Yun You

Ubiquitination of RIP Is Required for Tumor Necrosis Factor α-induced NF-κB Activation

Stimulation of cells with tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) triggers a recruitment of various signaling molecules, such as RIP, to the TNFαreceptor 1 complex, leading to activation of NF-κB. Previous studies indicate that RIP plays an essential role for TNFα-induced NF-κB activation, but the molecular mechanism by which RIP mediates TNFαsignals to activate NF-κB is not fully defined. Earlier studies suggest that RIP undergoes a ligand-dependent ubiquitination. However, it remains to be determined whether the ubiquitination of RIP is required for TNFα-induced NF-κB activation. In this study, we have identified Lys377 of RIP as the functional ubiquitination site, because mutating this residue to arginine completely abolished RIP-mediated NF-κB activation. The K377R mutation of RIP cannot undergo ligand-dependent ubiquitination and fails to recruit its downstream signaling components into the TNFαreceptor 1 complex. Together, our studies provide the first genetic evidence that the ubiquitination of RIP is required for TNFα-induced NF-κB activation.

Ubiquitination of RIP is required for TNFα-induced NF-κB activation

Stimulation of cells with tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) triggers a recruitment of various signaling molecules, such as RIP, to the TNFαreceptor 1 complex, leading to activation of NF-κB. Previous studies indicate that RIP plays an essential role for TNFα-induced NF-κB activation, but the molecular mechanism by which RIP mediates TNFαsignals to activate NF-κB is not fully defined. Earlier studies suggest that RIP undergoes a ligand-dependent ubiquitination. However, it remains to be determined whether the ubiquitination of RIP is required for TNFα-induced NF-κB activation. In this study, we have identified Lys377 of RIP as the functional ubiquitination site, because mutating this residue to arginine completely abolished RIP-mediated NF-κB activation. The K377R mutation of RIP cannot undergo ligand-dependent ubiquitination and fails to recruit its downstream signaling components into the TNFαreceptor 1 complex. Together, our studies provide the first genetic evidence that the ubiquitination of RIP is required for TNFα-induced NF-κB activation.

Phosphorylation and ubiquitination of the IκB kinase complex by two distinct signaling pathways

The IκB kinase (IKK) complex serves as the master regulator for the activation of NF‐κB by various stimuli. It contains two catalytic subunits, IKKα and IKKβ, and a regulatory subunit, IKKγ/NEMO. The activation of IKK complex is dependent on the phosphorylation of IKKα/β at its activation loop and the K63‐linked ubiquitination of NEMO. However, the molecular mechanism by which these inducible modifications occur remains undefined. Here, we demonstrate that CARMA1, a key scaffold molecule, is essential to regulate NEMO ubiquitination upon T‐cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. However, the phosphorylation of IKKα/β activation loop is independent of CARMA1 or NEMO ubiquitination. Further, we provide evidence that TAK1 is activated and recruited to the synapses in a CARMA1‐independent manner and mediate IKKα/β phosphorylation. Thus, our study provides the biochemical and genetic evidence that phosphorylation of IKKα/β and ubiquitination of NEMO are regulated by two distinct pathways upon TCR stimulation.

Bcl10 plays a critical role in NF-κB activation induced by G protein-coupled receptors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play pivotal roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Although many studies indicate that the stimulation of GPCRs leads to NF-κB activation, the molecular mechanism by which GPCRs induced NF-κB activation remains largely unknown. Bcl10 is an essential adaptor molecule connecting antigen receptor signaling cascades to NF-κB activation in lymphocytes. However, the function of Bcl10 in nonlymphoid cells remains to be determined. In this study, we demonstrated that the deficiency of Bcl10 resulted in the defect in NF-κB activation induced by either expressing the constitutively active mutant of G protein or stimulation of cells with lysophosphatidic acid or endothelin-1, which activate their GPCR. In contrast, TNF-α-, LPS-, and integrin-induced NF-κB activation was not affected in Bcl10-deficient cells. Together, our results provide genetic evidence showing that Bcl10 is a key signaling component mediating NF-κB activation induced by GPCRs in nonlymphoid cells.

