Project description:Neddylation is necessary for activation of Cullin-RING Ligases (CRLs) which degrade various immune regulatory proteins. Our recent study showed that while depletion of neddylation E2-E3 pair Ube2f-Sag in regulatory T cells (Treg cells) had no obvious phenotype, the same depletion of either Ube2m or Rbx1 caused inflammation disorders with different severity. Whether these E2s or E3s compensate each other in functional regulations of Treg cells is, however, previously unknown. In this report, we generated Foxp3Cre;Ube2mfl/fl;Ube2ffl/fl or Foxp3Cre;Rbx1fl/fl;Sagfl/fl double null mice by simultaneously deletion of both neddylation E2s or E3s in Treg cells, respectively. Remarkably, Ube2m&Ube2f double null mice developed much severe autoimmune phenotypes than Ube2m-null mice, indicating Ube2m significantly compensates Ube2f in Treg cells. The minor worsen autoimmune phenotypes seen at very early stage in Rbx1&Sag double null than Rbx1-null mice, is likely due to already severe phenotypes of the later, indicating a minor compensation of Rbx1 for Sag. The RNA profiling-based analyses revealed that up- and down-regulations of few signaling pathways in Treg cells are associated with the severity of autoimmune phenotypes. Finally, severer inflammation phenotypes seen in mice with double E3-null than with double E2-null Treg cells indicate a neddylation-independent mechanism of two E3s, also known to serve as the RING component of CRLs in regulation of Treg cell fitness.
Project description:Neddylation is necessary for activation of Cullin-RING Ligases (CRLs) which degrade various immune regulatory proteins. Our recent study showed that while depletion of neddylation E2-E3 pair Ube2f-Sag in regulatory T cells (Treg cells) had no obvious phenotype, the same depletion of either Ube2m or Rbx1 caused inflammation disorders with different severity. Whether these E2s or E3s compensate each other in functional regulations of Treg cells is, however, previously unknown. In this report, we generated Foxp3Cre;Ube2mfl/fl;Ube2ffl/fl or Foxp3Cre;Rbx1fl/fl;Sagfl/fl double null mice by simultaneously deletion of both neddylation E2s or E3s in Treg cells, respectively. Remarkably, Ube2m&Ube2f double null mice developed much severe autoimmune phenotypes than Ube2m-null mice, indicating Ube2m significantly compensates Ube2f in Treg cells. The minor worsen autoimmune phenotypes seen at very early stage in Rbx1&Sag double null than Rbx1-null mice, is likely due to already severe phenotypes of the later, indicating a minor compensation of Rbx1 for Sag. The RNA profiling-based analyses revealed that up- and down-regulations of few signaling pathways in Treg cells are associated with the severity of autoimmune phenotypes. Finally, severer inflammation phenotypes seen in mice with double E3-null than with double E2-null Treg cells indicate a neddylation-independent mechanism of two E3s, also known to serve as the RING component of CRLs in regulation of Treg cell fitness.
Project description:Comparaison of the transcriptomes of WT and Foxp3-deficient regulatory T cells from the spleen of females that carried one mutant Foxp3∆EGFPiCre allele and a second competent Foxp3 allele (Foxp3RFP) that also directed the expression of the red fluorescent protein (RFP) . We then extended these studies to elucidate transcriptional pathways altered upon Rictor deletion in ∆Treg cells that may contribute to their improved regulatory function by analyzing the transcriptome of ∆Treg cells isolated from Foxp3∆EGFPiCre/+Rictor∆/∆ females.
Project description:Regulatory T (Treg) cells harbor immune suppressive capacity and are crucial for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Treg cells are considered to be heterogenic, where compromised FOXP3 expression results in the generation of exTreg cells. Here we report that the E3 deubiquitinase USP21 prevents the depletion of FOXP3 protein and restricts tissue-resident exTreg cell generation. Mice lacking USP21 in Treg cells display immune disorders characterized by spontaneous T cell activation and excessive T helper type 1 (Th1) skewing. USP21 stabilizes FOXP3 protein by mediating its deubiquitination and therefore helps to maintain the expression of Treg signature genes. Moreover, at inflamed loci, tissue-resident USP21-deficient Treg cells display a Th1-like effector phenotype. Therefore, we demonstrate how USP21 controls the identity of tissue-resident Treg cells by preventing FOXP3 loss.
Project description:LKB1 deficiency in Treg cells impairs their survival, metabolism and suppressive function. To exclude the impact of excessive inflammation on LKB1-deficient Treg cells, we generated mixed bone marrow (BM) chimeras using Foxp3-Cre WT and Foxp3-Cre Stk11 fl/fl BM cells, together with CD45.1+ BM cells. We used microarray to compare the global transcription profile of dornor-derived LKB1-deficient Tregs with WT counterparts.
Project description:Identification of Foxos target genes in Treg cells. Foxo1and Foxo3 are transcription factors of Foxo family. CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells isolated from wild-type and Foxo1/3-deficient mice were analyzed by global gene expression profiling. Results indicate Foxos regulate expression of a subset of Treg cell signature genes and genes in control of T cell homeostasis, signaling and metabolism. 2 sets wild-type and Foxo1/3-deficient CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells