1
|
Chetty-Sebastian D, Assounga AG. Regulatory T cell frequency in peripheral blood of women with advanced cervical Cancer including women living with HIV. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:830. [PMID: 37670247 PMCID: PMC10481519 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11345-9] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent high-risk Human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infections are the main cause of cervical cancer. Cumulative evidence implicates regulatory T cells (Tregs) as a critical factor in the failure to eliminate HPV-induced cancers leading to their persistence and progression to cancer. Also, the WHO recognised cervical cancer as 100% attributable to persistent HR-HPV infection. The province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa has a high prevalence of cervical cancer and HIV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated Treg frequency in dual infection of HR HPV and HIV coinfection using phenotypic markers, CD4, CD25 and intracellular Foxp3, in the peripheral blood of 51 cervical cancer and 46 non-cervical cancer participants and evaluated the effect of HIV on regulatory T cell proportion. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were surface stained with a cocktail fluorescent labelled CD4 and CD25 and subsequently with APC anti-human FoxP3 (eBioscience). Flow cytometry was performed with FACS analysis. Statistical analysis of results was done using Instat 3 program (GraphpadR). Tregs results were expressed as median ± interquartile range (IQR). Associations of cervical cancer with demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 27 (IBM). RESULTS Tregs frequency was significantly higher in individuals with cervical cancer (11.00 ± 19.79%) compared to controls (1.71 ± 8.91%) (p < 0.0001). HIV infection was associated with an increase in Tregs frequency. In controls a significant difference in Tregs frequency was noted between women living with HIV (6.00 ± 10.57%, n = 9) and those without HIV (1.30 ± 6.10%, n = 37), p = 0.0023. In multivariate logistic regression, Tregs frequency was significantly associated with cervical cancer after controlling for age, smoking, weight loss, presence of STI, HIV and HPV genotype. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Higher Tregs frequency was significantly associated with cervical cancer highlighting the immunosuppressive role of Tregs in cervical cancer. Treg frequency was more strongly associated with cervical cancer than HIV infection. We provide baseline data for monitoring Treg frequencies in response to new preventive and therapeutic strategies in the management of cervical cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devamani Chetty-Sebastian
- Clinical Medicine laboratory, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban, 4001 South Africa
| | - Alain G. Assounga
- Clinical Medicine laboratory, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban, 4001 South Africa
- Dept of Nephrology, Div. of Internal Medicine, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban, 4001 South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Salazar F, Bignell E, Brown GD, Cook PC, Warris A. Pathogenesis of Respiratory Viral and Fungal Coinfections. Clin Microbiol Rev 2022; 35:e0009421. [PMID: 34788127 PMCID: PMC8597983 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00094-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals suffering from severe viral respiratory tract infections have recently emerged as "at risk" groups for developing invasive fungal infections. Influenza virus is one of the most common causes of acute lower respiratory tract infections worldwide. Fungal infections complicating influenza pneumonia are associated with increased disease severity and mortality, with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis being the most common manifestation. Strikingly, similar observations have been made during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The copathogenesis of respiratory viral and fungal coinfections is complex and involves a dynamic interplay between the host immune defenses and the virulence of the microbes involved that often results in failure to return to homeostasis. In this review, we discuss the main mechanisms underlying susceptibility to invasive fungal disease following respiratory viral infections. A comprehensive understanding of these interactions will aid the development of therapeutic modalities against newly identified targets to prevent and treat these emerging coinfections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabián Salazar
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine Bignell
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon D. Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Peter C. Cook
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Adilia Warris
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rogers MC, Williams JV. Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes? Regulation of Cell-Mediated Immune Responses Following Viral Lung Infections. Annu Rev Virol 2018; 5:363-383. [PMID: 30052492 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-092917-043515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Viral lung infections are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Effective immune responses to these infections require precise immune regulation to preserve lung function after viral clearance. One component of airway pathophysiology and lung injury associated with acute respiratory virus infection is effector T cells, yet these are the primary cells required for viral clearance. Accordingly, multiple immune mechanisms exist to regulate effector T cells, limiting immunopathology while permitting clearance of infection. Much has been learned in recent years about regulation of T cell function during chronic infection and cancer, and it is now clear that many of these mechanisms also control inflammation in acute lung infection. In this review, we focus on regulatory T cells, inhibitory receptors, and other cells and molecules that regulate cell-mediated immunity in the context of acute respiratory virus infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith C Rogers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA;
