RESUMO
Cellular senescence is a cell fate triggered in response to stress and is characterized by stable cell-cycle arrest and a hypersecretory state. It has diverse biological roles, ranging from tissue repair to chronic disease. The development of new tools to study senescence in vivo has paved the way for uncovering its physiological and pathological roles and testing senescent cells as a therapeutic target. However, the lack of specific and broadly applicable markers makes it difficult to identify and characterize senescent cells in tissues and living organisms. To address this, we provide practical guidelines called "minimum information for cellular senescence experimentation in vivo" (MICSE). It presents an overview of senescence markers in rodent tissues, transgenic models, non-mammalian systems, human tissues, and tumors and their use in the identification and specification of senescent cells. These guidelines provide a uniform, state-of-the-art, and accessible toolset to improve our understanding of cellular senescence in vivo.
Assuntos
Senescência Celular , Humanos , Animais , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Guias como Assunto , Neoplasias/patologiaRESUMO
Leveraging AAVs' versatile tropism and labeling capacity, we expanded the scale of in vivo CRISPR screening with single-cell transcriptomic phenotyping across embryonic to adult brains and peripheral nervous systems. Through extensive tests of 86 vectors across AAV serotypes combined with a transposon system, we substantially amplified labeling efficacy and accelerated in vivo gene delivery from weeks to days. Our proof-of-principle in utero screen identified the pleiotropic effects of Foxg1, highlighting its tight regulation of distinct networks essential for cell fate specification of Layer 6 corticothalamic neurons. Notably, our platform can label >6% of cerebral cells, surpassing the current state-of-the-art efficacy at <0.1% by lentivirus, to achieve analysis of over 30,000 cells in one experiment and enable massively parallel in vivo Perturb-seq. Compatible with various phenotypic measurements (single-cell or spatial multi-omics), it presents a flexible approach to interrogate gene function across cell types in vivo, translating gene variants to their causal function.
Assuntos
Redes Reguladoras de Genes , Análise de Célula Única , Animais , Feminino , Humanos , Camundongos , Córtex Cerebral/metabolismo , Córtex Cerebral/citologia , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Dependovirus/genética , Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead/genética , Vetores Genéticos/metabolismo , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/metabolismo , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/genética , Neurônios/metabolismo , Neurônios/citologia , Análise de Célula Única/métodos , Transcriptoma/genética , Linhagem Celular , Transcrição GênicaRESUMO
Dexamethasone is a life-saving treatment for severe COVID-19, yet its mechanism of action is unknown, and many patients deteriorate or die despite timely treatment initiation. Here, we identify dexamethasone treatment-induced cellular and molecular changes associated with improved survival in COVID-19 patients. We observed a reversal of transcriptional hallmark signatures in monocytes associated with severe COVID-19 and the induction of a monocyte substate characterized by the expression of glucocorticoid-response genes. These molecular responses to dexamethasone were detected in circulating and pulmonary monocytes, and they were directly linked to survival. Monocyte single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq)-derived signatures were enriched in whole blood transcriptomes of patients with fatal outcome in two independent cohorts, highlighting the potential for identifying non-responders refractory to dexamethasone. Our findings link the effects of dexamethasone to specific immunomodulation and reversal of monocyte dysregulation, and they highlight the potential of single-cell omics for monitoring in vivo target engagement of immunomodulatory drugs and for patient stratification for precision medicine approaches.
Assuntos
Tratamento Farmacológico da COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Dexametasona , Monócitos , SARS-CoV-2 , Análise de Célula Única , Humanos , Dexametasona/farmacologia , Dexametasona/uso terapêutico , Monócitos/metabolismo , Monócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , SARS-CoV-2/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Feminino , Transcriptoma , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Glucocorticoides/uso terapêutico , Glucocorticoides/farmacologia , Pulmão/patologia , AdultoRESUMO
DddA-derived cytosine base editors (DdCBEs) and transcription activator-like effector (TALE)-linked deaminases (TALEDs) catalyze targeted base editing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in eukaryotic cells, a method useful for modeling of mitochondrial genetic disorders and developing novel therapeutic modalities. Here, we report that A-to-G-editing TALEDs but not C-to-T-editing DdCBEs induce tens of thousands of transcriptome-wide off-target edits in human cells. To avoid these unwanted RNA edits, we engineered the substrate-binding site in TadA8e, the deoxy-adenine deaminase in TALEDs, and created TALED variants with fine-tuned deaminase activity. Our engineered TALED variants not only reduced RNA off-target edits by >99% but also minimized off-target mtDNA mutations and bystander edits at a target site. Unlike wild-type versions, our TALED variants were not cytotoxic and did not cause developmental arrest of mouse embryos. As a result, we obtained mice with pathogenic mtDNA mutations, associated with Leigh syndrome, which showed reduced heart rates.
