Nck adaptor proteins modulate differentiation and effector function of T cells.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating T cell reactivity is required for successful reprogramming of immune responses in medical conditions, characterized by dysfunctions of the immune system. Nck proteins are cytoplasmic adaptors mediating diverse cellular functions, including TCR signaling. By enhancing TCR signal strength, Nck proteins influence thymic selection and regulate the size and sensitivity of the peripheral T cell repertoire. Here, we investigated the contribution of Nck proteins to CD4(+) T cell differentiation and effector function using Nck.T(-/-) mice. Impaired GC formation and reduced Tfh were observed in Nck.T(-/-) mice after immunization with T cell-dependent antigens. Th2/Tfh-related cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-10, and IL-21, were decreased in Nck.T(-/-) mice T cells. Moreover, an increased susceptibility to cell death of Tfh cells in Nck.T(-/-) mice was associated with decreased levels of Akt phosphorylation. As a result of this dysregulation in Tfh cells of Nck.T(-/-) mice, we found impaired production and affinity maturation of antibodies against T cell-dependent antigens. Thus, Nck proteins not only participate in thymic selection and generation of the peripheral T cell repertoire but also are involved in the differentiation and effector functions of CD4(+) T cells.

Nck-mediated recruitment of BCAP to the BCR regulates the PI(3)K-Akt pathway in B cells.

The adaptor Nck links receptor signaling to cytoskeleton regulation. Here we found that Nck also controlled the phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K)-kinase Akt pathway by recruiting the adaptor BCAP after activation of B cells. Nck bound directly to the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) via the non-immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) phosphorylated tyrosine residue at position 204 in the tail of the immunoglobulin-α component. Genetic ablation of Nck resulted in defective BCR signaling, which led to hampered survival and proliferation of B cells in vivo. Indeed, antibody responses in Nck-deficient mice were also considerably impaired. Thus, we demonstrate a previously unknown adaptor function for Nck in recruiting BCAP to sites of BCR signaling and thereby modulating the PI(3)K-Akt pathway in B cells.

Dickkopf-3, an immune modulator in peripheral CD8 T-cell tolerance.

In healthy individuals, T cells react against incoming pathogens, but remain tolerant to self-antigens, thereby preventing autoimmune reactions. CD4 regulatory T cells are major contributors in induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance, but a regulatory role has been also reported for several subsets of CD8 T cells. To determine the molecular basis of peripheral CD8 T-cell tolerance, we exploited a double transgenic mouse model in which CD8 T cells are neonatally tolerized following interaction with a parenchymal self-antigen. These tolerant CD8 T cells have regulatory capacity and can suppress T cells in an antigen-specific manner during adulthood. Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) was found to be expressed in the tolerant CD8 T cells and to be essential for the observed CD8 T-cell tolerance. In vitro, genetic deletion of DKK3 or blocking with antibodies restored CD8 T-cell proliferation and IL-2 production in response to the tolerizing self-antigen. Moreover, exogenous DKK3 reduced CD8 T-cell reactivity. In vivo, abrogation of DKK3 function reversed tolerance, leading to eradication of tumors expressing the target antigen and to rejection of autologous skin grafts. Thus, our findings define DKK3 as a immune modulator with a crucial role for CD8 T-cell tolerance.

Viral infection prevents diabetes by inducing regulatory T cells through NKT cell-plasmacytoid dendritic cell interplay.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease resulting from T cell-mediated destruction of insulin-producing ß cells, and viral infections can prevent the onset of disease. Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) exert a regulatory role in T1D by inhibiting autoimmune T cell responses. As iNKT cell-plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) cooperation controls viral replication in the pancreatic islets, we investigated whether this cellular cross talk could interfere with T1D development during viral infection. Using both virus-induced and spontaneous mouse models of T1D, we show that upon viral infection, iNKT cells induce TGF-ß-producing pDCs in the pancreatic lymph nodes (LNs). These tolerogenic pDCs convert naive anti-islet T cells into Foxp3(+) CD4(+) regulatory T cells (T reg cells) in pancreatic LNs. T reg cells are then recruited into the pancreatic islets where they produce TGF-ß, which dampens the activity of viral- and islet-specific CD8(+) T cells, thereby preventing T1D development in both T1D models. These findings reveal a crucial cooperation between iNKT cells, pDCs, and T reg cells for prevention of T1D by viral infection.

