Patrick Caplazi

IL-17C regulates the innate immune function of epithelial cells in an autocrine manner

Interleukin 17C (IL-17C) is a member of the IL-17 family that is selectively induced in epithelia by bacterial challenge and inflammatory stimuli. Here we show that IL-17C functioned in a unique autocrine manner, binding to a receptor complex consisting of the receptors IL-17RA and IL-17RE, which was preferentially expressed on tissue epithelial cells. IL-17C stimulated epithelial inflammatory responses, including the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and antimicrobial peptides, which were similar to those induced by IL-17A and IL-17F. However, IL-17C was produced by distinct cellular sources, such as epithelial cells, in contrast to IL-17A, which was produced mainly by leukocytes, especially those of the TH17 subset of helper T cells. Whereas IL-17C promoted inflammation in an imiquimod-induced skin-inflammation model, it exerted protective functions in dextran sodium sulfate–induced colitis. Thus, IL-17C is an essential autocrine cytokine that regulates innate epithelial immune responses.

IL-27 supports germinal center function by enhancing IL-21 production and the function of T follicular helper cells

IL-27 signaling directly into T cells is needed for follicular T helper cell survival, germinal center formation, and the production of T cell–dependent high-affinity antibodies in mice.

IL-17RC Is Required for IL-17A– and IL-17F–Dependent Signaling and the Pathogenesis of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

It has been suggested that IL-17RC forms a complex with IL-17RA to mediate the functions of IL-17A and IL-17F homodimers as well as IL-17A/F heterodimers. It is still unclear whether IL-17RC is absolutely required for the signaling of IL-17 cytokines in vivo. By using Il-17rc–deficient mice, we show that IL-17RC is essential for the signaling of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17A/F both in vitro and in vivo. IL-17RC does not preassociate with IL-17RA on the cell surface; rather IL-17A can induce the formation of an IL-17RC and IL-17RA complex. This process is not dependent on the intracellular similar expression to fibroblast growth factor genes and IL-17Rs (SEFIR) domain of IL-17RC, but the SEFIR is essential in IL-17A signal transduction. Finally, Il-17rc−/− mice develop much milder disease in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model, supporting an essential role for IL-17RC in mediating immune-mediated CNS inflammation.

Heterogeneous gene expression signatures correspond to distinct lung pathologies and biomarkers of disease severity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background There is microscopic spatial and temporal heterogeneity of pathological changes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) lung tissue, which may relate to heterogeneity in pathophysiological mediators of disease and clinical progression. We assessed relationships between gene expression patterns, pathological features, and systemic biomarkers to identify biomarkers that reflect the aggregate disease burden in patients with IPF. Methods Gene expression microarrays (N=40 IPF; 8 controls) and immunohistochemical analyses (N=22 IPF; 8 controls) of lung biopsies. Clinical characterisation and blood biomarker levels of MMP3 and CXCL13 in a separate cohort of patients with IPF (N=80). Results 2940 genes were significantly differentially expressed between IPF and control samples (|fold change| >1.5, p<0.05). Two clusters of co-regulated genes related to bronchiolar epithelium or lymphoid aggregates exhibited substantial heterogeneity within the IPF population. Gene expression in bronchiolar and lymphoid clusters corresponded to the extent of bronchiolisation and lymphoid aggregates determined by immunohistochemistry in adjacent tissue sections. Elevated serum levels of MMP3, encoded in the bronchiolar cluster, and CXCL13, encoded in the lymphoid cluster, corresponded to disease severity and shortened survival time (p<10−7 for MMP3 and p<10−5 for CXCL13; Cox proportional hazards model). Conclusions Microscopic pathological heterogeneity in IPF lung tissue corresponds to specific gene expression patterns related to bronchiolisation and lymphoid aggregates. MMP3 and CXCL13 are systemic biomarkers that reflect the aggregate burden of these pathological features across total lung tissue. These biomarkers may have clinical utility as prognostic and/or surrogate biomarkers of disease activity in interventional studies in IPF.

Phosphorylation and linear ubiquitin direct A20 inhibition of inflammation

Inactivation of the TNFAIP3 gene, encoding the A20 protein, is associated with critical inflammatory diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. However, the role of A20 in attenuating inflammatory signalling is unclear owing to paradoxical in vitro and in vivo findings. Here we utilize genetically engineered mice bearing mutations in the A20 ovarian tumour (OTU)-type deubiquitinase domain or in the zinc finger-4 (ZnF4) ubiquitin-binding motif to investigate these discrepancies. We find that phosphorylation of A20 promotes cleavage of Lys63-linked polyubiquitin chains by the OTU domain and enhances ZnF4-mediated substrate ubiquitination. Additionally, levels of linear ubiquitination dictate whether A20-deficient cells die in response to tumour necrosis factor. Mechanistically, linear ubiquitin chains preserve the architecture of the TNFR1 signalling complex by blocking A20-mediated disassembly of Lys63-linked polyubiquitin scaffolds. Collectively, our studies reveal molecular mechanisms whereby A20 deubiquitinase activity and ubiquitin binding, linear ubiquitination, and cellular kinases cooperate to regulate inflammation and cell death.

