京都大学 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(医学) / 乙第13569号 / 論医博第2295号 / 新制||医||1068(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 濵﨑 洋子, 教授 生田 宏一, 教授 滝田 順子 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) develops following oncogenic alterations to hematopoietic stem (HSC) and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in the bone marrow, resulting in dysregulated proliferation of immature myeloid progenitors that interferes with normal hematopoiesis. Understanding the mechanisms of HSPC protection against damage and excessive division, and how these pathways are altered during leukemic progression, is vital for establishing effective therapies. Here, we show that autophagy, a lysosomal degradation pathway, is increased in HSPCs using a novel imaging flow cytometry autophagy assay. Loss of hematopoietic autophagy following deletion of key gene Atg5 resulted in increased HSC proliferation, leading to HSC exhaustion and bone marrow failure. Although erythrocyte and lymphocyte populations were negatively impacted by autophagy loss, myeloid cells showing immature characteristics were expanded. Deletion of Atg5 in an AML model resulted in increased proliferation under metabolic stress, dependent on the glycolytic pathway, and aberrant upstream mTOR signaling. Moreover, modulation of Atg5 altered leukemic response to culture with stromal cells. Finally, primary AML cells displayed multiple markers of decreased autophagy. These data suggest a role for autophagy in preserving HSC function, partially through suppression of HSPC proliferation, and indicate that decreased autophagy may benefit AML cells. We postulate that modulation of autophagy could help maintain stem cell function, for example during transplantation, and aid AML therapy in a setting-specific manner.

Tumor growth and progression not only depend on properties of the malignant cells but are strongly influenced by the tumor microenvironment. The tumor stroma consists of various cell types such as inflammatory cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts, which can either inhibit or promote tumor growth. Consequently, therapeutic targeting of the tumor stroma is increasingly recognized as an important tool to fight cancer. Two particularly important processes that contribute to the pathology of most types of tumors are angiogenesis and inflammation. In order to target these processes specifically and efficiently, it is fundamental to identify and understand the factors and signaling pathways involved. This thesis initially describes the multiple functions of the small heat shock protein αB-crystallin in the tumor microenvironment. αB-crystallin was first identified in a screen of proteins specifically up-regulated in endothelial cells forming vessel-like structures. We found that αB-crystallin is expressed in a subset of tumor vessels and promotes angiogenesis by inhibiting endothelial apoptosis, suggesting that targeting of αB-crystallin might inhibit angiogenesis and thereby decrease tumor growth. However, we also discovered an important role of αB-crystallin in regulation of inflammatory processes. We show that αB-crystallin increases the surface levels of E-selectin, an important leukocyte-endothelial adhesion molecule. Thereby, αB-crystallin may alter leukocyte recruitment to inflamed tissues such as the tumor stroma. In addition, we found that αB-crystallin is expressed in immature myeloid cells that accumulate in the periphery and at the tumor site during tumor development. Importantly, lack of αB-crystallin resulted in increased accumulation of immature myeloid cells, which might increase tumor associated inflammation. Finally, through combining laser microdissection of vessels from human tissue and microarray analysis, we identified a gene expression signature specifically associated with vessels in high grade glioma. Blood vessels in malignant glioma are highly abnormal and contribute to the pathology of the disease. Thus, knowledge about the molecular set-up of these vessels might contribute to the development of future vascular normalizing treatments.

Toll like receptors (TLRs) are germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that play a central role in host cell recognition and responses to pathogens. Primarily they are responsible for induction and regulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses whereby the effector function is executed chiefly by differentiated myeloid cells. Somewhat unexpectedly, TLRs have been also shown to be involved in direct pathogen sensing by bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoietic progenitors when, under inflammatory conditions, the rapid generation of innate immune effector cells that effectively combat the infection is of utmost priority. While it has been recognized that the release of inflammatory cytokines from inflamed tissues along with the changes in proportions of differentiating cells in the bone marrow (BM) as well as the BM niche can nudge the differentiation of adult BM-derived cells towards myeloid cells and granulocytes, a direct role of TLRs expressed by HSCs in this process has been demonstrated only recently. However, whether a similar mechanism operates also during embryonic hematopoiesis is unknown. Here we show that TLRs and their adaptor proteins are functionally expressed during early stages of embryogenesis by short-lived maternally-transferred...

No description available.

Enveloped RNA viruses like human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and SARS-CoV-2 enter host cells through fusion with the plasma membrane, a process facilitated by specific viral envelope proteins that recognize and bind to receptors expressed on the host cell surface. These receptors can diverge based on the type of cell and virus. For HIV-1, the primary receptors on myeloid cells are CD4 and CCR5 or CXCR4. For SARS-CoV-2, although the primary receptor is ACE2, other myeloid-cell specific sialic acid binding lectins can also facilitate entry. Following cellular invasion, different viral RNA species can be detected by distinct host nucleic acid sensors, resulting in type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokine induction. While these innate immune responses are essential for controlling viral infections, overactivation can lead to chronic inflammation, tissue damage, and disease pathogenesis. Herein, I examine the contribution of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 de-novo RNA expression and the molecular mechanisms that contribute to innate immune activation in myeloid cells. Despite advancements in combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in suppressing systemic viral replication in individuals infected with HIV, residual viral RNA expression in tissue reservoirs remains a significant hindrance to curative efforts. I hypothesized that persistent expression of viral RNAs in myeloid cells triggers dysregulated innate immune activation, and inflammasomes activation. This study centers on the long-lived tissue-resident innate immune cells - macrophages and microglia, which, owing to their self-renewing nature, operate as reservoirs of viral RNA production, and are thought to lead to chronic immune activation even in the absence of productive replication. Our previous studies suggest that de novo expression of unspliced intron-containing HIV-1 RNA (herein referred to as icRNA) triggers activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in myeloid cells. Here, I demonstrate that cytosolic expression of HIV-1 icRNA, but not multiply-spliced viral RNAs induces inflammasome activation, LDH release and IL-1β secretion in productively infected monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia. Interestingly, knockdown of RLRs, RIG-I and MDA5 or endosomal TLRs failed to abrogate HIV-1 icRNA-induced IL-1β secretion. Rather, knockdown of NLRP1, but not NLRP3, inflammasome resulted in a significant reduction in IL-1β secretion, underscoring NLRP1's pivotal role in the HIV-1 icRNA-induced IL-1β secretion. Furthermore, Rev-Crm1-dependent nucleocytoplasmic export of HIV-1 icRNA was required for NLRP1-mediated Caspase-1 activation, IL-1β secretion, LDH release and cell death. Similarly, SARS-CoV-2, while not establishing productive infection in macrophages, can activate these cells, contributing to a hyper-inflammatory response marked by the heightened expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is understood to be a principal driver of COVID-19 pathology. SARS-CoV-2 established an abortive infection in macrophages. CD169, a macrophage-specific sialic-acid binding lectin, mediated ACE2-independent SARS-CoV-2 entry in human macrophages and establishment of restricted infection. Interestingly, CD169-mediated SARS-CoV-2 entry in macrophages led to the expression of viral genomic and subgenomic RNAs, with negligible viral protein expression and no release of infectious virus particles, implying a post-entry restriction to SARS-CoV-2 replication in macrophages that was curbed by exogenous ACE2 expression. Despite restricted viral RNA expression, cytoplasmic RLRs, RIG-I and MDA5, sensed abortive viral transcripts, and induced pro-inflammatory responses in a MAVS dependent manner. This dissertation reveals striking parallels between the role of viral RNAs in driving pro-inflammatory responses in HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 infections. These findings collectively underscore the central role of cytoplasmic sensing of viral RNAs and their contribution to chronic inflammation in virus-infected myeloid cells. Elucidating these molecular mechanisms further may pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions to mitigate the persistent innate immune activation and immunopathology detected in HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals.

The transcription factor Krueppel-like factor (KLF) 4 fosters the pro-inflammatory immune response in macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) when stimulated with Streptococcus pneumoniae, the main causative pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Here, we investigated the impact of KLF4 expression in myeloid cells such as macrophages and PMNs on inflammatory response and disease severity in a pneumococcal pneumonia mouse model and in patients admitted to hospital with CAP. We found that mice with a myeloid-specific knockout of KLF4 mount an insufficient early immune response with reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL) 10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma and an impaired bacterial clearance from the lungs 24 hours after infection with S. pneumoniae. This results in higher rates of bacteremia, increased lung tissue damage, more severe symptoms of infection and reduced survival. Higher KLF4 gene expression levels in the peripheral blood of patients with CAP at hospital admission correlate with a favourable clinical presentation (lower sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score), lower serum levels of IL-10 at admission, shorter hospital stay and lower mortality or requirement of intensive care unit treatment within 28 days after admission. Thus, KLF4 in myeloid cells such as macrophages and PMNs is an important regulator of the early proinflammatory immune response and, therefore, a potentially interesting target for therapeutic interventions in pneumococcal pneumonia.

