Activation of T lymphocytes during an immune response requires physical contact between T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that results in activation of the antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR). This cell-cell contact is mediated by the LFA-1 integrin. TCR signaling rapidly increases the functional activity of the LFA-1 integrin, thus enhancing T-APC contacts required for the transmission of the full array of signals required for optimal T cell proliferation and differentiation. Integrin activation is one of the earliest functional responses of a naove T cell to TCR stimulation, and impaired T-APC contact results in inefficient immunity. The adapter protein ADAP is a critical mediator of TCR signaling to integrins. ADAP-/- T cells exhibit impaired conjugate formation with antigen-laden APCs, and also exhibit defective proliferation and cell cycle entry following TCR stimulation. TCR signaling to integrins requires the constitutive association of ADAP with the adapter SKAP55. Regulation of integrin function has been proposed to be the basis for the impaired proliferative response of ADAP-/- T cells. However, we recently identified a novel function for ADAP in regulating NF-kB and JNK activation via TCR-inducible interactions of ADAP with the CARMA1 adapter and the TAK1 kinase that does not involve SKAP55 or the regulation of integrin function. Discrete binding sites on ADAP for SKAP55, CARMA1 and TAK1 have been identified, providing an opportunity to define the contribution of these distinct ADAP-dependent signaling responses to T cell activation and differentiation. In this competing renewal application, we propose to test the hypothesis that ADAP segregates into functionally and biochemically distinct signaling complexes that independently control TCR sensitivity via regulation of integrin-dependent between T cells and APCs, and regulate the activation of CARMA1-dependent signaling pathways.
In Aim 1, we will define the unique contribution of ADAP-dependent regulation of integrins and ADAP-dependent regulation of CARMA1-dependent signaling to T cell activation and proliferation.
In Aim 2, we will test the function of ADAP in regulating the interaction of T cells with APCs during the initiation of an immune response in vivo, and define the structural elements within ADAP that regulate T cell interaction dynamics, proliferation and differentiation in vivo. To complete these aims, we will utilize ADAP-deficient mice, adenoviral approaches for reconstituting ADAP expression in naive ADAP-/- T cells, adoptive transfer methodologies for visualizing T cell immune responses in vivo, and two-photon microscopy to image T-APC interactions in vivo in real time. This proposal will provide novel insights into the signaling events critical for T cell function, and provide the foundation for enhancing therapeutic modalities targeted at modulating the immune response.

Public Health Relevance

The generation of an immune response to fight infection requires physical contact between T lymphocytes and other cells in the immune system, which then initiates a complex array of biochemical signals that result in the expansion and differentiation of the activated T cells. Integrins are a family of proteins that promote this cell- cell contact. The objective of this proposal is to identify the mechanisms by which T cells regulate the function of integrins and specific biochemical pathways that promote cell growth and proliferation, and determine how these mechanisms help the immune system function properly. This information is critical to our understanding of how the body fights infections, and provides knowledge critical to the development of therapeutic strategies where integrins are targeted to intentionally modulate the immune response in clinical settings.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01AI038474-16A2
Application #
8004895
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-CB-J (03))
Program Officer
Lapham, Cheryl K
Project Start
1994-12-01
Project End
2015-01-31
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2011-01-31
Support Year
16
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$283,125
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Fiege, Jessica K; Beura, Lalit K; Burbach, Brandon J et al. (2016) Adhesion- and Degranulation-Promoting Adapter Protein Promotes CD8 T Cell Differentiation and Resident Memory Formation and Function during an Acute Infection. J Immunol 197:2079-89
Fiege, Jessica K; Burbach, Brandon J; Shimizu, Yoji (2015) Negative Regulation of Memory Phenotype CD8 T Cell Conversion by Adhesion and Degranulation-Promoting Adapter Protein. J Immunol 195:3119-28
Mitchell, Jason S; Burbach, Brandon J; Srivastava, Rupa et al. (2013) Multistage T cell-dendritic cell interactions control optimal CD4 T cell activation through the ADAP-SKAP55-signaling module. J Immunol 191:2372-83
Zumwalde, Nicholas A; Domae, Eisuke; Mescher, Matthew F et al. (2013) ICAM-1-dependent homotypic aggregates regulate CD8 T cell effector function and differentiation during T cell activation. J Immunol 191:3681-93
Srivastava, Rupa; Burbach, Brandon J; Mitchell, Jason S et al. (2012) ADAP regulates cell cycle progression of T cells via control of cyclin E and Cdk2 expression through two distinct CARMA1-dependent signaling pathways. Mol Cell Biol 32:1908-17
Burbach, Brandon J; Srivastava, Rupa; Ingram, Melissa A et al. (2011) The pleckstrin homology domain in the SKAP55 adapter protein defines the ability of the adapter protein ADAP to regulate integrin function and NF-kappaB activation. J Immunol 186:6227-37
Bunnell, Tina M; Burbach, Brandon J; Shimizu, Yoji et al. (2011) ?-Actin specifically controls cell growth, migration, and the G-actin pool. Mol Biol Cell 22:4047-58
Srivastava, Rupa; Burbach, Brandon J; Shimizu, Yoji (2010) NF-kappaB activation in T cells requires discrete control of IkappaB kinase alpha/beta (IKKalpha/beta) phosphorylation and IKKgamma ubiquitination by the ADAP adapter protein. J Biol Chem 285:11100-5
Denucci, Christopher C; Mitchell, Jason S; Shimizu, Yoji (2009) Integrin function in T-cell homing to lymphoid and nonlymphoid sites: getting there and staying there. Crit Rev Immunol 29:87-109
Burbach, Brandon J; Srivastava, Rupa; Medeiros, Ricardo B et al. (2008) Distinct regulation of integrin-dependent T cell conjugate formation and NF-kappa B activation by the adapter protein ADAP. J Immunol 181:4840-51

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