bims-imseme Biomed News
on Immunosenescence and T cell metabolism
Issue of 2023–10–22
nineteen papers selected by
Pierpaolo Ginefra, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
  1. Metabolic advantages of regulatory T cells dictated by cancer cells.
  2. Mind the GAP: RASA2 and RASA3 GTPase-activating proteins as gatekeepers of T cell activation and adhesion.
  3. Survival and division fate programs are preserved but retuned during the naïve to memory CD8+ T-cell transition.
  4. BCL6 promotes a stem-like CD8+ T cell program in cancer via antagonizing BLIMP1.
  5. Active maintenance of CD8+ T cell naivety through regulation of global genome architecture.
  6. Roles of NAD+ in Health and Aging.
  7. Nucleotide metabolism in the regulation of tumor microenvironment and immune cell function.
  8. Immune cell composition varies by age, sex and exposure to social adversity in free-ranging Rhesus Macaques.
  9. Cancer Metabolism under Limiting Oxygen Conditions.
  10. Dietary fructose-mediated adipocyte metabolism drives antitumor CD8+ T cell responses.
  11. Prophylactic and long-lasting efficacy of senolytic CAR T cells against age-related metabolic dysfunction.
  12. Mouse Memory CD8 T Cell Subsets Defined by Tissue-Resident Memory Integrin Expression Exhibit Distinct Metabolic Profiles.
  13. The transcription factor IRF4 determines the anti-tumor immunity of CD8+ T cells.
  14. Tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells enter a TCF1+PD1- dysfunctional state.
  15. Monitoring metabolic changes during the menstrual cycle.
  16. Targeting Cell Senescence to Improve Cardiac Regeneration.
  17. Novel insights into the role of acetyl-CoA producing enzymes in epigenetic regulation.
  18. Global lactylome reveals lactylation-dependent mechanisms underlying TH17 differentiation in experimental autoimmune uveitis.
  19. Unraveling T cell exhaustion: genetic screening meets in vitro modeling.
  1. Int Immunol. 2023 Oct 14. pii: dxad035. [Epub ahead of print]
    Metabolic advantages of regulatory T cells dictated by cancer cells.
    Masaki Kondo, Shogo Kumagai, Hiroyoshi Nishikawa.
      Cancer cells employ glycolysis for their survival and growth (the 'Warburg effect'). Consequently, surrounding cells including immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are exposed to hypoglycemic, hypoxic, and low pH circumstances. Since effector T cells depend on the glycolysis for their survival and functions, the metabolically harsh TME established by cancer cells is unfavorable, resulting in the impairment of effective antitumor immune responses. By contrast, immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T (Treg) cells can infiltrate, proliferate, survive, and exert immunosuppressive functions in the metabolically harsh TME, indicating the different metabolic dependance between effector T cells and Treg cells. Indeed, some metabolites that are harmful for effector T cells can be utilized by Treg cells; lactic acid, a harmful metabolite for effector T cells, is available for Treg cell proliferation and functions. Deficiency of amino acids such as tryptophan and glutamine in the TME impairs effector T cell activation but increases Treg cell populations. Furthermore, hypoxia upregulates fatty acid oxidation via hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and promotes Treg cell migration. Adenosine is induced by the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73, which are strongly induced by HIF-1α, and reportedly accelerates Treg cell development by upregulating Foxp3 expression in T cells via A2AR-mediated signals. Therefore, this review focuses on the current views of the unique metabolism of Treg cells dictated by cancer cells. In addition, potential cancer combination therapies with immunotherapy and metabolic molecularly targeted reagents that modulate Treg cells in the TME are discussed to develop 'immune metabolism-based precision medicine'.
    Keywords:  metabolism; regulatory T cell
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1093/intimm/dxad035
  2. Trends Immunol. 2023 Oct 17. pii: S1471-4906(23)00194-1. [Epub ahead of print]
    Mind the GAP: RASA2 and RASA3 GTPase-activating proteins as gatekeepers of T cell activation and adhesion.
    Kristoffer H Johansen, Dominic P Golec, Klaus Okkenhaug, Pamela L Schwartzberg.
