Effect of remote ischemic conditioning on the immune-inflammatory profile in patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock in a randomized controlled trial

Resuscitation induced ischemia/reperfusion predisposes trauma patients to systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction. We investigated the effect of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC), a treatment shown to prevent ischemia/reperfusion injury in experimental models of hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation, on the systemic immune-inflammatory profile in trauma patients in a randomized trial. We conducted a prospective, single-centre, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving trauma patients sustaining blunt or penetrating trauma in hemorrhagic shock admitted to a Level 1 trauma centre. Patients were randomized to receive RIC (four cycles of 5-min pressure cuff inflation at 250 mmHg and deflation on the thigh) or a Sham intervention. The primary outcomes were neutrophil oxidative burst activity, cellular adhesion molecule expression, and plasma levels of myeloperoxidase, cytokines and chemokines in peripheral blood samples, drawn at admission (pre-intervention), 1 h, 3 h, and 24 h post-admission. Secondary outcomes included ventilator, ICU and hospital free days, incidence of nosocomial infections, 24 h and 28 day mortality. 50 eligible patients were randomized; of which 21 in the Sham group and 18 in the RIC group were included in the full analysis. No treatment effect was observed between Sham and RIC groups for neutrophil oxidative burst activity, adhesion molecule expression, and plasma levels of myeloperoxidase and cytokines. RIC prevented significant increases in Th2 chemokines TARC/CCL17 (P < 0.01) and MDC/CCL22 (P < 0.05) at 24 h post-intervention in comparison to the Sham group. Secondary clinical outcomes were not different between groups. No adverse events in relation to the RIC intervention were observed. Administration of RIC was safe and did not adversely affect clinical outcomes. While trauma itself modified several immunoregulatory markers, RIC failed to alter expression of the majority of markers. However, RIC may influence Th2 chemokine expression in the post resuscitation period. Further investigation into the immunomodulatory effects of RIC in traumatic injuries and their impact on clinical outcomes is warranted.ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02071290.

High loading-dose of dupilumab resulted in rapid disease control in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis

Background

The real-world experience of dupilumab in Chinese is limited, and the initial loading dose has not yet been deeply explored in patients aged <6 years.

Objective

To explore the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and investigate the effect of higher loading dose for disease control in patients aged <6 years.

Methods

A total of 155 patients were divided into three groups according to age: <6 years, 6-11 years, and >11 years. Among patients aged <6 years, 37 patients received a high loading dose of 300 mg for body weight <15kg or 600 mg for body weight ≥15kg, and another 37 patients received a standard loading dose of 200 mg for body weight <15kg or 300 mg for body weight ≥15kg. Multiple physicians and patient-reported outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after dupilumab treatment.

Results

The proportion of patients showing an improvement of ≥75% in the Eczema Area and Severity Index was 68.0% (17/25), 76.9% (10/13), and 62.5% (25/40) in the aged <6, 6-11, and >11 years groups, respectively, at week 16. After increasing the loading dose, 69.6% (16/23) of patients aged <6 years achieved 4-point improvement in Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale at week 2, compared with 23.5% (8/34) of patients receiving standard loading dose (P < 0.001). Obesity (odds ratio=0.12, 95% confidence interval: 0.02-0.70) was predictive of a poor response to dupilumab treatment, while female (odds ratio=3.94, 95% confidence interval: 1.26-12.31) predicted good response at week 16. The change of serum C-C motif ligand 17(CCL17/TARC) could reflect the response to dupilumab (r = 0.53, P = 0.002 in EASI) among patients aged <18 years. No major adverse events were reported during the treatment.

Conclusions

Dupilumab was effective and well-tolerated in Chinese patients with atopic dermatitis. The increased loading dose helped achieve rapid pruritus control in patients aged <6 years.

Serum chemokine CC-motif ligand 17 is a predictive marker of severe COVID-19 in haemodialysis patients: A retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Maintenance haemodialysis (HD) patients are at higher risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Because of a limited number of facilities that can provide inpatient treatment for COVID-19 and HD, it is important to identify HD patients who are at high risk for severe COVID-19. For mild to moderate COVID-19 patients, chemokine CC-motif ligand 17 (CCL17) was reported to be a predictive marker for severe COVID-19; however, the validity of CCL17 among HD patients is unknown.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study enrolled 107 HD patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 at hospitalization (mean age 70.1 ± 15.1 years; 71.0% male). Receiver operating characteristic and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the predictive validity of indices for severe COVID-19.

RESULTS

During hospitalization, 32 patients developed severe COVID-19. Serum CCL17 collected at admission exhibited a higher area under the curve value (0.818) compared with that of other indicators including lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein for the prediction of severe COVID-19. The optimal cut-off value for CCL17 was 150.5 pg/mL. A multi-variate logistic analysis revealed that CCL17 (above 150.5 pg/mL) was significantly associated with severe COVID-19 (Odds ratio, 0.063; 95% Confidence interval [CI], 0.017-0.227; p < .001) even after adjustment for covariates. The addition of the CCL17 to a model consisting of vaccination status, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, C-reacting protein and lactate dehydrogenase significantly improved classification performance for severe COVID-19 using the net reclassification (1.16, 95% CI: 0.82-1.50, p < .001) and integrated discrimination (0.18, 95% CI: 0.09-0.26, p < .001) improvement.

CONCLUSION

CCL17 levels in HD patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 predict risk of developing severe COVID-19.

CCL17 drives fibroblast activation in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis by enhancing the TGF-β/Smad signaling

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a type of fatal respiratory diseases with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. The chemokine CCL17 plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of immune diseases. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) CCL17 levels are significantly higher in patients with idiopathic PF (IPF) than in healthy volunteers. However, the source and function of CCL17 in PF remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that the levels of CCL17 were increased in the lungs of IPF patients and mice with bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF. In particular, CCL17 were upregulated in alveolar macrophages (AMs) and antibody blockade of CCL17 protected mice against BLM-induced fibrosis and significantly reduced fibroblast activation. Mechanistic studies revealed that CCL17 interacted with its receptor CCR4 on fibroblasts, thereby activating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to promote fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis. Moreover, the knockdown of CCR4 by CCR4-siRNA or blockade by CCR4 antagonist C-021 was able to ameliorate PF pathology in mice. In summary, the CCL17-CCR4 axis is involved in the progression of PF, and targeting of CCL17 or CCR4 inhibits fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis and may benefit patients with fibroproliferative lung diseases.

