Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause, which mainly afflicts women in their childbearing years and affects multiple organs including the skin and joints with complications in vital organs such as kidneys and brain. T cell dysfunction due to altered intracellular signaling, gene expression, and function, is thought to be central in the pathogenesis of this disease. The applicant used a discovery approach and identified a protein namely serine arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) as a regulator of a critical signaling gene - CD3 zeta chain, in human T cells. Furthermore, the applicant showed that SRSF1 is a novel regulator of interleukin (IL)-2, a cytokine necessary for T cell function. Interestingly, T cells from several patients with SLE have reduced levels of SRSF1 and its overexpression improves IL-2 production. This suggests that aberrant SRSF1 expression may contribute to defective T cell function and therefore to disease pathophysiology. To advance these concepts, and to determine the role of SRSF1 in the immune system within a whole organism, the applicant has generated mice lacking the Srsf1 gene conditionally in T cells. Intriguingly, this mouse has defects in T cell phenotype and function, including reduced expression of CD3 zeta chain, reduced IL-2, and increased proinflammatory IL-17 cytokine production. The mouse develops autoantibodies and signs of kidney disease. Interestingly, estrogen downregulates SRSF1 expression levels in T cells from healthy women but not men. Based on the preliminary evidence generated in human T cells and in the T cell Srsf1-deficient mouse, the hypothesis is that SRSF1 is a critical regulator of T cell function and its deficiency promotes the expression of autoimmunity and related pathology. To test this hypothesis the applicant will - 1) Determine how SRSF1 controls T cell homeostasis and function and enables development of autoimmunity and related pathology 2) Determine how T cell-specific deletion of SRSF1 influences spontaneous and induced autoimmune disease and 3) Determine the role and regulation of SRSF1 in T cells from SLE patients and normal subjects. The applicant proposes the characterization of a novel mouse, which will help define the role of SRSF1 in T cell function and the expression of autoimmunity and related pathology using cellular and molecular immunology approaches. In parallel, studies proposed in human T cells will provide a molecular link to hormonal aspects of SLE pathogenesis. This proposal is well within the scope and goals of the applicant's currently funded NIAMS K01 award, which is to develop to an independent investigator.

Public Health Relevance

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease of the immune (body's defense) system, affecting over 1 million Americans. It afflicts mainly women in the childbearing years, and causes painful arthritis, with potentially fatal complications in the kidneys. The proposed project aims to determine how a protein named serine arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) contributes to immune function and disease expression, and therefore understand how to target it therapeutically.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR068974-02
Application #
9320987
Study Section
Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin Study Section (ACTS)
Program Officer
Mancini, Marie
Project Start
2016-09-01
Project End
2021-08-31
Budget Start
2017-09-01
Budget End
2018-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071723621
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
Suárez-Fueyo, Abel; Bradley, Sean J; Katsuyama, Takayuki et al. (2018) Downregulation of CD3? in NK Cells from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Confers a Proinflammatory Phenotype. J Immunol 200:3077-3086
Katsuyama, Takayuki; Tsokos, George C; Moulton, Vaishali R (2018) Aberrant T Cell Signaling and Subsets in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Front Immunol 9:1088
Li, Hao; Tsokos, Maria G; Bickerton, Sean et al. (2018) Precision DNA demethylation ameliorates disease in lupus-prone mice. JCI Insight 3:
Moulton, Vaishali R; Suarez-Fueyo, Abel; Meidan, Esra et al. (2017) Pathogenesis of Human Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cellular Perspective. Trends Mol Med 23:615-635
Katsuyama, Eri; Yan, Minglu; Watanabe, Katsue Sunahori et al. (2017) Downregulation of miR-200a-3p, Targeting CtBP2 Complex, Is Involved in the Hypoproduction of IL-2 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Derived T Cells. J Immunol 198:4268-4276