HECT, UBA and WWE domain containing 1 represses cholesterol efflux during CD4+ T cell activation in Sjögren's syndrome

• Main Authors: Junhao Yin (Author), Jiabao Xu (Author), Changyu Chen (Author), Xinyi Ma (Author), Hanyi Zhu (Author), Lisong Xie (Author), Baoli Wang (Author), Yanxiong Shao (Author), Yijie Zhao (Author), Yu Wei (Author), Anni Hu (Author), Zhanglong Zheng (Author), Chuangqi Yu (Author), Jiayao Fu (Author), Lingyan Zheng (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Introduction: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction, leading to loss of salivary function. Histological analysis of salivary glands from SS patients reveals a high infiltration of immune cells, particularly activated CD4+ T cells. Thus, interventions targeting abnormal activation of CD4+ T cells may provide promising therapeutic strategies for SS. Here, we demonstrate that Hect, uba, and wwe domain containing 1 (HUWE1), a member of the eukaryotic Hect E3 ubiquitin ligase family, plays a critical role in CD4+ T-cell activation and SS pathophysiology.Methods: In the context of HUWE1 inhibition, we investigated the impact of the HUWE1 inhibitor BI8626 and sh-Huwe1 on CD4+ T cells in mice, focusing on the assessment of activation levels, proliferation capacity, and cholesterol abundance. Furthermore, we examined the therapeutic potential of BI8626 in NOD/ShiLtj mice and evaluated its efficacy as a treatment strategy.Results: Inhibition of HUWE1 reduces ABCA1 ubiquitination and promotes cholesterol efflux, decreasing intracellular cholesterol and reducing the expression of phosphorylated ZAP-70, CD25, and other activation markers, culminating in the suppressed proliferation of CD4+ T cells. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of HUWE1 significantly reduces CD4+ T-cell infiltration in the submandibular glands and improves salivary flow rate in NOD/ShiLtj mice.Conclusion: These findings suggest that HUWE1 may regulate CD4+ T-cell activation and SS development by modulating ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux and presents a promising target for SS treatment.

Item Description

1663-9812
10.3389/fphar.2023.1191692