Frequency of Peripheral CD8+ T Cells Expressing Chemo-Attractant Receptors CCR1, 4 and 5 Increases in NPC Patients with EBV Clearance upon Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy (RT) is the standard-of-care for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), where the post-RT clearance of plasma EBV DNA is prognostic. Currently, it is not known whether the post-RT clearance of plasma EBV DNA is related to the presence of circulating T-cell subsets. Blood samples from NPC patients were used to assess the frequency of T-cell subsets relating to differentiation, co-signaling and chemotaxis. Patients with undetectable versus detectable plasma EBV DNA levels post-RT were categorized as clearers vs. non-clearers. Clearers had a lower frequency of PD1+CD8+ T cells as well as CXCR3+CD8+ T cells during RT compared to non-clearers. Clearers exclusively showed a temporal increase in chemo-attractant receptors CCR1, 4 and/or 5, expressing CD8+ T cells upon RT. The increase in CCR-expressing CD8+ T cells was accompanied by a drop in naïve CD8+ T cells and an increase in OX40+CD8+ T cells. Upon stratifying these patients based on clinical outcome, the dynamics of CCR-expressing CD8+ T cells were in concordance with the non-recurrence of NPC. In a second cohort, non-recurrence associated with higher quantities of circulating CCL14 and CCL15. Collectively, our findings relate plasma EBV DNA clearance post-RT to T-cell chemotaxis, which requires validation in larger cohorts.

Impact of chronic alcohol exposure on conventional and regulatory murine T cell subsets

Introduction

Chronic alcohol use poses significant negative consequences to public health and, among its many biologic effects, is associated with significant T cell dysregulation within the adaptive immune system that has yet to be fully characterized. Novel, automated strategies for high dimensional flow cytometric analysis of the immune system are rapidly improving researchers' ability to detect and characterize rare cell types.

Methods

Using a murine model of chronic alcohol ingestion in conjunction with viSNE and CITRUS analysis tools, we performed a machine-driven, exploratory analysis comparing rare splenic subpopulations within the conventional CD4+, regulatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cell compartments between alcohol- and water-fed animals.

Results

While there were no differences in the absolute numbers of bulk CD3+ T cells, bulk CD4+ T cells, bulk CD8+ T cells, Foxp3- CD4+ conventional T cells (Tconv) or Foxp3+ CD4+ regulatory T cells (Treg), we identified populations of naïve Helios+ CD4+Tconv and naïve CD103+ CD8+ splenic T cells that were decreased in chronically alcohol exposed mice versus water-fed controls. In addition, we identified increased CD69+ Treg and decreased CD103+ effector regulatory T cell (eTreg) subsets in conjunction with increased frequency of a population that may represent a transitional phenotype between central regulatory T cell (cTreg) and eTreg.

Discussion

These data provide further resolution into the character of decreased naïve T cell populations known to be present in alcohol exposed mice, as well as describe alterations in effector regulatory T cell phenotypes associated with the pathogenesis of chronic alcohol-induced immune dysfunction.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced T-Cell Response after Three Doses in People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy Compared to Seronegative Controls (CTN 328 COVAXHIV Study)

People living with HIV (PLWH) may be at risk for poor immunogenicity to certain vaccines, including the ability to develop immunological memory. Here, we assessed T-cell immunogenicity following three SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses in PLWH versus uninfected controls. Blood was collected from 38 PLWH on antiretroviral therapy and 24 age-matched HIV-negative controls, pre-vaccination and after 1st/2nd/3rd dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Flow cytometry was used to assess ex vivo T-cell immunophenotypes and intracellular Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interferon(IFN)-γ/interleukin(IL)-2 following SARS-CoV-2-Spike-peptide stimulation. Comparisons were made using Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired variables and Mann-Whitney for unpaired. In PLWH, Spike-specific CD4 T-cell frequencies plateaued post-2nd dose, with no significant differences in polyfunctional SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell proportions between PLWH and uninfected controls post-3rd dose. PLWH had higher frequencies of TNFα+CD4 T-cells and lower frequencies of IFNγ+CD8 T-cells than seronegative participants post-3rd dose. Regardless of HIV status, an increase in naive, regulatory, and PD1+ T-cell frequencies was observed post-3rd dose. In summary, two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine induced a robust T-cell immune response in PLWH, which was maintained after the 3rd dose, with no significant differences in polyfunctional SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell proportions between PLWH and uninfected controls post-3rd dose.

Novel Theranostic Approaches Targeting CCR4-Receptor, Current Status and Translational Prospectives: A Systematic Review

Background: With the high mortality rate of malignant tumors, there is a need to find novel theranostic approaches to provide an early diagnosis and targeted therapy. The chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is highly expressed in various tumors and plays an important role in tumor pathogenesis. This systematic review aims to provide a complete overview on clinical and preclinical applications of the CCR4 receptor as a target for theranostics, using a systematic approach to classify and assemble published studies performed on humans and animals, sorted by field of application and specific tumor. Methods: A systematic literature search of articles suiting the inclusion criteria was conducted on Pubmed, Scopus, Central, and Web of Science databases, including papers published from January 2006 to November 2022. Eligible studies had to be performed on humans and/or in vivo/in vitro studying CCR4 expression in tumors. The methodological quality was assessed through the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) assessing only the studies performed on humans. Results: A total of 17 articles were screened. The articles were assessed for eligibility with the exclusion of 4 articles. Ultimately, 13 articles were selected for the qualitative analysis, and six articles were selected for the critical appraisal skills program. Conclusions: The development of new radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals targeting CCR4 show promising results in the theranostics of CCR4 sensible tumors. Although to widen its use in clinical practice, further translation of preclinical to clinical data is needed.

CX3CL1 deficiency ameliorates inflammation, apoptosis and accelerates osteogenic differentiation, mineralization in LPS-treated MC3T3-E1 cells via its receptor CX3CR1

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a devastating skeletal disease responsible for bone fragility and fracture. CX3C chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) is an inflammatory chemokine which has been identified to possess increased expression in the serum of postmenopausal osteoporotic patients. This paper was to illuminate the impacts of CX3CL1 on inflammation, apoptosis and osteogenic differentiation, mineralization in LPS-treated osteoblasts and investigate the regulatory mechanism.

METHODS

The viability of MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to elevating doses of LPS was detected by CCK-8 assay. CX3CL1 and C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) expression were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. CX3CR1 expression was examined again following CX3CL1 depletion. The binding of CX3CL1 with CX3CR1 was testified through Co-IP assay. In MC3T3-E1 cells co-transduced with CX3CL1 interference and CX3CR1 overexpression plasmids following LPS exposure, cell activity and inflammation were separately estimated via CCK-8 assay and RT-qPCR. Apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay and western blot. Osteoblast differentiation was evaluated by ALP activity assay, RT-qPCR and western blot. Osteoblast mineralization was assessed by ARS staining, RT-qPCR and western blot. Results The experimental data presented that LPS attenuated the viability and enhanced CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 expression in MC3T3-E1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. CX3CR1 interacted with CX3CL1 and was positively modulated by CX3CL1. The suppressive role of CX3CL1 absence in LPS-evoked viability decrease, inflammation and apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells was reversed by CX3CR1 elevation. Besides, CX3CR1 reversed the promoted osteoblast differentiation and mineralization imposed by CX3CL1 interference.

CONCLUSIONS

CX3CL1 knockdown eased inflammation, apoptosis and promoted osteogenic differentiation, mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells upon LPS exposure through down-regulating CX3CR1.

The role of extracellular ATP in homeostatic immune cell migration

Antigen stimulation induces adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release from naïve lymphocytes in lymphoid tissues. However, previous studies indicated that the non-lytic release of ATP also occurs in most tissues and cell types under physiological conditions. Here, we show that extracellular ATP (eATP) is indeed constitutively produced by naïve T cells in response to lymphoid chemokines in uninflamed lymph nodes and is involved in the regulation of immune cell migration. In this review, we briefly summarize the homeostatic role of extracellular ATP in immune cell migration in vivo.

Viral, genetic, and immune factors in the oncogenesis of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a malignancy of mature CD4 + T cells induced by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1). HTLV-1 maintains life-long infection in the human host by clonal proliferation of infected cells and cell-to-cell spread of the virus. Two viral genes, tax and HTLV-1 bZIP factor (HBZ), promote expansion of infected cells through the important roles they play in acceleration of cell proliferation and protection from cell death. Long-term survival of infected clones in vivo causes genetic mutations and aberrant epigenetic changes to accumulate in host genes, resulting in the emergence of an ATL clone. Recent advances in sequencing technology have revealed the broad picture of genetic and transcriptional abnormalities in ATL cells. ATL cells have hyper-proliferative and anti-apoptotic signatures like those observed in other malignancies, but also notably have traits related to immune evasion. ATL cells exhibit a regulatory T-cell-like immuno-phenotype due to both the function of HBZ and mutation of several host genes, such as CCR4 and CIC. These findings suggest that immune evasion is a critical step in the oncogenesis of ATL, and thus novel therapies that activate anti-ATL/HTLV-1 immunity may be effective in the treatment and prevention of ATL.

Harnessing the immune system in the treatment of cutaneous T cell lymphomas

Cutaneous T cell lymphomas are a rare subset of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with predilection for the skin with immunosuppressive effects that drive morbidity and mortality. We are now appreciating that suppression of the immune system is an important step in the progression of disease. It should come as no surprise that therapies historically and currently being used to treat these cancers have immune modulating functions that impact disease outcomes. By understanding the immune effects of our therapies, we may better develop new agents that target the immune system and improve combinatorial treatment strategies to limit morbidity and mortality of these cancers. The immune modulating effect of therapeutic drugs in use and under development for cutaneous T cell lymphomas will be reviewed.

The roles of chemokines following intracerebral hemorrhage in animal models and humans

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one common yet devastating stroke subtype, imposing considerable burdens on families and society. Current guidelines are limited to symptomatic treatments after ICH, and the death rate remains significant in the acute stage. Thus, it is crucial to promote research to develop new targets on brain injury after ICH. In response to hematoma formation, amounts of chemokines are released in the brain, triggering the infiltration of resident immune cells in the brain and the chemotaxis of peripheral immune cells via the broken blood-brain barrier. During the past decades, mounting studies have focused on the roles of chemokines and their receptors in ICH injury. This review summarizes the latest advances in the study of chemokine functions in the ICH. First, we provide an overview of ICH epidemiology and underlying injury mechanisms in the pathogenesis of ICH. Second, we introduce the biology of chemokines and their receptors in brief. Third, we outline the roles of chemokines in ICH according to subgroups, including CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CCL12, CCL17, CXCL8, CXCL12, and CX3CL1. Finally, we summarize current drug usage targeting chemokines in ICH and other cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. This review discusses the expressions of these chemokines and receptors under normal or hemorrhagic conditions and cell-specific sources. Above all, we highlight the related data of these chemokines in the progression and outcomes of the ICH disease in preclinical and clinical studies and point to therapeutic opportunities targeting chemokines productions and interactions in treating ICH, such as accelerating hematoma absorption and alleviating brain edema.

Epithelial-intrinsic defects in TGFβR signaling drive local allergic inflammation manifesting as eosinophilic esophagitis

Allergic diseases are a global health challenge. Individuals harboring loss-of-function variants in transforming growth factor-β receptor (TGFβR) genes have an increased prevalence of allergic disorders, including eosinophilic esophagitis. Allergic diseases typically localize to mucosal barriers, implicating epithelial dysfunction as a cardinal feature of allergic disease. Here, we describe an essential role for TGFβ in the control of tissue-specific immune homeostasis that provides mechanistic insight into these clinical associations. Mice expressing a TGFβR1 loss-of-function variant identified in atopic patients spontaneously develop disease that clinically, immunologically, histologically, and transcriptionally recapitulates eosinophilic esophagitis. In vivo and in vitro, TGFβR1 variant-expressing epithelial cells are hyperproliferative, fail to differentiate properly, and overexpress innate proinflammatory mediators, which persist in the absence of lymphocytes or external allergens. Together, our results support the concept that TGFβ plays a fundamental, nonredundant, epithelial cell-intrinsic role in controlling tissue-specific allergic inflammation that is independent of its role in adaptive immunity.

Changes of gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of lung cancer patients with or without anorexia

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Anorexia is a disabling symptom in cancer and we aimed at investigating the role of changes in gene expression in lung cancer patients presenting with anorexia.

METHODS

Genome-wide transcriptomic profiling was assessed in PBMCs RNA from newly diagnosed lung cancer patients and in a control group. RT-qPCR was used for selected genes.

RESULTS

RNA-Seq analysis revealed among groups a large number of differentially expressed genes mainly implicated in immune system regulation, oxidative stress and cytokine-mediated inflammation signaling pathways. In particular, we identified a total of 983 DEGs (843 up-regulated; 140 down-regulated) in anorexic cancer compared to controls. A selected number of DEGs including ADAM8, SMAD4, CCR4 and CLU were differentially expressed within cancer group according to the presence/absence of anorexia. In terms of RT-qPCR, ADAM8 was less expressed in cancer patients than controls (p < 0.001), and in anorexic patients vs controls (p = 0.001). The expression of SMAD4 was lower in cancer vs controls (p = 0.005), and in anorexic patients vs controls (p = 0.009). We observed lower CCR4 expression in both anorexic and non-anorexic vs control (p = 0.004, p = 0.011, respectively) and a similar trend was present for CLU.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data shed new light on the role of specific genes and their associated molecular pathways as potential key mechanisms for the development of anorexia and may represent a novel landmark for understanding the complex pathophysiology of impaired appetite in cancer.

CCL17 and CCL22 chemokines are upregulated in human obesity and play a role in vascular dysfunction

Background/Aims

Chemokines are known to play critical roles mediating inflammation in many pathophysiological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of chemokine receptor CCR4 and its ligands CCL17 and CCL22 in human morbid obesity.

Methods

Circulating levels of CCL17 and CCL22 were measured in 60 morbidly obese patients (mean age, 45 ± 1 years; body mass index/BMI, 44 ± 1 kg/m²) who had undergone bariatric bypass surgery, and 20 control subjects. Paired subcutaneous (SCAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VCAT) from patients were analysed to measure expression of CCR4 and its ligands by RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. The effects of CCR4 neutralization ex vivo on leukocyte-endothelial cells were also evaluated.

