RESUMO
Primary atopic disorders describes a series of monogenic diseases that have allergy- or atopic effector-related symptoms as a substantial feature. The underlying pathogenic genetic lesions help illustrate fundamental pathways in atopy, opening up diagnostic and therapeutic options for further study in those patients, but ultimately for common allergic diseases as well. Key pathways affected in these disorders include T cell receptor and B cell receptor signaling, cytokine signaling, skin barrier function, and mast cell function, as well as pathways that have not yet been elucidated. While comorbidities such as classically syndromic presentation or immune deficiency are often present, in some cases allergy alone is the presenting symptom, suggesting that commonly encountered allergic diseases exist on a spectrum of monogenic and complex genetic etiologies that are impacted by environmental risk factors.
Assuntos
Suscetibilidade a Doenças , Hipersensibilidade Imediata/etiologia , Hipersensibilidade Imediata/metabolismo , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Biomarcadores , Citocinas/metabolismo , Gerenciamento Clínico , Meio Ambiente , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Humanos , Hipersensibilidade Imediata/diagnóstico , Mastócitos/imunologia , Mastócitos/metabolismo , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/imunologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/metabolismoRESUMO
The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in influencing the development of host immunity, and in turn the immune system also acts to regulate the microbiota through intestinal barrier maintenance and immune exclusion. Normally, these interactions are homeostatic, tightly controlled, and organized by both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, a combination of environmental exposures and genetic defects can result in a break in tolerance and intestinal homeostasis. The outcomes of these interactions at the mucosal interface have broad, systemic effects on host immunity and the development of chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disease. The underlying mechanisms and pathways the microbiota can utilize to regulate these diseases are just starting to emerge. Here, we discuss the recent evidence in this area describing the impact of microbiota-immune interactions during inflammation and autoimmunity, with a focus on barrier function and CD4+ T cell regulation.
Assuntos
Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/imunologia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/microbiologia , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/imunologia , Inflamação/microbiologia , Doenças Inflamatórias Intestinais/microbiologia , Mucosa Intestinal/microbiologia , Animais , Autoimunidade , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/imunologia , Homeostase , Humanos , Tolerância Imunológica , Imunomodulação , Inflamação/imunologia , Doenças Inflamatórias Intestinais/imunologia , Mucosa Intestinal/imunologiaRESUMO
Metabolism drives function, on both an organismal and a cellular level. In T cell biology, metabolic remodeling is intrinsically linked to cellular development, activation, function, differentiation, and survival. After naive T cells are activated, increased demands for metabolic currency in the form of ATP, as well as biomass for cell growth, proliferation, and the production of effector molecules, are met by rewiring cellular metabolism. Consequently, pharmacological strategies are being developed to perturb or enhance selective metabolic processes that are skewed in immune-related pathologies. Here we review the most recent advances describing the metabolic changes that occur during the T cell lifecycle. We discuss how T cell metabolism can have profound effects on health and disease and where it might be a promising target to treat a variety of pathologies.
Assuntos
Metabolismo Energético , Imunidade , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Linfócitos T/metabolismo , Animais , Biomarcadores , Diferenciação Celular/genética , Diferenciação Celular/imunologia , Humanos , Memória Imunológica , Imunoterapia , Ativação Linfocitária/genética , Ativação Linfocitária/imunologia , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos T/genética , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos T/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/imunologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/metabolismo , Linfócitos T/citologiaRESUMO
IgG antibodies mediate a diversity of immune functions by coupling of antigen specificity through the Fab domain to signal transduction via Fc-Fc receptor interactions. Indeed, balanced IgG signaling through type I and type II Fc receptors is required for the control of proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory processes. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms that govern IgG-Fc receptor interactions, highlighting the diversity of Fc receptor-mediated effector functions that regulate immunity and inflammation as well as determine susceptibility to infection and autoimmunity and responsiveness to antibody-based therapeutics and vaccines.
