scholarly journals The requirement for Notch signaling at the β-selection checkpoint in vivo is absolute and independent of the pre–T cell receptor

2006 ◽  
Vol 203 (10) ◽  
pp. 2239-2245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Maillard ◽  
LiLi Tu ◽  
Arivazhagan Sambandam ◽  
Yumi Yashiro-Ohtani ◽  
John Millholland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Notch Signaling ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Thymocyte Development

Genetic inactivation of Notch signaling in CD4−CD8− double-negative (DN) thymocytes was previously shown to impair T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement and to cause a partial block in CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocyte development in mice. In contrast, in vitro cultures suggested that Notch was absolutely required for the generation of DP thymocytes independent of pre-TCR expression and activity. To resolve the respective role of Notch and the pre-TCR, we inhibited Notch-mediated transcriptional activation in vivo with a green fluorescent protein–tagged dominant-negative Mastermind-like 1 (DNMAML) that allowed us to track single cells incapable of Notch signaling. DNMAML expression in DN cells led to decreased production of DP thymocytes but only to a modest decrease in intracellular TCRβ expression. DNMAML attenuated the pre-TCR–associated increase in cell size and CD27 expression. TCRβ or TCRαβ transgenes failed to rescue DNMAML-related defects. Intrathymic injections of DNMAML− or DNMAML+ DN thymocytes revealed a complete DN/DP transition block, with production of DNMAML+ DP thymocytes only from cells undergoing late Notch inactivation. These findings indicate that the Notch requirement during the β-selection checkpoint in vivo is absolute and independent of the pre-TCR, and it depends on transcriptional activation by Notch via the CSL/RBP-J–MAML complex.

scholarly journals Restricting Zap70 Expression to CD4+CD8+ Thymocytes Reveals a T Cell Receptor–dependent Proofreading Mechanism Controlling the Completion of Positive Selection

2003 ◽  
Vol 197 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Liu ◽  
Anthony Adams ◽  
Kathryn F. Wildt ◽  
Bruce Aronow ◽  
Lionel Feigenbaum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Positive Selection ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Thymocyte Development ◽  
Tcr Signaling ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Single Positive ◽  
Tcr Signals

Although T cell receptor (TCR) signals are essential for intrathymic T cell–positive selection, it remains controversial whether they only serve to initiate this process, or whether they are required throughout to promote thymocyte differentiation and survival. To address this issue, we have devised a novel approach to interfere with thymocyte TCR signaling in a developmental stage-specific manner in vivo. We have reconstituted mice deficient for Zap70, a tyrosine kinase required for TCR signaling and normally expressed throughout T cell development, with a Zap70 transgene driven by the adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene enhancer, which is active in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes but inactive in CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive (SP) thymocytes. In such mice, termination of Zap70 expression impaired TCR signal transduction and arrested thymocyte development after the initiation, but before the completion, of positive selection. Arrested thymocytes had terminated Rag gene expression and up-regulated TCR and Bcl-2 expression, but failed to differentiate into mature CD4 or CD8 SP thymocytes, to be rescued from death by neglect or to sustain interleukin 7Rα expression. These observations identify a TCR-dependent proofreading mechanism that verifies thymocyte TCR specificity and differentiation choices before the completion of positive selection.

scholarly journals Identification of a Late Stage of Small Noncycling pTα−  Pre-T Cells as Immediate Precursors of T Cell Receptor α/β+  Thymocytes

1998 ◽  
Vol 188 (8) ◽  
pp. 1401-1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
César Trigueros ◽  
Almudena R. Ramiro ◽  
Yolanda R. Carrasco ◽  
Virginia G. de Yebenes ◽  
Juan P. Albar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Developmental Model ◽  
Developmental Expression ◽  
Thymocyte Development ◽  
Cell Stage

During thymocyte development, progression from T cell receptor (TCR)β to TCRα rearrangement is mediated by a CD3-associated pre-TCR composed of the TCRβ chain paired with pre-TCRα (pTα). A major issue is how surface expression of the pre-TCR is regulated during normal thymocyte development to control transition through this checkpoint. Here, we show that developmental expression of pTα is time- and stage-specific, and is confined in vivo to a limited subset of large cycling human pre-T cells that coexpress low density CD3. This restricted expression pattern allowed the identification of a novel subset of small CD3− thymocytes lacking surface pTα, but expressing cytoplasmic TCRβ, that represent late noncycling pre-T cells in which recombination activating gene reexpression and downregulation of T early α transcription are coincident events associated with cell cycle arrest, and immediately preceding TCRα gene expression. Importantly, thymocytes at this late pre-T cell stage are shown to be functional intermediates between large pTα+ pre-T cells and TCRα/β+ thymocytes. The results support a developmental model in which pre-TCR–expressing pre-T cells are brought into cycle, rapidly downregulate surface pre-TCR, and finally become small resting pre-T cells, before the onset of TCRα gene expression.

scholarly journals Requirement for p56lck tyrosine kinase activation in T cell receptor-mediated thymic selection.

