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Horn KJ, Fulte S, Yang M, Lorenz BP, Clark SE. Neutrophil responsiveness to IL-10 impairs clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae from the lungs. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:4-15. [PMID: 37381945 PMCID: PMC10768920 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad070] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The early immune response to bacterial pneumonia requires a careful balance between pathogen clearance and tissue damage. The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 is critical for restraining otherwise lethal pulmonary inflammation. However, pathogen-induced IL-10 is associated with bacterial persistence in the lungs. In this study, we used mice with myeloid cell specific deletion of IL-10R to investigate the cellular targets of IL-10 immune suppression during infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia. Our findings suggest that IL-10 restricts the neutrophil response to S. pneumoniae, as neutrophil recruitment to the lungs was elevated in myeloid IL-10 receptor (IL-10R)-deficient mice and neutrophils in the lungs of these mice were more effective at killing S. pneumoniae. Improved killing of S. pneumoniae was associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species and serine protease activity in IL-10R-deficient neutrophils. Similarly, IL-10 suppressed the ability of human neutrophils to kill S. pneumoniae. Burdens of S. pneumoniae were lower in myeloid IL-10R-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice, and adoptive transfer of IL-10R-deficient neutrophils into wild-type mice significantly improved pathogen clearance. Despite the potential for neutrophils to contribute to tissue damage, lung pathology scores were similar between genotypes. This contrasts with total IL-10 deficiency, which is associated with increased immunopathology during S. pneumoniae infection. Together, these findings identify neutrophils as a critical target of S. pneumoniae-induced immune suppression and highlight myeloid IL-10R abrogation as a mechanism to selectively reduce pathogen burdens without exacerbating pulmonary damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadi J Horn
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Sam Fulte
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Michael Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO80045, United States
| | - Brian P Lorenz
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Sarah E Clark
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
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Lushington GH, Linde A, Melgarejo T. Bacterial Proteases as Potentially Exploitable Modulators of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Logic from the Literature, Informatics, and Inspiration from the Dog. BIOTECH 2023; 12:61. [PMID: 37987478 PMCID: PMC10660736 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12040061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic left many intriguing mysteries. Retrospective vulnerability trends tie as strongly to odd demographics as to exposure profiles, genetics, health, or prior medical history. This article documents the importance of nasal microbiome profiles in distinguishing infection rate trends among differentially affected subgroups. (2) Hypothesis: From a detailed literature survey, microbiome profiling experiments, bioinformatics, and molecular simulations, we propose that specific commensal bacterial species in the Pseudomonadales genus confer protection against SARS-CoV-2 infections by expressing proteases that may interfere with the proteolytic priming of the Spike protein. (3) Evidence: Various reports have found elevated Moraxella fractions in the nasal microbiomes of subpopulations with higher resistance to COVID-19 (e.g., adolescents, COVID-19-resistant children, people with strong dietary diversity, and omnivorous canines) and less abundant ones in vulnerable subsets (the elderly, people with narrower diets, carnivorous cats and foxes), along with bioinformatic evidence that Moraxella bacteria express proteases with notable homology to human TMPRSS2. Simulations suggest that these proteases may proteolyze the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a manner that interferes with TMPRSS2 priming.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annika Linde
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
| | - Tonatiuh Melgarejo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA;
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Chalmers JD, Usansky H, Rubino CM, Teper A, Fernandez C, Zou J, Mange KC. Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of the Dipeptidyl Peptidase 1 Inhibitor Brensocatib for Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis. Clin Pharmacokinet 2022; 61:1457-1469. [PMID: 35976570 PMCID: PMC9553789 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-022-01147-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objective Brensocatib is an investigational, first-in-class, selective, and reversible dipeptidyl peptidase 1 inhibitor that blocks activation of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs). The NSPs neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, and proteinase 3 are believed to be central to the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases, including bronchiectasis. In a phase II study, oral brensocatib 10 mg and 25 mg reduced sputum neutrophil elastase activity and prolonged the time to pulmonary exacerbation in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE). A population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model was developed to characterize brensocatib exposure, determine potential relationships between brensocatib exposure and efficacy and safety measures, and inform dose selection in clinical studies. Methods Pharmacokinetic (PK) data pooled from a phase I study of once-daily brensocatib (10, 25, and 40 mg) in healthy adults and a phase II study of once-daily brensocatib (10 mg and 25 mg) in adults with NCFBE were used to develop a PPK model and to evaluate potential covariate effects on brensocatib pharmacokinetics. PK–efficacy relationships for sputum neutrophil elastase below the level of quantification (BLQ) and reduction in pulmonary exacerbation and PK–safety relationships for adverse events of special interest (AESIs; periodontal disease, hyperkeratosis, and infections other than pulmonary infections) were evaluated based on model-predicted brensocatib exposure. A total of 1284 steady-state brensocatib concentrations from 225 individuals were included in the PPK data set; 241 patients with NCFBE from the phase II study were included in the pharmacodynamic (PD) population for the PK/PD analyses. Results The PPK model that best described the observed data consisted of two distributional compartments and linear clearance. Two significant covariates were found: age on volume of distribution and renal function on apparent oral clearance. PK–efficacy analysis revealed a threshold brensocatib exposure (area under the concentration–time curve) effect for attaining sputum neutrophil elastase BLQ and a strong relationship between sputum neutrophil elastase BLQ and reduction in pulmonary exacerbations. A PK–safety evaluation showed no noticeable trends between brensocatib exposure and the incidence of AESIs. Based on the predicted likelihood of clinical outcomes for sputum neutrophil elastase BLQ and pulmonary exacerbations, brensocatib doses of 10 mg and 25 mg once daily were selected for a phase III clinical trial in patients with NCFBE (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04594369). Conclusions PPK results revealed that age and renal function have a moderate effect on brensocatib exposure. However, this finding does not warrant dose adjustments based on age or in those with mild or moderate renal impairment. The PK/PD evaluation demonstrated the clinically meaningful relationship between suppression of neutrophil elastase activity and reduction in exacerbations in brensocatib-treated patients with NCFBE, supporting further development of brensocatib for bronchiectasis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40262-022-01147-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Chalmers
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | - Jun Zou
- Insmed Incorporated, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
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Mairpady Shambat S, Gómez-Mejia A, Schweizer TA, Huemer M, Chang CC, Acevedo C, Bergada-Pijuan J, Vulin C, Hofmaenner DA, Scheier TC, Hertegonne S, Parietti E, Miroshnikova N, Wendel Garcia PD, Hilty MP, Buehler PK, Schuepbach RA, Brugger SD, Zinkernagel AS. Hyperinflammatory environment drives dysfunctional myeloid cell effector response to bacterial challenge in COVID-19. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010176. [PMID: 35007290 PMCID: PMC8782468 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 displays diverse disease severities and symptoms including acute systemic inflammation and hypercytokinemia, with subsequent dysregulation of immune cells. Bacterial superinfections in COVID-19 can further complicate the disease course and are associated with increased mortality. However, there is limited understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and hypercytokinemia impede the innate immune function against bacterial superinfections. We assessed the influence of COVID-19 plasma hypercytokinemia on the functional responses of myeloid immune cells upon bacterial challenges from acute-phase COVID-19 patients and their corresponding recovery-phase. We show that a severe hypercytokinemia status in COVID-19 patients correlates with the development of bacterial superinfections. Neutrophils and monocytes derived from COVID-19 patients in their acute-phase showed an impaired intracellular microbicidal capacity upon bacterial challenges. The impaired microbicidal capacity was reflected by abrogated MPO and reduced NETs production in neutrophils along with reduced ROS production in both neutrophils and monocytes. Moreover, we observed a distinct pattern of cell surface receptor expression on both neutrophils and monocytes, in line with suppressed autocrine and paracrine cytokine signaling. This phenotype was characterized by a high expression of CD66b, CXCR4 and low expression of CXCR1, CXCR2 and CD15 in neutrophils and low expression of HLA-DR, CD86 and high expression of CD163 and CD11b in monocytes. Furthermore, the impaired antibacterial effector function was mediated by synergistic effect of the cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-4. COVID-19 patients receiving dexamethasone showed a significant reduction of overall inflammatory markers in the plasma as well as exhibited an enhanced immune response towards bacterial challenge ex vivo. Finally, broad anti-inflammatory treatment was associated with a reduction in CRP, IL-6 levels as well as length of ICU stay and ventilation-days in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Our data provides insights into the transient functional dysregulation of myeloid immune cells against subsequent bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients and describe a beneficial role for the use of dexamethasone in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Mairpady Shambat
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alejandro Gómez-Mejia
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tiziano A. Schweizer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Huemer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chun-Chi Chang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Acevedo
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Judith Bergada-Pijuan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Clément Vulin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel A. Hofmaenner
- Institute of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas C. Scheier
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sanne Hertegonne
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Parietti
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nataliya Miroshnikova
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pedro D. Wendel Garcia
- Institute of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias P. Hilty
- Institute of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Karl Buehler
- Institute of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Reto A. Schuepbach
- Institute of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silvio D. Brugger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annelies S. Zinkernagel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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