Bo-Shiun Yan

Ipr1 gene mediates innate immunity to tuberculosis

An estimated eight million people are infected each year with the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and more than two million die annually. Yet only about 10% of those infected develop tuberculosis. Genetic variation within host populations is known to be significant in humans and animals, but the nature of genetic control of host resistance to tuberculosis remains poorly understood. Previously we mapped a new genetic locus on mouse chromosome 1, designated sst1 (for supersusceptibility to tuberculosis 1). Here we show that this locus mediates innate immunity in sst1 congenic mouse strains and identify a candidate gene, Intracellular pathogen resistance 1 (Ipr1), within the sst1 locus. The Ipr1 gene is upregulated in the sst1 resistant macrophages after activation and infection, but it is not expressed in the sst1 susceptible macrophages. Expression of the Ipr1 transgene in the sst1 susceptible macrophages limits the multiplication not only of M. tuberculosis but also of Listeria monocytogenes and switches a cell death pathway of the infected macrophages from necrosis to apoptosis. Our data indicate that the Ipr1 gene product might have a previously undocumented function in integrating signals generated by intracellular pathogens with mechanisms controlling innate immunity, cell death and pathogenesis.

Heme Oxygenase-1-derived Carbon Monoxide Induces the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Dormancy Regulon

The mechanisms that allow Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to persist in human tissue for decades and to then abruptly cause disease are not clearly understood. Regulatory elements thought to assist Mtb to enter such a state include the heme two-component sensor kinases DosS and DosT and the cognate response regulator DosR. We have demonstrated previously that O2, nitric oxide (NO), and carbon monoxide (CO) are regulatory ligands of DosS and DosT. Here, we show that in addition to O2 and NO, CO induces the complete Mtb dormancy (Dos) regulon. Notably, we demonstrate that CO is primarily sensed through DosS to induce the Dos regulon, whereas DosT plays a less prominent role. We also show that Mtb infection of macrophage cells significantly increases the expression, protein levels, and enzymatic activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1, the enzyme that produces CO), in an NO-independent manner. Furthermore, exploiting HO-1+/+ and HO-1-/- bone marrow-derived macrophages, we demonstrate that physiologically relevant levels of CO induce the Dos regulon. Finally, we demonstrate that increased HO-1 mRNA and protein levels are produced in the lungs of Mtb-infected mice. Our data suggest that during infection, O2, NO, and CO are being sensed concurrently rather than independently via DosS and DosT. We conclude that CO, a previously unrecognized host factor, is a physiologically relevant Mtb signal capable of inducing the Dos regulon, which introduces a new paradigm for understanding the molecular basis of Mtb persistence.

Latency-Associated Peptide Identifies a Novel CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cell Subset with TGFβ-Mediated Function and Enhanced Suppression of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. Here we characterize a novel subset of CD4+CD25+ Tregs that express latency-associated peptide (LAP) on their cell surface (CD4+CD25+LAP+ cells). CD4+CD25+LAP+ cells express elevated levels of Foxp3 and Treg-associated molecules (CTLA4, glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related gene), secrete TGFβ, and express both cell surface TGFβ and surface receptors for TGFβ. In vitro, the suppressive function of CD4+CD25+LAP+ cells is both cell contact and soluble factor dependent; this contrasts with CD4+CD25+LAP− cells, which are mainly cell contact dependent. In a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, CD4+CD25+LAP+ cells exhibit more potent suppressive activity than CD4+CD25+LAP− cells, and the suppression is TGFβ dependent. We further show that CD4+CD25+LAP+ cells suppress myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific immune responses by inducing Foxp3 and by inhibiting IL-17 production. Our findings demonstrate that CD4+CD25+ Tregs are a heterogeneous population and that the CD4+CD25+ subset that expresses LAP functions in a TGFβ-dependent manner and has greater in vivo suppressive properties. Our work helps elucidate the ambiguity concerning the role of TGFβ in CD4+CD25+ Treg-mediated suppression and indicates that LAP is an authentic marker able to identify a TGFβ-expressing CD4+CD25+ Treg subset.

