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Duan S, Li Q, Wang F, Kuang W, Dong Y, Liu D, Wang J, Li W, Chen Q, Zeng X, Li T. Single-Cell Transcriptomes and Immune Repertoires Reveal the Cell State and Molecular Changes in Pemphigus Vulgaris. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:375-388. [PMID: 38117802 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The etiology and pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) entail intricate interactions between immune cells and epithelial cells. However, the specific subtypes of immune cells involved in PV, along with their respective roles, remain elusive. Likewise, the precise functions and mechanisms by which glucocorticoids affect cell types within the disease context require further elucidation. To address these knowledge gaps, we performed 5' single-cell RNA sequencing, combined with V(D)J enrichment on buccal mucosal lesions and peripheral blood samples from treatment-naive patients with PV, in conjunction with post-treatment peripheral blood samples obtained after oral prednisone treatment. Our findings suggest that the IL-1α signaling pathway, myeloid APCs, inflammatory CD8+ resident memory T cells, and dysfunctional CD4+ regulatory T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of PV. Part of these findings were validated by immunohistochemical assays and multiplex immunofluorescence assays. Furthermore, our results highlight the significant impact of prednisone treatment on monocytes and mucosal-associated invariant T cells while revealing a limited effect on CD4+ regulatory T cells. Additionally, we present the CDR3 amino acid sequence of BCR related to PV disease and investigate the characteristics of TCR/BCR clonotypes. In conclusion, our study provides a comprehensive understanding of PV, particularly focusing on the mucosal-dominant type, and sheds light on the effects of glucocorticoids within the PV context. These insights hold promise for the development of new therapeutic strategies in this autoimmune disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qionghua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunmei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiongke Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Dermatology, Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Taiwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
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102
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Ito N, Tsujimoto H, Miyazaki H, Takahata R, Ueno H. Pivotal role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in infection-related tumor growth. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6917. [PMID: 38457241 PMCID: PMC10923041 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this study, we investigated infection-related tumor growth, focusing on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in clinical and experimental settings. PATIENTS AND METHODS In the clinical study, a total 109 patients who underwent gastrectomy or esophagectomy were included. Blood samples were collected from a preoperative time point through 3 months after surgery, and MDSCs were analyzed using flow cytometry. In animal experiments, peritonitis model mice were created by CLP method. We investigated the number of splenic MDSCs in these mice using flow cytometry. Malignant melanoma cells (B16F10) were inoculated on the back of the mice, and tumor growth was monitored. We compared the level of MDSC infiltration around the tumor and the migration ability between CLP and sham-operated mice-derived MDSCs. Finally, we focused on PD-L1+ MDSCs to examine the effectiveness of anti-PD-L1 antibodies on tumor growth in CLP mice. RESULTS In patients with postoperative infectious complication, MDSC number was found to remain elevated 3 months after surgery, when the inflammatory responses were normalized. CLP mice showed increased numbers of MDSCs, and following inoculation with B16F10 cells, this higher number of MDSCs was associated with significant tumor growth. CLP-mice-derived MDSCs had higher levels of accumulation around the tumor and had more enhanced migration ability. Finally, CLP mice had increased numbers of PD-L1+ MDSCs and showed more effective inhibition of tumor growth by anti-PD-L1 antibodies compared to sham-operated mice. CONCLUSION Long-lasting enhanced MDSCs associated with infection may contribute to infection-related tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Ito
- Department of SurgeryNational Defense Medical CollegeTokorozawaJapan
| | | | - Hiromi Miyazaki
- Division of Biomedical EngineeringResearch Institute, National Defense Medical CollegeTokorozawaJapan
| | - Risa Takahata
- Department of SurgeryNational Defense Medical CollegeTokorozawaJapan
| | - Hideki Ueno
- Department of SurgeryNational Defense Medical CollegeTokorozawaJapan
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Grassi F, Marino R. The P2X7 receptor in mucosal adaptive immunity. Purinergic Signal 2024; 20:9-19. [PMID: 37067746 PMCID: PMC10828151 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-023-09939-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is a widely distributed cation channel activated by extracellular ATP (eATP) with exclusive peculiarities with respect to other P2XRs. In recent years, P2X7R has been shown to regulate the adaptive immune response by conditioning T cell signaling and activation as well as polarization, lineage stability, cell death, and function in tissues. Here we revise experimental observations in this field, with a focus on adaptive immunity at mucosal sites, particularly in the gut, where eATP is hypothesized to act in the reciprocal conditioning of the host immune system and commensal microbiota to promote mutualism. The importance of P2X7R activity in the intestine is consistent with the transcriptional upregulation of P2xr7 gene by retinoic acid, a metabolite playing a key role in mucosal immunity. We emphasize the function of the eATP/P2X7R axis in controlling T follicular helper (Tfh) cell in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and, consequently, T-dependent secretory IgA (SIgA), with a focus on high-affinity SIgA-mediated protection from enteropathogens and shaping of a beneficial microbiota for the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Grassi
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
| | - Rebecca Marino
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Salhotra A, Falk L, Park G, Sandhu K, Ali H, Modi B, Hui S, Nakamura R. A review of low dose interleukin-2 therapy in management of chronic graft-versus-host-disease. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:169-184. [PMID: 37921226 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2023.2279188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) have low circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs). Interleukin-2(IL-2) is a growth factor for Tregs, and clinical trials have explored its use in cGVHD patients. AREAS COVERED Here we will discuss the biology of IL-2, its rationale for use and results of clinical trials in cGVHD. We also describe its mechanisms of action and alteration in gene expression in T-cell subsets after treatment with low dose IL-2 and photopheresis. EXPERT OPINION Clinical trials using Low dose IL-2 have been done at single centers in small patient series. The majority of the clinical responses seen with IL-2 in cGVHD are classified as partial responses and efficacy as a single agent is limited. Compared to currently approved oral therapies, it has to be administered subcutaneously and requires specialized processing for compounding and storage limiting its widespread use. Its use is associated with constitutional symptoms and local injection site reactions. Local reactions can be easily managed by supportive care practices like rotation of injection sites and premeditations, constitutional symptoms resolve with, dose reduction (25-50%) allowing for continued therapy. Additional studies are needed to define optimal combination strategies with approved agents. Longer acting formulations of IL-2 that require less frequent dosing may also improve patient compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandeep Salhotra
- Department of Hematology and HCT, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, USA
| | - Leah Falk
- Department of Hematology and HCT, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, USA
| | - Gabriel Park
- Department of Pharmacy, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Karamjeet Sandhu
- Department of Hematology and HCT, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, USA
| | - Haris Ali
- Department of Hematology and HCT, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, USA
| | - Badri Modi
- Department of Surgery, Division of Dermatology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Susanta Hui
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ryotaro Nakamura
- Department of Hematology and HCT, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, USA
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Berdiaki A, Vergadi E, Makrygiannakis F, Vrekoussis T, Makrigiannakis A. Title: Repeated implantation failure is associated with increased Th17/Treg cell ratio, during the secretory phase of the human endometrium. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 161:104170. [PMID: 38011769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.104170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is a significant limiting factor in assisted reproduction. Chronic endometrial inflammation has been noted in RIF women, therefore we sought to investigate the potential association of endometrial Th17/Treg ratio and endometrial inflammation in these cases. Endometrial pipelle biopsies were obtained from volunteers, 29 women with RIF (failure to achieve pregnancy following at least 3 transfers of high-grade embryos in IVF-cycles) and 27 fertile women (at least one child) in total, at the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Using tissues from 17 fertile and 18 RIF endometrial samples, stromal and immune cells were isolated and flow cytometry analysis was performed to determine Th17 and CD4+ CD25high FOXP3+ cell populations in endometrial stromal cell suspensions. Another group of tissues from 10 fertile and 11 RIF samples were used for mRNA expression levels of Treg and Th17-cell transcription factors, FOXP3 and RORγt respectively. Endometrial inflammatory mediators' mRNA expression was also analyzed. A statistically significant increase in protein flow cytometry analysis of Th17/Treg ratio (p ≤ 0.05) as well as a reduction in absolute Treg cells in the endometrium (p ≤ 0.05) was noted in women with RIF. Additionally, RNA analysis on the same set of women indicated RORγt/FOXP3 significantly increased in women with RIF compared to fertile ones (p ≤ 0.05). Finally, women with RIF exhibited significantly (p ≤ 0.05) elevated mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (ΤΝF-a, ΙL-6, IL-8 and CCl2). Women with RIF exhibit elevated Th17/Treg ratio, mostly due to endometrial Treg depletion, as well as a pro-inflammatory state in the endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Berdiaki
- University of Crete, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laboratory of Human Reproduction, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eleni Vergadi
- University of Crete, School of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Fanourios Makrygiannakis
- University of Crete, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laboratory of Human Reproduction, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Thomas Vrekoussis
- University of Crete, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laboratory of Human Reproduction, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Antonios Makrigiannakis
- University of Crete, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laboratory of Human Reproduction, Heraklion, Greece.
