Langerhans cells (LCs), the skin residing dendritic cells (DCs), form a contiguous immune network in skin and are involved in allergy, infection, cancer, and autoimmune disease development. However, the regulatory mechanisms involved in the development and functions of LCs have not been completely elucidated. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that regulate gene expression by modifying chromatin structure through removal of acetyl groups from target histones or directly deacetylating non- histone proteins, and represent a key epigenetic regulatory mechanism. HDAC inhibitors (HDI) are shown to have anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of diseases, in which LCs play an important role. However, the mechanisms underlying the clinical effectiveness of HDI remain largely unknown. We recently reported that the inhibition of Class I/II HDACs by Trichostatin A (TSA) regulates the homeostasis and function of LCs in vitro and in vivo and modulates the non-coding miRNA expressions in LCs, while miRNAs also control LC development and function. Our preliminary data indicate that LCs express all Class I/II HDACs. To evaluate the role of individual HDACs in LC development and function, we generated knockout (KO) mice with selective deletion of HDAC3 (Class I) or HDAC4 (Class II) in epidermal LCs. Interestingly, LC number was significantly reduced in LC-HDAC3KO mice, but unaffected in LC-HDAC4KO mice. Furthermore, LC maturation and function were altered in LC-HDAC3KO mice. Thus, we hypothesize that HDAC3 is a key epigenetic component that controls LC development and function.
In Aim 1, we will investigate the roles of HDAC3 in LC development and homeostasis, using LC-HDAC3KO mice for homeostasis after birth and using constitutive Csf1r-specific HDAC3-deletion mice (Csf1r-HDAC3) and inducible Csf1r- specific HDAC3-deletion (Csfr1.Mer-HDAC3) mice for early embryonic LC development;
Aim 2, we will investigate the roles of HDAC3 in LC function, using inducible LC- ER.HDAC3KO mice.
In Aim 3, we will elucidate the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways by which HDAC3 regulates LC development and function, by combining cDNA array, miRNA array and ChiP-Seq techniques. The proposed studies will uncover the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of HDAC3 in LC development and function, and may also elucidate new mechanisms for HDI therapy.
Langerhans cells (LCs), the skin residing dendritic cells that form a contiguous immune network in skin, are involved in a variety of skin disease development, but the detailed molecular pathways regulating LC development and function remain largely unknown. Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are enzymes that regulate gene expression by modifying chromatin structure or directly deacetylating non-histone proteins. HDAC inhibitors (HDI) are shown to have anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of diseases, including atopic dramatis, in which LCs play an important role. The overall goal of this proposal is to investigate the role of HDAC3 in skin LC development and function, identify HDAC3 direct gargets in LCs. The proposed studies will uncover the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of HDAC3 in LC development and function, and may also elucidate new mechanisms for HDI therapy.