Results

Compared with controls, morbidly obese patients presented higher circulating levels of CCL17 (p=0.029) and CCL22 (p<0.001) and this increase was positively correlated with BMI (p=0.013 and p=0.0016), and HOMA-IR Index (p=0.042 and p< 0.001). Upregulation of CCR4, CCL17 and CCL22 expression was detected in VCAT in comparison with SCAT (p<0.05). Using the parallel-plate flow chamber model, blockade of endothelial CCR4 function with the neutralizing antibody anti-CCR4 in morbidly obese patients significantly reduced leucocyte adhesiveness to dysfunctional endothelium, a key event in atherogenesis. Additionally, CCL17 and CCL22 increased activation of the ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway in human aortic endothelial cells, which was significantly reduced by CCR4 inhibition (p=0.016 and p<0.05).

Conclusion

Based on these findings, pharmacological modulation of the CCR4 axis could represent a new therapeutic approach to prevent adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity.

Cytokine concentration in peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer

Introduction

The role of tumour secretory cytokines and peripheral circulatory cytokines in tumour progression has received increasing attention; however, the role of tumour-related inflammatory cytokines in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. In this study, the concentrations of various cytokines in the peripheral blood of healthy controls and patients with CRC at different stages were compared.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples from 4 healthy participants and 22 colorectal cancer patients were examined. Luminex beads were used to evaluate concentration levels of 40 inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood samples.

Results

In peripheral blood, compared with healthy controls and early stage (I + II) CRC patients, advanced CRC (III + IV) patients had increased concentrations of mononuclear/macrophage chemotactic-related proteins (CCL7, CCL8, CCL15, CCL2, and MIF), M2 polarization-related factors (IL-1β, IL-4), neutrophil chemotactic and N2 polarization-related cytokines (CXCL2, CXCL5, CXCL6, IL-8), dendritic cells (DCs) chemotactic-related proteins (CCL19, CCL20, and CCL21), Natural killer (NK) cell related cytokines (CXCL9, CXCL10), Th2 cell-related cytokines (CCL1, CCL11, CCL26), CXCL12, IL-2, CCL25, and CCL27, and decreased IFN-γ and CX3CL1 concentrations. The differential upregulation of cytokines in peripheral blood was mainly concentrated in CRC patients with distant metastasis and was related to the size of the primary tumour; however, there was no significant correlation between cytokine levels in peripheral blood and the propensity and mechanism of lymph node metastasis.

Discussion

Different types of immune cells may share the same chemokine receptors and can co-localise in response to the same chemokines and exert synergistic pro-tumour or anti-tumour functions in the tumour microenvironment. Chemokines and cytokines affect tumour metastasis and prognosis and may be potential targets for treatment.

Thirty-five years since the discovery of chemotactic cytokines, interleukin-8 and MCAF: A historical overview

Inflammation is a host defense response to various invading stimuli, but an excessive and persistent inflammatory response can cause tissue injury, which can lead to irreversible organ damage and dysfunction. Excessive inflammatory responses are believed to link to most human diseases. A specific type of leukocyte infiltration into invaded tissues is required for inflammation. Historically, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this process during inflammation were an enigma, compromising research in the fields of inflammation, immunology, and pathology. However, the pioneering discovery of chemotactic cytokines (chemokines), monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MDNCF; interleukin [IL]-8, CXCL8) and monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF; monocyte chemotactic factor 1 [MCP-1], CCL2) in the late 1980s finally enabled us to address this issue. In this review, we provide a historical overview of chemokine research over the last 35 years.

Role of chemokine-like factor 1 as an inflammatory marker in diseases

Immunoinflammatory mechanisms have been incrementally found to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, with chemokines being the main drivers of immune cell infiltration in the inflammatory response. Chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1), a novel chemokine, is highly expressed in the human peripheral blood leukocytes and exerts broad-spectrum chemotactic and pro-proliferative effects by activating multiple downstream signaling pathways upon binding to its functional receptors. Furthermore, the relationship between CKLF1 overexpression and various systemic diseases has been demonstrated in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. In this context, it is promising that clarifying the downstream mechanism of CKLF1 and identifying its upstream regulatory sites can yield new strategies for targeted therapeutics of immunoinflammatory diseases.

Epigenetic and immunological indicators of IPEX disease in subjects with FOXP3 gene mutation

BACKGROUND

Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) is the master transcription factor in CD4⁺CD25^hiCD127^lo regulatory T (Treg) cells. Mutations in FOXP3 result in IPEX (immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked) syndrome. Clinical presentation of IPEX syndrome is broader than initially described, challenging the understanding of the disease, its evolution, and treatment choice.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to study the type and extent of immunologic abnormalities that remain ill-defined in IPEX, across genetic and clinical heterogeneity.

METHODS

We performed Treg-cell-specific epigenetic quantification and immunologic characterization of severe "typical" (n = 6) and "atypical" or asymptomatic (n = 9) patients with IPEX.

RESULTS

Increased number of cells with Treg-cell-Specific Demethylated Region demethylation in FOXP3 is a consistent feature in patients with IPEX, with (1) highest values in those with typical IPEX, (2) increased values in subjects with pathogenic FOXP3 but still no symptoms, and (3) gradual increase over the course of disease progression. Large-scale profiling using Luminex identified plasma inflammatory signature of macrophage activation and T_H2 polarization, with cytokines previously not associated with IPEX pathology, including CCL22, CCL17, CCL15, and IL-13, and the inflammatory markers TNF-α, IL-1A, IL-8, sFasL, and CXCL9. Similarly, both Treg-cell and Teff compartments, studied by Mass Cytometry by Time-Of-Flight, were skewed toward the T_H2 compartment, especially in typical IPEX.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated TSDR-demethylated cells, combined with elevation of plasmatic and cellular markers of a polarized type 2 inflammatory immune response, extends our understanding of IPEX diagnosis and heterogeneity.

CCR4 plays a pivotal role in Th17 cell recruitment and expansion in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis

T helper 17 (Th17) cells express CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) and secrete cytokines such as interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), while dendritic cells (DCs) produce CC chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22), a CCR4 ligand, upon stimulation with GM-CSF. Th17 cells are known to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CCL22 has also been shown to be up-regulated in the synovial tissues of RA patients. Here, we investigated the role of CCR4 in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse model of RA. DBA/1J mice efficiently developed CIA as shown by erythema, paw swelling, joint rigidity, and joint destruction. Th17 cells were increased in the arthritic joints and regional lymph nodes (LNs) of CIA mice. A fraction of Th17 cells were also shown to produce GM-CSF. On the other hand, we observed no significant increases of Th2 cells or Treg cells, the T cell subsets also known to express CCR4, in these tissues. We further observed clusters of CCR4-expressing memory Th17 cells and CCL22-producing DCs in the regional LNs of CIA mice, supporting the role of the CCR4-CCL22 axis in the expansion of Th17 cells in the regional LNs. Compound 22, a CCR4 inhibitor, ameliorated the disease severity with reduction of Th17 cells in the arthritic joints and regional LNs and Th17-DC clusters in the regional LNs. We further confirmed that CCR4-deficient mice in the C57BL/6J background were highly resistant to CIA induction compared with wild-type mice. Collectively, CCR4 contributes to the pathogenesis of CIA and may thus represent a new therapeutic target for RA.