Enterovirus-Induced miR-141 Contributes to Shutoff of Host Protein Translation by Targeting the Translation Initiation Factor eIF4E

Viruses rely on the host translation machinery to complete their life cycles. Picornaviruses use an internal ribosome entry site to initiate cap-independent protein translation and in parallel host cap-dependent translation is shut off. This process is thought to occur primarily via cleavage of host translation initiation factors eIF4GI and eIF4GII by viral proteases. Here we describe another mechanism whereby miR-141 induced upon enterovirus infection targets the cap-dependent translation initiation factor, eIF4E, for shutoff of host protein synthesis. Knockdown of miR-141 reduces viral propagation, and silencing of eIF4E can completely reverse the inhibitory effect of the miR-141 antagomiR on viral propagation. Ectopic expression of miR-141 promotes the switch from cap-dependent to cap-independent translation. Moreover, we identified a transcription factor, EGR1, which is partly responsible for miR-141 induction in response to enterovirus infection. Our results suggest that upregulation of miR-141 upon enterovirus infection can facilitate viral propagation by expediting the translational switch.

Dominant role of the sst1 locus in pathogenesis of necrotizing lung granulomas during chronic tuberculosis infection and reactivation in genetically resistant hosts.

Significant host heterogeneity in susceptibility to tuberculosis exists both between and within mammalian species. Using a mouse model of infection with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), we identified the genetic locus sst1 that controls the progression of pulmonary tuberculosis in immunocompetent hosts. In this study, we demonstrate that within the complex, multigenic architecture of tuberculosis susceptibility, sst1 functions to control necrosis within tuberculosis lesions in the lungs; this lung-specific sst1 effect is independent of both the route of infection and genetic background of the host. Moreover, sst1-dependent necrosis was observed at low bacterial loads in the lungs during reactivation of the disease after termination of anti-tuberculosis drug therapy. We demonstrate that in sst1-susceptible hosts, nonlinked host resistance loci control both lung inflammation and production of inflammatory mediators by Mtb-infected macrophages. Although interactions of the sst1-susceptible allele with genetic modifiers determine the type of the pulmonary disease progression, other resistance loci do not abolish lung necrosis, which is, therefore, the core sst1-dependent phenotype. Sst1-susceptible mice from tuberculosis-resistant and -susceptible genetic backgrounds reproduce a clinical spectrum of pulmonary tuberculosis and may be used to more accurately predict the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis interventions in genetically heterogeneous human populations.

Lung carcinogenesis induced by chronic tuberculosis infection: the experimental model and genetic control

Coexistence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer in clinic poses significant challenges for the diagnostic and treatment of both diseases. Although association of chronic inflammation and cancer is well-documented, causal relationship between TB infection and lung cancer are not understood. We present experimental evidence that chronic TB infection induces cell dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a lung-specific manner. First, squamous cell aggregates consistently appeared within the lung tissue associated with chronic TB lesions, and in some cases resembled SCCs. A transplantable tumor was established after the transfer of cells isolated from TB lung lesions into syngeneic recipients. Second, the (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) MTB-infected macrophages play a pivotal role in TB-induced carcinogenesis by inducing DNA damage in their vicinity and by the production of a potent epidermal growth factor epiregulin, which may serve as a paracrine survival and growth factor responsible for squamous metaplasia and tumorigenesis. Third, lung carcinogenesis during the course of chronic TB infection was more pronounced in animals with severe lung tissue damage mediated by TB-susceptibility locus sst1. Together, our experimental findings showed a causal link between pulmonary TB and lung tumorigenesis and established a genetic model for further analysis of carcinogenic mechanisms activated by TB infection.

Novel CD8+ Treg suppress EAE by TGF-β- and IFN-γ-dependent mechanisms

Although CD8+ Treg‐mediated suppression has been described, CD8+ Treg remain poorly characterized. Here we identify a novel subset of CD8+ Treg that express latency‐associated peptide (LAP) on their cell surface (CD8+LAP+ cells) and exhibit regulatory activity in vitro and in vivo. Only a small fraction of CD8+LAP+ cells express Foxp3 or CD25, although the expression levels of Foxp3 for these cells are higher than their LAP− counterparts. In addition to TGF‐β, CD8+LAP+ cells produce IFN‐γ, and these cells suppress EAE that is dependent on both TGF‐β and IFN‐γ. In an adoptive co‐transfer model, CD8+LAP+ cells suppress myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)‐specific immune responses by inducing or expanding Foxp3+ cells and by inhibiting proliferation and IFN‐γ production in vivo. Furthermore, in vivo neutralization of IFN‐γ and studies with IFN‐γ‐deficient mice demonstrate an important role for IFN‐γ production in the function of CD8+LAP+ cells. Our findings identify the underlying mechanisms that account for the immunoregulatory activity of CD8+ T cells and suggest that induction or amplification of CD8+LAP+ cells may be a therapeutic strategy to help control autoimmune processes.

