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Li J, Vranjkovic A, Read D, Delaney SP, Stanford WL, Cooper CL, Crawley AM. Lasting differential gene expression of circulating CD8 T cells in chronic HCV infection with cirrhosis identifies a role for Hedgehog signaling in cellular hyperfunction. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1375485. [PMID: 38887299 PMCID: PMC11180750 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1375485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The impact of chronic hepatic infection on antigen non-specific immune cells in circulation remains poorly understood. We reported lasting global hyperfunction of peripheral CD8 T cells in HCV-infected individuals with cirrhosis. Whether gene expression patterns in bulk CD8 T cells are associated with the severity of liver fibrosis in HCV infection is not known. Methods RNA sequencing of blood CD8 T cells from treatment naïve, HCV-infected individuals with minimal (Metavir F0-1 ≤ 7.0 kPa) or advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis (F4 ≥ 12.5 kPa), before and after direct-acting antiviral therapy, was performed. CD8 T cell function was assessed by flow cytometry. Results In CD8 T cells from pre-DAA patients with advanced compared to minimal fibrosis, Gene Ontology analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified differential gene expression related to cellular function and metabolism, including upregulated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, IFN-α, -γ, TGF-β response genes, apoptosis, apical surface pathways, phospholipase signaling, phosphatidyl-choline/inositol activity, and second-messenger-mediated signaling. In contrast, genes in pathways associated with nuclear processes, RNA transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, cMyc/E2F regulation, oxidative phosphorylation, and mTOR signaling, were reduced. Hh signaling pathway was the top featured gene set upregulated in cirrhotics, wherein hallmark genes GLI1 and PTCH1 ranked highly. Inhibition of Smo-dependent Hh signaling ablated the expression of IFN-γ and perforin in stimulated CD8 T cells from chronic HCV-infected patients with advanced compared to minimal fibrosis. CD8 T cell gene expression profiles post-DAA remained clustered with pre-DAA profiles and disparately between advanced and minimal fibrosis, suggesting a persistent perturbation of gene expression long after viral clearance. Conclusions This analysis of bulk CD8 T cell gene expression in chronic HCV infection suggests considerable reprogramming of the CD8 T cell pool in the cirrhotic state. Increased Hh signaling in cirrhosis may contribute to generalized CD8 T cell hyperfunction observed in chronic HCV infection. Understanding the lasting nature of immune cell dysfunction may help mitigate remaining clinical challenges after HCV clearance and more generally, improve long term outcomes for individuals with severe liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Li
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Agatha Vranjkovic
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Read
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sean P. Delaney
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William L. Stanford
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Curtis L. Cooper
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Angela M. Crawley
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Diagnostic performance of extrinsic apoptosis pathway in hepatitis C virus patients: apoptosis fibrosis crosstalk. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 32:990-997. [PMID: 31743229 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Liver fibrosis assessment and evaluation of disease severity in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients provides useful information for therapeutic decisions. Chronic HCV infection is associated with increased levels of peripheral T cell apoptosis. The aim was to study whether peripheral blood T lymphocyte apoptosis markers may contribute to clinical progression, and develop a simple index based on combination of apoptosis and routine biomarkers for accurate evaluation of fibrosis stages in HCV patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Peripheral blood T lymphocytes were isolated from 72 patients with hepatitis C virus and 25 healthy control individuals. Serum samples were collected at time of liver biopsy. Liver fibrosis was tested in biopsies using the Metavair score system. Stepwise linear discriminate analysis and area under receiver-operating characteristic curves were utilized to produce a predictive score comprising significant apoptosis biomarkers. RESULTS A novel score named apoptosis fibrosis index (AFI) was created on the basis of a combination of CD8/Annexin, albumin and platelets. The multivariate discriminate analysis selected a score based on absolute values of the three biochemical markers; score = 5.8 + 0.008×CD8/Annexin-V (%) - 1.4×Albumin (g/dl) - 0.001×Platelet count (10/L), where 5.8 considered numerical constant. AFI produce an area under the curve of one for significant fibrosis, 0.80 for advanced fibrosis, and 0.889 for cirrhosis. CONCLUSION Apoptosis biomarkers in HCV patients were associated with liver fibrosis. AFI score, a novel noninvasive test, can be used easily for the prediction of liver fibrosis stage and may decrease the need for liver biopsy in hepatitis C virus Egyptian patients.
