Stefanie Kliche

Neuropilin 1 deficiency on CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells impairs mouse melanoma growth

Neuropilin 1 mediates anti-tumor control by promoting regulatory T cell infiltration.

The ADAP/SKAP55 signaling module regulates T-cell receptor-mediated integrin activation through plasma membrane targeting of Rap1.

ABSTRACT Adhesion of T cells after stimulation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) is mediated via signaling processes that have collectively been termed inside-out signaling. The molecular basis for inside-out signaling is not yet completely understood. Here, we show that a signaling module comprising the cytosolic adapter proteins ADAP and SKAP55 is involved in TCR-mediated inside-out signaling and, moreover, that the interaction between ADAP and SKAP55 is mandatory for integrin activation. Disruption of the ADAP/SKAP55 module leads to displacement of the small GTPase Rap1 from the plasma membrane without influencing its GTPase activity. These findings suggest that the ADAP/SKAP55 complex serves to recruit activated Rap1 to the plasma membrane. In line with this hypothesis is the finding that membrane targeting of the ADAP/SKAP55 module induces T-cell adhesion in the absence of TCR-mediated stimuli. However, it appears as if the ADAP/SKAP55 module can exert its signaling function outside of the classical raft fraction of the cell membrane.

LIME A New Membrane Raft-associated Adaptor Protein Involved in CD4 and CD8 Coreceptor Signaling

Lymphocyte membrane rafts contain molecules critical for immunoreceptor signaling. Here, we report identification of a new raft-associated adaptor protein LIME (Lck-interacting molecule) expressed predominantly in T lymphocytes. LIME becomes tyrosine phosphorylated after cross-linking of the CD4 or CD8 coreceptors. Phospho-LIME associates with the Src family kinase Lck and its negative regulator, Csk. Ectopic expression of LIME in Jurkat T cells results in an increase of Csk in lipid rafts, increased phosphorylation of Lck and higher Ca2+ response to CD3 stimulation. Thus, LIME appears to be involved in regulation of T cell activation by coreceptors.

RIAM Links the ADAP/SKAP-55 Signaling Module to Rap1, Facilitating T-Cell-Receptor-Mediated Integrin Activation

ABSTRACT One outcome of T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling is increased affinity and avidity of integrins for their ligands. This occurs through a process known as inside-out signaling, which has been shown to require several molecular components including the adapter proteins ADAP (adhesion and degranulation-promoting adapter protein) and SKAP-55 (55-kDa src kinase-associated phosphoprotein) and the small GTPase Rap1. Herein, we provide evidence linking ADAP and SKAP-55 to RIAM, a recently described adapter protein that binds selectively to active Rap1. We identified RIAM as a key component linking the ADAP/SKAP-55 module to the small GTPase Rap1, facilitating TCR-mediated integrin activation. We show that RIAM constitutively interacts with SKAP-55 in both a heterologous transfection system and primary T cells and map the region essential for this interaction. Additionally, we find that the SKAP-55/RIAM complex is essential both for TCR-mediated adhesion and for efficient conjugate formation between T cells and antigen-presenting cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that the ADAP/SKAP-55 module relocalized RIAM and Rap1 to the plasma membrane following TCR activation to facilitate integrin activation. These results describe for the first time a link between ADAP/SKAP-55 and the Rap1/RIAM complex and provide a potential new mechanism for TCR-mediated integrin activation.

Signaling signatures and functional properties of anti-human CD28 superagonistic antibodies.

Superagonistic CD28 antibodies (CD28SAs) activate T lymphocytes without concomitant perturbation of the TCR/CD3-complex. In rodents these reagents induce the preferential expansion of regulatory T cells and can be used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Unexpectedly, the humanized CD28 superagonist TGN1412 caused severe and life threatening adverse effects during a recently conducted phase I clinical trail. The underlying molecular mechanisms are as yet unclear. We show that TGN1412 as well as the commercially available CD28 superagonist ANC28.1 induce a delayed but extremely sustained calcium response in human naïve and memory CD4+ T cells but not in cynomolgus T lymphocytes. The sustained Ca++-signal was associated with the activation of multiple intracellular signaling pathways and together these events culminated in the rapid de novo synthesis of high amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, most notably IFN-γ and TNF-α. Importantly, sustained transmembranous calcium flux, activation of Src-kinases as well as activation of PI3K were found to be absolutely required for CD28SA-mediated production of IFN-γ and IL-2. Collectively, our data suggest a molecular basis for the severe side effects caused by TGN1412 and impinge upon the relevance of non-human primates as preclinical models for reagents that are supposed to modify the function of human T cells.

Regulation of in vitro and in vivo immune functions by the cytosolic adaptor protein SKAP-HOM.