Assuntos
DNA Mitocondrial , Efetores Semelhantes a Ativadores de Transcrição , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Adenina , Citosina , DNA Mitocondrial/genética , Edição de Genes , RNA , Efetores Semelhantes a Ativadores de Transcrição/metabolismo , Engenharia de ProteínasRESUMO
Purine nucleotides are vital for RNA and DNA synthesis, signaling, metabolism, and energy homeostasis. To synthesize purines, cells use two principal routes: the de novo and salvage pathways. Traditionally, it is believed that proliferating cells predominantly rely on de novo synthesis, whereas differentiated tissues favor the salvage pathway. Unexpectedly, we find that adenine and inosine are the most effective circulating precursors for supplying purine nucleotides to tissues and tumors, while hypoxanthine is rapidly catabolized and poorly salvaged in vivo. Quantitative metabolic analysis demonstrates comparative contribution from de novo synthesis and salvage pathways in maintaining purine nucleotide pools in tumors. Notably, feeding mice nucleotides accelerates tumor growth, while inhibiting purine salvage slows down tumor progression, revealing a crucial role of the salvage pathway in tumor metabolism. These findings provide fundamental insights into how normal tissues and tumors maintain purine nucleotides and highlight the significance of purine salvage in cancer.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Nucleotídeos de Purina , Purinas , Animais , Camundongos , Purinas/metabolismo , Purinas/biossíntese , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Neoplasias/patologia , Nucleotídeos de Purina/metabolismo , Humanos , Inosina/metabolismo , Hipoxantina/metabolismo , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Adenina/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , FemininoRESUMO
Alphaviruses are RNA viruses that represent emerging public health threats. To identify protective antibodies, we immunized macaques with a mixture of western, eastern, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-like particles (VLPs), a regimen that protects against aerosol challenge with all three viruses. Single- and triple-virus-specific antibodies were isolated, and we identified 21 unique binding groups. Cryo-EM structures revealed that broad VLP binding inversely correlated with sequence and conformational variability. One triple-specific antibody, SKT05, bound proximal to the fusion peptide and neutralized all three Env-pseudotyped encephalitic alphaviruses by using different symmetry elements for recognition across VLPs. Neutralization in other assays (e.g., chimeric Sindbis virus) yielded variable results. SKT05 bound backbone atoms of sequence-diverse residues, enabling broad recognition despite sequence variability; accordingly, SKT05 protected mice against Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, chikungunya virus, and Ross River virus challenges. Thus, a single vaccine-elicited antibody can protect in vivo against a broad range of alphaviruses.
Assuntos
Alphavirus , Vírus da Encefalite Equina Venezuelana , Vacinas Virais , Animais , Camundongos , Vírus da Encefalite Equina Venezuelana/genética , Anticorpos Antivirais , MacacaRESUMO
Cortical circuits are composed predominantly of pyramidal-to-pyramidal neuron connections, yet their assembly during embryonic development is not well understood. We show that mouse embryonic Rbp4-Cre cortical neurons, transcriptomically closest to layer 5 pyramidal neurons, display two phases of circuit assembly in vivo. At E14.5, they form a multi-layered circuit motif, composed of only embryonic near-projecting-type neurons. By E17.5, this transitions to a second motif involving all three embryonic types, analogous to the three adult layer 5 types. In vivo patch clamp recordings and two-photon calcium imaging of embryonic Rbp4-Cre neurons reveal active somas and neurites, tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-gated conductances, and functional glutamatergic synapses, from E14.5 onwards. Embryonic Rbp4-Cre neurons strongly express autism-associated genes and perturbing these genes interferes with the switch between the two motifs. Hence, pyramidal neurons form active, transient, multi-layered pyramidal-to-pyramidal circuits at the inception of neocortex, and studying these circuits could yield insights into the etiology of autism.