Current state of CAR-T therapy for T-cell malignancies

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has been approved for relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas and greatly improves disease outcomes. The impressive success has inspired the application of this approach to other types of tumors. The relapsed/refractory T-cell malignancies are characteristic of high heterogeneity and poor prognoses. The efficacy of current treatments for this group of diseases is limited. CAR-T therapy is a promising solution to ameliorate the current therapeutic situation. One of the major challenges is that normal T-cells typically share mutual antigens with malignant cells, which causes fratricide and serious T-cell aplasia. Moreover, T-cells collected for CAR transduction could be contaminated by malignant T-cells. The selection of suitable target antigens is of vital importance to mitigate fratricide and T-cell aplasia. Using nanobody-derived or naturally selected CAR-T is the latest method to overcome fratricide. Allogeneic CAR-T products and CAR-NK-cells are expected to avoid tumor contamination. Herein, we review the advances in promising target antigens, the current results of CAR-T therapy clinical trials in T-cell malignancies, the obstacles of CAR-T therapy in T-cell malignancies, and the solutions to these issues.

Pan-Cancer Landscape of NEIL3 in Tumor Microenvironment: A Promising Predictor for Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy

With the aim of enhancing the understanding of NEIL3 in prognosis prediction and therapy administration, we conducted a pan-cancer landscape analysis on NEIL3. The mutation characteristics, survival patterns, and immune features of NEIL3 across cancers were analyzed. Western blotting, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry were conducted to validate the bioinformatics results. The correlation between NEIL3 and chemotherapeutic drugs, as well as immunotherapies, was estimated. NEIL3 was identified as an oncogene with prognostic value in predicting clinical outcomes in multiple cancers. Combined with the neoantigen, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) results, a strong relationship between NEIL3 and the TME was observed. NEIL3 was demonstrated to be closely associated with multiple immune parameters, including infiltrating immunocytes and pro-inflammatory chemokines, which was verified by experiments. More importantly, patients with a higher expression of NEIL3 were revealed to be more sensitive to chemotherapeutic regimens and immune checkpoint inhibitors in selected cancers, implying that NEIL3 may be an indicator for therapeutic administration. Our study indicated NEIL3 has a strong association with the immune microenvironment and phenotypic changes in certain types of cancers, which facilitated the improved understanding of NEIL3 across cancers and highlighted the potential for clinical application of NEIL3 in precision medical stratification.

Seasonal facial erythema in a patient with allergic rhinitis treated using a combination of tranilast and roxithromycin

OBJECTIVE

A competitive effect with suppression of Th2 immune responses of the tranilast and roxithromycin combination is examined in an allergic rhinitis patient.

PATIENT AND METHODS

A 42-year-old female patient with allergic rhinitis caused by cedar pollen, which is one of the most common allergies during the spring, exhibited facial erythema with itching, particularly on both cheeks, and rhinitis symptoms, such as nasal discharge, and 200 mg/day of tranilast (original) and 300 mg/day of roxithromycin were administered.

RESULTS

After 2 weeks, the patient's skin lesions were mostly eliminated, with the skin appearing almost normal; itching was nearly absent; and rhinitis symptoms disappeared.

CONCLUSION

This combination may be a promising new therapeutic strategy for allergic rhinitis.

In or out of control: Modulating regulatory T cell homeostasis and function with immune checkpoint pathways

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are the master regulators of immunity and they have been implicated in different disease states such as infection, autoimmunity and cancer. Since their discovery, many studies have focused on understanding Treg development, differentiation, and function. While there are many players in the generation and function of truly suppressive Tregs, the role of checkpoint pathways in these processes have been studied extensively. In this paper, we systematically review the role of different checkpoint pathways in Treg homeostasis and function. We describe how co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory pathways modulate Treg homeostasis and function and highlight data from mouse and human studies. Multiple checkpoint pathways are being targeted in cancer and autoimmunity; therefore, we share insights from the clinic and discuss the effect of experimental and approved therapeutics on Treg biology.

CC Chemokine Receptor 4 (CCR4) as a Possible New Target for Therapy

Chemokines and their receptors participate in many biological processes, including the modulation of neuroimmune interactions. Approximately fifty chemokines are distinguished in humans, which are classified into four subfamilies based on the N-terminal conserved cysteine motifs: CXC, CC, C, and CX3C. Chemokines activate specific receptors localized on the surface of various immune and nervous cells. Approximately twenty chemokine receptors have been identified, and each of these receptors is a seven-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor. Recent studies provide new evidence that CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is important in the pathogenesis of many diseases, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma, dermatitis, and cancer. This review briefly characterizes CCR4 and its ligands (CCL17, CCL22, and CCL2), and their contributions to immunological and neoplastic diseases. The review notes a significant role of CCR4 in nociceptive transmission, especially in painful neuropathy, which accompanies many diseases. The pharmacological blockade of CCR4 seems beneficial because of its pain-relieving effects and its influence on opioid efficacy. The possibilities of using the CCL2/CCL17/CCL22/CCR4 axis as a target in new therapies for many diseases are also discussed.

β-caryophyllene and docosahexaenoic acid, isolated or associated, have potential antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo

Inflammation is a complex biological response involving the immune, autonomic, vascular, and somatosensory systems that occurs through the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and pain induction by the activation of nociceptors. Staphylococcus aureus, the main cause of bacteremia, is one of the most common and potent causes of inflammation in public health, with worse clinical outcomes in hospitals. Antioxidant substances have been evaluated as alternative therapeutic analgesics, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, antitumor agents, and bactericides. Among these, we highlight the essential oils of aromatic plants, such as β-caryophyllene (BCP), and polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of BCP-DHA association in in vitro and in vivo experimental models of antinociception and inflammation. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects, monocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of adult male volunteers were infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus and incubated with treatment for cytokine dosage and gene expression analysis. Antinociceptive effects were observed in the three models when comparing the control (saline) and the BCP-DHA treatment groups. For this purpose, the antinociceptive effects were evaluated in animal models using the following tests: acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, paw edema induced by formalin intraplantar injection, and von Frey hypernociception. There was a significant reduction in the GM-CSF, TNFα, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-12 levels and an increase in IL-10 levels in the BCP-DHA treatment groups, in addition to negative regulation of the expression of the genes involved in the intracellular inflammatory signaling cascade (IL-2, IL-6, IRF7, NLRP3, and TYK2) in all groups receiving treatment, regardless of the presence of infection. Statistically significant results (p < 0.05) were obtained in the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test, evaluation of paw edema, evaluation of paw flinching and licking in the formalin intraplantar injection model, and the von Frey hypernociception test. Therefore, BCP and DHA, either administered individually or combined, demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.

