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

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.

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 372 (6543) ◽  
pp. eaba4220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Yue ◽  
Xiaoming Zhan ◽  
Duanwu Zhang ◽  
Ruchi Jain ◽  
Kuan-wen Wang ◽  
...  

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase in activated T cells because of metabolic activity induced to support T cell proliferation and differentiation. We show that these ROS trigger an oxidative stress response that leads to translation repression. This response is countered by Schlafen 2 (SLFN2), which directly binds transfer RNAs (tRNAs) to protect them from cleavage by the ribonuclease angiogenin. T cell–specific SLFN2 deficiency results in the accumulation of tRNA fragments, which inhibit translation and promote stress-granule formation. Interleukin-2 receptor β (IL-2Rβ) and IL-2Rγ fail to be translationally up-regulated after T cell receptor stimulation, rendering SLFN2-deficient T cells insensitive to interleukin-2’s mitogenic effects. SLFN2 confers resistance against the ROS-mediated translation-inhibitory effects of oxidative stress normally induced by T cell activation, permitting the robust protein synthesis necessary for T cell expansion and immunity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 1484-1489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pulak R. Nath ◽  
Noah Isakov

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.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 2181-2190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Paola Martelli ◽  
Huamao Lin ◽  
Weiguo Zhang ◽  
Lawrence E. Samelson ◽  
Barbara E. Bierer

Abstract Activation of T cells can be initiated through cell surface molecules in addition to the T-cell receptor-CD3 (TCR-CD3) complex. In human T cells, ligation of the CD2 molecule by mitogenic pairs of anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies activates T cells via biochemical signaling pathways similar but not identical to those elicited on TCR engagement. This study describes a key role for the p36/38 membrane adapter protein linker for T cell activation (LAT) in CD2-mediated T-cell activation. Following ligation of CD2 on the surface of the Jurkat T-cell line and human purified T cells, LAT was tyrosine phosphorylated and shown to associate in vivo with a number of other tyrosine phosphorylated proteins including PLCγ-1, Grb-2, and SLP-76. Using Jurkat cell lines deficient in ZAP70/Syk (P116) or LAT (ANJ3) expression, CD2-dependent PLCγ-1 and SLP-76 tyrosine phosphorylation required expression both of ZAP70 or Syk and of LAT. As predicted, the absence of either LAT or ZAP70/Syk kinases correlated with a defect in the induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcriptional activity, activation of the interleukin-2 promoter, and ERK phosphorylation following CD2 stimulation. These data suggest that LAT is an adapter protein important for the regulation of CD2-mediated T-cell activation.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 2181-2190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Paola Martelli ◽  
Huamao Lin ◽  
Weiguo Zhang ◽  
Lawrence E. Samelson ◽  
Barbara E. Bierer

Activation of T cells can be initiated through cell surface molecules in addition to the T-cell receptor-CD3 (TCR-CD3) complex. In human T cells, ligation of the CD2 molecule by mitogenic pairs of anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies activates T cells via biochemical signaling pathways similar but not identical to those elicited on TCR engagement. This study describes a key role for the p36/38 membrane adapter protein linker for T cell activation (LAT) in CD2-mediated T-cell activation. Following ligation of CD2 on the surface of the Jurkat T-cell line and human purified T cells, LAT was tyrosine phosphorylated and shown to associate in vivo with a number of other tyrosine phosphorylated proteins including PLCγ-1, Grb-2, and SLP-76. Using Jurkat cell lines deficient in ZAP70/Syk (P116) or LAT (ANJ3) expression, CD2-dependent PLCγ-1 and SLP-76 tyrosine phosphorylation required expression both of ZAP70 or Syk and of LAT. As predicted, the absence of either LAT or ZAP70/Syk kinases correlated with a defect in the induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcriptional activity, activation of the interleukin-2 promoter, and ERK phosphorylation following CD2 stimulation. These data suggest that LAT is an adapter protein important for the regulation of CD2-mediated T-cell activation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 279 (50) ◽  
pp. 52762-52771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xikui K. Liu ◽  
Xin Lin ◽  
Sarah L. Gaffen

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.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1566-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Jain ◽  
E A Nalefski ◽  
P G McCaffrey ◽  
R S Johnson ◽  
B M Spiegelman ◽  
...  

