Determining the mechanisms by which a circular RNA regulates the function of Th17 cells

项目摘要/摘要 影响2300多万美国人的自身免疫性疾病是无法治愈的。产生IL-17的T细胞 辅助性细胞(Th17细胞)在自身免疫性疾病的发病机制中起主要作用。调查监管机构 Th17分化和功能的机制将为治疗提供新的机会。环状RNA (CircRNAs)，其功能此前被低估，在各种细胞活动中具有巨大的潜力 来自不同类型的细胞。然而，CircRNAs在Th17细胞中的作用还知之甚少。在这里，一种CircRNA 从Usp3前体mRNA(CircUsp3)产生的产物被发现是Th17细胞功能所必需的。我们的 长期目标是开发治疗上有用的Th17抑制剂，用于临床治疗人类 自身免疫性疾病。我们在这项应用中的总体目标是通过以下方式阐明分子机制 哪个CircUsp3会触发Th17功能。中心假设是CircUsp3提高了Th17的分化 在体外，通过与rorγt形成复合体，促进Th17介导的自身免疫。 对于这个项目来说，CircUsp3在Th17功能中的基本作用的确定可能会提供证据- 认为CircRNA可以被靶向治疗自身免疫性疾病的概念。中心假说 将通过追求两个具体目标进行测试：1)确定Th17中CircUsp3-RoRγt Complex的要求 2)确定CircUsp3激活RoRγt介导的转录的机制。vt.在.的基础上 结论：我们将了解CircUsp3在Th17功能中的作用。这些结果预计将有一个 重要的积极影响，因为它们将提供强有力的证据基础，证明以前 未知的基于CircRNA的Th17功能调节机制，最终为 开发治疗自身免疫性疾病的新疗法。这项拟议的研究具有创新性，因为 我们研究了环状RNA在Th17功能中的作用，这是一个迄今未被研究的过程。由于CircRNA 在免疫细胞中广泛表达，这项研究将为探索血管紧张素转换酶的调节机制开辟新的时代。 免疫反应。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT There is no cure for autoimmune diseases, which affect more than 23 million Americans. IL-17-producing T helper cells (Th17 cells) play a major role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Investigating regulatory mechanisms for Th17 differentiation and function will provide new opportunities for therapeutics. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), whose functions are previously underestimated, have great potential in various cellular activities from different types of cells. However, the role of circRNAs in Th17 cells is poorly understood. Herein, a circRNA produced from the precursor mRNA for Usp3 (circUsp3) was found to be essential for Th17 cell function. Our long-term goal is to develop therapeutically useful Th17 inhibitors for the clinical treatment of human autoimmune diseases. Our overall objectives in this application are to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which circUsp3 provokes Th17 functions. The central hypothesis is that circUsp3 elevates Th17 differentiation in vitro and promotes Th17-mediated autoimmunity in vivo through forming complex with RORγt. The rationale for this project is that determination of the essential roles of circUsp3 in Th17 function is likely to provide proof- of-concept that circRNA can be targeted to therapeutically treat autoimmune diseases. The central hypothesis will be tested by pursuing two specific aims: 1) Determine the requirement of circUsp3-RORγt complex in Th17 function; and 2) Determine the mechanisms by which circUsp3 activates RORγt-mediated transcription. Upon conclusion, we will understand the role for circUsp3 in Th17 function. These results are expected to have an important positive impact because they will provide a strong evidence base of critical roles of previously unrecognized circRNA-based regulatory mechanisms for Th17 function, ultimately providing opportunities for the development of novel therapies to treat autoimmune diseases. The proposed research is innovative because we investigate the effect of a circular RNA in Th17 function, a heretofore-unexamined process. Since circRNAs are broadly expressed in immune cells, this study will open a new era for exploring regulatory mechanisms of immune responses.