ABSTRACT SKAP-HOM is a cytosolic adaptor protein representing a specific substrate for the Src family protein tyrosine kinase Fyn. Previously, several groups have provided experimental evidence that SKAP-HOM (most likely in cooperation with the cytosolic adaptor protein ADAP) is involved in regulating leukocyte adhesion. To further assess the physiological role of SKAP-HOM, we investigated the immune system of SKAP-HOM-deficient mice. Our data show that T-cell responses towards a variety of stimuli are unaffected in the absence of SKAP-HOM. Similarly, B-cell receptor (BCR)-mediated total tyrosine phosphorylation and phosphorylation of Erk, p38, and JNK, as well as immunoreceptor-mediated Ca2+ responses, are normal in SKAP-HOM−/− animals. However, despite apparently normal membrane-proximal signaling events, BCR-mediated proliferation is strongly attenuated in the absence of SKAP-HOM−/−. In addition, adhesion of activated B cells to fibronectin (a ligand for β1 integrins) as well as to ICAM-1 (a ligand for β2 integrins) is strongly reduced. In vivo, the loss of SKAP-HOM results in a less severe clinical course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis following immunization of mice with the encephalitogenic peptide of MOG (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein). This is accompanied by strongly reduced serum levels of MOG-specific antibodies and lower MOG-specific T-cell responses. In summary, our data suggest that SKAP-HOM is required for proper activation of the immune system, likely by regulating the cross-talk between immunoreceptors and integrins.

Crucial role of SLP-76 and ADAP for neutrophil recruitment in mouse kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury

Leukocyte recruitment to the kidney during acute injury is mediated by E-selectin–mediated rolling and requires SLP-76 and the adaptor protein ADAP.

CCR7-mediated LFA-1 functions in T cells are regulated by 2 independent ADAP/SKAP55 modules

The β2-integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) plays a crucial role within the immune system. It regulates the interaction between T cells and antigen-presenting cells and facilitates T-cell adhesion to the endothelium, a process that is important for lymphocyte extravasation and homing. Signals mediated via the T-cell receptor and the chemokine receptor CCR7 activate LFA-1 through processes known as inside-out signaling. The molecular mechanisms underlying inside-out signaling are not completely understood. Here, we have assessed the role of the ADAP/SKAP55 module for CCR7-mediated signaling. We show that loss of the module delays homing and reduces intranodal T-cell motility in vivo. This is probably because of a defect in CCR7-mediated adhesion that affects both affinity and avidity regulation of LFA-1. Further analysis of how the ADAP/SKAP55 module regulates CCR7-induced integrin activation revealed that 2 independent pools of the module are expressed in T cells. One pool interacts with a RAPL/Mst1 complex, whereas the other pool is linked to a RIAM/Mst1/Kindlin-3 complex. Importantly, both the RAPL/Mst1 and the RIAM/Mst1/Kindlin-3 complexes require ADAP/SKAP55 for binding to LFA-1 upon CCR7 stimulation. Hence, 2 independent ADAP/SKAP55 modules are essential components of the signaling machinery that regulates affinity and avidity of LFA-1 in response to CCR7.

Regulation of T‐cell antigen receptor‐mediated inside‐out signaling by cytosolic adapter proteins and Rap1 effector molecules

Summary:  Integrins are critical for the migration of T cells to lymphoid organs and to sites of inflammation and are also necessary for productive interactions between T cells and antigen‐presenting cells. Integrin activation is enhanced following T‐cell receptor (TCR) engagement, as signals initiated by the TCR increase affinity and avidity of integrins for their ligands. This process, known as inside‐out signaling, has been shown to require several molecular components including the cytosolic adapter proteins adhesion and degranulation‐promoting adapter protein and Src homology 2 domain‐containing adapter protein of 55 kDa, the low molecular weight guanosine triphosphatase Rap1, and the Rap1 effector proteins Rap1 guanosine triphosphate‐interacting adapter molecule, regulator of adhesion and cell polarization enriched in lymphoid tissues, and protein kinase D1. Herein, we review recent findings about how the TCR is linked to integrin activation through inside‐out signaling.

Adhesion and Degranulation Promoting Adapter Protein (ADAP) Is a Central Hub for Phosphotyrosine-Mediated Interactions in T Cells

TCR stimulation leads to an increase in cellular adhesion among other outcomes. The adhesion and degranulation promoting adapter protein (ADAP) is known to be rapidly phosphorylated after T cell stimulation and relays the TCR signal to adhesion molecules of the integrin family. While three tyrosine phosphorylation sites have been characterized biochemically, the binding capabilities and associated functions of several other potential phosphotyrosine motifs remain unclear. Here, we utilize in vitro phosphorylation and mass spectrometry to map novel phosphotyrosine sites in the C-terminal part of human ADAP (486–783). Individual tyrosines were then mutated to phenylalanine and their relevance for cellular adhesion and migration was tested experimentally. Functionally important tyrosine residues include two sites within the folded hSH3 domains of ADAP and two at the C-terminus. Furthermore, using a peptide pulldown approach in combination with stable isotope labeling in cell culture (SILAC) we identified SLP-76, PLCγ, PIK3R1, Nck, CRK, Gads, and RasGAP as phospho-dependent binding partners of a central YDDV motif of ADAP. The phosphorylation-dependent interaction between ADAP and Nck was confirmed by yeast two-hybrid analysis, immunoprecipitation and binary pulldown experiments, indicating that ADAP directly links integrins to modulators of the cytoskeleton independent of SLP-76.