The Kv1-associated molecules TAG-1 and Caspr2 are selectively targeted to the axon initial segment in hippocampal neurons.

Caspr2 and TAG-1 (also known as CNTNAP2 and CNTN2, respectively) are cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) associated with the voltage-gated potassium channels Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 (also known as KCNA1 and KCNA2, respectively) at regions controlling axonal excitability, namely, the axon initial segment (AIS) and juxtaparanodes of myelinated axons. The distribution of Kv1 at juxtaparanodes requires axo-glial contacts mediated by Caspr2 and TAG-1. In the present study, we found that TAG-1 strongly colocalizes with Kv1.2 at the AIS of cultured hippocampal neurons, whereas Caspr2 is uniformly expressed along the axolemma. Live-cell imaging revealed that Caspr2 and TAG-1 are sorted together in axonal transport vesicles. Therefore, their differential distribution may result from diffusion and trapping mechanisms induced by selective partnerships. By using deletion constructs, we identified two molecular determinants of Caspr2 that regulate its axonal positioning. First, the LNG2-EGF1 modules in the ectodomain of Caspr2, which are involved in its axonal distribution. Deletion of these modules promotes AIS localization and association with TAG-1. Second, the cytoplasmic PDZ-binding site of Caspr2, which could elicit AIS enrichment and recruitment of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGuK) protein MPP2. Hence, the selective distribution of Caspr2 and TAG-1 may be regulated, allowing them to modulate the strategic function of the Kv1 complex along axons.

Syk kinases are required for spinal commissural axon repulsion at the midline via the ephrin/Eph pathway.

In the hematopoietic system, Syk family tyrosine kinases are essential components of immunoreceptor ITAM-based signaling. While there is increasing data indicating the involvement of immunoreceptors in neural functions, the contribution of Syk kinases remains obscure. Previously, we identified phosphorylated forms of Syk kinases in specialized populations of migrating neurons or projecting axons. Moreover, we identified ephrin/Eph as guidance molecules utilizing the ITAM-bearing CD3zeta (Cd247) and associated Syk kinases for the growth cone collapse response induced in vitro Here, we show that in the developing spinal cord, Syk is phosphorylated in navigating commissural axons. By analyzing axon trajectories in open-book preparations of Syk(-/-); Zap70(-/-) mouse embryos, we show that Syk kinases are dispensable for attraction towards the midline but confer growth cone responsiveness to repulsive signals that expel commissural axons from the midline. Known to serve a repulsive function at the midline, ephrin B3/EphB2 are obvious candidates for driving the Syk-dependent repulsive response. Indeed, Syk kinases were found to be required for ephrin B3-induced growth cone collapse in cultured commissural neurons. In fragments of commissural neuron-enriched tissues, Syk is in a constitutively phosphorylated state and ephrin B3 decreased its level of phosphorylation. Direct pharmacological inhibition of Syk kinase activity was sufficient to induce growth cone collapse. In conclusion, Syk kinases act as a molecular switch of growth cone adhesive and repulsive responses.

Structural mapping of hot spots within human CASPR2 discoidin domain for autoantibody recognition.

Accumulating evidence has showed that anti-CASPR2 autoantibodies occur in a long list of neurological immune disorders including limbic encephalitis (LE). Belonging to the well-known neurexin superfamily, CASPR2 has been suggested to be a central node in the molecular networks controlling neurodevelopment. Distinct from other subfamilies in the neurexin superfamily, the CASPR subfamily features a unique discoidin (Disc) domain. As revealed by our and others' recent studies, CASPR2 Disc domain bears a major epitope for autoantibodies. However, structural information on CASPR2 recognition by autoantibodies has been lacking. Here, we report the crystal structure of human CASPR2 Disc domain at a high resolution of 1.31 Å, which is the first atomic-resolution structure of the CASPR subfamily members. The Disc domain adopts a total ß structure and folds into a distorted jellyroll-like barrel with a conserved disulfide-bond interlocking its N- and C-termini. Defined by four loops and located in one end of the barrel, the "loop-tip surface" is totally polar and easily available for protein docking. Based on structure-guided epitope prediction, we generated nine mutants and evaluated their binding to autoantibodies of cerebrospinal fluid from twelve patients with limbic encephalitis. The quadruple mutant G69N/A71S/S77N/D78R impaired CASPR2 binding to autoantibodies from eleven LE patients, which indicates that the loop L1 in the Disc domain bears hot spots for autoantibody interaction. Structural mapping of autoepitopes within human CASPR2 Disc domain sheds light on how autoantibodies could sequester CASPR2 ectodomain and antagonize its functionalities in the pathogenic processes.

