2024
An autoimmune transcriptional circuit drives FOXP3+ regulatory T cell dysfunction
Sumida T, Lincoln M, He L, Park Y, Ota M, Oguchi A, Son R, Yi A, Stillwell H, Leissa G, Fujio K, Murakawa Y, Kulminski A, Epstein C, Bernstein B, Kellis M, Hafler D. An autoimmune transcriptional circuit drives FOXP3+ regulatory T cell dysfunction. Science Translational Medicine 2024, 16: eadp1720. PMID: 39196959, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adp1720.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsForkhead box P3Autoimmune diseasesCD4<sup>+</sup>Foxp3<sup>+</sup> regulatory T cellsMultiple sclerosisFoxp3<sup>+</sup> regulatory T cellsRegulatory T cell dysfunctionPR domain zinc finger protein 1Zinc finger protein 1Glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1Regulatory T cellsT cell dysfunctionDisorder of young adultsAutoimmune disease multiple sclerosisDisease multiple sclerosisExpression of serumTranscriptional circuitsEpigenomic profilingShort isoformPrevent autoimmunityUpstream regulatorT cellsHuman autoimmunityEvolutionary emergenceKinase 1Molecular mechanisms
2023
Sodium perturbs mitochondrial respiration and induces dysfunctional Tregs
Côrte-Real B, Hamad I, Arroyo Hornero R, Geisberger S, Roels J, Van Zeebroeck L, Dyczko A, van Gisbergen M, Kurniawan H, Wagner A, Yosef N, Weiss S, Schmetterer K, Schröder A, Krampert L, Haase S, Bartolomaeus H, Hellings N, Saeys Y, Dubois L, Brenner D, Kempa S, Hafler D, Stegbauer J, Linker R, Jantsch J, Müller D, Kleinewietfeld M. Sodium perturbs mitochondrial respiration and induces dysfunctional Tregs. Cell Metabolism 2023, 35: 299-315.e8. PMID: 36754020, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.01.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman TregsPro-inflammatory featuresLong-term dysfunctionPro-inflammatory signatureMetabolic reprogrammingLong-term functionDysfunctional TregsFoxp3 downregulationPeripheral toleranceMitochondrial respirationMetabolic disturbancesTregsImmune functionAutoimmunityMetabolic fitnessIntracellular NaMitochondrial NaHigh saltMitochondrial metabolismElectron transport chainTranscriptional changesFoxp3DysfunctionBlockade
2022
TCR-sequencing in cancer and autoimmunity: barcodes and beyond
Pauken KE, Lagattuta KA, Lu BY, Lucca LE, Daud AI, Hafler DA, Kluger HM, Raychaudhuri S, Sharpe AH. TCR-sequencing in cancer and autoimmunity: barcodes and beyond. Trends In Immunology 2022, 43: 180-194. PMID: 35090787, PMCID: PMC8882139, DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.01.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsT cell receptorT cellsMolecular barcodesProgrammed Death-1 BlockadeTCR sequencesDeath-1 blockadeUnique TCR sequencesNaïve T cellsT cell functionCell divisionMolecular phenotypesBarcodesImmune responseAntigen specificitySingle cellsCell receptorCell functionRecent technological advancesCancerTCR dataCells
2021
The double-edged sword: Harnessing PD-1 blockade in tumor and autoimmunity
Kuchroo JR, Hafler DA, Sharpe AH, Lucca LE. The double-edged sword: Harnessing PD-1 blockade in tumor and autoimmunity. Science Immunology 2021, 6: eabf4034. PMID: 34739340, DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abf4034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune-related adverse eventsPD-1 blockadeRegulatory T cell functionImmune checkpoint blockadeCheckpoint blockade immunotherapyT cell responsesT cell functionBlockade immunotherapyAdverse eventsAntitumor immunityCheckpoint blockadeCell responsesBlockadeCell functionAutoimmunityMechanistic featuresEdged swordImmunotherapyTumorsCancerImmunity
2020
Epigenetic fine-mapping: identification of causal mechanisms for autoimmunity