| | - John V Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224, USA.,Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bachmann MF, Kündig TM. Allergen-specific immunotherapy: is it vaccination against toxins after all? Allergy 2017; 72:13-23. [PMID: 27558586 DOI: 10.1111/all.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
IgE-mediated allergies, in particular allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma, have reached epidemic proportions, affecting about one-third of the population in developed countries. The most effective treatment for allergies is specific immunotherapy (SIT), which involves the injection of increasing doses of an allergen extract to allergic individuals. The current form of SIT was first introduced in 1911 and recently celebrated its 100th birthday for the treatment of hay fever. The concept of this therapy at the time was straightforward, as it was believed that pollen contained toxins against which the patient could be vaccinated. However, the understanding became blurred with the discovery that IgE antibodies were the effector molecules of the allergic response. Subsequent research focused on the idea that SIT should induce tolerance keeping the IgE antibodies at bay. In this review, we will discuss the various hypotheses for the mechanism of SIT and we will put forward the concept that allergens may be viewed as 'protoxins' which need to be activated by IgE antibodies. Within this framework, protoxin-neutralizing antibodies are the key effector molecules while a shift to Th1 or Treg cells mainly contributes to the efficacy of SIT by helping B cells to produce neutralizing IgG antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. F. Bachmann
- Immunology; RIA; University Hospital Bern; Bern Switzerland
- The Jenner Institute; University of Oxford; Oxford UK
| | - T. M. Kündig
- Department of Dermatology; University Hospital Zürich; Zürich Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Santegoets SJAM, Welters MJP, van der Burg SH. Monitoring of the Immune Dysfunction in Cancer Patients. Vaccines (Basel) 2016; 4:vaccines4030029. [PMID: 27598210 PMCID: PMC5041023 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines4030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy shows promising clinical results in patients with different types of cancer, but its full potential is not reached due to immune dysfunction as a result of several suppressive mechanisms that play a role in cancer development and progression. Monitoring of immune dysfunction is a prerequisite for the development of strategies aiming to alleviate cancer-induced immune suppression. At this point, the level at which immune dysfunction occurs has to be established, the underlying mechanism(s) need to be known, as well as the techniques to assess this. While it is relatively easy to measure general signs of immune suppression, it turns out that accurate monitoring of the frequency and function of immune-suppressive cells is still difficult. A lack of truly specific markers, the phenotypic complexity among suppressive cells of the same lineage, but potentially with different functions and functional assays that may not cover every mechanistic aspect of immune suppression are among the reasons complicating proper assessments. Technical innovations in flow and mass cytometry will allow for more complete sets of markers to precisely determine phenotype and associated function. There is, however, a clear need for functional assays that recapitulate more of the mechanisms employed to suppress the immune system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saskia J A M Santegoets
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Marij J P Welters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Whiteside TL. Induced regulatory T cells in inhibitory microenvironments created by cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2014; 14:1411-25. [PMID: 24934899 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2014.927432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regulatory T cells (Tregs) accumulating in the peripheral circulation and tumor sites of patients contribute to tumor escape from the host immune system. Tregs encompass subsets of immune cells with distinct phenotypic and functional properties. Whereas natural (n) or thymic-derived (t) Tregs regulate responses to self-antigens, inducible (i) or peripheral (p) Tregs generated and expanded in regulatory microenvironments control immune responses to a broad variety of antigens. AREAS COVERED Tregs accumulating in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are contextually regulated. They acquire phenotypic and functional attributes imposed by the inhibitory molecular pathways operating in situ. Several molecular pathways active in human cancer are reviewed. The pathways may differ from one tumor to another, and environmentally induced Tregs may be functionally distinct. Potential therapeutic strategies for selective silencing of iTregs are considered in the light of the newly acquired understanding of their phenotypic and functional diversity. EXPERT OPINION Human Tregs accumulating in cancer comprise 'bad' subsets, which inhibit antitumor immunity, and 'good' anti-inflammatory subsets, which maintain tolerance to self and benefit the host. Future therapeutic strategies targeting Tregs will need to discriminate between these Treg subsets and will need to consider reprogramming strategies instead of Treg elimination. Re-establishment of effective antitumor immune responses in cancer patients without disturbing a normal homeostatic T-cell balance will greatly benefit from insights into inhibitory pathways engaged by human tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa L Whiteside
