Deletion of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein triggers Rac2 activity and increased cross-presentation by dendritic cells

Nat Commun. 2016 Jul 18:7:12175. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12175.

Abstract

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the WASp gene. Decreased cellular responses in WASp-deficient cells have been interpreted to mean that WASp directly regulates these responses in WASp-sufficient cells. Here, we identify an exception to this concept and show that WASp-deficient dendritic cells have increased activation of Rac2 that support cross-presentation to CD8(+) T cells. Using two different skin pathology models, WASp-deficient mice show an accumulation of dendritic cells in the skin and increased expansion of IFNγ-producing CD8(+) T cells in the draining lymph node and spleen. Specific deletion of WASp in dendritic cells leads to marked expansion of CD8(+) T cells at the expense of CD4(+) T cells. WASp-deficient dendritic cells induce increased cross-presentation to CD8(+) T cells by activating Rac2 that maintains a near neutral pH of phagosomes. Our data reveals an intricate balance between activation of WASp and Rac2 signalling pathways in dendritic cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / metabolism
  • Arthropod Proteins / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / parasitology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cross-Priming / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Leishmania major / physiology
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phagosomes / metabolism
  • Protein Domains
  • RAC2 GTP-Binding Protein
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Skin / pathology
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein / chemistry
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein / deficiency*
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein / metabolism
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Arthropod Proteins
  • Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 2
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein
  • Interferon-gamma
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins