Biology subjects

Petkau, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Petkau, G..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein 1 regulates the activation of mouse CD8 T cells

We show that the RNA-binding protein Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein 1 (PTBP1) is dispensable for the development of naive mouse CD8 T cells, but is necessary for the optimal expansion and production of effector molecules by antigen-specific CD8 T cells in vivo. PTBP1 has an essential role in regulating the early events following activation of the naive CD8 T cell leading to IL-2 and TNF production. It is also required to protect activated CD8 T cells from apoptosis. PTBP1 controls alternative splicing of over 400 genes in naive CD8 T cells in addition to regulating the abundance of [~]200 mRNAs. PTBP1 is required for the nuclear accumulation of c-Fos, NFATc2 and NFATc3, but not NFATc1. This selective effect on NFAT proteins correlates with PTBP1-promoted expression of the shorter A{beta}1 isoform and exon 13 skipped A{beta}2 isoform of the catalytic A-subunit of calcineurin phosphatase. These findings reveal a crucial role for PTBP1 in regulating CD8 T cell activation.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

The timing of differentiation and potency of CD8 effector function is set by RNA binding proteins

CD8+ T cell differentiation into effector cells is initiated early after antigen encounter by signals from the T cell antigen receptor and costimulatory molecules. The molecular mechanisms that determine the timing and rate of differentiation however are not defined. Here we show that the RNA binding proteins (RBP) ZFP36 and ZFP36L1 limit the rate of differentiation of activated naive CD8+ T cells and the potency of the resulting cytotoxic lymphocytes. The RBP act in an early and short temporal window to enforce dependency on costimulation via CD28 for full T cell activation and effector differentiation by directly binding mRNA of NF-B, IRF8 and NOTCH1 transcription factors and cytokines, including IL2. Their absence in T cells, or the adoptive transfer of a small numbers of CD8+ T cells lacking the RBP, promotes resilience to influenza A virus infection without immunopathology. These findings highlight ZFP36 and ZFP36L1 as nodes for the integration of the early T cell activation signals determining the speed and quality of the CD8 response.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2019

Stromal cell-contact dependent PI3K and APRIL induced NF-κB signaling complement each other to prevent mitochondrial- and endoplasmic reticulum stress induced cell death of bone marrow plasma cells

Persistence of long-lived, memory plasma cells in the bone marrow depends on survival factors available in the bone marrow, provided in niches organized by stromal cells. Here we describe that ex vivo we can prevent apoptosis of bone marrow plasma cells by supplying direct cell contact with stromal cells and the soluble cytokine APRIL. Integrin-mediated contact of bone marrow plasma cells with stromal cells activates the PI3K signaling pathway, leading to critical inactivation of FoxO1/3 and preventing the activation of mitochondrial stress-associated effector caspases 3 and 7. Likely, inhibition of PI3K signaling in vivo ablates bone marrow plasma cells. APRIL signaling, via the NF-{kappa}B pathway, blocks activation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated initiator caspase 12. Thus, stromal cell-contact induced PI3K and APRIL-induced NF-{kappa}B signaling provide necessary and complementary signals to maintain bone marrow memory plasma cells.

immunology↗