Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a key transcription factor in inflammatory immune responses and cell survival. Multiple types of ubiquitination play critical roles in the activation of NF-κB signaling, yet the molecular mechanisms responsible for their reversible deubiquitination are still poorly understood. In this study, we identified a member of the deubiquitinases family, ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18), as a novel negative regulator in Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated NF-κB activation in human macrophages. USP18 is an interferon inducible gene, which is also upregulated by various TLR ligands in human monocytes and macrophages. Knockdown of USP18 enhanced the phosphorylation of IKK, the degradation of IκB, and augmented the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, USP18 interacted with TAK1-TAB1 complex and IKKα/β-NEMO complex, respectively. USP18 cleaved the K63-linked polyubiquitin chains attached to TAK1 in a protease-dependent manner. Moreover, USP18 targeted the IKK complex through the regulatory subunit NEMO of IKK, and specifically inhibited K63-linked ubiquitination of NEMO. Mutation analysis revealed direct binding of USP18 to the UBAN motif of NEMO. Our study has identified a previously unrecognized role for USP18 in the negative regulation of NF-κB activation by inhibiting K63-linked ubiquitination of TAK1 and NEMO through distinct mechanisms.
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is dynamically regulated by “writer” and “eraser” enzymes. m6A “writers” have been shown to ensure the homeostasis of CD4+ T cells, but the “erasers” functioning in T cells is poorly understood. Here, we reported that m6A eraser AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), but not FTO, maintains the ability of naïve CD4+ T cells to induce adoptive transfer colitis. In addition, T cell–specific ablation of ALKBH5 confers protection against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. During the induced neuroinflammation, ALKBH5 deficiency increased m6A modification on interferon-γ and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 messenger RNA (mRNA), thus decreasing their mRNA stability and protein expression in CD4+ T cells. These modifications resulted in attenuated CD4+ T cell responses and diminished recruitment of neutrophils into the central nervous system. Our findings reveal an unexpected specific role of ALKBH5 as an m6A eraser in controlling the pathogenicity of CD4+ T cells during autoimmunity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.