PKCθ-regulated signalling in health and disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 1484-1489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pulak R. Nath ◽  
Noah Isakov
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Immunological Synapse ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Nuclear Factor Κb ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Health And Disease

Protein kinase Cθ (PKCθ) is a key enzyme in T-lymphocytes where it plays an important role in signal transduction downstream of the activated T-cell receptor (TCR) and the CD28 co-stimulatory receptor. Antigenic stimulation of T-cells triggers PKCθ translocation to the centre of the immunological synapse (IS) at the contact site between antigen-specific T-cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The IS-residing PKCθ phosphorylates and activates effector molecules that transduce signals into distinct subcellular compartments and activate the transcription factors, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) and activating protein 1 (AP-1), which are essential for the induction of T-cell-mediated responses. Besides its major biological role in T-cells, PKCθ is expressed in several additional cell types and is involved in a variety of distinct physiological and pathological phenomena. For example, PKCθ is expressed at high levels in platelets where it regulates signal transduction from distinct surface receptors, and is required for optimal platelet activation and aggregation, as well as haemostasis. In addition, PKCθ is involved in physiological processes regulating insulin resistance and susceptibility to obesity, and is expressed at high levels in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), although the functional importance of PKCθ in these processes and cell types is not fully clear. The present article briefly reviews selected topics relevant to the biological roles of PKCθ in health and disease.

scholarly journals Crucial Role for Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells in T Cell Receptor-mediated Regulation of Human Interleukin-17

2004 ◽  
Vol 279 (50) ◽  
pp. 52762-52771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xikui K. Liu ◽  
Xin Lin ◽  
Sarah L. Gaffen
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Promoter Activity ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Tcr Signaling ◽  
Activated T Cells

The biological activities of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 have been widely studied. However, comparatively little is known about how IL-17 expression is controlled. Here, we examined the basis for transcriptional regulation of the human IL-17 gene. IL-17 secretion was induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells following anti-CD3 cross-linking to activate the T cell receptor (TCR), and costimulatory signaling through CD28 strongly enhanced CD3-induced IL-17 production. To definecis-acting elements important for IL-17 gene regulation, we cloned 1.25 kb of genomic sequence upstream of the transcriptional start site. This putative promoter was active in Jurkat T cells following CD3 and CD28 cross-linking, and its activity was inhibited by cyclosporin A and MAPK inhibitors. The promoter was also active in Hut102 T cells, which we have shown to secrete IL-17 constitutively. Overexpression of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) or Ras enhanced IL-17 promoter activity, and studies in Jurkat lines deficient in specific TCR signaling pathways provided supporting evidence for a role for NFAT. To delineate the IL-17 minimal promoter, we created a series of 5′ truncations and identified a region between -232 and -159 that was sufficient for inducible promoter activity. Interestingly, two NFAT sites were located within this region, which bound to NFATc1 and NFATc2 in nuclear extracts from Hut102 and Jurkat cells. Moreover, mutations of these sites dramatically reduced both specific DNA binding and reporter gene activity, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed occupancy of NFAT at this regionin vivo. Together, these data show that NFAT is the crucial sensor of TCR signaling in the IL-17 promoter.

scholarly journals A Transcription Function for the T Cell–Specific Adapter (Tsad) Protein in T Cells

2001 ◽  
Vol 193 (12) ◽  
pp. 1425-1430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesc Marti ◽  
Nicholas H. Post ◽  
Elena Chan ◽  
Philip D. King
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Sh2 Domain ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Activated T Cells

T cell–specific adapter (TSAd) protein is an Src homology 2 (SH2) domain–containing adapter molecule implicated in T cell receptor for antigen (TCR)-mediated interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion in T cells. Here, we demonstrate that a substantial fraction of TSAd is found in the T cell nucleus. Nuclear import of TSAd is an active process that depends on TSAd SH2 domain recognition of a phosphotyrosine-containing ligand. Importantly, we show that TSAd can act as a potent transcriptional activator in T cells. Furthermore, the TSAd SH2 domain appears to be essential for this transcription-activating function independent of its role in nuclear import. Biochemical analyses suggest that a single TSAd SH2 domain ligand of 95–100 kD may be involved in these processes. Consistent with a role as a transcription activator, cotransfection of TSAd with an IL-2 promoter–reporter gene construct results in a considerable upregulation of IL-2 promoter activity. Further, we show that this augmentation requires a functional TSAd SH2 domain. However, TSAd does not appear to modulate the activity of the major recognized IL-2 gene transcription factors, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), or activator protein 1 (AP-1). These findings point to the function of TSAd as a novel transcription-regulatory protein in T cells and illustrate the importance of the TSAd SH2 domain in this role.

