MARCH1-mediated MHCII ubiquitination promotes dendritic cell selection of natural regulatory T cells

J Exp Med. 2013 Jun 3;210(6):1069-77. doi: 10.1084/jem.20122695. Epub 2013 May 27.

Abstract

Membrane-associated RING-CH1 (MARCH1) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that mediates ubiquitination of MHCII in dendritic cells (DCs). MARCH1-mediated MHCII ubiquitination in DCs is known to regulate MHCII surface expression, thereby controlling DC-mediated T cell activation in vitro. However, its role at steady state or in vivo is not clearly understood. Here, we show that MARCH1 deficiency resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of thymus-derived regulatory T cells (T reg cells) in mice. A specific ablation of MHCII ubiquitination also significantly reduced the number of thymic T reg cells. Indeed, DCs deficient in MARCH1 or MHCII ubiquitination both failed to generate antigen-specific T reg cells in vivo and in vitro, although both exhibited an increased capacity for antigen presentation in parallel with the increased surface MHCII. Thus, MARCH1-mediated MHCII ubiquitination in DCs is required for proper production of naturally occurring T reg cells, suggesting a role in balancing immunogenic and regulatory T cell development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / genetics
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Genes, MHC Class II / genetics*
  • Genes, MHC Class II / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / immunology*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • MARCH1 protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases