Nous avons au cours de notre travail de thèse tenté de préciser les outils nécessaires àamplifier le potentiel lymphocytaire T de précurseurs hématopoïétiques chez l’Homme. Aucours de la différenciation lymphoïde T deux facteurs semblent importants, Notch et l’IL7.Nous avons étudié le rôle de l’IL7 et de Notch au cours de la différenciation T humaine. Nousavons montré que seule l’IL7 est indispensable à la différenciation des thymocytes immatureshumains. L’activation de la voie Notch potentialise la survie et la prolifération induite parl’IL7 des CD34+TN et des CD4 ISP. Notch maintien l’expression de la chaîne α de l’IL7Rmalgré la présence de l’IL7. Une étude épigénétique a montré que Notch est capable d’induirela déméthylation du promoteur de l’IL-7Rα permettant son expression.Les résultats obtenus avec les cellules CD34+ de sang de cordon ont montré que Notch etnon l’IL7 était indispensable à la différenciation au moins dans les stades précoces. Lesdifférences entre les thymocytes et les CD34+ de sang de cordon ne semblent pas êtreexpliquées par une expression différente des récepteurs Notch. Le système de différenciationdes cellules CD34+ de sang de cordon permet aussi d’augmenter le potentiel T in vitro.Nos données confirment le rôle indispensable de Notch et de l’IL7 dans la différenciationT avec toutefois des implications différentes selon l’origine des précurseurs et du stade dedifférenciation. La poursuite de l’étude du rôle de ces deux signaux au cours de l’ontogénie Thumaine permettrait de définir les conditions de culture optimale à l’amplification dupotentiel T des précurseurs CD34+ dans une optique d’utilisation en thérapeutique humaine / In this work, we have attempted to define tools for amplifying the T lymphocyte potentialof hematopoietic precursor cells in man. Notch and IL7 are important factors for Tlymphocyte differentiation. We have studied the roles of IL7 and Notch during human T celldifferentiation. We have shown that only IL7 is essential for differentiation of humanimmature thymocytes. Notch pathway activation potentiates IL7 induced CD34+ TN and CD4ISP survival and proliferation. Notch maintains IL7Rαchain expression in spite of thepresence of IL7. Epigenetic study showed that Notch is able to induce IL7RαpromoterdemethylationOur results on cord blood CD34+ cells showed that Notch, but not IL7, was essential fordifferentiation, at least in early stages. Differences between thymocytes and cord blood cellsCD34+ cells do not seem to be accounted for by different Notch receptor expression. Inaddition, cord blood CD34+ cell differentiation system increases in vitro T lymphocytepotential.Our data confirm the essential role of Notch and IL7 in T cell differentiation, with somediffferences between these two factors according to precursor origin and differentiation stage.Continuation of this study on the role of these signals in human T cell ontogeny would help indefining optimal culture conditions fot T lymphocyte potential amplification from CD34+precursors, in the perspective of therapeutical use in man

Les cellules T régulatrices Foxp3+ (Treg) représentent une sous-population T CD4 cruciale pour le maintient de l'immuno-tolerance. Mieux comprendre la biologie des Treg, leur hétérogénéité, leur développement, leur mécanisme d’action et les facteurs assurant leur survie en périphérie reste un objectif majeur. L'objectif de ce travail de thèse était de mieux définir les mécanismes impliqués dans le contrôle de l’homéostasie Treg et d’évaluer l’éventuelle contribution des perturbations de l’homéostasie Treg en pathologie humaine.Dans la première partie de ce travail de thèse nous avons essayé de finalement définir dans le modèle murin le rôle joué par l'IL-7 dans le contrôle de l’homéostasie Treg. Nous avons montré que l'expression de CD127, la chaîne alpha du récepteur à l'IL-7, est finement régulée à la surface des Treg et qu'elle dépend de leur activation ainsi que de leur localisation tissulaire. Nous avons démontré que l’expression de CD127 par les Treg activées est fonctionnelle, identifiant ces cellules comme cibles potentiels de l'IL-7. En utilisant des modèles murins présentant une altération de la voie de signalisation IL-7/IL-7R et des modèles de transfert