An emerging player in the adaptive immune response: microRNA-146a is a modulator of IL-2 expression and activation-induced cell death in T lymphocytes

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graziella Curtale ◽  
Franca Citarella ◽  
Claudia Carissimi ◽  
Marina Goldoni ◽  
Nicoletta Carucci ◽  
...  

Abstract Activation of the T cell–mediated immune response has been associated with changes in the expression of specific microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the role of miRNAs in the development of an effective immune response is just beginning to be explored. This study focuses on the functional role of miR-146a in T lymphocyte–mediated immune response and provides interesting clues on the transcriptional regulation of miR-146a during T-cell activation. We show that miR-146a is low in human naive T cells and is abundantly expressed in human memory T cells; consistently, miR-146a is induced in human primary T lymphocytes upon T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. Moreover, we identified NF-kB and c-ETS binding sites as required for the induction of miR-146a transcription upon TCR engagement. Our results demonstrate that several signaling pathways, other than inflammation, are influenced by miR-146a. In particular, we provide experimental evidence that miR-146a modulates activation-induced cell death (AICD), acting as an antiapoptotic factor, and that Fas-associated death domain (FADD) is a target of miR-146a. Furthermore, miR-146a enforced expression impairs both activator protein 1 (AP-1) activity and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production induced by TCR engagement, thus suggesting a role of this miRNA in the modulation of adaptive immunity.

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
pp. 4212-4219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emira Ayroldi ◽  
Ornella Zollo ◽  
Lorenza Cannarile ◽  
Francesca D’ Adamio ◽  
Ursula Grohmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Triggering of the TCR/CD3 complex with specific antigen or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody initiates activation-induced cell death (AICD) in mature T cells, an effect also mediated by the Fas/FasL system. We have previously shown that CD2 stimulation rescues T cells from TCR/CD3-induced apoptosis by decreasing the expression of Fas and FasL. In the present study, we examined whether the endogenous production of IL-2 plays a role in the effects mediated by CD2 triggering. The results indicated that transcription of Fas/FasL is controlled by interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and that CD2 triggering rescues a T-cell hybridoma from AICD via decreased production of IL-2. To ascertain whether modulation of IL-2 may be a general mechanism of AICD control, we examined other stimuli, capable of modulating the expression of the Fas/FasL system and the ensuing AICD, for ability to affect production of IL-2. We found that IL-6 reduced the level of TCR/CD3-induced apoptosis and the expression of Fas/FasL, yet failed to inhibit IL-2 production. Because IL-2 is involved in both apoptosis and activation events, these results indicate that, in contrast to CD2, which inhibits apoptosis and T cell activation, IL-6 inhibits apoptosis but not IL-2–induced activation. These observations may provide the basis for differential control of T-cell activation and apoptosis.


Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
pp. 4212-4219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emira Ayroldi ◽  
Ornella Zollo ◽  
Lorenza Cannarile ◽  
Francesca D’ Adamio ◽  
Ursula Grohmann ◽  
...  

Triggering of the TCR/CD3 complex with specific antigen or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody initiates activation-induced cell death (AICD) in mature T cells, an effect also mediated by the Fas/FasL system. We have previously shown that CD2 stimulation rescues T cells from TCR/CD3-induced apoptosis by decreasing the expression of Fas and FasL. In the present study, we examined whether the endogenous production of IL-2 plays a role in the effects mediated by CD2 triggering. The results indicated that transcription of Fas/FasL is controlled by interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and that CD2 triggering rescues a T-cell hybridoma from AICD via decreased production of IL-2. To ascertain whether modulation of IL-2 may be a general mechanism of AICD control, we examined other stimuli, capable of modulating the expression of the Fas/FasL system and the ensuing AICD, for ability to affect production of IL-2. We found that IL-6 reduced the level of TCR/CD3-induced apoptosis and the expression of Fas/FasL, yet failed to inhibit IL-2 production. Because IL-2 is involved in both apoptosis and activation events, these results indicate that, in contrast to CD2, which inhibits apoptosis and T cell activation, IL-6 inhibits apoptosis but not IL-2–induced activation. These observations may provide the basis for differential control of T-cell activation and apoptosis.


Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 350-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Ronchetti ◽  
Giuseppe Nocentini ◽  
Carlo Riccardi ◽  
Pier Paolo Pandolfi

Abstract In this study, we describe the generation and characterization of mice in which GITR gene (TNFRSF18 [tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 18]), a member of the TNFRSF expressed mainly on T lymphocytes, has been ablated (GITR−/− mice). Results indicate that GITR inactivation does not impair the normal development of the lymphoid organs but modulates T-cell activation. In fact, whenGITR−/− T lymphocytes are activated by treatment with an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody they proliferate more than wild-type cells. Moreover, activatedGITR−/− T lymphocytes express higher levels of interleukin-2 receptor, produce larger amounts of interleukin-2, and are more sensitive to activation-induced cell death than controls. These results suggest that GITR is involved in the regulation of T-cell receptor/CD3–driven T-cell activation and programmed cell death.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3320-3320
Author(s):  
Christian Scholz ◽  
Lilian Stärck ◽  
Mario Lehmann ◽  
Bernd Dörken ◽  
Peter T. Daniel

Abstract Costimulation is essential for the induction of proliferation in naive T cells and for the inhibition of activation induced cell death (AICD) in activated T lymphocytes. While costimulatory signals mediated through the immunglobulin family member CD28 play a prominent role during primary T cell activation, ligation of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family member CD137/4-1BB is more important during late primary and secondary T cell activation. Signals mediated through either costimulatory protein block AICD. Inhibition of AICD through ligation of CD137/4-1BB or CD28 involves upregulation of Bcl-xL and FLIPshort (Eur J Immunol 2005, 35: 1257–66). We further demonstrated that costimulatory signals mediated through CD137/4-1BB or CD28 depend on the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and AKT/protein kinase B, two kinases that had formerly been implied in CD28-induced signaling, indicating that CD28- and CD137/4-1BB-mediated signals share downstream signaling pathways. Here, we demonstrate that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) mediates CD137/4-1BB-induced as well as CD28-mediated costimulation of cell proliferation and inhibition of AICD. This coincides with upregulation of Bcl-xL and FLIPshort. Inhibition of p38 MAPK abrogates T cell receptor induced proliferation and antagonizes costimulation mediated survival. Thus, p38 MAPK, which was previously thought to be primarily involved in CD137/4-1BB-mediated signaling, is similarly important for CD28-induced costimulation and survival. This indicates that, while involving different protein families, signal transduction by CD28 and CD137/4-1BB depends on a common upstream and downstream network of survival kinases.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 4872-4877
Author(s):  
A Carè ◽  
U Testa ◽  
A Bassani ◽  
E Tritarelli ◽  
E Montesoro ◽  
...  

We investigated the expression of HOXB cluster genes in purified phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated T lymphocytes from normal adult peripheral blood by reverse transcription PCR and RNase protection. These genes are not expressed in quiescent T cells, except for barely detectable B1 RNA. After the PHA stimulus, HOXB gene activation initiates coordinately as a rapid induction wave in the 3'-->5' cluster direction (i.e., from HOXB1 through B9 genes). Thus, (i) expression of the foremost 3'-located B1 and B2 genes peaks 10 min after PHA addition and then rapidly declines, (ii) activation of B3, B4, and B5 begins 10 min after PHA addition and peaks at later times (i.e., at 120 min for B5), (iii) B6, B7, and B9 are expressed at a low level starting at later times (45 to 60 min), and (iv) B8 remains silent. Treatment of PHA-activated T lymphocytes with antisense oligonucleotides to B2 or B4 mRNA causes a drastic inhibition of T-cell proliferation and a decreased expression of T-cell activation markers (i.e., interleukin 2 and transferrin receptors). Similarly, treatment of CEM-CCRF, Peer, and SEZ627 T acute lymphocytic leukemia cell lines with anti-B4 oligomer markedly inhibits cell proliferation. Finally, T cells stimulated by a low dosage of PHA in the presence of 1 microM retinoic acid show a marked increase of both HOXB expression, particularly B2, and cell proliferation. These studies provide novel evidence on the role of HOX genes in adult cell proliferation. (i) Coordinate, early activation of HOXB genes from the 3'-->5' cluster side apparently underlies T-cell activation. (ii) The expression pattern in adult PHA-activated T cells is strikingly similar to that observed in retinoic acid-induced teratocarcinoma cells (A. Simeone, D. Acampora, L. Arcioni, P. W. Andres, E. Boncinelli, and F. Mavilio, Nature (London) 346:763-766, 1990), thus suggesting that molecular mechanisms underlying HOX gene expression in the earliest stages of development may also operate in activated adult T lymphocytes.