Fine tuning of the threshold of T cell selection by the Nck adapters.

Thymic selection shapes the T cell repertoire to ensure maximal antigenic coverage against pathogens while preventing autoimmunity. Recognition of self-peptides in the context of peptide-MHC complexes by the TCR is central to this process, which remains partially understood at the molecular level. In this study we provide genetic evidence that the Nck adapter proteins are essential for thymic selection. In vivo Nck deletion resulted in a reduction of the thymic cellularity, defective positive selection of low-avidity T cells, and impaired deletion of thymocytes engaged by low-potency stimuli. Nck-deficient thymocytes were characterized by reduced ERK activation, particularly pronounced in mature single positive thymocytes. Taken together, our findings identify a crucial role for the Nck adapters in enhancing TCR signal strength, thereby fine-tuning the threshold of thymocyte selection and shaping the preimmune T cell repertoire.

Nck adaptors are positive regulators of the size and sensitivity of the T-cell repertoire.

The size and sensitivity of the T-cell repertoire governs the effectiveness of immune responses against invading pathogens. Both are modulated by T-cell receptor (TCR) activity through molecular mechanisms, which remain unclear. Here, we provide genetic evidence that the SH2/SH3 domain containing proteins Nck lower the threshold of T-cell responsiveness. The hallmarks of Nck deletion were T-cell lymphopenia and hyporeactivity to TCR-mediated stimulation. In the absence of the Nck adaptors, peripheral T cells expressing a TCR with low avidity for self-antigens were strongly reduced, whereas an overall impairment of T-cell activation by weak antigenic stimulation was observed. Mechanistically, Nck deletion resulted in a significant decrease in calcium mobilization and ERK phosphorylation upon TCR engagement. Taken together, our findings unveil a crucial role for the Nck adaptors in shaping the T-cell repertoire to ensure maximal antigenic coverage and optimal T cell excitability.

Abrogation of ICOS/ICOS ligand costimulation in NOD mice results in autoimmune deviation toward the neuromuscular system.

NOD mice spontaneously develop insulin-dependent diabetes around 10-40 wk of age. Numerous immune gene variants contribute to the autoimmune process. However, genes that direct the autoimmune response toward ß cells remain ill defined. In this study, we provide evidence that the Icos and Icosl genes contribute to the diabetes process. Protection from diabetes in ICOS(-/-) and ICOSL(-/-) NOD mice was unexpectedly associated with the development of an autoimmune disorder of the neuro-muscular system, characterized by myositis, sensory ganglionitis and, to a reduced extent, inflammatory infiltrates in the CNS. This syndrome was reproduced upon adoptive transfer of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from diseased donors to naïve NOD.scid recipients. Our data further show that protection from diabetes results from defective activation of autoimmune diabetogenic effector T cells in ICOS(-/-) NOD mice, whereas acceleration of diabetes in BDC2.5 ICOS(-/-) NOD mice is induced by a dominant defect in Treg. Taken together, our findings indicate that costimulation signals play a key role in regulating immune tolerance in peripheral tissues and that the ICOS/ICOSL costimulatory pathway influences the balance between Treg and diabetogenic effector T cells.

B7RP-1 is not required for the generation of Th2 responses in a model of allergic airway inflammation but is essential for the induction of inhalation tolerance.

