A Peptide That Ameliorates Lupus Up-Regulates the Diminished Expression of Early Growth Response Factors 2 and 3

Uri Sela, Molly Dayan, Rami Hershkoviz, Ofer Lider and Edna Mozes
J Immunol February 1, 2008, 180 (3) 1584-1591; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.180.3.1584

Abstract

Expansion of autoreactive T cells and their resistance to anergy was demonstrated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A pair of transcription factors, early growth response 2 (Egr-2) and 3 (Egr-3), are negative regulators of T cell activation that were shown to be important in anergy. A peptide (designated hCDR1 for human CDR1) based on the CDR-1 of an anti-DNA Ab ameliorated SLE in both induced and spontaneous lupus models. Our objectives were to determine the expression levels of Egr-2 and Egr-3 in autoreactive T cells following immunization with the lupus-inducing anti-DNA Ab that bears a common Id designated 16/6Id and also in a full-blown SLE and to determine the effect of hCDR1 on these transcription factors. We demonstrated diminished expression levels of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA both early after immunization with the 16/6Id and in SLE-afflicted (NZB × NZW)F1 (New Zealand Black and New Zealand White) mice. Furthermore, by down-regulating Akt phosphorylation and up-regulating TGFβ secretion, treatment with hCDR1 significantly up-regulated Egr-2 and Egr-3 expression. This was associated with an increased expression of the E3 ligase Cbl-b. Inhibition of Akt in T cells of immunized mice decreased, whereas silencing of the Egr-2 and Egr-3 in T cells of hCDR1-treated mice increased IFN-γ secretion. Thus, hCDR1 down-regulates Akt phosphorylation, which leads to up-regulated expression of T cell Egr-2 and Egr-3, resulting in the inhibition of IFN-γ secretion that is required for the maintenance of SLE.

Early growth response (Egr)4 2 and Egr-3 belong to a family of four transcription factors with highly conserved zinc finger DNA-binding domains that were initially discovered as genes up-regulated in response to growth factors (1). Recently Egr-2 and Egr-3 were found to be up-regulated in T cell anergy, and the overexpression of these transcription factors was associated with the inhibition of T cell activation (2, 3). Anergy refers to a state of unresponsiveness induced in dangerous lymphocytes during Ag presentation as a means of preserving self-tolerance. This state is generally reversible upon exposure to exogenous IL-2 (4). Anergy can be induced in T cells by delivery of a strong TCR signal in the absence of costimulation or by stimulation with a low affinity ligand in the presence of costimulation (5). Akt provides a costimulatory signal for and can be activated by either CD28 (6) or other costimulatory molecules such as leukocyte function Ag 1 (LFA-1) and 4-1BB (7, 8). In addition, Akt can be activated following cross-linking of the TCR (9).

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease characterized at early stages by the expansion of autoreactive T cells that trigger polyclonal B cell activation with subsequent hypergammaglobulinemia and organ injury due to immune complex deposits and cell infiltration (10, 11, 12). Recently it was established that autoreactive T cells in lupus are resistant to anergy (13). An increased PI3K signaling pathway with the up-regulation of T cell phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) was found in both human and mouse models for SLE (14, 15). The increased PI3K activity was found to induce infiltrating lymphoproliferative disorder and autoimmune renal disease with an increased number of T lymphocytes (16), while inhibition of this pathway blocked the glomerulonephritis and prolonged mice survival (15).

Experimental SLE can be induced in naive, non-SLE prone mice by their immunization with monoclonal anti-DNA Abs that express the major Id designated 16/6Id (17, 18). The 16/6Id-induced disease in mice is manifested by high levels of autoantibodies (anti-dsDNA and anti-nuclear protein antibody) and by SLE-associated clinical symptoms (17, 18). Furthermore, a peptide based on the sequences of the CDR1 of the human 16/6Id was shown to down-regulate in vitro and in vivo autoreactive T cell responses and to ameliorate the clinical manifestations of spontaneous (NZB × NZW)F1 (NZB/W; New Zealand Black and New Zealand White mice) and induced models of SLE in mice (19, 20, 21, 22, 23). The latter was associated with down-regulation of the cytokines that play a key role in the pathogenesis of lupus (e.g., IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-1) and with an up-regulation of the immunosuppressive cytokine TGFβ (20, 21, 23). Moreover, treatment with hCDR1 inhibited T cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, including adhesion and chemotaxis, by down-regulating ERK phosphorylation (24). The inhibition of phosphorylation of this kinase was also found to be involved in 16/6Id-stimulated proliferation via down-regulating the expression and function of a pair of adhesion and costimulatory molecules, LFA-1 and CD44. IFN-γ was also found to play an important role in the 16/6Id stimulated proliferation (25) and to be associated with down-regulation of TCR signaling, T-bet expression and NFκB activation (26).