adoptif, nous avons obtenu une démonstration définitive du rôle direct de l'IL-7 dans la régulation du nombre de cellules Treg. Enfin, nous avons démontré que la signalisation IL-7 optimise la capacité de ces cellules de réagir à l'IL-2, une cytokine importante dans la régulation de l’homéostasie Treg. Dans la deuxième partie de ce travail, nous avons étudié l’homéostasie Treg dans le contexte de l'infection par le VIH. Cette étude a bénéficié de l’accès à des patients au cours de la primo infection et des HIV contrôleurs. Nous avons montré que les Treg effecteurs plus que les Treg naïves sont affectés par l'infection par le VIH. De plus, nous avons montré que le nombre des effecteurs Treg corrélant inversement avec les réponses T CD8 spécifiques, offrant une preuve ex vivo de l'implication des Treg dans l'immunité anti-VIH. / Regulatory T cells (Treg) represent a crucial CD4 T cells subset involved in maintenance of immune-tolerance. Since their first description important efforts have been undertaken to better understand their biology, their development and their mechanisms of action. However, little is known about factors controlling Treg peripheral homeostasis. The aim of this thesis work was to better define mechanisms involved in governing Treg homeostasis and to investigate the eventual contribution of perturbation of Treg homeostasis in human disease. In the first part of this thesis work we tried to define in the murine system the role played by IL-7 in governing Treg homeostasis. We showed that Treg surface expression of CD127, the IL-7 receptor alpha chain, is finely regulated as it depends on their activation as well as on their tissue localization. More importantly, we demonstrated that Treg do express functional levels of CD127, identifying these cells as potential target of IL-7. Using both genetically modified murine models of altered IL-7 signaling and adoptive transfer models, we obtained definitive evidence for a direct role of IL-7 in governing Treg cell numbers. Finally, we demonstrated that IL-7 signaling in Treg optimizes their capacity to react to IL-2 an important cytokine regulating Treg homeostasis. In the second part of this work we investigated Treg homeostasis in the context of HIV infection. Employing for the first time in HIV infection a novel consensus Treg identification strategy and applying it to different groups of HIV infected patients, including primary infected patients and HIV controllers, we showed that HIV infection is characterized by an early and long lasting alteration of Treg homeostasis. In particular we demonstrated that effector rather than naive Treg are affected by HIV infection. Moreover, we showed that effector Treg numbers inversely correlated with HIV specific CD8 T cells responses, providing ex vivo evidence of Treg involvement in HIV immunity.

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2013-10-15T16:35:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Bianca_Petitinga_de_Paiva. Produção e avaliação...2011.pdf: 1434436 bytes, checksum: f5c3b8722c06f5784b6ec44bc9937084 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-10-15T16:35:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bianca_Petitinga_de_Paiva. Produção e avaliação...2011.pdf: 1434436 bytes, checksum: f5c3b8722c06f5784b6ec44bc9937084 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / A maioria dos cães com leishmaniose visceral submetida à quimioterapia convencional apresenta recaída após a interrupção do tratamento, talvez, pelo fato desses animais desenvolverem resposta imune celular específica apenas transitoriamente. Uma vez que as citocinas IL-7 e IL-15 são descritas na literatura como sendo capazes de promover resposta imune celular de longa duração (memória), o presente trabalho teve como objetivo a clonagem, a expressão e a avaliação da atividade biológica de IL7 e IL-15 recombinantes caninas (rca-IL-7 e rcaIL-15). Diversos estudos têm demonstrado o papel essencial da IL-7 e IL-15 na homeostase de células-T. A Interleucina-7 é um fator de crescimento e anti-apoptótico de linfócitos T, sendo essencial para a sobrevida de células T maduras, naïve e células de memória, especialmente CD4+. IL-15 apresenta um amplo espectro de atividades