      Following stimulation, the T cell receptor (TCR) and its coreceptors integrate multiple intracellular signals to initiate T cell proliferation, migration, gene expression, and metabolism. Among these signaling molecules are the small GTPases RAS and RAP1, which induce MAPK pathways and cellular adhesion to activate downstream effector functions. Although many studies have helped to elucidate the signaling intermediates that mediate T cell activation, the molecules and pathways that keep naive T cells in check are less understood. Several recent studies provide evidence that RASA2 and RASA3, which are GAP1-family GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) that inactivate RAS and RAP1, respectively, are crucial molecules that limit T cell activation and adhesion. In this review we describe recent data on the roles of RASA2 and RASA3 as gatekeepers of T cell activation and migration.
    Keywords:  CRISPR/CAS9; GAP; RAP1; RAS; RASA2; RASA3; T cell proliferation; T cell receptor signaling; adhesion; exhaustion; integrins
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2023.09.002
  3. Immunol Cell Biol. 2023 Oct 15.
    Survival and division fate programs are preserved but retuned during the naïve to memory CD8+ T-cell transition.
    Susanne Heinzel, HoChan Cheon, Gabrielle T Belz, Philip D Hodgkin.
      Memory T cells are generated from naïve precursors undergoing proliferation during the initial immune response. Both naïve and memory T cells are maintained in a resting, quiescent state and respond to activation with a controlled proliferative burst and differentiation into effector cells. This similarity in the maintenance and response dynamics points to the preservation of key cellular fate programs; however, whether memory T cells have acquired intrinsic changes in these programs that may contribute to the enhanced immune protection in a recall response is not fully understood. Here we used a quantitative model-based analysis of proliferation and survival kinetics of in vitro-stimulated murine naïve and memory CD8+ T cells in response to homeostatic and activating signals to establish intrinsic similarities or differences within these cell types. We show that resting memory T cells display heightened sensitivity to homeostatic cytokines, responding to interleukin (IL)-2 in addition to IL-7 and IL-15. The proliferative response to αCD3 was equal in size and kinetics, demonstrating that memory T cells undergo the same controlled division burst and automated return to quiescence as naïve T cells. However, perhaps surprisingly, we observed reduced expansion of αCD3-stimulated memory T cells in response to activating signals αCD28 and IL-2 compared with naïve T cells. Overall, we demonstrate that although sensitivities to cytokine and costimulatory signals have shifted, fate programs regulating the scale of the division burst are conserved in memory T cells.
    Keywords:  CD8+ memory T cells; T cell response dynamics; T cell proliferation dynamics; cytokine sensitivity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/imcb.12699
  4. Sci Immunol. 2023 Oct 27. 8(88): eadh1306
    BCL6 promotes a stem-like CD8+ T cell program in cancer via antagonizing BLIMP1.
    Qinli Sun, Dongli Cai, Dingfeng Liu, Xiaohong Zhao, Ruifeng Li, Wei Xu, Bowen Xie, Mengting Gou, Kun Wei, Yuling Li, Jinling Huang, Xinxin Chi, Peng Wei, Jing Hao, Xinyi Guo, Birui Pan, Yujie Fu, Ling Ni, Chen Dong.
      Overcoming CD8+ T cell exhaustion is critical in cancer immunotherapy. Recently, an intratumor stem/progenitor-like CD8+ T cell (Tprog cell) population that mediates the persistence of antitumor responses has been defined, which can further develop into a terminally differentiated CD8+ T cell (Tterm cell) subpopulation with potent cytotoxic functions. Tprog cells are the main responders to immune checkpoint blockade therapies, yet how extrinsic signals via transcription factors control Tprog cell generation and persistence in tumors is unclear. Here, we found that BCL6 inhibits tumor-specific Tterm cell generation from Tprog cell downstream of TCF1. We show that Bcl6 deficiency reduced the persistence of Tprog cells, without affecting their generation, thus abrogating long-term tumor control. High-level BCL6 expression was observed in tumor-specific T cells in draining lymph nodes (LNs) and was associated with T cell exhaustion. This was observed in TOX+TCF1+ Tprog cells in both LNs and tumors. BCL6 expression in CD8+ T cells was up-regulated by TGF-β-SMAD2 signaling but down-regulated by the IL-2-STAT5 pathway. Mechanistically, BCL6 transcriptionally repressed the expression of Tterm cell-associated genes and induced those of Tprog cell-related genes, in a manner antagonistic to BLIMP1. Prdm1 deficiency also promoted the Tprog cell program and greatly improved the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Thus, we identified the TGF-β-BCL6 and IL-2-BLIMP1 antagonistic pathways in regulation of antitumor CD8+ T cells, which may benefit the development of long-lasting and effective cancer immunotherapy.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciimmunol.adh1306
  5. Cell Rep. 2023 Oct 18. pii: S2211-1247(23)01313-X. [Epub ahead of print]42(10): 113301
    Active maintenance of CD8+ T cell naivety through regulation of global genome architecture.