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute , 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 , USA +1 412 624 0096 ; +1 412 624 0264 ;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vanders RL, Gibson PG, Wark PAB, Murphy VE. Alterations in inflammatory, antiviral and regulatory cytokine responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pregnant women with asthma. Respirology 2014; 18:827-33. [PMID: 23421904 DOI: 10.1111/resp.12068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Revised: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Severe asthma exacerbations during pregnancy are a common complication leading to poor health outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Asthma exacerbations are caused most frequently by respiratory viruses. A balance between antiviral and inflammatory immune responses is critical during pregnancy; the balance may be altered by asthma and respiratory virus infection. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from (i) non-pregnant healthy controls, (ii) pregnant non-asthmatics, (iii) post-partum non-asthmatics, (iv) non-pregnant asthmatics (v) pregnant asthmatics, and (vi) post-partum asthmatics. Cells were cultured in vitro with the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin or with a strain of the 2009 pandemic swine influenza. Interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-17 protein were measured from culture supernatant. Neutrophil counts were obtained in samples from pregnant and post-partum women. RESULTS Following the phytohaemagglutinin stimulation of PBMCs, pregnant asthmatics had significantly higher IL-17 and significantly lower IFN-γ responses compared with healthy non-pregnant women. Following infection with influenza, a significant reduction was also observed in IFN-γ and IL-10 production from PBMC of pregnant asthmatics. The IL-17 response to phytohaemagglutinin correlated with the neutrophil percentage. Differences in IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-17 were found to persist for at least 6 months post-partum. CONCLUSIONS A reduction in antiviral and regulatory immunity with increased inflammation during pregnancy occurs in PBMC from pregnant women with asthma. This novel information may relate to the increased susceptibility and disease severity to respiratory virus infections observed during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Vanders
- Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
The phenotype and activation status of regulatory T cells during Friend retrovirus infection. Virol Sin 2014; 29:48-60. [PMID: 24452537 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-014-3396-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been extensively studied and is well established for many diseases. The expansion, accumulation, and activation of Tregs in viral infections are of major interest in order to find ways to alter Treg functions for therapeutic benefit. Tregs are able to dampen effector T cell responses to viral infections and thereby contribute to the establishment of a chronic infection. In the Friend retrovirus (FV) mouse model, Tregs are known to expand in all infected organs. To better understand the characteristics of these Treg populations, their phenotype was analyzed in detail. During acute FV-infection, Tregs became activated in the spleen and bone marrow, as indicated by various T cell activation markers, such as CD43 and CD103. Interestingly, Tregs in the bone marrow, which contains the highest viral loads during acute infection, displayed greater levels of activation than Tregs from the spleen. Treg expansion was driven by proliferation but no FV-specific Tregs could be detected. Activated Tregs in FV-infection did not produce Granzyme B (GzmB) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), which are thought to be a potential mechanism for their suppressive activity. Furthermore, Tregs expressed inhibitory markers, such as TIM3, PD-1 and PD-L1. Blocking TIM3 and PD-L1 with antibodies during chronic FV-infection increased the numbers of activated Tregs. These data may have important implications for the understanding of Treg functions during chronic viral infections.
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Evidence has increasingly shown that the lungs are a major site of immune regulation. A robust and highly regulated immune response in the lung protects the host from pathogen infection, whereas an inefficient or deleterious response can lead to various pulmonary diseases. Many cell types, such as epithelial cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and B and T lymphocytes, contribute to lung immunity. This review focuses on the recent advances in understanding how T lymphocytes mediate pulmonary host defenses against bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kong Chen
- Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15201, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Clearance of influenza virus infections by T cells: risk of collateral damage? Curr Opin Virol 2013; 3:430-7. [PMID: 23721864 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2013.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A viruses are a major cause of respiratory infections in humans. To protect against influenza, vaccines mainly aim at the induction of antibodies against the two surface proteins and do not protect against influenza A viruses from other subtypes. There is an increasing interest in heterosubtypic immunity that does protect against different subtypes. CD8 and CD4 T cells have a beneficial effect on the course of influenza A virus infection and can recognize conserved IAV epitopes. The T cell responses are tightly regulated to avoid collateral damage due to overreaction. Different studies have shown that an aberrant T cell response to an influenza virus infection could be harmful and could contribute to immunopathology. Here we discuss the recent findings on the balance between the beneficial and detrimental effects of T cell responses in influenza virus infections.