biológicas. É crucial para o desenvolvimento, proliferação, sobrevivência e diferenciação de múltiplas células tanto da imunidade inata, quanto da imunidade adaptativa, e apresenta papel essencial na manutenção de células T CD8+ de memória. Nesse trabalho descreveu-se a clonagem do DNA complementar (cDNA) e a expressão de IL-7 e IL-15 recombinantes caninas biologicamente ativas em Escherichia coli. Para expressão em E. coli foram realizadas as clonagens do cDNA de IL-7 e de IL-15 no vetor pRSET, gerando as construções pRSET-caIL-7 e pRSET-caIL-15. O sucesso da clonagem em ambos os vetores de expressão foi confirmado a partir do sequenciamento. As proteínas foram expressas como proteína de fusão com seis moléculas de histidina na extremidade amina da cadeia polipeptídica e após serem solubilizadas com uréia, as proteínas foram purificadas por cromatografia de afinidade e renaturadas por diálise. A avaliação da atividade biológica de IL-15 canina purificada foi realizada em células CTLL-2 e foi demonstrada uma relação dose dependente na faixa de concentração proteica de 0,9 ng/mL até 1 µg/mL. O mesmo efeito foi demonstrado quando essas células foram cultivadas na presença de diferentes diluições de T-STIM (controle positivo do ensaio). Visando determinar as condições em que rca-IL-7 e rca-IL-15 são capazes de induzir efeitos biológicos in vitro, foram realizados experimentos com diferentes doses de ambas as citocinas e demonstrado pela primeira vez que tanto IL-7 quanto IL-15 são capazes de induzir a proliferação de CMNSP de cães pré-ativadas com PHA. Adicionalmente, as citocinas foram avaliadas quanto à capacidade de estimulação da proliferação de CMNSP de cães sem estímulo prévio ou concomitante e foi possível observar que rca-IL-7 foi capaz de manter a proliferação dessas células por até 12 dias de cultivo, enquanto rca-IL-15 foi capaz de fazê-lo por até 14 dias. Diante dos resultados obtidos a rca-IL-7 e rca-IL-15 poderão ser utilizadas no futuro em estudos que visam o estabelecimento de uma resposta de longa duração em cães com LVC submetidos à quimioterapia convencional. / Most dogs with LV subjected to conventional chemotherapy has relapsed after discontinuation of treatment, possibly due these animals develop specific cellular immune response transiently. Since IL-7 and IL-15 are described in the literature asbeing capable of promoting cellular immune response of long-term (memory), this study aimed at cloning, expression and biological activity evaluation of rca-IL7 and rca IL-15. Many studies have demonstrated the essential role of IL-7 and IL- 15 in the homeostasis of T-cells. The Interleukin-7 is a growth and anti-apoptotic factor of T lymphocytes, essential for the occurrence of mature, naive, and memory T cells, especially CD4+. IL-15 presents a wide spectrum of biological activities. It is crucial for the development, proliferation, survival, and differentiation of multiple cells of innate immunity as well as of adaptive immunity, and presents an essential role in the maintenance of CD8+ memory T cells. This work describes the cloning of complementary DNA (cDNA) and the expression of IL-7 and IL-15 canine recombinants biologically active in Escherichia coli. For expression in E. coli, we cloned cDNA of IL-7 and IL- 15 in the vector pRSET, generating the constructions pRSET-caIL7 and pRSETcaIL- 15. The success of the cloning in both the expression vectors was confirmed from the sequencing. The proteins were expressed as fusion protein with six molecules of histidine in the amine extremity of the polypeptide chain and afterwards were solubilized with urea, the proteins were purified by affinity chromatography and renatured by dialysis. The evaluation of the biological activity of purified canine IL-15 was achieved in CTLL-2 cells and a dose-dependent relation in the range of protein concentration of 0.9 ng/mL to 1 ƒÊg/mL was demonstrated. The same effect was demonstrated when these cells were cultivated in the presence of different dilutions of T-STIM (positive control of the test). With the goal of determining the conditions in which rca-IL-7 and rca-IL-15 are capable of inducing biological effects in vitro, we carried out experiments with different doses with both the cytokines and