Impact of anti-CASPR2 autoantibodies from patients with autoimmune encephalitis on CASPR2/TAG-1 interaction and Kv1 expression.

Autoantibodies against CASPR2 (contactin-associated protein-like 2) have been linked to autoimmune limbic encephalitis that manifests with memory disorders and temporal lobe seizures. According to the growing number of data supporting a role for CASPR2 in neuronal excitability, CASPR2 forms a molecular complex with transient axonal glycoprotein-1 (TAG-1) and shaker-type voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv1.1 and Kv1.2) in compartments critical for neuronal activity and is required for Kv1 proper positioning. Whereas the perturbation of these functions could explain the symptoms observed in patients, the pathogenic role of anti-CASPR2 antibodies has been poorly studied. In the present study, we find that patient autoantibodies alter Caspr2 distribution at the cell membrane promoting cluster formation. We confirm in a HEK cellular model that the anti-CASPR2 antibodies impede CASPR2/TAG-1 interaction and we identify the domains of CASPR2 and TAG-1 taking part in this interaction. Moreover, introduction of CASPR2 into HEK cells induces a marked increase of the level of Kv1.2 surface expression and in cultures of hippocampal neurons Caspr2-positive inhibitory neurons appear to specifically express high levels of Kv1.2. Importantly, in both cellular models, anti-CASPR2 patient autoAb increase Kv1.2 expression. These results provide new insights into the pathogenic role of autoAb in the disease.

Contactin-associated protein-like 2, a protein of the neurexin family involved in several human diseases.

Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) is a cell adhesion protein of the neurexin family. Proteins of this family have been shown to play a role in the development of the nervous system, in synaptic functions, and in neurological diseases. Over recent years, CASPR2 function has gained an increasing interest as demonstrated by the growing number of publications. Here, we gather published data to comprehensively review CASPR2 functions within the nervous system in relation to CASPR2-related diseases in humans. On the one hand, studies on Cntnap2 (coding for CASPR2) knockout mice revealed its role during development, especially, in setting-up the inhibitory network. Consistent with this result, mutations in the CNTNAP2 gene coding for CASPR2 in human have been identified in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. On the other hand, CASPR2 was shown to play a role beyond development, in the localization of voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex that is composed of TAG-1, Kv1.1, and Kv1.2. This complex was found in several subcellular compartments essential for action potential propagation: the node of Ranvier, the axon initial segment, and the synapse. In line with a role of CASPR2 in the mature nervous system, neurological autoimmune diseases have been described in patients without neurodevelopmental disorders but with antibodies directed against CASPR2. These autoimmune diseases were of two types: central with memory disorders and temporal lobe seizures, or peripheral with muscular hyperactivity. Overall, we review the up-to-date knowledge on CASPR2 function and pinpoint confused or lacking information that will need further investigation.

Combined immunodeficiency caused by pathogenic variants in the ZAP70 C-terminal SH2 domain.