Lincoln MR, Axisa PP, Hafler DA. Epigenetic fine-mapping: identification of causal mechanisms for autoimmunity. Current Opinion In Immunology 2020, 67: 50-56. PMID: 32977183, DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2020.09.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesMolecular mechanismsSusceptibility lociIndividual susceptibility lociFundamental genetic basisCausal molecular mechanismsPathogenic cell typesSpecific molecular mechanismsGenetic susceptibility lociEpigenetic techniquesGenetic basisGenetic lociAssociation studiesCell typesLociRecent advancesMechanismGeneticsAutoimmune diseasesSpectrum of autoimmunityCausal mechanismsEtiological mechanismsInflammatory diseasesTranslationAutoimmunity
2019
Latent autoimmunity across disease-specific boundaries in at-risk first-degree relatives of SLE and RA patients
James JA, Chen H, Young KA, Bemis EA, Seifert J, Bourn RL, Deane KD, Demoruelle MK, Feser M, O'Dell JR, Weisman MH, Keating RM, Gaffney PM, Kelly JA, Langefeld CD, Harley JB, Robinson W, Hafler DA, O'Connor KC, Buckner J, Guthridge JM, Norris JM, Holers VM. Latent autoimmunity across disease-specific boundaries in at-risk first-degree relatives of SLE and RA patients. EBioMedicine 2019, 42: 76-85. PMID: 30952617, PMCID: PMC6491794, DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.03.063.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSystemic lupus erythematosusFirst-degree relativesGenetic risk scoreRA patientsRheumatoid arthritisSLE patientsT1D patientsAutoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosusRisk first-degree relativesOrgan-specific autoimmune diseasesType 1 diabetes patientsAutoimmune disease preventionAnti-tissue transglutaminaseDisease-associated autoantibodiesDisease prevention studiesUnaffected first-degree relativesCross-sectional studyLatent autoimmunityLupus erythematosusAutoimmune diseasesDiabetes patientsPrevention StudyRisk scoreAutoimmunityPreclinical period
2018
Activated β-catenin in Foxp3+ regulatory T cells links inflammatory environments to autoimmunity
Sumida T, Lincoln MR, Ukeje CM, Rodriguez DM, Akazawa H, Noda T, Naito AT, Komuro I, Dominguez-Villar M, Hafler DA. Activated β-catenin in Foxp3+ regulatory T cells links inflammatory environments to autoimmunity. Nature Immunology 2018, 19: 1391-1402. PMID: 30374130, PMCID: PMC6240373, DOI: 10.1038/s41590-018-0236-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProstaglandin E receptor 2Regulatory T cellsTreg cellsT cellsAnti-inflammatory cytokine productionIL-10 productionPeripheral immune toleranceIL-10 expressionΒ-cateninE receptor 2Treg subpopulationsTreg phenotypeIL-10Cytokines IFNImmune toleranceTreg signatureCytokine signatureMultiple sclerosisAutoimmune diseasesCytokine productionInflammatory environmentLethal autoimmunityReceptor 2Activated β-cateninIFNRegulatory T Cells: From Discovery to Autoimmunity
Kitz A, Singer E, Hafler D. Regulatory T Cells: From Discovery to Autoimmunity. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives In Medicine 2018, 8: a029041. PMID: 29311129, PMCID: PMC6280708, DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a029041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAutoreactive T cellsT cellsMultiple sclerosisEffector-like T cellsInterferon γ secretionEffector T cellsRegulatory T cellsTreg cell functionT-bet expressionCentral nervous systemT cell activationFunctional TregsΓ secretionProinflammatory cytokinesVitamin DAutoimmune diseasesGenetic predispositionNervous systemLoss of functionReduced suppressionConsistent findingCell functionDisease developmentActivationCells
2016
The Link Between CD6 and Autoimmunity: Genetic and Cellular Associations.
