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Galarza-Muñoz G, Kennedy-Boone D, Schott G, Bradrick SS, Garcia-Blanco MA. Antisense modulation of IL7R splicing to control sIL7R expression in human CD4 + T cells. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:1058-1073. [PMID: 35613883 PMCID: PMC9297843 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079137.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) is strongly associated with increased risk to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and this association is likely driven by up-regulation of the soluble isoform of IL7R (sIL7R). Expression of sIL7R is determined by exclusion of the alternative exon 6 from IL7R transcripts, and our previous work revealed that the MS risk allele of the SNP rs6897932 within this exon enhances the expression of sIL7R by promoting exclusion of exon 6. sIL7R potentiates the activity of IL7, leading to enhanced expansion of T cells and increased disability in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) murine model of MS. This role in modulating T cell-driven immunity positions sIL7R as an attractive therapeutic target whose expression could be reduced for treatment of MS or increased for treatment of cancers. In this study, we identified novel antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that effectively control the inclusion (anti-sIL7R ASOs) or exclusion (pro-sIL7R ASOs) of this exon in a dose-dependent fashion. These ASOs provided excellent control of exon 6 splicing and sIL7R secretion in human primary CD4+ T cells. Supporting their potential for therapeutic targeting, we showed that lead anti-sIL7R ASOs correct the enhanced exon 6 exclusion imposed by the MS risk allele of rs6897932, whereas lead pro-sIL7R ASOs phenocopy it. The data presented here form the foundation for future preclinical studies that will test the therapeutic potential of these ASOs in MS and immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaddiel Galarza-Muñoz
- Autoimmunity BioSolutions, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
| | - Debbie Kennedy-Boone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
| | - Geraldine Schott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
| | - Shelton S Bradrick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
- Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
| | - Mariano A Garcia-Blanco
- Autoimmunity BioSolutions, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
- Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550, USA
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2
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He H, Qiao B, Guo S, Cui H, Zhang Z, Qin J. Interleukin-7 regulates CD127 expression and promotes CD8 + T cell activity in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma. BMC Immunol 2022; 23:35. [PMID: 35850640 PMCID: PMC9295418 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-022-00509-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interleukin (IL)-7 signaling through CD127 is impaired in lymphocytes in cancers and chronic infections, resulting in CD8+ T cell exhaustion. The mechanisms underlying CD8+ T cell responses to IL-7 in melanoma remain not completely elucidated. We previously showed reduced IL-7 level in melanoma patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of IL-7 regulation on CD127 expression and CD8+ T cell responses in melanoma. Methods Healthy controls and primary cutaneous melanoma patients were enrolled. Membrane-bound CD127 (mCD127) expression on CD8+ T cells was determined by flow cytometry. Soluble CD127 (sCD127) protein level was measured by ELISA. Total CD127 and sCD127 mRNA level was measured by real-time PCR. CD8+ T cells were stimulated with recombinant human IL-7, along with signaling pathway inhibitors. CD8+ T cells were co-cultured with melanoma cell line, and the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells was assessed by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase expression. Results Plasma sCD127 was lower in melanoma patients compared with controls. The percentage of CD8+ T cells expressing mCD127 was higher, while sCD127 mRNA level was lower in peripheral and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells from melanoma patients. There was no significant difference of total CD127 mRNA expression in CD8+ T cells between groups. IL-7 stimulation enhanced total CD127 and sCD127 mRNA expression and sCD127 release by CD8+ T cells. However, mCD127 mRNA expression on CD8+ T cells was not affected. This process was mainly mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. CD8+ T cells from melanoma patients exhibited decreased cytotoxicity. IL-7 stimulation promoted CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity, while inhibition of PI3K dampened IL-7-induced elevation of CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity. Conclusion The current data suggested that insufficient IL-7 secretion might contribute to CD8+ T cell exhaustion and CD127 dysregulation in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia He
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 85 South Jiefang Road, Taiyuan, 030000, Shanxi, China.