Introduction: ZAP-70, a protein tyrosine kinase recruited to the T cell receptor (TCR), initiates a TCR signaling cascade upon antigen stimulation. Mutations in the ZAP70 gene cause a combined immunodeficiency characterized by low or absent CD8+ T cells and nonfunctional CD4+ T cells. Most deleterious missense ZAP70 mutations in patients are located in the kinase domain but the impact of mutations in the SH2 domains, regulating ZAP-70 recruitment to the TCR, are not well understood. Methods: Genetic analyses were performed on four patients with CD8 lymphopenia and a high resolution melting screening for ZAP70 mutations was developed. The impact of SH2 domain mutations was evaluated by biochemical and functional analyses as well as by protein modeling. Results and discussion: Genetic characterization of an infant who presented with pneumocystis pneumonia, mycobacterial infection, and an absence of CD8 T cells revealed a novel homozygous mutation in the C-terminal SH2 domain (SH2-C) of the ZAP70 gene (c.C343T, p.R170C). A distantly related second patient was found to be compound heterozygous for the R170C variant and a 13bp deletion in the ZAP70 kinase domain. While the R170C mutant was highly expressed, there was an absence of TCR-induced proliferation, associated with significantly attenuated TCR-induced ZAP-70 phosphorylation and a lack of binding of ZAP-70 to TCR-ζ. Moreover, a homozygous ZAP-70 R192W variant was identified in 2 siblings with combined immunodeficiency and CD8 lymphopenia, confirming the pathogenicity of this mutation. Structural modeling of this region revealed the critical nature of the arginines at positions 170 and 192, in concert with R190, forming a binding pocket for the phosphorylated TCR-ζ chain. Deleterious mutations in the SH2-C domain result in attenuated ZAP-70 function and clinical manifestations of immunodeficiency.

The immune molecule CD3zeta and its downstream effectors ZAP-70/Syk mediate ephrin signaling in neurons to regulate early neuritogenesis.

Recent studies have highlighted the key role of the immune protein CD3ζ in the maturation of neuronal circuits in the CNS. Yet, the upstream signals that might recruit and activate CD3ζ in neurons are still unknown. In this study, we show that CD3ζ functions early in neuronal development and we identify ephrinA1-dependent EphA4 receptor activation as an upstream regulator of CD3ζ. When newly born neurons are still spherical, before neurite extension, we found a transient CD3ζ aggregation at the cell periphery matching the initiation site of the future neurite. This accumulation of CD3ζ correlated with a stimulatory effect on filopodia extension via a Rho-GEF Vav2 pathway and a repression of neurite outgrowth. Conversely, cultured neurons lacking CD3ζ isolated from CD3ζ(-/-) mice showed a decreased number of filopodia and an enhanced neurite number. Stimulation with ephrinA1 induces the translocation of both CD3ζ and its activated effector molecules, ZAP-70/Syk tyrosine kinases, to EphA4 receptor clusters. EphrinA1-induced growth cone collapse was abrogated in CD3ζ(-/-) neurons and was markedly reduced by ZAP-70/Syk inhibition. Moreover, ephrinA1-induced ZAP-70/Syk activation was inhibited in CD3ζ(-/-) neurons. Altogether, our data suggest that CD3ζ mediates the ZAP-70/Syk kinase activation triggered by ephrinA-activated pathway to regulate early neuronal morphogenesis.

Co-engaging CD47 and CD19 with a bispecific antibody abrogates B-cell receptor/CD19 association leading to impaired B-cell proliferation.

CD19 is a B cell-specific receptor that regulates the threshold of B cell receptor (BCR)-mediated cell proliferation. A CD47xCD19 bispecific antibody (biAb) was generated to target and deplete B cells via multiple antibody-mediated mechanisms. Interestingly, the biAb, constructed of a CD19 binding arm and a CD47 binding arm, inhibited BCR-mediated B-cell proliferation with an effect even more potent than a CD19 monoclonal antibody (mAb). The inhibitory effect of the biAb was not attributable to CD47 binding because a monovalent or bivalent anti-CD47 mAb had no effect on B cell proliferation. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis demonstrated that co-engaging CD19 and CD47 prevented CD19 clustering and its migration to BCR clusters, while only engaging CD19 (with a mAb) showed no impact on either CD19 clustering or migration. The lack of association between CD19 and the BCR resulted in decreased phosphorylation of CD19 upon BCR activation. Furthermore, the biAb differentially modulated BCR-induced gene expression compared to a CD19 mAb. Taken together, this unexpected role of CD47xCD19 co-ligation in inhibiting B cell proliferation illuminates a novel approach in which two B cell surface molecules can be tethered, to one another in order, which may provide a therapeutic benefit in settings of autoimmunity and B cell malignancies.

The Syk kinases orchestrate cerebellar granule cell tangential migration.

