Project description:The function of MR1-restricted mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in tumor immunity is unclear. Here we show that MAIT cell-deficient mice have enhanced NK cell-dependent control of metastatic B16F10 tumor growth relative to control mice. Analyses of this interplay in human tumor samples reveal that high expression of a MAIT cell gene signature negatively impacts the prognostic significance of NK cells. Paradoxically, pre-pulsing tumors with MAIT cell antigens, or activating MAIT cells in vivo, enhances anti-tumor immunity in B16F10 and E0771 mouse tumor models, including in the context of established metastasis. These effects are associated with enhanced NK cell responses and increased expression of both IFN-γ-dependent and inflammatory genes in NK cells. Importantly, activated human MAIT cells also promote the function of NK cells isolated from patient tumor samples. Our results thus describe an activation-dependent, MAIT cell-mediated regulation of NK cells, and suggest a potential therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
Project description:To show the similarity among MAIT-iPSCs, hiPSCs and hESCs and the gradual change of global gene expression of reMAIT cells along with differentiation, this experiment was designed. MAIT cells, MAIT-iPSCs, hiPSCs, hESCs, MAIT cells, and reMAIT cells at the several differerent stages of differentiation were collected. Then, they were applied in this experiment.
Project description:MAIT cells (MAITs) represent an abundant T lymphocyte subset with unique specificity for microbial metabolites presented by the MHC-1b molecule, MR1. MAIT conservation along evolution indicates important, non-redundant functions, but their low frequency in mice has hampered their detailed characterization. Here, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of murine MAITs in comparison with NKT subsets and with mainstream T cells in spleen and peripheral organs of B6-MAIT/CAST mice expressing a Rorc-GFP transgene. MAIT and NKT cells have been FACS-sorted after tetramer staining (MR1:5-OP-RU Tet+ for MAIT, CD1d:PBS57Tet+ for NKT), and 1/17 subsetting based on the expression of Rorc.
Project description:Mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are lymphocytes that mediate tissue homeostasis and antimicrobial immunity. MAIT cells recognize microbial vitamin B-derived antigens (VitBAg) presented by MHC class I-related protein 1 (MR1). The cells that express MR1 and present VitBAg to MAIT cells remain unknown. We found that MR1 expression varies across tissues and cell types. Expression is regulated transcriptionally and induced by the tissue environment and microbiota. Depletion of MR1 in macrophages, dendritic cells and monocytes changed the composition of the microbiota and impaired MAIT cell responses against bacteria infection. Macrophages expressed the highest levels of MR1 and were the most efficient at capturing and presenting VitBAg to MAIT cells. We conclude that macrophages are key players in MR1 antigen presentation and MAIT cell immunity.
Project description:Mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are lymphocytes that mediate tissue homeostasis and antimicrobial immunity. MAIT cells recognize microbial vitamin B-derived antigens (VitBAg) presented by MHC class I-related protein 1 (MR1). The cells that express MR1 and present VitBAg to MAIT cells remain unknown. We found that MR1 expression varies across tissues and cell types. Expression is regulated transcriptionally and induced by the tissue environment and microbiota. Depletion of MR1 in macrophages, dendritic cells and monocytes changed the composition of the microbiota and impaired MAIT cell responses against bacteria infection. Macrophages expressed the highest levels of MR1 and were the most efficient at capturing and presenting VitBAg to MAIT cells. We conclude that macrophages are key players in MR1 antigen presentation and MAIT cell immunity.
Project description:Natural killer (NK) cells are primarily responsible for tumor surveillance, and their activation entirely depends on optimal metabolic signals. The adaptation of NK cell anti-tumor responses to nutritional stress is still poorly understood. Here, based on single-cell RNA sequencing, we discovered that dietary restriction (DR) enriches the rejuvenated subset of CD27+CD11b+ NK cells and improves their activation via Eomesodermin (Eomes), a transcription factor upregulated during DR treatment. Eomes reverses the differentiation of rejuvenated to senescent NK cells by antagonizing the T-bet-Zeb2 axis while improving chemotaxis and adhesion. Furthermore, DR increases the chromatin accessibility of Eomes to genes that regulate chemotaxis and adhesion in NK cells. To summarize, tumor control under dietary restriction requires Eomes-regulated NK cell anti-tumor immunity.
Project description:N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent post-transcriptional modification on RNA. NK cells are the predominant innate lymphoid cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor immunity. However, whether and how m6A modifications affect NK cell immunity remains unknown. Here, we discover that YTHDF2, a well-known m6A reader, is upregulated in NK cells upon activation by cytokines, tumors, and cytomegalovirus infection. Ythdf2 deficiency in NK cells impairs NK cell anti-tumor and anti-viral activity in vivo. YTHDF2 maintains NK cell homeostasis and terminal maturation, correlating with modulating NK cell trafficking and regulating Eomes, respectively. YTHDF2 promotes NK cell effector function and is required for IL-15-mediated NK cell survival and proliferation by forming a STAT5-YTHDF2 positive feedback loop. Transcriptome-wide screening identifies Tardbp to be involved in cell proliferation or survival as a YTHDF2-binding target in NK cells. Collectively, we elucidate the biological roles of m6A modifications in NK cells and highlight a new direction to harness NK cell anti-tumor immunity.