Because T cells in lupus resist anergy (13), the induction of anergy in these cells is of major importance. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine whether human CDR1 (hCDR1), which has been shown to be beneficial in lupus, affects anergy. Further, we wanted to find out whether the effects of hCDR1 are mediated by the two transcription factors Egr-2 and Egr-3 that were found to play an important role in anergy. We show here that treatment with hCDR1-induced anergy in autoreactive T cells as it down-regulated their IL-2 mRNA expression and proliferation, with reversibility of the latter upon IL-2 addition. The effect of hCDR1 was associated with the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and the up-regulated Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression that down-regulated IFN-γ secretion.

Materials and Methods

Mice

Mice of the BALB/c inbred strain were obtained from Harlan and female mice were used at the age of 8–10 wk. NZB/W female mice were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory. This study has been approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Synthetic peptides

A peptide based on the sequence of the CDR (CDR1; Ref. 27) of the human mAb anti-DNA that bears the major Id, designated 16/6Id (GYYWSWIRQPPGKGEEWIG), was synthesized by Polypeptide Laboratories using solid phase synthesis by Fmoc (N-(9-fluorenyl)methoxycarbonyl) chemistry. hCDR1 (edratide) is under clinical development for the treatment of SLE by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. As a control, we used a peptide containing the amino acids of hCDR1 (SKGIPQYGGWPWEGWRYEI) in a scrambled order (designated the scrambled peptide). This peptide binds MHC class II in a similar avidity to that of hCDR1 (our unpublished data).

Abs and reagents

The human anti-DNA mAb that bears the 16/6Id (IgG1/κ) was previously described (28). The Ab is secreted by hybridoma cells that are grown in culture and purified by using a protein G-Sepharose column (Amersham Pharmacia). Abs to Ser473-phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and anti-Akt were obtained from Cell Signaling Technology. Abs to Egr-2, Egr-3, Cbl-b, and tubulin were obtained from Santa Cruz Biotechnology. Recombinant murine IL-2 was purchased from PeproTech.

Immunization and treatment of mice

Mice were immunized with 1 μg of the human mAb 16/6Id or human IgG (hIgG) (as a control) in CFA. Additional groups of mice were injected s.c. with hCDR1 (50 μg per mouse) in PBS concomitant with 16/6Id or hIgG. Another control group was treated with the scrambled peptide. Mice of all groups were sacrificed at day 10 after immunization, and their lymph node (LN) cells or LN-derived T cells were studied. NZB/W mice with a full-blown disease (8 mo old) were treated once a week for 10 wk with either the vehicle Captisol (sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin that has been designed by Cydex to enhance the solubility and stability of drugs) or hCDR1 (50 μg/mouse).

T cell purification

Preparation of an enriched population of T cells form either the LN (BALB/c mice) or spleen (NZB/W mice) was performed as follows: petri dishes were precoated (overnight at 4°C) with goat anti-mouse Ig (15 μg/ml in 5 ml PBS), and then washed three times. Inguinal LN cells were incubated (70 min at 4°C in RPMI 1640 containing 10% FCS and antibiotics) on the coated plates. The purified cells, which were mainly T cells (>92% as assessed by FACS analysis), were then collected and washed in RPMI 1640.

In vitro cell stimulation with 16/6Id

LN-derived cells were removed from mice 10 days after immunization. Cells (5 × 106) were incubated in the presence of 16/6Id or hIgG (25 μg/ml). Purified T cells were stimulated by incubating them with irradiated (3,000 rad) syngeneic splenocytes from normal mice (as a source of APCs) in the presence of 16/6Id or hIgG (25 μg/ml).

Proliferation assays

Ten days after immunization with 16/6Id, mice were killed and cells from inguinal LNs were used for proliferation assays. Cells (1 × 106) were cultured in the presence of the 16/6Id (5 μg/well). Cultures were set up (in triplicate) in 200 μl of RPMI 1640-enriched medium containing 1% syngeneic normal mouse serum in 96-well microtiter plates (Nunc). After 96 h, [3H]thymidine was added to the wells. Eighteen hours later, the plates were harvested onto a filter plate. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine was measured using a beta counter.

Detection of IFN-γ secretion

T cells were stimulated with 16/6Id as described above and their supernatants were collected after 48 h. The levels of IFN-γ in the supernatants were determined by ELISA according to the manufacturer’s instructions (BD Pharmingen).