The tyrosine kinases of the Syk family are essential components of the well-characterized immunoreceptor ITAM-based signaling pathway. However, ITAM-based signaling typically does not function in isolation. Instead, it is enmeshed in the molecular network controlling cellular adhesion and chemotaxis. Consistent with the increasing number of data involving ITAM-bearing molecules in neuronal functions, we previously depicted a role for Syk kinases in the establishment of neuronal connectivity. In the developing cerebellum, we found that Syk is essentially expressed in the granule cells (GC) and more importantly, phosphorylated on tyrosine residues representative of an active form of the kinase in tangentially migrating GC. In light of these findings, experiments were performed to establish the implication of Syk in this process. We showed that Syk state of phosphorylation is spatiotemporally regulated during GC ontogeny. Moreover, the analysis of external granular layer microexplants treated with a Syk pharmacological inhibitor together with the quantification of ectopic GC in Syk+/-; ZAP-70-/- mutant mice brought evidence of a requirement of Syk in GC tangential migration. Syk phosphorylation was induced by EphB2 engagement and locally turned down by a not yet identified factor that could in part explain the restricted pattern of Syk phosphorylation observed along GC migratory route. Whereas Syk kinase activity appeared not essential for ephrin/Eph-mediated axon extension, it might provide polarization signals required for proper nucleus translocation during GC migration. In conclusion, Syk kinase acts downstream of receptors controlling GC tangential migration.

Characterization of a Subtype of Autoimmune Encephalitis With Anti-Contactin-Associated Protein-like 2 Antibodies in the Cerebrospinal Fluid, Prominent Limbic Symptoms, and Seizures.

IMPORTANCE: Autoantibodies against contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) are observed in several neurological syndromes, including neuromyotonia (NMT), Morvan syndrome (MoS), and limbic encephalitis. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical and biological presentations of patients with anti-CASPR2 antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 18 patients who had anti-CASPR2 antibodies in their CSF between March 2009 and November 2015 at the Centre National de Référence pour les Syndromes Neurologiques Paranéoplasiques in Lyon, France. Additionally, we analyzed 15 patients who were diagnosed as having NMT or MoS as a comparative group. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Clinical presentations, anti-CASPR2 antibodies specificities, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and CSF analyses, cancer prevalence, and evolution. RESULTS: In this cohort of 18 patients with anti-CASPR2 antibodies in their CSF, 17 (94.4%) were male and had a median (range) age of 64.5 (53-75) years; in the second group, 9 of 15 patients (60.0%) with NMT or MoS were male and had a median (range) age of 51 years (1 month to 75 years). Only 3 patients (16.7%) in this cohort had a previous or concomitant history of cancer (prostate, hematological, or thyroid), whereas 9 patients (60.0%) in the second group had a malignant thymoma. Symptoms of limbic encephalitis were observed in all patients, including temporal lobe seizures in 16 patients (88.9%) and memory disorders in 17 patients (94.4%) from the cohort. Extralimbic signs were also evident in 12 of 18 patients (66.7%), including cerebellar ataxia in 6 patients (33.3%). Only 2 patients (11.1%) from the cohort were diagnosed as having NMT. Brain magnetic resonance imaging displayed T2-weighted temporolimbic abnormalities in 14 of 15 patients (93.3%) in the second group. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was abnormal in 9 of 12 patients (75.0%). For 16 of 18 patients (88.9%), follow-up was performed for at least a 6-month period (median [range], 34 [11-114] months). Of these, 15 (93.8%) improved and 6 (37.5%) relapsed. In all patients in this cohort, IgG4 autoantibodies were detected in the CSF. Anti-CASPR2 antibodies in the CSF targeted the laminin G1 and discoidin domains of CASPR2 in all patients. Importantly, anti-CASPR2 antibodies were detected in the serum but not in the CSF of all patients with NMT or MoS. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, anti-CASPR2 antibodies in the CSF are associated with a subtype of autoimmune encephalitis with prominent limbic involvement and seizures that is rarely associated with cancer. Conversely, patients with NMT and MoS have anti-CASPR2 antibodies only in the serum but not in the CSF and frequently present with a malignant thymoma. The anti-CASPR2 antibodies found in these patients targeted the discoidin and laminin G1 domains of CASPR2 and always included IgG4 autoantibodies.