Assuntos
Anticorpos/uso terapêutico , Doenças Autoimunes/imunologia , Imunoglobulina G/metabolismo , Imunoterapia/métodos , Infecções/imunologia , Receptores Fc/metabolismo , Animais , Doenças Autoimunes/terapia , Suscetibilidade a Doenças , Humanos , Imunidade Humoral , Infecções/terapia , Inflamação , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
The many functions of microbial communities emerge from a complex web of interactions between organisms and their environment. This poses a significant obstacle to engineering microbial consortia, hindering our ability to harness the potential of microorganisms for biotechnological applications. In this study, we demonstrate that the collective effect of ecological interactions between microbes in a community can be captured by simple statistical models that predict how adding a new species to a community will affect its function. These predictive models mirror the patterns of global epistasis reported in genetics, and they can be quantitatively interpreted in terms of pairwise interactions between community members. Our results illuminate an unexplored path to quantitatively predicting the function of microbial consortia from their composition, paving the way to optimizing desirable community properties and bringing the tasks of predicting biological function at the genetic, organismal, and ecological scales under the same quantitative formalism.
Assuntos
Microbiologia Ambiental , Epistasia Genética , Consórcios Microbianos , Biologia Sintética , Interações Microbianas , BioengenhariaRESUMO
Enhancers are distal DNA elements believed to loop and contact promoters to control gene expression. Recently, we found diffraction-sized transcriptional condensates at genes controlled by clusters of enhancers (super-enhancers). However, a direct function of endogenous condensates in controlling gene expression remains elusive. Here, we develop live-cell super-resolution and multi-color 3D-imaging approaches to investigate putative roles of endogenous condensates in the regulation of super-enhancer controlled gene Sox2. In contrast to enhancer distance, we find instead that the condensate's positional dynamics are a better predictor of gene expression. A basal gene bursting occurs when the condensate is far (>1 µm), but burst size and frequency are enhanced when the condensate moves in proximity (<1 µm). Perturbations of cohesin and local DNA elements do not prevent basal bursting but affect the condensate and its burst enhancement. We propose a three-way kissing model whereby the condensate interacts transiently with gene locus and regulatory DNA elements to control gene bursting.
Assuntos
Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Fatores de Transcrição SOXB1 , Super Intensificadores , Transcrição Gênica , DNA/genética , Elementos Facilitadores Genéticos , Fatores de Transcrição SOXB1/genética , Animais , Camundongos , Células-Tronco Embrionárias/metabolismo , Microscopia/métodosRESUMO
The continuous migration of immune cells between lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs is a key feature of the immune system, facilitating the distribution of effector cells within nearly all compartments of the body. Furthermore, reaching their correct position within primary, secondary, or tertiary lymphoid organs is a prerequisite to ensure immune cells' unimpaired differentiation, maturation, and selection, as well as their activation or functional silencing. The superfamilies of chemokines and chemokine receptors are of major importance in guiding immune cells to and within lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues. In this review we focus on the role of the chemokine system in the migration dynamics of immune cells within lymphoid organs at the steady state and on how these dynamics are affected by infectious and inflammatory processes.
Assuntos
Quimiocinas/imunologia , Sistema Imunitário , Infecções/imunologia , Inflamação/imunologia , Linfócitos/imunologia , Tecido Linfoide/imunologia , Receptores de Quimiocinas/imunologia , Animais , Comunicação Celular , Movimento Celular , Humanos , Ativação LinfocitáriaRESUMO
Dopaminergic projections regulate various brain functions and are implicated in many neuropsychiatric disorders. There are two anatomically and functionally distinct dopaminergic projections connecting the midbrain to striatum: nigrostriatal, which controls movement, and mesolimbic, which regulates motivation. However, how these discrete dopaminergic synaptic connections are established is unknown. Through an unbiased search, we identify that two groups of antagonistic TGF-ß family members, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)6/BMP2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß2, regulate dopaminergic synapse development of nigrostriatal and mesolimbic neurons, respectively. Projection-preferential expression of their receptors contributes to specific synapse development. Downstream, Smad1 and Smad2 are specifically activated and required for dopaminergic synapse development and function in nigrostriatal vs. mesolimbic projections. Remarkably, Smad1 mutant mice show motor defects, whereas Smad2 mutant mice show lack of motivation. These results uncover the molecular logic underlying the proper establishment of functionally segregated dopaminergic synapses and may provide strategies to treat relevant, projection-specific disease symptoms by targeting specific BMPs/TGF-ß and/or Smads.
Assuntos
Corpo Estriado , Dopamina , Animais , Camundongos , Mesencéfalo , Motivação , Movimento , SinapsesRESUMO
The relevance of extracellular magnesium in cellular immunity remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the co-stimulatory cell-surface molecule LFA-1 requires magnesium to adopt its active conformation on CD8+ T cells, thereby augmenting calcium flux, signal transduction, metabolic reprogramming, immune synapse formation, and, as a consequence, specific cytotoxicity. Accordingly, magnesium-sufficiency sensed via LFA-1 translated to the superior performance of pathogen- and tumor-specific T cells, enhanced effectiveness of bi-specific T cell engaging antibodies, and improved CAR T cell function. Clinically, low serum magnesium levels were associated with more rapid disease progression and shorter overall survival in CAR T cell and immune checkpoint antibody-treated patients. LFA-1 thus directly incorporates information on the composition of the microenvironment as a determinant of outside-in signaling activity. These findings conceptually link co-stimulation and nutrient sensing and point to the magnesium-LFA-1 axis as a therapeutically amenable biologic system.
Assuntos
Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Antígeno-1 Associado à Função Linfocitária/metabolismo , Magnésio/metabolismo , Animais , Infecções Bacterianas/imunologia , Restrição Calórica , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Citotoxicidade Imunológica , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Memória Imunológica , Sinapses Imunológicas/metabolismo , Imunoterapia , Ativação Linfocitária/imunologia , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Magnésio/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Neoplasias/imunologia , Neoplasias/patologia , Neoplasias/terapia , Fenótipo , Fosforilação , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-jun/metabolismoRESUMO
How the functions of multicellular organs emerge from the underlying evolution of cell types is poorly understood. We deconstructed evolution of an organ novelty: a rove beetle gland that secretes a defensive cocktail. We show how gland function arose via assembly of two cell types that manufacture distinct compounds. One cell type, comprising a chemical reservoir within the abdomen, produces alkane and ester compounds. We demonstrate that this cell type is a hybrid of cuticle cells and ancient pheromone and adipocyte-like cells, executing its function via a mosaic of enzymes from each parental cell type. The second cell type synthesizes benzoquinones using a chimera of conserved cellular energy and cuticle formation pathways. We show that evolution of each cell type was shaped by coevolution between the two cell types, yielding a potent secretion that confers adaptive value. Our findings illustrate how cooperation between cell types arises, generating new, organ-level behaviors.