demonstrated for the first time that IL-7 as well as IL- 15 are capable of inducing proliferation of PBMC of dogs pre-activated with PHA. Also, the cytokines were evaluated as to the capacity of stimulation of the proliferation of PBMC of dogs without previous or concomitant stimulation and it was possible to observe that rca-IL-7 was capable of maintaining the proliferation of these cells for up to 12 days of cultivation, while rca-IL-15 was capable of doing it for 14 days. Considering the results obtained rca-rca-7 and IL-IL-15 may be used in future studies that aim to establish a long-termresponse in dogs with CVL undergoing conventional chemotherapy

Das Zytokin Interleukin-7 (IL-7) ist für die Entstehung und das Überleben reifer T Zellen von zentraler Bedeutung. Die Gabe von IL-7 führt sowohl in der Maus als auch im Menschen zu erhöhten T Zellzahlen und einem veränderten T Zellphänotyp. Folglich könnte sich die therapeutische Gabe von IL-7 bei Patienten mit geschwächtem Immunsystem positiv auswirken. Diese Hypothese wird derzeit in mehreren klinischen Studien untersucht. Bisher wurde allerdings nur die Wirkung von IL-7 auf T-Zellen studiert. Zu dessen Wirkung auf andere Immun- oder Stromazellen sowie deren IL-7-abhängigen Beitrag zur Regulation der T-Zellhomöostase ist nur wenig bekannt. Daher war es Ziel der Arbeit, den Einfluss einer therapeutischen Gabe von IL-7 auf adoptiv-transferierte T-Zellen in IL-7-Rezeptor (IL-7R)-kompetenten und defizienten lymphopenischen Mäusen zu studieren. Die Untersuchungen bestätigen, dass die Gabe von IL-7 T-Zellantworten unterstützt, zeigen jedoch auch, daß viele dieser Effekte von IL-7R-exprimierenden Wirtszellen abhängig sind. Dies weist darauf hin, dass IL-7R-vermittelte Signale in Wirtszellen indirekt T-Zellantworten beeinflussen. Zudem zeigte sich, dass effiziente anti-Tumor-T Zellantworten von IL 7R-vermittelten Signalen in Wirtszellen abhängen. Vor allem nicht-hämatopoetische Wirtszellen fungieren hier als Regulatoren der IL-7-Therapie-vermittelten T Zelldifferenzierung. Unsere Ergebnisse bestätigen außerdem, dass Stromazellen in verschiedenen Organen il-7 exprimieren und zeigen darüber hinaus, dass diese Zellen durch die Gabe von IL-7 beeinflusst werden. Wir folgern daraus, dass die Effekte der IL-7-Therapie auf T Zellhomöostase teilweise indirekt über il-7-exprimierende Stromazellen vermittelt werden. Um diese Zellen genauer identifizieren und untersuchen zu können, haben wir ein neues transgenes Mausmodell charakterisiert, was es erleichtern wird, die beteiligten molekularen Signalwege zu analysieren und den Erfolg der adoptiven T Zelltherapie zu verbessern. / Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is an essential cytokine required for the development and maintenance of mature T cell. Its availability is limited under normal conditions, but rises during lymphopenia, leading to increased T cell proliferation. The administration of recombinant IL-7 to normal or lymphopenic mice and humans results in increased T cell numbers and altered T cell phenotype. Hence, IL-7 administration could mediate therapeutic benefits in immunocompromised patients and is currently tested in several clinical trials. However, besides its well-studied effects on T cells little is known about the effect of IL-7 on other immune and non-immune cells and their influence on T cell homeostasis. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of IL-7 therapy on adoptively transferred T cells in IL-7 receptor (IL-7R)-competent and IL-7R-deficient lymphopenic mice. We confirm the benefits of IL-7 therapy on T cell responses but additionally show that many of these effects are dependent on IL-7R expression by host cells, indicating that IL-7R signaling in host cells modulates T cell responses. We show that efficient T cell responses against cancer are dependent on host IL-7R signaling. Based on studies in bone-marrow chimeric mice, we identify non-hematopoietic host cells as main regulators of IL-7 therapy-modulated T cell differentiation. We conclude from these data that IL-7 therapy affects non-hematopoietic stromal cells that modulate the success of adoptive T cell therapy. Our results confirm that stromal cells in various organs express il-7 and show that these cells are targeted by IL-7 therapy in vivo. Hence, we propose that il-7-expressing cells regulate IL-7 therapy-modulated T cell homeostasis. To identify and study these il-7 expressing stromal cells in more detail, we characterized a new transgenic mouse model that will facilitate determining the molecular pathways to improve the success of adoptive T cell therapy.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Feb. 3, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The Division of Immunology and the Division of Molecular Medicine, Dept. of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 133-165)

