Extracellular vesicles from neural stem cells transfer IFN-γ via Ifngr1 to activate Stat1 signaling in target cells

Mol Cell. 2014 Oct 23;56(2):193-204. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.08.020. Epub 2014 Sep 18.

Abstract

The idea that stem cell therapies work only via cell replacement is challenged by the observation of consistent intercellular molecule exchange between the graft and the host. Here we defined a mechanism of cellular signaling by which neural stem/precursor cells (NPCs) communicate with the microenvironment via extracellular vesicles (EVs), and we elucidated its molecular signature and function. We observed cytokine-regulated pathways that sort proteins and mRNAs into EVs. We described induction of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) pathway in NPCs exposed to proinflammatory cytokines that is mirrored in EVs. We showed that IFN-γ bound to EVs through Ifngr1 activates Stat1 in target cells. Finally, we demonstrated that endogenous Stat1 and Ifngr1 in target cells are indispensable to sustain the activation of Stat1 signaling by EV-associated IFN-γ/Ifngr1 complexes. Our study identifies a mechanism of cellular signaling regulated by EV-associated IFN-γ/Ifngr1 complexes, which grafted stem cells may use to communicate with the host immune system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Cell Communication
  • Cellular Microenvironment
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Interferon gamma Receptor
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Neural Stem Cells / transplantation
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Interferon / genetics
  • Receptors, Interferon / metabolism*
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / biosynthesis
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Transport Vesicles / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Interferon
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Stat1 protein, mouse
  • Interferon-gamma

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE33527