Real-time RT-PCR

The levels of mRNA of IL-2, IFN-γ, Egr-2, and Egr-3 were determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR using the LightCycler system (Roche). Reverse transcription into complementary DNA was performed by using Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase (Promega). Real-time RT-PCR was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Briefly, 20 μl of reaction volume contained 3 mM MgCl2, LightCycler HotStart DNA SYBR Green I mix (Roche), specific primer pairs, and 5 μl of cDNA. PCR cycling conditions were 10 min at 95°C followed by 45 cycles of 95°C for 15 s, 60°C for 15 s, and 72°C for 15 s. The following primer sequences were used (forward and reverse respectively): IL-2 (5′-cttcagtgcctagaagatg-3′ and 5′-agtccaccacagttgc-3′), IFN-γ (5′-gaacgctacacactgc-3′ and 5′-ctggacctgtgggttg-3′), Egr-2 (5′-cgagtagcttcgctcc-3′ and 5′-tggcggcgataagaat-3′), Egr-3 (5′-ttcgctttcgactctcc-3′ and 5′-ctccgagtagagatcgc-3′), and β-actin (5′-gtgacgttgacatccg-3′ 5′-gagcgtttgttgtacct-3′). The levels of β-actin were used for normalization while calculating the expression levels of other genes. The results are expressed as the relative expression levels for each gene.

Western blot analysis

For preparation of whole cell lysate, T cells that were either unstimulated or in vitro stimulated with16/6Id were lysed as described previously (24). Samples containing equal amounts of protein were separated by electrophoresis on a 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gel and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. The membranes were blocked and probed with anti-general Akt Ab and its phosphorylated form, anti-Egr-2, anti-Egr-3, anti-Cbl-b, and anti-tubulin (as a control for the total protein loaded). Immunoreactive protein bands were visualized using labeled secondary Abs and the enhanced ECL system. The results were also demonstrated as densitometric histograms that were calculated as a percentage of total protein using the NIH Image program.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection

Four specific siRNAs in SMARTpool format (Dharmacon) were used to target mouse Egr-2 (siGENOME SMARTpool reagent no. M-040303-00-0005; GenBank accession no. NM_010118) and Egr-3 (siGENOME SMARTpool reagent no. M-046392-00-0005; GenBank accession no. NM_018781) for their respective RNA silencing. Nontargeting siRNA pool (siControl reagent no.D-001206-13-05) was used as a negative control. T cells were transfected with mouse T cell Nucleofector kit (Amaxa Biosystems) using the Nucleofector device (3 μg of siRNA for 5 × 106 cells in 0.1 ml of transfection buffer) according to the manufacturer’s instructions (program X-01). As a control for transfection efficiency, we used the plasmid DNA vector pmaxGFP (Amaxa Biosystems). Cells were then incubated in recovery medium for 24 or 48 h before being analyzed for mRNA expression or added to enriched medium for IFN-γ secretion, respectively.

Statistical analysis

The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analyses of the data. A value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Addition of exogenous rIL-2 abrogates the hCDR1-induced down-regulation of the 16/6Id-triggered proliferation

The inhibitory effect of hCDR1 is shown by its ability to specifically inhibit 16/6Id-triggered proliferation. To find out whether the hCDR1-induced inhibition of proliferation is associated with the down-regulation of IL-2, we determined the mRNA expression of the latter cytokine in mice that were immunized with 16/6Id and treated with hCDR1. Thus, two groups of mice were immunized with 16/6Id and one of the groups was concomitantly treated with hCDR1. Ten days later we measured IL-2 mRNA levels in T cells derived from the two groups of mice by using real time RT-PCR. As shown in Fig. 1⇓A, treatment with hCDR1 significantly down-regulated IL-2 mRNA expression. Table I⇓ demonstrates that the observed down-regulation is specific, because a control peptide (scrambled) did not inhibit IL-2 mRNA expression in T cells from 16/6Id-immunized mice. Furthermore, when the hCDR1 was injected as a treatment to mice immunized with IgG (used as a specificity control) it did not down-regulate the IL-2 mRNA expression.

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.

