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Hagen RR, Xu C, Koay HF, Konstantinov IE, Berzins SP, Kedzierska K, van de Sandt CE. Methodological optimisation of thymocyte isolation and cryopreservation of human thymus samples. J Immunol Methods 2024; 528:113651. [PMID: 38417671 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2024.113651] [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: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Premature lymphocytes develop into non-autoreactive, mature naïve CD4+ or CD8+ T cells in the thymus before entering the circulation. However, in-depth characterization of human thymocyte development remains challenging due to limited availability of human thymus samples and the fragile nature of thymocyte populations. Thymocytes often do not survive cryopreservation and thawing procedures, especially the fragile CD4+CD8+ double positive population. It is generally recommended to use fresh human thymus tissue on the day of excision to avoid any biases in thymocyte composition. This hampers the possibility to perform multiple experiments on the same thymus sample. To establish how the thymocyte viability and composition can be maintained, we compared two thymocyte isolation methods used for human and/or mice thymi, three cryopreservation methods in combination with our most gentle thawing technique. Based on our findings we established that fresh human thymi remain viable in cold storage for up to two days post-surgery without compromising thymocyte composition. Thymocytes can be cryopreserved if required, although the CD4+CD8+ double positive populations may be reduced. Our study provides thoroughly optimized methods to study human thymocyte development over a considerable time-frame post-surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth R Hagen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Calvin Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Hui-Fern Koay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Igor E Konstantinov
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Deparment of Paediatrics, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Melbourne Centre for Cardiovascular Genomics and Regenerative Medicine, Melbourne, Australia; Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stuart P Berzins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Australia
| | - Katherine Kedzierska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Carolien E van de Sandt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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Bremer SJ, Boxnick A, Glau L, Biermann D, Joosse SA, Thiele F, Billeb E, May J, Kolster M, Hackbusch R, Fortmann MI, Kozlik-Feldmann R, Hübler M, Tolosa E, Sachweh JS, Gieras A. Thymic Atrophy and Immune Dysregulation in Infants with Complex Congenital Heart Disease. J Clin Immunol 2024; 44:69. [PMID: 38393459 PMCID: PMC10891212 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-024-01662-4] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, and up to 50% of infants with CHD require cardiovascular surgery early in life. Current clinical practice often involves thymus resection during cardiac surgery, detrimentally affecting T-cell immunity. However, epidemiological data indicate that CHD patients face an elevated risk for infections and immune-mediated diseases, independent of thymectomy. Hence, we examined whether the cardiac defect impacts thymus function in individuals with CHD. We investigated thymocyte development in 58 infants categorized by CHD complexity. To assess the relationship between CHD complexity and thymic function, we analyzed T-cell development, thymic output, and biomarkers linked to cardiac defects, stress, or inflammation. Patients with highly complex CHD exhibit thymic atrophy, resulting in low frequencies of recent thymic emigrants in peripheral blood, even prior to thymectomy. Elevated plasma cortisol levels were detected in all CHD patients, while high NT-proBNP and IL-6 levels were associated with thymic atrophy. Our findings reveal an association between complex CHD and thymic atrophy, resulting in reduced thymic output. Consequently, thymus preservation during cardiovascular surgery could significantly enhance immune function and the long-term health of CHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Jolan Bremer
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- University Children's Research, UCR@Kinder-UKE, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Annika Boxnick
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Glau
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Biermann
- Congenital and Pediatric Heart Surgery, Children's Heart Clinic, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon A Joosse
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4, University, Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friederike Thiele
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elena Billeb
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- University Children's Research, UCR@Kinder-UKE, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonathan May
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manuela Kolster
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Romy Hackbusch
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Rainer Kozlik-Feldmann
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hübler
- Congenital and Pediatric Heart Surgery, Children's Heart Clinic, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eva Tolosa
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Siegmar Sachweh
- Congenital and Pediatric Heart Surgery, Children's Heart Clinic, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Gieras
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, N27, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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Wu C, Men X, Liu M, Wei Y, Wei X, Yu YL, Xu ZR, Chen ML, Wang JH. Two-Dimensional Multi-parameter Cytometry Platform for Single-Cell Analysis. Anal Chem 2023; 95:13297-13304. [PMID: 37610312 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
