The mounting of an antibody response depends on cells positioning within lymphoid organs at sites where they can encounter antigen and then relocalize to achieve specific cell-cell interactions and exchange signals necessary for lymphocyte differentiation. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a specialized T cell type that is critical for mounting most antibody responses yet the cues instructing development of these cells have not been fully elucidated. Very recently we have found that Epstein Barr Virus-Induced gene-2 (EBI2 or GPR183) guides activated helper T cells to the outer T zone where they interact with activated DCIR2-expressing dendritic cells (DCs). These interactions promote Tfh cell differentiation and this involves a novel mechanism where CD25 (IL2R?) produced by the DCs quenches T cell-derived IL2.
The first Aim of this proposal will investigate how DC-T cell interactions in the outer T zone favor Tfh cell differentiation. This will include a detailed exploration of the conditions promoting CD25 expression and shedding by DCs and an assessment of how this soluble receptor controls IL2 availability. Two-photon microscopy will be used to visualize the impact of EBI2-deficiency on helper T cell ? DC interactions. The role of DC-derived CD25 in controlling additional T cell differentiation events, including Th17 cell induction, will be examined. As well as its role in B cells and helper T cells, EBI2 functions to promote the positioning and homeostasis of CD4+ DCIR2+ DCs. Until now, all EBI2 functions have been thought to be directed by the ligand 7?,25- dihydroxycholesterol (7?,25-HC).
The second aim will follow-up on new evidence that CD4+ DCIR2+ DC positioning and homeostasis requires the enzyme Cyp27a1, likely acting to generate a second EBI2 ligand, 7?,27-HC.
The Aim will measure 7?,27-HC levels, determine Cyp27a1 enzyme distribution and mechanism of action, and test the role of this pathway in humoral immunity. The mechanisms responsible for positioning of activated DCs in the outer T zone will also be explored. Mounting appropriately regulated immune responses is essential for human health. This work will define new cellular and molecular requirements for the earliest steps necessary for promoting appropriately tuned antibody responses to vaccine antigens and infectious agents. The research will also provide insight relevant to understanding factors that influence the therapeutic actions of IL2 and how CD25 expression by DCs influences tumor immune responses.

Public Health Relevance

Mounting appropriately regulated immune responses is essential for human health. This work will define how oxysterols guide the movement and function of multiple immune cell types by acting on a specialized receptor, to promote the development of helper T cell and antibody responses. The research will also provide insight into a novel mechansim controlling availability of the cytokine IL2, findings that have clinicial implications for both the autoimmune and therapeutic actions of this cytokine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI040098-24
Application #
9895613
Study Section
Cellular and Molecular Immunology - B Study Section (CMIB)
Program Officer
Ferguson, Stacy E
Project Start
1997-04-01
Project End
2022-03-31
Budget Start
2020-04-01
Budget End
2021-03-31
Support Year
24
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94118
Dang, Eric V; Cyster, Jason G (2018) Loss of sterol metabolic homeostasis triggers inflammasomes?-?how and why. Curr Opin Immunol 56:1-9
Wu, Jiaxi; Wu, Huaizhu; An, Jinping et al. (2018) Critical role of integrin CD11c in splenic dendritic cell capture of missing-self CD47 cells to induce adaptive immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:6786-6791
Rodda, Lauren B; Lu, Erick; Bennett, Mariko L et al. (2018) Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Lymph Node Stromal Cells Reveals Niche-Associated Heterogeneity. Immunity 48:1014-1028.e6
Sumida, Hayakazu; Lu, Erick; Chen, Hsin et al. (2017) GPR55 regulates intraepithelial lymphocyte migration dynamics and susceptibility to intestinal damage. Sci Immunol 2:
Dang, Eric V; McDonald, Jeffrey G; Russell, David W et al. (2017) Oxysterol Restraint of Cholesterol Synthesis Prevents AIM2 Inflammasome Activation. Cell 171:1057-1071.e11
Laidlaw, Brian J; Schmidt, Timothy H; Green, Jesse A et al. (2017) The Eph-related tyrosine kinase ligand Ephrin-B1 marks germinal center and memory precursor B cells. J Exp Med 214:639-649
Lu, Erick; Dang, Eric V; McDonald, Jeffrey G et al. (2017) Distinct oxysterol requirements for positioning naïve and activated dendritic cells in the spleen. Sci Immunol 2:
Li, Jianhua; Lu, Erick; Yi, Tangsheng et al. (2016) EBI2 augments Tfh cell fate by promoting interaction with IL-2-quenching dendritic cells. Nature 533:110-4
Yi, Tangsheng; Li, Jianhua; Chen, Hsin et al. (2015) Splenic Dendritic Cells Survey Red Blood Cells for Missing Self-CD47 to Trigger Adaptive Immune Responses. Immunity 43:764-75
Wang, Xiaoming; Sumida, Hayakazu; Cyster, Jason G (2014) GPR18 is required for a normal CD8?? intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte compartment. J Exp Med 211:2351-9

Showing the most recent 10 out of 43 publications