0000000000003498
AUTHOR
Benno Weigmann
A miRNA181a/NFAT5 axis links impaired T cell tolerance induction with autoimmune type 1 diabetes.
Molecular checkpoints that trigger the onset of islet autoimmunity or progression to human type 1 diabetes (T1D) are incompletely understood. Using T cells from children at an early stage of islet autoimmunity without clinical T1D, we find that a microRNA181a (miRNA181a)-mediated increase in signal strength of stimulation and costimulation links nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) with impaired tolerance induction and autoimmune activation. We show that enhancing miRNA181a activity increases NFAT5 expression while inhibiting FOXP3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) induction in vitro. Accordingly, Treg induction is improved using T cells from NFAT5 knockout (NFAT5ko) animals, whereas alter…
Induction of regulatory T cells by leflunomide in a murine model of contact allergen sensitivity.
Allergic contact dermatitis and contact hypersensitivity (CHS) are characterized by allergen-specific activation of CD8 + and CD4 + T cells and the production of cytokines resulting in an inflammatory response and tissue damage. We show here that the immunosuppressive compound leflunomide ( N -[4-trifluoro-methylphenyl]-5-methylisoxazol-4 carboxamide, HWA 486) (LF) inhibited the contact allergic response induced in mice by epicutaneous application of the haptens dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and oxazolone. The extent of ear swelling remained significantly reduced following repeated challenge with DNFB for up to 18 weeks. LF and DNFB had to be applied simultaneously for inhibition to occur. Th…
A stage-specific functional role of the leucine zipper transcription factor c-Maf in lung Th2 cell differentiation.
The transcription factor c-Maf controls IL-4 gene expression in CD4(+) T cells, and its expression is up-regulated in human asthmatic airways after allergen challenge. In the present study, we addressed the role of c-Maf in asthma by studying transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing c-Maf in CD4(+) T cells under the control of the CD2 promoter. As shown, lung CD4(+) T cells of c-maf-Tg mice produced more IL-5 at the early stage (day 2) of culture in the presence of IL-4 than wild-type control cells. Consistently, c-maf-Tg mice spontaneously showed increased IL-5 expression and eosinophils in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and activated IL-5 signal transduction via Raf-1 and Ras in lu…
Activated glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP)-expressing regulatory T cells inhibit allergen-induced intestinal inflammation in humanized mice.
Background Recently, we developed a humanized mouse model of allergen-induced IgE-dependent gut inflammation in PBMC-engrafted immunodeficient mice. Objective In the present study, we wanted to investigate the role of regulatory T (Treg) cells and their activation status in this model. Methods Nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency-γc −/− mice were injected intraperitoneally with human PBMCs from allergic donors together with the respective allergen or NaCl as control in the presence or absence of different concentrations of CD4 + CD25 + Treg cells of the same donor. After an additional allergen boost 1 week later, mice were challenged with the allergen rectally on day 21 and gu…
Monitoring of Chemically Induced Colitis
Inflammation is a common symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Actually, many experimental models of colitis exist and try to mimic the human situation in order to understand the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These experimental models of inflammation can be characterized by specific parameters, which illustrate the proceeding inflammatory process. By use of these models potentially new reagents for improved therapeutic approaches can be analyzed. Here, we describe the TNBS-mediated colitis model and specify different parameters for the detailed characterization of the inflammatory process in experimental colitis models.
