KDM6B drives epigenetic reprogramming associated with lymphoid stromal cell early commitment and immune properties

Mature lymphoid stromal cells (LSCs) are key organizers of immune responses within secondary lymphoid organs. Similarly, inflammation-driven tertiary lymphoid structures depend on immunofibroblasts producing lymphoid cytokines and chemokines. Recent studies have explored the origin and heterogeneity of LSC/immunofibroblasts, yet the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms involved in their commitment are still unknown. This study explored the transcriptomic and epigenetic reprogramming underlying LSC/immunofibroblast commitment. We identified the induction of lysine demethylase 6B (KDM6B) as the primary epigenetic driver of early immunofibroblast differentiation. In addition, we observed an enrichment for KDM6B gene signature in murine inflammatory fibroblasts and pathogenic stroma of patients with autoimmune diseases. Last, KDM6B was required for the acquisition of LSC/immunofibroblast functional properties, including the up-regulation of CCL2 and the resulting recruitment of monocytes. Overall, our results reveal epigenetic mechanisms that participate in the early commitment and immune properties of immunofibroblasts and support the use of epigenetic modifiers as fibroblast-targeting strategies in chronic inflammation

KDM6B drives epigenetic reprogramming associated with lymphoid stromal cell early commitment and immune properties

Mature lymphoid stromal cells (LSCs) are key organizers of immune responses within secondary lymphoid organs. Similarly, inflammation-driven tertiary lymphoid structures depend on immunofibroblasts producing lymphoid cytokines and chemokines. Recent studies have explored the origin and heterogeneity of LSC/immunofibroblasts, yet the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms involved in their commitment are still unknown. This study explored the transcriptomic and epigenetic reprogramming underlying LSC/immunofibroblast commitment. We identified the induction of lysine demethylase 6B (KDM6B) as the primary epigenetic driver of early immunofibroblast differentiation. In addition, we observed an enrichment for KDM6B gene signature in murine inflammatory fibroblasts and pathogenic stroma of patients with autoimmune diseases. Last, KDM6B was required for the acquisition of LSC/immunofibroblast functional properties, including the up-regulation of CCL2 and the resulting recruitment of monocytes. Overall, our results reveal epigenetic mechanisms that participate in the early commitment and immune properties of immunofibroblasts and support the use of epigenetic modifiers as fibroblast-targeting strategies in chronic inflammation

Immunofibroblasts are pivotal drivers of tertiary lymphoid structure formation and local pathology.

Resident fibroblasts at sites of infection, chronic inflammation, or cancer undergo phenotypic and functional changes to support leukocyte migration and, in some cases, aggregation into tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). The molecular programming that shapes these changes and the functional requirements of this population in TLS development are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that external triggers at mucosal sites are able to induce the progressive differentiation of a population of podoplanin (pdpn)-positive stromal cells into a network of immunofibroblasts that are able to support the earliest phases of TLS establishment. This program of events, that precedes lymphocyte infiltration in the tissue, is mediated by paracrine and autocrine signals mainly regulated by IL13. This initial fibroblast network is expanded and stabilized, once lymphocytes are recruited, by the local production of the cytokines IL22 and lymphotoxin. Interfering with this regulated program of events or depleting the immunofibroblasts in vivo results in abrogation of local pathology, demonstrating the functional role of immunofibroblasts in supporting TLS maintenance in the tissue and suggesting novel therapeutic targets in TLS-associated diseases

Etude des mécanismes épigénétiques intervenant lors de la différenciation stromale lymphoïde

