Project description:To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying miR-146a-mediated modulation of Ly6Chigh monocyte function, we compared the expression profiles of Ly6Chigh and Ly6Clow monocytes in miR-146a+/+ (WT) versus miR-146a-/- (KO) conditions.
Project description:Redundant mechanisms support IgA responses to intestinal antigens. These include multiple priming sites (mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), Peyer's patches and isolated lymphoid follicles) and various cytokines that promote class switch to IgA, even in the absence of T cells. In spite of these back-up mechanisms, vaccination against enteric pathogens such as Rotavirus has limited success in some populations.Genetic and environmental signals experienced during early life are known to influence mucosal immunity, yet the mechanisms for how these exposures operate remain unclear. Here we used Rotavirus infection to follow antigen-specific IgA responses through time and in different gut compartments. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we tested the role of a pathway known to support IgA responses (Lymphotoxin - LT) at different developmental stages. We found that LT-beta receptor (LTβR) signalling in early life programs intestinal IgA responses in adulthood by affecting antibody class switch recombination to IgA and subsequent generation of IgA antibody-secreting cells within an intact MLN. In addition, early life LTβR signalling dictates the phenotype and function of MLN stromal cells in order to support IgA responses in the adult. Collectively, our studies uncover new mechanistic insights into how early life LTβR signalling impacts mucosal immune responses during adulthood.
Project description:Redundant mechanisms support IgA responses to intestinal antigens. These include multiple priming sites (mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), Peyer's patches and isolated lymphoid follicles) and various cytokines that promote class switch to IgA, even in the absence of T cells. In spite of these back-up mechanisms, vaccination against enteric pathogens such as Rotavirus has limited success in some populations.Genetic and environmental signals experienced during early life are known to influence mucosal immunity, yet the mechanisms for how these exposures operate remain unclear. Here we used Rotavirus infection to follow antigen-specific IgA responses through time and in different gut compartments. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we tested the role of a pathway known to support IgA responses (Lymphotoxin - LT) at different developmental stages. We found that LT-beta receptor (LTβR) signalling in early life programs intestinal IgA responses in adulthood by affecting antibody class switch recombination to IgA and subsequent generation of IgA antibody-secreting cells within an intact MLN. In addition, early life LTβR signalling dictates the phenotype and function of MLN stromal cells in order to support IgA responses in the adult. Collectively, our studies uncover new mechanistic insights into how early life LTβR signalling impacts mucosal immune responses during adulthood.
Project description:The Epstein Barr virus (EBV) encoded latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) is a functional homologue of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family and contributes substantially to the oncogenic potential of EBV through activation of Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNA molecules that are involved in the regulation of cellular processes such as growth, development, and apoptosis, and have recently been linked to cancer phenotypes. Through miRNA microarray analysis, we demonstrate that LMP1 dysregulates the expression of several cellular miRNAs, including the most highly regulated of these, miR-146a. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis confirmed induced expression of miR-146a by LMP1. Analysis of miR-146a expression in EBV latency type III and type I cell lines revealed substantial expression of miR-146a in type III (which express LMP1) but not in type I cell lines. Reporter studies demonstrated that LMP1 induces miR-146a predominantly through two NF-kappaB binding sites in the miR-146a promoter and identified a role for an OCT-1 site in conferring basal and induced expression. Array analysis of cellular mRNAs expressed in Akata cells transduced with an miR-146a expressing retrovirus identified genes that are directly or indirectly regulated by miR-146a, including a group of interferon responsive genes that are inhibited by miR-146a. Since miR-146a is known to be induced by agents that activate the interferon response pathway (including LMP1), these results suggest that miR-146a functions in a negative feedback loop to modulate the intensity and/or duration of the interferon response. Keywords: microRNA expression modified by EBV encoded oncogene, LMP1
Project description:53BP1 governs a specialized, context-specific branch of the classical non-homologous end joining DNA double-strand break repair pathway. Mice lacking 53bp1 (also known as Trp53bp1) are immunodeficient owing to a complete loss of immunoglobulin class-switch recombination, and reduced fidelity of long-range V(D)J recombination. The 53BP1-dependent pathway is also responsible for pathological joining events at dysfunctional telomeres, and its unrestricted activity in Brca1-deficient cellular and tumour models causes genomic instability and oncogenesis. Cells that lack core non-homologous end joining proteins are profoundly radiosensitive, unlike 53BP1-deficient cells, which suggests that 53BP1 and its co-factors act on specific DNA substrates. Here we show that 53BP1 cooperates with its downstream effector protein REV7 to promote non-homologous end joining during class-switch recombination, but REV7 is not required for 53BP1-dependent V(D)J recombination. We identify shieldin—a four-subunit putative single-stranded DNA-binding complex comprising REV7, c20orf196 (SHLD1), FAM35A (SHLD2) and FLJ26957 (SHLD3)— as the factor that explains this specificity. Shieldin is essential for REV7-dependent DNA end-protection and non-homologous end joining during class-switch recombination, and supports toxic non-homologous end joining in Brca1-deficient cells, yet is dispensable for REV7-dependent interstrand cross-link repair. The 53BP1 pathway therefore comprises distinct double-strand break repair activities within chromatin and single-stranded DNA compartments, which explains both the immunological differences between 53bp1- and Rev7- deficient mice and the context specificity of the pathway.