| | - Binjun Qiao
- Department of Emergency, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, Shanxi, China
| | - Shuping Guo
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 85 South Jiefang Road, Taiyuan, 030000, Shanxi, China
| | - Hongzhou Cui
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 85 South Jiefang Road, Taiyuan, 030000, Shanxi, China
| | - Ziyan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 85 South Jiefang Road, Taiyuan, 030000, Shanxi, China
| | - Junxia Qin
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, Shanxi, China
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3
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Kefaloyianni E. Soluble forms of cytokine and growth factor receptors: Mechanisms of generation and modes of action in the regulation of local and systemic inflammation. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:589-606. [PMID: 35113454 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cytokine and growth factor receptors are usually transmembrane proteins but they can also exist in soluble forms, either through cleavage and release of their ligand-binding extracellular domain, or through secretion of a soluble isoform. As an extension of this concept, transmembrane receptors on exosomes released into the circulation may act similarly to circulating soluble receptors. These soluble receptors add to the complexity of cytokine and growth factor signalling: they can function as decoy receptor that compete for ligand binding with their respective membrane-bound forms thereby attenuating signalling, or stabilize their ligands, or activate additional signalling events through interactions with other cell-surface proteins. Their soluble nature allows for a functional role away from the production sites, in remote cell types and organs. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that soluble receptors participate in the regulation and orchestration of various key cellular processes, particularly inflammatory responses. In this review, we will discuss release mechanisms of soluble cytokine and growth factor receptors, their mechanisms of action, as well as strategies for targeting their pathways in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Kefaloyianni
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
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4
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Interleukin-7 and soluble Interleukin-7 receptor levels in type 1 diabetes – Impact of IL7RA polymorphisms, HLA risk genotypes and clinical features. Clin Immunol 2022; 235:108928. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.108928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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5
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Aloufi NA, Ali AK, Burke Schinkel SC, Molyer B, Barros PO, McBane JE, Lee SH, Angel JB. Soluble CD127 potentiates IL-7 activity in vivo in healthy mice. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2021; 9:1798-1808. [PMID: 34525268 PMCID: PMC8589376 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Soluble forms of cytokine receptors can be involved in the endogenous regulation of cytokine activity. Soluble interleukin 7 receptor α (sCD127) naturally binds IL‐7, therefore there is interest in its potential application as an immunotherapeutic agent to regulate IL‐7. With the hypothesis that sCD127 enhances IL‐7 activity, thus promoting T‐cell proliferation in vivo, we sought to assess the effect of sCD127, IL‐7 or IL‐7 + sCD127 treatment on CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cells in the blood and spleen of mice. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and splenocytes were prepared, and analyzed for T‐cell number, phenotype and proliferation (Ki67+) by flow cytometry. Results IL‐7 treatment induced T‐cell proliferation, increased T‐cell number, and triggered T‐cell differentiation each of which was enhanced with the addition of sCD127. IL‐7 + sCD127 treatment significantly increased spleen weight over that seen with IL‐7 treatment alone. More pronounced proliferation and a greater increase in cell number was observed in CD8+ T‐cells relative to the effect on CD4+ T‐cells. Conclusions These findings suggest that the addition of sCD127 enhances IL‐7‐mediated T‐cell proliferation and suggests a potential therapeutic use for sCD127.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawaf A Aloufi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alaa K Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Bengisu Molyer
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Priscila O Barros
- Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanne E McBane
- Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Seung-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan B Angel
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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6
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Barros PO, Berthoud TK, Aloufi N, Angel JB. Soluble IL-7Rα/sCD127 in Health, Disease, and Its Potential Role as a Therapeutic Agent. Immunotargets Ther 2021; 10:47-62. [PMID: 33728276 PMCID: PMC7954429 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s264149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Soluble cytokine receptors can influence immune responses by modulating the biological functions of their respective ligands. These effects can be either agonistic or antagonistic and a number of soluble cytokine receptors have been shown to play critical roles in both maintenance of health and disease pathogenesis. Soluble IL-7Ra (sCD127) is one such example. With its impact on the IL-7/CD127 pathway, which is fundamental for the development and homeostasis of T cells, the role of sCD127 in health and disease has been extensively studied in recent years. Within this review, the role of sCD127 in maintaining host immune function is presented. Next, by addressing genetic factors affecting sCD127 expression and the associated levels of sCD127 production, the roles of sCD127 in autoimmune disease, infections and cancer are described. Finally, advances in the field of soluble cytokine therapy and the potential for sCD127 as a biomarker and therapeutic agent are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila O Barros
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tamara K Berthoud
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nawaf Aloufi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan B Angel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Côté SC, Burke Schinkel SC, Berthoud TK, Barros PO, Sanchez‐Vidales M, Davidson AM, Crawley AM, Angel JB. IL-7 induces sCD127 release and mCD127 downregulation in human CD8 + T cells by distinct yet overlapping mechanisms, both of which are impaired in HIV infection. Eur J Immunol 2020; 50:1537-1549. [PMID: 32390135 PMCID: PMC7586945 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The IL‐7 receptor specific α chain, CD127, can be expressed both as a membrane‐associated (mCD127) and a soluble form (sCD127), however, the mechanisms involved in their regulation remain to be defined. We first demonstrated in primary human CD8+ T cells that IL‐7‐induced downregulation of mCD127 expression is dependent on JAK and PI3K signaling, whereas IL‐7‐induced sCD127 release is also mediated by STAT5. Following stimulation with IL‐7, expression of alternatively spliced variants of the CD127 gene, sCD127 mRNA, is reduced, but to a lesser degree than the full‐length gene. Evaluation of the role of proteases revealed that MMP‐9 was involved in sCD127 release, without affecting the expression of mCD127, suggesting it does not induce direct shedding from the cell surface. Since defects in the IL‐7/CD127 pathway occur in various diseases, including HIV, we evaluated CD8+ T cells derived from HAART‐treated HIV‐infected individuals and found that IL‐7‐induced (1) downregulation of mCD127, (2) release of sCD127, and (3) expression of the sCD127 mRNA were all impaired. Expression of mCD127 and sCD127 is, therefore, regulated by distinct, but overlapping, mechanisms and their impairment in HIV infection contributes to our understanding of the CD8+ T cell dysfunction that persists despite effective antiretroviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tamara K. Berthoud
- The Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaONCanada
- Department of BiochemistryMicrobiology, and ImmunologyThe University of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Priscila O. Barros
- The Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaONCanada
- Department of BiochemistryMicrobiology, and ImmunologyThe University of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Maria Sanchez‐Vidales
- The Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaONCanada
- Department of BiochemistryMicrobiology, and ImmunologyThe University of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - April M. Davidson
- The Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaONCanada
- Department of BiochemistryMicrobiology, and ImmunologyThe University of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Angela M. Crawley
- The Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaONCanada
- Department of BiochemistryMicrobiology, and ImmunologyThe University of OttawaOttawaONCanada
- Department of BiologyCarleton UniversityOttawaONCanada
| | - Jonathan B. Angel
- The Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaONCanada
- Department of BiochemistryMicrobiology, and ImmunologyThe University of OttawaOttawaONCanada
- Division of Infectious DiseasesThe Ottawa HospitalOttawaONCanada
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8
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Lokau J, Garbers C. Biological functions and therapeutic opportunities of soluble cytokine receptors. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2020; 55:94-108. [PMID: 32386776 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines control the immune system by regulating the proliferation, differentiation and function of immune cells. They activate their target cells through binding to specific receptors, which either are transmembrane proteins or attached to the cell-surface via a GPI-anchor. Different tissues and individual cell types have unique expression profiles of cytokine receptors, and consequently this expression pattern dictates to which cytokines a given cell can respond. Furthermore, soluble variants of several cytokine receptors exist, which are generated by different molecular mechanisms, namely differential mRNA splicing, proteolytic cleavage of the membrane-tethered precursors, and release on extracellular vesicles. These soluble receptors shape the function of cytokines in different ways: they can serve as antagonistic decoy receptors which compete with their membrane-bound counterparts for the ligand, or they can form functional receptor/cytokine complexes which act as agonists and can even activate cells that would usually not respond to the ligand alone. In this review, we focus on the IL-2 and IL-6 families of cytokines and the so-called Th2 cytokines. We summarize for each cytokine which soluble receptors exist, were they originate from, how they are generated, and what their biological functions are. Furthermore, we give an outlook on how these soluble receptors can be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Lokau
- Department of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Garbers
- Department of Pathology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Low Interleukin-7 Receptor Messenger RNA Expression Is Independently Associated With Day 28 Mortality in Septic Shock Patients. Crit Care Med 2019; 46:1739-1746. [PMID: 29985808 PMCID: PMC6200380 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000003281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Septic shock is the primary cause of death in ICUs. A better comprehension of its pathophysiology, in particular, the immune alteration mechanisms, opened new therapeutic perspectives such as the recombinant interleukin-7. The use of biomarkers could improve the identification of eligible patients for this therapy. The soluble form of the interleukin-7 appears as a promising candidate in this regard since an association between its high plasmatic level and mortality in critically ill patients has been demonstrated. Because there are no data available on the transcriptional regulation of the interleukin-7 receptor in such patients, this study aimed to explore the expression level of different interleukin-7 receptor transcripts after septic shock and evaluate their association with mortality. DESIGN Retrospective discovery cohort (30 patients) and validation cohort (177 patients). SETTING Two French ICUs (discovery study) and six French ICUs (validation study). PATIENTS Adult septic shock patients. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The quantification of several interleukin-7 receptor transcripts using specific reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction designs allowed for global evaluation of interleukin-7 receptor gene expression in whole blood. In the discovery cohort, all interleukin-7 receptor transcripts studied were expressed at lower levels in septic shock patients than in healthy volunteers. Interleukin-7 receptor gene expression at day 3 after septic shock diagnosis was associated with day 28 mortality. Patients at a lower risk of death showed higher expression levels. These results were confirmed in the independent validation cohort. Interestingly, using a threshold obtained on the discovery cohort, we observed in the validation cohort a high negative predictive value for day 28 mortality for the transcript encoding the membrane form of interleukin-7 receptor (0.86; 95% CI, 0.79-0.93). CONCLUSIONS Interleukin-7 receptor transcripts appear as biomarkers of impaired adaptive immune response in septic shock patients and as a promising tool for patient stratification in clinical trials evaluating immunoadjuvant therapies.
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Natale MA, César GA, Alvarez MG, Castro Eiro MD, Lococo B, Bertocchi G, Albareda MC, Laucella SA. Trypanosoma cruzi-specific IFN-γ-producing cells in chronic Chagas disease associate with a functional IL-7/IL-7R axis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006998. [PMID: 30517089 PMCID: PMC6281225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The severity of cardiac disease in chronic Chagas disease patients is associated with different features of T-cell exhaustion. Here, we assessed whether the ability of T cells to secrete IFN-γ in response to T. cruzi was linked to disruption in immune homeostasis and inflammation in patients with chronic Chagas disease. Methodology/Principal findings PBMCs from chronic Chagas disease patients and uninfected controls were examined for frequencies of T. cruzi-responsive IFN-γ-producing cells by ELISPOT and cellular expression and function of IL-7R using flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-7, IL-21, IL-27, soluble IL-7R, and inflammatory cytokines were also evaluated by ELISA or CBA techniques. Patients possessing T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ-producing cells (i.e. IFN-γ producers) had higher levels of memory T cells capable of modulating the alpha chain of IL-7R and an efficient response to IL-7 compared to that in patients lacking (i.e. IFN-γ nonproducers) parasite-specific T-cell responses. IFN-γ producers also showed low levels of soluble IL-7R, high basal expression of Bcl-2 in T cells and low basal frequencies of activated CD25+ T cells. Modulation of IL-7R was inversely associated with serum IL-6 levels and positively associated with serum IL-8 levels. Circulating IL-21 and IL-27 levels were not associated with the frequency of IFN-γ producing cells but were reduced in less severe