Helminth exposure protects against murine SARS-CoV-2 infection through macrophage dependent T cell activation

Helminth endemic regions report lower COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Here, we show that lung remodeling from a prior infection with a lung migrating helminth, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis , enhances viral clearance and survival of human-ACE2 transgenic mice challenged with SARS-CoV-2 (SCV2). This protection is associated with a lymphocytic infiltrate including an increased accumulation of pulmonary SCV2-specific CD8+ T cells and anti-CD8 antibody depletion abrogated the N. brasiliensis -mediated reduction in viral loads. Pulmonary macrophages with a type-2 transcriptional signature persist in the lungs of N. brasiliensis exposed mice after clearance of the parasite and establish a primed environment for increased antigen presentation. Accordingly, depletion of macrophages ablated the augmented viral clearance and accumulation of CD8+ T cells driven by prior N. brasiliensis infection. Together, these findings support the concept that lung migrating helminths can limit disease severity during SCV2 infection through macrophage-dependent enhancement of anti-viral CD8+ T cell responses.

Abstract Figure

Rare variants and HLA haplotypes associated in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are rare, debilitating autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. Many NMOSD patients have antibodies to Aquaporin-4 (AQP4). Prior studies show associations of NMOSD with individual Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) alleles and with mutations in the complement pathway and potassium channels. HLA allele associations with NMOSD are inconsistent between populations, suggesting complex relationships between the identified alleles and risk of disease. We used a retrospective case-control approach to identify contributing genetic variants in patients who met the diagnostic criteria for NMOSD and their unaffected family members. Potentially deleterious variants identified in NMOSD patients were compared to members of their families who do not have the disease and to existing databases of human genetic variation. HLA sequences from patients from Belgrade, Serbia, were compared to the frequency of HLA haplotypes in the general population in Belgrade. We analyzed exome sequencing on 40 NMOSD patients and identified rare inherited variants in the complement pathway and potassium channel genes. Haplotype analysis further detected two haplotypes, HLA-A*01, B*08, DRB1*03 and HLA-A*01, B*08, C*07, DRB1*03, DQB1*02, which were more prevalent in NMOSD patients than in unaffected individuals. In silico modeling indicates that HLA molecules within these haplotypes are predicted to bind AQP4 at several sites, potentially contributing to the development of autoimmunity. Our results point to possible autoimmune and neurodegenerative mechanisms that cause NMOSD, and can be used to investigate potential NMOSD drug targets.

Regulation of Tumor and Metastasis Initiation by Chemokine Receptors

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are a rare sub-population of cells within the bulk of a tumor that are major contributors to tumor initiation, metastasis, and chemoresistance. TICs have a stem-cell-like phenotype that is dictated by the expression of master regulator transcription factors, including OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2. These transcription factors are expressed via activation of multiple signaling pathways that drive cancer initiation and progression. Importantly, these same signaling pathways can be activated by select chemokine receptors. Chemokine receptors are increasingly being revealed as major drivers of the TIC phenotype, as their signaling can lead to activation of stemness-controlling transcription factors. Additionally, the cell surface expression of chemokine receptors provides a unique therapeutic target to disrupt signaling pathways that control the expression of master regulator transcription factors and the TIC phenotype. This review summarizes the master regulator transcription factors known to dictate the TIC phenotype, along with the complex signaling pathways that can mediate their expression and the chemokine receptors that are most upstream of this phenotype.

How sphingolipids affect T cells in the resolution of inflammation

The concept of proper resolution of inflammation rather than counteracting it, gained a lot of attention in the past few years. Re-assembly of tissue and cell homeostasis as well as establishment of adaptive immunity after inflammatory processes are the key events of resolution. Neutrophiles and macrophages are well described as promotors of resolution, but the role of T cells is poorly reviewed. It is also broadly known that sphingolipids and their imbalance influence membrane fluidity and cell signalling pathways resulting in inflammation associated diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), atherosclerosis or diabetes. In this review we highlight the role of sphingolipids in T cells in the context of resolution of inflammation to create an insight into new possible therapeutical approaches.

Tipping the scales: Immunotherapeutic strategies that disrupt immunosuppression and promote immune activation

Immunotherapy has emerged as an effective therapeutic approach for several cancer types. However, only a subset of patients exhibits a durable response due in part to immunosuppressive mechanisms that allow tumor cells to evade destruction by immune cells. One of the hallmarks of immune suppression is the paucity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), characterized by low numbers of effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, the proper activation and function of lymphocytes that successfully infiltrate the tumor are hampered by the lack of co-stimulatory molecules and the increase in inhibitory factors. These contribute to the imbalance of effector functions by natural killer (NK) and T cells and the immunosuppressive functions by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the TME, resulting in a dysfunctional anti-tumor immune response. Therefore, therapeutic regimens that elicit immune responses and reverse immune dysfunction are required to counter immune suppression in the TME and allow for the re-establishment of proper immune surveillance. Immuno-oncology (IO) agents, such as immune checkpoint blockade and TGF-β trapping molecules, have been developed to decrease or block suppressive factors to enable the activity of effector cells in the TME. Therapeutic agents that target immunosuppressive cells, either by direct lysis or altering their functions, have also been demonstrated to decrease the barrier to effective immune response. Other therapies, such as tumor antigen-specific vaccines and immunocytokines, have been shown to activate and improve the recruitment of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to the tumor, resulting in improved T effector to Treg ratio. The preclinical data on these diverse IO agents have led to the development of ongoing phase I and II clinical trials. This review aims to provide an overview of select therapeutic strategies that tip the balance from immunosuppression to immune activity in the TME.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory effects of Δ7-Cholestenol and Δ8(14)-Cholestenol derivatives

In this study, O-glycosides of cholesterol derivatives Δ⁷-cholestenol and Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-cholestenol were prepared by Schmidt glycosylation with various glycosyl imidates. In addition, 1,2,3-triazole-linked N-glycosides of Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-cholestenol were prepared via the "click" reaction of proparzylic Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-cholestenol with glycosyl azides. The anti-inflammatory activities of these molecules were investigated for inhibitory mRNA expression activity of CCL17 and CCL22, which are important biomarkers of atopic dermatitis. Both the O- and N-glycosides Δ⁷-cholestenol and Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-cholestenol were observed to exhibit good anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. In particular, the 1,2,3-triazole-linked N-glycoside of Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-cholestenol exhibited anti-inflammatory activity similar to that of O-glycoside in vitro and is expected to be more potent in vivo due to better stability.

CAR-T cell development for Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma: current limitations and potential treatment strategies

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy has demonstrated remarkable outcomes for B cell malignancies, however, its application for T cell lymphoma, particularly cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), has been limited. Barriers to effective CAR-T cell therapy in treating CTCL include T cell aplasia in autologous transplants, CAR-T product contamination with leukemic T cells, CAR-T fratricide (when the target antigen is present on normal T cells), and tumor heterogeneity. To address these critical challenges, innovative CAR engineering by targeting multiple antigens to strike a balance between efficacy and safety of the therapy is necessary. In this review, we discuss the current obstacles to CAR-T cell therapy and highlight potential targets in treating CTCL. Looking forward, we propose strategies to develop more powerful dual CARs that are advancing towards the clinic in CTCL therapy.

Identification of miRNA-mRNA Pairs in Relation to TNF-α/IL-1β Induced Inflammatory Response in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Objective

The determination of miRNA-mRNA pairs for intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines were investigated.

