Ubc13 maintains the suppressive function of regulatory T cells and prevents their conversion into effector-like T cells.

The maintenance of immune homeostasis requires regulatory T cells (Treg cells). Here we found that Treg cell­specific ablation of Ubc13, a Lys63 (K63)-specific ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, caused aberrant T cell activation and autoimmunity. Although Ubc13 deficiency did not affect the survival of Treg cells or expression of the transcription factor Foxp3, it impaired the in vivo suppressive function of Treg cells and rendered them sensitive to the acquisition of T helper type 1 (TH1) cell­ and interleukin 17 (IL-17)-producing helper T (TH17) cell­like effector phenotypes. This function of Ubc13 involved its downstream target, the kinase IKK. The Ubc13-IKK signaling axis controlled the expression of specific Treg cell effector molecules, including IL-10 and SOCS1. Collectively, our findings suggest that the Ubc13-IKK signaling axis regulates the molecular program that maintains Treg cell function and prevents Treg cells from acquiring inflammatory phenotypes.

Homeostatic NF-κB Signaling in Steady-State Migratory Dendritic Cells Regulates Immune Homeostasis and Tolerance.

Migratory non-lymphoid tissue dendritic cells (NLT-DCs) transport antigens to lymph nodes (LNs) and are required for protective immune responses in the context of inflammation and to promote tolerance to self-antigens in steady-state. However, the molecular mechanisms that elicit steady-state NLT-DC maturation and migration are unknown. By comparing the transcriptome of NLT-DCs in the skin with their migratory counterparts in draining LNs, we have identified a novel NF-κB-regulated gene network specific to migratory DCs. We show that targeted deletion of IKKß in DCs, a major activator of NF-κB, prevents NLT-DC accumulation in LNs and compromises regulatory T cell conversion in vivo. This was associated with impaired tolerance and autoimmunity. NF-κB is generally considered the prototypical pro-inflammatory transcription factor, but this study describes a role for NF-κB signaling in DCs for immune homeostasis and tolerance that could have implications in autoimmune diseases and immunity.

The inducible kinase IKKi is required for IL-17-dependent signaling associated with neutrophilia and pulmonary inflammation.

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is critical in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here we report that Act1, the key adaptor for the IL-17 receptor (IL-7R), formed a complex with the inducible kinase IKKi after stimulation with IL-17. Through the use of IKKi-deficient mice, we found that IKKi was required for IL-17-induced expression of genes encoding inflammatory molecules in primary airway epithelial cells, neutrophilia and pulmonary inflammation. IKKi deficiency abolished IL-17-induced formation of the complex of Act1 and the adaptors TRAF2 and TRAF5, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and mRNA stability, whereas the Act1-TRAF6-transcription factor NF-κB axis was retained. IKKi was required for IL-17-induced phosphorylation of Act1 on Ser311, adjacent to a putative TRAF-binding motif. Substitution of the serine at position 311 with alanine impaired the IL-17-mediated Act1-TRAF2-TRAF5 interaction and gene expression. Thus, IKKi is a kinase newly identified as modulating IL-17 signaling through its effect on Act1 phosphorylation and consequent function.

IKKε protects against starvation-induced NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis in H9c2 cells by alleviating mitochondrial injury.