Lymphoid stromal cells (LSC) play a central role in the physiology of secondary lymphoid organs. They are required for the migration and regulation of immune cells via the secretion of chemokines, such as CCL19, CCL21 or CXCL13, and the expression of adhesion proteins, such as PDPN, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The differentiation and activation of these cells depend on two essential factors: TNF alpha and lymphotoxin alpha1beta2. However, the mesenchymal precursors from which they derive are poorly described. Interestingly, these mesenchymal precursors can differentiate into other cell types under the control of epigenetic mechanisms, raising the interest to study the intervention of epigenetics during lymphoid stromal differentiation. In this current work, we demonstrate the overexpression of an epigenetic factor, KDM6B, during the in vitro polarization of immunofibroblasts and during the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures in mice, in connection with the acquisition of a lymphoid stroma-like phenotype. Furthermore, KDM6B expression is associated with an early modification of the histone H3K27ac mark, during this immunofibroblast commitment, at the level of the regulatory regions of immunoregulatory genes such as ICAM-1, PDPN, CCL2 or CCL5. Inhibition of this factor blocks the acquisition of the LSC-like phenotype and thus limits the functional properties of these cells, such as the recruitment of monocytes. These results highlight KDM6B as a potential therapeutic target to block the development of a supportive lymphoid stroma in autoimmune diseases and cancers.Les cellules stromales lymphoïdes (CSL) tiennent un rôle central dans la physiologie des organes lymphoïde secondaire. Elles sont nécessaires à la migration et la régulation des cellules immunitaires via la sécrétion de chimiokines, telles que CCL19, CCL21 ou CXCL13, et l’expression de protéines d’adhésions, tel que PDPN, ICAM-1 et VCAM-1. La différenciation et l’activation de ces cellules dépendent de deux facteurs indispensables : le TNF alpha et la lymphotoxine alpha1beta2. Cependant, les précurseurs mésenchymateux dont elles dérivent sont à ce jour peu décrits. De manière intéressante, ces précurseurs mésenchymateux peuvent se différencier en d’autres types cellulaires sous le contrôle de mécanismes épigénétiques, soulevant l’intérêt d’étudier l’intervention de tels mécanismes lors la différenciation stromale lymphoïde. Dans ce travail de recherche, nous mettons en évidence la surexpression d’un facteur épigénétique, KDM6B, lors de la polarisation in vitro d’immunofibroblastes et lors de la formation de structure lymphoïde tertiaire chez la souris, en lien avec l’acquisition d’un phénotype de type stroma lymphoïde. De plus, l’expression de KDM6B est associée à une modification précoce de la marque histone H3K27ac, au cours de cette polarisation, au niveau des régions régulatrices de gènes immunorégulateurs tels que ICAM-1, PDPN, CCL2 ou encore CCL5. L’inhibition de ce facteur bloque l’acquisition du phénotype lymphoïde et limite ainsi les propriétés fonctionnelles de ces cellules, telles que le recrutement de monocytes. Ces résultats mettent ainsi en avant KDM6B comme une cible thérapeutique potentielle afin de bloquer l’apparition d’un stroma lymphoïde de soutien lors de pathologie auto-immune ou lors de cancers

Etude des mécanismes épigénétiques intervenant lors de la différenciation stromale lymphoïde