Ex vivo isolation protocols differentially affect the phenotype of human CD4+ T cells.

Leukemic T cell lines have facilitated signal transduction studies but their physiological relevance is restricted. The use of primary T lymphocytes overcomes this limitation but it has long been speculated that methodological aspects of blood collection and the isolation procedure modify the phenotype of the cell. Here we demonstrate that several characteristics of human peripheral T cells are affected by the selection conditions. A significantly higher induction of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 was observed on CD4+ lymphocytes isolated by sheep red blood cell (SRBC) rosetting and CD4 MicroBeads as compared with positively selected CD4+ cells where the antibody/bead complex was immediately detached. These latter cells expressed CXCR4 at levels equivalent to that observed on CD4+ lymphocytes obtained by negative antibody-mediated selection. Furthermore, CD4+ cells isolated by SRBC rosetting and CD4 MicroBeads formed aggregates upon in vitro culture. CD4+ lymphocytes obtained by SRBC rosetting as well as those isolated following positive selection demonstrated basal phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-2. Altogether these data suggest that certain discrepancies concerning signal transduction in primary human T cells can be attributed to the selection conditions. Thus, it is essential to establish the parameters influenced by the isolation protocol in order to fully interpret T cell responses to antigens, chemokines, and cytokines.

Ectopic expression of the immune adaptor protein CD3zeta in neural stem/progenitor cells disrupts cell-fate specification.

Immune signaling and neuroinflammatory mediators have recently emerged as influential variables that regulate neural precursor/stem cell (NPC) behavior and function. In this study, we investigated whether the signaling adaptor protein CD3ζ, a transmembrane protein involved in T cell differentiation and function and recently shown to regulate neuronal development in the central nervous system (CNS), may have a role in NPC differentiation. We analyzed the expression profile of CD3ζ in embryonic rat brain during neurogenic periods and in neurosphere-derived neural cells, and we investigated the action of CD3ζ on cell differentiation. We found that CD3ζ expression coincided with neuronal commitment, but its forced expression in NPCs prevented the production of neurons and oligodendrocytes, but not astroglial cells. This blockade of neuronal differentiation was operated through an ITAM-independent mechanism, but required the Asp36 of the CD3ζ transmembrane domain involved in membrane receptor interaction. Together, our findings show that ectopic CD3ζ expression in NPCs impaired their normal cell-fate specification and suggest that variations of CD3ζ expression in the developing CNS might result in neurodevelopmental anomalies.

Syk kinase is phosphorylated in specific areas of the developing nervous system.

An increasing number of data involve immunoreceptors in brain development, synaptic plasticity and behavior. However it has yet to be determined whether these proteins in fact transmit an immunoreceptor-like signal in non-hematopoietic neuronal cells. The recruitment and activation of the Syk family tyrosine kinases, Syk and ZAP-70, being a critical step in this process, we conducted a thorough analysis of Syk/ZAP-70 expression pattern in nervous tissues. Syk/ZAP-70 is present in neurons of different structures including the cerebellum, the hippocampus, the visual system and the olfactory system. During the olfactory system ontogeny the protein is detected from the 16th embryonic day and persists in adulthood. Importantly, Syk was phosphorylated on tyrosine residues representative of an active form of the kinase in specialized neuronal subpopulations comprising rostral migratory stream neuronal progenitor cells, hippocampal pyramidal cells, retinal ganglion cells and cerebellar granular cells. Phospho-Syk staining was also observed in synapse-rich regions such as the olfactory bulb glomeruli and the retina inner plexiform layer. Furthermore, our work on cultured primary hippoccampal neurons indicates that as for hematopoietic cells, Syk phosphorylation is readily induced upon pervanadate treatment. Therefore, Syk appears to be a serious candidate in connecting immunoreceptors to downstream adaptor/effector molecules in neurons.

Phosphorylation of collapsin response mediator protein 2 on Tyr-479 regulates CXCL12-induced T lymphocyte migration.