Assuntos
Transtorno Autístico , Neocórtex , Células Piramidais , Animais , Feminino , Camundongos , Gravidez , Transtorno Autístico/genética , Transtorno Autístico/patologia , Mutação , Neocórtex/fisiologia , Neurônios/fisiologia , Células Piramidais/fisiologiaRESUMO
Somatic mutations in nonmalignant tissues accumulate with age and injury, but whether these mutations are adaptive on the cellular or organismal levels is unclear. To interrogate genes in human metabolic disease, we performed lineage tracing in mice harboring somatic mosaicism subjected to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Proof-of-concept studies with mosaic loss of Mboat7, a membrane lipid acyltransferase, showed that increased steatosis accelerated clonal disappearance. Next, we induced pooled mosaicism in 63 known NASH genes, allowing us to trace mutant clones side by side. This in vivo tracing platform, which we coined MOSAICS, selected for mutations that ameliorate lipotoxicity, including mutant genes identified in human NASH. To prioritize new genes, additional screening of 472 candidates identified 23 somatic perturbations that promoted clonal expansion. In validation studies, liver-wide deletion of Tbx3, Bcl6, or Smyd2 resulted in protection against hepatic steatosis. Selection for clonal fitness in mouse and human livers identifies pathways that regulate metabolic disease.
Assuntos
Doenças Metabólicas , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica , Animais , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Histona-Lisina N-Metiltransferase/genética , Fígado/metabolismo , Mosaicismo , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/genética , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/metabolismoRESUMO
Microglia are specialized brain-resident macrophages that play crucial roles in brain development, homeostasis, and disease. However, until now, the ability to model interactions between the human brain environment and microglia has been severely limited. To overcome these limitations, we developed an in vivo xenotransplantation approach that allows us to study functionally mature human microglia (hMGs) that operate within a physiologically relevant, vascularized immunocompetent human brain organoid (iHBO) model. Our data show that organoid-resident hMGs gain human-specific transcriptomic signatures that closely resemble their in vivo counterparts. In vivo two-photon imaging reveals that hMGs actively engage in surveilling the human brain environment, react to local injuries, and respond to systemic inflammatory cues. Finally, we demonstrate that the transplanted iHBOs developed here offer the unprecedented opportunity to study functional human microglia phenotypes in health and disease and provide experimental evidence for a brain-environment-induced immune response in a patient-specific model of autism with macrocephaly.
Assuntos
Microglia , Organoides , Humanos , Encéfalo , Macrófagos , FenótipoRESUMO
Methods to deliver gene editing agents in vivo as ribonucleoproteins could offer safety advantages over nucleic acid delivery approaches. We report the development and application of engineered DNA-free virus-like particles (eVLPs) that efficiently package and deliver base editor or Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. By engineering VLPs to overcome cargo packaging, release, and localization bottlenecks, we developed fourth-generation eVLPs that mediate efficient base editing in several primary mouse and human cell types. Using different glycoproteins in eVLPs alters their cellular tropism. Single injections of eVLPs into mice support therapeutic levels of base editing in multiple tissues, reducing serum Pcsk9 levels 78% following 63% liver editing, and partially restoring visual function in a mouse model of genetic blindness. In vitro and in vivo off-target editing from eVLPs was virtually undetected, an improvement over AAV or plasmid delivery. These results establish eVLPs as promising vehicles for therapeutic macromolecule delivery that combine key advantages of both viral and nonviral delivery.
Assuntos
Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos , Engenharia Genética , Proteínas/uso terapêutico , Vírion/genética , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Cegueira/genética , Cegueira/terapia , Encéfalo/metabolismo , DNA/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Edição de Genes , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Fígado/patologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Pró-Proteína Convertase 9/metabolismo , Epitélio Pigmentado da Retina/patologia , Retroviridae , Vírion/ultraestrutura , Visão OcularRESUMO
Here, we report inducible mosaic animal for perturbation (iMAP), a transgenic platform enabling in situ CRISPR targeting of at least 100 genes in parallel throughout the mouse body. iMAP combines Cre-loxP and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies and utilizes a germline-transmitted transgene carrying a large array of individually floxed, tandemly linked gRNA-coding units. Cre-mediated recombination triggers expression of all the gRNAs in the array but only one of them per cell, converting the mice to mosaic organisms suitable for phenotypic characterization and also for high-throughput derivation of conventional single-gene perturbation lines via breeding. Using gRNA representation as a readout, we mapped a miniature Perturb-Atlas cataloging the perturbations of 90 genes across 39 tissues, which yields rich insights into context-dependent gene functions and provides a glimpse of the potential of iMAP in genome decoding.