Kofler DM, Farkas A, von Bergwelt-Baildon M, Hafler DA. The Link Between CD6 and Autoimmunity: Genetic and Cellular Associations. Current Drug Targets 2016, 17: 651-65. PMID: 26844569, DOI: 10.2174/1389450117666160201105934.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntigens, CDAntigens, Differentiation, T-LymphocyteArthritis, RheumatoidAutoimmunityCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesCell Adhesion Molecules, NeuronalClinical Trials as TopicDisease Models, AnimalFetal ProteinsGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseHumansMultiple SclerosisPolymorphism, Single NucleotideConceptsMultiple sclerosisRheumatoid arthritisCentral nervous systemNervous systemSingle nucleotide polymorphismsDevelopment of MSTreatment of RARole of CD6T cell traffickingT cell functionGenetic risk factorsEndothelial cell barrierCD6 geneClinical responseGenetic associationClinical featuresAutoimmune diseasesSynovial cellsRisk factorsTumor necrosisSynovial fibroblastsPossible common mechanismT cellsT lymphocytesLeukocyte trafficking
2015
Sodium chloride inhibits the suppressive function of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells
Hernandez AL, Kitz A, Wu C, Lowther DE, Rodriguez DM, Vudattu N, Deng S, Herold KC, Kuchroo VK, Kleinewietfeld M, Hafler DA. Sodium chloride inhibits the suppressive function of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2015, 125: 4212-4222. PMID: 26524592, PMCID: PMC4639983, DOI: 10.1172/jci81151.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdoptive TransferAnimalsAntibodies, NeutralizingAutoimmunityCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesCells, CulturedCoculture TechniquesColitisCytokinesForkhead Transcription FactorsGene Expression ProfilingGenes, ReporterGraft vs Host DiseaseHeterograftsHumansImmediate-Early ProteinsInflammationInterferon-gammaLeukocytes, MononuclearMaleMiceProtein Serine-Threonine KinasesRNA InterferenceRNA, Small InterferingSodium ChlorideSodium Chloride, DietaryT-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryConceptsHigh-salt dietTreg functionIFNγ secretionCD4 effector cellsHuman Treg functionRegulatory T cellsAdoptive transfer modelAnti-IFNγ antibodyHost disease modelType 1 diabetesInduction of proinflammatoryTreg pathwayExperimental colitisXenogeneic graftEffector cellsMultiple sclerosisProinflammatory responseT cellsTregsMurine modelSuppressive activitySuppressive functionSerum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinaseAutoimmunityGlucocorticoid-regulated kinaseGenetic variants associated with autoimmunity drive NFκB signaling and responses to inflammatory stimuli
Housley WJ, Fernandez SD, Vera K, Murikinati SR, Grutzendler J, Cuerdon N, Glick L, De Jager PL, Mitrovic M, Cotsapas C, Hafler DA. Genetic variants associated with autoimmunity drive NFκB signaling and responses to inflammatory stimuli. Science Translational Medicine 2015, 7: 291ra93. PMID: 26062845, PMCID: PMC4574294, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaa9223.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAge FactorsAllelesAutoimmunityCase-Control StudiesCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesCell NucleusCytokinesFemaleGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseHumansInflammationMaleMiddle AgedMultiple SclerosisNF-kappa BPolymorphism, Single NucleotideProtein TransportReceptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type IRisk FactorsSex CharacteristicsSignal TransductionTime FactorsTumor Necrosis Factor-alphaConceptsB-cell leukemia 3Multiple sclerosisNegative regulatorInflammatory stimuliGenetic variantsWide association studyDisease susceptibility variantsNaïve CD4 T cellsRapid genetic screeningCD4 T cellsActivation of p65Transcription factor nuclear factor κBExpression of NFκBNuclear factor κBApoptosis 1Cellular inhibitorGG risk genotypeDegradation of inhibitorCentral regulatorAssociation studiesCytokine blockadeUlcerative colitisAutoimmune diseasesTumor necrosisSusceptibility variantsGenetic basis of autoimmunity
