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T cell receptor signaling induces expression of lysine demethylase KDM6B to maintain Treg homeostasis
Minghong He, Beisi Xu, Pria G. Bose, Morgan J. McCullough, Rani S. Sellers, Xinying Zong, Wenjie Qi, Brianna L. Banten, Miriya K. Tune, Matthew P. Zimmerman, Genevieve Mullins, Brian C. Miller, J. Justin Milner, Jason K. Whitmire, Ageliki Tsagaratou, Karl B. Shpargel, Claire M. Doerschuk, Yong-Dong Wang, Jacob A. Steele, Shondra M. Pruett-Miller, Yongqiang Feng, Jason R. Mock
Minghong He, Beisi Xu, Pria G. Bose, Morgan J. McCullough, Rani S. Sellers, Xinying Zong, Wenjie Qi, Brianna L. Banten, Miriya K. Tune, Matthew P. Zimmerman, Genevieve Mullins, Brian C. Miller, J. Justin Milner, Jason K. Whitmire, Ageliki Tsagaratou, Karl B. Shpargel, Claire M. Doerschuk, Yong-Dong Wang, Jacob A. Steele, Shondra M. Pruett-Miller, Yongqiang Feng, Jason R. Mock
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Research Article Immunology Pulmonology

T cell receptor signaling induces expression of lysine demethylase KDM6B to maintain Treg homeostasis

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Abstract

Tregs expressing forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) play crucial roles in maintaining immune tolerance and tissue integrity. EZH2, a histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methyltransferase, is known as a key regulator of Treg identity and suppressive function upon activation. Here, we demonstrate that the H3K27 lysine demethylase KDM6B, which catalyzes the opposing reaction to EZH2, is also required for Treg identity and function after activation. Treg-specific deletion of Kdm6b impaired tissue Treg fate and function. KDM6B was upregulated after T cell antigen receptor signaling in Tregs and contributed to the regulation of Treg-associated gene expression through both direct and indirect mechanisms. A subset of Treg functional genes were direct targets of KDM6B and were co-occupied by FOXP3 at cis-regulatory regions, where KDM6B recruitment limited H3K27me3 accumulation. More broadly, KDM6B-dependent H3K27 demethylation facilitated Treg gene expression programs that supported tissue Treg homeostasis.

Authors

Minghong He, Beisi Xu, Pria G. Bose, Morgan J. McCullough, Rani S. Sellers, Xinying Zong, Wenjie Qi, Brianna L. Banten, Miriya K. Tune, Matthew P. Zimmerman, Genevieve Mullins, Brian C. Miller, J. Justin Milner, Jason K. Whitmire, Ageliki Tsagaratou, Karl B. Shpargel, Claire M. Doerschuk, Yong-Dong Wang, Jacob A. Steele, Shondra M. Pruett-Miller, Yongqiang Feng, Jason R. Mock

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Figure 6

KDM6B is required for full-lung Treg function after injury.

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KDM6B is required for full-lung Treg function after injury.
Male and fem...
Male and female Foxp3YFP-Cre and Kdm6bΔTreg mice were analyzed at steady state or after PR8 influenza challenge on day 0 (2 μL/g body weight). (A–C) Lung Tregs from single-cell suspensions at steady state were analyzed for frequency of FOXP3+ Tregs among CD4+ lymphocytes (n = 11 mice/strain, ≥2 experiments) (A), FOXP3 expression (gMFI) (B), and Treg immunophenotype (n = 5–6 mice/strain, ≥2 experiments) (C). (D) Total lung cell counts from enzymatic digests at steady state (n = 11–12 mice/strain, ≥2 experiments). (E) Percent body weight change after PR8 influenza infection relative to baseline (n = 34–35 mice/strain/time point, pooled from ≥3 experiments). (F) Histopathology scores from H&E-stained lung sections in Foxp3YFP-Cre (closed circles) or Kdm6bΔTreg mice (open circles) at steady state, day 9, or day 15 after PR8 influenza infection (n = 6–10 mice/strain/time point, ≥2 experiments). (G) Survival after PR8 influenza challenge (n = 40–41 mice/strain, ≥2 experiments). (H–N) Analyses were performed on day 15 after PR8 influenza infection. (H) Total lung cell counts. (I) Numbers of lymphocyte and NK subsets assessed using established gating strategies (38, 53) (n = 8–10 mice/strain, ≥2 experiments). (J) Lung Tregs quantified separately from (I). (K) Frequency of CD44+CD62L– cells among CD4+, CD8+, or CD4+FOXP3+ T cells (n = 4–5 mice/strain). (L–N) (L) CD4+FOXP3+ cells from lung or spleen analyzed for FOXP3 expression (gMFI; n = 3–5 mice/strain), (M) proliferation (n = 6–10 mice/strain), and (N) lung Treg immunophenotyping (n = 4–5 mice/strain). Data are given as the mean ± SEM. Statistical tests: 2-way ANOVA with Holm-Šidák correction (C, F, I, and K–N), unpaired 2-tailed t test (A, B, D, H, and J), and log-rank test (G). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001.

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ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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