Methods

Two dataset (accession number GSE27494 and GSE41883 from platform GPL1352) of expression profiling was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The annulus cells were isolated from annulus fibrosus in patients with degenerative disc disease. The cells were then cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) collagen containing with/without proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or interleukin beta (IL-1β)). After being cultured for 14 days, the isolated total RNA was analyzed via microarray, and the expression array data were obtained using BRB-Array Tools followed by analyzing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the prediction of potential miRNA targets of hub genes through online database.

Results

Firstly, 52 and 296 DEGs were found in IL-1β- and TNF-α-induced annulus cells, respectively, of these there had 42 common DEGs (co-DEGs) with 34 increased transcripts and 8 reduced ones. Based on the GO and KEGG software, these co-DEGs were mainly enriched in the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and molecule of bacterial origin, the regulation of receptor ligand activity and signaling receptor activator activity, as well as the following signaling pathways, including TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and NF-κB signaling pathway. Top hub genes (CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL8, IL1Β and PTGS2) regulated by several potential microRNAs were involved in TNF-α/IL-1β treated annulus cells.

Conclusions

Several candidate genes regulated by miRNAs caused by TNF-α/IL-1β in the annulus cells were found, which will guide diagnosis and treatment for degenerative disc disease.

A Bright Horizon: Immunotherapy for Pediatric T-Cell Malignancies

Immunotherapy has transformed the treatment of hematologic malignancies in the past two decades. The treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in particular, has been highly impacted by multiple novel immunotherapies. For pediatric patients with T-cell malignancies, translating immunotherapies has proved more challenging due to the complexities of fratricide, risk of product contamination with malignant cells, and concerns over T-cell aplasia. Despite these hurdles, many creative and promising strategies are on the horizon. We review challenges in the development of immunotherapy for T-cell malignancies, strategies to overcome these challenges, as well as therapies currently being investigated and starting to reach the clinic. Immunotherapy will hopefully successfully treat patients with relapsed and refractory T-cell malignancies and may someday be incorporated in up-front protocols in order to prevent relapses.

Identification of the Binding Epitope of an Anti-mouse CCR4 Monoclonal Antibody, C4Mab-1

C-C chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is one of G protein-coupled receptors, and interacts with chemokines, CCL17 and CCL22. CCR4 is expressed on T cells such as helper T type 2 cells, regulatory T cells, and interleukin 17-producing T helper cells. CCR4 is associated with T cells trafficking into the tumor microenvironment, and is associated with tumor progression or metastasis. Therefore, CCR4 may be a potential therapeutic option for T cell malignancies. C₄Mab-1 is a novel anti-mouse CCR4 (mCCR4) monoclonal antibody produced by mCCR4 N-terminal peptide immunization. C₄Mab-1 is useful for flow cytometric analysis. In this study, we conducted the epitope mapping of C₄Mab-1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and peptide blocking assay. The result of ELISA indicated that Thr7, Asp8, and Gln11 of mCCR4 are the critical amino acids for the C₄Mab-1 binding. Furthermore, peptide blocking assay by flow cytometry showed that Thr7, Asp8, and Gln11 of mCCR4 are essential for C₄Mab-1 binding to mCCR4-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO/mCCR4) cells, and Val6, Thr9, and Thr10 are involved in the C₄Mab-1 binding to CHO/mCCR4 cells. These results indicate that the critical binding epitope of C₄Mab-1 includes Thr7, Asp8, and Gln11 of mCCR4.

Chemokine receptor 4 expression on blood T lymphocytes predicts severity of major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Chemokines and their receptors regulate inflammatory processes in major depressive disorder (MDD). Here, we characterize the expression pattern of the C-C chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) and its ligands CCL17 and CCL22 in MDD and its clinical relevance in predicting disease severity.

METHODS

Expression of CCR4 on peripheral blood lymphocytes and serum CCL17/CCL22 levels were measured using multiparameter flow cytometry and multiplex assays in 33 depressed inpatients at baseline (T0) and after 6-week multimodal treatment (T1) compared with 21 healthy controls (HC). Using stratified and correlation analysis, we examined the associations of CCR4-CCL17/CCL22 expression with depression severity and symptoms according to standard clinical rating scales and questionnaires. Additionally, we assessed whether polygenic risk score (PRS) for psychiatric disorders and chronotype are associated with disease status or CCR4-CCL17/CCL22 expression. Regression analysis was performed to assess the capacity of CCR4 and PRS in predicting disease severity.

RESULTS

Compared with HC, MDD patients showed significantly decreased CCR4 expression on T cells (T0 and T1), whereas CCL17/CCL22 serum levels were increased. Stratified and correlation analysis revealed an association of CCR4 expression on CD4⁺ T cells with depression severity as well as Beck Depression Inventory-II items including loss of pleasure, agitation and cognitive deficits. CCR4 expression levels on CD4⁺ T cells together with cross-disorder and chronotype PRS significantly predicted disease severity.

LIMITATIONS

This exploratory study with small sample size warrants future studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This newly identified CCR4-CCL17/CCL22 signature and its predictive capacity for MDD severity suggest its potential functional involvement in the pathophysiology of MDD.

Heritability Estimation of Multiple Sclerosis Related Plasma Protein Levels in Sardinian Families with Immunochip Genotyping Data

This work aimed at estimating narrow-sense heritability, defined as the proportion of the phenotypic variance explained by the sum of additive genetic effects, via Haseman–Elston regression for a subset of 56 plasma protein levels related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). These were measured in 212 related individuals (with 69 MS cases and 143 healthy controls) obtained from 20 Sardinian families with MS history. Using pedigree information, we found seven statistically significant heritable plasma protein levels (after multiple testing correction), i.e., Gc (h2 = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.36, 1.00), Plat (h2 = 0.70; 95%CI: 0.27, 0.95), Anxa1 (h2 = 0.68; 95%CI: 0.27, 1.00), Sod1 (h2 = 0.58; 95%CI: 0.18, 0.96), Irf8 (h2 = 0.56; 95%CI: 0.19, 0.99), Ptger4 (h2 = 0.45; 95%CI: 0.10, 0.96), and Fadd (h2 = 0.41; 95%CI: 0.06, 0.84). A subsequent analysis was performed on these statistically significant heritable plasma protein levels employing Immunochip genotyping data obtained in 155 healthy controls (92 related and 63 unrelated); we found a meaningful proportion of heritable plasma protein levels’ variability explained by a small set of SNPs. Overall, the results obtained, for these seven MS-related proteins, emphasized a high additive genetic variance component explaining plasma levels’ variability.