Orientadores: José Andrés Yunes, Jorg Kobarg / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T20:56:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Zenatti_PriscilaPini_D.pdf: 14781518 bytes, checksum: 2324b48b89768b42bcd5bf002d30a510 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A IL-7 é uma citocina essencial para o desenvolvimento, sobrevivência, e proliferação dos timócitos prematuros normais no timo e linfócitos T maduros nos órgãos linfoides periféricos. O receptor da IL-7 é um heterodímero constituído pela IL-7Ra (codificado pelo gene IL7R) e IL-2Ry. A IL-2Ry participa também dos receptores da IL-2, IL-4, IL-9, IL-15 e IL-21, sendo por isso conhecida como cadeia comum gama ou yc. A sinalização via IL-7 é imprescindível para o processo de rearranjo V(D)J dos receptores de células T (TCR), pois leva à modificação da cromatina que permite o acesso da recombinase aos loci TCR no DNA Camundongos defeituosos para a cadeia alfa do receptor da IL-7 (IL-7Ra) desenvolvem imunodeficiências devido à falta de células T. A via IL-7/IL-7Ra é também importante para proliferação e sobrevivência da leucemia linfóide aguda de células T (LLA-T). Suspeitando da existência de mutações em IL7R resultando em ganho de função e hiperativação da via IL-7/IL-7Ra, procurou-se por mutações no gene do IL-7Ra em mais de 50 casos de LLA-T pediátrica. Procurou-se também mutações no domínio de autoinibição das JAK1 e JAK3, moléculas associadas ao IL-7Ra e IL-2Ry, respectivamente. Aproximadamente 9% das LLA-T pediátricas apresentaram mutações no IL-7Ra, resritas a uma região estreita do éxon 6, que resultaram, na maioria dos casos, em inserções de uma cisteína no domínio transmembrana/justamembrana da proteína. A presença dessa cisteína leva à homodimerização das cadeias IL-7Ra mediante a formação de pontes de dissulfeto e à ativação constitutiva do IL-7Ra independente de seu ligante, conforme verificado pela fosforilação de JAK1, STAT5, AKT e BAD e análise de mutantes artificiais do IL-7Ra com subtração ou adição de resíduo de cisteína. Verificou-se também que o local de inserção da cisteína é crítico para que a homodimerização das cadeias IL-7Ra mutantes resulte em ativação da via JAK/STAT. Receptores imitados tiveram um efeito transformante nas linhagens celulares Dl e Ba/F3, que sobreviveram na ausência dos fator de crescimento IL-7 e IL-3, respectivamente. Além disso, células Dl transduzidas com IL7R mutante, quando injetadas em camundongos knockout (KO) para IL7, causaram esplenomegalia, metástase e tumor no local da injeção. Resultados semelhantes foram obtidos com a expressão ectópica do IL7R mutante em células progenitoras hematopoiéticas de camundongos knockout para IL7R, JAK3 e/ou IL2RG, demonstrando que o homodímero IL-7Ra mutante atua independentemente dessas moléculas. Em conclusão, mutações no IL7R contribuem para a leucemogenese em 9% das crianças com LLA-T. Espera-se que a melhor caracterização do mecanismo responsável pela ativação constitutiva do IL-7Ra mutante abra caminho para o desenho de novas drogas e anticorpos monoclonais, o que permitirá avaliar o valor terapêutico do bloqueio/inibição do IL-7Ra mutante nas LLA-T / .Abstract: The IL-7, a product of stromal cells, is normally required for T cells development and for survival of mature peripheral T cells. The IL-7R consists of two components, the IL-7Ra (encoded by IL7R) and the common gamma chain (yc), or IL-2Ry, that is shared by receptors for IL-2, IL-4, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21. The IL-7 signaling has a role in V(D)J recombination in developing T and B cells by controlling