Project description:This file contains gene microarray data from FACS purified mouse memory phenotype CD4+ T cells (CD44hiCD45RBloCD25-), which were isolated from lymph node and spinal cord tissues of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a widely studied model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). Memory phenotype CD4+ T cells infiltrating the CNS during EAE expressed high levels of mRNA for Dgat1 encoding diacylglycerol-O-acyltransferase-1 (DGAT1). We studied the biology of DGAT1 in EAE models and in assays of T cell differentiation and function.
Project description:Naïve CD4+ T cells coordinate the immune response by acquiring an effector phenotype in response to cytokines. However, the cytokine responses in memory T cells remain largely understudied. We used quantitative proteomics, bulk RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq of over 40,000 human naïve and memory CD4+ T cells to generate a detailed map of cytokine-regulated gene expression programs. We demonstrated that cytokine response differs substantially between naïve and memory T cells and showed that memory cells are unable to differentiate into the Th2 phenotype. Moreover, memory T cells acquire a Th17-like phenotype in response to iTreg polarization. At the single-cell level, we demonstrated that T cells form a continuum which progresses from naïve to effector memory T cells. This continuum is accompanied by a gradual increase in the expression levels of chemokines and cytokines and thus represents an effectorness gradient. Finally, we found that T cell cytokine responses are determined by where the cells lie in the effectorness gradient and identified genes whose expression is controlled by cytokines in an effectorness-dependent manner. Our results shed light on the heterogeneity of T cells and their responses to cytokines, provide insight into immune disease inflammation and could inform drug development.
Project description:Disturbed expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulatory T-cells (Tregs) leads to development of autoimmunity in experimental mouse models. However, the miRNA expression signature characterizing Tregs of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been determined yet. Moreover, the technical limitations prevented the analysis of such minute T-cell population as naive and memory Tregs. In this study we have used a microarray approach to comprehensively analyze miRNA expression signatures of naive Tregs (CD4+CD45RO-CD25++), memory Tregs (CD4+CD45RO+CD25+++), as well as conventional naive (CD4+CD45RO-CD25-) and memory (CD4+CD45RO+CD25-) T-cells (Tconvs) derived from peripheral blood of RA patients, and matched healthy controls. Differential expression of selected miRNAs was validated by TaqMan-based qRT-PCR. We found a positive correlation between increased expression of miR-451 in T-cells of RA patients and disease activity score (DAS28), ESR levels, and serum levels of IL-6. Moreover, we found characteristic, disease and treatment independent, global miRNA expression signatures defining naive Tregs, memory Tregs, naive Tconvs and memory Tconvs. The analysis allowed us to define miRNAs characteristic for a general naive phenotype (e.g. miR-92a), a general memory phenotype (e.g. miR-21, miR-155), and most importantly miRNAs specifically expressed in both naive and memory Tregs, defining as such the Treg phenotype (i.e. miR-146a, miR-3162, miR-1202, miR-1246a, and miR-4281). MicroRNA profiling was performed in four CD4+ T-cell subsets: naive Tconventional (CD3+CD8-CD45RO-CD25-), naive Tregulatory (CD3+CD8-CD45RO-CD25+), memory Tconventional (CD3+CD8-CD45RO+CD25-), and memory Tregulatory (CD3+CD8-CD45RO+CD25+) derived from 2 healthy controls, and 6 rheumatoid arthritis patients (total n=8).
Project description:Epigenetic changes are crucial for the generation of immunological memory. Failure to generate or maintain these changes will result in poor memory responses. Similarly, augmenting or stabilizing the correct epigenetic states offers a potential method of enhancing immune memory. Yet the transcription factors that regulate these processes are poorly defined, as are the target genes they control and they chromatin-modifying complexes they recruit. Using model pathogens and three different mouse models, we find that the widely expressed transcription factor Oct1 and its cofactor OCA-B are selectively required for the in vivo generation of functional CD4 memory. In vitro, both proteins are required to maintain a poised state at the Il2 target locus in resting but previously stimulated CD4 T cells, and to generate robust Il2 expression upon restimulation. Gene expression profiling indicates that OCA-B is also required for the robust re-expression of multiple other targets including Ifng and Il17a. ChIPseq identify multiple differentially expressed direct targets. We identify an underlying mechanism involving OCA-B recruitment of the histone lysine demethylase Jmjd1a to targets such as Il2 and Ifng. The findings pinpoint Oct1 and OCA-B as unanticipated mediators of CD4 T cell memory. Examination of transcription factor occupancy in CD4 T cells upon rest and restimulation.
Project description:Transcription profiling of naive and memory phenotype mouse CD4+ T cells extracted from GFP-Egr2 knockin (Egr2 Kin) and Egr2loxP/loxP hCD2-Cre Egr3-/- (Egr2/3 DKO) mice in the steady state
Project description:Using an experimental model of graft versus host disease (GVHD) to examine T cell-mediated inflammation within the colon, we identified a unique CD4+ T cell population that constitutively expresses the β2 integrin, CD11c, has a biased central memory phenotype and memory T cell transcriptional profile, possesses innate-like properties by gene expression analysis, and has increased expression of the gut-homing molecules, α4β7 and CCR9. Using a number of complementary GVHD mouse models, we show that adoptive transfer of these cells results in TH1-mediated proinflammatory cytokine production, augmented pathological damage in the colon, and increased mortality due to early accumulation of these cells in the GI tract. The pathogenic effects of this CD4+ T cell population was critically dependent upon co-expression of the IL-23 receptor which was required for maximal inflammatory effects. Colonic inflammation was regulated by IL-10 that was produced by non-Foxp3-expressing CD4+ T cells which attenuated lethality in the absence of functional CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells. Thus, coordinate expression of CD11c and the IL-23R defines a novel IL-10 regulated, colitogenic memory CD4+ T cell subset that is poised to initiate inflammation when there is loss of tolerance and breakdown of mucosal barriers as occurs in GVHD as well as other immune-mediated inflammatory bowel disorders.