IL-10 producing regulatory type 1 (Tr1) T cells are instrumental in the regulation of autoimmunity and graft versus host disease. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling their differentiation are largely unknown. During the course of our studies to investigate the signaling pathways involved in the differentiation of Tr1 cells we obtained preliminary data which demonstrate that the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) plays an important role during the differentiation of Tr1 cells. We found that AHR expression is induced in T cells by Tr1- promoting conditions, and controls the synthesis of IL-10 and the autocrine Tr1 growth factor IL-21. Moreover, we found that in Tr1 cells, AHR interacts with c-Maf, a transcription factor known to control il10 expression in T cells. In vivo, mice carrying a mutant AHR receptor show and impaired generation of Tr1 cells. We also found that AHR activation in dendritic cells (DC) triggers the differentiation of tolerogenic DC that produce IL-10, IL- 27 and TGF21, support Tr1 differentiation and suppress the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomylelitis (EAE). All in all, these data suggest that AHR signaling on T cells and DC plays an important role during the differentiation of Tr1 cells. We hypothesize that AHR controls the differentiation of Tr1 cells which play a crucial role in the control of inflammation. To address our hypothesis we will investigate the following Specific Aims:
SPECIFIC AIM 1. How does AHR signaling in T cells promote the differentiation of Tr1 cells? We will study the interaction of AHR with STAT proteins and the cooperation of c-Maf and AHR during the control of the expression of il10 and the autocrine growth factor il21.
SPECIFIC AIM 2. How does AHR signaling in DC promote the differentiation of Tr1 cells? In this aim we will study the induction of tolerogenic DC by AHR activation, DC that promote the differentiation of Tr1 cells at the expense of a decreased ability to polarize Th1 and Th17 cells.
SPECIFIC AIM 3. Does AHR signaling control the induction of functional Tr1 cells in vivo? In this Aim, we will study how effector and regulatory T cells and DC interact in vivo to control experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Relevance to public health: Therapies aimed at the induction and expansion of Tr1 cells are likely to be beneficial for the treatment of human autoimmune disorders, but the signaling pathways that control the differentiation of Tr1 cells are still largely unknown. Based on our findings on AHR signaling in the control of Tr1 cell differentiation, targeting of AHR provides a new avenue to manipulate the immune response in autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are caused by the uncontrolled activity of the immune system. We will investigate how a protein called Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor controls the immune system and how affecting it ameliorates an animal model of multiple sclerosis.
| Gutiérrez-Vázquez, Cristina; Quintana, Francisco J (2018) Regulation of the Immune Response by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor. Immunity 48:19-33 |
| Quintana, Francisco J (2018) Astrocytes play a crucial role in the formation and evolution of MS lesions-Commentary. Mult Scler :1352458518796693 |
| Xie, Anyan; Robles, René J; Mukherjee, Samiran et al. (2018) HIF-1?-induced xenobiotic transporters promote Th17 responses in Crohn's disease. J Autoimmun 94:122-133 |
| Rothhammer, Veit; Borucki, Davis M; Kenison, Jessica E et al. (2018) Detection of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists in human samples. Sci Rep 8:4970 |
| Rothhammer, Veit; Kenison, Jessica E; Tjon, Emily et al. (2017) Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulation suppresses pathogenic astrocyte activation and chronic progressive CNS inflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:2012-2017 |
| Quintana, Francisco J; Prinz, Marco (2017) A gut feeling about multiple sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:10528-10529 |
| Longhi, Maria Serena; Vuerich, Marta; Kalbasi, Alireza et al. (2017) Bilirubin suppresses Th17 immunity in colitis by upregulating CD39. JCI Insight 2: |
| Quintana, Francisco J (2017) Dendritic cells in autoimmunity, infections, and cancer. Semin Immunopathol 39:97-98 |
| Takenaka, Maisa C; Quintana, Francisco J (2017) Tolerogenic dendritic cells. Semin Immunopathol 39:113-120 |
| Wheeler, Michael A; Rothhammer, Veit; Quintana, Francisco J (2017) Control of immune-mediated pathology via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. J Biol Chem 292:12383-12389 |
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