access of the V(D)J recombinase to the locus. IL-7Ra deficiency mice showed a diminished T cell number and impaired lymphocyte development. Further, the IL-7/IL-7Ra pathway is important for T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) proliferation and survival. Hypothesizing that IL7R gain-of-function mutation could be occurring in T-ALL, 50 T-ALL samples were analyzed for mutations. The kinases JAK1 and JAK3, mat are associated with IL-7Ra and yc, respectively, were also studied for mutations. About 9% of childhood T-ALL presented mutations at the transmembrane domain encoded by éxon 6, and all of mem were in-frame insertions and deletions. In all but three cases there was an insertion of cysteine mat is essential for disulfide bond formation and constitutive activation of the receptor independent of IL-7. The constitutive signaling was confirmed by phosphorylation of JAK1, STAT5, AKT and BAD, and analysis of IL-7Ra artificial mutants with or without cysteine. The position of cysteine insertion is very important to disulfide bond formation, to activate the JAK/STAT pathway and to support the proliferation of Ba/F3 and Dl cell lines in the absence of cytokine. Moreover, IL7R mutant transduced Dl cells injected into ILT1' mice caused splenomegaly, metastasis and tumor at the injection site. Similar results were obtained with the ectopic expression of the IL7R mutant in hematopoietic progenitor cells of IL7K1', JAK3'1' and/or IL2RG'1' mice, demonstrating that the mutant homodimer IL-7Ra operates independently of these molecules. In conclusion, mutations in ÚÍQIL7R contribute to leukemo genes is in 9% of children with ALL-T. We hope mat a better comprehension of the mechanism responsible for the constitutive activation of IL-7Ra mutant opens new perspectives into the design of new drugs and monoclonal antibodies, which may turn into valuable therapeutic treatment / Doutorado / Genetica Animal e Evolução / Doutor em Genetica e Biologia Molecular

During the course of an immune response, CD4+ T helper cells differentiate into a number of subsets including: T helper 1 (TH1), TH2, TH17, and T follicular helper (TFH) populations. The functional diversity of CD4+ T effector cells results in a coordinated, pathogen-specific immune response. For example, the production of IFNγ by TH1 cells is vital for the clearance of intracellular pathogens, while TFH cell engagement with cognate B cells is required for germinal center (GC) formation and the generation of pathogen- and vaccine- induced antibody production. The development of CD4+ subsets is contingent on extracellular signals, in the form of cytokines, and downstream transcriptional networks responsible for promoting the unique gene expression profile for each subset while simultaneously suppressing alternative cell fates. However, the exact composition of, and stage-specific requirements for, these environmental cytokines and transcription factor networks in the governance of TFH cell differentiation remain incompletely understood. The work in this dissertation seeks to understand how cell-extrinsic cytokine signals and cell-intrinsic transcription factor activities are integrated to properly regulate TFH cell development. Here, we demonstrate that in response to decreased IL-2 and constant IL-12 signaling, T helper 1 (TH1) cells upregulate a TFH-like phenotype, including expression of the TFH lineage defining transcription factor Bcl-6. Intriguingly, our work established that signals from IL-12 were required for both the differentiation and function of this TFH-like population. Mechanistically, IL-12 signals are propagated through both STAT3 and STAT4, leading to the upregulation of the TFH associated genes Bcl6, Il21, and Icos, correlating with increased B cell helper activity. Conversely, exposure of these TFH-like cells to IL-7 results in the STAT5-dependent repression of Bcl-6 and subsequent inhibition of the TFH phenotype. Finally, we describe a novel regulatory mechanism wherein STAT3 and the Ikaros zinc finger transcription factors Ikaros and Aiolos cooperate to regulate Bcl-6 expression in these TFH-like cells. Collectively, the work in this dissertation significantly advances our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that