Lymphoid stromal cells (LSC) play a central role in the physiology of secondary lymphoid organs. They are required for the migration and regulation of immune cells via the secretion of chemokines, such as CCL19, CCL21 or CXCL13, and the expression of adhesion proteins, such as PDPN, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The differentiation and activation of these cells depend on two essential factors: TNF alpha and lymphotoxin alpha1beta2. However, the mesenchymal precursors from which they derive are poorly described. Interestingly, these mesenchymal precursors can differentiate into other cell types under the control of epigenetic mechanisms, raising the interest to study the intervention of epigenetics during lymphoid stromal differentiation. In this current work, we demonstrate the overexpression of an epigenetic factor, KDM6B, during the in vitro polarization of immunofibroblasts and during the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures in mice, in connection with the acquisition of a lymphoid stroma-like phenotype. Furthermore, KDM6B expression is associated with an early modification of the histone H3K27ac mark, during this immunofibroblast commitment, at the level of the regulatory regions of immunoregulatory genes such as ICAM-1, PDPN, CCL2 or CCL5. Inhibition of this factor blocks the acquisition of the LSC-like phenotype and thus limits the functional properties of these cells, such as the recruitment of monocytes. These results highlight KDM6B as a potential therapeutic target to block the development of a supportive lymphoid stroma in autoimmune diseases and cancers.Les cellules stromales lymphoïdes (CSL) tiennent un rôle central dans la physiologie des organes lymphoïde secondaire. Elles sont nécessaires à la migration et la régulation des cellules immunitaires via la sécrétion de chimiokines, telles que CCL19, CCL21 ou CXCL13, et l’expression de protéines d’adhésions, tel que PDPN, ICAM-1 et VCAM-1. La différenciation et l’activation de ces cellules dépendent de deux facteurs indispensables : le TNF alpha et la lymphotoxine alpha1beta2. Cependant, les précurseurs mésenchymateux dont elles dérivent sont à ce jour peu décrits. De manière intéressante, ces précurseurs mésenchymateux peuvent se différencier en d’autres types cellulaires sous le contrôle de mécanismes épigénétiques, soulevant l’intérêt d’étudier l’intervention de tels mécanismes lors la différenciation stromale lymphoïde. Dans ce travail de recherche, nous mettons en évidence la surexpression d’un facteur épigénétique, KDM6B, lors de la polarisation in vitro d’immunofibroblastes et lors de la formation de structure lymphoïde tertiaire chez la souris, en lien avec l’acquisition d’un phénotype de type stroma lymphoïde. De plus, l’expression de KDM6B est associée à une modification précoce de la marque histone H3K27ac, au cours de cette polarisation, au niveau des régions régulatrices de gènes immunorégulateurs tels que ICAM-1, PDPN, CCL2 ou encore CCL5. L’inhibition de ce facteur bloque l’acquisition du phénotype lymphoïde et limite ainsi les propriétés fonctionnelles de ces cellules, telles que le recrutement de monocytes. Ces résultats mettent ainsi en avant KDM6B comme une cible thérapeutique potentielle afin de bloquer l’apparition d’un stroma lymphoïde de soutien lors de pathologie auto-immune ou lors de cancers

Epigenetic mechanisms involvement during lymphoid stromal cells differentiation

Les cellules stromales lymphoïdes (CSL) tiennent un rôle central dans la physiologie des organes lymphoïde secondaire. Elles sont nécessaires à la migration et la régulation des cellules immunitaires via la sécrétion de chimiokines, telles que CCL19, CCL21 ou CXCL13, et l’expression de protéines d’adhésions, tel que PDPN, ICAM-1 et VCAM-1. La différenciation et l’activation de ces cellules dépendent de deux facteurs indispensables : le TNF alpha et la lymphotoxine alpha1beta2. Cependant, les précurseurs mésenchymateux dont elles dérivent sont à ce jour peu décrits. De manière intéressante, ces précurseurs mésenchymateux peuvent se différencier en d’autres types cellulaires sous le contrôle de mécanismes épigénétiques, soulevant l’intérêt d’étudier l’intervention de tels mécanismes lors la différenciation stromale lymphoïde. Dans ce travail de recherche, nous mettons en évidence la surexpression d’un facteur épigénétique, KDM6B, lors de la polarisation in vitro d’immunofibroblastes et lors de la formation de structure lymphoïde tertiaire chez la souris, en lien avec l’acquisition d’un phénotype de type stroma lymphoïde. De plus, l’expression de KDM6B est associée à une modification précoce de la marque histone H3K27ac, au cours de cette polarisation, au niveau des régions régulatrices de gènes immunorégulateurs tels que ICAM-1, PDPN, CCL2 ou encore CCL5. L’inhibition de ce facteur bloque l’acquisition du phénotype lymphoïde et limite ainsi les propriétés fonctionnelles de ces cellules, telles que le recrutement de monocytes. Ces résultats mettent ainsi en avant KDM6B comme une cible thérapeutique potentielle afin de bloquer l’apparition d’un stroma lymphoïde de soutien lors de pathologie auto-immune ou lors de cancers.Lymphoid stromal cells (LSC) play a central role in the physiology of secondary lymphoid organs. They are required for the migration and regulation of immune cells via the secretion of chemokines, such as CCL19, CCL21 or CXCL13, and the expression of adhesion proteins, such as PDPN, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The differentiation and activation of these cells depend on two essential factors: TNF alpha and lymphotoxin alpha1beta2. However, the mesenchymal precursors from which they derive are poorly described. Interestingly, these mesenchymal precursors can differentiate into other cell types under the control of epigenetic mechanisms, raising the interest to study the intervention of epigenetics during lymphoid stromal differentiation. In this current work, we demonstrate the overexpression of an epigenetic factor, KDM6B, during the in vitro polarization of immunofibroblasts and during the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures in mice, in connection with the acquisition of a lymphoid stroma-like phenotype. Furthermore, KDM6B expression is associated with an early modification of the histone H3K27ac mark, during this immunofibroblast commitment, at the level of the regulatory regions of immunoregulatory genes such as ICAM-1, PDPN, CCL2 or CCL5. Inhibition of this factor blocks the acquisition of the LSC-like phenotype and thus limits the functional properties of these cells, such as the recruitment of monocytes. These results highlight KDM6B as a potential therapeutic target to block the development of a supportive lymphoid stroma in autoimmune diseases and cancers