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Teroxirone suppresses growth and motility of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 99:997-1008. [PMID: 29653488 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The prevalent human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of global cancer-related mortality. The small molecular weight triepoxide derivative, 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-tri-one-1,3,5-tri-(oxiranylmethyl) (teroxirone), has been proved effective against the proliferation of lung cancer cells. The purpose is to further examine if teroxirone regulate growth and metastatic potential of HCC cells with aims at disclosing more of the reaction mechanisms. MAIN METHODS Measurements of cell viability and flow cytometry were conducted to test sensitivities of teroxirone against HCC cells. The signaling pathway leading to apoptotic death was unraveled by Western blotting analysis. The metastatic progression was evaluated by cell-based phenotype assay that included migration, invasion, gelatin zymography and wound assay. The in vivo drug efficiency was done in immune-deficient mice with the established xenograft tumors. KEY FINDINGS Teroxirone inhibited growth of HCC cells, but not hepatic cells. The drug induced apoptosis in HCC cells bearing mutant p53. Pretreatment of caspase-3 inhibitor restored cell viabilities by suppressing extrinsic pathway-mediated cell death. More experiments suggested that sub-apoptotic concentrations of teroxirone mitigated migration, invasion and wound healing of HCC cells. The drug reduced growth of the xenograft tumors as established in animal models by activating apoptotic death. SIGNIFICANCE The findings asserted that teroxirone is an eligible addition to the existing options as an anticancer agent to eliminate HCC.
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Cai R, Liu L, Luo B, Wang J, Shen J, Shen Y, Zhang R, Chen J, Lu H. Caspase-1 Activity in CD4 T Cells Is Downregulated Following Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV-1 Infection. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2017; 33:164-171. [PMID: 27832707 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2016.0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Both Caspase 1-induced cell death and Caspase 3-induced cell death were reported to be the causes of CD4+ T cell depletion in HIV infection. We measured by flow cytometry the expression of key proteins associated with pyroptosis (Caspase 1), apoptosis (Caspase 3, Caspase 8, Caspase 9), and immune activation in peripheral T cells. The percentages of CD4+ T cells that expressed Caspase 1 and Caspase 3 were significantly higher in untreated human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) patients compared with healthy control (Caspase 1: 19.40% vs. 4.65%, p = .006; Caspase 3: 12.75% vs. 4.18%, p < .001). However, the percentages of Caspase 3 in CD8+ T cells increased significantly, while the percentages of Caspase 1 in CD8+ T cells did not change significantly (Caspase 1: 3.33% vs. 1.99%, p = .821; Caspase 3: 20.35% vs 4.74%, p < .001). The percentages of HLA-DR+ CD38+ CD8+ T cells were positively correlated with those of Caspase 1+ CD4+ T cells, but not with those of Caspase 3+ CD4+ T cells. After highly active antiretroviral therapy, the percentages of Caspase 1, but not of Caspase 3, -expressing CD4+ T cells decreased to a level comparable with those of healthy controls (Caspase 1: 6.05% vs. 4.65%, p = .514; Caspase 3: 9.67% vs. 4.18%, p < .001). Our study indicated that CD4+ T cells experience both pyroptosis and apoptosis, while CD8+ T cells undergo only apoptosis in HIV-1 infection. Pyroptosis, but not apoptosis, in CD4+ T cells may be inhibited by effective antiretroviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rentian Cai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiangrong Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayin Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinzhong Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Renfang Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongzhou Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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