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106
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Collins CB, Nguyen TT, Leddy RS, Alula KM, Yeckes AR, Strassheim D, Aherne CM, Luck ME, Karoor V, Jedlicka P, Pierce A, de Zoeten EF. Heat shock factor 1 drives regulatory T-cell induction to limit murine intestinal inflammation. Mucosal Immunol 2024; 17:94-110. [PMID: 37944754 PMCID: PMC10953693 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The heat shock response is a critical component of the inflammatory cascade that prevents misfolding of new proteins and regulates immune responses. Activation of clusters of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells causes an upregulation of heat shock transcription factor, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). We hypothesized that HSF1 promotes a pro-regulatory phenotype during inflammation. To validate this hypothesis, we interrogated cell-specific HSF1 knockout mice and HSF1 transgenic mice using in vitro and in vivo techniques. We determined that while HSF1 expression was induced by anti-CD3 stimulation alone, the combination of anti-CD3 and transforming growth factor β, a vital cytokine for regulatory T cell (Treg) development, resulted in increased activating phosphorylation of HSF1, leading to increased nuclear translocation and binding to heat shock response elements. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we demonstrate the direct binding of HSF1 to foxp3 in isolated murine CD4+ T cells, which in turn coincided with induction of FoxP3 expression. We defined that conditional knockout of HSF1 decreased development and function of Tregs and overexpression of HSF1 led to increased expression of FoxP3 along with enhanced Treg suppressive function. Adoptive transfer of CD45RBHigh CD4 colitogenic T cells along with HSF1 transgenic CD25+ Tregs prevented intestinal inflammation when wild-type Tregs did not. Finally, overexpression of HSF1 provided enhanced barrier function and protection from murine ileitis. This study demonstrates that HSF1 promotes Treg development and function and may represent both a crucial step in the development of induced regulatory T cells and an exciting target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases with a regulatory T-cell component. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The heat shock response (HSR) is a canonical stress response triggered by a multitude of stressors, including inflammation. Evidence supports the role of the HSR in regulating inflammation, yet there is a paucity of data on its influence in T cells specifically. Gut homeostasis reflects a balance between regulatory clusters of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells and pro-inflammatory T-helper (Th)17 cells. We show that upon activation within T cells, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) translocates to the nucleus, and stimulates Treg-specific gene expression. HSF1 deficiency hinders Treg development and function and conversely, HSF1 overexpression enhances Treg development and function. While this work, focuses on HSF1 as a novel therapeutic target for intestinal inflammation, the findings have significance for a broad range of inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm B Collins
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tom T Nguyen
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Robert S Leddy
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kibrom M Alula
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alyson R Yeckes
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Derek Strassheim
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Carol M Aherne
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Marisa E Luck
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Vijaya Karoor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Paul Jedlicka
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Edwin F de Zoeten
- Mucosal Inflammation Program University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Abstract
The thymus is an evolutionarily conserved organ that supports the development of T cells. Not only does the thymic environment support the rearrangement and expression of diverse T cell receptors but also provides a unique niche for the selection of appropriate T cell clones. Thymic selection ensures that the repertoire of available T cells is both useful (being MHC-restricted) and safe (being self-tolerant). The unique antigen-presentation features of the thymus ensure that the display of self-antigens is optimal to induce tolerance to all types of self-tissue. MHC class-specific functions of CD4+ T helper cells, CD8+ killer T cells and CD4+ regulatory T cells are also established in the thymus. Finally, the thymus provides signals for the development of several minor T cell subsets that promote immune and tissue homeostasis. This Review provides an introductory-level overview of our current understanding of the sophisticated thymic selection mechanisms that ensure T cells are useful and safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Maude Ashby
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Yin M, Smith JA, Chou M, Chan J, Jittayasothorn Y, Gould DB, Caspi RR, Anderson MS, DeFranco AL. Tracking the role of Aire in immune tolerance to the eye with a TCR transgenic mouse model. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2311487121. [PMID: 38261611 PMCID: PMC10835137 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311487121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Roughly one-half of mice with partial defects in two immune tolerance pathways (AireGW/+Lyn-/- mice) spontaneously develop severe damage to their retinas due to T cell reactivity to Aire-regulated interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). Single-cell T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing of CD4+ T cells specific for a predominate epitope of IRBP showed a remarkable diversity of autoantigen-specific TCRs with greater clonal expansions in mice with disease. TCR transgenic mice made with an expanded IRBP-specific TCR (P2.U2) of intermediate affinity exhibited strong but incomplete negative selection of thymocytes. This negative selection was absent in IRBP-/- mice and greatly defective in AireGW/+ mice. Most P2.U2+/- mice and all P2.U.2+/-AireGW/+ mice rapidly developed inflammation of the retina and adjacent uvea (uveitis). Aire-dependent IRBP expression in the thymus also promoted Treg differentiation, but the niche for this fate determination was small, suggesting differences in antigen presentation leading to negative selection vs. thymic Treg differentiation and a stronger role for negative selection in preventing autoimmune disease in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mianmian Yin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Jennifer A Smith
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Marissa Chou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Jackie Chan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | | | - Douglas B Gould
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
- Department of Anatomy, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Bakar Aging Research Institute, and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Rachel R Caspi
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1857
| | - Mark S Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Anthony L DeFranco
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
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Liu Z, Baines KJ, Niessen NM, Heer MK, Clark D, Bishop GA, Trevillian PR. Characterizing Foxp3 + and Foxp3 - T cells in the homeostatic state and after allo-activation: resting CD4 +Foxp3 + Tregs have molecular characteristics of activated T cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1292158. [PMID: 38333213 PMCID: PMC10850883 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1292158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the intracellular expression of Foxp3 it is impossible to purify viable Foxp3+ cells on the basis of Foxp3 staining. Consequently CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mice have mostly been characterized using CD4+CD25+ T cells or GFP-Foxp3 reporter T cells. However, these two populations cannot faithfully represent Tregs as the expression of CD25 and Foxp3 does not completely overlap and GFP+Foxp3+ reporter T cells have been reported to be functionally altered. The aim of this study was to characterize normal Tregs without separating Foxp3+ and Foxp3- cells for the expression of the main functional molecules and proliferation behaviors by flow cytometry and to examine their gene expression characteristics through differential gene expression. Our data showed that the expressions of Foxp3, CD25, CTLA-4 (both intracellular and cell surface) and PD-1 was mostly confined to CD4+ T cells and the expression of Foxp3 did not completely overlap with the expression of CD25, CTLA-4 or PD-1. Despite higher levels of expression of the T cell inhibitory molecules CTLA-4 and PD-1, Tregs maintained higher levels of Ki-67 expression in the homeostatic state and had greater proliferation in vivo after allo-activation than Tconv. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that resting Tregs exhibited immune activation markers characteristic of activated Tconv. This is consistent with the flow data that the T cell activation markers CD25, CTLA-4, PD-1, and Ki-67 were much more strongly expressed by Tregs than Tconv in the homeostatic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilei Liu
- Transplant Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Transplant and Surgical Immunology Theme, Immune Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Health and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine J. Baines
- Transplant and Surgical Immunology Theme, Immune Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Medicine, Health and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie M. Niessen
- Transplant and Surgical Immunology Theme, Immune Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Munish K. Heer
- Transplant Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - David Clark
- Transplant Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Health and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - G. Alexander Bishop
- Transplantation Immunobiology Group, University of Sydney Central Clinical School, Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul R. Trevillian
- Transplant Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Transplant and Surgical Immunology Theme, Immune Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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Singh R, Srivastava P, Manna PP. Evaluation of regulatory T-cells in cancer immunotherapy: therapeutic relevance of immune checkpoint inhibition. Med Oncol 2024; 41:59. [PMID: 38238513 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02289-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of the complex immune system is equipped to defend against perilous intruders and concurrently negatively regulate the deleterious effect of immune-mediated inflammation caused by self and nonself antigens. Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are specialized cells that minimize immune-mediated inflammation, but in malignancies, this feature has been exploited toward cancer progression by keeping the antitumor immune response in check. The modulation of Treg cell infiltration and their induction in the TME (tumor microenvironment) alongside associated inhibitory molecules, both soluble or membranes tethered in the TME, have proven clinically beneficial in boosting the tumoricidal activity of the immune system. Moreover, Treg-associated immune checkpoints pose a greater obstruction in cancer immunotherapy. Inhibiting or blocking active immune checkpoint signaling in combination with other therapies has proven clinically beneficial. This review summarizes the ontogeny of Treg cells and their migration, stability, and function in the TME. We also elucidate the Treg-associated checkpoint moieties that impede effective antitumor activity and harness these molecules for effective and targeted immunotherapy against cancer nuisance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjeet Singh
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, 221005, India
| | - Prateek Srivastava
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, 221005, India
| | - Partha Pratim Manna
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, 221005, India.
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Zhang X, Li J, Qin X, Li S, Liang D. The effect of FOXP3 genetic polymorphisms on correlations with hepatitis B virus-hepatocellular carcinoma: A case-control study. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23660. [PMID: 38173532 PMCID: PMC10761796 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have reported that transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) polymorphisms are correlated with the progress of some cancers, but the relationships between the FOXP3 polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk remain unclear. Method Genotypes were detected in156 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-HCC patients, 109 HBV-liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, 125 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and 188 healthy controls. The FOXP3 rs3761547 and rs3761548 polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the rs2232365 polymorphism was genotyped using PCR with sequence-specific primers. Results We did not obtain any significant results with the FOXP3 rs3761547, rs3761548, and rs2232365 polymorphisms in groups of patients compared to healthy controls (all p > 0.05), no matter the overall group or subgroup. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the FOXP3 polymorphisms at rs3761547, rs3761548, and rs2232365 were not related to HBV-HCC risk in the Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolian Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Guangxi Department of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jinwan Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xue Qin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Guangxi Department of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Guangxi Department of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Dong Liang
- Medical Equipment Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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112
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Rodolfi S, Davidson C, Vecellio M. Regulatory T cells in spondyloarthropathies: genetic evidence, functional role, and therapeutic possibilities. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1303640. [PMID: 38288110 PMCID: PMC10822883 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1303640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a very specialized subset of T lymphocytes: their main function is controlling immune responses during inflammation. T-regs involvement in autoimmune and immune-mediated rheumatic diseases is well-described. Here, we critically review the up-to-date literature findings on the role of Tregs in spondyloarthropathies, particularly in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a polygenic inflammatory rheumatic disease that preferentially affects the spine and the sacroiliac joints. Genetics discoveries helped in elucidating pathogenic T-regs gene modules and functional involvement. We highlight T-regs tissue specificity as crucial point, as T-regs might have a distinct epigenomic and molecular profiling depending on the different site of tissue inflammation. Furthermore, we speculate about possible therapeutic interventions targeting, or enhancing, Treg cells in spondyloarthropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Rodolfi
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Connor Davidson
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Vecellio
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Centro Ricerche Fondazione Italiana Ricerca Sull’Artrite (FIRA), Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza ONLUS, San Giuliano Terme, Italy