Addition of exogenous IL-2 abrogates the hCDR1-induced inhibition of 16/6Id-specific proliferation. A, T cells were purified from LN cells derived from mice 10 days after immunization with 16/6Id and with or without concomitant treatment with hCDR1. The cells of both groups were incubated with irradiated (3,000 rad) syngeneic splenocytes from normal mice in the presence of 16/6Id (25 μg/ml). IL-2 mRNA expression in the cells was determined by real-time RT-PCR. Results indicate the expression of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA relative to β-actin. B, LN cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice that were either concomitantly treated or not treated with hCDR1 were incubated in the presence of 16/6Id (25 μg/ml). Exogenous rIL-2 (2 ng/ml) was added to one of the hCDR1-treated groups. Proliferation was measured by the incorporation of [3H]thymidine (see Materials and Methods). Results are expressed as mean cpm ± SD. Depicted are the results of one experiment representative of three that yielded similar results. ∗, p < 0.05.

View this table:
Table I.

hCDR1 inhibits specifically 16/6Id-stimulated IL-2 mRNA expressiona

Next, to find out whether the hCDR1-induced down-regulation of the 16/6Id-triggered proliferation can be reversible, rIL-2 was added to LN cells derived from mice that were immunized with 16/6Id and treated with hCDR1. Fig. 1⇑B demonstrates that the in vitro addition of rIL-2 abrogated the hCDR1-induced down-regulation of the 16/6Id-triggered proliferation. These results may suggest that T cell anergy might be part of the mechanism by which hCDR1 exerts its inhibitory effect.

hCDR1 down-regulates Akt phosphorylation and IFN-γ production by T cells

p-Akt is an important kinase that plays a key role in T cell survival, activation, and proliferation (29, 30). Therefore, we wanted to find out whether Akt plays a role in the mechanism of action of hCDR1. Thus, we studied the effect of in vivo treatment with hCDR1 on the 16/6Id-stimulated Akt phosphorylation in T cells. To this end, T cells derived from mice that were immunized with 16/6Id without and with concomitant injection of hCDR1 were incubated with irradiated splenocytes derived from normal mice (as a source for APCs) and in the presence or absence of 16/6Id stimulation (25 μg/ml). Cells were then collected and the extent of Akt phosphorylation was determined in their lysates. As shown in Fig. 2⇓A, in vivo treatment with hCDR1 down-regulated both in vitro 16/6Id-stimulated and unstimulated Akt phosphorylation as compared with T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice that were not treated with hCDR1.

FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.

Treatment with hCDR1 down-regulates Akt phosphorylation and IFN-γ secretion and mRNA expression in T cells. A, T cells were purified from LN of mice that were immunized with 16/6Id and either not treated or treated in vivo with hCDR1. The cells were incubated with irradiated syngeneic splenocytes from normal mice in the presence or absence of 16/6Id (25 μg/ml). Whole cell lysate was applied to SDS-polyacrylamide gel, transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, and immunoblotted with anti-p-Akt (Ser473). Abs against total Akt (t-Akt) served as a control for the protein loaded. B and C, T cells purified from LN of mice that were immunized with 16/6Id were either incubated or not incubated with wortmannin. The cells were then washed and incubated with irradiated (3,000 rad) syngeneic splenocytes from normal mice in the presence of 16/6Id (25 μg/ml). IFN-γ secretion in the supernatants (B) or mRNA expression in the cells (C) was determined by ELISA (mean ng/ml ± SD) or real-time RT-PCR (results indicate the Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression relative to β-actin), respectively. Depicted are the results of one experiment representative of three performed; ∗, p < 0.05.

We have previously shown (26) that treatment with hCDR1 down-regulated IFN-γ secretion from T cells. To find out whether the down-regulation in Akt phosphorylation may contribute to the decreased IFN-γ secretion, we studied the effect of inhibition of the PI3K pathway on IFN-γ secretion. To this end, T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice were incubated with irradiated normal splenocytes in the presence of 16/6Id stimulation with or without wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor). Fig. 2⇑B demonstrates that in vitro incubation with wortmannin significantly down-regulated T cell IFN-γ secretion. As shown in Fig. 2⇑C, in vitro addition of wortmannin also significantly decreased the mRNA expression of IFN-γ as measured by real-time RT-PCR.

