IL-10 inhibits the primary allogeneic T cell response to human peripheral blood dendritic cells

T regulatory cells-derived extracellular vesicles and their contribution to the generation of immune tolerance

T regulatory (Treg) cells have a major role in the maintenance of immune tolerance against self and foreign antigens through the control of harmful inflammation. Treg cells exert immunosuppressive function by several mechanisms, which can be distinguished as contact dependent or independent. Recently, the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by Treg cells has been reported as a novel suppressive mechanism capable of modulating immunity in a cell-contact independent and targeted manner, which has been identified in different pathologic scenarios. EVs are cell-derived membranous structures involved in physiologic and pathologic processes through protein, lipid, and genetic material exchange, which allow intercellular communication. In this review, we revise and discuss current knowledge on Treg cells-mediated immune tolerance giving special attention to the production and release of EVs. Multiple studies support that Treg cells-derived EVs represent a refined intercellular exchange device with the capacity of modulating immune responses, thus creating a tolerogenic microenvironment in a cell-free manner. The mechanisms proposed encompass miRNAs-induced gene silencing, the action of surface proteins and the transmission of enzymes. These observations gain relevance by the fact that Treg cells are susceptible to converting into effector T cells after exposition to inflammatory environments. Yet, in contrast to their cells of origin, EVs are unlikely to be modified under inflammatory conditions, highlighting the advantage of their use. Moreover, we speculate in the possibility that Treg cells may contribute to infectious tolerance via vesicle secretion, intervening with CD4⁺ T cells differentiation and/or stability.

RNA pulsed dendritic cells: an approach for cancer immunotherapy

The immunotherapy of cancer is aimed at evoking both branches of immune system to elicite specific immune responses directed against tumor antigens to deal with residual tumor cells upon interaction, and thereby decreases mortality as well as morbidity of cancer patients. As dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized for antigen presentation, and their immunogenicity leads to the induction of antigen specific immune responses, various immunotherapeutic approaches have been designed for using DCs to present tumor-associated antigens to T-lymphocytes. As a part of proposed strategy ex vivo generated DCs might be loaded with antigens and re-infused to the patients and/or they can be used for the ex vivo expansion of anti-tumor lymphocytes. The DCs loaded ex vivo with RNA can be safely administered which proves to be an asset for producing antigen specific immune responses. Furthermore, already conducted studies have prompted clinical trials to be designed to investigate immunological and clinical effects of RNA pulsed DCs administered as an engineered therapeutic vaccine in cancer patients. However, selection of the antigens of interest, methods for introducing TAAgs into MHC class I and II processing pathways, methods for isolation and activation of DCs, and route of administration are the parameters to be considered for designing and conducting clinical trials with engineered DCs. The enhanced RNA transfection efficiency would further improve antigen processing and presentation and T-cell co-stimulation, resulting in the induction of heightened anti-tumor immune responses. Therefore, RNA transfected dendritic cells continue to hold promise for cellular immunotherapy and opens new avenues to devising further strategies for cancer therapeutic interventions.

RNA-based immunotherapy of cancer: role and therapeutic implications of dendritic cells

Cancer immunotherapy aims at eliciting an immune response directed against tumor antigens to help fight off residual tumor cells and, thereby, improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients. Different immunotherapeutic approaches share the use of dendritic cells (DCs) to present tumor-associated antigens to T lymphocytes. DCs are specialized for antigen presentation, and their immunogenicity leads to the induction of antigen-specific immune responses. Ex vivo-generated DCs can be loaded with antigens and re-infused to the patients or they can be used for the ex vivo expansion of anti-tumor lymphocytes. Alternatively, methods exist to target antigens in vivo without the need for ex vivo cell manipulations. DCs loaded ex vivo with RNA can be administered safely and might prove to be an asset for producing antigen-specific immune responses. Furthermore, these observations have led to clinical trials designed to investigate the immunological and clinical effects of RNA-pulsed DCs administered as a therapeutic vaccine in cancer patients. However, selection of the antigen, methods for introducing tumor-associated antigens into MHC class I and II processing pathways, methods for isolation and activation of DCs and route of administration are the parameters to be considered for designing and conducting clinical trials with phenotypically altered DCs. The enhanced RNA transfection efficiency and DC maturation would further improve antigen processing and presentation and T-cell costimulation, resulting in the induction of heightened anti-tumor immune responses. Therefore, DCs pulsed with RNA continues to hold promise for cellular immunotherapy.