Abrogation of growth hormone secretion rescues fatty liver in mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of JAK2

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with multiple comorbid conditions, including diabetes, obesity, infection, and malnutrition. Mice with hepatocyte-specific disruption of growth hormone (GH) signaling develop fatty liver (FL), although the precise mechanism underlying this finding remains unknown. Because GH signals through JAK2, we developed mice bearing hepatocyte-specific deletion of JAK2 (referred to herein as JAK2L mice). These mice were lean, but displayed markedly elevated levels of GH, liver triglycerides (TGs), and plasma FFAs. Because GH is known to promote lipolysis, we crossed GH-deficient little mice to JAK2L mice, and this rescued the FL phenotype. Expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36 was dramatically increased in livers of JAK2L mice, as was expression of Pparg. Since GH signaling represses PPARγ expression and Cd36 is a known transcriptional target of PPARγ, we treated JAK2L mice with the PPARγ-specific antagonist GW9662. This resulted in reduced expression of liver Cd36 and decreased liver TG content. These results provide a mechanism for the FL observed in mice with liver-specific disruption in GH signaling and suggest that the development of FL depends on both GH-dependent increases in plasma FFA and increased hepatic uptake of FFA, likely mediated by increased expression of CD36.

Tumour and host cell PD-L1 is required to mediate suppression of anti-tumour immunity in mice

Expression of PD-L1, the ligand for T-cell inhibitory receptor PD-1, is one key immunosuppressive mechanism by which cancer avoids eradication by the immune system. Therapeutic use of blocking antibodies to PD-L1 or its receptor PD-1 has produced unparalleled, durable clinical responses, with highest likelihood of response seen in patients whose tumour or immune cells express PD-L1 before therapy. The significance of PD-L1 expression in each cell type has emerged as a central and controversial unknown in the clinical development of immunotherapeutics. Using genetic deletion in preclinical mouse models, here we show that PD-L1 from disparate cellular sources, including tumour cells, myeloid or other immune cells can similarly modulate the degree of cytotoxic T-cell function and activity in the tumour microenvironment. PD-L1 expression in both the host and tumour compartment contribute to immune suppression in a non-redundant fashion, suggesting that both sources could be predictive of sensitivity to therapeutic agents targeting the PD-L1/PD-1 axis.

Dual B Cell Immunotherapy Is Superior to Individual Anti‐CD20 Depletion or BAFF Blockade in Murine Models of Spontaneous or Accelerated Lupus

To determine whether a combination of B cell depletion and BAFF blockade is more effective than monotherapy in treating models of spontaneous or accelerated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in (NZB × NZW)F1 mice.

Mouse Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic debilitating autoimmune disorder characterized by synovitis that leads to cartilage and bone erosion by invading fibrovascular tissue. Mouse models of RA recapitulate many features of the human disease. Despite the availability of medicines that are highly effective in many patient populations, autoimmune diseases (including RA) remain an area of active biomedical research, and consequently mouse models of RA are still extensively used for mechanistic studies and validation of therapeutic targets. This review aims to integrate morphologic features with model biology and cover the key characteristics of the most commonly used induced and spontaneous mouse models of RA. Induced models emphasized in this review include collagen-induced arthritis and antibody-induced arthritis. Collagen-induced arthritis is an example of an active immunization strategy, whereas antibody- induced arthritis models, such as collagen antibody–induced arthritis and K/BxN antibody transfer arthritis, represent examples of passive immunization strategies. The coverage of spontaneous models in this review is focused on the TNFΔ ARE mouse, in which arthritis results from overexpression of TNF-α, a master proinflammatory cytokine that drives disease in many patients.

Autoimmunity-associated protein tyrosine phosphatase PEP negatively regulates IFN-α receptor signaling

Holmes et al. demonstrate that the protein tyrosine phosphatase PEP (PTPN22 in humans) associated with lupus and other autoimmune diseases, inhibits IFN-α receptor signaling in mice. PEP-deficient hematopoietic progenitors demonstrate increased IFNAR signaling, IFN-inducible gene expression and proliferation. PEP-deficient mice treated with IFN-α exhibit lupus-like disease and profound defects in hematopoiesis, resulting in cytopenia.