    Brendan E Russ, Adele Barugahare, Pushkar Dakle, Kirril Tsyganov, Sara Quon, Bingfei Yu, Jasmine Li, Jason K C Lee, Moshe Olshansky, Zhaohren He, Paul F Harrison, Michael See, Simone Nussing, Alison E Morey, Vibha A Udupa, Taylah J Bennett, Axel Kallies, Cornelis Murre, Phillipe Collas, David Powell, Ananda W Goldrath, Stephen J Turner.
      The differentiation of naive CD8+ T lymphocytes into cytotoxic effector and memory CTL results in large-scale changes in transcriptional and phenotypic profiles. Little is known about how large-scale changes in genome organization underpin these transcriptional programs. We use Hi-C to map changes in the spatial organization of long-range genome contacts within naive, effector, and memory virus-specific CD8+ T cells. We observe that the architecture of the naive CD8+ T cell genome is distinct from effector and memory genome configurations, with extensive changes within discrete functional chromatin domains associated with effector/memory differentiation. Deletion of BACH2, or to a lesser extent, reducing SATB1 DNA binding, within naive CD8+ T cells results in a chromatin architecture more reminiscent of effector/memory states. This suggests that key transcription factors within naive CD8+ T cells act to restrain T cell differentiation by actively enforcing a unique naive chromatin state.
    Keywords:  CD8+ T cell; CP: Immunology; CP: Molecular biology; T cell memory; chromatin
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113301
  6. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2023 Oct 17. pii: a041193. [Epub ahead of print]
    Roles of NAD+ in Health and Aging.
    Sofie Lautrup, Yujun Hou, Evandro F Fang, Vilhelm A Bohr.
      NAD+, the essential metabolite involved in multiple reactions such as the regulation of cellular metabolism, energy production, DNA repair, mitophagy and autophagy, inflammation, and neuronal function, has been the subject of intense research in the field of aging and disease over the last decade. NAD+ levels decline with aging and in some age-related diseases, and reduction in NAD+ affects all the hallmarks of aging. Here, we present an overview of the discovery of NAD+, the cellular pathways of producing and consuming NAD+, and discuss how imbalances in the production rate and cellular request of NAD+ likely contribute to aging and age-related diseases including neurodegeneration. Preclinical studies have revealed great potential for NAD+ precursors in promotion of healthy aging and improvement of neurodegeneration. This has led to the initiation of several clinical trials with NAD+ precursors to treat accelerated aging, age-associated dysfunctions, and diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. NAD supplementation has great future potential clinically, and these studies will also provide insight into the mechanisms of aging.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a041193
  7. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Oct 18. pii: S0958-1669(23)00118-0. [Epub ahead of print]84 103008
    Nucleotide metabolism in the regulation of tumor microenvironment and immune cell function.
    Helena B Madsen, Marlies Jw Peeters, Per Thor Straten, Claus Desler.
      Nucleotide metabolism plays a crucial role in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune cell function. In the TME, limited availability of nucleotide precursors due to increased consumption by tumor cells and T cells affects both tumor development and immune function. Metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells favors pathways supporting growth and proliferation, including nucleotide synthesis. Additionally, extracellular nucleotides, such as ATP and adenosine, exhibit dual roles in modulating immune function and tumor cell survival. ATP stimulates antitumor immunity by activating purinergic receptors, while adenosine acts as a potent immunosuppressor. Targeting nucleotide metabolism in the TME holds immense promise for cancer therapy. Understanding the intricate relationship between nucleotide metabolism, the TME, and immune responses will pave the way for innovative therapeutic interventions.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103008
  8. Geroscience. 2023 Oct 18.
    Immune cell composition varies by age, sex and exposure to social adversity in free-ranging Rhesus Macaques.