Marson A, Housley WJ, Hafler DA. Genetic basis of autoimmunity. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2015, 125: 2234-2241. PMID: 26030227, PMCID: PMC4497748, DOI: 10.1172/jci78086.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenetic basisInterpretation of GWASMultiple genomic datasetsWide association studyCommon human autoimmune diseasesRelevant cell typesCellular conditionsCellular phenotypesGenomic datasetsGene expressionDense genotypingBiological pathwaysAssociation studiesHuman autoimmune diseasesNucleotide variantsCell typesAutoimmune diseasesPrimary immune cellsUnbiased viewMonogenic mutationsPolygenic risk factorsEssential mechanismComplex disorderEnvironmental factorsNovel diagnostics
2014
Decreased RORC-dependent silencing of prostaglandin receptor EP2 induces autoimmune Th17 cells
Kofler DM, Marson A, Dominguez-Villar M, Xiao S, Kuchroo VK, Hafler DA. Decreased RORC-dependent silencing of prostaglandin receptor EP2 induces autoimmune Th17 cells. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2014, 124: 2513-2522. PMID: 24812667, PMCID: PMC4089462, DOI: 10.1172/jci72973.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAnimalsAutoimmunityCase-Control StudiesDinoprostoneDown-RegulationFemaleGene Knockdown TechniquesGene SilencingHumansMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutMiddle AgedModels, ImmunologicalMultiple SclerosisNuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3PhenotypePromoter Regions, GeneticReceptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 SubtypeSignal TransductionTh17 CellsConceptsTh17 cell phenotypeProstaglandin receptor EP2Receptor EP2Healthy individualsOverexpression of EP2Transcription factor RORCT cell subsetsEffects of PGE2Cell phenotypeExpression of IFNInflammatory gene transcriptionPGE2-dependent pathwayTh17 cellsWT miceAutoimmune diseasesCell subsetsHealthy subjectsEP2 expressionGM-CSFEP2RORCCD4Cell typesCellsGene transcriptionPolarization of the Effects of Autoimmune and Neurodegenerative Risk Alleles in Leukocytes
Raj T, Rothamel K, Mostafavi S, Ye C, Lee MN, Replogle JM, Feng T, Lee M, Asinovski N, Frohlich I, Imboywa S, Von Korff A, Okada Y, Patsopoulos NA, Davis S, McCabe C, Paik HI, Srivastava GP, Raychaudhuri S, Hafler DA, Koller D, Regev A, Hacohen N, Mathis D, Benoist C, Stranger BE, De Jager PL. Polarization of the Effects of Autoimmune and Neurodegenerative Risk Alleles in Leukocytes. Science 2014, 344: 519-523. PMID: 24786080, PMCID: PMC4910825, DOI: 10.1126/science.1249547.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptive ImmunityAllelesAlzheimer DiseaseAutoimmune DiseasesAutoimmunityCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesEthnicityGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseGenome-Wide Association StudyHumansImmunity, InnateMonocytesMultiple SclerosisNeurodegenerative DiseasesParkinson DiseasePolymorphism, Single NucleotideQuantitative Trait LociRheumatic FeverTranscriptomeConceptsSpecific immune cell typesHuman immune functionImmune cell typesMulti-ethnic cohortCell-autonomous effectsAutoimmune diseasesT cellsImmune functionParkinson's diseaseHealthy individualsInnate immunityRisk allelesDiseaseExpression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studiesQuantitative trait loci studiesSusceptibility allelesPutative functional assignmentsCausal regulatory variantsDisease-associated lociDisease susceptibility variantsCell typesSusceptibility variantsTrans-eQTLsFunctional assignmentRegulatory variants
2013
The plasticity of human Treg and Th17 cells and its role in autoimmunity
Kleinewietfeld M, Hafler DA. The plasticity of human Treg and Th17 cells and its role in autoimmunity. Seminars In Immunology 2013, 25: 305-312. PMID: 24211039, PMCID: PMC3905679, DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2013.10.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTh17 cellsT cellsMultiple sclerosisAutoimmune diseasesImmune systemPlasticity of TregsEffector T cellsRegulatory T cellsEffector cell populationsHuman autoimmune diseasesT cell subpopulationsT helper cellsParticular multiple sclerosisT cell plasticityHigh gradeInnate immune systemAdaptive immune systemStrength of stimulationT cell developmentHuman TregsHelper cellsImmune responseImmune reactionsNaive cellsTregs
2010
Functionally defective germline variants of sialic acid acetylesterase in autoimmunity