Egr-2 and Egr-3 expression is down-regulated in T cells of 16/6Id-immunized mice and up-regulated by hCDR1

The transcription factors Egr-2 and Egr-3 are negative regulators of T cell activation that are up-regulated in anergy and inhibit T cell functions (2). Therefore, we studied the expression of these transcription factors in T cells of 16/6Id-immunized mice. As shown in Fig. 3⇓A.1 and B.1, Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions were significantly down-regulated in resting T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice compared with resting normal mice. In vitro stimulation with 16/6Id significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of these factors in T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice and to a much lesser extent (nonsignificant) in T cells derived from normal mice. Nevertheless, the expression of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA was significantly decreased in T cells of 16/6Id-immunized mice compared with T cells of unimmunized mice. Moreover, in vivo treatment with hCDR1 significantly up-regulated T cell mRNA expression of Egr-2 and Egr-3 (Fig. 3⇓, C.1 and D.1). Similar results were observed in Western blot analysis as shown in Fig. 3⇓, A.2, B.2, C.2, and D.2. The observed hCDR1-induced up-regulation in Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions was found to be specific because, as demonstrated in Table II⇓, a control peptide (scrambled) did not up-regulate Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions in T cells from 16/6Id-immunized mice. In addition, when the hCDR1 was injected as treatment to mice immunized with the control Ag human IgG it did not up-regulate the Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions.

FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.

Egr-2 and Egr-3 expression is down-regulated in the T cells of 16/6Id-immunized (Imm.) mice and up-regulated by hCDR1. T cells were purified from normal BALB/c mice or 16/6Id-immunized mice without (A.1 and B.1) or with concomitant treatment (Treat.) with hCDR1 (C.1 and D.1). T cells of 16/6Id-immunized mice were incubated with splenocytes with or without 16/6Id (25 μg/ml). The mRNA expressions of Egr-2 (A.1 and C.1) and Egr-3 (B.1 and D.1) were tested by real-time RT-PCR. Results present the Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression relative to β-actin. Protein levels of these transcription factors were determined by Western blot analysis (A.2, B.2, C.2, and D.2). Depicted are the results of one experiment representative of four performed; ∗, p < 0.05.

View this table:
Table II.

hCDR1 up-regulates specifically 16/6Id-stimulated Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressiona

Inhibition of PI3K up-regulates Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions in T cells

Because treatment with hCDR1 down-regulated Akt phosphorylation, we studied the effect of inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway on the mRNA expressions of Egr-2 and Egr-3 in T cells. To this end, T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice were incubated with irradiated normal splenocytes in the presence of 16/6Id stimulation with or without wortmannin. As demonstrated in Fig. 4⇓, incubation with wortmannin significantly up-regulated the mRNA expressions of Egr-2 and Egr-3 in T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice. Fig. 4⇓ also demonstrates that the in vitro addition of rIL-2 (shown to be down-regulated by hCDR1) abrogated the effect of wortmannin on the mRNA expression of Egr-2 and Egr-3.

FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 4.

Inhibition of PI3K up-regulates Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression in T cells. T cells purified from LN cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice were incubated with or without wortmannin, washed, and then incubated with irradiated (3,000 rad) syngeneic splenocytes from normal mice in the presence of 16/6Id (25 μg/ml) with or without rIL-2 (10 ng/ml). The mRNA expressions of Egr-2 (A) and Egr-3 (B) were determined by real-time RT-PCR. Results present the Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions relative to β-actin. Depicted are the results of one experiment representative of four performed. ∗, p < 0.05.

In vitro inhibition of the transcription factors Egr-2 and Egr-3 abrogates hCDR1-induced down-regulation of IFN-γ secretion

To find out whether hCDR1-induced up-regulated Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions may contribute to the inhibition of IFN-γ secretion, we transfected T cells derived from hCDR1-treated mice with siRNA specific to these transcription factors. The latter cells were electroporated with Egr-2- or Egr-3-specific siRNA and a control siRNA. Control groups of T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice with or without in vivo treatment with hCDR1 were electroporated without siRNA. After incubation in recovery medium, the cells were washed and reincubated with irradiated normal splenocytes in the presence of 16/6Id stimulation. Supernatants were collected and tested for IFN-γ secretion. The transfection efficiency was determined by flow cytometry using GFP plasmid DNA vector and was found to be in the range of 34–38%. As shown in Fig. 5⇓A, IFN-γ secretion by T cells of in vivo hCDR1-treated mice that were transfected with Egr-2- and Egr-3-specific siRNA was significantly up-regulated (2.2- and 1.6-fold, respectively) compared with T cells of hCDR1-treated mice that were only electroporated or electroporated and transfected with a control siRNA. The levels of IFN-γ secreted following siRNA transfection specific to either Egr-2 or Egr-3 was almost similar to that secreted by electroporated T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice. Fig. 5⇓, B and D, demonstrate the effective down-regulation of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions following transfection of T cells derived from hCDR1-treated mice with Egr-2- and Egr-3-specific siRNA. Fig. 5⇓, C and E, show up-regulation of Egr-2 and Egr-3 protein levels following in vivo treatment with hCDR1 and their down-regulation by the specific siRNA. It should be noted that there was no down-regulation but rather an up-regulation of Egr-2 mRNA expression in Egr-3-specific siRNA-transfected T cells. The same was true for Egr-3 mRNA expression in Egr-2 specific siRNA-transfected T cells (data not shown).