clinical forms of the disease. In vitro stimulation of PBMCs with IL-7 or IL-27 enhanced IFN-γ production in IFN-γ producers but not in IFN-γ nonproducers. Conclusions/Significance Alterations of the IL-7/IL-7R axis and in the levels of inflammatory cytokines were linked to impaired T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ production. These alterations might be responsible of the process of immune exhaustion observed in chronic Chagas disease. Mechanisms of acquired immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi antigens include both humoral and cellular components that might be critical in a chronic infection. Through a vast number of studies, several groups have postulated that, similar to other chronic infections, T-cell responses in chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection are driven to exhaustion. Alterations in T-cell signaling pathways have emerged as one of the mechanisms of immune exhaustion. Here, we investigated whether the ability of T cells to secrete IFN-γ in response to T. cruzi was linked to the expression and function of the IL-7 receptor and the cytokines involved in regulating this axis in patients with different clinical forms of chronic Chagas disease. This study showed that the ability of T cells to secrete IFN-γ in response to T. cruzi is linked to an efficient modulation and function of IL-7R and low levels of inflammatory cytokines. Low IFN-γ-ELISPOT responses could not be reverted by in vitro treatment with IL-7. These findings contribute to our understanding of the long-term consequences of T. cruzi-infection and might be useful to delineate novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María A. Natale
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo A. César
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María G. Alvarez
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Bruno Lococo
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Bertocchi
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María C. Albareda
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana A. Laucella
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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11
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Seyfarth J, Lundtoft C, Förtsch K, Ahlert H, Rosenbauer J, Baechle C, Roden M, Holl RW, Mayatepek E, Kummer S, Meissner T, Jacobsen M. Interleukin-7 receptor α-chain haplotypes differentially affect soluble IL-7 receptor and IL-7 serum concentrations in children with type 1 diabetes. Pediatr Diabetes 2018; 19:955-962. [PMID: 29484785 DOI: 10.1111/pedi.12665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin-7 receptor α-chain (IL7RA) haplotypes are associated with susceptibility for development of autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D). A protective IL7RA haplotype which causes lower soluble IL-7R (sIL-7R) serum levels is hypothesized to restrict IL-7-availability for self-reactive T cells. Functional mechanisms affected by a risk-associated IL7RA haplotype are unknown. METHODS We investigated the influence of IL7RA haplotypes (tagged by rs6897932T for the protective or by rs1494555G for the risk haplotype) on sIL-7R and IL-7 serum concentrations as well as disease manifestation of children with T1D (n = 259). Possible effects of differential IL-7 serum concentrations on IL-7-mediated in vitro T cell functions (i.e. IL-7R regulation and cytokine expression) were measured in a second study group of children with T1D (n = 42). RESULTS We detected lower sIL-7R serum concentrations in children with T1D carrying protective or risk haplotypes as compared to reference haplotypes. sIL-7R levels were lowest in T1D children with the protective haplotype and lower IL-7 serum levels were exclusively detected in this study group. We found no evidence for dependency between IL-7 and sIL-7R serum concentrations and no association with T1D manifestation. Neither IL-7 nor sIL-7R serum levels were associated with mIL-7R regulation or IL-7-promoted T cell cytokine expression. CONCLUSIONS Children with T1D carrying autoimmunity risk- or protection-associated IL7RA haplotypes had both lower sIL-7R serum concentrations as compared to the reference haplotype, but only T1D children with the protective haplotype had lower IL-7 serum levels. Our results suggest additional functional mechanisms of autoimmunity-associated IL7RA variants independent from sIL-7R mediated regulation of IL-7 availability for T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Seyfarth
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christian Lundtoft
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Katharina Förtsch
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Heinz Ahlert
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Joachim Rosenbauer
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center at Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christina Baechle
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center at Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany.,Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center at Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Reinhard W Holl
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, ZIBMT, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ertan Mayatepek