    Cayo Biobank Research Unit
      Increasing age is associated with dysregulated immune function and increased inflammation-patterns that are also observed in individuals exposed to chronic social adversity. Yet we still know little about how social adversity impacts the immune system and how it might promote age-related diseases. Here, we investigated how immune cell diversity varied with age, sex and social adversity (operationalized as low social status) in free-ranging rhesus macaques. We found age-related signatures of immunosenescence, including lower proportions of CD20 + B cells, CD20 + /CD3 + ratio, and CD4 + /CD8 + T cell ratio - all signs of diminished antibody production. Age was associated with higher proportions of CD3 + /CD8 + Cytotoxic T cells, CD16 + /CD3- Natural Killer cells, CD3 + /CD4 + /CD25 + and CD3 + /CD8 + /CD25 + T cells, and CD14 + /CD16 + /HLA-DR + intermediate monocytes, and lower levels of CD14 + /CD16-/HLA-DR + classical monocytes, indicating greater amounts of inflammation and immune dysregulation. We also found a sex-dependent effect of exposure to social adversity (i.e., low social status). High-status males, relative to females, had higher CD20 + /CD3 + ratios and CD16 + /CD3 Natural Killer cell proportions, and lower proportions of CD8 + Cytotoxic T cells. Further, low-status females had higher proportions of cytotoxic T cells than high-status females, while the opposite was observed in males. High-status males had higher CD20 + /CD3 + ratios than low-status males. Together, our study identifies the strong age and sex-dependent effects of social adversity on immune cell proportions in a human-relevant primate model. Thus, these results provide novel insights into the combined effects of demography and social adversity on immunity and their potential contribution to age-related diseases in humans and other animals.
    Keywords:  Age; Immunosenescence; Inflammation; Sex-differences; Social adversity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-023-00962-8
  9. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2023 Oct 17. pii: a041542. [Epub ahead of print]
    Cancer Metabolism under Limiting Oxygen Conditions.
    Laura C Kim, Nicholas P Lesner, M Celeste Simon.
      Molecular oxygen (O2) is essential for cellular bioenergetics and numerous biochemical reactions necessary for life. Solid tumors outgrow the native blood supply and diffusion limits of O2, and therefore must engage hypoxia response pathways that evolved to withstand acute periods of low O2 Hypoxia activates coordinated gene expression programs, primarily through hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs), to support survival. Many of these changes involve metabolic rewiring such as increasing glycolysis to support ATP generation while suppressing mitochondrial metabolism. Since low O2 is often coupled with nutrient stress in the tumor microenvironment, other responses to hypoxia include activation of nutrient uptake pathways, metabolite scavenging, and regulation of stress and growth signaling cascades. Continued development of models that better recapitulate tumors and their microenvironments will lead to greater understanding of oxygen-dependent metabolic reprogramming and lead to more effective cancer therapies.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a041542
  10. Cell Metab. 2023 Oct 15. pii: S1550-4131(23)00367-4. [Epub ahead of print]
    Dietary fructose-mediated adipocyte metabolism drives antitumor CD8+ T cell responses.
    Yuerong Zhang, Xiaoyan Yu, Rujuan Bao, Haiyan Huang, Chuanjia Gu, Qianming Lv, Qiaoqiao Han, Xian Du, Xu-Yun Zhao, Youqiong Ye, Ren Zhao, Jiayuan Sun, Qiang Zou.