The deprivation of myocardial nutrition causes cardiomyocyte death and disturbance of energy metabolism. IKKε plays an important regulatory role in many biological events such as inflammation, redox reaction, cell death, etc. However, the more in-depth mechanism by which IKKε contributes to cardiomyocytes death in nutrition deprivation remains poorly understood. IKKε expression was knocked down by siRNA in H9c2 cells, and cells were cultured under starvation conditions to simulate ischemic conditions. Starvation triggered greater NLRP3 activation, accompanied by more IL-1ß, IL-18 and caspase-1 release in the siIKKε H9c2 cells compared with the control H9c2 cells. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that the IKKε konckdown promoted NLRP3 expressions and ROS release under starvation conditions. Furthermore, electron micrography and JC-1 analysis revealed that IKKε konckdown resulted in aggravated mitochondrial damage and more mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) released in vitro. Notably, Western blot analysis showed that IKKε deficiency activated the TBK1 and IRF3 signaling pathways to promote pyroptosis in vitro. Collectively, our results indicate that IKKε protects against cardiomyocyte injury by reducing mitochondrial damage and NLRP3 expression following nutrition deprivation via regulation of the TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway. This study further revealed the mechanism of IKKε in inflammation and myocardial nutrition deprivation.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling in keratinocytes triggers interleukin-24-dependent psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with a prevalence of about 2% in the Caucasian population. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, but its mechanism of action remains poorly understood. Here we report that the development of psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice with epidermis-specific inhibition of the transcription factor NF-κB was triggered by TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1)-dependent upregulation of interleukin-24 (IL-24) and activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling in keratinocytes. IL-24 was strongly expressed in human psoriatic epidermis, and pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB increased IL-24 expression in TNF-stimulated human primary keratinocytes, suggesting that this mechanism is relevant for human psoriasis. Therefore, our results expand current views on psoriasis pathogenesis by revealing a new keratinocyte-intrinsic mechanism that links TNFR1, NF-κB, ERK, IL-24, IL-22R1, and STAT3 signaling to disease initiation.

Human Genetic Diseases Linked to the Absence of NEMO: An Obligatory Somatic Mosaic Disorder in Male.

De novo somatic mutations are well documented in diseases such as neoplasia but are rarely reported in rare diseases. Hovewer, severe genetic diseases that are not compatible with embryonic development are caused exclusively by deleterious mutations that could only be found as mosaic and not as inherited mutations. We will review here the paradigmatic case of Incontinentia Pigmenti, a rare X-linked dominant disease caused by deficiency of the NEMO (also called IKKgamma) protein, which plays a pivotal role in tissue homeostasis. The loss-of-function mutations of NEMO are embryonically lethal in males while females survive because of unbalanced X-inactivation due to NEMO wild type (WT) expressing cells survival despite of NEMO mutant expressing cells. The few surviving IP males are obligatory mosaic mutants with the typical clinical presentation of IP in female. Indeed, the IP pathogenesis in the female and most likely also in the male somatic mosaics is based on the cellular effects of an impaired NEMO activity, but in the context of the interaction of genetically different cells in the affected tissue, which might underline the inflammatory status.

Cell adhesion molecule IGPR-1 activates AMPK connecting cell adhesion to autophagy.

Autophagy plays critical roles in the maintenance of endothelial cells in response to cellular stress caused by blood flow. There is growing evidence that both cell adhesion and cell detachment can modulate autophagy, but the mechanisms responsible for this regulation remain unclear. Immunoglobulin and proline-rich receptor-1 (IGPR-1) is a cell adhesion molecule that regulates angiogenesis and endothelial barrier function. In this study, using various biochemical and cellular assays, we demonstrate that IGPR-1 is activated by autophagy-inducing stimuli, such as amino acid starvation, nutrient deprivation, rapamycin, and lipopolysaccharide. Manipulating the IκB kinase ß activity coupled with in vivo and in vitro kinase assays demonstrated that IκB kinase ß is a key serine/threonine kinase activated by autophagy stimuli and that it catalyzes phosphorylation of IGPR-1 at Ser220 The subsequent activation of IGPR-1, in turn, stimulates phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, which leads to phosphorylation of the major pro-autophagy proteins ULK1 and Beclin-1 (BECN1), increased LC3-II levels, and accumulation of LC3 punctum. Thus, our data demonstrate that IGPR-1 is activated by autophagy-inducing stimuli and in response regulates autophagy, connecting cell adhesion to autophagy. These findings may have important significance for autophagy-driven pathologies such cardiovascular diseases and cancer and suggest that IGPR-1 may serve as a promising therapeutic target.

The linear ubiquitin E3 ligase-Relish pathway is involved in the regulation of proteostasis in Drosophila muscle during aging.