The recently described ICOS-B7RP-1 costimulatory pathway has been implicated in the generation of effector Th2 responses and, hence, has become an attractive therapeutic target for allergic diseases. In the present study, we used B7RP-1-deficient mice to investigate the role of B7RP-1 in the generation and maintenance of Th2 responses in a model of mucosal allergic airway inflammation. We found that exposure of B7RP-1 knockout mice to aerosolized OVA in the context of GM-CSF leads to airway eosinophilic inflammation. This response was long lasting because rechallenge of mice with the same Ag recapitulated airway eosinophilia. Moreover, significant expression of T1/ST2 on T cells and production of Th2-affiliated cytokines (IL-5, IL-4, and IL-13) and Igs (IgE and IgG1) conclusively demonstrate the generation of a Th2 response in the absence of B7RP-1. In addition, expression of two major Th2-associated costimulatory molecules-CD28 and ICOS-indicates T cell activation in the absence of B7RP-1 signaling. Finally, B7RP-1 knockout mice are resistant to the induction of inhalation tolerance as indicated by the sustained eosinophilia in the lung and IL-5 production. In summary, our results demonstrate that in a model of mucosal allergic sensitization, the ICOS-B7RP-1 pathway is redundant for the generation of Th2 responses but essential for the induction of inhalation tolerance.

The inducible costimulator plays the major costimulatory role in humoral immune responses in the absence of CD28.

CD28 plays crucial costimulatory roles in T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and germinal center response. Mice that are deficient in the inducible costimulator (ICOS) also have defects in cytokine production and germinal center response. Because the full induction of ICOS in activated T cells depends on CD28 signal, the T cell costimulatory capacity of ICOS in the absence of CD28 has remained unclear. We have clarified this issue by comparing humoral immune responses in wild-type, CD28 knockout (CD28 KO), and CD28-ICOS double-knockout (DKO) mice. DKO mice had profound defects in Ab responses against environmental Ags, T-dependent protein Ags, and vesicular stomatitis virus that extended far beyond those observed in CD28 KO mice. However, DKO mice mounted normal Ab responses against a T-independent Ag, indicating that B cell function itself was normal. Restimulated CD4(+) DKO T cells that had been primed in vivo showed decreased proliferation and reduced IL-4 and IL-10 production compared with restimulated CD4(+) T cells from CD28 KO mice. Thus, in the absence of CD28, ICOS assumes the major T cell costimulatory role for humoral immune responses. Importantly, CD28-mediated ICOS up-regulation is not essential for ICOS function in vivo.

Costimulation through the inducible costimulator ligand is essential for both T helper and B cell functions in T cell-dependent B cell responses.

Costimulation through the inducible costimulator (ICOS) and its ligand (ICOSL) is essential for T cell-dependent B cell responses, but the cellular and temporal dynamics underlying its in vivo effects are poorly defined. Here we have shown that Icosl(-/-) and Icos(-/-) mice had similar phenotypes and that ICOS-ICOSL costimulation modulated the early but not late phases of IgG1 affinity maturation. Exploiting the adoptive transfer of T or B cells from primed Icosl(-/-) mice, we provided genetic evidence that costimulation through ICOSL was essential for primary but not secondary helper T cell responses and for the control of both T and B cell activities, resulting in T cell-dependent IgG1 production.

The murine Nck SH2/SH3 adaptors are important for the development of mesoderm-derived embryonic structures and for regulating the cellular actin network.

Mammalian Nck1 and Nck2 are closely related adaptor proteins that possess three SH3 domains, followed by an SH2 domain, and are implicated in coupling phosphotyrosine signals to polypeptides that regulate the actin cytoskeleton. However, the in vivo functions of Nck1 and Nck2 have not been defined. We have mutated the murine Nck1 and Nck2 genes and incorporated beta-galactosidase reporters into the mutant loci. In mouse embryos, the two Nck genes have broad and overlapping expression patterns. They are functionally redundant in the sense that mice deficient for either Nck1 or Nck2 are viable, whereas inactivation of both Nck1 and Nck2 results in profound defects in mesoderm-derived notochord and embryonic lethality at embryonic day 9.5. Fibroblast cell lines derived from Nck1(-/-) Nck2(-/-) embryos have defects in cell motility and in the organization of the lamellipodial actin network. These data suggest that the Nck SH2/SH3 adaptors have important functions in the development of mesodermal structures during embryogenesis, potentially linked to a role in cell movement and cytoskeletal organization.

