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1.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1360219, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38745667

Background: Regulatory B cells (Bregs) play a pivotal role in suppressing immune responses, yet there is still a lack of cell surface markers that can rigorously identify them. In mouse models for multiple sclerosis (MS), TIM-1 or TIGIT expression on B cells is required for maintaining self-tolerance and regulating autoimmunity to the central nervous system. Here we investigated the activities of human memory B cells that differentially express TIM-1 and TIGIT to determine their potential regulatory function in healthy donors and patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. Methods: FACS-sorted TIM-1+/-TIGIT+/- memory B (memB) cells co-cultured with allogenic CD4+ T cells were analyzed for proliferation and induction of inflammatory markers using flow cytometry and cytokine quantification, to determine Th1/Th17 cell differentiation. Transcriptional differences were assessed by SMARTSeq2 RNA sequencing analysis. Results: TIM-1-TIGIT- double negative (DN) memB cells strongly induce T cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. The TIM-1+ memB cells enabled low levels of CD4+ T cell activation and gave rise to T cells that co-express IL-10 with IFNγ and IL-17A or FoxP3. T cells cultured with the TIM-1+TIGIT+ double positive (DP) memB cells exhibited reduced proliferation and IFNγ, IL-17A, TNFα, and GM-CSF expression, and exhibited strong regulation in Breg suppression assays. The functional activity suggests the DP memB cells are a bonafide Breg population. However, MS DP memB cells were less inhibitory than HC DP memB cells. A retrospective longitudinal study of anti-CD20 treated patients found that post-treatment DP memB cell frequency and absolute number were associated with response to therapy. Transcriptomic analyses indicated that the dysfunctional MS-derived DP memB/Breg population exhibited increased expression of genes associated with T cell activation and survival (CD80, ZNF10, PIK3CA), and had distinct gene expression compared to the TIGIT+ or TIM-1+ memB cells. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that TIM-1/TIGIT expressing memory B cell subsets have distinct functionalities. Co-expression of TIM-1 and TIGIT defines a regulatory memory B cell subset that is functionally impaired in MS.


B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1 , Receptors, Immunologic , Humans , Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism , Receptors, Immunologic/genetics , B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1/metabolism , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1/genetics , Female , Male , Adult , Memory B Cells/immunology , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/immunology , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Multiple Sclerosis/immunology , Multiple Sclerosis/metabolism , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Middle Aged , Cells, Cultured , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Immunologic Memory
2.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 4080, 2024 May 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38744812

While preventing vertical HIV transmission has been very successful, HIV-exposed uninfected infants (iHEU) experience an elevated risk to infections compared to HIV-unexposed and uninfected infants (iHUU). Here we present a longitudinal multimodal analysis of infant immune ontogeny that highlights the impact of HIV/ARV exposure. Using mass cytometry, we show alterations in T cell memory differentiation between iHEU and iHUU being significant from week 15 of life. The altered memory T cell differentiation in iHEU was preceded by lower TCR Vß clonotypic diversity and linked to TCR clonal depletion within the naïve T cell compartment. Compared to iHUU, iHEU had elevated CD56loCD16loPerforin+CD38+CD45RA+FcεRIγ+ NK cells at 1 month postpartum and whose abundance pre-vaccination were predictive of vaccine-induced pertussis and rotavirus antibody responses post 3 months of life. Collectively, HIV/ARV exposure disrupted the trajectory of innate and adaptive immunity from birth which may underlie relative vulnerability to infections in iHEU.


HIV Infections , Immunologic Memory , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Humans , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV Infections/virology , Infant , Female , Infant, Newborn , Memory T Cells/immunology , Male , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism , Adaptive Immunity/immunology , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Longitudinal Studies
3.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1355405, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38720891

Introduction: Sepsis engenders distinct host immunologic changes that include the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). These cells play a physiologic role in tempering acute inflammatory responses but can persist in patients who develop chronic critical illness. Methods: Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by Sequencing and transcriptomic analysis are used to describe MDSC subpopulations based on differential gene expression, RNA velocities, and biologic process clustering. Results: We identify a unique lineage and differentiation pathway for MDSCs after sepsis and describe a novel MDSC subpopulation. Additionally, we report that the heterogeneous response of the myeloid compartment of blood to sepsis is dependent on clinical outcome. Discussion: The origins and lineage of these MDSC subpopulations were previously assumed to be discrete and unidirectional; however, these cells exhibit a dynamic phenotype with considerable plasticity.


Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells , Sepsis , Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/immunology , Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/metabolism , Humans , Sepsis/immunology , Transcriptome , Male , Female , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Gene Expression Profiling
4.
J Vis Exp ; (206)2024 Apr 26.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38738889

Follicular Helper T (TFH) cells are perceived as an independent CD4+ T cell lineage that assists cognate B cells in producing high-affinity antibodies, thus establishing long-term humoral immunity. During acute viral infection, the fate commitment of virus-specific TFH cells is determined in the early infection phase, and investigations of the early-differentiated TFH cells are crucial in understanding T cell-dependent humoral immunity and optimizing vaccine design. In the study, using a mouse model of acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection and the TCR-transgenic SMARTA (SM) mouse with CD4+ T cells specifically recognizing LCMV glycoprotein epitope I-AbGP66-77, we described procedures to access the early fate commitment of virus-specific TFH cells based on flow cytometry stainings. Furthermore, by exploiting retroviral transduction of SM CD4+ T cells, methods to manipulate gene expression in early-differentiated virus-specific TFH cells are also provided. Hence, these methods will help in studies exploring the mechanism(s) underlying the early commitment of virus-specific TFH cells.


Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis , Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus , Animals , Mice , Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus/immunology , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis/immunology , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis/virology , Cell Differentiation/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology , T Follicular Helper Cells/immunology , Flow Cytometry/methods , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Mice, Transgenic , Mice, Inbred C57BL
5.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 3389, 2024 Apr 22.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38649353

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by anti-nuclear autoantibodies whose production is promoted by autoreactive T follicular helper (TFH) cells. During SLE pathogenesis, basophils accumulate in secondary lymphoid organs (SLO), amplify autoantibody production and disease progression through mechanisms that remain to be defined. Here, we provide evidence for a direct functional relationship between TFH cells and basophils during lupus pathogenesis, both in humans and mice. PD-L1 upregulation on basophils and IL-4 production are associated with TFH and TFH2 cell expansions and with disease activity. Pathogenic TFH cell accumulation, maintenance, and function in SLO were dependent on PD-L1 and IL-4 in basophils, which induced a transcriptional program allowing TFH2 cell differentiation and function. Our study establishes a direct mechanistic link between basophils and TFH cells in SLE that promotes autoantibody production and lupus nephritis.


B7-H1 Antigen , Basophils , Interleukin-4 , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , T Follicular Helper Cells , Adult , Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , Middle Aged , Autoantibodies/immunology , B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism , B7-H1 Antigen/genetics , Basophils/immunology , Basophils/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Interleukin-4/metabolism , Interleukin-4/immunology , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology , Lupus Nephritis/immunology , Lupus Nephritis/pathology , Lupus Nephritis/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , T Follicular Helper Cells/immunology , T Follicular Helper Cells/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/metabolism
6.
Nat Immunol ; 25(5): 860-872, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38632339

Adaptive immunity relies on specialized effector functions elicited by lymphocytes, yet how antigen recognition activates appropriate effector responses through nonspecific signaling intermediates is unclear. Here we examined the role of chromatin priming in specifying the functional outputs of effector T cells and found that most of the cis-regulatory landscape active in effector T cells was poised early in development before the expression of the T cell antigen receptor. We identified two principal mechanisms underpinning this poised landscape: the recruitment of the nucleosome remodeler mammalian SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (mSWI/SNF) by the transcription factors RUNX1 and PU.1 to establish chromatin accessibility at T effector loci; and a 'relay' whereby the transcription factor BCL11B succeeded PU.1 to maintain occupancy of the chromatin remodeling complex mSWI/SNF together with RUNX1, after PU.1 silencing during lineage commitment. These mechanisms define modes by which T cells acquire the potential to elicit specialized effector functions early in their ontogeny and underscore the importance of integrating extrinsic cues to the developmentally specified intrinsic program.


Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit , Proto-Oncogene Proteins , Repressor Proteins , Trans-Activators , Transcription Factors , Tumor Suppressor Proteins , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Trans-Activators/metabolism , Trans-Activators/genetics , Mice , Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/metabolism , Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/genetics , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Mice, Knockout , Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly , Cell Differentiation/immunology
7.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1385501, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38680484

The development of B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells is central to the adaptive immune system as they induce protective and specific antibody responses against invading pathogens. Various studies have shown that, during this process, hormones can play important roles in the lymphopoiesis, activation, proliferation, and differentiation of B cells, and depending on the signal given by the receptor of each hormone, they can have a positive or negative effect. In autoimmune diseases, hormonal deregulation has been reported to be related to the survival, activation and/or differentiation of autoreactive clones of B cells, thus promoting the development of autoimmunity. Clinical manifestations of autoimmune diseases have been associated with estrogens, prolactin (PRL), and growth hormone (GH) levels. However, androgens, such as testosterone and progesterone (P4), could have a protective effect. The objective of this review is to highlight the links between different hormones and the immune response mediated by B cells in the etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and multiple sclerosis (MS). The data collected provide insights into the role of hormones in the cellular, molecular and/or epigenetic mechanisms that modulate the B-cell response in health and disease.


Autoimmunity , B-Lymphocytes , Humans , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Animals , Hormones/metabolism , Hormones/immunology , Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology
8.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1340001, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38680492

Germinal center (GC) responses are essential for establishing protective, long-lasting immunity through the differentiation of GC B cells (BGC) and plasma cells (BPC), along with the generation of antigen-specific antibodies. Among the various pathways influencing immune responses, the STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway has emerged as significant, especially in innate immunity, and extends its influence to adaptive responses. In this study, we examined how the STING ligand cGAMP can modulate these key elements of the adaptive immune response, particularly in enhancing GC reactions and the differentiation of BGC, BPC, and follicular helper T cells (TFH). Employing in vivo models, we evaluated various antigens and the administration of cGAMP in Alum adjuvant, investigating the differentiation of BGC, BPC, and TFH cells, along with the production of antigen-specific antibodies. cGAMP enhances the differentiation of BGC and BPC, leading to increased antigen-specific antibody production. This effect is shown to be type I Interferon-dependent, with a substantial reduction in BPC frequency upon interferon (IFN)-ß blockade. Additionally, cGAMP's influence on TFH differentiation varies over time, which may be critical for refining vaccine strategies. The findings elucidate a complex, antigen-specific influence of cGAMP on T and B cell responses, providing insights that could optimize vaccine efficacy.


Cell Differentiation , Germinal Center , Membrane Proteins , Nucleotides, Cyclic , Signal Transduction , Germinal Center/immunology , Germinal Center/metabolism , Animals , Nucleotides, Cyclic/metabolism , Nucleotides, Cyclic/immunology , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/immunology , Mice , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , B-Lymphocytes/metabolism , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Plasma Cells/immunology , Plasma Cells/metabolism
9.
J Exp Med ; 221(7)2024 Jul 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38661717

During secondary infection with influenza virus, plasma cells (PCs) develop within the lung, providing a local source of antibodies. However, the site and mechanisms that regulate this process are poorly defined. Here, we show that while circulating memory B cells entered the lung during rechallenge and were activated within inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues (iBALTs), resident memory B (BRM) cells responded earlier, and their activation occurred in a different niche: directly near infected alveoli. This process required NK cells but was largely independent of CD4 and CD8 T cells. Innate stimuli induced by virus-like particles containing ssRNA triggered BRM cell differentiation in the absence of cognate antigen, suggesting a low threshold of activation. In contrast, expansion of PCs in iBALTs took longer to develop and was critically dependent on CD4 T cells. Our work demonstrates that spatially distinct mechanisms evolved to support pulmonary secondary PC responses, and it reveals a specialized function for BRM cells as guardians of the alveoli.


CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Lung , Orthomyxoviridae Infections , Plasma Cells , Animals , Plasma Cells/immunology , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology , Lung/immunology , Lung/virology , Lung/pathology , Mice , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Memory B Cells/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Orthomyxoviridae/immunology , Orthomyxoviridae/physiology
10.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1364957, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38650932

Introduction: CARD11 is a lymphoid lineage-specific scaffold protein regulating the NF-κB activation downstream of the antigen receptor signal pathway. Defective CARD11 function results in abnormal development and differentiation of lymphocytes, especially thymic regulatory T cells (Treg). Method: In this study, we used patients' samples together with transgenic mouse models carrying pathogenic CARD11 mutations from patients to explore their effects on Treg development. Immunoblotting and a GFP receptor assay were used to evaluate the activation effect of CARD11 mutants on NF-κB signaling. Then the suppressive function of Tregs carrying distinct CARD11 mutations was measured by in vitro suppression assay. Finally, we applied the retroviral transduced bone marrow chimeras to rescue the Treg development in an NF-κB independent manner. Results and discuss: We found CARD11 mutations causing hyper-activated NF-κB signals also gave rise to compromised Treg development in the thymus, similar to the phenotype in Card11 deficient mice. This observation challenges the previous view that CARD11 regulates Treg lineage dependent on the NF-kB activation. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the noncanonical function CARD11, which negatively regulates the AKT/ FOXO1 signal pathway, is responsible for regulating Treg generation. Moreover, primary immunodeficiency patients carrying CARD11 mutation, which autonomously activates NF-κB, also represented the reduced Treg population in their peripheral blood. Our results propose a new regulatory function of CARD11 and illuminate an NF-κB independent pathway for thymic Treg lineage commitment.


CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins , Guanylate Cyclase , Mutation , NF-kappa B , Signal Transduction , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Thymus Gland , Animals , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism , CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/genetics , CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/metabolism , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Humans , Mice , Thymus Gland/immunology , Thymus Gland/cytology , Thymus Gland/metabolism , Mice, Transgenic , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/immunology , Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/genetics , Male
11.
Oncoimmunology ; 13(1): 2344905, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38659649

T cell immunity is critical for human defensive immune response. Exploring the key molecules during the process provides new targets for T cell-based immunotherapies. CMC1 is a mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complex IV chaperon protein. By establishing in-vitro cell culture system and Cmc1 gene knock out mice, we evaluated the role of CMC1 in T cell activation and differentiation. The B16-OVA tumor model was used to test the possibility of targeting CMC1 for improving T cell anti-tumor immunity. We identified CMC1 as a positive regulator in CD8+T cells activation and terminal differentiation. Meanwhile, we found that CMC1 increasingly expressed in exhausted T (Tex) cells. Genetic lost of Cmc1 inhibits the development of CD8+T cell exhaustion in mice. Instead, deletion of Cmc1 in T cells prompts cells to differentiate into metabolically and functionally quiescent cells with increased memory-like features and tolerance to cell death upon repetitive or prolonged T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. Further, the in-vitro mechanistic study revealed that environmental lactate enhances CMC1 expression by inducing USP7, mediated stabilization and de-ubiquitination of CMC1 protein, in which a mechanism we propose here that the lactate-enriched tumor microenvironment (TME) drives CD8+TILs dysfunction through CMC1 regulatory effects on T cells. Taken together, our study unraveled the novel role of CMC1 as a T cell regulator and its possibility to be utilized for anti-tumor immunotherapy.


CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Mice, Knockout , Mitochondrial Proteins , Animals , Mice , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Melanoma, Experimental/immunology , Melanoma, Experimental/pathology , Melanoma, Experimental/genetics , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics , Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism , Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/metabolism , Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/genetics
14.
Eur J Immunol ; 54(5): e2350839, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38430190

