Article
Immunology
Shiyun Xiao, Wen Zhang, Jie Li, Nancy R. Manley
Summary: This study found that Lin28 plays a critical regulatory role in TECs by modulating MHCII expression and TEC proliferation, thus influencing thymic development and differentiation. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying TEC differentiation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Tomas Brabec, Martin Schwarzer, Katarina Kovacova, Martina Dobesova, Dagmar Schierova, Jiri Brezina, Iva Pacakova, Dagmar Srutkova, Osher Ben-Nun, Yael Goldfarb, Iva Splichalova, Michal Kolar, Jakub Abramson, Dominik Filipp, Jan Dobes
Summary: This study identifies the cellular network that regulates MHCII expression on intestinal epithelial cells in response to SFB and demonstrates that SFB can drive the conversion of specific CD4(+) T cells to CD8 alpha(+) intraepithelial lymphocytes, leading to their accumulation in the small intestinal intraepithelial space. This mechanism is crucial for the SFB-induced increase in epithelial cell turnover.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Francesca Ferrua, Ileana Bortolomai, Elena Fontana, Dario Di Silvestre, Rosita Rigoni, Genni Enza Marcovecchio, Elena Draghici, Francesca Brambilla, Maria Carmina Castiello, Gloria Delfanti, Despina Moshous, Capucine Picard, Tom Taghon, Victoria Bordon, Ansgar S. Schulz, Catharina Schuetz, Silvia Giliani, Annarosa Soresina, Andrew R. Gennery, Sara Signa, Blachy J. Davila Saldana, Ottavia M. Delmonte, Luigi D. Notarangelo, Chaim M. Roifman, Pietro Luigi Poliani, Paolo Uva, Pier Luigi Mauri, Anna Villa, Marita Bosticardo
Summary: MHCII deficiency, also known as Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome, is a rare combined immunodeficiency resulting in impaired immune responses and susceptibility to infections and autoimmunity. Studies have shown abnormalities in thymic structure and function in both patients and mice with MHCII deficiency, likely due to impaired mTEC maturation and gene expression. This disease-specific TEC defects contribute to perturbation of central tolerance and pose challenges for potential benefits of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Anca Apavaloaei, Jean-Philippe Laverdure, Claude Perreault
Summary: PSMB11 proteasomal subunit expressed exclusively in cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) is crucial for the development of functional CD8(+) T cells. PSMB11 regulates gene expression in cTECs through proteolysis of transcription factors, maintaining their distinctness from medullary TECs (mTECs) and promoting migration of developing thymocytes from cortex to medulla. Ohigashi and colleagues' data challenging these conclusions was reanalyzed and confirmed, supporting the original findings.
Article
Biology
Byron Morales-Lange, Ivan Nombela, Maria Del Mar Ortega-Villaizan, Monica Imarai, Paulina Schmitt, Luis Mercado
Summary: This study investigated the potential communication between cells in rainbow trout spleen by analyzing the gene expression of key transcription factors regulating T cell polarization. The upregulation of foxp3 in co-cultures was found to be proportional to the type of cells and stimulation, indicating a potential communication that could induce a Treg phenotype in the spleen.
Article
Cell Biology
Izumi Ohigashi, Yousuke Takahama
Summary: Beta 5t has a specific impact on proteasome subunit composition in cTECs, contributing to the optimization of CD8(+) T cell development through the production of unique self-peptides associated with MHC-I. However, controversy exists regarding the role of beta 5t in regulating cTEC gene expression and inducing oxidative stress in thymocytes.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Dong Zhang, Miaomiao Jia, Chuan Wang, Yingmin Li, Chunling Ma, Guiyun Zhu, Rufei Ma, Di Wen, Xianxian Jia, Guangming Xu, Xiaojing Zhang, Bin Cong
Summary: Immune balance is crucial for survival and is regulated by the nervous system. Evidence shows that cholecystokinin (CCK) and its receptors (CCKRs) play an important role in mediating immune response. However, the deficiency of CCKRs may impair immune balance. This study demonstrates that CCK2R is vital for CD4(+) T cell development in the thymus and plays a significant role in maintaining immune balance.