govern TFH cell differentiation, setting the basis for the rational design of novel immunotherapeutic strategies and increasingly effective vaccines. / Ph. D. / Specialized cells called T helper cells serve as a critical interface between the innate (first line of defense) and adaptive (specialized and long-term) immune systems. During the course of an infection, T helper cells are responsible for orchestrating the immune-mediated elimination of invading viruses, bacteria, and parasites. This wide breadth of functionality is achieved through the formation of distinct T helper subsets including T helper 1 (TH1), TH2, TH17, and T follicular helper (TFH) populations. Individual subsets have distinct developmental requirements and have unique functions within the immune system. For example, TFH cells are required for the production of effective antibodies that recognize invading pathogens, leading to their subsequent elimination. This naturally occurring process is the basis for a number of modern medical therapies including vaccination. Conversely, aberrant generation of antibodies that recognize host tissues can result in the onset of various autoimmune diseases including lupus, multiple sclerosis, and crohn’s disease. Due to the importance of TFH cells to human health, there is intense interest in understanding how these cells are formed. It is recognized that the generation of these therapeutically important immune cells is mediated by numerous cell-extrinsic andintrinsic influences, including proteins in their cellular environment called cytokines, and important proteins inside of the cell called transcription factors. However, as this is a complicated and multi-step process, many questions remain regarding the identity of these cytokines and transcription factors. The work in this dissertation seeks to understand how cellextrinsic cytokine signals and cell-intrinsic transcription factor activities are integrated to properly regulate TFH cell development. Collectively, this body of work significantly advances our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that govern TFH cell differentiation, setting the basis for the rational design of novel immunotherapeutic strategies and increasingly effective vaccines.

Immune cell niches are microenvironments that support the survival of specific hematopoietic cells. The size of a given niche is dependent on survival and proliferation signals provided. Modulation of niche size can be a useful therapeutic tool, and a better understanding of the factors that control the size of immune cell niches can lead to more targeted therapies. Here bone marrow and thymic niches were modulated with tyrosine kinase inhibition to achieve increased engraftment following stem cell transplantation (SCT). SCT resulting in mixed chimerism is curative for several benign blood diseases, but toxicities associated with myeloablative and cytotoxic conditioning regimens limit the application of SCT. Sunitinib inhibits multiple tyrosine kinases including KIT, an essential survival signal within the hematopoietic stem cell and thymic progenitor niches. Sunitinib therapy diminishes hematopoietic and thymic progenitor cells in mice and enhances accessibility of marrow and thymic niches to transplanted bone marrow. This provides a novel, non-cytotoxic approach to accomplish mixed hematopoietic chimerism. The observation that T cells undergo increased proliferation and accumulate in IL-7R deficient mice compared to other lymphopenic hosts raised questions about the factors that control the size of the T cell niche. Understanding these factors is useful in designing therapeutics to increase T cell responses for treatment of many diseases including cancer. Dendritic cells (DCs) are well known for their ability to modulate T cell responses; however, very little is known about the role of IL-7R signaling on DCs. The data presented here show that bone marrow derived DCs treated with IL-7 were less able to induce T cell proliferation in coculture. In vivo systems using CD11cDTR mice showed a role for IL-7 signaling on CD11c+ cells in T cell homeostasis. Together these data suggest that IL-7R signaling on DCs is important for regulating the size of the T cell niche.