Identification of TMEM131L as a novel regulator of thymocyte proliferation in humans

J Immunol. 2013 Jun 15;190(12):6187-97. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300400. Epub 2013 May 20.

Abstract

In this study, we identify transmembrane protein 131-like (TMEM131L) as a novel regulator of thymocyte proliferation and demonstrate that it corresponds to a not as yet reported inhibitor of Wnt signaling. Short hairpin RNA-mediated silencing of TMEM131L in human CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitors, which were then grafted in NOD-SCID/IL-2rγ(null) mice, resulted in both thymocyte hyperproliferation and multiple pre- and post-β-selection intrathymic developmental defects. Consistent with deregulated Wnt signaling, TMEM131L-deficient thymocytes expressed Wnt target genes at abnormally high levels, and they displayed both constitutive phosphorylation of Wnt coreceptor LRP6 and β-catenin intranuclear accumulation. Using T cell factor reporter assays, we found that membrane-associated TMEM131L inhibited canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling at the LRP6 coreceptor level. Whereas membrane-associated TMEM131L did not affect LRP6 expression under basal conditions, it triggered lysosome-dependent degradation of its active phosphorylated form following Wnt activation. Genetic mapping showed that phosphorylated LRP6 degradation did not depend on TMEM131L cytoplasmic part but rather on a conserved extracellular domain proximal to the membrane. Collectively, these data indicate that, during thymopoiesis, stage-specific surface translocation of TMEM131L may regulate immature single-positive thymocyte proliferation arrest by acting through mixed Wnt-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Thymocytes / cytology*
  • Thymocytes / immunology
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology*

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • TMEM131L protein, human