This proposal is based on a recently published study showing that a minor subset of dendritic cells, the CD11c+CD103+ DC, those under the control of the Batf3 transcription factor, are absolutely required for diabetes development in NOD mice. These DCs are found both in islets and pancreatic lymph nodes and act as gate-keepers for diabetes initiation.
Our aims center on discovering the processes whereby CD103+DC localize in islets. We combine examination of chemokines, antibodies, and live imaging with new preliminary findings that point to NOR mice having a defect in islets CD103+ DC, but not in pLNs. These areas of emphasis may point to strategies that may be translated to human T1D.
Aim 1 investigates the mechanism of CD103+ DC entry into islets. The role of chemokines in CD103+ DC recruitment will be examined both in vitro and in vivo. Chemokine blockade will be tested in vivo. In vitro migration assays will define chemokines with the potential to recruit NOD-derived CD103+ DC to islets. RT- PCR will be used to determine which chemokines exist in islets of NOD mice at different times.
Aim 2 will generate and examine several reagents intended to deplete or trace CD103+ DC in the NOD mouse. We have just generated an Xcr1-/- mice using Crispr/Cas technology which should bring definitive information on the role of this chemokine receptor in the islet localization of the CD103+ DCs. We will follow the same approaches used to examine the Batf3-/- mice just published. In a second subaim, a NOD.Xcr1-mOrange reporter mouse will be generated and used to trace the movement of CD103+ DC in the pancreas using live imaging approaches. We want to examine the traffic of CD103+DC in the pancreas and determine whether it may be the cell that transmigrates to the pLN. Finally an anti-Xcl1 monoclonal antibodies will be tested for its effects on CD103+ DC migration and protection from diabetes.
Aim 3 takes advantage of our recent finding that NOR mice, which share 88% of their genome with NOD, lack the intra islet CD103+ DC but have them in LNs. By comparing the Batf3-/- mice with the NORs we expect to understand the mechanisms controlling early entrance of cells into islets. We examine this strain, and substrains containing NOR-derived alleles, to address the genetic behind the CD103+ DC entry into islets.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal consists of investigations into type 1 diabetes, mostly using the experimental model of the mouse NOD strain which spontaneously develops the disease. The project is highly relevant to our understanding of the causes behind the development of this disease and has serious clinical extrapolations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI114551-01A1
Application #
8961537
Study Section
Hypersensitivity, Autoimmune, and Immune-mediated Diseases Study Section (HAI)
Program Officer
Bourcier, Katarzyna
Project Start
2015-08-01
Project End
2020-01-31
Budget Start
2015-08-01
Budget End
2016-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Zinselmeyer, Bernd H; Vomund, Anthony N; Saunders, Brian T et al. (2018) The resident macrophages in murine pancreatic islets are constantly probing their local environment, capturing beta cell granules and blood particles. Diabetologia 61:1374-1383
Wan, Xiaoxiao; Zinselmeyer, Bernd H; Zakharov, Pavel N et al. (2018) Pancreatic islets communicate with lymphoid tissues via exocytosis of insulin peptides. Nature 560:107-111
Ferris, Stephen T; Zakharov, Pavel N; Wan, Xiaoxiao et al. (2017) The islet-resident macrophage is in an inflammatory state and senses microbial products in blood. J Exp Med 214:2369-2385
Carrero, Javier A; McCarthy, Derrick P; Ferris, Stephen T et al. (2017) Resident macrophages of pancreatic islets have a seminal role in the initiation of autoimmune diabetes of NOD mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:E10418-E10427
Ulland, Tyler K; Song, Wilbur M; Huang, Stanley Ching-Cheng et al. (2017) TREM2 Maintains Microglial Metabolic Fitness in Alzheimer's Disease. Cell 170:649-663.e13
Carrero, Javier A; Ferris, Stephen T; Unanue, Emil R (2016) Macrophages and dendritic cells in islets of Langerhans in diabetic autoimmunity: a lesson on cell interactions in a mini-organ. Curr Opin Immunol 43:54-59
Wan, Xiaoxiao; Thomas, James W; Unanue, Emil R (2016) Class-switched anti-insulin antibodies originate from unconventional antigen presentation in multiple lymphoid sites. J Exp Med 213:967-78
Unanue, Emil R; Ferris, Stephen T; Carrero, Javier A (2016) The role of islet antigen presenting cells and the presentation of insulin in the initiation of autoimmune diabetes in the NOD mouse. Immunol Rev 272:183-201
Ferris, Stephen T; Carrero, Javier A; Unanue, Emil R (2016) Antigen presentation events during the initiation of autoimmune diabetes in the NOD mouse. J Autoimmun 71:19-25