A Critical Regulatory Role of Leucin Zipper Transcription Factor c-Maf in Th1-Mediated Experimental Colitis
Abstract In this study, we investigated the role of c-Maf, a transcription factor known to induce IL-4 production, in inflammatory bowel diseases and experimental colitis. Although Crohn′s disease (CD) is associated with low IL-4 production by T-bet-expressing Th1 cells in the lamina propria, surprisingly a higher expression of c-Maf in these cells was found as compared with control patients. The relevance of this finding was further evaluated in an animal model of CD induced by adoptive transfer of CD4+CD62L+ T cells in RAG-deficient mice. In this Th1-mediated model, an increase of c-Maf-expressing T lymphocytes in the lamina propria over time was observed. Interestingly, adoptive transfer…
Depletion of CD56+CD3+ invariant natural killer T cells prevents allergen-induced inflammation in humanized mice
Background CD56-expressing natural killer (NK) cells as well as invariant NK T (iNKT) cells have been shown to either promote or inhibit allergic immune responses. Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of these cells in a recently developed humanized mouse model of allergen-induced IgE-dependent gut and lung inflammation. Methods Nonobese diabetic–severe combined immunodeficiency γ-chain knockout mice were injected intraperitoneally with human PBMCs or CD56-depleted (CD56neg) PBMCs from highly sensitized donors with birch or grass pollen allergy together with the respective allergen or with NaCl as a control. Three weeks later, the mice were challenged with th…
Isolation and subsequent analysis of murine lamina propria mononuclear cells from colonic tissue
Studies on colonic cells in the lamina propria (LP) of mice are important for understanding the cellular and immune responses in the gut, especially in inflammatory bowel diseases (such as morbus crohn and colitis ulcerosa). This protocol details a method to isolate LP cells and characterize freshly isolated cells by quality control experiments to obtain cells that can be used for further investigations. After different steps of digestion of the tissue using collagenase, DNase and dispase, the resulting cells are purified using Percoll gradient. The success of the isolation can be analyzed by cell viability test (Trypan Blue exclusion test) and by flow cytometric analysis to assess apoptosi…
A genetic basis for IFN-gamma production and T-bet expression in humans.
Abstract Th1 and Th2 cytokines secreted by polarized effector T cells play a pivotal role in the development of autoimmune and allergic diseases. However, the genetic basis of cytokine production by T lymphocytes in humans is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the genetic contribution to cytokine production and regulation of T cell-specific transcription factors in a prospective twin study. We found a substantial genetic contribution to the production of Th1 cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α with heritabilities of 0.85 (95% confidence intervals, 0.74–0.95) and 0.72 (0.50–0.93), respectively, whereas no genetic influence on production of the Th2 signature cytokine IL-4 was obs…
T-bet as a possible therapeutic target in autoimmune disease
The prominent role of pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by T helper-1 (T(H1)) cells in regulating autoimmune responses in vitro and in vivo has been demonstrated. Recent observations of T cell polarisation by regulatory transcription factors--especially T-bet (T-box expressed in T cells)--raise the question of their influence in controlling autoimmune diseases. Here, the authors summarise recent observations of the role of T-bet in controlling chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and discuss the implications of these findings for future therapeutic approaches.
IL-27 controls the development of inducible regulatory T cells and Th17 cells via differential effects on STAT1
IL-27 is an IL-12-related cytokine frequently present at sites of inflammation that can promote both anti- and pro-inflammatory immune responses. Here, we have analyzed the mechanisms how IL-27 may drive such divergent immune responses. While IL-27 suppressed the development of proinflammatory Th17 cells, a novel role for this cytokine in inhibiting the development of anti-inflammatory, inducible regulatory T cells (iTreg) was identified. In fact, IL-27 suppressed the development of adaptive, TGF-beta-induced Forkhead box transcription factor p3-positive (Foxp3(+)) Treg. Whereas the blockade of Th17 development was dependent on the transcription factor STAT1, the suppression of iTreg develo…
The transcription factor NFATc2 controls IL-6–dependent T cell activation in experimental colitis
The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors controls calcium signaling in T lymphocytes. In this study, we have identified a crucial regulatory role of the transcription factor NFATc2 in T cell–dependent experimental colitis. Similar to ulcerative colitis in humans, the expression of NFATc2 was up-regulated in oxazolone-induced chronic intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, NFATc2 deficiency suppressed colitis induced by oxazolone administration. This finding was associated with enhanced T cell apoptosis in the lamina propria and strikingly reduced production of IL-6, -13, and -17 by mucosal T lymphocytes. Further studies using knockout mice showed that IL-…
T-bet and mucosal Th1 responses in the gastrointestinal tract
T cells play an essential role in regulating mucosal immune responses in the gastrointestinal tract. Recent observations on T helper cell differentiation and activation by regulatory transcription factors-especially T-bet-in chronic inflammatory diseases have provided new perspectives for understanding mucosal immunity. Here we summarise recent advances in the field of transcription factors and discuss the implications of these findings for future therapeutic approaches in inflammatory bowel diseases. In particular, we have focused on the role of T-bet in controlling mucosal Th1 responses in the gastrointestinal tract.