Collapse
|
11
|
Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Sandhu D, Sobande TO, Agius E, Lacy KE, Riddell N, Montez S, Dintwe OB, Scriba TJ, Breuer J, Nikolich-Zugich J, Ogg G, Rustin MH, Akbar AN. Varicella zoster-specific CD4+Foxp3+ T cells accumulate after cutaneous antigen challenge in humans. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2013; 190:977-86. [PMID: 23284056 PMCID: PMC3552094 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific memory CD4(+) T cells and CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) that accumulate after intradermal challenge with a VZV skin test Ag. VZV-specific CD4(+) T cells were identified with a MHC class II tetramer or by intracellular staining for either IFN-γ or IL-2 after Ag rechallenge in vitro. VZV-specific T cells, mainly of a central memory (CD45RA(-)CD27(+)) phenotype, accumulate at the site of skin challenge compared with the blood of the same individuals. This resulted in part from local proliferation because >50% of tetramer defined Ag-specific CD4(+) T cells in the skin expressed the cell cycle marker Ki67. CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells had the characteristic phenotype of Tregs, namely CD25(hi)CD127(lo)CD39(hi) in both unchallenged and VZV challenged skin and did not secrete IFN-γ or IL-2 after antigenic restimulation. The CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells from unchallenged skin had suppressive activity, because their removal led to an increase in cytokine secretion after activation. After VZV Ag injection, Foxp3(+)CD25(hi)CD127(lo)CD39(hi) T cells were also found within the VZV tetramer population. Their suppressive activity could not be directly assessed by CD25 depletion because activated T cells in the skin were also CD25(+). Nevertheless, there was an inverse correlation between decreased VZV skin responses and proportion of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells present, indicating indirectly their inhibitory activity in vivo. These results suggest a linkage between the expansion of Ag-specific CD4(+) T cells and CD4(+) Tregs that may provide controlled responsiveness during Ag-specific stimulation in tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milica Vukmanovic-Stejic
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, England, United Kingdom
| | - Daisy Sandhu
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, England, United Kingdom
- Department of Dermatology, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2QG, England, United Kingdom
| | - Toni O. Sobande
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, England, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine Agius
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, England, United Kingdom
- Department of Dermatology, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2QG, England, United Kingdom
| | - Katie E. Lacy
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, England, United Kingdom
- Department of Dermatology, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2QG, England, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St. Thomas’s Hospitals and King’s College London, Cutaneous Medicine and Immunotherapy, St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, King’s College London School of Medicine, Guy’s Hospital, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Natalie Riddell
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, England, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Montez
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, England, United Kingdom
| | - One B. Dintwe
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative and School of Child and Adolescent Health, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thomas J. Scriba
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative and School of Child and Adolescent Health, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Judith Breuer
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, England, United Kingdom
| | - Janko Nikolich-Zugich
- Department of Immunobiology and the Arizona Center on Aging, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Graham Ogg
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, University of Oxford, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Malcolm H.A. Rustin
- Department of Dermatology, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2QG, England, United Kingdom
| | - Arne N. Akbar
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, W1T 4JF, England, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Rios CMR, Velilla PA, Rugeles MT. Chronically HIV-1 Infected Patients Exhibit Low Frequencies of CD25+ Regulatory T Cells. Open Virol J 2012; 6:49-58. [PMID: 22582105 PMCID: PMC3350015 DOI: 10.2174/1874357901206010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Revised: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The characterization of regulatory T cells (Treg) during HIV infection has become of particular interest considering their potential role in the pathogenesis of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Different reports on Tregs in HIV-infected patients vary greatly, depending on the state of disease progression, anatomical compartment, and the phenotypic markers used to define this cell subpopulation. To determine the frequency of Tregs we included paired samples from peripheral blood and rectal biopsies from controls and chronic HIV patients with or without detectable viral load. Tregs were determined by flow cytometry using three different protocols: CD4+Foxp3+; CD4+Foxp3+CD127Low/-, and CD4+CD25+CD127Low/-. In addition, and with the purpose to compare the different protocols we also characterized Tregs in peripheral blood of HIV negative individuals with influenza like symptoms. Here, we report that Treg characterization in HIV-infected patients as CD4+Foxp3+ and CD4+Foxp3+CD127Low/- cells was similar, indicating that both protocols represent a suitable method to determine the frequency of Tregs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). In contrast, in HIV but not in flu-like patients, detection of Tregs as CD4+CD25+CD127Low/- cells resulted in a significantly lower percentage of these cells. In both, HIV patients and controls the frequency of Treg was significantly higher in GALT compared to PBMC. The frequency of Tregs in PBMC and GALT using CD4+Foxp3+ and CD4+Foxp3+CD127Low/- was higher in HIV patients than in controls. Similarly, the frequency of Treg using any protocol was higher in flu-like patients compared to controls. The results suggest that relying on the expression of CD25 could be unsuitable to characterize Tregs in PBMC and GALT samples from a chronic infection such as HIV.