The active vitamin A metabolite, all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), primes precursor dendritic cells (DCs) into a mucosal phenotype with tolerogenic properties characterized by the expression of integrin CD103. CD103+ DCs can counteract pathogenic Th1 and Th17 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or celiac disease (CD). Tolerogenic manipulation of DCs using nanoparticles carrying tolerogenic adjuvants and disease-specific antigens is a valuable treatment strategy to induce antigen-specific mucosal tolerance in vivo. Here, we investigated the effects of RA-loaded liposomes on human DC phenotype and function, including DC-driven T-cell development, both during the generation of monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) as well as by priming immature moDCs. RA liposomes drove CD103+ DC differentiation as well as ALDH1A2 expression in DCs. Neutrophil-dependent Th17 cell development was reduced by RA-liposome-differentiated and RA-liposome-primed DCs. Moreover, RA liposome treatment shifted T-cell development toward a Th2 cell profile. Importantly, RA liposomes induced the development of IL-10-producing and FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) of various Treg subsets, including ICOS+ Tregs, that were potent inhibitors of bystander memory T-cell proliferation. Taken together, RA-loaded liposomes could be a novel treatment avenue for IBD or CD patients.


Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family , Antigens, CD , Cell Differentiation , Dendritic Cells , Integrin alpha Chains , Liposomes , Retinal Dehydrogenase , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Th17 Cells , Tretinoin , Humans , Tretinoin/pharmacology , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Th17 Cells/immunology , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Dendritic Cells/drug effects , Antigens, CD/immunology , Antigens, CD/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Retinal Dehydrogenase/metabolism , Immune Tolerance/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Interleukin-10/metabolism , Interleukin-10/immunology , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Celiac Disease/immunology
15.
J Virol ; 98(3): e0180523, 2024 Mar 19.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38323810

Shrimp hemocytes are the vital immune cells participating in innate immune response to defend against viruses. However, the lack of specific molecular markers for shrimp hemocyte hindered the insightful understanding of their functional clusters and differential roles in combating microbial infections. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to map the transcriptomic landscape of hemocytes from the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)-infected Litopenaeus vannamei and conjointly analyzed with our previous published single-cell RNA sequencing technology data from the healthy hemocytes. A total of 16 transcriptionally distinct cell clusters were identified, which occupied different proportions in healthy and WSSV-infected hemocytes and exerted differential roles in antiviral immune response. Following mapping of the sequencing data to the WSSV genome, we found that all types of hemocytes could be invaded by WSSV virions, especially the cluster 8, which showed the highest transcriptional levels of WSSV genes and exhibited a cell type-specific antiviral response to the viral infection. Further evaluation of the cell clusters revealed the delicate dynamic balance between hemocyte immune response and viral infestation. Unsupervised pseudo-time analysis of hemocytes showed that the hemocytes in immune-resting state could be significantly activated upon WSSV infection and then functionally differentiated to different hemocyte subsets. Collectively, our results revealed the differential responses of shrimp hemocytes and the process of immune-functional differentiation post-WSSV infection, providing essential resource for the systematic insight into the synergistic immune response mechanism against viral infection among hemocyte subtypes. IMPORTANCE: Current knowledge of shrimp hemocyte classification mainly comes from morphology, which hinder in-depth characterization of cell lineage development, functional differentiation, and different immune response of hemocyte types during pathogenic infections. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing was used for mapping hemocytes during white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in Litopenaeus vannamei, identifying 16 cell clusters and evaluating their potential antiviral functional characteristics. We have described the dynamic balance between viral infestation and hemocyte immunity. And the functional differentiation of hemocytes under WSSV stimulation was further characterized. Our results provided a comprehensive transcriptional landscape and revealed the heterogeneous immune response in shrimp hemocytes during WSSV infection.


Arthropod Proteins , Hemocytes , Host Microbial Interactions , Penaeidae , RNA-Seq , Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis , White spot syndrome virus 1 , Animals , Arthropod Proteins/genetics , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Gene Expression Regulation , Hemocytes/cytology , Hemocytes/immunology , Hemocytes/metabolism , Hemocytes/virology , Host Microbial Interactions/genetics , Host Microbial Interactions/immunology , Penaeidae/cytology , Penaeidae/genetics , Penaeidae/immunology , Penaeidae/virology , White spot syndrome virus 1/genetics , White spot syndrome virus 1/immunology
16.
Eur J Immunol ; 54(5): e2350450, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38356202