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Santosh Nirmala S, Kayani K, Gliwiński M, Hu Y, Iwaszkiewicz-Grześ D, Piotrowska-Mieczkowska M, Sakowska J, Tomaszewicz M, Marín Morales JM, Lakshmi K, Marek-Trzonkowska NM, Trzonkowski P, Oo YH, Fuchs A. Beyond FOXP3: a 20-year journey unravelling human regulatory T-cell heterogeneity. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1321228. [PMID: 38283365 PMCID: PMC10811018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1321228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The initial idea of a distinct group of T-cells responsible for suppressing immune responses was first postulated half a century ago. However, it is only in the last three decades that we have identified what we now term regulatory T-cells (Tregs), and subsequently elucidated and crystallized our understanding of them. Human Tregs have emerged as essential to immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases and are typically contemporaneously characterized by their CD3+CD4+CD25high CD127lowFOXP3+ phenotype. It is important to note that FOXP3+ Tregs exhibit substantial diversity in their origin, phenotypic characteristics, and function. Identifying reliable markers is crucial to the accurate identification, quantification, and assessment of Tregs in health and disease, as well as the enrichment and expansion of viable cells for adoptive cell therapy. In our comprehensive review, we address the contributions of various markers identified in the last two decades since the master transcriptional factor FOXP3 was identified in establishing and enriching purity, lineage stability, tissue homing and suppressive proficiency in CD4+ Tregs. Additionally, our review delves into recent breakthroughs in innovative Treg-based therapies, underscoring the significance of distinct markers in their therapeutic utilization. Understanding Treg subsets holds the key to effectively harnessing human Tregs for immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kayani Kayani
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Academic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mateusz Gliwiński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Yueyuan Hu
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Justyna Sakowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Martyna Tomaszewicz
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Kavitha Lakshmi
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Piotr Trzonkowski
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ye Htun Oo
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Advanced Cellular Therapy Facility, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network - Rare Liver Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anke Fuchs
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Pinos I, Coronel J, Albakri A, Blanco A, McQueen P, Molina D, Sim J, Fisher EA, Amengual J. β-carotene accelerates the resolution of atherosclerosis in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.03.07.531563. [PMID: 36945561 PMCID: PMC10028884 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.07.531563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
β-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1) catalyzes the cleavage of β-carotene to form vitamin A. Besides its role in vision, vitamin A regulates the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and immune cell differentiation. BCO1 activity is associated with the reduction of plasma cholesterol in humans and mice, while dietary β-carotene reduces hepatic lipid secretion and delays atherosclerosis progression in various experimental models. Here we show that β-carotene also accelerates atherosclerosis resolution in two independent murine models, independently of changes in body weight gain or plasma lipid profile. Experiments in Bco1-/- mice implicate vitamin A production in the effects of β-carotene on atherosclerosis resolution. To explore the direct implication of dietary β-carotene on regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiation, we utilized anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody infusions. Our data show that β-carotene favors Treg expansion in the plaque, and that the partial inhibition of Tregs mitigates the effect of β-carotene on atherosclerosis resolution. Our data highlight the potential of β-carotene and BCO1 activity in the resolution of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Pinos
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Johana Coronel
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Asma'a Albakri
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Amparo Blanco
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Patrick McQueen
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Donald Molina
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - JaeYoung Sim
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Edward A Fisher
- The Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Marc and Ruti Bell Program in Vascular Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY
| | - Jaume Amengual
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
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Kennedy-Batalla R, Acevedo D, Luo Y, Esteve-Solé A, Vlagea A, Correa-Rocha R, Seoane-Reula ME, Alsina L. Treg in inborn errors of immunity: gaps, knowns and future perspectives. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1278759. [PMID: 38259469 PMCID: PMC10800401 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1278759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg) are essential for immune balance, preventing overreactive responses and autoimmunity. Although traditionally characterized as CD4+CD25+CD127lowFoxP3hi, recent research has revealed diverse Treg subsets such as Tr1, Tr1-like, and CD8 Treg. Treg dysfunction leads to severe autoimmune diseases and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a group of disorders that affect correct functioning of the immune system. IEI include Tregopathies caused by genetic mutations affecting Treg development or function. In addition, Treg dysfunction is also observed in other IEIs, whose underlying mechanisms are largely unknown, thus requiring further research. This review provides a comprehensive overview and discussion of Treg in IEI focused on: A) advances and controversies in the evaluation of Treg extended subphenotypes and function; B) current knowledge and gaps in Treg disturbances in Tregopathies and other IEI including Treg subpopulation changes, genotype-phenotype correlation, Treg changes with disease activity, and available therapies, and C) the potential of Treg cell-based therapies for IEI with immune dysregulation. The aim is to improve both the diagnostic and the therapeutic approaches to IEI when there is involvement of Treg. We performed a non-systematic targeted literature review with a knowledgeable selection of current, high-quality original and review articles on Treg and IEI available since 2003 (with 58% of the articles within the last 6 years) in the PubMed database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Kennedy-Batalla
- Laboratory of Immune-Regulation, Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute (IISGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Acevedo
- Clinical Immunology and Primary Immunodeficiencies Unit, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu-Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Study Group for Immune Dysfunction Diseases in Children (GEMDIP), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yiyi Luo
- Clinical Immunology and Primary Immunodeficiencies Unit, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu-Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Study Group for Immune Dysfunction Diseases in Children (GEMDIP), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Esteve-Solé
- Clinical Immunology and Primary Immunodeficiencies Unit, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu-Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Study Group for Immune Dysfunction Diseases in Children (GEMDIP), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexandru Vlagea
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu-Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Immunology Department, Biomedic Diagnostic Center (CDB), Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Clinical Immunology Unit Hospital Sant Joan de Déu-Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Correa-Rocha
- Laboratory of Immune-Regulation, Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute (IISGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ma Elena Seoane-Reula
- Laboratory of Immune-Regulation, Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute (IISGM), Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Immuno-Allergy Unit, Allergy Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Primary Immunodeficiencies Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laia Alsina
- Clinical Immunology and Primary Immunodeficiencies Unit, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu-Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Study Group for Immune Dysfunction Diseases in Children (GEMDIP), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Surgical Specializations, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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116
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Chen J, Chan TTH, Zhou J. Lipid metabolism in the immune niche of tumor-prone liver microenvironment. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:68-84. [PMID: 37474318 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a common primary site not only for tumorigenesis, but also for cancer metastasis. Advanced cancer patients with liver metastases also show reduced response rates and survival benefits when treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the importance of the liver immune microenvironment in determining tumorigenesis, metastasis-organotropism, and immunotherapy resistance. Various immune cells such as T cells, natural killer and natural killer T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells, and stromal cells including liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, and hepatocytes are implicated in contributing to the immune niche of tumor-prone liver microenvironment. In parallel, as the major organ for lipid metabolism, the increased abundance of lipids and their metabolites is linked to processes crucial for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and related liver cancer development. Furthermore, the proliferation, differentiation, and functions of hepatic immune and stromal cells are also reported to be regulated by lipid metabolism. Therefore, targeting lipid metabolism may hold great potential to reprogram the immunosuppressive liver microenvironment and synergistically enhance the immunotherapy efficacy in the circumstance of liver metastasis. In this review, we describe how the hepatic microenvironment adapts to the lipid metabolic alterations in pathologic conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We also illustrate how these immunometabolic alterations promote the development of liver cancers and immunotherapy resistance. Finally, we discuss the current therapeutic options and hypothetic combination immunotherapies for the treatment of advanced liver cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jintian Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Thomas T H Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Jingying Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
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117
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Jin Q, Feng J, Yan Y, Kuang Y. Prognostic and immunological role of adaptor related protein complex 3 subunit mu2 in colon cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:483. [PMID: 38177168 PMCID: PMC10767120 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50452-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The expression levels and prognostic role of AP3M2 in colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRAC) have yet to be fully unveiled. Our study comprehensively investigated the clinical significance of AP3M2 in colorectal cancer through an extensive bioinformatics data mining process (TCGA, GEO, GEPIA, Timer, Ualcan, ROCPLOT, and David), followed by experimental validation. We found AP3M2 is a cancer gene, which can be used to distinguish between colorectal cancer and colorectal adenomas, liver metastasis, lung metastasis, colorectal polyp. Higher AP3M2 expression levels were associated with longer overall survival in colon adenocarcinoma. AP3M2 might be the primary biomarker for oxaliplatin in colon cancer and an acquired resistance biomarker for oxaliplatin and 5-fu. AP3M2 was positively associated with CD274, CTLA4. AP3M2 might be associated with T-cell, NF-kappaB transcription factor activity, and response to hypoxia. AP3M2 could predict chemotherapy effectiveness and prognosis for colon cancer patients. AP3M2 might inhibit tumor growth via influencing tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the context of Tumor microenvironment. AP3M2 plays as an oncogene in CRAC and is suggested as a new potential biotarget for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Jin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Jiahao Feng
- Research Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yang Yan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, P. R. China.
| | - Yong Kuang
- Digestive Disease Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
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Luan Y, Li X, Luan Y, Luo J, Dong Q, Ye S, Li Y, Li Y, Jia L, Yang J, Yang DH. Therapeutic challenges in peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:2. [PMID: 38178117 PMCID: PMC10765866 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01904-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a rare and heterogeneous group of hematological malignancies. Compared to our knowledge of B-cell tumors, our understanding of T-cell leukemia and lymphoma remains less advanced, and a significant number of patients are diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease. Unfortunately, the development of drug resistance in tumors leads to relapsed or refractory peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas (r/r PTCL), resulting in highly unsatisfactory treatment outcomes for these patients. This review provides an overview of potential mechanisms contributing to PTCL treatment resistance, encompassing aspects such as tumor heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment, and abnormal signaling pathways in PTCL development. The existing drugs aimed at overcoming PTCL resistance and their potential resistance mechanisms are also discussed. Furthermore, a summary of ongoing clinical trials related to PTCL is presented, with the aim of aiding clinicians in making informed treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpeng Luan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650021, China.
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, China.
| | - Xiang Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650021, China
| | - Yunqi Luan
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drugs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Analysis and Evaluation On Chinese Medicine, Beijing Institute for Drug Control, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Junyu Luo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650021, China
| | - Qinzuo Dong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650021, China
| | - Shili Ye
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, China
| | - Yuejin Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, China
| | - Yanmei Li
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, China
| | - Lu Jia
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, China
| | - Jun Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650021, China
| | - Dong-Hua Yang
- New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200 Old Country Rd, Suite 500, Mineola, NY, 11501, USA.
