Hot off the presses! Apr 22 Immunity

The Apr 22 issue of the Immunity is now up on Pubget (About Immunity): if you're at a subscribing institution, just click the link in the latest link at the home page. (Note you'll only be able to get all the PDFs in the issue if your institution subscribes to Pubget.)

Latest Articles Include:

• Jürg Tschopp (1951–2011)
  - Immunity 34(4):451-452 (2011)
  
• Special Delivery: Granulin Brings CpG DNA to Toll-like Receptor 9
  - Immunity 34(4):453-455 (2011)
  Foreign DNA activates the innate immune response through Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). In this issue of Immunity, Park et al. (2011) present evidence that granulin is a cofactor for TLR9 activation, delivering CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides to TLR9 in endolysosomes.
• Getting Closer to the Dirty Little Secret
  - Immunity 34(4):455-458 (2011)
  The molecular mechanism behind alum adjuvanticity is probably the oldest secret of immunology. In this issue of Immunity, Kuroda et al. (2011) and Kool et al. (2011) identify NLRP3 inflammasome-independent signaling to be crucial for the Th2 cell response induced by aluminum salts.
• Resistance to Mousepox Virus: CD94 on a Special Mission
  - Immunity 34(4):458-460 (2011)
  NK cells play a key role in the control of ectromelia virus. In this issue of Immunity, Fang et al. (2011) demonstrate that the deletion of CD94 abolishes resistance to mousepox infection.
• At 17, In-10's Passion Need Not Inflame
  - Immunity 34(4):460-462 (2011)
  In this issue of Immunity, Chaudhry et al. (2011) and Huber et al. (2011) report that control of Th17 cell responses during colonic inflammation requires direct signaling by IL-10 in regulatory T cells and Th17 cells.
• Emergency Evacuation! Hematopoietic Niches Induce Cell Exit in Infection
  - Immunity 34(4):463-465 (2011)
  The roles of hematopoietic stem and/or progenitor cell niches during infection remain unclear. In this issue of Immunity, Shi et al. (2011) reveal that these niches upregulate MCP1 chemokine expression, inducing emigration of bone marrow monocytes into the circulation via the endothelium.
• Cell Surface Signaling Molecules in the Control of Immune Responses: A Tide Model
  - Immunity 34(4):466-478 (2011)
  A large numbers of cell surface signaling molecules (CSSMs) have been molecularly identified and functionally characterized in recent years and, via these studies, our knowledge in the control of immune response has increased exponentially. Two major lines of evidence emerge. First, the majority of immune cells rely on one or few CSSMs to deliver a primary triggering signal to sense their environment, leading to initiation of an immune response. Second, both costimulatory CSSMs that promote the response, and coinhibitory CSSMs that inhibit the response, are required to control direction and magnitude of a given immune response. With such tight feedback, immune responses are tuned and returned to baseline. These findings extend well beyond our previous observation in the requirement for lymphocyte activation and argue a revisit of the traditional "two-signal model" for activation and tolerance of lymphocytes. Here we propose a "tide" model to accommodate and int! erpret current experimental findings.
• Structure of a Domain-Swapped FOXP3 Dimer on DNA and Its Function in Regulatory T Cells
  - Immunity 34(4):479-491 (2011)
  The transcription factor FOXP3 is essential for the suppressive function of regulatory T cells that are required for maintaining self-tolerance. We have solved the crystal structure of the FOXP3 forkhead domain as a ternary complex with the DNA-binding domain of the transcription factor NFAT1 and a DNA oligonucleotide from the interleukin-2 promoter. A striking feature of this structure is that FOXP3 forms a domain-swapped dimer that bridges two molecules of DNA. Structure-guided or autoimmune disease (IPEX)-associated mutations in the domain-swap interface diminished dimer formation by the FOXP3 forkhead domain without compromising FOXP3 DNA binding. These mutations also eliminated T cell-suppressive activity conferred by FOXP3, both in vitro and in a murine model of autoimmune diabetes in vivo. We conclude that FOXP3-mediated suppressor function requires dimerization through the forkhead domain and that mutations in the dimer interface can lead to the systemic autoim! munity observed in IPEX patients.