Gamma interferon/interleukin 10 balance in tissue lymphocytes correlates with down modulation of mucosal feline immunodeficiency virus infection

Understanding the early cytokine response to lentiviral infections may be critical to the design of prevention and treatment strategies. By using the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) model, we have documented an interleukin 10 (IL10)-dominated response in lymphoid tissue CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes within the first 4 weeks after mucosal FIV infection. This profile coincided with the period of high tissue viral replication. By 10 weeks postinfection, tissue viral levels decreased significantly, and gamma interferon (IFN gamma) production in CD8(+) T cells had increased to restore the IL10/IFN gamma ratio to control levels. Concurrently, increased production of IL6 and viral RNA was detected in macrophages. These temporal associations of viral replication with cytokine balance in tissues suggest roles for IL10 in the permissive stage of infection and IFN gamma in the subsequent down modulation of lentiviral infection.

Regulatory functions of human CD4(+) T cells recognizing allopeptides in the context of self-HLA class II

Pretransplant blood transfusions sharing one human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) with the recipient have been shown to enhance graft survival, whereas HLA-DR mismatched blood transfusions will lead to immunization of the patient. The involvement of self HLA-DR suggests a role for CD4(+) regulatory T cells recognizing allopeptides in the context of self HLA class II molecules. Specific immunoregulation may be due to recognition of these allopeptides in the DR molecules of autologous T cells or dendritic cells. We tested this hypothesis on the basis of the reactivity of cell line ThoU6 which recognizes a peptide derived from an allo DR3 molecule, in the context of self DPB1*0301, and EL26, a CD4(+) T-cell clone recognizing HLA-A2 peptide in the presence of DRB1*1501. Addition of the line and clone to an assay in which the alloreactive cytotoxic T cell response (in a limiting dilution analysis) of PBLs sharing the restriction element was measured, resulted in a suppression of the anti-donor response but only when the proper peptide was added. These regulatory CD4(+) T cells were cytotoxic for targets presenting the proper peptide in the context of self MHC class II. Furthermore, these cells produced IL-10 after stimulation with the specific MHC/peptide combinations. Despite the similarity in function, EL26 and ThoU6 showed some differences in their phenotypic characteristics. Although both were CD25(+), EL26 expressed surface TGF-beta and CTLA-4, while ThoU6 did not. Similar regulatory T cells may explain the enhanced graft survival after HLA-DR shared blood transfusions either by their interaction with autologous alloreactive T cells or by modulation of autologous dendritic cells presenting the peptide involved.

Trypanosoma cruzi down-regulates lipopolysaccharide-induced MHC class I on human dendritic cells and impairs antigen presentation to specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, may persist for many years in its mammalian host. This suggests escape from the immune response and particularly a suboptimal CD8(+) T cell response, since these cells are involved in infection control. In this report, we show that T. cruzi inhibits the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced up-regulation of MHC class I molecules at the surface of human dendritic cells (DC). To further investigate the functional consequences of this inhibition, a trypomastigote surface antigen-derived peptide (TSA-1(514-522) peptide) was selected for its stable binding to HLA-A*0201 molecules and used to generate a primary T. cruzi-specific human CD8(+) T cell line in vitro. We observed that DC infected with T. cruzi or treated with T. cruzi-conditioned medium (TCM) had a weaker capacity to present this peptide to the specific CD8(+) T cell line as shown in an IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay. Interestingly, T. cruzi or TCM also reduced the antigen presentation capacity of DC to CD8(+) T cell lines specific for the influenza virus M(58-66) or HIV RT(476-484) epitopes. This dysfunction appears to be linked essentially to reduced MHC class I molecule expression since the stimulation of the RT(476-484) peptide-specific CD8(+) T cell line was shown to depend mainly on the MHC class I-TCR interaction and not on the co-stimulatory signals which, however, were also inhibited by T. cruzi. This impairment of DC function may represent a novel mechanism reducing in vivo the host's ability to combat efficiently T. cruzi infection.