scholarly journals The Ca2+-activated K+ channel KCa3.1 compartmentalizes in the immunological synapse of human T lymphocytes

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (4) ◽  
pp. C1431-C1439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella A. Nicolaou ◽  
Lisa Neumeier ◽  
YouQing Peng ◽  
Daniel C. Devor ◽  
Laura Conforti
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Antigen Presentation ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immunological Synapse ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
K Channel ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Barr Virus

T cell receptor engagement results in the reorganization of intracellular and membrane proteins at the T cell-antigen presenting cell interface forming the immunological synapse (IS), an event required for Ca2+ influx. KCa3.1 channels modulate Ca2+ signaling in activated T cells by regulating the membrane potential. Nothing is known regarding KCa3.1 membrane distribution during T cell activation. Herein, we determined whether KCa3.1 translocates to the IS in human T cells using YFP-tagged KCa3.1 channels. These channels showed electrophysiological and pharmacological properties identical to wild-type channels. IS formation was induced by either anti-CD3/CD28 antibody-coated beads for fixed microscopy experiments or Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells for fixed and live cell microscopy. In fixed microscopy experiments, T cells were also immunolabeled for F-actin or CD3ε, which served as IS formation markers. The distribution of KCa3.1 was determined with confocal and fluorescence microscopy. We found that, upon T cell activation, KCa3.1 channels localize with F-actin and CD3ε to the IS but remain evenly distributed on the cell membrane when no stimulus is provided. Detailed imaging experiments indicated that KCa3.1 channels are recruited in the IS shortly after antigen presentation and are maintained there for at least 15–30 min. Interestingly, pretreatment of activated T cells with the specific KCa3.1 blocker TRAM-34 blocked Ca2+ influx, but channel redistribution to the IS was not prevented. These results indicate that KCa3.1 channels are a part of the signaling complex that forms at the IS upon antigen presentation.

scholarly journals Hierarchy of signaling thresholds downstream of the T cell receptor and the Tec kinase ITK

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (35) ◽  
pp. e2025825118
Author(s):  
Michael P. Gallagher ◽  
James M. Conley ◽  
Pranitha Vangala ◽  
Manuel Garber ◽  
Andrea Reboldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Signal Strength ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Activated T Cells

The strength of peptide:MHC interactions with the T cell receptor (TCR) is correlated with the time to first cell division, the relative scale of the effector cell response, and the graded expression of activation-associated proteins like IRF4. To regulate T cell activation programming, the TCR and the TCR proximal interleukin-2–inducible T cell kinase (ITK) simultaneously trigger many biochemically separate signaling cascades. T cells lacking ITK exhibit selective impairments in effector T cell responses after activation, but under the strongest signaling conditions, ITK activity is dispensable. To gain insight into whether TCR signal strength and ITK activity tune observed graded gene expression through the unequal activation of distinct signaling pathways, we examined Erk1/2 phosphorylation or nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB translocation in naïve OT-I CD8+ cell nuclei. We observed the consistent digital activation of NFAT1 and Erk1/2, but NF-κB displayed dynamic, graded activation in response to variation in TCR signal strength, tunable by treatment with an ITK inhibitor. Inhibitor-treated cells showed the dampened induction of AP-1 factors Fos and Fosb, NF-κB response gene transcripts, and survival factor Il2 transcripts. ATAC sequencing analysis also revealed that genomic regions most sensitive to ITK inhibition were enriched for NF-κB and AP-1 motifs. Specific inhibition of NF-κB during peptide stimulation tuned the expression of early gene products like c-Fos. Together, these data indicate a key role for ITK in orchestrating the optimal activation of separate TCR downstream pathways, specifically aiding NF-κB activation. More broadly, we revealed a mechanism by which variations in TCR signal strength can produce patterns of graded gene expression in activated T cells.

scholarly journals Gene transcription in differentiating immature T cell receptor(neg) thymocytes resembles antigen-activated mature T cells.

1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (4) ◽  
pp. 1139-1149 ◽  
Author(s):  
J C Zúñiga-Pflücker ◽  
H L Schwartz ◽  
M J Lenardo
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Brdu Incorporation ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Nf Kappa B ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Heat Stable Antigen

