Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a master upstream protein kinase involved in nutrient sensing and glucose and lipid metabolism in many tissues; however, its metabolic role in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulatory role of LKB1 on bile acid (BA) homeostasis.We generated mice with IEC-specific deletion of LKB1 (LKB1ΔIEC) and analyzed the characteristics of IEC development and BA level. In vitro assays with small interfering RNA, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, metagenomics, and RNA-sequencing were used to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying perturbed BA homeostasis.LKB1 deletion resulted in abnormal differentiation of secretory cell lineages. Unexpectedly, BA pool size increased substantially in LKB1ΔIEC mice. A significant reduction of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) target genes, including fibroblast growth factor 15/19 (FGF15/19), known to inhibit BA synthesis, was found in the small intestine (SI) ileum of LKB1ΔIEC mice. We observed that LKB1 depletion reduced FGF15/19 protein level in human IECs in vitro. Additionally, a lower abundance of bile salt hydrolase-producing bacteria and elevated levels of FXR antagonist (ie, T-βMCA) were observed in the SI of LKB1ΔIEC mice. Moreover, LKB1ΔIEC mice showed impaired conversion of retinol to retinoic acids in the SI ileum. Subsequently, vitamin A treatment failed to induce FGF15 production. Thus, LKB1ΔIEC mice fed with a high-fat diet showed improved glucose tolerance and increased energy expenditure.LKB1 in IECs manages BA homeostasis by controlling FGF15/19 production.
Abstract Development of an immune or autoimmune response involves T-cell activation in lymphoid organs and subsequent migration to peripheral tissues. Here we show that T-cell-specific ablation of the kinase TBK1 promotes T-cell activation but causes retention of effector T cells in the draining lymph node in a neuroinflammatory autoimmunity model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). At older ages, the T-cell-conditional TBK1-knockout mice also spontaneously accumulate T cells with activated phenotype. TBK1 controls the activation of AKT and its downstream kinase mTORC1 by a mechanism involving TBK1-stimulated AKT ubiquitination and degradation. The deregulated AKT-mTORC1 signalling in turn contributes to enhanced T-cell activation and impaired effector T-cell egress from draining lymph nodes. Treatment of mice with a small-molecule inhibitor of TBK1 inhibits EAE induction. These results suggest a role for TBK1 in regulating T-cell migration and establish TBK1 as a regulator of the AKT-mTORC1 signalling axis.
CD4+ T cells are essential in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secreting T helper (Th1) and IL-17 secreting T helper (Th17) cells are critical for several autoimmune diseases. To assess the inhibitory effect of a given compound on autoimmune disease, we screened many compounds with an in vitro Th differentiation assay. BJ-3105, a 6-alkoxypyridin-3-ol analog, inhibited IFN-γ and IL-17 production from polyclonal CD4+ T cells and ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4+ T cells which were activated by T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. BJ-3105 ameliorated the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model by reducing Th1 and Th17 generation. Notably, Th cell differentiation was significantly suppressed by BJ-3105 treatment without inhibiting in vitro proliferation of T cells or inducing programmed cell death. Mechanistically, BJ-3105 inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK and its downstream signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) that is critical for Th differentiation. These results demonstrated that BJ-3105 inhibits the phosphorylation of STAT in response to cytokine signals and subsequently suppressed the differentiation of Th cell responses.
Background Vitamin D3, the most physiologically relevant form of vitamin D, is an essential organic compound that has been shown to have a crucial effect on the immune responses. Vitamin D3 ameliorates the onset of the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE); however, the direct effect of vitamin D3 on T cells is largely unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings In an in vitro system using cells from mice, the active form of vitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) suppresses both interleukin (IL)-17-producing T cells (TH17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) differentiation via a vitamin D receptor signal. The ability of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) to reduce the amount of IL-2 regulates the generation of Treg cells, but not TH17 cells. Under TH17-polarizing conditions, 1,25(OH)2D3 helps to increase the numbers of IL-10-producing T cells, but 1,25(OH)2D3's negative regulation of TH17 development is still defined in the IL-10−/− T cells. Although the STAT1 signal reciprocally affects the secretion of IL-10 and IL-17, 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits IL-17 production in STAT1−/− T cells. Most interestingly, 1,25(OH)2D3 negatively regulates CCR6 expression which might be essential for TH17 cells to enter the central nervous system and initiate EAE. Conclusions/Significance Our present results in an experimental murine model suggest that 1,25(OH)2D3 can directly regulate T cell differentiation and could be applied in preventive and therapeutic strategies for TH17-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Abstract Sirt1, a key regulator of metabolism and longevity, has recently been implicated in the regulation of allergic reactions, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we show that Sirt1 negatively regulates FcεRI-stimulated mast cell activation and anaphylaxis through two mutually regulated pathways involving AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). Mast cell-specific knockout of Sirt1 dampened AMPK-dependent suppression of FcεRI signaling, thereby augmenting mast cell activation both in vitro and in vivo . Sirt1 inhibition of FcεRI signaling also involved an alternative component, PTP1B, which attenuated the inhibitory AMPK pathway and conversely enhanced the stimulatory Syk pathway, uncovering a novel role of this phosphatase. Moreover, a Sirt1 activator resveratrol stimulated the inhibitory AMPK axis, with reciprocal suppression of the stimulatory PTP1B/Syk axis, thus potently inhibiting anaphylaxis. Overall, our results provide a molecular explanation for the beneficial role of Sirt1 in allergy and underscore a potential application of Sirt1 activators as a new class of anti-allergic agents.