The transcription factor IFN regulatory factor–4 controls experimental colitis in mice via T cell–derived IL-6
The proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 seems to have an important role in the intestinal inflammation that characterizes inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating IL-6 production in IBD. Here, we assessed the role of the transcriptional regulator IFN regulatory factor-4 (IRF4) in this process. Patients with either Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis exhibited increased IRF4 expression in lamina propria CD3+ T cells as compared with control patients. Consistent with IRF4 having a regulatory function in T cells, in a mouse model of IBD whereby colitis is induced in RAG-deficient mice by transp…
IRF4 regulates IL-17A promoter activity and controls RORγt-dependent Th17 colitis in vivo
The transcription factor IRF4 is involved in several T-cell-dependent chronic inflammatory diseases. To elucidate the mechanisms for pathological cytokine production in colitis, we addressed the role of the IRF transcription factors in human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and experimental colitis.IRF levels and cytokine production in IBD patients were studied as well as the effects of IRF4 deficiency in experimental colitis.In contrast to IRF1, IRF5, and IRF8, IRF4 expression in IBD was augmented in the presence of active inflammation. Furthermore, IRF4 levels significantly correlated with IL-6 and IL-17 mRNA expression and to a lesser extent with IL-22 mRNA expression in IBD. To further …
A Stat6/Pten Axis Links Regulatory T Cells with Adipose Tissue Function
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with metabolic defects and adipose tissue inflammation. Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) control tissue homeostasis by counteracting local inflammation. However, if and how T cells interlink environmental influences with adipocyte function remains unknown. Here, we report that enhancing sympathetic tone by cold exposure, beta3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) stimulation or a short-term high-calorie diet enhances Treg induction in vitro and in vivo. CD4(+) T cell proteomes revealed higher expression of Foxp3 regulatory networks in response to cold or ADRB3 stimulation in vivo reflecting Treg induction. Specifically, Ragulator-interacting protein C17o…
Alternative Splice Forms of CYLD Mediate Ubiquitination of SMAD7 to Prevent TGFB Signaling and Promote Colitis
Background & Aims The CYLD lysine 63 deubiquitinase gene (CYLD) encodes tumor suppressor protein that is mutated in familial cylindromatosus, and variants have been associated with Crohn disease (CD). Splice forms of CYLD that lack exons 7 and 8 regulate transcription factors and functions of immune cells. We examined the expression of splice forms of CYLD in colon tissues from patients with CD and their effects in mice. Methods We performed immunohistochemical analyses of colon tissues from patients with untreated CD and patients without inflammatory bowel diseases (controls). We obtained mice that expressed splice forms of CYLD (sCYLD mice) without or with SMAD7 (sCYLD/SMAD7 mice) from tr…
The Transcription Factor T-bet Regulates Mucosal T Cell Activation in Experimental Colitis and Crohn's Disease
The balance between pro and antiinflammatory cytokines secreted by T cells regulates both the initiation and perpetuation of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In particular, the balance between interferon (IFN)-gamma/interleukin (IL)-4 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta activity controls chronic intestinal inflammation. However, the molecular pathways that evoke these responses are not well understood. Here, we describe a critical role for the transcription factor T-bet in controlling the mucosal cytokine balance and clinical disease. We studied the expression and function of T-bet in patients with IBD and in mucosal T cells in various T helper (Th)1- and Th2-mediated animal models …
STAT3 links IL-22 signaling in intestinal epithelial cells to mucosal wound healing.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 is a pleiotropic transcription factor with important functions in cytokine signaling in a variety of tissues. However, the role of STAT3 in the intestinal epithelium is not well understood. We demonstrate that development of colonic inflammation is associated with the induction of STAT3 activity in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Studies in genetically engineered mice showed that epithelial STAT3 activation in dextran sodium sulfate colitis is dependent on interleukin (IL)-22 rather than IL-6. IL-22 was secreted by colonic CD11c+ cells in response to Toll-like receptor stimulation. Conditional knockout mice with an IEC-specific d…
Epicutaneous and Oral Low-Zone Tolerance Protects from Colitis in Mice
Tolerance to environmental antigens that encounter the organism at interfaces like skin or gut prevents deleterious systemic immune responses. The aim of this study was to analyze whether and how low doses of haptens, by entry through the skin or gastrointestinal tract, affect the outcome of the predominantly Th1/Th17-mediated 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis, which mimics an autoimmune bowl disease in man. Epicutaneous and oral applications of low doses of the allergen resulted in the induction of low-zone tolerance (LZT) and protected from colitis development, demonstrated by a significantly reduced inflammatory response of the gut in vivo. In line with this observation…
VEGF receptor signaling links inflammation and tumorigenesis in colitis-associated cancer.