1996 ◽  
Vol 184 (3) ◽  
pp. 931-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Hashimoto ◽  
S J Sohn ◽  
S D Levin ◽  
T Tada ◽  
R M Perlmutter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Positive Selection ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Thymocyte Development ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
Lck Protein

The nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase p56lck (Lck) serves as a fundamental regulator of thymocyte development by delivering signals from the pre-T cell receptor (pre-TCR) that permit subsequent maturation. However, considerable evidence supports the view that Lck also participates in signal transduction from the mature TCR. We have tested this conjecture by expressing a dominant-negative form of Lck under the control of a promoter element (the distal lck promoter) that directs high expression in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, mature thymocytes, and peripheral T cells, thereby avoiding, complications that result from the well-documented ability of dominant-negative Lck to block very early events in thymocyte maturation. Here we report that expression of the catalytically inactive Lck protein at twice normal concentrations inhibits thymocyte positive selection by as much as 80%, while leaving other aspects of cell maturation intact. This effect was studied in more detail in mice simultaneously bearing the male-specific H-Y alpha/beta TCR transgene and ovalbumin-specific DO10 alpha/beta TCR transgene, where even equimolar expression of the dominant-negative Lck protein substantially vitiated the positive selection process. Although deletion of H-Y alpha/beta thymocytes proceeded normally in male mice despite the presence of catalytically inactive Lck, modest inhibition of superantigen-mediated deletion was in some cases observed. These data further implicate Lck in the propagation of all TCR-derived signals, and indicate that even very modest deficiencies in the representation of functional Lck molecules could in humans, profoundly alter the character of the peripheral TCR repertoire.

scholarly journals Ontogenic timing, T cell receptor signal strength, and Notch signaling direct γδ T cell functional differentiation in vivo

Cell Reports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 109227
Author(s):  
Edward L.Y. Chen ◽  
Christina R. Lee ◽  
Patrycja K. Thompson ◽  
David L. Wiest ◽  
Michele K. Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Notch Signaling ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Signal Strength ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Functional Differentiation ◽  
Γδ T Cell ◽  
Receptor Signal

scholarly journals Characterization of the roles of SH2 domain-containing proteins in T-lymphocyte activation by using dominant negative SH2 domains.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 2255-2263 ◽  
Author(s):  
J P Northrop ◽  
M J Pustelnik ◽  
A T Lu ◽  
J R Grove
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Sh2 Domain ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Signaling Cascade ◽  
Single Point Mutation ◽  
Sh2 Domains

Activation of the T-cell antigen receptor initiates a complex signaling cascade leading to changes in cytokine gene transcription. Several proteins containing Src homology 2 (SH2) domains, capable of interacting with phosphotyrosine-containing sequences within other proteins, are involved in the activation of signaling intermediates such as p2l(ras) and phospholipase Cgamma1. In this study, we used dominant negative SH2 domains to determine the importance of SH2 domain-containing proteins for T-cell activation. We show that tandem SH2 domains of either Zap70 or Syk tyrosine kinase are potent inhibitors of signaling initiated by the T-cell receptor zeta chain in vivo while individual SH2 domains are ineffective. Thus, while only the C-terminal SH2 domains appear to have significant affinity for immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs in vitro, the N-terminal SH2 domains are necessary in vivo. We find the spacing between the tandem SH2 domains of Zap70 to be critical for in vivo interactions. The SH2 domain of the adapter protein Grb2 is an effective inhibitor in our dominant negative assay, although it has little affinity for immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs. A single point mutation that abolishes phosphotyrosine binding renders the Grb2 SH2 domain incapable of this inhibition. In contrast, the SH2 domain of Shc does not inhibit this signaling cascade. We conclude that Grb2, but not Shc, is involved in T-cell receptor signaling.

scholarly journals SKAP55 Coupled with CD45 Positively Regulates T-Cell Receptor-Mediated Gene Transcription

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 2673-2686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liangtang Wu ◽  
Jun Fu ◽  
Shi-Hsiang Shen
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Jurkat Cells ◽  
Tcr Signaling

ABSTRACT CD45 plays a critical role in T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling. In a yeast two-hybrid screen, SKAP55, the Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein of unknown function, was found as a substrate which associated with CD45 in vivo. Mutational analysis demonstrated the pivotal role of Tyr-232 in SKAP55 in the association with CD45. In Jurkat cells, anti-CD3 antibody stimulation promoted SKAP55 tyrosine phosphorylation and translocation from the cytoplasm to the membrane. Overexpression of SKAP55 in these cells induced transcriptional activation of the IL-2 promoter, while mutant SKAP55-Y232F totally suppressed the promoter activity. Furthermore, overexpression of SKAP55-Y232F also caused the tyrosine hyperphosphorylation of Fyn with a decreased kinase activity. Thus, SKAP55 is an essential adapter to couple CD45 with the Src family kinases for dephosphorylation and, thus, positively regulates TCR signaling.