Identifying the role of transient receptor potential channels (TRPs) in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma and their potential therapeutic significances using genomic and transcriptome analyses

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is among the major causes of cancer-caused mortality around the world. Transient receptor potential channels (TRPs), due to their role in various human diseases, might become potential drug targets in cancer. The mRNA expression, copy number variation, single-nucleotide variation, prognostic values, drug sensitivity, and pathway regulation of TRPs were studied across cancer types. The ArrayExpress and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases were used to retrieve KIRC samples. Simultaneously, training, internal, and external cohorts were grouped. In KIRC, a prognostic signature with superior survival prediction in contrast with other well-established signatures was created after a stepwise screening of optimized genes linked to TRPs using univariate Cox, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, multivariate Cox, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analyses. Subsequent to the determination of risk levels, the variations in the expression of immune checkpoint genes, tumor mutation burden, and immune subtypes and response between low-risk and high-risk subgroups were studied using a variety of bioinformatics algorithms, including ESTIMATE, XCELL, EPIC, CIBERSORT-ABS, CIBERSORT, MCPCOUNTER, TIMER, and QUANTISEQ. Gene set enrichment analysis helped in the identification of abnormal pathways across the low- and high-risk subgroups. Besides, high-risk KIRC patients might benefit from ABT888, AZD6244, AZD7762, Bosutinib, Camptothecin, CI1040, JNK inhibitor VIII, KU55933, Lenalidomide, Nilotinib, PLX4720, RO3306, Vinblastine, and ZM.447439; however, low-risk populations might benefit from Bicalutamide, FH535, and OSI906. Finally, calibration curves were used to validate the nomogram with a satisfactory predictive survival probability. In conclusion, this research provides useful insight that can aid and guide clinical practice and scientific research.

Nanotechnology-Based siRNA Delivery Systems to Overcome Tumor Immune Evasion in Cancer Immunotherapy

Immune evasion is a common reason causing the failure of anticancer immune therapy. Small interfering RNA (siRNA), which can activate the innate and adaptive immune system responses by silencing immune-relevant genes, have been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for preventing or reversing immune evasion. However, siRNAs show poor stability in biological fluids and cannot efficiently cross cell membranes. Nanotechnology has shown great potential for intracellular siRNA delivery in recent years. Nano-immunotherapy can efficiently penetrate the tumor microenvironment (TME) and deliver multiple immunomodulatory agents simultaneously, which appears to be a promising method for combination therapy. Therefore, it provides a new perspective for siRNA delivery in immunomodulation and cancer immunotherapy. The current advances and challenges in nanotechnology-based siRNA delivery strategies for overcoming immune evasion will be discussed in this review. In addition, we also offer insights into therapeutic options, which may expand its applications in clinical cancer treatment.

PGE2-EP2/EP4 signaling elicits immunosuppression by driving the mregDC-Treg axis in inflammatory tumor microenvironment

Active inflammation generally promotes immune activation. However, in the tumor microenvironment (TME), active inflammation occurs in parallel with immunosuppression, and both contribute to tumor growth. Why inflammation does not lead to immune activation in TME remains unclear. In this study, using the immune checkpoint inhibitor-insensitive mouse cancer model and single-cell RNA sequencing, we show that PGE₂-EP2/EP4 signaling simultaneously promotes active inflammation by inducing expression of the NF-κB genes in myeloid cells and elicits immunosuppression by driving the mregDC (mature DC enriched in immunoregulatory molecules)-Treg (regulatory T cell) axis for Treg recruitment and activation in the tumor. Importantly, the EP2/EP4 expression level is strongly correlated with the gene signatures of both active inflammation and the mregDC-Treg axis and has significant prognosis value in various human cancers. Thus, PGE₂-EP2/EP4 signaling functions as the key regulatory node linking active inflammation and immunosuppression in TME, which can be targeted by EP2 and EP4 antagonists for cancer therapeutics.

CCR7+ dendritic cells sorted by binding of CCL19 show enhanced Ag-presenting capacity and antitumor potency

Dendritic cell therapy has been a promising addition to the current armory of therapeutic options in cancer for more than 20 years but has not yet achieved breakthrough success. To successfully initiate immunity, dendritic cells have to enter the lymph nodes. However, experience to date of therapeutic dendritic cell administration indicates that this is frequently an extremely inefficient process. The major regulator of dendritic cell migration to the lymph nodes is the chemokine receptor CCR7 and in vitro generated dendritic cells typically display heterogeneous expression of this receptor. Here we demonstrate that positive selection for the dendritic cell subpopulation expressing CCR7, using a chemically-synthesized ligand:CCL19, enriches for cells with enhanced lymph node migration and Ag presentation competence as well as a chemokine expression profile indicative of improved interactions with T cells. This enhanced lymph node homing capacity of enriched CCR7+ cells is seen in comparison to a population of unsorted dendritic cells containing an equivalent number of CCR7+ dendritic cells. Importantly, this indicates that separating the CCR7+ dendritic cells from the CCR7- cells, rather than simple CCL19 exposure, is required to affect the enhanced lymph node migration of the CCR7+ cells. In models of both subcutaneous and metastatic melanoma, we demonstrate that the dendritic cells sorted for CCR7 expression trigger enhanced CD8 T-cell driven antitumor immune responses which correlate with reduced tumor burden and increased survival. Finally, we demonstrate that this approach is directly translatable to human dendritic cell therapy using the same reagents coupled with clinical-grade flow-cytometric sorting.

Immunopathological signatures in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and pediatric COVID-19

Pediatric Coronavirus Disease 2019 (pCOVID-19) is rarely severe; however, a minority of children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) might develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), with substantial morbidity. In this longitudinal multi-institutional study, we applied multi-omics (analysis of soluble biomarkers, proteomics, single-cell gene expression and immune repertoire analysis) to profile children with COVID-19 (n = 110) and MIS-C (n = 76), along with pediatric healthy controls (pHCs; n = 76). pCOVID-19 was characterized by robust type I interferon (IFN) responses, whereas prominent type II IFN-dependent and NF-κB-dependent signatures, matrisome activation and increased levels of circulating spike protein were detected in MIS-C, with no correlation with SARS-CoV-2 PCR status around the time of admission. Transient expansion of TRBV11-2 T cell clonotypes in MIS-C was associated with signatures of inflammation and T cell activation. The association of MIS-C with the combination of HLA A*02, B*35 and C*04 alleles suggests genetic susceptibility. MIS-C B cells showed higher mutation load than pCOVID-19 and pHC. These results identify distinct immunopathological signatures in pCOVID-19 and MIS-C that might help better define the pathophysiology of these disorders and guide therapy.

CCL22 mutations drive natural killer cell lymphoproliferative disease by deregulating microenvironmental crosstalk

Chronic lymphoproliferative disorder of natural killer cells (CLPD-NK) is characterized by clonal expansion of natural killer (NK) cells where the underlying genetic mechanisms are incompletely understood. In the present study, we report somatic mutations in the chemokine gene CCL22 as the hallmark of a distinct subset of CLPD-NK. CCL22 mutations were enriched at highly conserved residues, mutually exclusive of STAT3 mutations and associated with gene expression programs that resembled normal CD16^dim/CD56^bright NK cells. Mechanistically, the mutations resulted in ligand-biased chemokine receptor signaling, with decreased internalization of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for CCL22, CCR4, via impaired β-arrestin recruitment. This resulted in increased cell chemotaxis in vitro, bidirectional crosstalk with the hematopoietic microenvironment and enhanced NK cell proliferation in vivo in transgenic human IL-15 mice. Somatic CCL22 mutations illustrate a unique mechanism of tumor formation in which gain-of-function chemokine mutations promote tumorigenesis by biased GPCR signaling and dysregulation of microenvironmental crosstalk.