Activation of dendritic cells through the interleukin 1 receptor 1 is critical for the induction of autoimmune myocarditis.

Dilated cardiomyopathy, resulting from myocarditis, is the most common cause of heart failure in young patients. We here show that interleukin (IL)-1 receptor type 1-deficient (IL-1R1(-/-)) mice are protected from development of autoimmune myocarditis after immunization with alpha-myosin-peptide(614-629). CD4(+) T cells from immunized IL-1R1(-/-) mice proliferated poorly and failed to transfer disease after injection into naive severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. In vitro stimulation experiments suggested that the function of IL-1R1(-/-)CD4(+) T cells was not intrinsically defect, but their activation by dendritic cells was impaired in IL-1R1(-/-) mice. Accordingly, production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-12p70 was reduced in dendritic cells lacking the IL-1 receptor type 1. In fact, injection of immature, antigen-loaded IL-1R1(+/+) but not IL-1R1(-/-) dendritic cells into IL-1R1(-/-) mice fully restored disease susceptibility by rendering IL-1R1(-/-) CD4(+) T cells pathogenic. Thus, IL-1R1 triggering is required for efficient activation of dendritic cells, which is in turn a prerequisite for induction of autoreactive CD4(+) T cells and autoimmunity.

Role of ICOS versus CD28 in antiviral immunity.

The costimulatory protein ICOS is inducibly expressed on activated T cells. Previous results have shown that ICOS(-/-) mice are defective in germinal center formation, antibody (Ab) production and class switch as well as Th1 and Th2 cytokine production in response to protein or parasite antigens. However, ICOS-Ig failed to block antiviral Ab responses. To date the immune response to viruses has not been examined in ICOS(-/-) mice. In this report we compared antiviral Ab responses to LCMV, VSV and influenza virus in ICOS(-/-) versus wild-type mice. Our results show that ICOS is important in the Ab response to all three viruses, with greater effects on primary as compared to secondary responses. Although ICOS(-/-) mice are impaired in some immune responses following influenza infection, the effects were less severe than for CD28(-/-) mice. There was no defect in initial influenza-specific CD8 T cell expansion in ICOS(-/-) mice or in cytotoxic effector function. However, ICOS was important in maintaining CD4 cytokine production and CD8 T cell numbers late in the primary response. Upon secondary infection, ICOS(-/-) mice show wild-type levels of influenza-specific CD8 T cells, whereas CD28(-/-) mice show greatly impaired secondary CD8 T cell expansion. Overall, our results show that ICOS plays a clear role in the primary response to viruses at the level of Ab production, germinal center formation and Th cytokine production, but has diminished effects following secondary viral challenge.

Epidermolysis bullosa and embryonic lethality in mice lacking the multi-PDZ domain protein GRIP1.

Glutamate receptor-interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) is an adaptor protein composed of seven PDZ (postsynaptic density-95/Discs large/zona occludens-1) domains, capable of mediating diverse protein-protein interactions. GRIP1 has been implicated in the regulation of neuronal synaptic function, but its physiologic roles have not been defined in vivo. We find that elimination of murine GRIP1 results in embryonic lethality. GRIP1(-/-) embryos develop abnormalities of the dermo-epidermal junction, resulting in extensive skin blistering around day 12 of embryonic life. Ultra-structural characterization of the blisters (or bullae) revealed cleavage of the dermo-epidermal junction below the lamina densa, an alteration reminiscent of the dystrophic form of human epidermolysis bullosa. Blisters were also observed in the lateral ventricle of the brain and in the meninges covering the cerebral cortex. These genetic data suggest that the GRIP1 scaffolding protein is required for the formation and integrity of the dermo-epidermal junction and reveal the importance of PDZ domains in the organization of supramolecular structures essential for mammalian embryonic development.