FIGURE 5.
FIGURE 5.

In vitro silencing of the transcription factors Egr-2 and Egr-3 abrogates hCDR1-induced down-regulation of IFN-γ secretion. A, T cells, purified from 16/6Id-immunized BALB/c mice concomitant with hCDR1 treatment, were electroporated with Egr-2- or Egr-3-specific siRNA and a control siRNA as described in Materials and Methods. Control groups of T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice with or without in vivo treatment with hCDR1 were electroporated without siRNA. The cells were incubated in recovery medium and reincubated (48 h) with irradiated syngeneic splenocytes from normal mice in the presence of 16/6Id and IFN-γ secretion in the supernatants was determined by ELISA (mean ng/ml ± SD). B–E, Real-time RT-PCR was performed immediately after incubation in recovery medium for Egr-2 (B) and Egr-3 (D) mRNA expression. Results express Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA relative to β-actin. Whole cell lysates, prepared after overnight incubation with splenocytes and 16/6Id, were applied to SDS-PAGE, transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, and immunoblotted with anti Egr-2 (C) or Egr-3 (E). Abs against total tubulin served as a control for the protein loaded. The percentage of expression of the total protein loaded is presented. Depicted are the results of one experiment representative of three performed; ∗, p < 0.05.

Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression is up-regulated by TGFβ and Cbl-b is up-regulated following treatment with hCDR1

Treatment with hCDR1 was shown to up-regulate TGFβ secretion (24, 26). To study whether TGFβ may contribute to the hCDR1-induced up-regulation in Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression, T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice were incubated with TGFβ (250 pg/ml, 24 h) and with irradiated normal splenocytes in the presence of 16/6Id. Fig. 6⇓, A and B, demonstrate that incubation with TGFβ significantly up-regulated the mRNA expressions of Egr-2 and Egr-3. Of note, coincubation of T cells derived from hCDR1-treated mice with a neutralizing anti-TGFβ mAb (10 μg/ml) diminished the levels of Egr-2 and Egr-3 by 44 and 67%, respectively.

FIGURE 6.
FIGURE 6.

Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions are up-regulated by TGFβ and Cbl-b is up-regulated following treatment with hCDR1. A and B, T cells, purified from 16/6Id-immunized BALB/c mice, were incubated with TGFβ (250 pg/ml for 24 h) and irradiated normal splenocytes in the presence of 16/6Id. The mRNA expressions of Egr-2 (A) and Egr-3 (B) were determined by real-time RT-PCR. Results represent the expression of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA relative to β-actin. C, T cells derived from mice immunized with 16/6Id with or without concomitant treatment with hCDR1 were incubated with irradiated syngeneic normal splenocytes in the presence or absence of 16/6Id (25 μg/ml). Whole cell lysate was applied to SDS-polyacrylamide gel, transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, and immunoblotted with anti-Cbl-b. Abs against tubulin served as a control for the protein loaded. The percentage of expression of the total protein loaded is presented in columns. Depicted are the results of one experiment representative of three performed; ∗, p < 0.05.

Because overexpression of Egr-2 and Egr-3 was associated with an increase in the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b (2), it was of interest to find out whether treatment with hCDR1 affects the expression of this ligase. Fig. 6⇑C shows a Western blot of lysates of T cells derived from mice immunized with 16/6Id with or without concomitant treatment with hCDR1. As can be seen, hCDR1 up-regulated Cbl-b protein expression.

Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression is down-regulated in T cells of NZB/W SLE-afflicted mice and is up-regulated by treatment with hCDR1

It was of interest to determine the expression levels of the two transcription factors also in NZB/W mice that develop lupus spontaneously. To this end, mRNA prepared from pools of T cells from young (2 mo) and old (8 mo) SLE-afflicted NZB/W mice and normal old aged matched (8 mo) BALB/c mice were compared for the expression of Egr-2 and Egr-3. Fig. 7⇓, A and B, demonstrate a significant down-regulation in Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression in T cells of old SLE-afflicted mice comparing to young NZB/W mice or to normal old BALB/c mice. Treatment of the SLE-afflicted NZB/W mice with hCDR1 significantly up-regulated the expression of both Egr-2 and Egr-3 transcription factors, whereas treatment with a control peptide did not affect their expression (Fig. 7⇓, C and D). Table III⇓, which shows the mean values of mRNA of individual mice, confirms the significant up-regulation of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions following treatment with hCDR1.