      Fructose consumption is associated with tumor growth and metastasis in mice, yet its impact on antitumor immune responses remains unclear. Here, we show that dietary fructose modulates adipocyte metabolism to enhance antitumor CD8+ T cell immune responses and control tumor growth. Transcriptional profiling of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells reveals that dietary fructose mediates attenuated transition of CD8+ T cells to terminal exhaustion, leading to a superior antitumor efficacy. High-fructose feeding initiates adipocyte-derived leptin production in an mTORC1-dependent manner, thereby triggering leptin-boosted antitumor CD8+ T cell responses. Importantly, high plasma leptin levels are correlated with elevated plasma fructose concentrations and improved antitumor CD8+ T cell responses in patients with lung cancer. Our study characterizes a critical role for dietary fructose in shaping adipocyte metabolism to prime antitumor CD8+ T cell responses and highlights that the fructose-leptin axis may be harnessed for cancer immunotherapy.
    Keywords:  adipocyte metabolism; antitumor CD8(+) T cell responses; dietary fructose; mTORC1
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2023.09.011
  11. Res Sq. 2023 Sep 26. pii: rs.3.rs-3385749. [Epub ahead of print]
    Prophylactic and long-lasting efficacy of senolytic CAR T cells against age-related metabolic dysfunction.
    Corina Amor, Inés Fernández-Maestre, Saria Chowdhury, Yu-Jui Ho, Sandeep Nadella, Courtenay Graham, Sebastian E Carrasco, Emmanuella Nnuji-John, Judith Feucht, Clemens Hinterleitner, Valentin J A Barthet, Jacob A Boyer, Riccardo Mezzadra, Matthew G Wereski, David A Tuveson, Ross L Levine, Lee W Jones, Michel Sadelain, Scott W Lowe.
      Senescent cells accumulate in organisms over time because of tissue damage and impaired immune surveillance and contribute to age-related tissue decline 1,2 . In agreement, genetic ablation studies reveal that elimination of senescent cells from aged tissues can ameliorate various age-related pathologies, including metabolic dysfunction and decreased physical fitness 3-7 . While small-molecule drugs capable of eliminating senescent cells (known as 'senolytics') partially replicate these phenotypes, many have undefined mechanisms of action and all require continuous administration to be effective. As an alternative approach, we have developed a cell-based senolytic therapy based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting uPAR, a cell-surface protein upregulated on senescent cells, and previously showed these can safely and efficiently eliminate senescent cells in young animals and reverse liver fibrosis 8 . We now show that uPAR-positive senescent cells accumulate during physiological aging and that they can be safely targeted with senolytic CAR T cells. Treatment with anti uPAR CAR T cells ameliorates metabolic dysfunction by improving glucose tolerance and exercise capacity in physiological aging as well as in a model of metabolic syndrome. Importantly, a single administration of a low dose of these senolytic CAR T cells is sufficient to achieve long-term therapeutic and preventive effects.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3385749/v1
  12. Immunohorizons. 2023 Oct 01. 7(10): 652-669
    Mouse Memory CD8 T Cell Subsets Defined by Tissue-Resident Memory Integrin Expression Exhibit Distinct Metabolic Profiles.
    Mike Sportiello, Alexis Poindexter, Emma C Reilly, Adam Geber, Kris Lambert Emo, Taylor N Jones, David J Topham.
      Tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells (TRM) principally reside in peripheral nonlymphoid tissues, such as lung and skin, and confer protection against a variety of illnesses ranging from infections to cancers. The functions of different memory CD8 T cell subsets have been linked with distinct metabolic pathways and differ from other CD8 T cell subsets. For example, skin-derived memory T cells undergo fatty acid oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation to a greater degree than circulating memory and naive cells. Lung TRMs defined by the cell-surface expression of integrins exist as distinct subsets that differ in gene expression and function. We hypothesize that TRM subsets with different integrin profiles will use unique metabolic programs. To test this, differential expression and pathway analysis were conducted on RNA sequencing datasets from mouse lung TRMs yielding significant differences related to metabolism. Next, metabolic models were constructed, and the predictions were interrogated using functional metabolite uptake assays. The levels of oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial mass, and neutral lipids were measured. Furthermore, to investigate the potential relationships to TRM development, T cell differentiation studies were conducted in vitro with varying concentrations of metabolites. These demonstrated that lipid conditions impact T cell survival, and that glucose concentration impacts the expression of canonical TRM marker CD49a, with no effect on central memory-like T cell marker CCR7. In summary, it is demonstrated that mouse resident memory T cell subsets defined by integrin expression in the lung have unique metabolic profiles, and that nutrient abundance can alter differentiation.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4049/immunohorizons.2300040
  13. iScience. 2023 Nov 17. 26(11): 108087
    The transcription factor IRF4 determines the anti-tumor immunity of CD8+ T cells.