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kummer
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Meissner
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marc Jacobsen
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty, Duesseldorf, Germany
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Steele AK, Carrasco-Medina L, Sodora DL, Crawley AM. Increased soluble IL-7 receptor concentrations associate with improved IL-7 therapy outcomes in SIV-infected ART-treated Rhesus macaques. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188427. [PMID: 29261677 PMCID: PMC5736176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of interleukin-7 (IL-7) as an immunorestorative therapeutic has proven effective in HIV infection, cancer and bone marrow transplantation. Mediating its activity through membrane-bound IL-7 receptor α (mCD127), IL-7 therapy increases T-cell numbers and survival. A soluble form, sCD127, is found in plasma, and we have previously identified increased plasma sCD127 concentrations in HIV infection. Furthermore, patients with high sCD127 exhibited the best viral control, implicating a role for IL-7 or sCD127 directly in improved virologic/immunologic outcomes. The role of the cytokine IL-7 in elevating sCD127 levels was addressed here through assessment of retrospective samples obtained from SIV-infected antiretroviral (ART)-treated Rhesus macaques. IL-7 was administered in clustered weekly doses, allowing for an assessment prior, during and following IL-7 administration. The levels of sCD127 remained relatively unchanged during both early SIV infection and following initiation of ART. However, treatment with IL-7 increased sCD127 concentrations in most animals, transiently or persistently, paralleling increased T-cell numbers, correlating significantly with CD8+ T-cell levels. In addition, proliferating CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells (measured by Ki67) increased in association with elevated sCD127 concentrations. Finally, a high concentration of sCD127 in IL7-treated animals was associated with increased retention of T-cells (measured by BrDU). In addition, a lack, or loss of viral control was associated with more pronounced and frequent elevations in plasma sCD127 concentrations with IL-7 therapy. In summary, plasma sCD127 levels in SIV-infected ART-treated macaques was associated with therapeutic IL-7 administration, with higher sCD127 levels in macaques demonstrating the best T-cell responses. This study furthers our knowledge regarding the interrelationship between increased IL-7 levels and elevated sCD127 levels that may have implications for future IL-7 immunotherapeutic approaches in HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K. Steele
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Collegiate Peaks Science Writing, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Lorna Carrasco-Medina
- The Ottawa Hospital–General Campus, Division of Infectious Diseases, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Donald L. Sodora
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Angela M. Crawley
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- University of Ottawa, Dept. Biochem., Microbiol., and Immunol., Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Carleton University, Dept. Biol., Ottawa, ON, Canada
- * E-mail:
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13
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Reduced IL-7R T Cell Expression and Increased Plasma sCD127 in Late Presenting HIV-Infected Individuals. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2017; 74:81-90. [PMID: 27509242 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late presentation of HIV infection is associated with reduced chance of optimal immune recovery after initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and the corresponding receptor, IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) made up of CD127 and CD132, are crucial for T cell homeostasis. This study aimed to describe IL-7R and IL-7 before and after initiation of cART in late presenting HIV-infected individuals, and the impact on immune recovery and T cell subset distribution after initiation of cART. METHODS A total of 100 HIV-infected individuals initiating cART were included in a prospective study. Samples were collected at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 months of cART. Proportion and expression {[median fluorescence intensity (MFI)]} of IL-7R on T cells, and plasma concentrations of soluble CD127 (sCD127) and IL-7 were determined. RESULTS The IL-7R expression was reduced in late presenters with CD4 cell count <200 cells per microliter compared with nonlate presenters and healthy controls as demonstrated by lower proportion of CD127 + CD132 + T cells and lower CD127 MFI. In contrast, plasma sCD127 was higher. These differences were partly reversed after suppressive cART. Interestingly, the CD127 MFI on CD4 T cells was found to be a predictor of increased thymic output after 24 months of suppressive cART. CONCLUSIONS Severely altered IL-7R expression was found in late presenters, and associations between IL-7R expression and thymic output after 24 months of suppressive cART indicate an impact of a IL-7 response for the long term de novo production from thymus.