FIGURE 7.
FIGURE 7.

Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions are down-regulated in T cells of NZB/W SLE-afflicted mice and up-regulated by treatment with hCDR1. T cells purified from young and old SLE-afflicted NZB/W mice and normal old BALB/c mice (A and B). T cells were also purified from old SLE-afflicted NZB/W mice that were either treated with vehicle (Captisol), hCDR1, or control peptide (C and D). The mRNA expressions of Egr-2 (A and C) and Egr-3 (B and D) in T cells were determined by real-time RT-PCR. Results indicate the expressions of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA relative to β-actin. Depicted are the results of one experiment representative of three performed; ∗, p < 0.05.

View this table:
Table III.

hCDR1 up-regulates Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression in NZB/W micea

Discussion

The main findings of this study are that hCDR1 (edratide) inhibited T cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion by inducing anergy. The latter was associated with inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and up-regulation of the mRNA expression of two negative regulators of TCR activation, namely Egr-2 and Egr-3, which we found to be basically down-regulated in SLE. Similarly, these transcription factors were up-regulated by TGFβ that is elevated following treatment with hCDR1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that the negative regulators Egr-2 and Egr-3 are down-regulated in lupus and can be immunomodulated. Furthermore, these results also suggest a role for Akt in cell activation and proliferation through a negative effect on Egr-2 and Egr-3 expressions, leading to the prevention of anergy.

The beneficial effects of hCDR1 on the clinical manifestations of SLE were shown to be associated with down-regulation of pathogenic cytokines, including IFN-γ, and with an increase in the immunosuppressive cytokine TGFβ (23). We have recently shown (24, 25) that already 10 days following immunization with the 16/6Id, long before the appearance of serological and clinical manifestations of experimental lupus, treatment with hCDR1 diminished specifically T cell responses including chemotaxis, adhesion, and proliferation in association with the inhibition of ERK phosphorylation (24, 25). The present study added to our understanding of the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of hCDR1 in relation to anergy and the T cell negative regulators Egr-2 and Egr-3.

We have shown previously that already in the very early stages of disease induction, hCDR1 inhibited specifically 16/6Id-stimulated T cell proliferation in association with the inhibition of ERK phosphorylation (25). In the present study we showed that treatment with hCDR1 down-regulated T cell IL-2 mRNA expression already 10 days after immunization with the 16/6Id, while the addition of IL-2 to T cells derived from hCDR1-treated mice abrogated the hCDR1-induced inhibition of T cell proliferation. These results may suggest that hCDR1 also exerts its beneficial effect by inducing T cell anergy. Inhibition of autoreactive T cell proliferation and anergy induction in lupus is of major importance, because the proliferation and the expansion of autoreactive T cells were found to be correlated with disease severity (10), and it was reported recently that autoreactive T cell in lupus are resistant to anergy (13).

T cell Akt phosphorylation was found to be up-regulated in both human and mouse models for SLE (14, 15), while inhibition of PI3K signaling pathway blocked the glomerulonephritis and prolonged mice survival (15). In addition, Akt was shown to provide a costimulatory signal for the up-regulation of IL-2 and IFN-γ secretions (6) and to play a key role in T cell survival, activation, and proliferation (29, 30). In agreement with this, we demonstrated in this study that treatment with hCDR1 down-regulated Akt phosphorylation in T cells and that the inhibition of this signaling pathway was associated with the down-regulation of IFN-γ secretion and expression (Fig. 2⇑A). Inhibition of the latter cytokine is of major importance, because IFN-γ was shown to contribute to the 16/6Id-stimulated proliferation. Indeed, addition of this cytokine to T cells derived from hCDR1-treated mice abrogated the hCDR1-induced inhibition of proliferation (25).

Akt can be phosphorylated following stimulation of either the TCR, CD28 (9), or other costimulatory molecules including LFA-1 (7, 8). Indeed, we have shown recently (26) that treatment with hCDR1 down-regulated LFA-1 expression and function and inhibited TCR signaling, probably by acting as a partial agonist.