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Gong R, Chen X, Sun X, Zhang Y, Wang J, Yu Q, Lei K, Ren H. Identification of FOXP3 + epithelial cells contributing to pancreatic proliferation and angiogenesis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C294-C303. [PMID: 38047300 PMCID: PMC11192472 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00461.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3), traditionally recognized as a specific transcription factor for regulatory T cells (Tregs), has also been identified in various tumor epithelial cells (named as cancer-FOXP3, c-FOXP3). However, the natural state and functional role of FOXP3 positive tumor epithelial cells remain unknown. Monoclonal cells expressing varying levels of c-FOXP3 were isolated from established PANC-1 cells using limited dilution. Whole transcriptome sequencing and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were conducted on these subsets, followed by in vitro and in vivo functional investigations. In addition, we identified c-FOXP3+E-cadherin- epithelial cells in human pancreatic cancer tissues after radical resection by immunofluorescence co-staining. We also investigated the connection between c-FOXP3+E-cadherin- epithelial cells and their clinicopathological features. Our study uncovered a distinct subset of c-FOXP3+ tumor epithelial cells characterized by reduced E-cadherin expression. C-FOXP3+E-cadherin- cells displayed significant proliferation potential and pro-angiogenic effect through the expression of chemokines, including C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1), C-X-C motif ligand 5 (CXCL5), and C-X-C motif ligand 8 (CXCL8). Notably, higher counts of c-FOXP3+E-Cadherin- cells correlated with poorer prognosis, lower tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and vascular invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In conclusion, this work revealed the stable expression of FOXP3 in tumor epithelial cells, marking a distinct subset. C-FOXP3+E-cadherin- epithelial cells exhibit active proliferation and promote angiogenesis in a vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) independent manner. These findings provide novel insights into PDAC prognosis and therapeutic avenues.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we revealed a novel c-FOXP3+ tumor epithelial cell subset marked by diminished E-cadherin and stable FOXP3 expression. These subpopulations not only show robust proliferation and drive angiogenesis via CXCL1, CXCL5, and CXCL8, bypassing VEGFA pathways, but their heightened presence also correlates with adverse PDAC outcomes. By challenging traditional epithelial cell definitions and extending lymphocyte markers to these cells, our findings present innovative targets for PDAC treatment and enrich our understanding of cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruining Gong
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Pancreatic Diseases, Center for GI Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianghan Chen
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Pancreatic Diseases, Center for GI Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyuan Sun
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Pancreatic Diseases, Center for GI Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxing Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Pancreatic Diseases, Center for GI Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Pancreatic Diseases, Center for GI Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Yu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Pancreatic Diseases, Center for GI Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Lei
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Pancreatic Diseases, Center for GI Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - He Ren
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Pancreatic Diseases, Center for GI Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
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Pan C, Zhang C, Lin Z, Liang Z, Cui Y, Shang Z, Wei Y, Chen F. Disulfidptosis-related Protein RPN1 may be a Novel Anti-osteoporosis Target of Kaempferol. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2024; 27:1611-1628. [PMID: 38213143 DOI: 10.2174/0113862073273655231213070619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoporosis (OP) is an age-related skeletal disease. Kaempferol can regulate bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) osteogenesis to improve OP, but its mechanism related to disulfidptosis, a newly discovered cell death mechanism, remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to investigate the biological function and immune mechanism of disulfidptosis- related ribophorin I (RPN1) in OP and to experimentally confirm that RPN1 is the target for the treatment of OP with kaempferol. METHODS Differential expression analysis was conducted on disulfide-related genes extracted from the GSE56815 and GSE7158 datasets. Four machine learning algorithms identified disease signature genes, with RPN1 identified as a significant risk factor for OP through the nomogram. Validation of RPN1 differential expression in OP patients was performed using the GSE56116 dataset. The impact of RPN1 on immune alterations and biological processes was explored. Predictive ceRNA regulatory networks associated with RPN1 were generated via miRanda, miRDB, and TargetScan databases. Molecular docking estimated the binding model between kaempferol and RPN1. The targeting mechanism of kaempferol on RPN1 was confirmed through pathological HE staining and immunohistochemistry in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. RESULTS RPN1 was abnormally overexpressed in the OP cohort, associated with TNF signaling, hematopoietic cell lineage, and NF-kappa B pathway. Immune infiltration analysis showed a positive correlation between RPN1 expression and CD8+ T cells and resting NK cells, while a negative correlation with CD4+ naive T cells, macrophage M1, T cell gamma delta, T cell follicular helper cells, activated mast cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells, was found. Four miRNAs and 17 lncRNAs associated with RPN1 were identified. Kaempferol exhibited high binding affinity (-7.2 kcal/mol) and good stability towards the RPN1. The experimental results verified that kaempferol could improve bone microstructure destruction and reverse the abnormally high expression of RPN1 in the femur of ovariectomized rats. CONCLUSION RPN1 may be a new diagnostic biomarker in patients with OP, and may serve as a new target for kaempferol to improve OP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengzhen Pan
- Ruikang Hospital Affiliated with Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Ruikang Hospital Affiliated with Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zonghan Lin
- Ruikang Hospital Affiliated with Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhou Liang
- Yulin Orthopedic Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Yulin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yinhang Cui
- Ruikang Hospital Affiliated with Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhihao Shang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanxun Wei
- Ruikang Hospital Affiliated with Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Ruikang Hospital Affiliated with Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Liu J, Wang G, Yang J, Wang Y, Guo R, Li B. Association between FOXP3 polymorphisms and expression and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder risk in the Northern Chinese Han population. Transl Neurosci 2024; 15:20220337. [PMID: 38584670 PMCID: PMC10998649 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. In the present study, we genotyped three single-nucleotide polymorphisms, namely, rs2232365, rs3761548, and rs3761549, to determine the relationship between FOXP3 polymorphisms and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) susceptibility among the Northern Chinese Han population. Materials and methods We genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms at loci of the FOXP3 gene (rs2232365, rs3761548, and rs3761549136) in 136 NMOSD patients and 224 healthy subjects using the multiplex SNaPshot technique. Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies were compared. qPCR was used to analyze the mRNA expression levels of FOXP3 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 63 NMOSD patients and 35 healthy subjects. Non-parametric tests were used to test the FOXP3 mRNA expression across the different groups. Results The minor allele frequency (MAF) of G in rs2232365 was markedly lower in the NMOSD group than in the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.41-0.79, p = 0.001). Using genetic (codominant, dominant, and recessive) models and performing haplotype analyses, the MAF of G in rs2232365 was shown to be associated with protection against NMOSD in this population. Furthermore, haplotype analysis revealed that the haplotype GCT and the rs2232365, rs3761548, and rs3761549 alleles predicted protection against NMOSD (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.41-0.97, p = 0.038). The proportions of the three genotypes of rs2232365 (p = 0.001) were not significantly different between the moderate-to-severe (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥ 3 points) and mild (EDSS < 3 points) groups. Evidently, the proportion of patients with the AA genotype (64.3%) among the rs2232365 patients was significantly greater in the moderate-to-severe group than in the mild group (36.4%). However, the proportion of patients with the GG genotype (15.2%) among the rs2232365 patients was significantly greater in the mild group than in the moderate-to-severe group (2.9%). The mRNA expression of FOXP3 was markedly greater in the NMOSD group than in the control group (p = 0.001). Nevertheless, acute non-treatment patients exhibited lower FOXP3 mRNA expression than healthy controls and patients in the remission group (p = 0.004 and 0.007, respectively). Conclusion FOXP3 polymorphisms and haplotypes are related to NMOSD susceptibility among the Han Chinese population. The minor allele G of FOXP3 rs2232365 and the haplotype GCT are associated with protection against NMOSD. The GG genotype may decrease the severity of NMOSD, whereas the AA genotype is related to moderate-to-severe NMOSD. FOXP3 mRNA expression is greater in patients with NMOSD than in healthy controls. However, it is decreased in acute non-treatment patients compared with healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 215, Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Gaoning Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 215, Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Jiahe Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 215, Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
| | - Yulin Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 215, Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Ruoyi Guo
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 215, Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 215, Hepingxi Road, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Neurology (Hebei Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
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Li J, Gong Y, Wang Y, Huang H, Du H, Cheng L, Ma C, Cai Y, Han H, Tao J, Li G, Cheng P. Classification of regulatory T cells and their role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 186:94-106. [PMID: 38000204 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is closely related to the final infarct size in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Therefore, reducing MIRI can effectively improve the prognosis of AMI patients. At the same time, the healing process after AMI is closely related to the local inflammatory microenvironment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can regulate various physiological and pathological immune inflammatory responses and play an important role in regulating the immune inflammatory response after AMI. However, different subtypes of Tregs have different effects on MIRI, and the same subtype of Tregs may also have different effects at different stages of MIRI. This article systematically reviews the classification and function of Tregs, as well as the role of various subtypes of Tregs in MIRI. A comprehensive understanding of the role of each subtype of Tregs can help design effective methods to control immune reactions, reduce MIRI, and provide new potential therapeutic options for AMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlin Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Department of Cardiology, The Second People's Hospital of Neijiang, Neijiang 641100, China
| | - Yajun Gong
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Yiren Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Huihui Huang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Huan Du
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Lianying Cheng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Cui Ma
- Department of Mathematics, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yongxiang Cai
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Hukui Han
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Jianhong Tao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Gang Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Panke Cheng
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, China.