In the central nervous system, collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) is a transducer protein that supports the semaphorin-induced guidance of axons toward their cognate target. However, we previously showed that CRMP2 is also expressed in immune cells and plays a crucial role in T lymphocyte migration. Here we further investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying CRMP2 function in chemokine-directed T-cell motility. Examining Jurkat T-cells treated with the chemokine CXCL12, we found that 1) CXCL12 induces a dynamic re-localization of CRMP2 to uropod, the flexible structure of migrating lymphocyte, and increases its binding to the cytoskeletal protein vimentin; 2) CXCL12 decreases phosphorylation of the glycogen synthase kinase-3beta-targeted residues CRMP2-Thr-509/514; and 3) tyrosine Tyr-479 is a new phosphorylation CRMP2 residue and a target for the Src-family kinase Yes. Moreover, phospho-Tyr-479 increased under CXCL12 signaling while phospho-Thr-509/514 decreased. The functional importance of this tyrosine phosphorylation was demonstrated by Y479F mutation that strongly reduced CXCL12-mediated T-cell polarization and motility as tested in a transmigration model and on neural tissue. We propose that differential phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase-3beta and Yes modulates the contribution of CRMP2 to cytoskeletal reorganization during chemokine-directed T-cell migration. In addition to providing a novel mechanism for T lymphocyte motility, our findings reveal CRMP2 as a transducer of chemokine signaling.

ZAP-70 kinase regulates HIV cell-to-cell spread and virological synapse formation.

HIV efficiently spreads in lymphocytes, likely through virological synapses (VSs). These cell-cell junctions share some characteristics with immunological synapses, but cellular proteins required for their constitution remain poorly characterized. We have examined here the role of ZAP-70, a key kinase regulating T-cell activation and immunological synapse formation, in HIV replication. In lymphocytes deficient for ZAP-70, or expressing a kinase-dead mutant of the protein, HIV replication was strikingly delayed. We have characterized further this replication defect. ZAP-70 was dispensable for the early steps of viral cycle, from entry to expression of viral proteins. However, in the absence of ZAP-70, intracellular Gag localization was impaired. ZAP-70 was required in infected donor cells for efficient cell-to-cell HIV transmission to recipients and for formation of VSs. These results bring novel insights into the links that exist between T-cell activation and HIV spread, and suggest that HIV usurps components of the immunological synapse machinery to ensure its own spread through cell-to-cell contacts.

Signaling through ZAP-70 is required for CXCL12-mediated T-cell transendothelial migration.

Transendothelial migration of activated lymphocytes from the blood into the tissues is an essential step for immune functions. The housekeeping chemokine CXCL12 (or stroma cell-derived factor-1alpha), a highly efficient chemoattractant for T lymphocytes, drives lymphocytes to sites where they are highly likely to encounter antigens. This suggests that cross-talk between the T-cell receptor (TCR) and CXCR4 (the CXCL12 receptor) might occur within these sites. Here we show that the zeta-associated protein 70 (ZAP-70), a key element in TCR signaling, is required for CXCR4 signal transduction. The pharmacologic inhibition of ZAP-70, or the absence of ZAP-70 in Jurkat T cells and in primary CD4(+) T cells obtained from a patient with ZAP deficiency, resulted in an impairment of transendothelial migration that was rescued by the transfection of ZAP-70. Moreover, the overexpression of mutated forms of ZAP-70, whose kinase domain was inactivated, also abrogated the migratory response of Jurkat T cells to CXCL12. In contrast, no involvement of ZAP-70 in T-cell arrest on inflammatory endothelium under flow conditions or in CXCL12-induced actin polymerization was observed. Furthermore, CXCL12 induced time-dependent phosphorylation of ZAP-70, Vav1, and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs); the latter were reduced in the absence of functional ZAP-70. However, though a dominant-negative Vav1 mutant (Vav1 L213A) blocked CXCL12-induced T-cell migration, pharmacologic inhibition of the ERK pathway did not affect migration, suggesting that ERK activation is dispensable for T-cell chemotaxis. We conclude that cross-talk between the ZAP-70 signaling pathway and the chemokine receptor CXCR4 is required for T-cell migration.

Reconstitution of lymphoid development and function in ZAP-70-deficient mice following gene transfer into bone marrow cells.

