Ulges Alexander, Witsch Esther J, Pramanik Gautam, Klein Matthias, Birkner Katharina, Bühler Ulrike, Wasser Beatrice, Luessi Felix, Stergiou Natascha, Dietzen Sarah, Brühl Till-Julius, Bohn Toszka, Bündgen Georg, Kunz Horst, Waisman Ari, Schild Hansjörg, Schmitt Edgar, Zipp Frauke, Bopp Tobias
Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Mainz of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Sep 6;113(36):10145-50. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1523869113. Epub 2016 Aug 23.
T helper 17 (TH17) cells represent a discrete TH cell subset instrumental in the immune response to extracellular bacteria and fungi. However, TH17 cells are considered to be detrimentally involved in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). In contrast to TH17 cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells were shown to be pivotal in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Thus, the balance between Treg cells and TH17 cells determines the severity of a TH17 cell-driven disease and therefore is a promising target for treating autoimmune diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling this balance are still unclear. Here, we report that pharmacological inhibition as well as genetic ablation of the protein kinase CK2 (CK2) ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) severity and relapse incidence. Furthermore, CK2 inhibition or genetic ablation prevents TH17 cell development and promotes the generation of Treg cells. Molecularly, inhibition of CK2 leads to reduced STAT3 phosphorylation and strongly attenuated expression of the IL-23 receptor, IL-17, and GM-CSF. Thus, these results identify CK2 as a nodal point in TH17 cell development and suggest this kinase as a potential therapeutic target to treat TH17 cell-driven autoimmune responses.
辅助性T细胞17(TH17)是一种独特的TH细胞亚群,在针对细胞外细菌和真菌的免疫反应中发挥作用。然而,TH17细胞被认为与自身免疫性疾病如多发性硬化症(MS)的发病机制密切相关。与TH17细胞相反,调节性T(Treg)细胞在维持外周免疫耐受中起关键作用。因此,Treg细胞和TH17细胞之间的平衡决定了TH17细胞驱动疾病的严重程度,因此是治疗自身免疫性疾病的一个有前景的靶点。然而,控制这种平衡的分子机制仍不清楚。在此,我们报道蛋白激酶CK2(CK2)的药理学抑制和基因敲除可改善实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)的严重程度和复发率。此外,CK2抑制或基因敲除可阻止TH17细胞的发育并促进Treg细胞生成。在分子水平上,CK2的抑制导致STAT3磷酸化减少,并强烈减弱IL-23受体、IL-17和GM-CSF的表达。因此,这些结果确定CK2是TH17细胞发育的一个关键点,并表明该激酶是治疗TH17细胞驱动的自身免疫反应的潜在治疗靶点。