By crossing septin7-floxed mice with Lyz2-Cre mice carrying the Cre recombinase inserted in the Lysozyme-M (Lyz2) gene locus we aimed the specific deletion of septin7 in myeloid cells, such as monocytes, macrophages and granulocytes. Septin7flox/flox:Lyz2-Cre mice show no alterations in the myeloid compartment. Septin7-deleted macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated and analyzed. The lack of Septin7 expression was confirmed and a constitutive double-nucleation was detected in Septin7-deficient BMDMs indicating a defect in macrophage cytokinesis. However, phagocytic function of macrophages as judged by uptake of labelled E. coli particles and LPS-stimulated macrophage activation as judged by induction of TNF mRNA expression and TNF secretion were not compromised. In addition to myeloid cells, Lyz2-Cre is also active in type II pneumocytes (AT2 cells). We monitored lung adenocarcinoma formation in these mice by crossing them with the conditional knock-in Kras-LSL-G12D allele. Interestingly, we found that control mice without septin7 depletion die after 3–5 weeks, while the Septin7-deficient animals survived 11 weeks or even longer. Control mice sacrificed in the age of 4 weeks display a bronchiolo-alveolar hyperplasia with multiple adenomas, whereas the Septin7-deficient animals of the same age are normal or show only a weak multifocal brochiolo-alveolar hyperplasia. Our findings indicate an essential role of Septin7 in macrophage cytokinesis but not in macrophage function. Furthermore, septin7 seems absolutely essential for oncogenic Kras-driven lung tumorigenesis making it a potential target for anti-tumor interventions.