Linear ubiquitination is an atypic ubiquitination process that directly connects the N- and C-termini of ubiquitin and is catalyzed by HOIL-1-interacting protein (HOIP). It is involved in the immune response or apoptosis by activating the nuclear factor-κB pathway and is associated with polyglucosan body myopathy 1, an autosomal recessive disorder with progressive muscle weakness and cardiomyopathy. However, little is currently known regarding the function of linear ubiquitination in muscles. Here, we investigated the role of linear ubiquitin E3 ligase (LUBEL), a DrosophilaHOIP ortholog, in the development and aging of muscles. The muscles of the flies with down-regulation of LUBEL or its downstream factors, kenny and Relish, developed normally, and there were no obvious abnormalities in function in young flies. However, the locomotor activity of the LUBEL RNAi flies was reduced compared to age-matched control, while LUBEL RNAi did not affect the increased mitochondrial fusion or myofiber disorganization during aging. Interestingly, the accumulation of polyubiquitinated protein aggregation during aging decreased in muscles by silencing LUBEL, kenny, or Relish. Meanwhile, the levels of autophagy and global translation, which are implicated in the maintenance of proteostasis, did not change due to LUBEL down-regulation. In conclusion, we propose a new role of linear ubiquitination in proteostasis in the muscle aging.

A dual role for hepatocyte-intrinsic canonical NF-κB signaling in virus control.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic innate immune control of viral infections has largely been attributed to Kupffer cells, the liver-resident macrophages. However, hepatocytes, the parenchymal cells of the liver, also possess potent immunological functions in addition to their known metabolic functions. Owing to their abundance in the liver and known immunological functions, we aimed to investigate the direct antiviral mechanisms employed by hepatocytes. METHODS: Using lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) as a model of liver infection, we first assessed the role of myeloid cells by depletion prior to infection. We investigated the role of hepatocyte-intrinsic innate immune signaling by infecting mice lacking canonical NF-κB signaling (IkkßΔHep) specifically in hepatocytes. In addition, mice lacking hepatocyte-specific interferon-α/ß signaling-(IfnarΔHep), or interferon-α/ß signaling in myeloid cells-(IfnarΔMyel) were infected. RESULTS: Here, we demonstrate that LCMV activates NF-κB signaling in hepatocytes. LCMV-triggered NF-κB activation in hepatocytes did not depend on Kupffer cells or TNFR1 signaling but rather on Toll-like receptor signaling. LCMV-infected IkkßΔHep livers displayed strongly elevated viral titers due to LCMV accumulation within hepatocytes, reduced interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression, delayed intrahepatic immune cell influx and delayed intrahepatic LCMV-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Notably, viral clearance and ISG expression were also reduced in LCMV-infected primary hepatocytes lacking IKKß, demonstrating a hepatocyte-intrinsic effect. Similar to livers of IkkßΔHep mice, enhanced hepatocytic LCMV accumulation was observed in livers of IfnarΔHep mice, whereas IfnarΔMyel mice were able to control LCMV infection. Hepatocytic NF-κB signaling was also required for efficient ISG induction in HDV-infected dHepaRG cells and interferon-α/ß-mediated inhibition of HBV replication in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these data show that hepatocyte-intrinsic NF-κB is a vital amplifier of interferon-α/ß signaling, which is pivotal for strong early ISG responses, immune cell infiltration and hepatic viral clearance. LAY SUMMARY: Innate immune cells have been ascribed a primary role in controlling viral clearance upon hepatic infections. We identified a novel dual role for NF-κB signaling in infected hepatocytes which was crucial for maximizing interferon responses and initiating adaptive immunity, thereby efficiently controlling hepatic virus replication.

Altered Marginal Zone B Cell Selection in the Absence of IκBNS.