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) regulates actin cytoskeletal dynamics and function of hematopoietic cells. Mutations in the WAS gene lead to two different syndromes; Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) caused by loss-of-function mutations, and X-linked neutropenia (XLN) caused by gain-of-function mutations. We previously showed that WASp-deficient mice have a decreased number of regulatory T (Treg) cells in the thymus and the periphery. We here evaluated the impact of WASp mutations on Treg cells in the thymus of WAS and XLN mouse models. Using in vitro Treg differentiation assays, WAS CD4 single-positive thymocytes have decreased differentiation to Treg cells, despite normal early signaling upon IL-2 and TGF-ß stimulation. They failed to proliferate and express CD25 at high levels, leading to poor survival and a lower number of Foxp3+ Treg cells. Conversely, XLN CD4 single-positive thymocytes efficiently differentiate into Foxp3+ Treg cells following a high proliferative response to IL-2 and TGF-ß, associated with high CD25 expression when compared with WT cells. Altogether, these results show that specific mutations of WASp affect Treg cell development differently, demonstrating a critical role of WASp activity in supporting Treg cell development and expansion.


Cell Differentiation , Cell Proliferation , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Thymus Gland , Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein , Animals , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein/genetics , Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein/metabolism , Mice , Thymus Gland/immunology , Thymus Gland/cytology , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics , Interleukin-2/metabolism , Interleukin-2/immunology , Mutation , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism , Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome/immunology , Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome/genetics , Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/metabolism , Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/genetics , Mice, Knockout , Mice, Inbred C57BL
17.
Pathol Res Pract ; 249: 154709, 2023 Sep.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37586216

Human regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential in pathogenesis of several diseases such as autoimmune diseases and cancers, and their imbalances may be promoting factor in these disorders. The development of the proinflammatory T cell subset TH17 and its balance with the generation of regulatory T cells (Treg) is linked to autoimmune disease and cancers. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently emerged as powerful regulatory molecules in a variety of diseases and can regulate the expression of significant genes at multiple levels through epigenetic regulation and by modulating transcription, post-transcriptional processes, translation, and protein modification. They may interact with a wide range of molecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins, and have a complex structural makeup. LncRNAs are implicated in a range of illnesses due to their regulatory impact on a variety of biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. In this regard, a prominent example is lncRNA NEAT1 which several studies have performed to determine its role in the differentiation of immune cells. Many other lncRNAs have been linked to Treg cell differentiation in the context of immune cell differentiation. In this study, we review recent research on the various roles of lncRNAs in differentiation of Treg cell and regulation of the Th17/Treg balance in autoimmune diseases and tumors in which T regs play an important role.


Autoimmune Diseases , Neoplasms , RNA, Long Noncoding , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/physiology , Humans , Autoimmune Diseases/genetics , Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , Neoplasms/genetics , Neoplasms/immunology , Th17 Cells/immunology , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Gene Expression Regulation
18.
Clin Transl Med ; 12(12): e1117, 2022 12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36447054

BACKGROUND: The aberrant differentiation of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells plays an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the mechanism of regulating Tfh cells differentiation remains unclear. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as important regulators in the processes of innate and adaptive immune response. Whether lncRNAs are involved in regulating Tfh cell differentiation and autoimmune responses need to be further identified. METHODS: The characters and functions of human IL21-AS1 and its mouse homologous lncRNA (mIl21-AS) were investigated by a series of biochemical assays and cell transfection assay. mIl21-AS1 regulating humoral immune response in vivo was explored by keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) and chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) model. RESULTS: Human IL21-AS1 and its mouse homologous lncRNA (mIl21-AS) were identified and cloned. We uncovered that IL21-AS1 was highly expressed in CD4+ T cells of SLE patients and Tfh cells, which promoted differentiation of Tfh cells. Mechanistically, IL21-AS1 bound heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U and recruited acetyltransferases CREB-binding protein to the promoter of IL21, leading to the transcriptional activation of IL21 and Tfh cells differentiation through increasing Histone H3 acetylation level on IL21 promoter. Moreover, Tfh proportion and antibodies production were significantly increased in mIl21-AS knock-in mice immunized with KLH. mIl21-AS1 overexpression also exacerbated the lupus-like phenotype in cGVHD mice model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that IL21-AS1 activates IL21 transcription via epigenetic mechanism to promote germinal centre response, adding insight into the molecular regulation of autoimmune pathogenesis and providing a novel target for SLE treatment.


Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , RNA, Long Noncoding , T Follicular Helper Cells , Animals , Humans , Mice , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/immunology , T Follicular Helper Cells/immunology , Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics , Epigenesis, Genetic/immunology
19.
Front Immunol ; 13: 848577, 2022.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35990644

The E protein transcription factors E2A and HEB are critical for many developmental processes, including T cell development. We have shown that the Tcf12 locus gives rise to two distinct HEB proteins, with alternative (HEBAlt) and canonical (HEBCan) N-terminal domains, which are co-expressed during early T cell development. While the functional domains of HEBCan have been well studied, the nature of the HEBAlt-specific (Alt) domain has been obscure. Here we provide compelling evidence that the Alt domain provides a site for the molecular integration of cytokine signaling and E protein activity. Our results indicate that phosphorylation of a unique YYY motif in the Alt domain increases HEBAlt activity by 10-fold, and that this increase is dependent on Janus kinase activity. To enable in vivo studies of HEBAlt in the T cell context, we generated ALT-Tg mice, which can be induced to express a HA-tagged HEBAlt coding cassette in the presence of Cre recombinases. Analysis of ALT-Tg mice on the Vav-iCre background revealed a minor change in the ratio of ISP cells to CD8+ SP cells, and a mild shift in the ratio of T cells to B cells in the spleen, but otherwise the thymus, spleen, and bone marrow lymphocyte subsets were comparable at steady state. However, kinetic analysis of T cell development in OP9-DL4 co-cultures revealed a delay in early T cell development and a partial block at the DN to DP transition when HEBAlt levels or activity were increased. We also observed that HEBCan and HEBAlt displayed significant differences in protein stability that were resolved in the thymocyte context. Finally, a proteomic screen identified STAT1 and Xpo1 as potential members of HEBAlt-containing complexes in thymocytes, consistent with JAK-induced activation of HEBAlt accompanied by translocation to the nucleus. Thus, our results show that the Alt domain confers access to multiple layers of post-translational control to HEBAlt that are not available to HEBCan, and thus may serve as a rheostat to tune E protein activity levels as cells move through different thymic signaling environments during T cell development.


Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors , Cell Differentiation , T-Lymphocytes , Animals , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/immunology , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Kinetics , Mice , Proteomics , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Transcription Factors/immunology
20.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 12311, 2022 07 19.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35853935

Dendritic cells (DCs) play pivotal roles in initiating and shaping both innate and adaptive immune responses. The spatiotemporal expression of transcription factor networks and activation of specific signal transduction pathways determine the specification, distribution and differentiation of DC subsets. Even though pioneering studies have established indispensable roles for specific catalytic subunits (p110δ and p110γ) in immune cells, functions of the regulatory subunits, particularly of Class I PI3K, within the hematopoietic system remain incompletely understood. In the study presented here, we deleted the key regulatory subunits-p85α and p85ß of the Class IA PI3K in hematopoietic cells and studied its impact on DC differentiation. Our studies identify that a deficiency of p85 causes increased differentiation of conventional DC (cDC) 2 and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) subsets in the spleen. On the other hand, DC numbers in the bone marrow (BM), thymus and lymph nodes were decreased in p85 mutant mice. Analysis of DC-specific progenitors and precursors indicated increased numbers in the BM and spleen of p85 deficient mice. In-vitro differentiation studies demonstrated augmented DC-differentiation capacities of p85 deficient BM cells in the presence of GM-CSF and Flt3L. BM chimera studies established that p85 deficiency affects DC development through cell intrinsic mechanisms. Molecular studies revealed increased proliferation of DCs and common DC progenitors (CDPs) in the absence of p85 and altered signal transduction pathways in p85 mutant DC subsets in response to Flt3L. In essence, data presented here, for the first time, unequivocally establish that the P85α subunit of class IA PI3Ks has an indispensable role in the development and maintenance of DCs.


Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases , Dendritic Cells , Membrane Proteins , Animals , Bone Marrow Cells/immunology , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology , Dendritic Cells/enzymology , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Membrane Proteins/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Signal Transduction/immunology
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