    Hui Yan, Yulin Dai, Xiaolong Zhang, Hedong Zhang, Xiang Xiao, Jinfei Fu, Dawei Zou, Anze Yu, Tao Jiang, Xian C Li, Zhongming Zhao, Wenhao Chen.
      Understanding the factors that regulate T cell infiltration and functional states in solid tumors is crucial for advancing cancer immunotherapies. Here, we discovered that the expression of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) was a critical T cell intrinsic requirement for effective anti-tumor immunity. Mice with T-cell-specific ablation of IRF4 showed significantly reduced T cell tumor infiltration and function, resulting in accelerated growth of subcutaneous syngeneic tumors and allowing the growth of allogeneic tumors. Additionally, engineered overexpression of IRF4 in anti-tumor CD8+ T cells that were adoptively transferred significantly promoted their tumor infiltration and transition from a naive/memory-like cell state into effector T cell states. As a result, IRF4-engineered anti-tumor T cells exhibited significantly improved anti-tumor efficacy, and inhibited tumor growth either alone or in combination with PD-L1 blockade. These findings identify IRF4 as a crucial cell-intrinsic driver of T cell infiltration and function in tumors, emphasizing the potential of IRF4-engineering as an immunotherapeutic approach.
    Keywords:  Cancer; Cell biology; Immunology; Molecular biology
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.108087
  14. Cancer Immunol Res. 2023 Oct 16.
    Tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells enter a TCF1+PD1- dysfunctional state.
    Jessica J Roetman, Megan M Erwin, Michael W Rudloff, Natalie R Favret, Carlos R Detres Roman, Minna K I Apostolova, Kristen A Murray, Ting-Fang Lee, Youngmin A Lee, Mary Philip.
      T cells recognize several types of antigens in tumors, including aberrantly expressed, non-mutated proteins, which are therefore shared with normal tissue and referred to as self/shared-antigens (SSA), and mutated proteins or oncogenic viral proteins, which are referred to as tumor-specific antigens (TSA). Immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) can activate T-cell responses against TSA, leading to tumor control, and also against SSA, causing immune-related adverse events (IrAE). To improve anti-TSA immunity while limiting anti-SSA autoreactivity, we need to understand how tumor-specific CD8+ T cells (TST) and SSA-specific CD8+ T (SST) cells differentiate in response to cognate antigens during tumorigenesis. Therefore, we developed a genetic cancer mouse model in which we can track TST and SST differentiation longitudinally as liver cancers develop. We found that both TST and SST lost effector function over time, but while TST persisted long term and had a dysfunctional/exhausted phenotype (including expression of PD1, CD39, and TOX), SST exited cell cycle prematurely and disappeared from liver lesions. However, SST persisted in spleens in a dysfunctional TCF1+PD1- state: unable to produce effector cytokines or proliferate in response to ICB targeting PD1 or PDL1. Thus, our studies identify a dysfunctional T-cell state occupied by T cells reactive to SSA: a TCF1+PD1- state lacking in effector function, demonstrating that the type/specificity of tumor antigen may determine tumor-reactive T-cell differentiation.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-22-0939
  15. Nat Med. 2023 Oct 17.
    Monitoring metabolic changes during the menstrual cycle.
    Sonia Muliyil.
      
    Keywords:  Brain; Metabolism
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/d41591-023-00090-y
  16. Tex Heart Inst J. 2023 Oct 17. pii: e238262. [Epub ahead of print]50(5):
    Targeting Cell Senescence to Improve Cardiac Regeneration.
    Georgina M Ellison-Hughes.
      
    Keywords:  Cellular senescence; aging; cardiac regeneration; heart; senotherapeutics
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.14503/THIJ-23-8262
  17. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 ;14 1272646
    Novel insights into the role of acetyl-CoA producing enzymes in epigenetic regulation.
    Marta Russo, Francesco Pileri, Serena Ghisletti.