scholarly journals Conditional Knockout Mice Reveal an Essential Role of Protein Phosphatase 4 in Thymocyte Development and Pre-T-Cell Receptor Signaling

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jr-Wen Shui ◽  
Mickey C.-T. Hu ◽  
Tse-Hua Tan
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Okadaic Acid ◽  
Protein Phosphatase ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Thymocyte Development ◽  
Tcr Signaling ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT Okadaic acid-sensitive serine/threonine phosphatases have been shown to regulate interleukin-2 transcription and T-cell activation. Okadaic acid inhibits protein phosphatase 4 (PP4), a novel PP2A-related serine/threonine phosphatase, at a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) comparable to that for PP2A. This raises the possibility that some cellular functions of PP2A, determined in T cells by using okadaic acid, may in fact be those of PP4. To investigate the in vivo roles of PP4 in T cells, we generated conventional and T-cell-specific PP4 conditional knockout mice. We found that the ablation of PP4 led to the embryonic lethality of mice. PP4 gene deletion in the T-cell lineage resulted in aberrant thymocyte development, including T-cell arrest at the double-negative 3 stage (CD4− CD8− CD25+ CD44−), abnormal thymocyte maturation, and lower efficacy of positive selection. PP4-deficient thymocytes showed decreased proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in vivo. Analysis of pre-T-cell receptor (pre-TCR) signaling further revealed impaired calcium flux and phospholipase C-γ1-extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in the absence of PP4. Anti-CD3 injection in PP4-deficient mice led to enhanced thymocyte apoptosis, accompanied by increased proapoptotic Bim but decreased antiapoptotic Bcl-xL protein levels. In the periphery, antigen-specific T-cell proliferation and T-cell-mediated immune responses in PP4-deficient mice were dramatically compromised. Thus, our results indicate that PP4 is essential for thymocyte development and pre-TCR signaling.

scholarly journals Replacement of Pre-T Cell Receptor Signaling Functions by the CD4 Coreceptor

1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M. Norment ◽  
Katherine A. Forbush ◽  
Nhan Nguyen ◽  
Marie Malissen ◽  
Roger M. Perlmutter
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Mhc Class Ii ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Thymocyte Development ◽  
Β Chain ◽  
Mhc Class Ii Molecules

An important checkpoint in early thymocyte development ensures that only thymocytes with an in-frame T cell receptor for antigen β (TCR-β) gene rearrangement will continue to mature. Proper assembly of the TCR-β chain into the pre-TCR complex delivers signals through the src-family protein tyrosine kinase p56lck that stimulate thymocyte proliferation and differentiation to the CD4+CD8+ stage. However, the biochemical mechanisms governing p56lck activation remain poorly understood. In more mature thymocytes, p56lck is associated with the cytoplasmic domain of the TCR coreceptors CD4 and CD8, and cross-linking of CD4 leads to p56lck activation. To study the effect of synchronously inducing p56lck activation in immature CD4−CD8− thymocytes, we generated mice expressing a CD4 transgene in Rag2−/− thymocytes. Remarkably, without further experimental manipulation, the CD4 transgene drives maturation of Rag2−/− thymocytes in vivo. We show that this process is dependent upon the ability of the CD4 transgene to bind Lck and on the expression of MHC class II molecules. Together these results indicate that binding of MHC class II molecules to CD4 can deliver a biologically relevant, Lck-dependent activation signal to thymocytes in the absence of the TCR-α or -β chain.

scholarly journals Analysis of Thymocyte Development Reveals That the Gtpase Rhoa Is a Positive Regulator of T Cell Receptor Responses in Vivo

2001 ◽  
Vol 194 (7) ◽  
pp. 903-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Corre ◽  
Manuel Gomez ◽  
Susina Vielkind ◽  
Doreen A. Cantrell
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
T Cell Development ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Cell Development ◽  
T Cell Differentiation ◽  
Thymocyte Development

Loss of function of the guanine nucleotide binding protein RhoA blocks pre-T cell differentiation and survival indicating that this GTPase is a critical signaling molecule during early thymocyte development. Previous work has shown that the Rho family GTPase Rac-1 can initiate changes in actin dynamics necessary and sufficient for pre-T cell development. The present data now show that Rac-1 actions in pre-T cells require Rho function but that RhoA cannot substitute for Rac-1 and induce the actin cytoskeletal changes necessary for pre-T cell development. Activation of Rho is thus not sufficient to induce pre-T cell differentiation or survival in the absence of the pre-T cell receptor (TCR). The failure of RhoA activation to impact on pre-TCR–mediated signaling was in marked contrast to its actions on T cell responses mediated by the mature TCR α/β complex. Cells expressing active RhoA were thus hyperresponsive in the context of TCR-induced proliferation in vitro and in vivo showed augmented positive selection of thymocytes expressing defined TCR complexes. This reveals that RhoA function is not only important for pre-T cells but also plays a role in determining the fate of mature T cells.

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