Surolia I, Pirnie SP, Chellappa V, Taylor KN, Cariappa A, Moya J, Liu H, Bell DW, Driscoll DR, Diederichs S, Haider K, Netravali I, Le S, Elia R, Dow E, Lee A, Freudenberg J, De Jager PL, Chretien Y, Varki A, MacDonald ME, Gillis T, Behrens TW, Bloch D, Collier D, Korzenik J, Podolsky DK, Hafler D, Murali M, Sands B, Stone JH, Gregersen PK, Pillai S. Functionally defective germline variants of sialic acid acetylesterase in autoimmunity. Nature 2010, 466: 243-247. PMID: 20555325, PMCID: PMC2900412, DOI: 10.1038/nature09115.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcetylationAcetylesteraseAllelesAnimalsAntibodies, AntinuclearArthritis, RheumatoidAutoimmune DiseasesAutoimmunityBiocatalysisB-LymphocytesCarboxylic Ester HydrolasesCase-Control StudiesCell LineDiabetes Mellitus, Type 1EuropeExonsGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseGerm-Line MutationHumansMiceN-Acetylneuraminic AcidOdds RatioPolymorphism, Single NucleotideSample SizeSequence Analysis, DNA
2009
Age-Dependent B Cell Autoimmunity to a Myelin Surface Antigen in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis
McLaughlin KA, Chitnis T, Newcombe J, Franz B, Kennedy J, McArdel S, Kuhle J, Kappos L, Rostasy K, Pohl D, Gagne D, Ness JM, Tenembaum S, O'Connor KC, Viglietta V, Wong SJ, Tavakoli NP, de Seze J, Idrissova Z, Khoury SJ, Bar-Or A, Hafler DA, Banwell B, Wucherpfennig KW. Age-Dependent B Cell Autoimmunity to a Myelin Surface Antigen in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis. The Journal Of Immunology 2009, 183: 4067-4076. PMID: 19687098, PMCID: PMC2795331, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0801888.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMyelin oligodendrocyte glycoproteinMultiple sclerosisB cell autoimmunityCell autoimmunityMOG-AbNative myelin oligodendrocyte glycoproteinPediatric-onset multiple sclerosisEarly onsetSurface AgPediatric MS casesPediatric-onset MSPediatric multiple sclerosisAdult-onset patientsCNS white matterHuman CNS white matterYears of ageAdult-onset diseaseDifferent myelin proteinsImmunological mechanismsPediatric patientsSerum AbsSuch autoantibodiesOligodendrocyte glycoproteinDisease onsetGlial cellsT-Cells in Multiple Sclerosis
Severson C, Hafler DA. T-Cells in Multiple Sclerosis. 2009, 51: 1-24. PMID: 19582415, DOI: 10.1007/400_2009_12.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMultiple sclerosisT cellsMultifocal demyelinating diseaseMultiple cell subtypesRegulatory T cellsT cell subsetsT cell functionCentral nervous systemRational therapeutic strategiesT cell activationDemyelinating diseaseMS pathogenesisMS pathophysiologyCell subsetsAdaptive immunityEffective treatmentTherapeutic strategiesNervous systemCell activationCell subtypesEvidence implicateSpecific toleranceFunctional defectsIntrinsic cellsCell functionAutoimmunity risk alleles in costimulation pathways
Maier LM, Hafler DA. Autoimmunity risk alleles in costimulation pathways. Immunological Reviews 2009, 229: 322-336. PMID: 19426231, DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2009.00777.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTumor necrosis factorGenome-wide association scansHuman autoimmune diseasesAutoimmune diseasesCommon human autoimmune diseasesInducible T-cell costimulator ligandGenetic study designsAssociation scanImmune related genesRelated genesCytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4T-lymphocyte antigen-4Common autoimmune diseaseCell death 1Allelic variantsMember 15Environmental risk factorsDrug designCostimulatory mechanismsMember 4PathwayGenesCostimulation pathwayDeath-1Common pathway
2008
Multiple Sclerosis and Regulatory T Cells
Costantino CM, Baecher-Allan C, Hafler DA. Multiple Sclerosis and Regulatory T Cells. Journal Of Clinical Immunology 2008, 28: 697-706. PMID: 18763026, PMCID: PMC2752287, DOI: 10.1007/s10875-008-9236-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRegulatory T cellsCentral nervous systemAutoreactive T cellsT cellsAntigen-specific Treg cellsAutoreactive effector T cellsAutoimmune tissue damageFrequency of TregsOrgan-specific autoimmunityEffector T cellsReactive T cellsBlood-brain barrierPathology of MSIntroductionMultiple sclerosisTreg cellsMS patientsPeripheral toleranceChronic inflammationMultiple sclerosisImmune disordersNew therapiesHealthy individualsNervous systemTissue damageDisease models