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Gutiérrez-Vera C, García-Betancourt R, Palacios PA, Müller M, Montero DA, Verdugo C, Ortiz F, Simon F, Kalergis AM, González PA, Saavedra-Avila NA, Porcelli SA, Carreño LJ. Natural killer T cells in allergic asthma: implications for the development of novel immunotherapeutical strategies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1364774. [PMID: 38629075 PMCID: PMC11018981 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1364774] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Allergic asthma has emerged as a prevalent allergic disease worldwide, affecting most prominently both young individuals and lower-income populations in developing and developed countries. To devise effective and curative immunotherapy, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate nature of this condition, characterized by an immune response imbalance that favors a proinflammatory profile orchestrated by diverse subsets of immune cells. Although the involvement of Natural Killer T (NKT) cells in asthma pathology is frequently implied, their specific contributions to disease onset and progression remain incompletely understood. Given their remarkable ability to modulate the immune response through the rapid secretion of various cytokines, NKT cells represent a promising target for the development of effective immunotherapy against allergic asthma. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of NKT cells in the context of allergic asthma, along with novel therapeutic approaches that leverage the functional response of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristián Gutiérrez-Vera
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Richard García-Betancourt
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. Palacios
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marioly Müller
- Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - David A. Montero
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Verdugo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca Ortiz
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Simon
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Noemi A. Saavedra-Avila
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Steven A. Porcelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Leandro J. Carreño
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Morales-Tirado V, Luszczek W, van der Merwe M, Pillai A. Regulatory immunotherapy in bone marrow transplantation. ScientificWorldJournal 2012; 11:2620-34. [PMID: 22262950 PMCID: PMC3254014 DOI: 10.1100/2011/768948] [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: 08/10/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Every year individuals receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to eradicate malignant and nonmalignant disease. The immunobiology of allotransplantation is an area of ongoing discovery, from the recipient's conditioning treatment prior to the transplant to the donor cell populations responsible for engraftment, graft-versus-host disease, and graft-versus-tumor effect. In this review, we focus on donor-type immunoregulatory T cells, namely, natural killer T cells (NKT) and regulatory T cells (Treg), and their current and potential roles in tolerance induction after allogeneic HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Morales-Tirado
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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Jiang X, Zhang M, Lai Q, Huang X, Li Y, Sun J, Abbott WG, Ma S, Hou J. Restored circulating invariant NKT cells are associated with viral control in patients with chronic hepatitis B. PLoS One 2011; 6:e28871. [PMID: 22194934 PMCID: PMC3241692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of various infectious diseases. However, their role in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is not fully understood, especially in human species. In this study, 35 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, 25 inactive carriers (IC) and 36 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled and the proportions of circulating iNKT cells in fresh isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were detected by flow cytometry. A longitudinal analysis was also conducted in 19 CHB patients who received antiviral therapy with telbivudine. Thereafter, the immune functions of iNKT cells were evaluated by cytokine secretion and a two-chamber technique. The median frequency of circulating iNKT cells in CHB patients (0.13%) was lower than that in HC (0.24%, P = 0.01) and IC (0.19%, P = 0.02), and increased significantly during antiviral therapy with telbivudine (P = 0.0176). The expressions of CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and CCR6 were dramatically higher on iNKT cells (82.83%±9.87%, 67.67%±16.83% respectively) than on conventional T cells (30.5%±5.65%, 14.02%±5.92%, both P<0.001) in CHB patients. Furthermore, iNKT cells could migrate toward the CC chemokine ligand 5. Patients with a high ratio (≥1.0) of CD4−/CD4+ iNKT cells at baseline had a higher rate (58.33%) of HBeAg seroconversion than those with a low ratio (<1.0, 0%, P = 0.0174). In conclusion, there is a low frequency of peripheral iNKT cells in CHB patients, which increases to normal levels with viral control. The ratio of CD4−/CD4+ iNKT cells at baseline may be a useful predictor for HBeAg seroconversion in CHB patients on telbivudine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotao Jiang
- Institute of Hepatology and Key Lab for Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Department of Immunology, Basic Medicine School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingxia Zhang
- Institute of Hepatology and Key Lab for Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qintao Lai
- Institute of Hepatology and Key Lab for Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Huang
- Institute of Hepatology and Key Lab for Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongyin Li
- Institute of Hepatology and Key Lab for Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Sun
- Institute of Hepatology and Key Lab for Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - William G.H. Abbott
- Institute of Hepatology and Key Lab for Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- The New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Shiwu Ma
- Institute of Hepatology and Key Lab for Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinlin Hou
