Regulated apoptosis is critical to T cell development in the thymus and controls T cell- dependent adaptive immunity in periphery. 2-catenin, a coactivator of T cell factor 1 (TCF-1), and retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t (ROR3t) both regulate thymocyte survival via the up-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL. In the process of studying ROR3t, we have identified 2- catenin/TCF-1 as a potential upstream pathway that controls ROR3t-mediated thymocyte survival. Deletion of TCF-1 resulted in thymocyte apoptosis and down-regulated ROR3t, whereas transgenic expression of a stabilized 2-catenin (2-catTg), which activated TCF-1 constitutively, led to enhanced thymocyte survival and up-regulated ROR3t. In contrast to its survival role in thymocytes, 2-catTg up-regulated pro-apoptotic Bid and surface Fas, and enhanced super-antigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)-induced deletion of peripheral T cells by promoting activation-induced cell death (AICD). We thus hypothesize that the 2- catenin/TCF pathway utilizes distinct mechanisms in the regulation of apoptosis in developing T cells and peripheral mature T cells. In the first two aims of this study, we propose to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for 2-catenin/TCF-1-regulated apoptosis in thymocytes and peripheral T cells. In the last aim, we will determine whether we can control T cell-dependent allograft rejection by manipulating 2-catenin-regulated T cell survival. Public Health Relevance: This proposal is to study the mechanisms responsible for 2-catenin and ROR3t-regulated T cell apoptosis.

Public Health Relevance

The use of gene therapy to enhance the expression of therapeutic genes shows great promise for future therapy in the heart, however, several hurdles remain. In this application, we will examine the newest generation of viral delivery vectors to enhance the delivery of these therapeutic proteins and to examine the mechanisms responsible for the cardioprotective effects. Moreover, we will take a major step towards translation of these findings into the clinical setting by examining their application in a porcine model.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01HL072010-06A2
Application #
7655795
Study Section
Cardiac Contractility, Hypertrophy, and Failure Study Section (CCHF)
Program Officer
Adhikari, Bishow B
Project Start
2003-05-02
Project End
2014-03-31
Budget Start
2009-04-01
Budget End
2010-03-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$521,290
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
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Dal-Pra, Sophie; Hodgkinson, Conrad P; Mirotsou, Maria et al. (2017) Demethylation of H3K27 Is Essential for the Induction of Direct Cardiac Reprogramming by miR Combo. Circ Res 120:1403-1413
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Li, Yanzhen; Dal-Pra, Sophie; Mirotsou, Maria et al. (2016) Tissue-engineered 3-dimensional (3D) microenvironment enhances the direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes by microRNAs. Sci Rep 6:38815
Matsushita, Kenichi; Morello, Fulvio; Zhang, Zhiping et al. (2016) Nuclear hormone receptor LXR? inhibits adipocyte differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells with Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Lab Invest 96:230-8
Hodgkinson, Conrad P; Bareja, Akshay; Gomez, José A et al. (2016) Emerging Concepts in Paracrine Mechanisms in Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine and Biology. Circ Res 118:95-107
Yuan, Hsiangkuo; Gomez, Jose A; Chien, Jennifer S et al. (2016) Tracking mesenchymal stromal cells using an ultra-bright TAT-functionalized plasmonic-active nanoplatform. J Biophotonics 9:406-13
Yang, Yanqiang; Gomez, Jose A; Herrera, Marcela et al. (2015) Salt restriction leads to activation of adult renal mesenchymal stromal cell-like cells via prostaglandin E2 and E-prostanoid receptor 4. Hypertension 65:1047-54
Jayawardena, Tilanthi M; Finch, Elizabeth A; Zhang, Lunan et al. (2015) MicroRNA induced cardiac reprogramming in vivo: evidence for mature cardiac myocytes and improved cardiac function. Circ Res 116:418-24
Hodgkinson, Conrad P; Kang, Martin H; Dal-Pra, Sophie et al. (2015) MicroRNAs and Cardiac Regeneration. Circ Res 116:1700-11

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