The ubiquitous transcription factors Fos and Jun are rapidly induced in T cells stimulated through the T-cell antigen receptor and regulate transcription of cytokines, including interleukin 2, in activated T cells. Since positive and negative selection of thymocytes during T-cell development also depends on activation through the T-cell receptor, Fos and Jun may play a role in thymocyte development as well. Fos and Jun act at several regulatory elements in the interleukin 2 promoter, including the AP-1 and NFAT sites. Using antisera specific to individual Fos and Jun family members, we show that c-Fos as well as other Fos family members are present in the inducible AP-1 and NFAT complexes of activated murine T cells. Nevertheless, c-Fos is not absolutely required for the development or function of peripheral T cells, as shown by using mice in which both copies of the c-fos gene were disrupted by targeted mutagenesis. c-Fos-deficient mice were comparable to wild-type mice in their patterns of thymocyte development and in the ability of their peripheral T cells to proliferate and produce several cytokines in response to T-cell receptor stimulation. Our results suggest that other Fos family members may be capable of substituting functionally for c-Fos during T-cell development and cytokine gene transcription in activated T cells.


1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (5) ◽  
pp. 1517-1522 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Woodrow ◽  
N A Clipstone ◽  
D Cantrell

In T lymphocytes, triggering of the T cell receptor (TCR) induces several signaling cascades which ultimately synergize to induce the activity of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), a DNA binding complex critical to the inducibility and T cell specificity of the T cell growth factor interleukin 2. One immediate consequence of T cell activation via the TCR is an increase in cytosolic calcium. Calcium signals are important for NFAT induction, and recent studies have identified calcineurin, a calcium-calmodulin dependent serine-threonine phosphatase, as a prominent component of the calcium signaling pathway in T cells. A second important molecule in TCR signal transduction is the guanine nucleotide binding protein, p21ras, which is coupled to the TCR by a protein tyrosine kinase dependent mechanism. The experiments presented here show that expression by transfection of mutationally activated calcineurin or activated p21ras alone is insufficient for NFAT transactivation. However, coexpression of the activated calcineurin with activated p21ras could mimic TCR signals in NFAT induction. These data identify calcineurin and p21ras as cooperative partners in T cell activation.


2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nam-Sihk Lee ◽  
Laura Barber ◽  
Ali Kanchwala ◽  
Carter J. H. Childs ◽  
Yash P. Kataria ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTT lymphocytes from patients with sarcoidosis respond weakly when stimulated with mitogen or antigen. However, the mechanisms responsible for this anergy are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the protein levels of nuclear transcription factor NF-κB (p50, p65, and p105), IκBα (inhibitor of NF-κB), T-cell receptor (TCR) CD3ζ-chain, tyrosine kinase p56LCK, and nuclear factor of activated T cells c2 (NF-ATc2) in peripheral blood CD4+T cells from patients with sarcoidosis. Baseline expression of p65 in these lymphocytes was reduced in 50% of patients. The reduced levels of p65 in sarcoid CD4+T cells concurred with decreased levels of p50, p105, CD3ζ, p56LCK, IκBα, and NF-ATc2. Polyclonal stimulation of NF-κB-deficient sarcoid T cells resulted in reduced expression of CD69 and CD154, decreased proliferation, and cytokine (i.e., interleukin 2 [IL-2] and gamma interferon [IFN-γ]) production. The clinical significance of these findings is suggested by the association between low p65 levels and the development of more severe and active sarcoidosis. Although correlative, our results support a model in which multiple intrinsic signaling defects contribute to peripheral T-cell anergy and the persistence of chronic inflammation in sarcoidosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (35) ◽  
pp. e2025825118
Author(s):  
Michael P. Gallagher ◽  
James M. Conley ◽  
Pranitha Vangala ◽  
Manuel Garber ◽  
Andrea Reboldi ◽  
...  

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.


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