Inflammation drives expression of VEGFR2, which is expressed on and drives growth of tumor cells in colitis-associated cancer.
IL-28A Is a Key Regulator of T-Cell–Mediated Liver Injury via the T-Box Transcription Factor T-Bet
Background & Aims: T-cell–mediated fulminant hepatitis is a potentially life-threatening event for which the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate a key regulatory role of IL-28A in T-cell–mediated hepatitis. Methods: We cloned the murine IL-28A gene by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, assessed the effects of recombinant IL-28A, and generated IL-28A–transgenic mice. Results: IL-28A induced TH1 cytokine production by CD4+ T lymphocytes in a T-bet–dependent manner and was up-regulated in a murine model of T-cell–mediated hepatitis upon Con A administration. In vivo, CD4+ T cells from newly created IL-28A–transgenic animals revealed an …
Selective targeting of activated T cells in chronic intestinal inflammation
Programmed cell death (apoptosis) has been implicated in normal biological processes as well as in the pathology of human diseases.1 The characterisation of genes involved in apoptosis has been pursued intensively and led to the identification of two major classes of genes: the bcl-2 family and the caspase family. Caspases are proteases that cleave their target substrates at specific peptide sequences and during apoptosis the activation of caspases takes place in a cascade fashion, leading to nuclear engulfment and cell death. Thus, caspases represent key functional components of the apoptosis pathway in human cells. Resistance against apoptosis is a key phenomenon in various chronic inflam…
Allergen-induced IgE-dependent gut inflammation in a human PBMC-engrafted murine model of allergy.
Background Humanized murine models comprise a new tool to analyze novel therapeutic strategies for allergic diseases of the intestine. Objective In this study we developed a human PBMC–engrafted murine model of allergen-driven gut inflammation and analyzed the underlying immunologic mechanisms. Methods Nonobese diabetic (NOD)– scid -γc −/− mice were injected intraperitoneally with human PBMCs from allergic donors together with the respective allergen or not. Three weeks later, mice were challenged with the allergen orally or rectally, and gut inflammation was monitored with a high-resolution video miniendoscopic system, as well as histologically. Results Using the aeroallergens birch or gra…
Activation pattern of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) factors in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Cytokine signaling pathways involving transcription factors of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) family play a key role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). STAT proteins are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that induce transcription upon phosphorylation, dimerization, and nuclear translocation. However, their activation pattern in IBD is poorly understood. The aim of our study was to characterize STAT-expression in IBD.Mononuclear cells were isolated from 36 colonic specimens of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or from control patients. Cells were stimulated overnight with antibodies against human CD2 and CD28 and mononuclear cel…
Microenvironmental Th9 and Th17 lymphocytes induce metastatic spreading in lung cancer.
Immune microenvironment plays a critical role in lung cancer control versus progression and metastasis. In this investigation, we explored the effect of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte subpopulations on lung cancer biology by studying in vitro cocultures, in vivo mouse models, and human lung cancer tissue. Lymphocyte conditioned media (CM) induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration in both primary human lung cancer cells and cell lines. Correspondingly, major accumulation of Th9 and Th17 cells was detected in human lung cancer tissue and correlated with poor survival. Coculturing lung cancer cells with Th9/Th17 cells or exposing them to the respective CM induced EMT in canc…
Caspase-8 regulates TNF-alpha induced epithelial necroptosis and terminal ileitis
Two groups identify the regulation of death-receptor-induced necroptosis as an epithelial intrinsic mechanism that is important for the maintenance of immune homeostasis and the prevention of intestinal inflammation in mice. Welz et al. describe an unexpected physiological function for FADD (Fas-associated protein with death domain), an adaptor protein required for death-receptor-induced apoptosis. Mice with intestinal epithelial specific knockout of FADD develop severe colon inflammation due to increased death of FADD-deficient colonic epithelial cells. Gunther et al. report a novel and unexpected function of caspase-8 in maintaining immune homeostasis in the gut. Caspase-8 expression by g…
miRNA92a targets KLF2 and the phosphatase PTEN signaling to promote human T follicular helper precursors in T1D islet autoimmunity.