Ultraviolet light induced injury: immunological and inflammatory effects

This article reviews many of the complex events that occur after cutaneous ultraviolet (UV) exposure. The inflammatory changes of acute exposure of the skin include erythema (sunburn), the production of inflammatory mediators, alteration of vascular responses and an inflammatory cell infiltrate. Damage to proteins and DNA accumulates within skin cells and characteristic morphological changes occur in keratinocytes and other skin cells. When a cell becomes damaged irreparably by UV exposure, cell death follows via apoptotic mechanisms. Alterations in cutaneous and systemic immunity occur as a result of the UV-induced inflammation and damage, including changes in the production of cytokines by keratinocytes and other skin-associated cells, alteration of adhesion molecule expression and the loss of APC function within the skin. These changes lead to the generation of suppressor T cells, the induction of antigen-specific immunosuppression and a lowering of cell-mediated immunity. These events impair the immune system's capacity to reject highly antigenic skin cancers. This review gives an overview of the acute inflammatory and immunological events associated with cutaneous UV exposure, which are important to consider before dealing with the complex interactions that occur with chronic UV exposure, leading to photocarcinogenesis.

Interleukin-10 and the interleukin-10 receptor

Interleukin-10 (IL-10), first recognized for its ability to inhibit activation and effector function of T cells, monocytes, and macrophages, is a multifunctional cytokine with diverse effects on most hemopoietic cell types. The principal routine function of IL-10 appears to be to limit and ultimately terminate inflammatory responses. In addition to these activities, IL-10 regulates growth and/or differentiation of B cells, NK cells, cytotoxic and helper T cells, mast cells, granulocytes, dendritic cells, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. IL-10 plays a key role in differentiation and function of a newly appreciated type of T cell, the T regulatory cell, which may figure prominently in control of immune responses and tolerance in vivo. Uniquely among hemopoietic cytokines, IL-10 has closely related homologs in several virus genomes, which testify to its crucial role in regulating immune and inflammatory responses. This review highlights findings that have advanced our understanding of IL-10 and its receptor, as well as its in vivo function in health and disease.

Interleukin-10 and the Interleukin-10 Receptor

Interleukin-10 (IL-10), first recognized for its ability to inhibit activation and effector function of T cells, monocytes, and macrophages, is a multifunctional cytokine with diverse effects on most hemopoietic cell types. The principal routine function of IL-10 appears to be to limit and ultimately terminate inflammatory responses. In addition to these activities, IL-10 regulates growth and/or differentiation of B cells, NK cells, cytotoxic and helper T cells, mast cells, granulocytes, dendritic cells, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. IL-10 plays a key role in differentiation and function of a newly appreciated type of T cell, the T regulatory cell, which may figure prominently in control of immune responses and tolerance in vivo. Uniquely among hemopoietic cytokines, IL-10 has closely related homologs in several virus genomes, which testify to its crucial role in regulating immune and inflammatory responses. This review highlights findings that have advanced our understanding of IL-10 and its receptor, as well as its in vivo function in health and disease.

The role of macrophages in antitumor defense of patients with ovarian cancer

Macrophages have diverse effects on tumor biology, including neovascularization, growth rate, and stroma formation. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent a major subpopulation of the mononuclear leukocytes present in malignant ascites of ovarian cancer patients. TAMs appear to participate in the immunologic antitumor defense mechanism through cytotoxic activities, such as direct cellular cytotoxicity and the release of cytokines, and may represent key targets for a variety of therapeutic interventions.