Marginal zone (MZ) B cells reside in the splenic MZ and play important roles in T cell-independent humoral immune responses against blood-borne pathogens. IκBNS-deficient bumble mice exhibit a severe reduction in the MZ B compartment but regain an MZ B population with age and, thus, represent a valuable model to examine the biology of MZ B cells. In this article, we characterized the MZ B cell defect in further detail and investigated the nature of the B cells that appear in the MZ of aged bumble mice. Flow cytometry analysis of the splenic transitional B cell subsets demonstrated that MZ B cell development was blocked at the transitional-1 to transitional-2-MZ precursor stage in the absence of functional IκBNS. Immunohistochemical analysis of spleen sections from wild-type and bumble mice revealed no alteration in the cellular MZ microenvironment, and analysis of bone marrow chimeras indicated that the MZ B cell development defect in bumble mice was B cell intrinsic. Further, we demonstrate that the B cells that repopulate the MZ in aged bumble mice were distinct from age-matched wild-type MZ B cells. Specifically, the expression of surface markers characteristic for MZ B cells was altered and the L chain Igλ+ repertoire was reduced in bumble mice. Finally, plasma cell differentiation of sorted LPS-stimulated MZ B cells was impaired, and aged bumble mice were unable to respond to NP-Ficoll immunization. These results demonstrate that IκBNS is required for an intact MZ B cell compartment in C57BL/6 mice.

SNX8 mediates IFNγ-triggered noncanonical signaling pathway and host defense against Listeria monocytogenes.

IFNγ is a cytokine that plays a key role in host defense against intracellular pathogens. In addition to the canonical JAK-STAT1 pathway, IFNγ also activates an IKKß-mediated noncanonical signaling pathway that is essential for induction of a subset of downstream effector genes. The molecular mechanisms and functional significance of this IFNγ-triggered noncanonical pathway remains enigmatic. Here, we identified sorting nexin 8 (SNX8) as an important component of the IFNγ-triggered noncanonical signaling pathway. SNX8-deficiency impaired IFNγ-triggered induction of a subset of downstream genes. Snx8-/- mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes exhibited lower serum cytokine levels and higher bacterial loads in the livers and spleens, resulting in higher lethality. Mechanistically, SNX8 interacted with JAK1 and IKKß and promoted their association. IFNγ induced JAK1-mediated phosphorylation of SNX8 at Tyr95 and Tyr126, which promoted the recruitment of IKKß to the JAK1 complex. SNX8-deficiency impaired IFNγ-induced oligomerization and autophosphorylation of IKKß at Ser177, which is critical for selective induction of downstream genes. Our findings suggest that SNX8 acts as a link for IFNγ-triggered noncanonical signaling pathway, which induces a subset of downstream genes important for host defense against L. monocytogenes infection.

IKKα deficiency disrupts the development of marginal zone and follicular B cells.

Only few genes have been confidently identified to be involved in the Follicular (FO) and Marginal Zone (MZ) B cell differentiation, migration, and retention in the periphery. Our group previously observed that IKKα kinase inactive mutant mice IKKαK44A/K44A have significantly lower number of MZ B cells whereas FO B cell numbers appeared relatively normal. Because kinase dead IKKα can retain some of its biological functions that may interfere in revealing its actual role in the MZ and FO B cell differentiation. Therefore, in the current study, we genetically deleted IKKα from the pro-B cell lineage that revealed novel functions of IKKα in the MZ and FO B lymphocyte development. The loss of IKKα produces a significant decline in the percentage of immature B lymphocytes, mature marginal zone B cells, and follicular B cells along with a severe disruption of splenic architecture of marginal and follicular zones. IKKα deficiency affect the recirculation of mature B cells through bone marrow. A transplant of IKKα knockout fetal liver cells into Rag-/- mice shows a significant reduction compared to control in the B cells recirculating through bone marrow. To reveal the genes important in the B cell migration, a high throughput gene expression analysis was performed on the IKKα deficient recirculating mature B cells (B220+IgMhi). That revealed significant changes in the expression of genes involved in the B lymphocyte survival, homing and migration. And several among those genes identified belong to G protein family. Taken together, this study demonstrates that IKKα forms a vial axis controlling the genes involved in MZ and FO B cell differentiation and migration.

Incontinentia pigmenti in adults.

Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP; MIM 308300) is an X-linked dominant genodermatosis caused by pathogenic variant in IKBKG. The phenotype in adults is poorly described compared to that in children. Questionnaire survey of 99 affected women showed an age at diagnosis from newborn to 41 years, with 53 diagnosed by 6 months of age and 30 as adults. Stage I, II, and III lesions persisted in 16%, 17%, and 71%, respectively, of those who had ever had them. IP is allelic to two forms of ectodermal dysplasia. Many survey respondents reported hypohidrosis and/or heat intolerance and most had Stage IV findings. This suggests that "Stage IV" may be congenitally dysplastic skin that becomes more noticeable with maturity. Fifty-one had dentures or implants with 26 having more invasive jaw or dental surgery. Half had wiry or uncombable hair. Seventy-three reported abnormal nails with 27 having long-term problems. Cataracts and retinal detachment were the reported causes of vision loss. Four had microphthalmia. Respondents without genetic confirmation of IP volunteered information suggesting more involved phenotype or possibly misassigned diagnosis. Ascertainment bias likely accounts for the low prevalence of neurocognitive problems in the respondents.

Regulation of Th17 Differentiation by IKKα-Dependent and -Independent Phosphorylation of RORγt.

Transcription factor retinoid acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)γt transcriptionally regulates the genes required for differentiation of Th17 cells that mediate both protective and pathogenic immunity. However, little is known about the function of posttranslational modifications in the regulation of RORγt activity. Mass spectrometric analysis of immunoprecipitated RORγt from Th17 cells identified multiple phosphorylation sites. Systematic mutation analysis of the identified phosphorylation sites found that phosphorylation of S376 enhances whereas phosphorylation of S484 inhibits Th17 differentiation. IκB kinase (IKK)α binds and phosphorylates RORγt at S376 but not S484. Knockdown of IKKα, dominant-negative IKKα, and RORγt mutants incapable of interacting with IKKα all decrease Th17 differentiation. Furthermore, nonphosophorylatable RORγt mutant (S376A) impairs whereas phosphomimetic mutant (S376E) stimulates Th17 differentiation independent of IKKα. Therefore, IKKα-dependent phosphorylation of S376 stimulated whereas IKKα-independent phosphorylation of S484 inhibited RORγt function in Th17 differentiation.

Hypothalamic programming of systemic ageing involving IKK-ß, NF-κB and GnRH.

Ageing is a result of gradual and overall functional deteriorations across the body; however, it is unknown whether an individual tissue primarily works to mediate the ageing progress and control lifespan. Here we show that the hypothalamus is important for the development of whole-body ageing in mice, and that the underlying basis involves hypothalamic immunity mediated by IκB kinase-ß (IKK-ß), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and related microglia-neuron immune crosstalk. Several interventional models were developed showing that ageing retardation and lifespan extension are achieved in mice by preventing ageing-related hypothalamic or brain IKK-ß and NF-κB activation. Mechanistic studies further revealed that IKK-ß and NF-κB inhibit gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to mediate ageing-related hypothalamic GnRH decline, and GnRH treatment amends ageing-impaired neurogenesis and decelerates ageing. In conclusion, the hypothalamus has a programmatic role in ageing development via immune-neuroendocrine integration, and immune inhibition or GnRH restoration in the hypothalamus/brain represent two potential strategies for optimizing lifespan and combating ageing-related health problems.

IKKα is required in the intestinal epithelial cells for tumour stemness.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a common cause of death in developed countries. Progression from adenoma to invasive carcinoma requires accumulation of mutations starting with the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (Apc) gene. NF-κB signalling is a key element in cancer, mainly related to the activity of IKKß. IKKα kinase also participates in this process by mechanisms that are primarily unknown. METHODS: We generated a compound mouse model with mutation in Apc and lacking intestinal epithelial IKKα, produced intestinal organoids and tumour spheroids with different genetic backgrounds, and performed immunohistochemistry and RNA-seq analysis. RESULTS: Deficiency of IKKα prevents adenoma formation, with adenomas lacking IKKα showing reduced proliferation. In contrast, IKKα status did not affect normal intestinal function. The same divergent phenotype was found in the organoid-spheroid model. We also found that epithelial IKKα controls stemness, proliferation and apoptosis-related expression. CONCLUSIONS: IKKα is a potential therapeutic target for Apc mutant colorectal cancer patients.

