Project description:T helper 17 (Th17) cells are a distinct subset of CD4+ T cells necessary for maintaining gut homeostasis and have prominent roles in autoimmunity and inflammation1. Th17 cells have unique metabolic features, including a stem cell-like signature2,3 and reliance on mitochondrial respiratory chain function and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to coordinate metabolic and epigenetic remodeling4,5. Dynamic changes in mitochondrial membrane morphology are key to sustain organelle function6. However, it remains unclear whether mitochondrial membrane remodeling orchestrates metabolic and differentiation events in Th17 cells. Here we demonstrate that mitochondrial membrane fusion and tight cristae organization are required for Th17 cell function (i.e. cytokine expression) but dispensable in other T cell subsets. We find that Th17 cells rely on mitochondrial fusion as a result of their low metabolic activity. Thus, lowering metabolic activity in other T cell subsets by nutrient restriction was sufficient to increase reliance on mitochondrial fusion for effector function. Transcriptional, proteomic, and metabolomic profiling identified the serine/threonine kinase liver associated kinase B1 (LKB1) as an essential node coupling mitochondrial function to cytokine expression in T cells. By genetic and metabolomic approaches, we demonstrate that LKB1 regulates IL-17A expression by controlling TCA cycle metabolites and transcriptional remodeling. Th-17 cell-specific deletion of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), a protein involved in mitochondrial inner membrane fusion and cristae organization, reduced autoimmune pathogenesis in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, while additional deletion of LKB1 restored disease. Our findings highlight distinct mitochondrial requirements in CD4+ T cells, identify mitochondrial membrane fusion as a major determinant of Th17 responses, and reveal LKB1 as a sensor of mitochondrial integrity that links mitochondrial cues to effector programs in Th17 cells.

Project description:BackgroundHypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease and has a high prevalence in South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries. However, awareness of hypertension has been reported to be low. Health programmes can increase awareness of hypertension and its causes, but hinge on the knowledge and perception of the targeted community. Therefore, this study investigated knowledge on and perceptions about hypertension of community members in a rural area in Limpopo, South Africa with the aim to increase awareness of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in the local population.MethodsUsing a mixed methods study approach, 451 participants of the Ndlovu Cohort Study, attending a follow-up visit between August 2017 and January 2018, completed a questionnaire on cardiovascular risk perception. A knowledge score was calculated for all participants. Sixty participants were invited to participate in six focus group discussions, of which 56 participated. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim, transcripts coded, and thematic analysis of the data undertaken to obtain an understanding of knowledge and perception of hypertension in the community.ResultsMost members of the community seemed to have intermediate (74.3%) or good (14.0%) knowledge of hypertension based on the knowledge score, and only 11.8% of the population had poor knowledge. The risk factors of hypertension seemed to be well known in the community. Poverty was identified as a major vulnerability in this community limiting choices for healthy lifestyles such as nutritious foods, recreational physical activity and accessing health care timely. Participants proposed community-based activities as an effective way to reach out to community members for prevention and management of hypertension.ConclusionThis study highlights the need for improved health promotion efforts to increase knowledge of hypertension in rural communities, and to address poverty as a major obstacle to healthy life-style choices.

Project description:T helper 17 (Th17) cells are a distinct subset of CD4+ T cells necessary for maintaining gut homeostasis and have prominent roles in autoimmunity and inflammation1. Th17 cells have unique metabolic features, including a stem cell-like signature2,3 and reliance on mitochondrial respiratory chain function and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to coordinate metabolic and epigenetic remodeling4,5. Dynamic changes in mitochondrial membrane morphology are key to sustain organelle function6. However, it remains unclear whether mitochondrial membrane remodeling orchestrates metabolic and differentiation events in Th17 cells. Here we demonstrate that mitochondrial membrane fusion and tight cristae organization are required for Th17 cell function (i.e. cytokine expression) but dispensable in other T cell subsets. We find that Th17 cells rely on mitochondrial fusion as a result of their low metabolic activity. Thus, lowering metabolic activity in other T cell subsets by nutrient restriction was sufficient to increase reliance on mitochondrial fusion for effector function. Transcriptional, proteomic, and metabolomic profiling identified the serine/threonine kinase liver associated kinase B1 (LKB1) as an essential node coupling mitochondrial function to cytokine expression in T cells. By genetic and metabolomic approaches, we demonstrate that LKB1 regulates IL-17A expression by controlling TCA cycle metabolites and transcriptional remodeling. Th-17 cell-specific deletion of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), a protein involved in mitochondrial inner membrane fusion and cristae organization, reduced autoimmune pathogenesis in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, while additional deletion of LKB1 restored disease. Our findings highlight distinct mitochondrial requirements in CD4+ T cells, identify mitochondrial membrane fusion as a major determinant of Th17 responses, and reveal LKB1 as a sensor of mitochondrial integrity that links mitochondrial cues to effector programs in Th17 cells.

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An association between mitochondria and microglia effector function. What do we think we know?

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An association between mitochondria and microglia effector function. What do we think we know?

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