Egr-2 and Egr-3 are transcription factors that were found recently to be up-regulated in T cell anergy, and their overexpression was associated with the inhibition of T cell activation (2, 3). However, very little is known about their expression in autoimmune diseases and particularly in lupus. In this study we demonstrate for the first time that the expression of these transcription factors is down-regulated in T cells derived from mice immunized with 16/6Id in the very early stages of SLE induction, already 10 days after immunization, as compared with normal BALB/c mice (Fig. 3⇑, A and B). In addition, these two transcription factors are probably important also in a fully established disease of the spontaneous model, as their expression is down-regulated in old (8 mo) SLE-afflicted NZB/W mice in comparison with young NZB/W mice or normal age-matched BALB/c mice (Fig. 6⇑, A and B). Moreover, we demonstrated that the expressions of Egr-2 and Egr-3 can be modulated, because treatment with hCDR1 specifically up-regulated both factors in early stages after immunization with 16/6Id as well as in an established lupus in NZB/W mice (Figs. 3⇑, C and D, and 6⇑, C and D, and Table II⇑). The latter up-regulation in Egr-2 and Egr-3 expression in SLE-afflicted NZB/W mice was accompanied by improvement in the serological, clinical, and immunohistological manifestations of the disease (data not shown). The mechanism by which hCDR1 induces increased expression of these transcription factors is probably through the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation, as in vitro inhibition of PI3K signaling pathway by wortmannin significantly up-regulated Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression in T cells derived from 16/6Id-immunized mice (Fig. 4⇑). Furthermore, Akt was reported to contribute to cell survival by various mechanisms (30, 31). The up-regulation of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression in T cells following the inhibition of PI3K signaling pathway by wortmannin may support a role for Akt in anergy prevention as a possible additional mechanism. The up-regulation of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions following treatment with hCDR1 is of major functional importance because it probably contributes to the hCDR1-induced inhibition of T cell IFN-γ secretion, a cytokine that is elevated in lupus and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the disease (27, 32, 33, 34). Indeed, transfection of T cells derived from mice that were treated with hCDR1 concomitant with 16/6Id immunization with siRNA specific for either Egr-2 or Egr-3 abrogated the inhibition by hCDR1 of IFN-γ secretion by T cells (Fig. 5⇑).

TGFβ was shown to be up-regulated following treatment with hCDR1 and to participate in its mechanism of action, including down-regulation of T cell adhesion, migration, and 16/6Id-stimulated proliferation and IFN-γ secretion (23, 24, 25, 26). In the present study (Fig. 6⇑A and B), the addition of TGFβ up-regulated the mRNA expressions of Egr-2 and Egr-3. In addition, Akt was reported (35, 36) to inhibit TGFβ signaling by sequestrating Smad3 and therefore leading to inhibition of its function, whereas TGFβ prevents the formation of Akt-Smad3 complexes. Indeed, treatment with hCDR1 down-regulated Akt phosphorylation and thus, probably by regulating the sensitivity to TGFβ, provided an additional pathway for the up-regulation of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expression. Furthermore, overexpression of Egr-2 and Egr-3 was associated with the increased expression of Cbl-b. Indeed, treatment with hCDR1 up-regulated the protein expression of this E3 ubiquitin ligase.

In conclusion, the apparent down-regulation of murine autoreactive T cell functions, including IFN-γ secretion, is at least partially a consequence of the ability of hCDR1 to induce anergy. This is associated with specific up-regulation of T cell-negative regulators, namely Egr-2 and Egr-3, which are down-regulated in lupus-associated autoreactive T cells. The hCDR1-induced down-regulation of Akt phosphorylation is probably through the inhibition of TCR signaling (26) and costimulation (e.g., LFA-1, 25). Inhibition of Akt phosphorylation leads to up-regulation of Egr-2 and Egr-3 expressions, and the latter transcription factors subsequently inhibit IFN-γ secretion by T cells. The hCDR1-induced up-regulation of Egr-2 and Egr-3 mRNA expressions was found both early in disease induction (10 days after immunization with 16/6Id) and in SLE afflicted NZB/W mice. Therefore, the above-described mechanisms probably play a role in the amelioration of SLE manifestations following treatment with hCDR1.

Disclosures

The authors have no financial conflict of interest.

Footnotes

  • The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

  • ↵1 This study was supported by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (to E.M.).

  • ↵2 O.L. is deceased.

  • ↵3 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Edna Mozes, Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, P.O. Box 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel. E-mail address: edna.mozes{at}weizmann.ac.il

  • ↵4 Abbreviations used in this paper: Egr, early growth response; hCDR1, human CDR1; hIgG, human IgG; LFA-1, leukocyte function Ag 1; LN, lymph node; NZB/W, (NZB × NZW)F1 (New Zealand Black and New Zealand White); p-Akt, phosphorylated Akt; siRNA, small interfering RNA; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus.

  • Received November 15, 2006.
  • Accepted November 19, 2007.

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