Assuntos
Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , RNA Guia de Cinetoplastídeos , Animais , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Edição de Genes , Genoma , Camundongos , RNA Guia de Cinetoplastídeos/genética , RNA Guia de Cinetoplastídeos/metabolismo , TransgenesRESUMO
Epidemiological studies reveal that marijuana increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, little is known about the mechanism. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, binds to cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1/CNR1) in the vasculature and is implicated in CVD. A UK Biobank analysis found that cannabis was an risk factor for CVD. We found that marijuana smoking activated inflammatory cytokines implicated in CVD. In silico virtual screening identified genistein, a soybean isoflavone, as a putative CB1 antagonist. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells were used to model Δ9-THC-induced inflammation and oxidative stress via NF-κB signaling. Knockdown of the CB1 receptor with siRNA, CRISPR interference, and genistein attenuated the effects of Δ9-THC. In mice, genistein blocked Δ9-THC-induced endothelial dysfunction in wire myograph, reduced atherosclerotic plaque, and had minimal penetration of the central nervous system. Genistein is a CB1 antagonist that attenuates Δ9-THC-induced atherosclerosis.
Assuntos
Cannabis , Doenças Cardiovasculares , Alucinógenos , Analgésicos , Animais , Agonistas de Receptores de Canabinoides/farmacologia , Dronabinol/farmacologia , Células Endoteliais , Genisteína/farmacologia , Genisteína/uso terapêutico , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Camundongos , Receptor CB1 de Canabinoide , Receptores de CanabinoidesRESUMO
SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) protect against COVID-19. A concern regarding SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is whether they mediate disease enhancement. Here, we isolated NAbs against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) or the N-terminal domain (NTD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike from individuals with acute or convalescent SARS-CoV-2 or a history of SARS-CoV infection. Cryo-electron microscopy of RBD and NTD antibodies demonstrated function-specific modes of binding. Select RBD NAbs also demonstrated Fc receptor-γ (FcγR)-mediated enhancement of virus infection in vitro, while five non-neutralizing NTD antibodies mediated FcγR-independent in vitro infection enhancement. However, both types of infection-enhancing antibodies protected from SARS-CoV-2 replication in monkeys and mice. Three of 46 monkeys infused with enhancing antibodies had higher lung inflammation scores compared to controls. One monkey had alveolar edema and elevated bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory cytokines. Thus, while in vitro antibody-enhanced infection does not necessarily herald enhanced infection in vivo, increased lung inflammation can rarely occur in SARS-CoV-2 antibody-infused macaques.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2/fisiologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Líquido da Lavagem Broncoalveolar/química , COVID-19/patologia , COVID-19/virologia , Citocinas/metabolismo , Feminino , Haplorrinos , Humanos , Pulmão/patologia , Pulmão/virologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Domínios Proteicos , RNA Guia de Cinetoplastídeos/metabolismo , Receptores de IgG/metabolismo , SARS-CoV-2/isolamento & purificação , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/química , Carga Viral , Replicação ViralRESUMO
In vivo cell fate conversions have emerged as potential regeneration-based therapeutics for injury and disease. Recent studies reported that ectopic expression or knockdown of certain factors can convert resident astrocytes into functional neurons with high efficiency, region specificity, and precise connectivity. However, using stringent lineage tracing in the mouse brain, we show that the presumed astrocyte-converted neurons are actually endogenous neurons. AAV-mediated co-expression of NEUROD1 and a reporter specifically and efficiently induces reporter-labeled neurons. However, these neurons cannot be traced retrospectively to quiescent or reactive astrocytes using lineage-mapping strategies. Instead, through a retrograde labeling approach, our results reveal that endogenous neurons are the source for these viral-reporter-labeled neurons. Similarly, despite efficient knockdown of PTBP1 in vivo, genetically traced resident astrocytes were not converted into neurons. Together, our results highlight the requirement of lineage-tracing strategies, which should be broadly applied to studies of cell fate conversions in vivo.