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Jardin B, Epstein JA. Emerging mRNA therapies for cardiac fibrosis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C107-C111. [PMID: 38047297 PMCID: PMC11192469 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00504.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis remains an unmet clinical need that has so far proven difficult to eliminate using current therapies. As such, novel technologies are needed that can target the pathological fibroblasts responsible for fibrosis and adverse tissue remodeling. mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) is an emerging technology that could offer a solution to this problem. Indeed, this strategy has already shown clinical success with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. In this AJP perspective, we discuss how this technology can be leveraged to specifically target cardiac fibrosis via several complementary strategies. First, we discuss the successful preclinical studies in a mouse model of cardiac injury to use T cell-targeted LNPs to produce anti-fibroblast chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cells in vivo that could effectively reduce cardiac fibrosis. Next, we discuss how these T cell-targeted LNPs could be used to generate T regulatory cells (T-regs), which could migrate to areas of active fibrosis and dampen inflammation through paracrine effects as an alternative to active fibroblast killing by CAR T cells. Finally, we conclude with thoughts on directly targeting pathological fibroblasts to deliver RNAs that could interfere with fibroblast activation and activity. We hope this discussion serves as a catalyst for finding approaches that harness the power of mRNA and LNPs to eliminate cardiac fibrosis and treat other fibrotic diseases amenable to such interventions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cardiac fibrosis has few specific interventions available for effective treatment. mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles could provide a novel solution for treating cardiac fibrosis. This AJP perspective discusses what possible strategies could rely on this technology, from in vivo-produced CAR T cells that kill pathological fibroblasts to in vivo-produced T regulatory cells that dampen the concomitant profibrotic inflammatory cells contributing to remodeling, directly targeting fibroblasts and eliminating them or silencing profibrotic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Jardin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Jonathan A Epstein
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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Georgiev P, Benamar M, Han S, Haigis MC, Sharpe AH, Chatila TA. Regulatory T cells in dominant immunologic tolerance. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:28-41. [PMID: 37778472 PMCID: PMC10842646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells expressing the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 mediate peripheral immune tolerance both to self-antigens and to the commensal flora. Their defective function due to inborn errors of immunity or acquired insults is associated with a broad range of autoimmune and immune dysregulatory diseases. Although their function in suppressing autoimmunity and enforcing commensalism is established, a broader role for regulatory T cells in tissue repair and metabolic regulation has emerged, enabled by unique programs of tissue adaptability and specialization. In this review, we focus on the myriad roles played by regulatory T cells in immunologic tolerance and host homeostasis and the potential to harness these cells in novel therapeutic approaches to human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Georgiev
- Department of Cell Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Mehdi Benamar
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - SeongJun Han
- Department of Cell Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Marcia C Haigis
- Department of Cell Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Arlene H Sharpe
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Talal A Chatila
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
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125
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Shaikh NA, Zhang XB, Abdalla MI, Baylink DJ, Tang X. Enhancing Human Treg Cell Induction through Engineered Dendritic Cells and Zinc Supplementation. Crit Rev Immunol 2024; 44:37-52. [PMID: 38421704 PMCID: PMC11015935 DOI: 10.1615/critrevimmunol.2023050325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells hold promise for the ultimate cure of immune-mediated diseases. However, how to effectively restore Treg function in patients remains unknown. Previous reports suggest that activated dendritic cells (DCs) de novo synthesize locally high concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, i.e., the active vitamin D or 1,25(OH)2D by upregulating the expression of 25-hydroxy vitamin D 1α-hydroxylase. Although 1,25(OH)2D has been shown to induce Treg cells, DC-derived 1,25(OH)2D only serves as a checkpoint to ensure well-balanced immune responses. Our animal studies have shown that 1,25(OH)2D requires high concentrations to generate Treg cells, which can cause severe side effects. In addition, our animal studies have also demonstrated that dendritic cells (DCs) overexpressing the 1α-hydroxylase de novo synthesize the effective Treg-inducing 1,25(OH)2D concentrations without causing the primary side effect of hypercalcemia (i.e., high blood calcium levels). This study furthers our previous animal studies and explores the efficacy of the la-hydroxylase-overexpressing DCs in inducing human CD4+FOXP3+regulatory T (Treg) cells. We discovered that the effective Treg-inducing doses of 1,25(OH)2D were within a range. Additionally, our data corroborated that the 1α-hydroxylase-overexpressing DCs synthesized 1,25(OH)2D within this concentration range in vivo, thus facilitating effective Treg cell induction. Moreover, this study demonstrated that 1α-hydroxylase expression levels were pivotal for DCs to induce Treg cells because physiological 25(OH)D levels were sufficient for the engineered but not parental DCs to enhance Treg cell induction. Interestingly, adding non-toxic zinc concentrations significantly augmented the Treg-inducing capacity of the engineered DCs. Our new findings offer a novel therapeutic avenue for immune-mediated human diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis, by integrating zinc with the 1α-hydroxylase-overexpressing DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisar Ali Shaikh
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Long Island University, Brookville, NY 11548, USA
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhang
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Maisa I. Abdalla
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York 14642, USA
| | - David J. Baylink
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Basic Science, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Xiaolei Tang
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Long Island University, Brookville, NY 11548, USA
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Basic Science, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
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Eskandari SK, Daccache A, Azzi JR. Chimeric antigen receptor T reg therapy in transplantation. Trends Immunol 2024; 45:48-61. [PMID: 38123369 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
In the quest for more precise and effective organ transplantation therapies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies represent a potential cutting-edge advance. This review comprehensively analyses CAR Tregs and how they may address important drawbacks of polyclonal Tregs and conventional immunosuppressants. We examine a growing body of preclinical findings of CAR Treg therapy in transplantation, discuss CAR Treg design specifics, and explore established and attractive new targets in transplantation. In addition, we explore present impediments where future studies will be necessary to determine the efficacy of CAR Tregs in reshaping alloimmune responses and transplant microenvironments to reduce reliance on chemical immunosuppressants. Overall, ongoing studies and trials are crucial for understanding the full scope of CAR Treg therapy in transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siawosh K Eskandari
- Transplantation Research Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Andrea Daccache
- Transplantation Research Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Bioscience Education and Research (UFR Biosciences), Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Jamil R Azzi
- Transplantation Research Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Zhu Y, Xia T, Chen DQ, Xiong X, Shi L, Zuo Y, Xiao H, Liu L. Promising role of protein arginine methyltransferases in overcoming anti-cancer drug resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101016. [PMID: 37980859 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer treatment, necessitating the development of novel strategies to overcome it. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are enzymes responsible for epigenetic arginine methylation, which regulates various biological and pathological processes, as a result, they are attractive therapeutic targets for overcoming anti-cancer drug resistance. The ongoing development of small molecules targeting PRMTs has resulted in the generation of chemical probes for modulating most PRMTs and facilitated clinical treatment for the most advanced oncology targets, including PRMT1 and PRMT5. In this review, we summarize various mechanisms underlying protein arginine methylation and the roles of specific PRMTs in driving cancer drug resistance. Furthermore, we highlight the potential clinical implications of PRMT inhibitors in decreasing cancer drug resistance. PRMTs promote the formation and maintenance of drug-tolerant cells via several mechanisms, including altered drug efflux transporters, autophagy, DNA damage repair, cancer stem cell-related function, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and disordered tumor microenvironment. Multiple preclinical and ongoing clinical trials have demonstrated that PRMT inhibitors, particularly PRMT5 inhibitors, can sensitize cancer cells to various anti-cancer drugs, including chemotherapeutic, targeted therapeutic, and immunotherapeutic agents. Combining PRMT inhibitors with existing anti-cancer strategies will be a promising approach for overcoming anti-cancer drug resistance. Furthermore, enhanced knowledge of the complex functions of arginine methylation and PRMTs in drug resistance will guide the future development of PRMT inhibitors and may help identify new clinical indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxia Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tong Xia
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Da-Qian Chen
- Department of Medicine Oncology, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen 518110, China
| | - Xia Xiong
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Lihong Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yueqi Zuo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Institute of Basic Translational Medicine, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, China.
| | - Hongtao Xiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
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París-Muñoz A, León-Triana O, Pérez-Martínez A, Barber DF. Helios as a Potential Biomarker in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and New Therapies Based on Immunosuppressive Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:452. [PMID: 38203623 PMCID: PMC10778776 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The Helios protein (encoded by the IKZF2 gene) is a member of the Ikaros transcription family and it has recently been proposed as a promising biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease progression in both mouse models and patients. Helios is beginning to be studied extensively for its influence on the T regulatory (Treg) compartment, both CD4+ Tregs and KIR+/Ly49+ CD8+ Tregs, with alterations to the number and function of these cells correlated to the autoimmune phenomenon. This review analyzes the most recent research on Helios expression in relation to the main immune cell populations and its role in SLE immune homeostasis, specifically focusing on the interaction between T cells and tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs). This information could be potentially useful in the design of new therapies, with a particular focus on transfer therapies using immunosuppressive cells. Finally, we will discuss the possibility of using nanotechnology for magnetic targeting to overcome some of the obstacles related to these therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés París-Muñoz
- Department of Immunology and Oncology and NanoBiomedicine Initiative, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (O.L.-T.); (A.P.-M.)
- IdiPAZ-CNIO Pediatric Onco-Hematology Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Odelaisy León-Triana
- Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (O.L.-T.); (A.P.-M.)
- IdiPAZ-CNIO Pediatric Onco-Hematology Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (O.L.-T.); (A.P.-M.)
- IdiPAZ-CNIO Pediatric Onco-Hematology Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Domingo F. Barber
- Department of Immunology and Oncology and NanoBiomedicine Initiative, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain;
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Blinova VG, Gladilina YA, Abramova AA, Eliseeva DD, Vtorushina VV, Shishparenok AN, Zhdanov DD. Modulation of Suppressive Activity and Proliferation of Human Regulatory T Cells by Splice-Switching Oligonucleotides Targeting FoxP3 Pre-mRNA. Cells 2023; 13:77. [PMID: 38201281 PMCID: PMC10777989 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The maturation, development, and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) are under the control of the crucial transcription factor Forkhead Box Protein 3 (FoxP3). Through alternative splicing, the human FoxP3 gene produces four different splice variants: a full-length variant (FL) and truncated variants with deletions of each of exons 2 (∆2 variant) or 7 (∆7 variant) or a deletion of both exons (∆2∆7 variant). Their involvement in the biology of Tregs as well as their association with autoimmune diseases remains to be clarified. The aim of this work was to induce a single FoxP3 splice variant in human Tregs by splice switching oligonucleotides and to monitor their phenotype and proliferative and suppressive activity. We demonstrated that Tregs from peripheral blood from patients with multiple sclerosis preferentially expressed truncated splice variants, while the FL variant was the major variant in healthy donors. Tregs with induced expression of truncated FoxP3 splice variants demonstrated lower suppressive activity than those expressing FL variants. Reduced suppression was associated with the decreased expression of Treg-associated suppressive surface molecules and the production of cytokines. The deletion of exons 2 and/or 7 also reduced the cell proliferation rate. The results of this study show an association between FoxP3 splice variants and Treg function and proliferation. The modulation of Treg suppressive activity by the induction of the FoxP3 FL variant can become a promising strategy for regenerative immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varvara G. Blinova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Anna A. Abramova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Daria D. Eliseeva
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Valentina V. Vtorushina
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Academician Oparin st. 4, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia N. Shishparenok
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (V.G.B.); (Y.A.G.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, People’s Friendship University of Russia Named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya st. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
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130