Immunomodulation is an essential consideration for cell replacement procedures. Unfortunately, lifelong exposure to nonspecific systemic immunosuppression results in immunodeficiency and has toxic effects on nonimmune cells. Here, we engineered hybrid spheroids of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with rapamycin-releasing poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) microparticles (RAP-MPs) to prevent immune rejection of islet xenografts in diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Hybrid spheroids were rapidly formed by incubating cell-particle mixture in methylcellulose solution while maintaining high cell viability. RAP-MPs were uniformly distributed in hybrid spheroids and sustainably released RAP for ~3 weeks. Locoregional transplantation of hybrid spheroids containing low doses of RAP-MPs (200- to 4000-ng RAP per recipient) significantly prolonged islet survival times and promoted the generation of regional regulatory T cells. Enhanced programmed death-ligand 1 expression by MSCs was found to be responsible for the immunomodulatory performance of hybrid spheroids. Our results suggest that these hybrid spheroids offer a promising platform for the efficient use of MSCs in the transplantation field.
Background: Vitamin D 3 , the most physiologically relevant form of vitamin D, is an essential organic compound that has been shown to have a crucial effect on the immune responses.Vitamin D 3 ameliorates the onset of the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE); however, the direct effect of vitamin D 3 on T cells is largely unknown.Methodology/Principal Findings: In an in vitro system using cells from mice, the active form of vitamin D 3 (1,25dihydroxyvitamin D 3 ) suppresses both interleukin (IL)-17-producing T cells (T H 17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) differentiation via a vitamin D receptor signal.The ability of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ) to reduce the amount of IL-2 regulates the generation of Treg cells, but not T H 17 cells.Under T H 17-polarizing conditions, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 helps to increase the numbers of IL-10-producing T cells, but 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 's negative regulation of T H 17 development is still defined in the IL-10 2/2 T cells.Although the STAT1 signal reciprocally affects the secretion of IL-10 and IL-17, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 inhibits IL-17 production in STAT1 2/2 T cells.Most interestingly, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 negatively regulates CCR6 expression which might be essential for T H 17 cells to enter the central nervous system and initiate EAE.Conclusions/Significance: Our present results in an experimental murine model suggest that 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 can directly regulate T cell differentiation and could be applied in preventive and therapeutic strategies for T H 17-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), expressed on tumor-infiltrating T cells, is a T cell exhaustion marker. The mechanisms underlying PD-1 upregulation in CD4 T cells remain unknown. Here we develop nutrient-deprived media and a conditional knockout female mouse model to study the mechanism underlying PD-1 upregulation. Reduced methionine increases PD-1 expression on CD4 T cells. The genetic ablation of SLC43A2 in cancer cells restores methionine metabolism in CD4 T cells, increasing the intracellular levels of S-adenosylmethionine and yielding H3K79me2. Reduced H3K79me2 due to methionine deprivation downregulates AMPK, upregulates PD-1 expression and impairs antitumor immunity in CD4 T cells. Methionine supplementation restores H3K79 methylation and AMPK expression, lowering PD-1 levels. AMPK-deficient CD4 T cells exhibit increased endoplasmic reticulum stress and Xbp1s transcript levels. Our results demonstrate that AMPK is a methionine-dependent regulator of the epigenetic control of PD-1 expression in CD4 T cells, a metabolic checkpoint for CD4 T cell exhaustion.
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