Aberrant immune activation mediated by T effector cell populations is pivotal in the onset of autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes (T1D). T follicular helper (TFH) cells are essential in the induction of high-affinity antibodies, and their precursor memory compartment circulates in the blood. The role of TFH precursors in the onset of islet autoimmunity and signaling pathways regulating their differentiation is incompletely understood. Here, we provide direct evidence that during onset of islet autoimmunity, the insulin-specific target T-cell population is enriched with a C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CXCR5)(+)CD4(+) TFH precursor phenotype. During onset of islet autoimmunity, the frequency o…
Elevated levels of Bcl-3 inhibits Treg development and function resulting in spontaneous colitis
Bcl-3 is an atypical NF-κB family member that regulates NF-κB-dependent gene expression in effector T cells, but a cell-intrinsic function in regulatory T (Treg) cells and colitis is not clear. Here we show that Bcl-3 expression levels in colonic T cells correlate with disease manifestation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Mice with T-cell-specific overexpression of Bcl-3 develop severe colitis that can be attributed to defective Treg cell development and function, leading to the infiltration of immune cells such as pro-inflammatory γδT cells, but not αβ T cells. In Treg cells, Bcl-3 associates directly with NF-κB p50 to inhibit DNA binding of p50/p50 and p50/p65 NF-κB dimers, t…
Diminished Contact Hypersensitivity Response in IL‐4 Deficient Mice at a Late Phase of the Elicitation Reaction
Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is thought to depend on the activation of T cells of Th1 and/or Tc1 type. The role of Th2/Tc2 cells in the contact allergic reaction is not clear. The aim of this study was to analyse the functional contribution of Th2/Tc2 cells in CHS using the interleukin-4 (IL-4) deficient mouse model. Interleukin-4 deficient (IL4T) and control (wt) mice were sensitized by epicutaneous application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene. The ear swelling response measured 24 h after challenge was similar in IL4T and control mice. However, from 48 h onwards, ear swelling values were significantly reduced in IL4T mice. The stimulatory capacity of freshly isolated as well as 3-day culture…
Chemically induced mouse models of intestinal inflammation
Animal models of intestinal inflammation are indispensable for our understanding of the pathogenesis of Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease in humans. Here, we provide protocols for establishing murine 2,4,6-trinitro benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-, oxazolone- and both acute and chronic dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis, the most widely used chemically induced models of intestinal inflammation. In the former two models, colitis is induced by intrarectal administration of the covalently reactive reagents TNBS/oxazolone, which are believed to induce a T-cell-mediated response against hapten-modified autologous proteins/luminal antigens. In …
Wheat amylase-trypsin inhibitors exacerbate intestinal and airway allergic immune responses in humanized mice.
Background Amylase-trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) in wheat and related cereals are potent activators of myeloid innate immune cells via engagement of TLR4. Furthermore, ATIs have been shown to serve as adjuvants in experimental intestinal inflammatory diseases. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze whether ATIs are also modifiers of allergic inflammation. Methods Therefore, CD4 + T cells from donors sensitized to grass or birch pollen were stimulated with autologous allergen-pulsed dendritic cells in the presence or absence of ATIs or the control storage protein zein from corn. To analyze allergen-induced gut and lung inflammation, immunodeficient mice were engrafted with PBMCs from the…
The tumor suppressor CYLD controls the function of murine regulatory T cells.
Abstract CYLD was originally identified as a tumor suppressor gene mutated in familial cylindromatosis, an autosomal dominant predisposition to multiple benign neoplasms of the skin known as cylindromas. The CYLD protein is a deubiquitinating enzyme that acts as a negative regulator of NF-κB and JNK signaling through its interaction with NEMO and TNFR-associated factor 2. We have previously described a novel mouse strain that expresses solely and excessively a naturally occurring splice variant of CYLD (CYLDex7/8). In this study, we demonstrate that CYLD plays a critical role in Treg development and function. T cells of CYLDex7/8 mice had a hyperactive phenotype manifested by increased prod…