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The kinases MEKK2 and MEKK3 regulate Transforming Growth Factor-β-mediated helper T cell differentiation

ABSTRACT: Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are key mediators of the T cell receptor (TCR) signals but their roles in T helper (Th) cell differentiation are unclear. Here we showed that the MAPK kinase kinases MEKK2 (encoded by Map3k2) and MEKK3 (encoded by Map3k3),negatively regulated transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-mediated Th cell differentiation.Map3k2-/-Map3k3Lck-Cre/- mice showed an abnormal accumulation of regulatory T (Treg) and Th17 cells in the periphery, consistent with Map3k2-/-Map3k3Lck-Cre/- naïve CD4+ T cells' differentiation into Treg and Th17 cells with a higher frequency than wild-type (WT) cells after TGF-beta stimulation in vitro. In addition, Map3k2-/-Map3k3Lck-Cre/- mice developed more severe experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Map3k2-/-Map3k3Lck-Cre/- T cells exhibited impaired phosphorylation of the SMAD2 and SMAD3 proteins at their linker regions, which negatively regulated the TGF-beta responses in T cells. Thus, the crosstalk between TCR-induced MAPK and the TGF-beta signaling pathways is important in regulating Th cell differentiation.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE26987 | GEO | 2011/02/02

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA135937

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Inflammation is a beneficial host response to infection, but it also contributes to inflammatory disease if unregulated. The Th17 lineage of T helper (Th) cells can cause severe human inflammatory diseases. These cells exhibit both instability (i.e., they can cease to express their signature cytokine, IL-17A) and plasticity (i.e., they can start expressing cytokines typical of other lineages) upon in vitro re-stimulation. However technical limitations prevented the transcriptional profiling of pre- and post-conversion Th17 cells ex vivo during immune responses. Thus, it is unknown whether Th17 cell plasticity merely reflects change in expression of a few cytokines, or if Th17 cells physiologically undergo global genetic reprogramming driving their conversion from one T helper cell type to another, a process known as “transdifferentiation”. Furthermore, while Th17 cell instability/plasticity has been associated with pathogenicity, it is unknown whether this could present a therapeutic opportunity, whereby formerly pathogenic Th17 cells could adopt an anti-inflammatory fate. Here we used two novel fate-mapping mouse models to track Th17 cells during immune responses to show that CD4+ T cells that formerly expressed IL-17A go on to acquire an anti-inflammatory phenotype. The transdifferentiation of Th17 into regulatory T cells was illustrated by a global change in their transcriptome and the acquisition of potent regulatory capacity. Comparisons of the transcriptional profiles of pre- and post-conversion Th17 cells also revealed a role for canonical TGF- β signaling and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in conversion. Thus, Th17 transdifferentiate into regulatory cells, and contribute to the resolution of inflammation. Our data suggest Th17 cell instability and plasticity is a therapeutic opportunity for inflammatory diseases. We isolated intestinal lymphocytes from two independent experiments, each using 5 mice injected with anti-CD3 mAb. Th17, exTh17, Tr1 exTh17, Tr1, Foxp3 Treg and Foxp3 IL-10+ Treg cell populations were FACS-sorted from these two independent experiments and the cells of each population were pooled before the analysis. Around 5,000 cells for each population were processed.

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The kinases MEKK2 and MEKK3 regulate Transforming Growth Factor-β-mediated helper T cell differentiation

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