      Inflammation-dependent changes in gene expression programs in innate immune cells, such as macrophages, involve extensive reprogramming of metabolism. This reprogramming is essential for the production of metabolites required for chromatin modifications, such as acetyl-CoA, and regulate their usage and availability impacting the macrophage epigenome. One of the most transcriptionally induced proinflammatory mediator is nitric oxide (NO), which has been shown to inhibit key metabolic enzymes involved in the production of these metabolites. Recent evidence indicates that NO inhibits mitochondrial enzymes such as pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) in macrophages induced by inflammatory stimulus. PDH is involved in the production of acetyl-CoA, which is essential for chromatin modifications in the nucleus, such as histone acetylation. In addition, acetyl-CoA levels in inflamed macrophages are regulated by ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) and citrate transporter SLC25A1. Interestingly, acetyl-CoA producing enzymes, such as PDH and ACLY, have also been reported to be present in the nucleus and to support the local generation of cofactors such as acetyl-CoA. Here, we will discuss the mechanisms involved in the regulation of acetyl-CoA production by metabolic enzymes, their inhibition by prolonged exposure to inflammation stimuli, their involvement in dynamic inflammatory expression changes and how these emerging findings could have significant implications for the design of novel therapeutic approaches.
    Keywords:  acetyl-CoA; chromatin; inflammation; macrophages; mitochondrial enzymes; nitric oxide; transcription
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1272646
  18. Sci Adv. 2023 Oct 20. 9(42): eadh4655
    Global lactylome reveals lactylation-dependent mechanisms underlying TH17 differentiation in experimental autoimmune uveitis.
    Wei Fan, Xiaotang Wang, Shuhao Zeng, Na Li, Guoqing Wang, Ruonan Li, Siyuan He, Wanqian Li, Jiaxing Huang, Xingran Li, Jiangyi Liu, Shengping Hou.
      Dysregulation of CD4+ T cell differentiation is linked to autoimmune diseases. Metabolic reprogramming from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis and accumulation of lactate are involved in this process. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our study showed that lactate-derived lactylation regulated CD4+ T cell differentiation. Lactylation levels in CD4+ T cells increased with the progression of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Inhibition of lactylation suppressed TH17 differentiation and attenuated EAU inflammation. The global lactylome revealed the landscape of lactylated sites and proteins in the CD4+ T cells of normal and EAU mice. Specifically, hyperlactylation of Ikzf1 at Lys164 promoted TH17 differentiation by directly modulating the expression of TH17-related genes, including Runx1, Tlr4, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-4. Delactylation of Ikzf1 at Lys164 impaired TH17 differentiation. These findings exemplify how glycolysis regulates the site specificity of protein lactylation to promote TH17 differentiation and implicate Ikzf1 lactylation as a potential therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh4655
  19. Cancer Res. 2023 Oct 19.
    Unraveling T cell exhaustion: genetic screening meets in vitro modeling.
    Dominic Schmid, Priska Auf der Maur, Marcel P Trefny, Alfred Zippelius.
      T cell exhaustion poses a significant barrier to the efficacy of immunotherapies. In the past decade, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has been the leading strategy to prevent or reverse T cell exhaustion. Although ICB yields promising clinical outcomes in cancer patients, its impact on T cell reinvigoration is often short-lived. High-throughput genomic tools, including CRISPR screening along with single-cell RNA and chromatin accessibility sequencing may point towards new therapeutic avenues. However, their utility in identifying key mediators of T cell exhaustion is constrained by the restricted scalability of well-validated in vivo exhaustion models, like chronic LCMV infection. In a recent article in Science Immunology, Wu and colleagues introduce an in vitro exhaustion model that involves repetitive stimulation of T cell receptor-transgenic, LCMV-specific P14 CD8 T cells. This approach enables a direct comparison of exhausted T (Tex) cells generated both in vivo and in vitro using the same antigen, adeptly pinpointing exhaustion features that can be recapitulated in vitro. Leveraging this efficient and scalable model alongside CRISPR screening, the authors highlight the transcription factor BHLHE40 as a pivotal element in promoting Tex cell transition from progenitor to intermediate Tex cells.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-23-3204
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