Mutations in the ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase gene result in a severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) characterized by a selective inability to produce CD8(+) T cells and a signal transduction defect in peripheral CD4(+) cells. Transplantation of genetically modified hematopoietic progenitor cells that express the wild-type ZAP-70 gene may provide significant benefit to some of these infants. The feasibility of stem cell gene correction for human ZAP-70 deficiency was assessed using a ZAP-70 knock-out model. ZAP-70-deficient murine bone marrow progenitor cells were transduced with a retroviral vector expressing the human ZAP-70 gene. Engraftment of these cells in irradiated ZAP-70-deficient animals resulted in the development of mature CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. In marked contrast, both populations were absent in ZAP-70(-/-) mice undergoing transplantation with bone marrow progenitor cells transduced with a control vector. Importantly, ZAP-70-reconstituted T cells proliferated in response to T-cell receptor stimulation. Moreover, these ZAP-70-expressing T cells demonstrated a diverse T-cell receptor repertoire as monitored by the relative usage of each T-cell receptor beta chain hypervariable region subfamily. The presence of ZAP-70 in B cells did not affect either lipopolysaccharide- or lipopolysaccharide/interleukin-4-mediated immunoglobulin isotype switching. Altogether, these data indicate that retroviral-mediated gene transfer of the ZAP-70 gene may prove to have a therapeutic benefit for patients with ZAP-70-SCID.

IL-22, in contrast to IL-10, does not induce Ig production, due to absence of a functional IL-22 receptor on activated human B cells.

IL-22 is an IL-10 homologue that binds to and signals via the class II cytokine receptor (R) heterodimer IL-22RA1/CFR2-4 (IL-10R2), the latter chain being part of the IL-10R complex. Here, we report that, despite its structural similarity with IL-10, as well as its use of the common IL-10R2 chain, IL-22, in contrast to IL-10, is unable to induce Ig production by activated human B cells. Whereas culture of anti-CD40 mAb-stimulated splenic or tonsillar B cells in the presence of rIL-10 resulted in the production of IgG, IgG1, IgG3 and IgA, rIL-22, at concentrations ranging from 4 to 100 ng/ml, did not induce the production of any of these isotypes. Moreover, unlike rIL-10 which enhanced rIL-4-induced IgG4 and IgE production, rIL-22 was ineffective. Although activated B cells expressed transcripts for a soluble IL-22-binding protein (IL-22RA2), no mRNA for a transmembrane IL-22R (IL-22RA1) could be detected. The latter result was confirmed by the demonstration that rIL-22 failed to induce activation of STAT-3 and -5 in resting or activated B cells. Together, these data show that IL-22, in contrast to its homologue IL-10, is not involved in the immunological activity of B cells, which is due to the absence of a functional IL-22R at the surface of these cells.

T-cell receptor-induced phosphorylation of the zeta chain is efficiently promoted by ZAP-70 but not Syk.

Engagement of the T-cell receptor (TCR) results in the activation of Lck/Fyn and ZAP-70/Syk tyrosine kinases. Lck-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of signaling motifs (ITAMs) in the CD3-zeta subunits of the TCR is an initial step in the transduction of signaling cascades. However, zeta phosphorylation is also promoted by ZAP-70, as TCR-induced zeta phosphorylation is defective in ZAP-70-deficient T cells. We show that this defect is corrected by stable expression of ZAP-70, but not Syk, in primary and transformed T cells. Indeed, these proteins are differentially coupled to the TCR with a 5- to 10-fold higher association of ZAP-70 with zeta as compared to Syk. Low-level Syk-zeta binding is associated with significantly less Lck coupled to the TCR. Moreover, diminished coupling of Lck to zeta correlates with a poor phosphorylation of the positive regulatory tyr352 residue of Syk. Thus, recruitment of Lck into the TCR complex with subsequent zeta chain phosphorylation is promoted by ZAP-70 but not Syk. Importantly, the presence of ZAP-70 positively regulates the TCR-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk. The interplay between Syk and ZAP-70 in thymocytes, certain T cells, and B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, in which they are coexpressed, will therefore modulate the amplitude of antigen-mediated receptor signaling.