Assuntos
Astrócitos/citologia , Diferenciação Celular , Linhagem da Célula , Neurônios/citologia , Animais , Astrócitos/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição Hélice-Alça-Hélice Básicos/metabolismo , Encéfalo/patologia , Lesões Encefálicas/patologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Reprogramação Celular , Dependovirus/metabolismo , Regulação para Baixo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Genes Reporter , Proteína Glial Fibrilar Ácida/genética , Ribonucleoproteínas Nucleares Heterogêneas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , Humanos , Integrases/metabolismo , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Transgênicos , Neurônios/metabolismo , Proteína de Ligação a Regiões Ricas em Polipirimidinas/metabolismo , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismoRESUMO
Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult brain transit from the quiescent state to proliferation to produce new neurons. The mechanisms regulating this transition in freely behaving animals are, however, poorly understood. We customized in vivo imaging protocols to follow NSCs for several days up to months, observing their activation kinetics in freely behaving mice. Strikingly, NSC division is more frequent during daylight and is inhibited by darkness-induced melatonin signaling. The inhibition of melatonin receptors affected intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and promoted NSC activation. We further discovered a Ca2+ signature of quiescent versus activated NSCs and showed that several microenvironmental signals converge on intracellular Ca2+ pathways to regulate NSC quiescence and activation. In vivo NSC-specific optogenetic modulation of Ca2+ fluxes to mimic quiescent-state-like Ca2+ dynamics in freely behaving mice blocked NSC activation and maintained their quiescence, pointing to the regulatory mechanisms mediating NSC activation in freely behaving animals.
Assuntos
Células-Tronco Adultas/metabolismo , Cálcio/metabolismo , Ritmo Circadiano , Espaço Intracelular/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Neurais/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Adultas/citologia , Células-Tronco Adultas/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Astrócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Astrócitos/metabolismo , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Divisão Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Ritmo Circadiano/efeitos dos fármacos , Citosol/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Epidérmico/farmacologia , Receptores de Inositol 1,4,5-Trifosfato/metabolismo , Melatonina/metabolismo , Camundongos , Células-Tronco Neurais/citologia , Células-Tronco Neurais/efeitos dos fármacos , Optogenética , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Triptaminas/farmacologiaRESUMO
How early events in effector T cell (TEFF) subsets tune memory T cell (TMEM) responses remains incompletely understood. Here, we systematically investigated metabolic factors in fate determination of TEFF and TMEM cells using in vivo pooled CRISPR screening, focusing on negative regulators of TMEM responses. We found that amino acid transporters Slc7a1 and Slc38a2 dampened the magnitude of TMEM differentiation, in part through modulating mTORC1 signaling. By integrating genetic and systems approaches, we identified cellular and metabolic heterogeneity among TEFF cells, with terminal effector differentiation associated with establishment of metabolic quiescence and exit from the cell cycle. Importantly, Pofut1 (protein-O-fucosyltransferase-1) linked GDP-fucose availability to downstream Notch-Rbpj signaling, and perturbation of this nutrient signaling axis blocked terminal effector differentiation but drove context-dependent TEFF proliferation and TMEM development. Our study establishes that nutrient uptake and signaling are key determinants of T cell fate and shape the quantity and quality of TMEM responses.
Assuntos
Aminoácidos/metabolismo , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/citologia , Memória Imunológica , Transdução de Sinais , Sistemas de Transporte de Aminoácidos/metabolismo , Animais , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Ciclo Celular , Diferenciação Celular , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Técnicas de Introdução de Genes , Coriomeningite Linfocítica/imunologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Transgênicos , Células Precursoras de Linfócitos T/citologiaRESUMO
We have known for decades that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can play essential functions across most forms of life. The maintenance of chromosome length requires an lncRNA (e.g., hTERC) and two lncRNAs in the ribosome that are required for protein synthesis. Thus, lncRNAs can represent powerful RNA machines. More recently, it has become clear that mammalian genomes encode thousands more lncRNAs. Thus, we raise the question: Which, if any, of these lncRNAs could also represent RNA-based machines? Here we synthesize studies that are beginning to address this question by investigating fundamental properties of lncRNA genes, revealing new insights into the RNA structure-function relationship, determining cis- and trans-acting lncRNAs in vivo, and generating new developments in high-throughput screening used to identify functional lncRNAs. Overall, these findings provide a context toward understanding the molecular grammar underlying lncRNA biology.
Assuntos
Genoma , Biossíntese de Proteínas , RNA Longo não Codificante/genética , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA/genética , Telomerase/genética , Animais , Núcleo Celular/genética , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Células Eucarióticas/citologia , Células Eucarióticas/metabolismo , Humanos , Conformação de Ácido Nucleico , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , RNA/metabolismo , RNA Longo não Codificante/química , RNA Longo não Codificante/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/química , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Telomerase/metabolismo , Homeostase do Telômero , Transcrição GênicaRESUMO
Hunger and thirst have distinct goals but control similar ingestive behaviors, and little is known about neural processes that are shared between these behavioral states. We identify glutamatergic neurons in the peri-locus coeruleus (periLCVGLUT2 neurons) as a polysynaptic convergence node from separate energy-sensitive and hydration-sensitive cell populations. We develop methods for stable hindbrain calcium imaging in free-moving mice, which show that periLCVGLUT2 neurons are tuned to ingestive behaviors and respond similarly to food or water consumption. PeriLCVGLUT2 neurons are scalably inhibited by palatability and homeostatic need during consumption. Inhibition of periLCVGLUT2 neurons is rewarding and increases consumption by enhancing palatability and prolonging ingestion duration. These properties comprise a double-negative feedback relationship that sustains food or water consumption without affecting food- or water-seeking. PeriLCVGLUT2 neurons are a hub between hunger and thirst that specifically controls motivation for food and water ingestion, which is a factor that contributes to hedonic overeating and obesity.
Assuntos
Regulação do Apetite/fisiologia , Ingestão de Líquidos/fisiologia , Ingestão de Alimentos/fisiologia , Locus Cerúleo/citologia , Rede Nervosa/fisiologia , Neurônios/fisiologia , Rombencéfalo/fisiologia , Análise de Célula Única/métodos , Animais , Apetite/fisiologia , Escala de Avaliação Comportamental , Retroalimentação , Comportamento Alimentar/fisiologia , Feminino , Glutamina/metabolismo , Glutamina/fisiologia , Homeostase/fisiologia , Fome/fisiologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Motivação/fisiologia , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas Recombinantes , Recompensa , Rombencéfalo/citologia , Rombencéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Paladar/fisiologia , Sede/fisiologiaRESUMO
CD8 T cells play essential roles in anti-tumor immune responses. Here, we performed genome-scale CRISPR screens in CD8 T cells directly under cancer immunotherapy settings and identified regulators of tumor infiltration and degranulation. The in vivo screen robustly re-identified canonical immunotherapy targets such as PD-1 and Tim-3, along with genes that have not been characterized in T cells. The infiltration and degranulation screens converged on an RNA helicase Dhx37. Dhx37 knockout enhanced the efficacy of antigen-specific CD8 T cells against triple-negative breast cancer in vivo. Immunological characterization in mouse and human CD8 T cells revealed that DHX37 suppresses effector functions, cytokine production, and T cell activation. Transcriptomic profiling and biochemical interrogation revealed a role for DHX37 in modulating NF-κB. These data demonstrate high-throughput in vivo genetic screens for immunotherapy target discovery and establishes DHX37 as a functional regulator of CD8 T cells.
Assuntos
Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/metabolismo , RNA Helicases/genética , Animais , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Neoplasias da Mama/terapia , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/citologia , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Repetições Palindrômicas Curtas Agrupadas e Regularmente Espaçadas/genética , Citocinas/genética , Citocinas/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Memória Imunológica , Imunoterapia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1/metabolismo , RNA Helicases/deficiência , RNA Guia de Cinetoplastídeos/metabolismo , TranscriptomaRESUMO
Non-coding "ultraconserved" regions containing hundreds of consecutive bases of perfect sequence conservation across mammalian genomes can function as distant-acting enhancers. However, initial deletion studies in mice revealed that loss of such extraordinarily constrained sequences had no immediate impact on viability. Here, we show that ultraconserved enhancers are required for normal development. Focusing on some of the longest ultraconserved sites genome wide, located near the essential neuronal transcription factor Arx, we used genome editing to create an expanded series of knockout mice lacking individual or combinations of ultraconserved enhancers. Mice with single or pairwise deletions of ultraconserved enhancers were viable and fertile but in nearly all cases showed neurological or growth abnormalities, including substantial alterations of neuron populations and structural brain defects. Our results demonstrate the functional importance of ultraconserved enhancers and indicate that remarkably strong sequence conservation likely results from fitness deficits that appear subtle in a laboratory setting.