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
J. Luke Postoak, Wenqiang Song, Guan Yang, Xingyi Guo, Shiyun Xiao, Cherie E. Saffold, Jianhua Zhang, Sebastian Joyce, Nancy R. Manley, Lan Wu, Luc Van Kaer
Summary: This study reveals the important role of lipid kinase Vps34 in the development and selection of CD4 T cells during antigen processing and presentation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Soo Hyun Ahn, Sean L. Nguyen, Tae Hoon Kim, Jae-Wook Jeong, Ripla Arora, John P. Lydon, Margaret G. Petroff
Summary: Progesterone is a crucial hormone for the success of pregnancy, specifically in the female reproductive organs. It prepares the endometrium for embryo implantation and plays a role in thymic involution during pregnancy.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catarina S. Silva, Mariana T. Cerqueira, Rui L. Reis, Albino Martins, Nuno M. Neves
Summary: The presence of laminin-2 positively affects the cell viability and proliferation of cTECs, while the density of laminin-2 influences the expression of cTECs genes. Higher concentrations of laminin-2 lead to an increased percentage of adherent CD4-CD8- thymocytes and a decreased percentage of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Shoichi Wakitani, Risako Kawabata, Masahiro Yasuda
Summary: This study investigated the involvement of thymic function in calves with poor prognosis and found a close relationship between thymic histological abnormalities and disease severity.
VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Andrea J. White, Sonia M. Parnell, Adam Stefano, Stefano Maio, Andrea Bacon, Emilie J. Cosway, Beth Lucas, Kieran D. James, Jennifer E. Cowan, William E. Jenkinson, Georg A. Hollander, Graham Anderson
Summary: The study investigated the role of cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) and medullary thymic epithelial cells in abT cell development. It was found that cTECs express a specific gene signature to support T lineage commitment and generation of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. The study also revealed developmental regulation and functional heterogeneity of cTECs, controlled by stage-specific thymocyte cross-talk. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the regulation mechanisms during thymocyte development.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ye Seon Lim, Do-Young Lee, Hye-Yoon Kim, Yejin Ok, Seonyeong Hwang, Yuseok Moon, Sik Yoon
Summary: EGFL8 plays a negative regulatory role in mouse cTECs, affecting various cellular processes and gene expressions, ultimately leading to inhibition of cTEC proliferation. The altered expression of genes associated with EGFL8 in cTECs highlights its involvement in important physiological processes and provides insight into its biological functions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Yushu Joy Xie, Michael Dougan, Jessica R. Ingram, Novalia Pishesha, Tao Fang, Noor Momin, Hidde L. Ploegh
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ross W. Cheloha, Fabian A. Fischer, Andrew W. Woodham, Eileen Daley, Naomi Suminski, Thomas J. Gardella, Hidde L. Ploegh
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Ludger Klein
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah A. Nordeen, Kasper R. Andersen, Kevin E. Knockenhauer, Jessica R. Ingram, Hidde L. Ploegh, Thomas U. Schwartz
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jae-Hyeok Choi, Lip Ket Chin, Bo Mee Woo, Younghoon Song, Min Jeong Seol, Yoontaik Hong, Ai-Qun Liu, Seongsoo Jang, Hidde Ploegh, Hyungsoon Im, Dongyoung Lee
Summary: The newly developed hydrogel staining method provides a simple, reproducible, solution-free, and inexpensive approach to stain blood cells, which does not require special skills to produce excellent quality stained blood film slides, therefore enhancing the accuracy of microscopical examination of blood smears, especially in resource-limited settings.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thibault J. Harmand, Novalia Pishesha, Fabian B. H. Rehm, Weiyi Ma, William B. Pinney, Yushu J. Xie, Hidde L. Ploegh
Summary: RBCs can serve as carriers for drugs and proteins in the vascular system, with the potential to induce immune tolerance to foreign components. A new method allows direct conjugation of peptides and proteins onto RBCs with retention of their properties and potential for targeting cancer cells. This approach provides an appealing alternative to current RBC engineering methods.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ashraful Islam, Novalia Pishesha, Thibault J. Harmand, Hailey Heston, Andrew W. Woodham, Ross W. Cheloha, Djenet Bousbaine, Mohammad Rashidian, Hidde L. Ploegh