A 2D flow cytometry platform, known as CytoLM Plus, was developed for multi-parameter single-cell analysis. Single particles or cells after hydrodynamic alignment in a microfluidic unit undergo first-dimension fluorescence and side scattering dual-channel optical detection. They were thereafter immediately directed to ICP-MS by connecting the microfluidic unit with a high-efficiency nebulizer to facilitate the second-dimension ICP-MS detection. Flow cytometry measurements of fluorescent microspheres evaluated the performance of CytoLM Plus for optical detection. 6434 fluorescence bursts were observed with a valid signal proportion as high as 99.7%. After signal unification and gating analysis, 6067 sets of single-particle signals were obtained with 6.6 and 6.2% deviations for fluorescence burst area and height, respectively. This is fairly comparable with that achieved by a commercial flow cytometer. Afterward, CytoLM Plus was evaluated by 2D flow cytometry measurement of Ag+-incubated and AO-stained MCF-7 cells. A program for 2D single-cell signal unification was developed based on the algorithm of screening in lag time window. In the present case, a lag time window of -4.2 ± 0.09 s was determined by cross-correlation analysis and two-parameter optimization, which efficiently unified the concurrent single-cell signals from fluorescence, side scattering, and ICP-MS. A total of 495 sets of concurrent 2D signals were screened out, and the statistical analysis of these single-cell signals ensured 2D multi-parameter single-cell analysis and data elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxin Wu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Xue Men
- School of Chemistry and Environment, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming 650504, China
| | - Meijun Liu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Yujia Wei
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Xing Wei
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Yong-Liang Yu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Zhang-Run Xu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Ming-Li Chen
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Jian-Hua Wang
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
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Schneider E, Winzer R, Rissiek A, Ricklefs I, Meyer-Schwesinger C, Ricklefs FL, Bauche A, Behrends J, Reimer R, Brenna S, Wasielewski H, Lauten M, Rissiek B, Puig B, Cortesi F, Magnus T, Fliegert R, Müller CE, Gagliani N, Tolosa E. CD73-mediated adenosine production by CD8 T cell-derived extracellular vesicles constitutes an intrinsic mechanism of immune suppression. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5911. [PMID: 34625545 PMCID: PMC8501027 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26134-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune cells at sites of inflammation are continuously activated by local antigens and cytokines, and regulatory mechanisms must be enacted to control inflammation. The stepwise hydrolysis of extracellular ATP by ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 generates adenosine, a potent immune suppressor. Here we report that human effector CD8 T cells contribute to adenosine production by releasing CD73-containing extracellular vesicles upon activation. These extracellular vesicles have AMPase activity, and the resulting adenosine mediates immune suppression independently of regulatory T cells. In addition, we show that extracellular vesicles isolated from the synovial fluid of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis contribute to T cell suppression in a CD73-dependent manner. Our results suggest that the generation of adenosine upon T cell activation is an intrinsic mechanism of human effector T cells that complements regulatory T cell-mediated suppression in the inflamed tissue. Finally, our data underscore the role of immune cell-derived extracellular vesicles in the control of immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enja Schneider
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Riekje Winzer
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Anne Rissiek
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Isabell Ricklefs
- Division of Pediatric Pneumology & Allergology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, 23538, Lübeck, Germany.,Airway Research Center North, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Catherine Meyer-Schwesinger
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Franz L Ricklefs
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Bauche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Behrends
- Core Facility Fluorescence Cytometry, Research Center Borstel, 23845, Borstel, Germany
| | - Rudolph Reimer
- Technology Platform Microscopy and Image Analysis, Heinrich Pette Institute/Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Santra Brenna
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hauke Wasielewski
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melchior Lauten
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Björn Rissiek
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Berta Puig
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Filippo Cortesi
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tim Magnus
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Fliegert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicola Gagliani
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Immunology and Allergy Unit, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institute and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Tolosa
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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