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Jin WJ, Jagodinsky JC, Vera JM, Clark PA, Zuleger CL, Erbe AK, Ong IM, Le T, Tetreault K, Berg T, Rakhmilevich AL, Kim K, Newton MA, Albertini MR, Sondel PM, Morris ZS. NK cells propagate T cell immunity following in situ tumor vaccination. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113556. [PMID: 38096050 PMCID: PMC10843551 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We report an in situ vaccination, adaptable to nearly any type of cancer, that combines radiotherapy targeting one tumor and intratumoral injection of this site with tumor-specific antibody and interleukin-2 (IL-2; 3xTx). In a phase I clinical trial, administration of 3xTx (with an immunocytokine fusion of tumor-specific antibody and IL-2, hu14.18-IL2) to subjects with metastatic melanoma increases peripheral CD8+ T cell effector polyfunctionality. This suggests the potential for 3xTx to promote antitumor immunity against metastatic tumors. In poorly immunogenic syngeneic murine melanoma or head and neck carcinoma models, 3xTx stimulates CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor responses at targeted and non-targeted tumors. During 3xTx treatment, natural killer (NK) cells promote CTLA4+ regulatory T cell (Treg) apoptosis in non-targeted tumors. This is dependent on NK cell expression of CD86, which is upregulated downstream of KLRK1. NK cell depletion increases Treg infiltration, diminishing CD8+ T cell-dependent antitumor response. These findings demonstrate that NK cells sustain and propagate CD8+ T cell immunity following 3xTx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Jong Jin
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Justin C Jagodinsky
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Jessica M Vera
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Paul A Clark
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Cindy L Zuleger
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Amy K Erbe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Irene M Ong
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Trang Le
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Kaitlin Tetreault
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Tracy Berg
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Alexander L Rakhmilevich
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - KyungMann Kim
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Michael A Newton
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Mark R Albertini
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA; The Medical Service, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Paul M Sondel
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Zachary S Morris
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
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131
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Singh AK, Qureshah FA, Drow T, Hou B, Rawlings DJ. Activated PI3Kδ specifically perturbs mouse Treg homeostasis and function leading to immune dysregulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.21.569665. [PMID: 38187650 PMCID: PMC10769388 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.21.569665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are required for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing systemic autoimmunity. PI3Kδ is required for normal Treg development and function. However, the impacts of dysregulated PI3Kδ signaling on Treg function remain incompletely understood. Here, we used a conditional mouse model of activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS) to investigate the role of altered PI3Kδ signaling specifically within the Treg compartment. Aged mice expressing a PIK3CD gain-of-function mutation (aPIK3CD) specifically within the Treg compartment exhibited weight loss and evidence for chronic inflammation as demonstrated by increased memory/effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with enhanced IFN-γ secretion, spontaneous germinal center responses and production of broad-spectrum autoantibodies. Intriguingly, aPIK3CD facilitated Treg precursor development within the thymus and an increase in peripheral Treg numbers. Peripheral Treg, however, exhibited an altered phenotype including increased PD1 expression and reduced competitive fitness. Consistent with these findings, Treg specific-aPIK3CD mice mounted an elevated humoral response following immunization with a T-cell dependent antigen, that correlated with a decrease in follicular Treg. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that an optimal threshold of PI3Kδ activity is critical for Treg homeostasis and function, suggesting that PI3Kδ signaling in Treg might be therapeutically targeted to either augment or inhibit immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhilesh K. Singh
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Fahd Al Qureshah
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Travis Drow
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Baidong Hou
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - David J Rawlings
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapy, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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132
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Maksiutenko EM, Barbitoff YA, Nasykhova YA, Pachuliia OV, Lazareva TE, Bespalova ON, Glotov AS. The Landscape of Point Mutations in Human Protein Coding Genes Leading to Pregnancy Loss. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17572. [PMID: 38139401 PMCID: PMC10743817 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy loss is the most frequent complication of a pregnancy which is devastating for affected families and poses a significant challenge for the health care system. Genetic factors are known to play an important role in the etiology of pregnancy loss; however, despite advances in diagnostics, the causes remain unexplained in more than 30% of cases. In this review, we aggregated the results of the decade-long studies into the genetic risk factors of pregnancy loss (including miscarriage, termination for fetal abnormality, and recurrent pregnancy loss) in euploid pregnancies, focusing on the spectrum of point mutations associated with these conditions. We reviewed the evolution of molecular genetics methods used for the genetic research into causes of pregnancy loss, and collected information about 270 individual genetic variants in 196 unique genes reported as genetic cause of pregnancy loss. Among these, variants in 18 genes have been reported by multiple studies, and two or more variants were reported as causing pregnancy loss for 57 genes. Further analysis of the properties of all known pregnancy loss genes showed that they correspond to broadly expressed, highly evolutionary conserved genes involved in crucial cell differentiation and developmental processes and related signaling pathways. Given the features of known genes, we made an effort to construct a list of candidate genes, variants in which may be expected to contribute to pregnancy loss. We believe that our results may be useful for prediction of pregnancy loss risk in couples, as well as for further investigation and revealing genetic etiology of pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yury A. Barbitoff
- Department of Genomic Medicine, D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (E.M.M.); (Y.A.N.); (O.V.P.); (T.E.L.); (O.N.B.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrey S. Glotov
- Department of Genomic Medicine, D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (E.M.M.); (Y.A.N.); (O.V.P.); (T.E.L.); (O.N.B.)
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133
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Wu D. Proapoptotic protein Bim regulates the suppressive function of Treg cells. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2023; 24:1180-1184. [PMID: 38057275 PMCID: PMC10710911 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2300288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a special immunosuppressive subset of cluster of differentiation 4-positive (CD4+)-T lymphocytes and play a pivotal role in the establishment of immune homeostasis in vivo (Zhang et al., 2021). The transcription factor forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3) is the master marker of Treg cells, which is highly expressed in Treg cells and is also essential for their suppressive function (Hori et al., 2003). In addition to Foxp3, other regulators of Treg cells have been discovered (Wu et al., 2017, 2022; Wu and Sun, 2023a, 2023b); however, a deeper understanding of the regulation of these cells is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
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134
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Wang X, Geng S, Meng J, Kang N, Liu X, Xu Y, Lyu H, Xu Y, Xu X, Song X, Zhang B, Wang X, Nuerbulati N, Zhang Z, Zhai D, Mao X, Sun R, Wang X, Wang R, Guo J, Chen SW, Zhou X, Xia T, Qi H, Hu X, Shi Y. Foxp3-mediated blockage of ryanodine receptor 2 underlies contact-based suppression by regulatory T cells. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e163470. [PMID: 38099494 PMCID: PMC10721146 DOI: 10.1172/jci163470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The suppression mechanism of Tregs remains an intensely investigated topic. As our focus has shifted toward a model centered on indirect inhibition of DCs, a universally applicable effector mechanism controlled by the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) expression has not been found. Here, we report that Foxp3 blocked the transcription of ER Ca2+-release channel ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2). Reduced RyR2 shut down basal Ca2+ oscillation in Tregs, which reduced m-calpain activities that are needed for T cells to disengage from DCs, suggesting a persistent blockage of DC antigen presentation. RyR2 deficiency rendered the CD4+ T cell pool immune suppressive and caused it to behave in the same manner as Foxp3+ Tregs in viral infection, asthma, hypersensitivity, colitis, and tumor development. In the absence of Foxp3, Ryr2-deficient CD4+ T cells rescued the systemic autoimmunity associated with scurfy mice. Therefore, Foxp3-mediated Ca2+ signaling inhibition may be a central effector mechanism of Treg immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Geng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Junchen Meng
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, and
| | - Ning Kang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanni Xu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiyun Lyu
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xun Xu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinrong Song
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Nuerdida Nuerbulati
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Di Zhai
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Mao
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruya Sun
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
| | - Xiaoting Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University and Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruiwu Wang
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jie Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - S.R. Wayne Chen
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xuyu Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Tie Xia
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hai Qi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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135
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Sato Y, Nathan A, Shipp S, Wright JF, Tate KM, Wani P, Roncarolo MG, Bacchetta R. A novel FOXP3 knockout-humanized mouse model for pre-clinical safety and efficacy evaluation of Treg-like cell products. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101150. [PMID: 38027059 PMCID: PMC10679769 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is an essential transcription factor for regulatory T cell (Treg) function. Defects in Tregs mediate many immune diseases including the monogenic autoimmune disease immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome (IPEX), which is caused by FOXP3 mutations. Treg cell products are a promising modality to induce allograft tolerance or reduce the use of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection, as well as in the treatment of acquired autoimmune diseases. We have recently opened a phase I clinical trial for IPEX patients using autologous engineered Treg-like cells, CD4LVFOXP3. To facilitate the pre-clinical studies, a novel humanized-mouse (hu-mouse) model was developed whereby immune-deficient mice were transplanted with human hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) in which the FOXP3 gene was knocked out (FOXP3KO) using CRISPR-Cas9. Mice transplanted with FOXP3KO HSPCs had impaired survival, developed lymphoproliferation 10-12 weeks post-transplant and T cell infiltration of the gut, resembling human IPEX. Strikingly, injection of CD4LVFOXP3 into the FOXP3KO hu-mice restored in vivo regulatory functions, including control of lymphoproliferation and inhibition of T cell infiltration in the colon. This hu-mouse disease model can be reproducibly established and constitutes an ideal model to assess pre-clinical efficacy of human Treg cell investigational products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Sato
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Abinaya Nathan
- Center for Definitive Curative Medicine (CDCM) Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Suzette Shipp
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - John Fraser Wright
- Center for Definitive Curative Medicine (CDCM) Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Keri Marie Tate
- Laboratory for Cell and Gene Medicine (LCGM) Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Prachi Wani
- Laboratory for Cell and Gene Medicine (LCGM) Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Maria-Grazia Roncarolo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Center for Definitive Curative Medicine (CDCM) Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rosa Bacchetta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Center for Definitive Curative Medicine (CDCM) Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive West, Room 3039, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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136
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Ma X, Cao L, Raneri M, Wang H, Cao Q, Zhao Y, Bediaga NG, Naselli G, Harrison LC, Hawthorne WJ, Hu M, Yi S, O’Connell PJ. Human HLA-DR+CD27+ regulatory T cells show enhanced antigen-specific suppressive function. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e162978. [PMID: 37874660 PMCID: PMC10795828 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and graft rejection. Antigen specificity and functional stability are considered critical for their therapeutic efficacy. In this study, expansion of human Tregs in the presence of porcine PBMCs (xenoantigen-expanded Tregs, Xn-Treg) allowed the selection of a distinct Treg subset, coexpressing the activation/memory surface markers HLA-DR and CD27 with enhanced proportion of FOXP3+Helios+ Tregs. Compared with their unsorted and HLA-DR+CD27+ double-positive (DP) cell-depleted Xn-Treg counterparts, HLA-DR+CD27+ DP-enriched Xn-Tregs expressed upregulated Treg function markers CD95 and ICOS with enhanced suppression of xenogeneic but not polyclonal mixed lymphocyte reaction. They also had less Treg-specific demethylation in the region of FOXP3 and were more resistant to conversion to effector cells under inflammatory conditions. Adoptive transfer of porcine islet recipient NOD/SCID IL2 receptor γ-/- mice with HLA-DR+CD27+ DP-enriched Xn-Tregs in a humanized mouse model inhibited porcine islet graft rejection mediated by 25-fold more human effector cells. The prolonged graft survival was associated with enhanced accumulation of FOXP3+ Tregs and upregulated expression of Treg functional genes, IL10 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4, but downregulated expression of effector Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokine genes, within surviving grafts. Collectively, human HLA-DR+CD27+ DP-enriched Xn-Tregs expressed a specific regulatory signature that enabled identification and isolation of antigen-specific and functionally stable Tregs with potential as a Treg-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Ma
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Cao