Summary: Immuno-positron emission tomography (PET) offers a non-invasive imaging method for dynamically assessing cell populations of interest. Utilizing sortase-mediated enzymatic labeling and PEGylation, an anti-CD4 scFv PET imaging agent was developed to track CD4(+) T cells in vivo. This approach demonstrated successful monitoring of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell activity in mice and tumor models.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
News Item
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hidde Ploegh
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timo W. M. De Groof, Nick D. Bergkamp, Raimond Heukers, Truc Giap, Maarten P. Bebelman, Richard Goeij-de Haas, Sander R. Piersma, Connie R. Jimenez, K. Christopher Garcia, Hidde L. Ploegh, Marco Siderius, Martine J. Smit
Summary: The study demonstrates that different nanobodies can recognize and block distinct conformational states of GPCR US28, achieving selective targeting of ligand-dependent versus independent signaling and discerning functional consequences.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick Schriek, Alan C. Ching, Nagaraj S. Moily, Jessica Moffat, Lynette Beattie, Thiago M. Steiner, Laine M. Hosking, Joshua M. Thurman, V. Michael Holers, Satoshi Ishido, Mireille H. Lahoud, Irina Caminschi, William R. Heath, Justine D. Mintern, Jose A. Villadangos
Summary: Marginal zone B cells acquire dendritic cell-like properties through the trogocytic acquisition of MHC II-C3 complexes from conventional dendritic cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pia Langguth, Katrin Peckert-Maier, Philipp Beck, Christine Kuhnt, Christina Drassner, Andrea Deinzer, Alexander Steinkasserer, Andreas B. Wild
Summary: Macrophages are highly plastic cells and understanding their activation and function is key to understanding immunological balance. The CD83 molecule, expressed on activated immune cells and tissue resident macrophages, has been investigated for its potential role in modulating macrophage biology. This study reveals the kinetics and trafficking of CD83 in LPS-activated macrophages, suggesting its importance in early macrophage activation and subsequent cellular fate.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Xin Liu, Thomas Balligand, Claire Carpenet, Hidde L. Ploegh
Summary: The immune system protects the body by eliminating pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Researchers have developed a conjugate that combines the influenza neuraminidase inhibitor zanamivir with a nanobody that recognizes mouse immunoglobulin. This conjugate targets virus-infected cells and stimulates the immune system to eliminate them. It has shown effective prophylactic and therapeutic effects against influenza.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Novalia Pishesha, Thibault J. Harmand, Hidde L. Ploegh
Summary: This article provides an overview of antigen processing and presentation pathways, explaining how antigenic peptides are loaded onto MHC molecules for detection by T cells. These pathways are essential for adaptive immunity and involve several steps for acquiring and presenting antigens for T cell recognition.
NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thibault J. Harmand, Ashraful Islam, Novalia Pishesha, Hidde L. Ploegh
Summary: In vivo imaging has become an important tool for studying biological events in recent years, with critical applications in diagnostic medicine. While monoclonal antibodies have been widely used, other delivery agents such as nanobodies are being developed, with VHHs attracting attention for their stability and solubility.
RSC CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ross W. Cheloha, Fabian A. Fischer, Thomas J. Gardella, Hidde L. Ploegh
Summary: A new method utilizing single domain antibodies VHHs or nanobodies to indirectly deliver ligands for GPCRs to their sites of action has been introduced. This approach enables high yield production of nanobodies, easy site-specific functionalization, and compatibility with commercially available mouse and rabbit antibodies, offering wide application prospects.
RSC CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)