Assuntos
Benzoquinonas/metabolismo , Besouros/metabolismo , Drosophila melanogaster/metabolismo , Feromônios/metabolismo , Animais , Evolução Biológica , Vias BiossintéticasRESUMO
Genomically minimal cells, such as JCVI-syn3.0, offer a platform to clarify genes underlying core physiological processes. Although this minimal cell includes genes essential for population growth, the physiology of its single cells remained uncharacterized. To investigate striking morphological variation in JCVI-syn3.0 cells, we present an approach to characterize cell propagation and determine genes affecting cell morphology. Microfluidic chemostats allowed observation of intrinsic cell dynamics that result in irregular morphologies. A genome with 19 genes not retained in JCVI-syn3.0 generated JCVI-syn3A, which presents morphology similar to that of JCVI-syn1.0. We further identified seven of these 19 genes, including two known cell division genes, ftsZ and sepF, a hydrolase of unknown substrate, and four genes that encode membrane-associated proteins of unknown function, which are required together to restore a phenotype similar to that of JCVI-syn1.0. This result emphasizes the polygenic nature of cell division and morphology in a genomically minimal cell.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Cromossomos Bacterianos/genética , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Genoma Bacteriano , Mycoplasma/genética , Biologia Sintética/métodos , Proteínas de Bactérias/antagonistas & inibidores , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Engenharia GenéticaRESUMO
To better understand host-virus genetic dependencies and find potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19, we performed a genome-scale CRISPR loss-of-function screen to identify host factors required for SARS-CoV-2 viral infection of human alveolar epithelial cells. Top-ranked genes cluster into distinct pathways, including the vacuolar ATPase proton pump, Retromer, and Commander complexes. We validate these gene targets using several orthogonal methods such as CRISPR knockout, RNA interference knockdown, and small-molecule inhibitors. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we identify shared transcriptional changes in cholesterol biosynthesis upon loss of top-ranked genes. In addition, given the key role of the ACE2 receptor in the early stages of viral entry, we show that loss of RAB7A reduces viral entry by sequestering the ACE2 receptor inside cells. Overall, this work provides a genome-scale, quantitative resource of the impact of the loss of each host gene on fitness/response to viral infection.
Assuntos
COVID-19/genética , COVID-19/virologia , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , SARS-CoV-2/fisiologia , Células A549 , Células Epiteliais Alveolares/metabolismo , Células Epiteliais Alveolares/virologia , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/metabolismo , Vias Biossintéticas , COVID-19/metabolismo , Colesterol/biossíntese , Repetições Palindrômicas Curtas Agrupadas e Regularmente Espaçadas , Endossomos/metabolismo , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes/métodos , Estudo de Associação Genômica Ampla , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Interferência de RNA , SARS-CoV-2/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Análise de Célula Única , Carga Viral/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas rab de Ligação ao GTP/genética , proteínas de unión al GTP Rab7RESUMO
SARS-CoV-2 has caused the global COVID-19 pandemic. Although passively delivered neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 show promise in clinical trials, their mechanism of action in vivo is incompletely understood. Here, we define correlates of protection of neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in SARS-CoV-2-infected animals. Whereas Fc effector functions are dispensable when representative neutralizing mAbs are administered as prophylaxis, they are required for optimal protection as therapy. When given after infection, intact mAbs reduce SARS-CoV-2 burden and lung disease in mice and hamsters better than loss-of-function Fc variant mAbs. Fc engagement of neutralizing antibodies mitigates inflammation and improves respiratory mechanics, and transcriptional profiling suggests these phenotypes are associated with diminished innate immune signaling and preserved tissue repair. Immune cell depletions establish that neutralizing mAbs require monocytes and CD8+ T cells for optimal clinical and virological benefit. Thus, potently neutralizing mAbs utilize Fc effector functions during therapy to mitigate lung infection and disease.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes , Anticorpos Antivirais , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos , COVID-19 , Fragmentos Fc das Imunoglobulinas/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Anticorpos Monoclonais/uso terapêutico , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/uso terapêutico , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/uso terapêutico , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/citologia , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Células CHO , COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/terapia , Chlorocebus aethiops , Cricetulus , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Células Vero , Carga ViralRESUMO
Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding proteins 1 and 2 (G3BP1 and G3BP2, respectively) are widely recognized as core components of stress granules (SGs). We report that G3BPs reside at the cytoplasmic surface of lysosomes. They act in a non-redundant manner to anchor the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) protein complex to lysosomes and suppress activation of the metabolic master regulator mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) by amino acids and insulin. Like the TSC complex, G3BP1 deficiency elicits phenotypes related to mTORC1 hyperactivity. In the context of tumors, low G3BP1 levels enhance mTORC1-driven breast cancer cell motility and correlate with adverse outcomes in patients. Furthermore, G3bp1 inhibition in zebrafish disturbs neuronal development and function, leading to white matter heterotopia and neuronal hyperactivity. Thus, G3BPs are not only core components of SGs but also a key element of lysosomal TSC-mTORC1 signaling.
