Project description:Previous studies suggested that XBP1s is important in deciding cell fate during the UPR, however, the mechanistic details of how it modulates this transition are limited. To search for XBP1s transcriptional targets, we utilized an XBP1s-inducible human cell line to limit XBP1 expression in a controlled manner.
Project description:Accumulation of misfolded proteins in ER activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), a multifunctional signaling pathway that is important for cell survival. The UPR is regulated by three ER transmembrane sensors, one of which is inositol-requiring protein 1 (IRE1). IRE1 activates a transcription factor, X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1), by removing a 26-base intron from XBP1 mRNA that generates spliced XBP1 mRNA (XBP1s). To search for XBP1 transcriptional targets, we utilized an XBP1s-inducible human cell line to limit XBP1 expression in a controlled manner. We also verified the identified XBP1-dependent genes with specific silencing of this transcription factor during pharmacological ER stress induction with both an N-linked glycosylation inhibitor (tunicamycin) and a non-competitive inhibitor of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) (thapsigargin). We then compared those results to the XBP1s-induced cell line without pharmacological ER stress induction. Using next-generation sequencing followed by bioinformatic analysis of XBP1-binding motifs, we defined an XBP1 regulatory network and identified XBP1 as a repressor of PUMA (a proapoptotic gene) and IRE1 mRNA expression during the UPR. Our results indicate impairing IRE1 activity during ER stress conditions accelerates cell death in ER-stressed cells, whereas elevating XBP1 expression during ER stress using an inducible cell line correlated with a clear prosurvival effect and reduced PUMA protein expression. Although further studies will be required to test the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the relationship between these genes with XBP1, these studies identify a novel repressive role of XBP1 during the UPR.
Project description:This study is to examine the role of IRE1-XBP1 in regulation the activation of hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and N-glycosylation of extracellular matrix in RSV infection
Project description:We used microarrays to develop gene signatures for XBP1 and IRE1 in myeloma cells to explore the role of this UPR/differentiation pathway in proteasome inhibitor resistance.
Project description:Natural killer (NK) cells are critical mediators of host immunity against infectious disease and cancer. The intrinsic regulators of NK cells are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the ER stress sensor inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1α) and its substrate transcription factor X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) critically drive NK cell-mediated responses against viral infection and tumors. IRE1α and XBP1 were essential for the robust expansion of activated mouse and human NK cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed the transcription factor c-Myc as a novel and direct target of XBP1 for downstream regulation of NK cell proliferation. Genetic ablation or pharmaceutical blockade of IRE1α downregulated c-Myc, whereas overexpression of XBP1 resulted in c-Myc hyperactivation. NK cells lacking c-Myc demonstrated a functional deficit comparable to IRE1α or XBP1 deficiency. Overall, our study identifies a novel IRE1-XBP1-cMyc axis in NK cell immunity, providing new insight into the host immune response against infection and cancer.
Project description:The unfolded protein response (UPR) sensor IRE1 and its target, the transcription factor XBP1s critically regulate the function of dendritic cell (DC) subtypes. However, the contribution of the IRE1/XBP1s axis in DCs to the antitumor immunity is not entirely understood. Here, using reporter mice we found that DCs, in particular type 1 conventional DCs (cDC1s), are major targets of IRE1 RNase activity in melanoma tumors. Deletion of XBP1s in CD11c+ cells resulted in augmented tumor growth, impaired effector T cell responses and decreased accumulation of TCF-1+CD8+ T cells with a precursor exhausted profile. Transcriptomic studies revealed that XBP1 deletion in tumor cDC1s induced regulated IRE1 dependent decay (RIDD) of mRNAs, which accounted for the dysregulated T cell immunity in melanoma. Thus, a strict regulatory circuit involving IRE1 RNase and XBP1s in DCs ensures optimal antitumor T cell immunity in melanoma models.
Project description:We used microarrays to develop gene signatures for XBP1 and IRE1 in myeloma cells to explore the role of this UPR/differentiation pathway in proteasome inhibitor resistance. RPMI-8226 and JJN3 human myeloma cells were infected with lentivirus expressing non-targeted (NT) shRNA, shIRE1 or shXBP1 and processed for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. Cells without lentiviral infection were processed as controls for gene expression changes related to the cellular response to lentivirus.
Project description:Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a key process contributing to the aggressiveness of cancer cells. EMT is triggered by activation of different transcription factors collectively known as EMT-TFs. Different cellular cues and cell signalling networks activate EMT at transcriptional and posttranscriptional level in different biological and pathological situations. Among them, overexpression of LOXL2 (lysyl oxidase-like 2) induces EMT independent of its catalytic activity. Remarkably, perinuclear/cytoplasmic accumulation of LOXL2 is a poor prognosis marker of squamous cell carcinomas and is associated to basal breast cancer metastasis by mechanisms no yet fully understood. Here, we report that overexpression of LOXL2 promotes its accumulation in the Endoplasmic Reticulum where it interacts with HSPA5 leading to activation of the IRE1-XBP1-branch of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). LOXL2-dependent UPR activation induces the expression of several EMT-TFs: SNAI1, SNAI2, ZEB2 and TCF3 that are direct transcriptional targets of XBP1. Remarkably, inhibition of IRE1 blocks LOXL2-dependent upregulation of EMT-TFs thus hindering EMT induction. LOXL2 relationship to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Project description:We set out to determine the role of the IRE1/XBP1 pathway, the most ancient and highly conserved endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-sensing pathway of the unfolded protein response (UPR), in Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (MCDS). RNA derived from hypertrophic zones microdissected from growth plates of wildtype mice, mice lacking XBP1 activity in chondrocytes (Xbp1Cart?Ex2), mice carrying a COL10A1 pN617K mutation (ColXN617K), and compound mutants (C/X) was analyzed by whole genome microarray analysis. 1633 probes were differentially expressed between ColXN617K and wildtype, 215 probes were differentially expressed between Xbp1Cart?Ex2 and wildtype, and 1337 probes were differentially expressed between C/X and wildtype. 885 probes were differentially expressed between ColXN617K and wildtype but not Xbp1Cart?Ex2 and wildtype or C/X and wildtype, thus representing the XBP1-dependent response to hypertrophic chondrocyte ER stress. 688 probes were differentially expressed between ColXN617K and wildtype and between C/X and wildtype but not Xbp1Cart?Ex2 and wildtype, thus representing the XBP1-independent response to hypertrophic chondrocyte ER stress. Results were validated by qPCR. Entire growth plate hypertrophic zones were microdissected from one tibia from each of three 2-week old wildtype mice, three 2-week old mice carrying a COL10A1 p.N617K mutation (ColXN617K), three 2-week old mice lacking XBP1 activity in chondrocytes (Xbp1Cart?Ex2), and three 2-week old mice resulting from a cross between ColXN617K and Xbp1Cart?Ex2 (C/X).