The major goal of the effective vaccine development is to maximize the generation of protective antibody responses and to develop long-lasting humoral immunity. Germinal center (GC) reaction is the hallmark of humoral immunity involving tight interaction between B and T cells. Specifically, a specialized T cell subset, follicular helpr T (Tfh) cells, was shown to play pivotal roles in providing crucial help to GC B cells, thereby enabling them to differentiate into high affinity antibody-producing plasma cells and memory B cells. To date, GC B cells and Tfh cells were found to express many similar molecular features including cell surface molecules, transcription factors and microRNAs (miRNAs). Like transcription factors, recent studies investigating the role of miRNAs, a subset of small regulatory RNA species, have demonstrated that they can act as important molecular regulators in the immune system. Our preliminary studies have shown that mice devoid of miR-146a, a miRNA highly expressed in both GC B cells and Tfh cells, exhibited increased GC responses, suggesting a negative regulatory role of miR-146a in controlling GC reactions. Here, we propose a multifaceted study employing genetic, biochemical, immunological approaches and whole animal experimentation to comprehensively examine the role for miR-146a in T cell-dependent B cell-mediated humoral immunity. At the cellular level, by generating new mouse models with miR-146a ablation in different immune subsets, we will study the role of miR-146a in controlling GC responses in defined immune cell populations. At the molecular level, we will examine known miR-146a targets as well as identify new key molecules that contribute to miR-146a-regulated GC responses. Collectively, the proposed study will greatly improve our understanding of miRNA-mediated immune regulation during crucial phases of T cell-dependent humoral immunity. Ultimately, the long-term goal of our research is to develop successful strategies aimed at targeting miRNA-mediated gene regulatory machineries in the immune system to generate robust and long-lasting immune responses against a wide array of invading microorganisms.

Public Health Relevance

A subset of small regulatory RNA species, microRNAs (miRNAs) can act as important molecular regulators in the immune system. The proposed studies aim to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which such regulatory RNA species control our immune responses with the goal of developing new therapeutic means for treating human immunological diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AI123782-02
Application #
9223672
Study Section
Cellular and Molecular Immunology - B Study Section (CMIB)
Program Officer
Ferguson, Stacy E
Project Start
2016-02-12
Project End
2018-01-31
Budget Start
2017-02-01
Budget End
2018-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$229,330
Indirect Cost
$79,330
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
804355790
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
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Cruz, Leilani O; Hashemifar, Somaye Sadat; Wu, Cheng-Jang et al. (2017) Excessive expression of miR-27 impairs Treg-mediated immunological tolerance. J Clin Invest 127:530-542