Early in ontogeny thymocytes have a surface marker phenotype that resembles activated mature T cells but they lack expression of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex. We have made preparations of day 14/15 triple negative fetal thymocytes that exhibit the activated T lymphocyte markers CD25, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Ly-6A/E, CD44, and heat stable antigen and are rapidly proliferating as evidenced by flow cytometric examination of BrdU incorporation. We found that binding activities of the gene regulators nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B, the NF-kappa B p50 homodimer complex, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT), oct-1, oct-2, activator protein 1 (AP-1), and serum response factor (SRF), are all present in these early thymocytes. Whereas the octamer factors and SRF persist during ontogeny, NF-kappa B, NF-AT, and AP-1 decrease and are undetectable in the adult thymus. Transfection of disaggregated thymocytes by electroporation or intact thymic lobes by gold-particle bombardment revealed that reporter constructs for NF-kappa B, NF-AT, AP-1, octamer factors and, to a small extent, the TCR-alpha enhancer were active in early thymocyte development. We rigorously eliminated the possibility that these transcriptional events were due to minor populations of TCR+ cells by showing that these reporter constructs were also active in recombinase activating gene (RAG)-/- thymocytes that are incapable of completing TCR gene rearrangement, and predominantly contain cells that have an activated phenotype. Thus, transcriptional events that are usually triggered by antigen stimulation in mature T cells take place early in thymic ontogeny in the absence of the TCR. Our analysis suggests that there are striking regulatory similarities but also important differences between the activation processes that take place in antigen-stimulated mature T cells and thymic progenitor cells.

scholarly journals Dynamic Movement of the Calcium Sensor STIM1 and the Calcium Channel Orai1 in Activated T-Cells: Puncta and Distal Caps

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2802-2817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valarie A. Barr ◽  
Kelsie M. Bernot ◽  
Sonal Srikanth ◽  
Yousang Gwack ◽  
Lakshmi Balagopalan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immunological Synapse ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Dynamic Movement ◽  
Immunological Synapses

The proteins STIM1 and Orai1 are the long sought components of the store-operated channels required in T-cell activation. However, little is known about the interaction of these proteins in T-cells after engagement of the T-cell receptor. We found that T-cell receptor engagement caused STIM1 and Orai1 to colocalize in puncta near the site of stimulation and accumulate in a dense structure on the opposite side of the T-cell. FRET measurements showed a close interaction between STIM1 and Orai1 both in the puncta and in the dense cap-like structure. The formation of cap-like structures did not entail rearrangement of the entire endoplasmic reticulum. Cap formation depended on TCR engagement and tyrosine phosphorylation, but not on channel activity or Ca2+ influx. These caps were very dynamic in T-cells activated by contact with superantigen pulsed B-cells and could move from the distal pole to an existing or a newly forming immunological synapse. One function of this cap may be to provide preassembled Ca2+ channel components to existing and newly forming immunological synapses.

scholarly journals Signals from OX40 regulate nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 and T cell helper 2 lineage commitment

2006 ◽  
Vol 103 (10) ◽  
pp. 3740-3745 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. So ◽  
J. Song ◽  
K. Sugie ◽  
A. Altman ◽  
M. Croft
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Lineage Commitment ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Activated T Cells

Ig alpha and Ig beta are functionally homologous to the signaling proteins of the T-cell receptor

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1095-1103
Author(s):  
A L Burkhardt ◽  
T Costa ◽  
Z Misulovin ◽  
B Stealy ◽  
J B Bolen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Antigen Receptor ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Antigen Receptors ◽  
Cell Antigen

Signal transduction by antigen receptors and some Fc receptors requires the activation of a family of receptor-associated transmembrane accessory proteins. One common feature of the cytoplasmic domains of these accessory molecules is the presence is at least two YXXA repeats that are potential sites for interaction with Src homology 2 domain-containing proteins. However, the degree of similarity between the different receptor-associated proteins varies from that of T-cell receptor (TCR) zeta and Fc receptor RIIIA gamma chains, which are homologous, to the distantly related Ig alpha and Ig beta proteins of the B-cell antigen receptor. To determine whether T- and B-cell antigen receptors are in fact functionally homologous, we have studied signal transduction by chimeric immunoglobulins bearing the Ig alpha or Ig beta cytoplasmic domain. We found that Ig alpha and Ig beta cytoplasmic domains were able to activate Ca2+ flux, interleukin-2 secretion, and phosphorylation of the same group of cellular substrates as the TCR in transfected T cells. Chimeric proteins were then used to examine the minimal requirements for activation of the Fyn, Lck, and ZAP kinases in T cells. Both Ig alpha and Ig beta were able to trigger Fyn, Lck, and ZAP directly without involvement of TCR components. Cytoplasmic tyrosine residues in Ig beta were required for recruitment and activation of ZAP-70, but these amino acids were not essential for the activation of Fyn and Lck. We conclude that Fyn and Lck are able to recognize a clustered nonphosphorylated immune recognition receptor, but activation of these kinases is not sufficient to induce cellular responses such as Ca2+ flux and interleukin-2 secretion. In addition, the molecular structures involved in antigen receptor signaling pathways are conserved between T and B cells.

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