Le système immunitaire joue un rôle complexe, tantôt protecteur, tantôt facilitateur dans la relation hôte-tumeur. La souris transgénique pour le proto-oncogène humain RET développe un mélanome spontané et métastatique et constitue un remarquable modèle pour étudier les facteurs immunitaires et génétiques de la réponse de l’hôte. Ce modèle a été essentiellement examiné sur le fond C57BL/6. La tumeur primaire se situe au niveau de l’œil et se propage ensuite à la face et au dos ainsi qu’aux viscères. La pathogenèse du mélanome est cependant multifactorielle et le contexte génétique peut donc moduler de façon déterminante l’expression du transgène, la surveillance immunitaire et l’évolutivité des tumeurs. Par croisements en retour, nous avons transféré le transgène RET du fond génétique B6 sur le fond NOD (Non-Obese Diabetic), connu par sa propension à l’auto-immunité. Une accélération du développement tumoral a été observée chez les souris NOD.RET+, au site primitif et surtout à distance, par comparaison aux souris B6.RET+. L’objectif de ce travail était ensuite de caractériser les modifications immunitaires en relation avec le fond pro-inflammatoire de la souris NOD et l’accélération du développement tumoral. Nous avons observé une augmentation des cellules T régulatrices, CD4+Foxp3+ dans les tumeurs des souris NOD.RET+ comparées aux souris B6.RET+. Cette augmentation était corrélée avec celle des cellules CD8 exprimant l’interféron-gamma (IFNγ). Surtout, le phénotype agressif chez les souris NOD.RET+ était associé à une perte de l’expression de la Dectin-1 sur les cellules myéloïdes. La Dectin-1 est un récepteur de type C-lectine, connu pour son rôle essentiel dans la réponse anti-infectieuse. De ce fait, le traitement des souris avec le curdlan, un ligand de la Dectin-1, prévenait le développement des métastases. Par ailleurs, l’inactivation du gène Nos2, codant la synthase du monoxyde d’azote de type 2, protégeait également les souris vis-à-vis des métastases. De façon remarquable, l’expression de la Dectin-1 était restaurée chez les souris Nos2-KO, suggérant pour la première fois un lien entre ce récepteur et la voie Nos2. Parallèlement, une étude de la valeur pronostique de l’expression quantitative du gène NOS2 a été entreprise par qPCR sur des biopsies de tumeurs humaines obtenues chez 108 patients tunisiens (sein, n=27 ; côlon/Rectum, 24 ; cavum, 28 ; mélanome, 29). D’une façon générale, l’expression de NOS2 était plus élevée dans les tumeurs du sein comparées à celle du côlon et du cavum, et surtout aux mélanomes où NOS2 était faiblement exprimé. De plus, l’expression de NOS2 était plutôt de mauvais pronostic. En effet, elle était corrélée avec l’indice de Breslow, le niveau de Clark et le sous-type histologique dans les mélanomes. Dans le cancer du cavum, elle était corrélée avec l’âge, le stade TNM, la présence de métastases, la réponse au traitement et l’expression de COX-2. Dans les cancers coliques, elle était corrélée avec le stade TNM, la taille et la localisation des tumeurs et leur type histologique. Dans le cancer du sein, elle était associée avec la taille des tumeurs, le stade tumoral, le grade SBR et les cas triples négatifs. Notre étude a ainsi permis d’établir un nouveau modèle murin de mélanome spontané et agressif, la souris NOD.RET+, qui devrait permettre de mieux comprendre les facteurs de l’hôte qui influencent le pronostic des mélanomes murins et donc peut-être humains et plus généralement la relation hôte-tumeur. Par ailleurs, le rôle de NOS2 a été souligné et surtout relié à l’expression de la Dectin-1. Ces deux protéines pourraient constituer des cibles thérapeutiques intéressantes, d’autant plus que nous avons confirmé la valeur de mauvais pronostic de l’expression de NOS2 dans quatre cancers humains d’origine épithéliale. / Mice transgenic for the RET oncogene provide a remarkable model for investigating the mechanisms underlying the promotion and the development of melanoma. This model was established on the C57BL/6 genetic background. In the present study, we investigated an effect of the strongly proinflammatory and autoimmune genetic makeup of the non-obese diabetic (NOD) strain. We bred (NODxB6)F1 mice and backcrossed them with NOD mice. F1 mice and mice at subsequent generations of backcrossing showed marked acceleration of tumor development, in particular with a more frequent and earlier extension of the primary uveal melanoma. In close relation with this severe evolution, we observed a profound drop in Dectin-1 expression on CD11b+Ly6G+ granulocytic myeloid cells correlating with an expansion of CD4+Foxp3+ T regulatory cell and of interferon (IFN)-γ producing CD8+ T cell subsets in tumors. IFNγ is a major inducer of the type 2 nitric-oxide synthase (Nos2) gene whose products are known to be tumorigenic. Germline inactivation of the Nos2 gene was associated with a dramatically improved tumor prognosis and a restoration of Dectin-1 expression on myeloid cells. Moreover, in vivo treatment of (NODxB6)F1.RET+ mice with curdlan, a glucose polymer that binds Dectin-1, prevented tumor extension and was associated with marked reduction of the CD4+Foxp3+ T cell subset. In parallel, we study the prognostic value of iNOS expression in four types of human tumors of 108 Tunisian patients: (breast n=27, colorectal=24, nasopharyngeal=28, and melanoma=29). The level of iNOS was measured by RT-QPCR in tumor specimens. We showed that the expression of iNOS was higher in breast compared to colorectal and nasopharyngeal tumors whereas in melanoma, the level of iNOS expression was low. Furthermore, iNOS expression correlated with the Breslow thickness, Clark level and histological subtype in melanoma while in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, significant association was seen with age at diagnosis, TNM, metastasis, response to treatment and expression of COX-2. Furthermore, the expression of iNOS correlated with tumor size, TNM, tumor location, and histological type in colorectal cancer, and with tumor size, tumor stage, SBR grade and triple negative cases in breast cancer. These observations highlight the (NODxB6)F1.RET+ mice as a new model to investigate the role of the immune system in the host-tumor relationship. Furthermore, the role of NOS2 was emphasized and mainly related to the expression of the Dectin-1. These two proteins could constitute a potentially promising therapeutic target, especially as we confirmed the poor prognostic value of the expression of NOS2 in four epithelial human cancers.