• Asymmetric Proteasome Segregation as a Mechanism for Unequal Partitioning of the Transcription Factor T-bet during T Lymphocyte Division
  - Immunity 34(4):492-504 (2011)
  Polarized segregation of proteins in T cells is thought to play a role in diverse cellular functions including signal transduction, migration, and directed secretion of cytokines. Persistence of this polarization can result in asymmetric segregation of fate-determining proteins during cell division, which may enable a T cell to generate diverse progeny. Here, we provide evidence that a lineage-determining transcription factor, T-bet, underwent asymmetric organization in activated T cells preparing to divide and that it was unequally partitioned into the two daughter cells. This unequal acquisition of T-bet appeared to result from its asymmetric destruction during mitosis by virtue of concomitant asymmetric segregation of the proteasome. These results suggest a mechanism by which a cell may unequally localize cellular activities during division, thereby imparting disparity in the abundance of cell fate regulators in the daughter cells.
• Granulin Is a Soluble Cofactor for Toll-like Receptor 9 Signaling
  - Immunity 34(4):505-513 (2011)
  Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling plays a critical role in innate and adaptive immune responses and must be tightly controlled. TLR4 uses LPS binding protein, MD-2, and CD14 as accessories to respond to LPS. We therefore investigated the presence of an analagous soluble cofactor that might assist in the recruitment of CpG oligonucleotides (CpG-ODNs) to TLR9. We report the identification of granulin as an essential secreted cofactor that potentiates TLR9-driven responses to CpG-ODNs. Granulin, an unusual cysteine-rich protein, bound to CpG-ODNs and interacted with TLR9. Macrophages from granulin-deficient mice showed not only impaired delivery of CpG-ODNs to endolysosomal compartments, but also decreased interaction of TLR9 with CpG-ODNs. As a consequence, granulin-deficient macrophages showed reduced responses to stimulation with CpG-ODNs, a trait corrected by provision of exogenous granulin. Thus, we propose that granulin contributes to innate immunity as a critical ! soluble cofactor for TLR9 signaling.
• Silica Crystals and Aluminum Salts Regulate the Production of Prostaglandin in Macrophages via NALP3 Inflammasome-Independent Mechanisms
  - Immunity 34(4):514-526 (2011)
  Particulates such as silica crystal (silica) and aluminum salts (alum) activate the inflammasome and induce the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages. These particulates also induce the production of immunoglobulin E via a T helper 2 (Th2) cell-associated mechanism. However, the mechanism involved in the induction of type 2 immunity has not been elucidated. Here, we showed that silica and alum induced lipopolysaccharide-primed macrophages to produce the lipid mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Macrophages deficient in the inflammasome components caspase 1, NALP3, and ASC revealed that PGE2 production was independent of the NALP3 inflammasome. PGE2 expression was markedly reduced in PGE synthase-deficient (Ptges−/−) macrophages, and Ptges−/−mice displayed reduced antigen-specific serum IgE concentrations after immunization with alum or silica. Our results indicate that silica and alum regulate the production of PGE2 an! d that the induction of PGE2 by particulates controls the immune response in vivo.
• An Unexpected Role for Uric Acid as an Inducer of T Helper 2 Cell Immunity to Inhaled Antigens and Inflammatory Mediator of Allergic Asthma
  - Immunity 34(4):527-540 (2011)
  Although deposition of uric acid (UA) crystals is known as the cause of gout, it is unclear whether UA plays a role in other inflammatory diseases. We here have shown that UA is released in the airways of allergen-challenged asthmatic patients and mice, where it was necessary for mounting T helper 2 (Th2) cell immunity, airway eosinophilia, and bronchial hyperreactivity to inhaled harmless proteins and clinically relevant house dust mite allergen. Conversely, administration of UA crystals together with protein antigen was sufficient to promote Th2 cell immunity and features of asthma. The adjuvant effects of UA did not require the inflammasome (Nlrp3, Pycard) or the interleukin-1 (Myd88, IL-1r) axis. UA crystals promoted Th2 cell immunity by activating dendritic cells through spleen tyrosine kinase and PI3-kinase δ signaling. These findings provide further molecular insight into Th2 cell development and identify UA as an essential initiator and amplifier of allergic i! nflammation.