Project description:We report here high-throughput sequencing analyses of class switch recombination junctions in Lsh deficient B cells with reduced capacity of class switch recombination compared to control B cells.
Project description:MiR-146a is an important regulator of innate inflammatory responses and is also implicated in cell death and survival. Here, we identified microglia as the main cellular source of miR-146a among mouse CNS resident cells. We further characterized the phenotype of miR-146a KO microglia cells during in vivo demyelination induced by cuprizone (CPZ) and found reduced number of CD11c+ microglia in the KO compared to WT mice. Microglia were also isolated from the brain, and the proteome was analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
Project description:Programmed genetic rearrangements in lymphocytes require transcription at antigen receptor genes to promote accessibility for initiating double-strand break (DSB) formation critical for DNA recombination and repair. Here we show that activated B cells deficient in the PTIP component of the MLL3 (mixed-lineage leukemia 3) /MLL4 complex display impaired histone methylation (H3K4me3) and transcription initiation of downstream switch regions at the immunoglobulin heavy-chain (Igh) locus leading to defective immunoglobulin class-switching. We also show that PTIP accumulation at DSBs contributes to class-switch recombination (CSR) and genome stability independently from Igh switch transcription. These results demonstrate that PTIP promotes specific chromatin changes that control the accessibility of the Igh locus to CSR, and suggest a non-redundant role for the MLL3/MLL4 complex in altering antibody effector function. Genome-wide analysis of histone modifications, PTIP, and Pol II in PTIP-WT and PTIP-KO mouse activated B cells.
Project description:Aging is associated with significant changes in the hematopoietic system, including increased inflammation, impaired hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function, and increased incidence of myeloid malignancy. Inflammation of aging (“inflammaging”) has been proposed as a driver of age-related changes in HSC function and myeloid malignancy, but mechanisms linking these phenomena remain poorly defined. Here, we identify loss of miR-146a as driving aging-associated inflammation in AML patients. miR-146a expression declined in old wild-type mice, and loss of miR-146a promoted premature HSC aging and inflammation in young miR-146a-null mice, preceding development of aging-associated myeloid malignancy. Using single-cell assays of HSC quiescence, stemness, differentiation potential, and epigenetic state to probe HSC function and population structure, we found that loss of miR-146a depleted a subpopulation of primitive, quiescent HSCs. DNA methylation and transcriptome profiling implicated NF-κB, IL6, and TNF as potential drivers of HSC dysfunction, activating an inflammatory signaling relay promoting IL6 and TNF secretion from mature miR-146a-/- myeloid and lymphoid cells. Reducing inflammation by targeting Il6 or Tnf was sufficient to restore single-cell measures of miR-146a-/- HSC function and subpopulation structure, and reduced the incidence of hematological malignancy in miR 146a-/- mice. miR-146a-/- HSCs exhibited enhanced sensitivity to IL6 stimulation, indicating that loss of miR-146a affects HSC function via both cell-extrinsic inflammatory signals and increased cell-intrinsic sensitivity to inflammation. Thus, loss of miR 146a regulates cell-extrinsic and -intrinsic mechanisms linking HSC inflammaging to the development of myeloid malignancy.