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Martina Raneri
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hannah Wang
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Qi Cao
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yuanfei Zhao
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Naiara G. Bediaga
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gaetano Naselli
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leonard C. Harrison
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wayne J. Hawthorne
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Min Hu
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shounan Yi
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philip J. O’Connell
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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137
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Vantourout P, Eum J, Conde Poole M, Hayday TS, Laing AG, Hussain K, Nuamah R, Kannambath S, Moisan J, Stoop A, Battaglia S, Servattalab R, Hsu J, Bayliffe A, Katragadda M, Hayday AC. Innate TCRβ-chain engagement drives human T cells toward distinct memory-like effector phenotypes with immunotherapeutic potentials. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj6174. [PMID: 38055824 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj6174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Clonotypic αβ T cell responses to cargoes presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC), MR1, or CD1 proteins underpin adaptive immunity. Those responses are mostly mediated by complementarity-determining region 3 motifs created by quasi-random T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements, with diversity being highest for TCRγδ. Nonetheless, TCRγδ also displays nonclonotypic innate responsiveness following engagement of germline-encoded Vγ-specific residues by butyrophilin (BTN) or BTN-like (BTNL) proteins that uniquely mediate γδ T cell subset selection. We now report that nonclonotypic TCR engagement likewise induces distinct phenotypes in TCRαβ+ cells. Specifically, antibodies to germline-encoded human TCRVβ motifs consistently activated naïve or memory T cells toward core states distinct from those induced by anti-CD3 or superantigens and from others commonly reported. Those states combined selective proliferation and effector function with activation-induced inhibitory receptors and memory differentiation. Thus, nonclonotypic TCRVβ targeting broadens our perspectives on human T cell response modes and might offer ways to induce clinically beneficial phenotypes in defined T cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Vantourout
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Immunosurveillance Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Josephine Eum
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Immunosurveillance Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - María Conde Poole
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Immunosurveillance Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Thomas S Hayday
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Adam G Laing
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Khiyam Hussain
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Immunosurveillance Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Rosamond Nuamah
- NIHR BRC Genomics Research Platform, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Shichina Kannambath
- NIHR BRC Genomics Research Platform, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adrian C Hayday
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Immunosurveillance Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
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138
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Yang B, Rutkowski N, Elisseeff J. The foreign body response: emerging cell types and considerations for targeted therapeutics. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:7730-7747. [PMID: 37904536 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm00629h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
The foreign body response (FBR) remains a clinical challenge in the field of biomaterials due to its ability to elicit a chronic and sustained immune response. Modulating the immune response to materials is a modern paradigm in tissue engineering to enhance repair while limiting fibrous encapsulation and implant isolation. Though the classical mediators of the FBR are well-characterized, recent studies highlight that our understanding of the cell types that shape the FBR may be incomplete. In this review, we discuss the emerging role of T cells, stromal-immune cell interactions, and senescent cells in the biomaterial response, particularly to synthetic materials. We emphasize future studies that will deepen the field's understanding of these cell types in the FBR, with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets that will improve implant integration. Finally, we briefly review several considerations that may influence our understanding of the FBR in humans, including rodent models, aging, gut microbiota, and sex differences. A better understanding of the heterogeneous host cell response during the FBR can enable the design and development of immunomodulatory materials that favor healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Yang
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Natalie Rutkowski
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Jennifer Elisseeff
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Wilmer Eye Institute and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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139
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Flynn AL, Gans J, Escobedo J, Zhu C, Florescu AM, Shankara S, Madden SL, Kim PS, Pao LI. RGS1 Modulates Autophagic and Metabolic Programs and Is a Critical Mediator of Human Regulatory T Cell Function. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1656-1668. [PMID: 37850953 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical mediators of immune tolerance and play a diametric role in cancer and autoimmunity. Tumor-infiltrating Tregs are often associated with poor prognosis in solid tumors because their enrichment in the tumor microenvironment contributes to immunosuppression. Conversely, dysregulation in the Treg compartment can disrupt self-tolerance, leading to autoimmunity. In the present study, we describe what is, to our knowledge, a novel regulator of Tregs, the GTPase activator regulator of G protein 1 (RGS1), demonstrating that RGS1-deficient human Tregs show downregulation of Treg-associated genes and are less immunosuppressive. These RGS1-deficient Tregs exhibit perturbations to the FOXP3-c-MYC transcriptional axis and downstream metabolic and autophagy programs by shifting their energy demands toward glycolysis and rendering them less autophagic. Taken together, RGS1 may serve as an apical node of Treg function by regulating the FOXP3-c-MYC transcriptional axis, thereby providing a therapeutic rationale for targeting RGS1 for treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Gans
- Department of Translational Sciences, Sanofi, Cambridge, MA
| | | | - Cheng Zhu
- Department of Translational Sciences, Sanofi, Cambridge, MA
| | | | | | | | - Peter S Kim
- Department of Oncology, Sanofi, Cambridge, MA
| | - Lily I Pao
- Department of Oncology, Sanofi, Cambridge, MA
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140
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Zhang W, Leng F, Wang X, Ramirez RN, Park J, Benoist C, Hur S. FOXP3 recognizes microsatellites and bridges DNA through multimerization. Nature 2023; 624:433-441. [PMID: 38030726 PMCID: PMC10719092 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06793-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3 is a transcription factor that is essential for the development of regulatory T cells, a branch of T cells that suppress excessive inflammation and autoimmunity1-5. However, the molecular mechanisms of FOXP3 remain unclear. Here we here show that FOXP3 uses the forkhead domain-a DNA-binding domain that is commonly thought to function as a monomer or dimer-to form a higher-order multimer after binding to TnG repeat microsatellites. The cryo-electron microscopy structure of FOXP3 in a complex with T3G repeats reveals a ladder-like architecture, whereby two double-stranded DNA molecules form the two 'side rails' bridged by five pairs of FOXP3 molecules, with each pair forming a 'rung'. Each FOXP3 subunit occupies TGTTTGT within the repeats in a manner that is indistinguishable from that of FOXP3 bound to the forkhead consensus motif (TGTTTAC). Mutations in the intra-rung interface impair TnG repeat recognition, DNA bridging and the cellular functions of FOXP3, all without affecting binding to the forkhead consensus motif. FOXP3 can tolerate variable inter-rung spacings, explaining its broad specificity for TnG-repeat-like sequences in vivo and in vitro. Both FOXP3 orthologues and paralogues show similar TnG repeat recognition and DNA bridging. These findings therefore reveal a mode of DNA recognition that involves transcription factor homomultimerization and DNA bridging, and further implicates microsatellites in transcriptional regulation and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiang Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fangwei Leng
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xi Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ricardo N Ramirez
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinseok Park
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christophe Benoist
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sun Hur
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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141
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Zhang C, Sheng Q, Zhao N, Huang S, Zhao Y. DNA hypomethylation mediates immune response in pan-cancer. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2192894. [PMID: 36945884 PMCID: PMC10038033 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2192894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal DNA methylation is a fundamental characterization of epigenetics in cancer. Here we demonstrate that aberrant DNA methylating can modulate the tumour immune microenvironment in 16 cancer types. Differential DNA methylation in promoter region can regulate the transcriptomic pattern of immune-related genes and DNA hypomethylation mainly participated in the processes of immunity, carcinogenesis and immune infiltration. Moreover, many cancer types shared immune-related functions, like activation of innate immune response, interferon gamma response and NOD-like receptor signalling pathway. DNA methylation can further help identify molecular subtypes of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. These subtypes are characterized by DNA methylation pattern, major histocompatibility complex, cytolytic activity and cytotoxic t lymphocyte and tumour mutation burden, and subtype with hypomethylation pattern shows unstable immune status. Then, we investigate the DNA methylation pattern of exhaustion-related marker genes and further demonstrate the role of hypomethylation in tumour immune microenvironment. In summary, our findings support the use of hypomethylation as a biomarker to understand the mechanism of tumour immune environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlong Zhang
- College of Information and Computer Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qi Sheng
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- College of Information and Computer Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shan Huang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yuming Zhao
- College of Information and Computer Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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142
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Mutsaers SE, Miles T, Prêle CM, Hoyne GF. Emerging role of immune cells as drivers of pulmonary fibrosis. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 252:108562. [PMID: 37952904 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other forms of interstitial lung disease, involves a complex interplay of various factors including host genetics, environmental pollutants, infection, aberrant repair and dysregulated immune responses. Highly variable clinical outcomes of some ILDs, in particular IPF, have made it difficult to identify the precise mechanisms involved in disease pathogenesis and thus the development of a specific cure or treatment to halt and reverse the decline in patient health. With the advent of in-depth molecular diagnostics, it is becoming evident that the pathogenesis of IPF is unlikely to be the same for all patients and therefore will likely require different treatment approaches. Chronic inflammation is a cardinal feature of IPF and is driven by both innate and adaptive immune responses. Inflammatory cells and activated fibroblasts secrete various pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that perpetuate the inflammatory response and contribute to the recruitment and activation of more immune cells and fibroblasts. The balance between pro-inflammatory and regulatory immune cell subsets, as well as the interactions between immune cell types and resident cells within the lung microenvironment, ultimately determines the extent of fibrosis and the potential for resolution. This review examines the role of the innate and adaptive immune responses in pulmonary fibrosis, with an emphasis on IPF. The role of different immune cell types is discussed as well as novel anti-inflammatory and immunotherapy approaches currently in clinical trial or in preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven E Mutsaers
- Institute for Respiratory Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
| | - Tylah Miles
- Institute for Respiratory Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Cecilia M Prêle
- Institute for Respiratory Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, WA, Australia
| | - Gerard F Hoyne
- Institute for Respiratory Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; The School of Health Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
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143
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Cui X, Li CG, Gao H, Cheng M, Jiang F. Boosting regulatory T cell-dependent immune tolerance by activation of p53. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111167. [PMID: 37931392 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have critical roles in maintaining immune hemostasis and have important anti-inflammatory functions in diseases. Recently, we identified that CX-5461 (a selective RNA polymerase I inhibitor and p53 activator) acted as a potent immunosuppressive agent, which prevented allogeneic acute rejection in animal models via a molecular mechanism distinct from all those of conventional immunosuppressive drugs. Unexpectedly, we discovered that CX-5461 could promote Treg differentiation. In this review, we have summarized the evidence for a potential role of p53 in mediating Treg differentiation and its possible mechanisms, including regulation of FoxP3 transcription, regulation of the expression of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog), as well as protein-protein interaction with the transcription factor STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5). Evidence also suggests that pharmacological p53 activators may potentially be used to boost Treg-mediated immune tolerance. Based on these data, we argue that novel p53 activators such as CX-5461 may represent a distinct class of immunosuppressants that repress conventional T cell-mediated alloimmunity with concomitant boosting of Treg-dependent immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopei Cui
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Proteomics and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chun-Guang Li
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Haiqing Gao
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Proteomics and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Mei Cheng
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Proteomics and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Fan Jiang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Proteomics and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
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144