Glial-neuronal signaling mechanisms underlying the neuroinflammatory effects of manganese.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to increased manganese (Mn) causes inflammation and neuronal injury in the cortex and basal ganglia, resulting in neurological symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease. The mechanisms underlying neuronal death from exposure to Mn are not well understood but involve inflammatory activation of microglia and astrocytes. Expression of neurotoxic inflammatory genes in glia is highly regulated through the NF-κB pathway, but factors modulating neurotoxic glial-glial and glial-neuronal signaling by Mn are not well understood. METHODS: We examined the role of NF-κB in Mn-induced neurotoxicity by exposing purified microglia, astrocytes (from wild-type and astrocyte-specific IKK knockout mice), and mixed glial cultures to varying Mn concentrations and then treating neurons with the conditioned media (GCM) of each cell type. We hypothesized that mixed glial cultures exposed to Mn (0-100 µM) would enhance glial activation and neuronal death compared to microglia, wild-type astrocytes, or IKK-knockout astrocytes alone or in mixed cultures. RESULTS: Mixed glial cultures treated with 0-100 µM Mn for 24 h showed the most pronounced effect of increased expression of inflammatory genes including inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2), Tnf, Ccl5, Il6, Ccr2, Il1b, and the astrocyte-specific genes, C3 and Ccl2. Gene deletion of IKK2 in astrocytes dramatically reduced cytokine release in Mn-treated mixed glial cultures. Measurement of neuronal viability and apoptosis following exposure to Mn-GCM demonstrated that mixed glial cultures induced greater neuronal death than either cell type alone. Loss of IKK in astrocytes also decreased neuronal death compared to microglia alone, wild-type astrocytes, or mixed glia. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that astrocytes are a critical mediator of Mn neurotoxicity through enhanced expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including those most associated with a reactive phenotype such as CCL2 but not C3.

SUMOylation-dependent localization of IKKepsilon in PML nuclear bodies is essential for protection against DNA-damage-triggered cell death.

The IKK-related kinase IKKepsilon contributes to the antiviral response and can function as an oncogene that is frequently amplified in breast cancer. Here we report on an additional role of IKKepsilon as a mediator protecting from DNA-damage-induced cell death. Genotoxic stress allows for kinase-dependent entry of IKKepsilon into the nucleus, where IKKepsilon-dependent PML phosphorylation is a prerequisite for retention of this kinase in PML nuclear bodies. Within these subnuclear structures IKKepsilon inducibly colocalizes with TOPORS, which functions as a SUMO E3 ligase mediating SUMOylation of IKKepsilon at lysine 231. SUMO modification of IKKepsilon is required to trigger phosphorylation of nuclear substrates including NF-kappaB p65, thereby contributing to the antiapoptotic function of NF-kappaB in response to DNA damage.

Nuclear IKKbeta is an adaptor protein for IkappaBalpha ubiquitination and degradation in UV-induced NF-kappaB activation.

Proinflammatory cytokines activate NF-kappaB using the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex that phosphorylates inhibitory proteins (IkappaBs) at N-terminal sites resulting in their ubiquitination and degradation in the cytoplasm. Although ultraviolet (UV) irradiation does not lead to IKK activity, it activates NF-kappaB by an unknown mechanism through IkappaBalpha degradation without N-terminal phosphorylation. Here, we describe an adaptor function of nuclear IKKbeta in UV-induced IkappaBalpha degradation. UV irradiation induces the nuclear translocation of IkappaBalpha and association with IKKbeta, which constitutively interacts with beta-TrCP through heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein-U (hnRNP-U) leading to IkappaBalpha ubiquitination and degradation. Furthermore, casein kinase 2 (CK2) and p38 associate with IKKbeta and promote IkappaBalpha degradation by phosphorylation at C-terminal sites. Thus, nuclear IKKbeta acts as an adaptor protein for IkappaBalpha degradation in UV-induced NF-kappaB activation. NF-kappaB activated by the nuclear IKKbeta adaptor protein suppresses anti-apoptotic gene expression and promotes UV-induced cell death.