Assuntos
Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/metabolismo , DNA Helicases/metabolismo , Lisossomos/metabolismo , Alvo Mecanístico do Complexo 1 de Rapamicina/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a Poli-ADP-Ribose/metabolismo , RNA Helicases/metabolismo , Proteínas com Motivo de Reconhecimento de RNA/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Esclerose Tuberosa/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Grânulos Citoplasmáticos/efeitos dos fármacos , Grânulos Citoplasmáticos/metabolismo , DNA Helicases/química , Evolução Molecular , Feminino , Humanos , Insulina/farmacologia , Proteínas de Membrana Lisossomal/metabolismo , Lisossomos/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios/metabolismo , Fenótipo , Proteínas de Ligação a Poli-ADP-Ribose/química , RNA Helicases/química , Proteínas com Motivo de Reconhecimento de RNA/química , Ratos Wistar , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Peixe-Zebra/metabolismoRESUMO
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the sole output neurons that transmit visual information from the retina to the brain. Diverse insults and pathological states cause degeneration of RGC somas and axons leading to irreversible vision loss. A fundamental question is whether manipulation of a key regulator of RGC survival can protect RGCs from diverse insults and pathological states, and ultimately preserve vision. Here, we report that CaMKII-CREB signaling is compromised after excitotoxic injury to RGC somas or optic nerve injury to RGC axons, and reactivation of this pathway robustly protects RGCs from both injuries. CaMKII activity also promotes RGC survival in the normal retina. Further, reactivation of CaMKII protects RGCs in two glaucoma models where RGCs degenerate from elevated intraocular pressure or genetic deficiency. Last, CaMKII reactivation protects long-distance RGC axon projections in vivo and preserves visual function, from the retina to the visual cortex, and visually guided behavior.
Assuntos
Proteína Quinase Tipo 2 Dependente de Cálcio-Calmodulina/metabolismo , Citoproteção , Células Ganglionares da Retina/patologia , Visão Ocular , Animais , Axônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Axônios/patologia , Encéfalo/patologia , Proteína de Ligação ao Elemento de Resposta ao AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Dependovirus/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Ativação Enzimática/efeitos dos fármacos , Glaucoma/genética , Glaucoma/patologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Neurotoxinas/toxicidade , Traumatismos do Nervo Óptico/patologia , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Human organoids recapitulating the cell-type diversity and function of their target organ are valuable for basic and translational research. We developed light-sensitive human retinal organoids with multiple nuclear and synaptic layers and functional synapses. We sequenced the RNA of 285,441 single cells from these organoids at seven developmental time points and from the periphery, fovea, pigment epithelium and choroid of light-responsive adult human retinas, and performed histochemistry. Cell types in organoids matured in vitro to a stable "developed" state at a rate similar to human retina development in vivo. Transcriptomes of organoid cell types converged toward the transcriptomes of adult peripheral retinal cell types. Expression of disease-associated genes was cell-type-specific in adult retina, and cell-type specificity was retained in organoids. We implicate unexpected cell types in diseases such as macular degeneration. This resource identifies cellular targets for studying disease mechanisms in organoids and for targeted repair in human retinas.