CARMA3 is Crucial for EGFR-Induced Activation of NF-κB and Tumor Progression

EGF activates NF-κB, and constitutively activated NF-κB contributes to EGFR mutation-associated tumorigenesis, but it remains unclear precisely how EGFR signaling leads to NF-κB activation. Here we report that CARMA3, a caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing scaffold molecule, is required for EGF-induced NF-κB activation. CARMA3 deficiency impaired the activation of the IKK complex following EGF stimulation, resulting in a defect of EGF-induced IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB activation. We found that CARMA3 and Bcl10 contributed to several characteristics of EGFR-associated malignancy, including proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. Most importantly, CARMA3 contributed to tumor growth in vivo. Our findings elucidate a crucial link between EGFR-proximal signaling components and the downstream IKK complex, and they suggest a new therapeutic target for treatment of EGFR-driven cancers.

Dectin-3 Deficiency Promotes Colitis Development due to Impaired Antifungal Innate Immune Responses in the Gut

Interactions between commensal fungi and gut immune system are critical for establishing colonic homeostasis. Here we found that mice deficient in Dectin-3 (Clec4d -/-), a C-type lectin receptor that senses fungal infection, were more susceptible to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis compared with wild-type mice. The specific fungal burden of Candida (C.) tropicalis was markedly increased in the gut after DSS treatment in Clec4d -/- mice, and supplementation with C. tropicalis aggravated colitis only in Clec4d -/- mice, but not in wild-type controls. Mechanistically, Dectin-3 deficiency impairs phagocytic and fungicidal abilities of macrophages, and C. tropicalis-induced NF-κB activation and cytokine production. The conditioned media derived from Dectin-3-deficient macrophages were defective in promoting tissue repairing in colonic epithelial cells. Finally, anti-fungal therapy was effective in treating colitis in Clec4d -/- mice. These studies identified the role of Dectin-3 and its functional interaction with commensal fungi in intestinal immune system and regulation of colonic homeostasis.

The Adaptor Protein CARD9 Protects against Colon Cancer by Restricting Mycobiota-Mediated Expansion of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells

SUMMARY The adaptor protein CARD9 links detection of fungi by surface receptors to the activation of the NF‐&kgr;B pathway. Mice deficient in CARD9 exhibit dysbiosis and are more susceptible to colitis. Here we examined the impact of Card9 deficiency in the development of colitis‐associated colon cancer (CAC). Treatment of Card9−/− mice with AOM‐DSS resulted in increased tumor loads as compared to WT mice and in the accumulation of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in tumor tissue. The impaired fungicidal functions of Card9−/− macrophages led to increased fungal loads and variation in the overall composition of the intestinal mycobiota, with a notable increase in C. tropicalis. Bone marrow cells incubated with C. tropicalis exhibited MDSC features and suppressive functions. Fluconazole treatment suppressed CAC in Card9−/− mice and was associated with decreased MDSC accumulation. The frequency of MDSCs in tumor tissues of colon cancer patients correlated positively with fungal burden, pointing to the relevance of this regulatory axis in human disease. The adaptor protein CARD9 plays a crucial role in anti‐fungal immunity, linking detection of fungi by surface receptors to the activation of the NF‐&kgr;B pathway. Wang et al. show that Card9−/− mice are more susceptible to colitis‐associated cancer and outline a mechanism whereby fungal dysbiosis increases the frequency of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, thus contributing to tumorigenesis. Graphical Abstract Figure. No caption available. HIGHLIGHTSCard9−/− mice have increased tumor burden upon AOM‐DSS treatment compared to WT miceCARD9‐deficient macrophages exhibit impaired fungicidal abilities in the gutCard9−/− mice have increased fungal loads and higher numbers of intestinal MDSCsAntifungal treatment ameliorates colitis‐associated cancer in Card9−/− mice