Collapse
|
13
|
Influenza A virus infection results in a robust, antigen-responsive, and widely disseminated Foxp3+ regulatory T cell response. J Virol 2011; 86:2817-25. [PMID: 22205730 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.05685-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Foxp3(+) CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a highly suppressive T cell subset with well-characterized immunosuppressive effects during immune homeostasis and chronic infections, although the role of these cells in acute viral infections is poorly understood. The present study sought to examine the induction of Foxp3(+) CD4(+) Tregs in a nonlethal murine model of pulmonary viral infection by the use of the prototypical respiratory virus influenza A. We establish that influenza A virus infection results in a robust Foxp3(+) CD4(+) T cell response and that regulatory T cell induction at the site of inflammation precedes the effector T cell response. Induced Foxp3(+) CD4(+) T cells are highly suppressive ex vivo, demonstrating that influenza virus-induced Foxp3(+) CD4(+) T cells are phenotypically regulatory. Influenza A virus-induced regulatory T cells proliferate vigorously in response to influenza virus antigen, are disseminated throughout the site of infection and primary and secondary lymphoid organs, and retain Foxp3 expression in vitro, suggesting that acute viral infection is capable of inducing a foreign-antigen-specific Treg response. The ability of influenza virus-induced regulatory T cells to suppress antigen-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell proliferation and cytokine production correlates closely to their ability to respond to influenza virus antigens, suggesting that virus-induced Tregs are capable of attenuating effector responses in an antigen-dependent manner. Collectively, these data demonstrate that primary acute viral infection is capable of inducing a robust, antigen-responsive, and suppressive regulatory T cell response.
Collapse
|
14
|
Heusinkveld M, Goedemans R, Briet R, Gelderblom H, Nortier J, Gorter A, Smit V, Langeveld A, Jansen J, van der Burg S. Systemic and local human papillomavirus 16-specific T-cell immunity in patients with head and neck cancer. Int J Cancer 2011; 131:E74-85. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.26497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
15
|
Piersma SJ. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in cervical cancer patients. CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT 2011; 4:361-75. [PMID: 21626415 DOI: 10.1007/s12307-011-0066-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2010] [Accepted: 05/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cervical cancer is caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) in virtually all cases. These HPV-induced cancers express the viral oncogenes E6 and E7 and are therefore potentially recognized by the immune system. Despite the abundant presence of these foreign antigens, the immune system is unable to cope with the tumor. Due to the constant immunological pressure, cervical cancers can evolve different immune evasion strategies, which will be described in the current review. Several approaches for immunotherapy of cervical cancer are currently under development, which aim at inducing strong HPV-specific immunity. Besides the reinforcement of potent anti-tumor immune responses, immunotherapy could also enhance HPV-specific T regulatory cells. Supplementary strategies that neutralize an immunosuppressive milieu may have great potential. These strategies are discussed as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sytse J Piersma
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, room G02.667, Huispost G04.614 Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Snelgrove RJ, Godlee A, Hussell T. Airway immune homeostasis and implications for influenza-induced inflammation. Trends Immunol 2011; 32:328-34. [PMID: 21612981 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2011.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2011] [Revised: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The lung is exposed to a myriad of innocuous antigens on a daily basis and must maintain a state of immune ignorance or tolerance to these harmless stimuli to retain pulmonary homeostasis and to prevent potentially fatal immunopathology. Here, we examine how, in the lower airways, resident cell populations contribute to the immune regulatory strategies that restrain inflammation. During influenza infection, these suppressive signals must be overcome to elicit a protective immune response that eliminates the virus. We also discuss how, after resolution of infection, the lung does not return to the original homeostatic state, and how the induced altered state can persist for long periods, which leaves the lung more susceptible to other infectious insults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Snelgrove
- Imperial College London, Leukocyte Biology Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|