Elucidating the molecular mechanism of intracellular DNA recognition by the innate immune sensor IFI16

阐明先天免疫传感器IFI16识别细胞内DNA的分子机制

• 批准号: MR/K00655X/2
• 负责人: Leonie Unterholzner
• 金额: $ 55.62万
• 依托单位: Lancaster University
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Fellowship
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2016 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FK00655X%2F2
• 关键词: Elucidating; molecular; mechanism; intracellular; DNA

In this project, we would like to investigate how the cells in our body can protect themselves by detecting 'stranger' and a 'danger' signals. As part of the innate immune system, most cells in our body notice when they have been infected by viruses or other 'strangers' by recognising tell-tale signs of infection, such as the presence of viral DNA. Once a virus has been detected, the cells respond immediately by releasing alarm signals, such as interferons. These then help to combat the virus locally and call specialised immune cells to the site of infection. Over the last decade an intensive research effort has lead to the discovery of several proteins that can sense signs of infection, called pathogen recognition receptors. We have recently identified a new receptor, IFI16, that can sense viral DNA inside cells, and protects the cell from infection with herpesviruses. In this project, we would like to investigate in more detail how this DNA receptor works, and how cells recognise different kinds of DNA.We will address three major questions:1.) Which other proteins co-operate with IFI16 in the recognition of viral DNA?2.) How can a cell distinguish between viral DNA and the cell's own DNA genome?3.) How is DNA sensed as a 'danger' as well as a 'stranger' signal?We will try and answer these questions by using isolated human cells grown in vitro. These cells can be infected with DNA viruses, and then the alarm responses can be measured. We will also use large-scale experimental approaches to find new players that help in the recognition of DNA. For instance, we are planning to use a high-throughput robotic platform to screen more than 20,000 genes of the human genome for their involvement in DNA sensing. While this is a basic research project not aimed at immediately providing new cures, it may nevertheless provide crucial knowledge that can help in combating disease in the future. For instance, knowing how the body recognises viral DNA may be important for the development of new vaccines. Also, the recognition of DNA as a 'danger' signal has important clinical implications. The body's own DNA can activate the innate immune system under some circumstances, for instance when broken up DNA from dead cells is not cleared effectively. This can then lead to the development of autoimmune diseases, where an excessive immune response attacks the body's own tissues. Knowing which pattern recognition receptors cause this response would provide potential targets for treatment, so that this unwanted immune response can be dampened. Another instance where DNA is recognised as a 'danger' signal is when DNA has been damaged by ultraviolet light or by toxic chemicals. In this case, the innate immune system may be alerted to the danger posed by these damaged cells, and eliminate them, in order to prevent the development of cancer. Studying how DNA is sensed in these various circumstances would provide crucial insights for the development of treatments that modulate the innate immune response.

在这个项目中，我们想研究我们体内的细胞如何通过检测“陌生人”和“危险”信号来保护自己。作为先天免疫系统的一部分，我们体内的大多数细胞通过识别感染迹象（例如病毒 DNA 的存在）来注意到何时被病毒或其他“陌生人”感染。一旦检测到病毒，细胞就会立即做出反应，释放警报信号，例如干扰素。然后，它们有助于局部对抗病毒，并将专门的免疫细胞召唤到感染部位。 在过去的十年里，深入的研究工作发现了几种可以感知感染迹象的蛋白质，称为病原体识别受体。我们最近发现了一种新的受体 IFI16，它可以感知细胞内的病毒 DNA，并保护细胞免受疱疹病毒的感染。在这个项目中，我们希望更详细地研究这种 DNA 受体如何工作，以及细胞如何识别不同种类的 DNA。我们将解决三个主要问题：1.) 哪些其他蛋白质与 IFI16 合作识别病毒DNA？2.）细胞如何区分病毒DNA和细胞自身的DNA基因组？3.）DNA如何被感知为“危险”和“陌生人”信号？我们将尝试通过使用分离的人类细胞生长于体外。这些细胞可以被DNA病毒感染，然后可以测量警报反应。我们还将使用大规模实验方法来寻找有助于 DNA 识别的新参与者。例如，我们计划使用高通量机器人平台来筛选人类基因组中超过 20,000 个基因，以了解它们是否参与 DNA 传感。虽然这是一个基础研究项目，并不旨在立即提供新的治疗方法，但它可能提供有助于未来对抗疾病的重要知识。例如，了解身体如何识别病毒 DNA 对于新疫苗的开发可能很重要。此外，将 DNA 识别为“危险”信号具有重要的临床意义。在某些情况下，例如当死细胞中破碎的 DNA 未被有效清除时，人体自身的 DNA 可以激活先天免疫系统。这可能会导致自身免疫性疾病的发展，过度的免疫反应会攻击人体自身的组织。了解哪些模式识别受体引起这种反应将为治疗提供潜在的靶标，从而抑制这种不需要的免疫反应。 DNA 被认为是“危险”信号的另一种情况是当 DNA 被紫外线或有毒化学物质损坏时。在这种情况下，先天免疫系统可能会警惕这些受损细胞带来的危险，并消除它们，以防止癌症的发展。研究 DNA 在这些不同情况下如何被感知将为开发调节先天免疫反应的治疗方法提供重要的见解。

项目成果

Structural mechanism of DNA recognition by the p204 HIN domain.

p204 HIN 结构域识别 DNA 的结构机制

• DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab076
• 发表时间: 2021-03-18
• 期刊: Nucleic acids research
• 影响因子: 14.9
• 作者: Fan X;Jiang J;Zhao D;Chen F;Ma H;Smith P;Unterholzner L;Xiao TS;Jin T
• 通讯作者: Jin T

IFI16 and cGAS cooperate in the activation of STING during DNA sensing in human keratinocytes.

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14392
• 发表时间: 2017-02-13
• 期刊: Nature communications
• 影响因子: 16.6
• 作者: Almine JF;O'Hare CA;Dunphy G;Haga IR;Naik RJ;Atrih A;Connolly DJ;Taylor J;Kelsall IR;Bowie AG;Beard PM;Unterholzner L
• 通讯作者: Unterholzner L