• A Central Role for mTOR Kinase in Homeostatic Proliferation Induced CD8+ T Cell Memory and Tumor Immunity
  - Immunity 34(4):541-553 (2011)
  The cell-intrinsic mechanisms guiding naive CD8+ T cells for clonal expansion and memory generation via homeostatic proliferation (HP) are unclear. Here, we have shown that HP of naive CD8+ T cells requires IL-7-, but not IL-15-induced mTOR kinase activation. HP-induced mTOR enhances transcription factor T-bet for functional maturation and CD122 expression, which sensitizes for an IL-15-dependent memory transition by favoring transcription factor Eomesodermin over T-bet. Inhibition of mTOR blocks T-bet and CD122 expression but preserves memory in an IL-15-independent manner by promoting Eomesodermin expression. The ability of rapamycin to augment HP-induced memory was cell-intrinsic given that silencing mTOR in CD8+ T cells generated identical outcomes. Strikingly, HP-induced CD8+ T cell memory generated by IL-15-dependent or -independent mechanisms demonstrated identical tumor efficacy. These results indicate a central role for mTOR in HP-induced CD8+ T cell responses! and demonstrate the importance for CD8+ memory in HP-induced tumor efficacy.
• Th17 Cells Express Interleukin-10 Receptor and Are Controlled by Foxp3− and Foxp3+ Regulatory CD4+ T Cells in an Interleukin-10-Dependent Manner
  - Immunity 34(4):554-565 (2011)
  T helper 17 (Th17) cells are important for host defense against extracellular microorganisms. However, they are also implicated in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases, and as such need to be tightly regulated. The mechanisms that directly control committed pathogenic Th17 cells in vivo remain unclear. We showed here that IL-17A-producing CD4+ T cells expressed interleukin-10 receptor α (IL-10Rα) in vivo. Importantly, T cell-specific blockade of IL-10 signaling led to a selective increase of IL-17A+IFN-γ− (Th17) and IL-17A+IFN-γ+ (Th17+Th1) CD4+ T cells during intestinal inflammation in the small intestine. CD4+Foxp3− IL-10-producing (Tr1) cells and CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory (Treg) cells were able to control Th17 and Th17+Th1 cells in an IL-10-dependent manner in vivo. Lastly, IL-10 treatment of mice with established colitis decreased Th17 and Th17+Th1 cell frequencies via direct signaling in T cells. Thus, IL-10 signaling directly suppresses Th17 and Th17+! Th1 cells.
• Interleukin-10 Signaling in Regulatory T Cells Is Required for Suppression of Th17 Cell-Mediated Inflammation
  - Immunity 34(4):566-578 (2011)
  Effector CD4+ T cell subsets, whose differentiation is facilitated by distinct cytokine cues, amplify the corresponding type of inflammatory response. Regulatory T (Treg) cells integrate environmental cues to suppress particular types of inflammation. In this regard, STAT3, a transcription factor essential for T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation, is necessary for Treg cell-mediated control of Th17 cell responses. Here, we showed that anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10), and not proinflammatory IL-6 and IL-23 cytokine signaling, endowed Treg cells with the ability to suppress pathogenic Th17 cell responses. Ablation of the IL-10 receptor in Treg cells resulted in selective dysregulation of Th17 cell responses and colitis similar to that observed in mice harboring STAT3-deficient Treg cells. Thus, Treg cells limit Th17 cell inflammation by serving as principal amplifiers of negative regulatory circuits operating in immune effector cells.
• CD94 Is Essential for NK Cell-Mediated Resistance to a Lethal Viral Disease
  - Immunity 34(4):579-589 (2011)
  It is well established that natural killer (NK) cells confer resistance to many viral diseases, but in only a few instances the molecular mechanisms whereby NK cells recognize virus-infected cells are known. Here we show that CD94, a molecule preferentially expressed by NK cells, is essential for the resistance of C57BL/6 mice to mousepox, a disease caused by the Orthopoxvirus ectromelia virus. Ectromelia virus-infected cells expressing the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ib molecule Qa-1b are specifically recognized by the activating receptor formed by CD94 and NKG2E. Because CD94-NKG2 receptors and their ligands are highly conserved in rodents and humans, a similar mechanism may exist during human infections with the smallpox and monkeypox viruses, which are highly homologous to ectromelia virus.
• Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem and Progenitor Cells Induce Monocyte Emigration in Response to Circulating Toll-like Receptor Ligands
  - Immunity 34(4):590-601 (2011)
  Inflammatory (Ly6Chi CCR2+) monocytes provide defense against infections but also contribute to autoimmune diseases and atherosclerosis. Monocytes originate from bone marrow and their entry into the bloodstream requires stimulation of CCR2 chemokine receptor by monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP1). How monocyte emigration from bone marrow is triggered by remote infections remains unclear. We demonstrated that low concentrations of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands in the bloodstream drive CCR2-dependent emigration of monocytes from bone marrow. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their progeny, including CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells, rapidly expressed MCP1 in response to circulating TLR ligands or bacterial infection and induced monocyte trafficking into the bloodstream. Targeted deletion of MCP1 from MSCs impaired monocyte emigration from bone marrow. Our findings suggest that bone marrow MSCs and CAR cells respond to circulat! ing microbial molecules and regulate bloodstream monocyte frequencies by secreting MCP1 in proximity to bone marrow vascular sinuses.
• A Subset of Interleukin-21+ Chemokine Receptor CCR9+ T Helper Cells Target Accessory Organs of the Digestive System in Autoimmunity
  - Immunity 34(4):602-615 (2011)
  This study describes a CD4+ T helper (Th) cell subset marked by coexpression of the cytokine interleukin 21 (IL-21) and the gut-homing chemokine receptor CCR9. Although CCR9+ Th cells were observed in healthy mice and humans, they were enriched in the inflamed pancreas and salivary glands of NOD mice and in the circulation of Sjögren's syndrome patients. CCR9+ Th cells expressed large amounts of IL-21, inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS), and the transcription factors Bcl6 and Maf, and also supported antibody production from B cells, thereby resembling T follicular B helper (Tfh) cells. However, in contrast to Tfh cells, CCR9+ Th cells displayed limited expression of CXCR5 and the targets of CCR9+ Th cells were CD8+ T cells whose responsiveness to IL-21 was necessary for the development of diabetes. Thus, CCR9+ Th cells are a subset of IL-21-producing T helper cells that influence regional specification of autoimmune diseases that affect accessory organs of the diges! tive system.
• Allorecognition in a Basal Chordate Consists of Independent Activating and Inhibitory Pathways
  - Immunity 34(4):616-626 (2011)
  Histocompatibility in the basal chordate Botryllus schlosseri is controlled by the polymorphisms of a single gene: the fuhc. A polymorphic candidate receptor (fester) appeared to play roles in both initiating the reaction and discriminating between fuhc alleles. Here we report the characterization of a related protein, uncle fester. uncle fester is not polymorphic, and although coexpressed with fester, has different functional properties. Loss-of-function studies demonstrate that uncle fester was required for incompatible reactions but has no role in interactions between compatible individuals. Furthermore, stimulation with monoclonal antibodies could initiate a rejection phenotype on a single colony, and in both assays the severity of the rejection could be manipulated. These findings suggest that allorecognition in Botryllus consists of independent pathways that control compatible and incompatible outcomes that are integrated within the interacting cells, and may pro! vide insight into basal processes conserved in allorecognition responses throughout the metazoa.
• Structure of a Domain-Swapped FOXP3 Dimer on DNA and Its Function in Regulatory T Cells
  - Immunity 34(4):627 (2011)
  
• An Unexpected Role for Uric Acid as an Inducer of T Helper 2 Cell Immunity to Inhaled Antigens and Inflammatory Mediator of Allergic Asthma
  - Immunity 34(4):627 (2011)