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Abstract
Lymphedema is a debilitating disease characterized by extremity edema, fibroadipose deposition, impaired lymphangiogenesis, and dysfunctional lymphatics, often with lymphatic injury secondary to the treatment of malignancies. Emerging evidence has shown that immune dysfunction regulated by T cells plays a pivotal role in development of lymphedema. Specifically, Th1, Th2, Treg, and Th17 cells have been identified as critical regulators of pathological changes in lymphedema. In this review, our aim is to provide an overview of the current understanding of the roles of CD4+ T cells, including Th1, Th2, Treg, and Th17 subsets, in the progression of lymphedema and to discuss associated therapies targeting T cell inflammation for management of lymphedema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Fu
- Department of Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunjun Liu
- Department of Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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145
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Trujillo-Ochoa JL, Kazemian M, Afzali B. The role of transcription factors in shaping regulatory T cell identity. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:842-856. [PMID: 37336954 PMCID: PMC10893967 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00893-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead box protein 3-expressing (FOXP3+) regulatory T cells (Treg cells) suppress conventional T cells and are essential for immunological tolerance. FOXP3, the master transcription factor of Treg cells, controls the expression of multiples genes to guide Treg cell differentiation and function. However, only a small fraction (<10%) of Treg cell-associated genes are directly bound by FOXP3, and FOXP3 alone is insufficient to fully specify the Treg cell programme, indicating a role for other accessory transcription factors operating upstream, downstream and/or concurrently with FOXP3 to direct Treg cell specification and specialized functions. Indeed, the heterogeneity of Treg cells can be at least partially attributed to differential expression of transcription factors that fine-tune their trafficking, survival and functional properties, some of which are niche-specific. In this Review, we discuss the emerging roles of accessory transcription factors in controlling Treg cell identity. We specifically focus on members of the basic helix-loop-helix family (AHR), basic leucine zipper family (BACH2, NFIL3 and BATF), CUT homeobox family (SATB1), zinc-finger domain family (BLIMP1, Ikaros and BCL-11B) and interferon regulatory factor family (IRF4), as well as lineage-defining transcription factors (T-bet, GATA3, RORγt and BCL-6). Understanding the imprinting of Treg cell identity and specialized function will be key to unravelling basic mechanisms of autoimmunity and identifying novel targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L Trujillo-Ochoa
- Immunoregulation Section, Kidney Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Majid Kazemian
- Departments of Biochemistry and Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Behdad Afzali
- Immunoregulation Section, Kidney Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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146
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Fang L, Yao Y, Guan X, Liao Y, Wang B, Cui L, Han S, Zou H, Su D, Ma Y, Liu B, Wang Y, Huang R, Ruan Y, Yu X, Yao Y, Liu C, Zhang Y. China special issue on gastrointestinal tumors-Regulatory-immunoscore-A novel indicator to guide precision adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. Int J Cancer 2023; 153:1904-1915. [PMID: 37085990 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Novel biomarkers are essential to improve the treatment efficacy and overall survival of stage II and III colorectal cancer (CRC), allowing for personalized treatment decisions. Here, the densities of CD8+ and FOXP3+ T cells in the tumor and invasive margin were processed by immunohistochemistry and digital pathology to form a scoring system named regulatory-Immunoscore (RIS). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the risk factors associated with time to recurrence. Harrell's concordance index and the time-dependent area under the curve were used to assess model performance. A total of 1213 stage I-III DNA mismatch repair-proficient colorectal cancer (pMMR CRC) patients were randomly assigned to a training set (n = 642) and a validation set (n = 571). From the Cox multivariable analysis, the association of RIS with survival was independent of patient age, sex and anatomy-based tumor risk parameters (P < .0001). For stage II patients, chemotherapy was significantly associated with better recurrence time in patients with low (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11-0.54, P = .001) and intermediate (95% CI = 0.25-0.57, P < .001) RIS values. In stage III patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, a treatment duration of 6 or more months was significantly associated with better recurrence time in patients with intermediate RIS values (95% CI = 0.38-0.90, P = .016) when compared with duration under 6 months. Therefore, these findings suggest that RIS is reliable for predicting recurrence risk and treatment responsiveness for patients with stage I-III pMMR CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Fang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
| | - Yang Yao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
- Clinical Research Center for Colorectal Cancer in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Guan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
- Clinical Research Center for Colorectal Cancer in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
| | - Yuanyu Liao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Bojun Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
| | - Luying Cui
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Shuling Han
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Haoyi Zou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Dan Su
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
| | - Biao Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
| | - Yuli Ruan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Clinical Research Center for Colorectal Cancer in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
| | - Xuefan Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Yuanfei Yao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
- Clinical Research Center for Colorectal Cancer in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
| | - Yanqiao Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
- Clinical Research Center for Colorectal Cancer in Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
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147
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Sato Y, Osada E, Manome Y. Non-canonical NFKB signaling endows suppressive function through FOXP3-dependent regulatory T cell program. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22911. [PMID: 38125410 PMCID: PMC10730750 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a central role in modulating adaptive immune responses in humans and mice. The precise biological role of non-canonical nuclear factor 'κ-light-chain-enhancer' of activated B cells (NFKB) signaling in human Tregs has yet to be fully elucidated. To gain insight into this process, a Treg-like cell line (MT-2) was genetically modified using CRISPR/Cas9. Interestingly, NFKB2 knockout MT-2 cells exhibited downregulation of FOXP3, while NFKB1 knockout did not. Additionally, mRNA expression of FOXP3-dependent molecules was significantly reduced in NFKB2 knockout MT-2 cells. To better understand the functional role of the NFKB signaling, the NFKB1/NFKB2 loci of human primary Tregs were genetically edited using CRISPR/Cas9. Similar to MT-2 cells, NFKB2 knockout human Tregs displayed significantly reduced FOXP3 expression. Furthermore, NFKB2 knockout human Tregs showed downregulation of FOXP3-dependent molecules and a diminished suppressive function compared to wild-type and NFKB1 knockout Tregs. These findings indicate that non-canonical NFKB signaling maintains a Treg-like phenotype and suppressive function in human Tregs through the FOXP3-dependent regulatory T cell program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Sato
- Corresponding author. 3-25-8 Nishi-shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | - Yoshinobu Manome
- Core Research Facilities, Research Center for Medical Sciences, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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148
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Shao TY, Jiang TT, Stevens J, Russi AE, Troutman TD, Bernieh A, Pham G, Erickson JJ, Eshleman EM, Alenghat T, Jameson SC, Hogquist KA, Weaver CT, Haslam DB, Deshmukh H, Way SS. Kruppel-like factor 2+ CD4 T cells avert microbiota-induced intestinal inflammation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113323. [PMID: 37889750 PMCID: PMC10822050 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal colonization by antigenically foreign microbes necessitates expanded peripheral immune tolerance. Here we show commensal microbiota prime expansion of CD4 T cells unified by the Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) transcriptional regulator and an essential role for KLF2+ CD4 cells in averting microbiota-driven intestinal inflammation. CD4 cells with commensal specificity in secondary lymphoid organs and intestinal tissues are enriched for KLF2 expression, and distinct from FOXP3+ regulatory T cells or other differentiation lineages. Mice with conditional KLF2 deficiency in T cells develop spontaneous rectal prolapse and intestinal inflammation, phenotypes overturned by eliminating microbiota or reconstituting with donor KLF2+ cells. Activated KLF2+ cells selectively produce IL-10, and eliminating IL-10 overrides their suppressive function in vitro and protection against intestinal inflammation in vivo. Together with reduced KLF2+ CD4 cell accumulation in Crohn's disease, a necessity for the KLF2+ subpopulation of T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells in sustaining commensal tolerance is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Yu Shao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Tony T Jiang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joseph Stevens
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Abigail E Russi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Advanced Nutrition, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ty D Troutman
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Anas Bernieh
- Division of Pathology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Giang Pham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - John J Erickson
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Emily M Eshleman
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Theresa Alenghat
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Stephen C Jameson
- Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kristin A Hogquist
- Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Casey T Weaver
- Program in Immunology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - David B Haslam
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Hitesh Deshmukh
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sing Sing Way
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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149
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Liang Y, Wang L, Ma P, Ju D, Zhao M, Shi Y. Enhancing anti-tumor immune responses through combination therapies: epigenetic drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1308264. [PMID: 38077327 PMCID: PMC10704038 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are processes that affect gene expression and cellular functions without involving changes in the DNA sequence. This abnormal or unstable expression of genes regulated by epigenetics can trigger cancer and other various diseases. The immune cells involved in anti-tumor responses and the immunogenicity of tumors may also be affected by epigenomic changes. This holds significant implications for the development and application of cancer immunotherapy, epigenetic therapy, and their combined treatments in the fight against cancer. We provide an overview of recent research literature focusing on how epigenomic changes in immune cells influence immune cell behavior and function, as well as the immunogenicity of cancer cells. And the combined utilization of epigenetic medications with immune checkpoint inhibitors that focus on immune checkpoint molecules [e.g., Programmed Death 1 (PD-1), Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4), T cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin Domain (TIM-3), Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3)] present in immune cells and stromal cells associated with tumors. We highlight the potential of small-molecule inhibitors targeting epigenetic regulators to amplify anti-tumor immune responses. Moreover, we discuss how to leverage the intricate relationship between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology to create treatment regimens that integrate epigenetic therapies with immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- Precision Pharmacy and Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Wuchang Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Peijun Ma
- Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongen Ju
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minggao Zhao
- Precision Pharmacy and Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yun Shi
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
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150
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Bei KF, Moshkelgosha S, Liu BJ, Juvet S. Intragraft regulatory T cells in the modern era: what can high-dimensional methods tell us about pathways to allograft acceptance? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1291649. [PMID: 38077395 PMCID: PMC10701590 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1291649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Replacement of diseased organs with transplanted healthy donor ones remains the best and often only treatment option for end-stage organ disease. Immunosuppressants have decreased the incidence of acute rejection, but long-term survival remains limited. The broad action of current immunosuppressive drugs results in global immune impairment, increasing the risk of cancer and infections. Hence, achievement of allograft tolerance, in which graft function is maintained in the absence of global immunosuppression, has long been the aim of transplant clinicians and scientists. Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a specialized subset of immune cells that control a diverse array of immune responses, can prevent allograft rejection in animals, and have recently been explored in early phase clinical trials as an adoptive cellular therapy in transplant recipients. It has been established that allograft residency by Tregs can promote graft acceptance, but whether intragraft Treg functional diversification and spatial organization contribute to this process is largely unknown. In this review, we will explore what is known regarding the properties of intragraft Tregs during allograft acceptance and rejection. We will summarize recent advances in understanding Treg tissue residency through spatial, transcriptomic and high-dimensional cytometric methods in both animal and human studies. Our discussion will explore properties of intragraft Tregs in mediating operational tolerance to commonly transplanted solid organs. Finally, given recent developments in Treg cellular therapy, we will review emerging knowledge of whether and how these adoptively transferred cells enter allografts in humans. An understanding of the properties of intragraft Tregs will help lay the foundation for future therapies that will promote immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Fan Bei
- Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sajad Moshkelgosha
- Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bo Jie Liu
- Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen Juvet
- Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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