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14
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Hartling HJ, Ryder LP, Ullum H, Ødum N, Nielsen SD. Gene variation in IL-7 receptor (IL-7R)α affects IL-7R response in CD4+ T cells in HIV-infected individuals. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42036. [PMID: 28181541 PMCID: PMC5299473 DOI: 10.1038/srep42036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Optimal CD4+ T cell recovery after initiating combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) in HIV infection reduces risk of morbidity and mortality. T-allele homozygosity ('TT') in the single nucleotide polymorphism, rs6897932(C/T), in the IL-7 receptor α (IL-7RA) is associated with faster CD4+ T cell recovery after cART initiation compared to C-allele homozygosity in rs6897932 ('CC'). However, underlying mechanisms are unknown. We aimed to examine potential mechanisms explaining the association between rs6897932 and CD4+ T cell recovery. Ten 'TT' and 10 'CC' HIV-infected individuals matched on gender, age, and nadir and current CD4+ T cell counts were included in a cross-sectional study. 'TT' individuals had higher proportion of CD4+ T cells expressing pSTAT5 compared to 'CC' individuals after stimulating with IL-7, especially when co-stimulated with soluble IL7-RA (sIL-7RA). Furthermore, 'TT' individuals had a higher proportion of proliferating CD4+ T cells after 7 days of culture with IL-7 + sIL-7RA compared to 'CC' individuals. No differences between 'TT' and 'CC' in binding of biotinylated IL-7 were found. In conclusion, increased signal transduction and proliferation in response to IL-7 was found in 'TT' compared to 'CC' HIV-infected individuals providing a mechanistic explanation of the effect of rs6897932 T-allele on CD4+ T cell recovery in HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Jakob Hartling
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Lars P Ryder
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Henrik Ullum
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Niels Ødum
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne Dam Nielsen
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
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Tuulasvaara A, Vanhanen R, Baldauf HM, Puntila J, Arstila TP. Interleukin-7 promotes human regulatory T cell development at the CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocyte stage. J Leukoc Biol 2016; 100:491-8. [PMID: 26965634 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1a0415-164r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although mature human FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells are CD127 (IL-7Rα) negative, CD4(+)CD8(+) FOXP3(+) thymocytes express relatively high levels of CD127 and are responsive to IL-7. However, the role of IL-7 in human regulatory T cell development is poorly known. We show that at the CD4(+)CD8(+) stage, FOXP3(+) thymocytes are highly susceptible to apoptosis, and IL-7 selectively rescues them from death, leading to an increased frequency of FOXP3(+) cells. IL-7 also promotes the development of regulatory T cell phenotype by inducing up-regulation of FOXP3(+) and CTLA-4 expression. In contrast, IL-7 does not enhance proliferation of FOXP3(+)thymocytes or induce demethylation of FOXP3(+) regulatory T cell-specific demethylated region. After the CD4(+)CD8(+) stage, the FOXP3(+) thymocytes down-regulate CD127 expression but despite very low levels of CD127, remain responsive to IL-7. These results suggest that IL-7 affects human regulatory T cell development in the thymus by at least 2 distinct mechanisms: suppression of apoptosis and up-regulation of FOXP3(+) expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni Tuulasvaara
- Haartman Institute, Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, and Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; and
| | - Reetta Vanhanen
- Haartman Institute, Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, and Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; and
| | - Hanna-Mari Baldauf
- Haartman Institute, Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, and Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; and
| | - Juha Puntila
- Department of Surgery, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Petteri Arstila
- Haartman Institute, Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, and Research Programs Unit, Immunobiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; and
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