OTULINVIVO | The role of OTULIN and Met1-linked ubiquitin in immune signaling and host defense in vivo

Summary
The immune system is essential for host defense against infections. Methionine1-linked ‘linear’ ubiquitin chains (Met1-Ub) have emerged as a crucial activator of NF-κB transcription factors, which are vital to immune responses. Recent findings suggest that defects in Met1-Ub signaling in humans can lead to severe immune dysfunction and cancer. Met1-Ub is generated by the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC). Yet, how LUBAC and Met1-Ub signaling are regulated remains elusive. We recently discovered OTULIN, the only deubiquitinase known to specifically disassemble Met1-Ub. OTULIN antagonizes LUBAC and restricts Met1-Ub and NF-κB signaling in cell culture; however, the role of OTULIN and Met1-Ub in immune signaling and host defense in vivo is largely unknown. We have established novel mouse strains with cell type-specific deletion of OTULIN. I will use these mice to explore the in vivo function of OTULIN and Met1-Ub in the innate and adaptive immune responses, and to identify OTULIN substrates in primary cells using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics. I will study OTULIN’s role in immune homeostasis, in response to bacterial infection, and in mounting type-1 and type-2 adaptive immune responses by state-of-the-art methods of immunological analyses including comprehensive multiplex analyses of cytokines. Met1-Ub regulates the acute phase cytokines TNF and IL-6 and may thus control the development of type-1 versus type-2 immune responses. Hence, I will test OTULIN’s role in models of asthma, a disorder characterized by an imbalance between type-1 and type-2 responses. Subsequently, I will analyze immune signaling pathways in primary cells using mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify OTULIN substrates in specific cell types. This will greatly deepen our understanding of the physiological role of OTULIN and Met1-Ub in the immune response and may provide important insight into human immunological disorders and rationales to treat these.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/654019
Start date: 01-04-2015
End date: 31-03-2017
Total budget - Public funding: 183 454,80 Euro - 183 454,00 Euro
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Original description

The immune system is essential for host defense against infections. Methionine1-linked ‘linear’ ubiquitin chains (Met1-Ub) have emerged as a crucial activator of NF-κB transcription factors, which are vital to immune responses. Recent findings suggest that defects in Met1-Ub signaling in humans can lead to severe immune dysfunction and cancer. Met1-Ub is generated by the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC). Yet, how LUBAC and Met1-Ub signaling are regulated remains elusive. We recently discovered OTULIN, the only deubiquitinase known to specifically disassemble Met1-Ub. OTULIN antagonizes LUBAC and restricts Met1-Ub and NF-κB signaling in cell culture; however, the role of OTULIN and Met1-Ub in immune signaling and host defense in vivo is largely unknown. We have established novel mouse strains with cell type-specific deletion of OTULIN. I will use these mice to explore the in vivo function of OTULIN and Met1-Ub in the innate and adaptive immune responses, and to identify OTULIN substrates in primary cells using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics. I will study OTULIN’s role in immune homeostasis, in response to bacterial infection, and in mounting type-1 and type-2 adaptive immune responses by state-of-the-art methods of immunological analyses including comprehensive multiplex analyses of cytokines. Met1-Ub regulates the acute phase cytokines TNF and IL-6 and may thus control the development of type-1 versus type-2 immune responses. Hence, I will test OTULIN’s role in models of asthma, a disorder characterized by an imbalance between type-1 and type-2 responses. Subsequently, I will analyze immune signaling pathways in primary cells using mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify OTULIN substrates in specific cell types. This will greatly deepen our understanding of the physiological role of OTULIN and Met1-Ub in the immune response and may provide important insight into human immunological disorders and rationales to treat these.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2014-EF

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
MSCA-IF-2014-EF Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)