RESUMEN
Signaling via the pre-T cell antigen receptor (pre-TCR) and the receptor Notch1 induces transient self-renewal (ß-selection) of TCRß(+) CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative stage 3 (DN3) and DN4 progenitor cells that differentiate into CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive (DP) thymocytes, which then rearrange the locus encoding the TCR α-chain (Tcra). Interleukin 7 (IL-7) promotes the survival of TCRß(-) DN thymocytes by inducing expression of the pro-survival molecule Bcl-2, but the functions of IL-7 during ß-selection have remained unclear. Here we found that IL-7 signaled TCRß(+) DN3 and DN4 thymocytes to upregulate genes encoding molecules involved in cell growth and repressed the gene encoding the transcriptional repressor Bcl-6. Accordingly, IL-7-deficient DN4 cells lacked trophic receptors and did not proliferate but rearranged Tcra prematurely and differentiated rapidly. Deletion of Bcl6 partially restored the self-renewal of DN4 cells in the absence of IL-7, but overexpression of BCL2 did not. Thus, IL-7 critically acts cooperatively with signaling via the pre-TCR and Notch1 to coordinate proliferation, differentiation and Tcra recombination during ß-selection.
Asunto(s)
Interleucina-7/genética , Receptor Notch1/genética , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfocitos T alfa-beta/genética , Timocitos/metabolismo , Animales , Antígenos CD4/genética , Antígenos CD4/inmunología , Antígenos CD8/genética , Antígenos CD8/inmunología , Diferenciación Celular , Proliferación Celular , Supervivencia Celular , Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Interleucina-7/deficiencia , Interleucina-7/inmunología , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Ratones Noqueados , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-bcl-2/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-bcl-2/inmunología , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-bcl-6/deficiencia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-bcl-6/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-bcl-6/inmunología , Receptor Notch1/inmunología , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfocitos T alfa-beta/inmunología , Recombinación Genética , Transducción de Señal , Timocitos/citología , Timocitos/inmunología , Timo/citología , Timo/inmunología , Timo/metabolismoRESUMEN
CDH1 and PIK3CA are the two most frequently mutated genes in invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) of the breast. Transcription profiling has identified molecular subtypes for ILC, one of which, immune-related (IR), is associated with gene expression linked to lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration. Here, we report that deletion of Cdh1, together with activation of Pik3ca in mammary epithelium of genetically modified mice, leads to formation of IR-ILC-like tumors with immune cell infiltration, as well as gene expression linked to T-regulatory (Treg) cell signaling and activation of targetable immune checkpoint pathways. Interestingly, these tumors show enhanced Rac1- and Yap-dependent transcription and signaling, as well as sensitivity to PI3K, Rac1, and Yap inhibitors in culture. Finally, high-dimensional immunophenotyping in control mouse mammary gland and IR-ILC tumors by mass cytometry shows dramatic alterations in myeloid and lymphoid populations associated with immune suppression and exhaustion, highlighting the potential for therapeutic intervention via immune checkpoint regulators.