Novel CD8+ Treg suppress EAE by TGF-beta- and IFN-gamma-dependent mechanisms.

Although CD8+ Treg‐mediated suppression has been described, CD8+ Treg remain poorly characterized. Here we identify a novel subset of CD8+ Treg that express latency‐associated peptide (LAP) on their cell surface (CD8+LAP+ cells) and exhibit regulatory activity in vitro and in vivo. Only a small fraction of CD8+LAP+ cells express Foxp3 or CD25, although the expression levels of Foxp3 for these cells are higher than their LAP− counterparts. In addition to TGF‐β, CD8+LAP+ cells produce IFN‐γ, and these cells suppress EAE that is dependent on both TGF‐β and IFN‐γ. In an adoptive co‐transfer model, CD8+LAP+ cells suppress myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)‐specific immune responses by inducing or expanding Foxp3+ cells and by inhibiting proliferation and IFN‐γ production in vivo. Furthermore, in vivo neutralization of IFN‐γ and studies with IFN‐γ‐deficient mice demonstrate an important role for IFN‐γ production in the function of CD8+LAP+ cells. Our findings identify the underlying mechanisms that account for the immunoregulatory activity of CD8+ T cells and suggest that induction or amplification of CD8+LAP+ cells may be a therapeutic strategy to help control autoimmune processes.

Sorafenib relieves cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic inhibitions of effector T cells in tumor microenvironment to augment antitumor immunity.

Sorafenib, a multitargeted antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the standard of care for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cumulating evidence suggests that sorafenib differentially affects immune cells; however, whether this immunomodulatory effect has any impact on antitumor immune responses is unknown. Using an orthotopic mouse model of HCC and tumor‐free mice, we investigated the effects of sorafenib on antitumor immunity and characterized the underlying mechanisms. Sorafenib treatment inhibited tumor growth and augmented antitumor immune responses in mice bearing established orthotopic HCC. The tumor‐specific effector T cell functions were upregulated, while the proportion of PD‐1‐expressing CD8+ T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) was reduced in tumor microenvironment of sorafenib‐treated mice. Mechanistically, the sorafenib‐mediated effects on Tregs could be independent of its direct tumor‐suppressing activities. Sorafenib treatment reduced Treg numbers by inhibiting their proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Moreover, sorafenib inhibited the function of Tregs, characterized by diminished expression of Treg‐associated molecules important for their function and by their impaired suppressive capacity. These data reveal that sorafenib treatment enhanced functions of tumor‐specific effector T cells as well as relieved PD‐1‐mediated intrinsic and Treg‐mediated non‐cell‐autonomous inhibitions in tumor microenvironment leading to effective antitumor immune responses. In addition to the well‐known tumor‐inhibiting activity of sorafenib, its enhancement of antitumor immunity may also contribute to the clinical efficacy. Our findings uncover a previously unrecognized mechanism of action of sorafenib and indicate that sorafenib represents a potential targeted agent suitable to be combined with immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer patients.

Genetic architecture of tuberculosis resistance in a mouse model of infection

Tuberculosis remains a significant public health problem: one-third of the human population is infected with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and 10% of those are at risk of developing tuberculosis during their lifetime. In both humans and experimental animal models, genetic variation among infected individuals contributes to the outcome of infection. However, in immunocompetent individuals (the majority of patients), genetic determinants of susceptibility to tuberculosis remain largely unknown. Mouse models of MTB infection, allowing control of exposure and other potential environmental contributors, have proven extremely useful for examining this genetic component. In a cross of C3HeB/FeJ (susceptible) by C57BL/6J (resistant) inbred mouse strains, we have previously identified one major genetic locus, sst1, the susceptible allele of which did not confer an overt immunodeficiency, but rather specifically affected progression of lung tuberculosis. Having generated and tested the sst1 congenic strains, we have observed that this locus only partially explained the difference in susceptibility of the parental strains to MTB. We now present further studies controlling for the effect of the sst1, identify four additional tuberculosis susceptibility loci and characterize their effects by testing an independent cross, knockout or congenic mice.