Upregulation of T Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway Components in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Patients: Joint Analysis of mRNA and circRNA Expression Profiles

ObjectiveGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, and its pathogenesis is still unclear. Studies have shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) can regulate blood glucose levels by targeting mRNAs, but the role of circRNAs in GDM is still unknown. Therefore, a joint microarray analysis of circRNAs and their target mRNAs in GDM patients and healthy pregnant women was carried out.MethodsIn this study, microarray analyses of mRNA and circRNA in 6 GDM patients and 6 healthy controls were conducted to identify the differentially expressed mRNA and circRNA in GDM patients, and some of the discovered mRNAs and circRNAs were further validated in additional 56 samples by quantitative realtime PCR (qRT-PCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).ResultsGene ontology and pathway analyses showed that the differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in T cell immune-related pathways. Cross matching of the differentially expressed mRNAs and circRNAs in the top 10 KEGG pathways identified 4 genes (CBLB, ITPR3, NFKBIA, and ICAM1) and 4 corresponding circRNAs (circ-CBLB, circ-ITPR3, circ-NFKBIA, and circ-ICAM1), and these candidates were subsequently verified in larger samples. These differentially expressed circRNAs and their linear transcript mRNAs were all related to the T cell receptor signaling pathway, and PCR results confirmed the initial microarray results. Moreover, circRNA/miRNA/mRNA interactions and circRNA-binding proteins were predicted, and circ-CBLB, circ-ITPR3, and circ-ICAM1 may serve as GDM-related miRNA sponges and regulate the expression of CBLB, ITPR3, NFKBIA, and ICAM1 in cellular immune pathways.ConclusionUpregulation of T cell receptor signaling pathway components may represent the major pathological mechanism underlying GDM, thus providing a potential approach for the prevention and treatment of GDM.

N6-adenosine methylation of mRNAs requires Wtap expression and controls T cell receptor signaling and survival

T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling controls the development, activation and survival of T cells by involving several layers and numerous mechanisms of gene regulation. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent mRNA modification affecting splicing, translation and stability of transcripts. Here, we describe the Wtap protein as essential for m6A methyltransferase complex function and reveal its crucial role in TCR signaling. Wtap and m6A methyltransferase functions were required for the differentiation of thymocytes, control of activation-induced death of peripheral T cells and prevention of colitis by enabling gut RORγt+ regulatory T cell function. Transcriptome and epitranscriptomic analyses reveal that m6A modification destabilizes Orai1 and Ripk1 mRNAs. Lack of post-transcriptional repression of the encoded proteins correlated with increased store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) activity and diminished survival of T cells. These findings uncover how m6A modification impacts on TCR signal transduction and determines activation and survival of T cells.

Mechanisms and functions of endocytosis in T cells

Once thought of primarily as a means to neutralize pathogens or to facilitate feeding, endocytosis is now known to regulate a wide range of eukaryotic cell processes. Among these are regulation of signal transduction, mitosis, lipid homeostasis, and directed migration, among others. Less well-appreciated are the roles various forms of endocytosis plays in regulating αβ and, especially, γδ T cell functions, such as T cell receptor signaling, antigen discovery by trogocytosis, and activated cell growth. Herein we examine the contribution of both clathrin-mediated and clathrin-independent mechanisms of endocytosis to T cell biology.

SARS-CoV-2 may affect the immune response via direct inhibition of T cell receptor: Mechanistic hypothesis and rationale

During co-evolution with their hosts, many viruses have evolved a membrane fusion mechanism to facilitate host cell entry. Examples include human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses 1 and 2 (SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2). These viruses can also infect immune cells (e.g., T cells), providing one of the possible mechanisms for the T cell lymphopenia observed in patients with these infections. Previously, we hypothesized and confirmed in vivo that like HIV-1, SARS-CoV-1 can use its fusion domain not only to enter the T cell but also to directly inhibit T cell receptor signaling. Here, based on the analysis of available structural and clinical data, we hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 may use a similar "disarm the alarm" strategy to suppress immune responses. We also discuss the implications of this hypothesis for better understanding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathology, developing effective COVID-19 vaccines and improving clinical outcomes for COVID-19 patients.