1981 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 445-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiteru Konaka ◽  
Michael A. Norcross ◽  
Vernon C. Maino ◽  
Richard T. Smith

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 4798-4808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Cardone ◽  
Kyojiro N. Ikeda ◽  
Barbara Varano ◽  
Sandra Gessani ◽  
Lucia Conti

ABSTRACTThe interplay between dendritic cells (DC) and γδ T lymphocytes represents a network of paracrine and cell contact interactions important for an integrated immune response to pathogens. HIV-1 infection dramatically affects the number and functions of both cell populations, and DC/γδ T cell cross talk may represent a target of virus-induced immune escape. We investigated whether HIV-exposed DC could deliver aberrant signals to interacting γδ T cells. Here we report that the interaction of human γδ T lymphocytes with HIV-1-exposed autologous monocyte-derived DC, but not direct exposure to the virus, impairs lymphocyte expansion and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production in response to phosphoantigens. This effect is independent of virus strain and occurred in 55% of the donors analyzed. The donor-dependent variation observed relies on the responsiveness of DC to HIV-1 and is strictly related to the capacity of the virus to suppress the maturation-induced expression of interleukin 12 (IL-12). In fact, γδ T cell response to phosphoantigens is almost completely recovered when this cytokine is exogenously added to the DC/lymphocyte cocultures. Interestingly, we show that γδ T lymphocytes are recruited by HIV-1-exposed DC through a CCR5-mediated mechanism and exert a CCL4-mediated control on virus dissemination within DC and susceptible CD4+T lymphocytes. These results demonstrate an association between HIV-induced DC dysfunction and alterations of γδ T cell responses. The aberrant cross talk between these two cell populations may contribute to the pathogenesis of HIV infection by further reducing the strength of antiviral immune response.IMPORTANCEThis study provides new evidence on the mechanisms exploited by HIV-1 to evade the host immune response. We report that HIV-1 impairs the cross talk between DC and γδ T lymphocytes, by reducing the capacity of DC to promote functional γδ T cell activation. Interestingly, the virus does notper seinterfere with γδ T cell activation, thus highlighting the key role of early DC–HIV-1 interaction in this phenomenon. Furthermore, the results obtained unravel the novel role of γδ T cells in controlling HIV-1 dissemination within the DC population as well as virus transfer to susceptible CD4+T lymphocytes. The interactions of DC with innate lymphocytes represent a major control mechanism for an integrated immune response to infection. Understanding how HIV-1 harnesses these pathways may provide important insights on the pathogenesis of disease and offer new opportunities for therapeutic interventions.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (8) ◽  
pp. 2695-2702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeriu B. Cismasiu ◽  
Sailaja Ghanta ◽  
Javier Duque ◽  
Diana I. Albu ◽  
Hong-Mei Chen ◽  
...  

AbstractBCL11A and BCL11B are transcriptional regulators important for lymphopoiesis and previously associated with hematopoietic malignancies. Ablation of the mouse Bcl11b locus results in failure to generate double-positive thymocytes, implicating a critical role of Bcl11b in T-cell development. However, BCL11B is also expressed in CD4+ T lymphocytes, both in resting and activated states. Here we show both in transformed and primary CD4+ T cells that BCL11B participates in the control of the interleukin-2 (IL2) gene expression following activation through T-cell receptor (TCR). BCL11B augments expression from the IL2 promoter through direct binding to the US1 site. In addition, BCL11B associates with the p300 coactivator in CD4+ T cells activated through TCR, which may account for its transcriptional activation function. These results provide the first evidence that BCL11B, originally described as a transcriptional repressor, activates transcription of a target gene in the context of T-cell activation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 215 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Monaco ◽  
Beate Jahraus ◽  
Yvonne Samstag ◽  
Hilmar Bading

Calcium signals in stimulated T cells are generally considered single entities that merely trigger immune responses, whereas costimulatory events specify the type of reaction. Here we show that the “T cell calcium signal” is a composite signal harboring two distinct components that antagonistically control genomic programs underlying the immune response. Using human T cells from healthy individuals, we establish nuclear calcium as a key signal in human T cell adaptogenomics that drives T cell activation and is required for signaling to cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element–binding protein and the induction of CD25, CD69, interleukin-2, and γ-interferon. In the absence of nuclear calcium signaling, cytosolic calcium activating nuclear factor of activated T cells translocation directed the genomic response toward enhanced expression of genes that negatively modulate T cell activation and are associated with a hyporesponsive state. Thus, nuclear calcium controls the T cell fate decision between a proliferative immune response and tolerance. Modulators of nuclear calcium–driven transcription may be used to develop a new type of pro-tolerance immunosuppressive therapy.


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