Assuntos
Diferenciação Celular/genética , Organoides/citologia , Organoides/metabolismo , Retina/citologia , Retina/metabolismo , Análise de Célula Única/métodos , Sinapses/fisiologia , Transcriptoma/genética , Técnicas de Cultura de Células/métodos , Linhagem Celular , Eletrofisiologia , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento/genética , Predisposição Genética para Doença/genética , Humanos , Hibridização In Situ , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/citologia , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/metabolismo , Microscopia Eletrônica , Família Multigênica , Naftoquinonas , Organoides/efeitos da radiação , Organoides/ultraestrutura , Retina/patologia , Retina/efeitos da radiaçãoRESUMO
Mammals have two specialized vascular circulatory systems: the blood vasculature and the lymphatic vasculature. The lymphatic vasculature is a unidirectional conduit that returns filtered interstitial arterial fluid and tissue metabolites to the blood circulation. It also plays major roles in immune cell trafficking and lipid absorption. As we discuss in this review, the molecular characterization of lymphatic vascular development and our understanding of this vasculature's role in pathophysiological conditions has greatly improved in recent years, changing conventional views about the roles of the lymphatic vasculature in health and disease. Morphological or functional defects in the lymphatic vasculature have now been uncovered in several pathological conditions. We propose that subtle asymptomatic alterations in lymphatic vascular function could underlie the variability seen in the body's response to a wide range of human diseases.
Assuntos
Vasos Linfáticos/metabolismo , Doenças Cardiovasculares/metabolismo , Doenças Cardiovasculares/patologia , História do Século XXI , Humanos , Linfonodos/imunologia , Linfonodos/metabolismo , Linfangiogênese , Doenças Linfáticas/genética , Doenças Linfáticas/história , Doenças Linfáticas/patologia , Metástase Linfática , Vasos Linfáticos/anatomia & histologia , Vasos Linfáticos/citologia , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Neoplasias/patologia , Receptor 3 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/genéticaRESUMO
Thousands of proteins localize to the nucleus; however, it remains unclear which contain transcriptional effectors. Here, we develop HT-recruit, a pooled assay where protein libraries are recruited to a reporter, and their transcriptional effects are measured by sequencing. Using this approach, we measure gene silencing and activation for thousands of domains. We find a relationship between repressor function and evolutionary age for the KRAB domains, discover that Homeodomain repressor strength is collinear with Hox genetic organization, and identify activities for several domains of unknown function. Deep mutational scanning of the CRISPRi KRAB maps the co-repressor binding surface and identifies substitutions that improve stability/silencing. By tiling 238 proteins, we find repressors as short as ten amino acids. Finally, we report new activator domains, including a divergent KRAB. These results provide a resource of 600 human proteins containing effectors and demonstrate a scalable strategy for assigning functions to protein domains.
Assuntos
Ensaios de Triagem em Larga Escala , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Feminino , Inativação Gênica , Genes Reporter , Células HEK293 , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , Humanos , Células K562 , Lentivirus/fisiologia , Anotação de Sequência Molecular , Mutação/genética , Proteínas Nucleares/metabolismo , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Domínios Proteicos , Proteínas Repressoras/química , Proteínas Repressoras/metabolismo , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Transcrição Gênica , Dedos de ZincoRESUMO
Denisovans are an extinct group of humans whose morphology remains unknown. Here, we present a method for reconstructing skeletal morphology using DNA methylation patterns. Our method is based on linking unidirectional methylation changes to loss-of-function phenotypes. We tested performance by reconstructing Neanderthal and chimpanzee skeletal morphologies and obtained >85% precision in identifying divergent traits. We then applied this method to the Denisovan and offer a putative morphological profile. We suggest that Denisovans likely shared with Neanderthals traits such as an elongated face and a wide pelvis. We also identify Denisovan-derived changes, such as an increased dental arch and lateral cranial expansion. Our predictions match the only morphologically informative Denisovan bone to date, as well as the Xuchang skull, which was suggested by some to be a Denisovan. We conclude that DNA methylation can be used to reconstruct anatomical features, including some that do not survive in the fossil record.
Assuntos
Metilação de DNA/genética , Homem de Neandertal/anatomia & histologia , Homem de Neandertal/genética , Pan troglodytes/anatomia & histologia , Pan troglodytes/genética , Fenótipo , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Bases de Dados Genéticas , Extinção Biológica , Fósseis , Genoma Humano/genética , Humanos , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único/genética , Esqueleto , CrânioRESUMO
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.