- Institute of Hepatology and Key Lab for Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Engelmann P, Farkas K, Kis J, Richman G, Zhang Z, Liew CW, Borowiec M, Niewczas MA, Jalahej H, Orbán T. Characterization of human invariant natural killer T cells expressing FoxP3. Int Immunol 2011; 23:473-84. [PMID: 21708895 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxr040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently described forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) transcription factor is a key molecule in CD4+ CD25hi+ T-cell characterization. Invariant NK T (iNKT) cells are also characterized as regulatory cells modulating the immune response by rapidly producing T(h)1 and T(h)2 cytokines. We aimed to analyze cellular markers important in regulatory features of human iNKT cells and to study their role in functional assays. iNKT cells were single cell sorted from peripheral mononuclear cells of healthy individuals after immunostaining of invariant TCR α-chain. We found FoxP3 expression in human iNKT clones. Randomly selected iNKT cell clones (CD4+, double negative, CD8+) expressed FoxP3 mRNA and protein at different levels upon stimulation as supported by various approaches. FoxP3 mRNA and protein expression was detected in unstimulated iNKT cells as well. Furthermore, different stimulations changed the FoxP3 expression in iNKT cells over time and the most dramatic changes were observed upon anti-CD3 stimulation. Both the supernatant of iNKT cells and iNKT cells themselves exerted similar stimulation effects on PBMC proliferation in functional assays and these stimulations showed a negative correlation with FoxP3 expression. Our data indicate that the FoxP3 expression in iNKT cells may be a key transcriptional factor in controlling the regulatory function of the iNKT cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Péter Engelmann
- Section for Immunology and Immunogenetics, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Rout N, Else JG, Yue S, Connole M, Exley MA, Kaur A. Heterogeneity in phenotype and function of CD8+ and CD4/CD8 double-negative Natural Killer T cell subsets in sooty mangabeys. J Med Primatol 2010; 39:224-34. [PMID: 20618588 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2010.00431.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have recently reported the presence of CD8(+) and CD4/8 double-negative (DN) natural killer T (NKT) lymphocytes in sooty mangabeys. To investigate differences in the two NKT cell subsets, we compared the phenotype and function of sooty mangabey CD8(+) and DN NKT cells. METHODS Flow-sorted NKT lymphocytes from one SIV-negative sooty mangabey were subjected to limiting dilution cloning. Invariant NKT clones were characterized by flow cytometry and cytokine ELISA. RESULTS The majority of NKT clones displayed an effector memory phenotype and expressed CXCR3 and NKG2D. While CD8(+) NKT subsets expressed significantly higher levels of granzyme B and perforin and produced more IFN-gamma, the DN NKT subsets secreted significantly more IL-4, IL-13, and IL-10. CONCLUSIONS The Th1 and Th2 cytokine bias of CD8(+) and DN NKT cells, respectively, indicates the presence of functionally heterogeneous populations of NKT cells in sooty mangabeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namita Rout
- New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Southborough, MA, USA
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Rout N, Else JG, Yue S, Connole M, Exley MA, Kaur A. Paucity of CD4+ natural killer T (NKT) lymphocytes in sooty mangabeys is associated with lack of NKT cell depletion after SIV infection. PLoS One 2010; 5:e9787. [PMID: 20352088 PMCID: PMC2844411 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2010] [Accepted: 03/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of chronic immune activation in the presence of persistent viremia is a key feature that distinguishes nonpathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in natural hosts from pathogenic SIV and HIV infection. To elucidate novel mechanisms downmodulating immune activation in natural hosts of SIV infection, we investigated natural killer T (NKT) lymphocytes in sooty mangabeys. NKT lymphocytes are a potent immunoregulatory arm of the innate immune system that recognize glycolipid antigens presented on the nonpolymorphic MHC-class I-like CD1d molecules. In a cross-sectional analysis of 50 SIV-negative and 50 naturally SIV-infected sooty mangabeys, ligand alpha-galactosylceramide loaded CD1d tetramers co-staining with Valpha24-positive invariant NKT lymphocytes were detected at frequencies >or=0.002% of circulating T lymphocytes in approximately half of the animals. In contrast to published reports in Asian macaques, sooty mangabey NKT lymphocytes consisted of CD8(+) and CD4/CD8 double-negative T lymphocytes that were CXCR3-positive and CCR5-negative suggesting that they trafficked to sites of inflammation without being susceptible to SIV infection. Consistent with these findings, there was no difference in the frequency or phenotype of NKT lymphocytes between SIV-negative and SIV-infected sooty mangabeys. On stimulation with alpha-galactosylceramide loaded on human CD1d molecules, sooty mangabey NKT lymphocytes underwent degranulation and secreted IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2, IL-13, and IL-10, indicating the presence of both effector and immunoregulatory functional capabilities. The unique absence of CD4(+) NKT lymphocytes in sooty mangabeys, combined with their IL-10 cytokine-secreting ability and preservation following SIV infection, raises the possibility that NKT lymphocytes might play a role in downmodulating immune activation in SIV-infected sooty mangabeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namita Rout
- New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Southborough, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - James G. Else
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Simon Yue
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michelle Connole
- New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Southborough, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mark A. Exley
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Amitinder Kaur
- New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Southborough, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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