream position in the innate immune response to mycobacteria and suggest that commonly occurring low expression MIF alleles confer an increased risk of TB disease in some populations.

RaoN, a small RNA encoded within Salmonella pathogenicity island-11, confers resistance to macrophage-induced stress.

Bacterial small non-coding RNAs act as important regulators that control numerous cellular processes. Here we identified RaoN, a novel small RNA encoded in the cspH-envE intergenic region on Salmonella pathogenicity island-11 (SPI-11). RaoN contributes to survival under conditions of acid and oxidative stress combined with nutrient limitation, which partially mimic the intramacrophage environment. Indeed, inactivation of raoN reduces the intramacrophage replication of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis revealed that the lactate dehydrogenase gene ldhA is upregulated in the raoN knockout mutant. Notably, both inactivation and overexpression of ldhA in the WT strain render Salmonella more sensitive to oxidative stress, particularly when combined with nutrient limitation. However, ldhA is not the sole determinant of RaoN function in facilitating intramacrophage survival of Salmonella. Together, our data suggest that balanced regulation of ldhA expression by RaoN is necessary for survival under in vitro stress conditions and contributes to the intramacrophage growth of Salmonella.

IFN-inducible GTPases in host cell defense.

From plants to humans, the ability to control infection at the level of an individual cell-a process termed cell-autonomous immunity-equates firmly with survival of the species. Recent work has begun to unravel this programmed cell-intrinsic response and the central roles played by IFN-inducible GTPases in defending the mammalian cell's interior against a diverse group of invading pathogens. These immune GTPases regulate vesicular traffic and protein complex assembly to stimulate oxidative, autophagic, membranolytic, and inflammasome-related antimicrobial activities within the cytosol, as well as on pathogen-containing vacuoles. Moreover, human genome-wide association studies and disease-related transcriptional profiling have linked mutations in the Immunity-Related GTPase M (IRGM) locus and altered expression of guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) with tuberculosis susceptibility and Crohn's colitis.

IFN-γ elicits macrophage autophagy via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Autophagy is a major innate immune defense pathway in both plants and animals. In mammals, this cascade can be elicited by cytokines (IFN-γ) or pattern recognition receptors (TLRs and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors). Many signaling components in TLR- and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor-induced autophagy are now known; however, those involved in activating autophagy via IFN-γ remain to be elucidated. In this study, we engineered macrophages encoding a tandem fluorescently tagged LC3b (tfLC3) autophagosome reporter along with stably integrated short hairpin RNAs to demonstrate IFN-γ-induced autophagy required JAK 1/2, PI3K, and p38 MAPK but not STAT1. Moreover, the autophagy-related guanosine triphosphatase Irgm1 proved dispensable in both stable tfLC3-expressing RAW 264.7 and tfLC3-transduced Irgm1(-/-) primary macrophages, revealing a novel p38 MAPK-dependent, STAT1-independent autophagy pathway that bypasses Irgm1. These unexpected findings have implications for understanding how IFN-γ-induced autophagy is mobilized within macrophages for inflammation and host defense.

A family of IFN-γ-inducible 65-kD GTPases protects against bacterial infection.

Immune interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is essential for mammalian host defense against intracellular pathogens. IFN-γ induces nearly 2000 host genes, yet few have any assigned function. Here, we examined a complete mouse 65-kilodalton (kD) guanylate-binding protein (Gbp) gene family as part of a 43-member IFN-γ-inducible guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) superfamily in mouse and human genomes. Family-wide loss-of-function analysis found that at least four Gbps--Gbp1, Gbp6, Gbp7, and Gbp10--conferred cell-autonomous immunity to listerial or mycobacterial infection within macrophages and gene-deficient animals. These Gbps solicited host defense proteins, including the phagocyte oxidase, antimicrobial peptides, and autophagy effectors, to kill intracellular bacteria. Thus, specific 65-kD Gbps coordinate a potent oxidative and vesicular trafficking program to protect the host from infection.

Emerging themes in IFN-gamma-induced macrophage immunity by the p47 and p65 GTPase families.

Vertebrates have evolved complex immune specificity repertoires beyond the primordial components found in lower multi-cellular organisms to combat microbial infections. The type II interferon (IFN-gamma) pathway represents one such system, bridging innate and acquired immunity and providing host protection in a cell-autonomous manner. Recent large-scale transcriptome analyses of IFN-gamma-dependent gene expression in effector cells such as macrophages have highlighted the prominence of two families of GTPases -- p47 IRGs and p65 GBPs -- that are now beginning to emerge as major determinants of antimicrobial resistance. Here we discuss the recent clarification of known family members, their cellular biochemistry and host defense functions as a means to understanding the complex innate immune response engendered in higher vertebrates such as humans and mice.