Project description:Cross-presentation of cell-associated antigens is carried out by classical DCs (cDCs) and monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs), but whether a similar or distinct program exists for this process is unknown. In examining this issue, we discovered that only Ly-6ChiTremL4– monocytes, but not Ly-6ChiTremL4+ monocytes, can differentiate into Zbtb46+ Mo-DCs in response to GM-CSF and IL-4. However, Ly-6ChiTremL4+ monocytes were committed to Nur77-dependent development of Ly-6CloTremL4+ monocytes. Further, differentiation of monocytes with GM-CSF required addition of IL-4 to generate Zbtb46+ Mo-DCs that cross-presented as efficiently as CD24+ cDCs, which was accompanied by increased Batf3 and Irf4 expression. Unlike cDCs, Mo-DCs required only IRF4, and not Batf3, for cross-presentation. Further, Irf4–/– monocytes failed to develop into Zbtb46+ Mo-DCs, and instead developed into macrophages. Thus, cDCs and Mo-DCs use distinct transcriptional programs for cross-presentation that may drive different antigen-processing pathways. These differences may influence development of therapeutic DC vaccines based on Mo-DCs.
Project description:Cross-presentation of cell-associated antigens is carried out by classical DCs (cDCs) and monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs), but whether a similar or distinct program exists for this process is unknown. In examining this issue, we discovered that only Ly-6ChiTremL4– monocytes, but not Ly-6ChiTremL4+ monocytes, can differentiate into Zbtb46+ Mo-DCs in response to GM-CSF and IL-4. However, Ly-6ChiTremL4+ monocytes were committed to Nur77-dependent development of Ly-6CloTremL4+ monocytes. Further, differentiation of monocytes with GM-CSF required addition of IL-4 to generate Zbtb46+ Mo-DCs that cross-presented as efficiently as CD24+ cDCs, which was accompanied by increased Batf3 and Irf4 expression. Unlike cDCs, Mo-DCs required only IRF4, and not Batf3, for cross-presentation. Further, Irf4–/– monocytes failed to develop into Zbtb46+ Mo-DCs, and instead developed into macrophages. Thus, cDCs and Mo-DCs use distinct transcriptional programs for cross-presentation that may drive different antigen-processing pathways. These differences may influence development of therapeutic DC vaccines based on Mo-DCs.
Project description:Cross-presentation of cell-associated antigens is carried out by classical DCs (cDCs) and monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs), but whether a similar or distinct program exists for this process is unknown. In examining this issue, we discovered that only Ly-6ChiTremL4– monocytes, but not Ly-6ChiTremL4+ monocytes, can differentiate into Zbtb46+ Mo-DCs in response to GM-CSF and IL-4. However, Ly-6ChiTremL4+ monocytes were committed to Nur77-dependent development of Ly-6CloTremL4+ monocytes. Further, differentiation of monocytes with GM-CSF required addition of IL-4 to generate Zbtb46+ Mo-DCs that cross-presented as efficiently as CD24+ cDCs, which was accompanied by increased Batf3 and Irf4 expression. Unlike cDCs, Mo-DCs required only IRF4, and not Batf3, for cross-presentation. Further, Irf4–/– monocytes failed to develop into Zbtb46+ Mo-DCs, and instead developed into macrophages. Thus, cDCs and Mo-DCs use distinct transcriptional programs for cross-presentation that may drive different antigen-processing pathways. These differences may influence development of therapeutic DC vaccines based on Mo-DCs.
Project description:Monocytes can differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells. When treated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) monocytes differentiate into macrophage-like cells. Here, we report that pharmacological blockade of the nuclear receptor PPARγ in monocytes turns GM-CSF into a potent inducer of dendritic cell (Mo-DC) differentiation. Remarkably, simultaneous blockade of PPARγ and mTORC1 in the presence of GM-CSF promoted the differentiation of Mo-DCs with a stronger phenotypic stability and immunogenic profile when compared with canonical Mo-DCs differentiated by treatment with GM-CSF and IL-4. Moreover, and in contrast with the observations made with GM-CSF and IL-4, blockade of PPARγ and mTORC1 was shown to be able to induce the differentiation of monocyte-derived macrophages (Mo-Macs) into Mo-DCs. Transcriptional profiling performed at either early time points, as well as at the end of the differentiation process, revealed marked differences in the gene expression signature between Mo-DCs induced by GM-CSF and IL-4 and Mo-DCs induced by GM-CSF in the presence of PPARγ and/or mTORC1 inhibitors, thus suggesting diverging differentiation pathways. Our observations might contribute, not only to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in Mo-DCs differentiation but also to improving the efficacy of both, DC vaccines and therapies focusing on the modulation of myeloid cell functions.
Project description:Dendritic cells have an important role in immune surveillance. After being exposed to microbial components, they migrate to secondary lymphoid organs and activate T lymphocytes. During mouse model malaria, splenic inflammatory monocytes differentiate into monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MO-DCs), which are CD11b+F4/80+CD11c+MHCIIhighDC-SIGNhighLy6c+ and express high levels of CCR5, CXCL9 and CXCL10 (CCR5+CXCL9/10+ MO-DCs). We intend to use these malaria-induced splenic MO-DCs gene expression data to understand more about the migratory route taken by these cells as well the most important genes/pathways involved on this cell differentiation in the spleen, allowing them to migrate to the brain where they develop an important role in cerebral malaria.
Project description:2 types of dendritic cells (DCs) can be generated in vitro in the presence of Flt3-L: CD4+ equivalent CD24- DCs and CD8+ equivalent CD24+ DCs. miR-142-/- mice show a severe defect in the generation of CD4+ equivalent CD24- DCs. To understand the underlying mechanism, RNA expression was analyzed by Affymetrix microarray from the 2 in vitro subtypes of DCs derived from miR-142+/+ and miR-142-/- bone marrow cells. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression in the presence or absence of miR-142 in in vitro derived DCs.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility.
Project description:The molecular requirements that guide the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages or monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs) are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the nuclear orphan receptor NR4A3 guides monocyte fate and is essential for Mo-DC differentiation. Nr4a3-/- mice are impaired in the in vivo generation of DC-SIGN+ Mo-DCs following LPS stimulation and, as such, are defective at priming a CD8+ T cell response to gram negative bacteria. We also demonstrate that NR4A3 is an essential downstream effector of IRF4 during in vitro differentiation of Mo-DCs with GM-CSF and IL-4 and that, in absence of NR4A3, monocytes are diverted to macrophages. Our transcriptomic analysis of the genes regulated by NR4A3 reveals that the acquisition of the Mo-DC differentiation program is intertwined with the acquisition of a migratory signature. Furthermore, NR4A3 is critical for steady-state migration of non-lymphoid tissue conventional DCs to lymph nodes. Altogether, our results highlight a unique role for NR4A3 in Mo-DC differentiation and in the acquisition of migratory properties.