Epigenetic mechanisms driving tumor supportive microenvironment differentiation and function a role in cancer therapy?

International audienceThe tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a central role in tumor development and drug resistance. Within TME, the stromal cell subset, called cancer-associated fibroblasts, is a heterogeneous population originating from poorly characterized precursors. Since cancer-associated fibroblasts do not acquire somatic mutations, other mechanisms like epigenetic regulation, could be involved in the development of these cells and in the acquisition of tumor supportive phenotypes. Moreover, such epigenetic modulations have been correlated to the emergence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment facilitating tumor evasion. These findings underline the need to deepen our knowledge on epigenetic mechanisms driving TME development and function, and to understand the impact of epigenetic drugs that could be used in future to target both tumor cells and their TME

Stromal regulation of the intestinal barrier

International audienceThe intestinal barrier is a complex structure that allows the absorption of nutrients while ensuring protection against intestinal pathogens and balanced immunity. The development and maintenance of a functional intestinal barrier is a multifactorial process that is only partially understood. Here we review novel findings on the emerging role of mesenchymal cells in this process using insights gained from lineage tracing approaches, Cre-based gene deletion, and single-cell transcriptomics. The current evidence points toward a key organizer role for distinct mesenchymal lineages in intestinal development and homeostasis, regulating both epithelial and immune components of the intestinal barrier. We further discuss recent findings on functional mesenchymal heterogeneity and implications for intestinal regeneration and inflammatory intestinal pathologies

KDM6B drives epigenetic reprogramming associated with lymphoid stromal cell early commitment and immune properties

International audienceMature lymphoid stromal cells (LSCs) are key organizers of immune responses within secondary lymphoid organs. Similarly, inflammation-driven tertiary lymphoid structures depend on immunofibroblasts producing lymphoid cytokines and chemokines. Recent studies have explored the origin and heterogeneity of LSC/immunofibroblasts, yet the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms involved in their commitment are still unknown. This study explored the transcriptomic and epigenetic reprogramming underlying LSC/immunofibroblast commitment. We identified the induction of lysine demethylase 6B (KDM6B) as the primary epigenetic driver of early immunofibroblast differentiation. In addition, we observed an enrichment for KDM6B gene signature in murine inflammatory fibroblasts and pathogenic stroma of patients with autoimmune diseases. Last, KDM6B was required for the acquisition of LSC/immunofibroblast functional properties, including the up-regulation of CCL2 and the resulting recruitment of monocytes. Overall, our results reveal epigenetic mechanisms that participate in the early commitment and immune properties of immunofibroblasts and support the use of epigenetic modifiers as fibroblast-targeting strategies in chronic inflammation