B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is elevated in chronic granulomatous disease

Genetically supported causality between gut microbiota, immune cells and morphine tolerance: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Background

Previous researches have suggested a significant connection between the gut microbiota/immune cells and morphine tolerance (MT), but there is still uncertainty regarding their causal relationship. Hence, our objective is to inverstigate this causal association and reveal the impact of gut microbiota/immune cells on the risk of developing MT using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive analysis using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for gut microbiota, immune cells, and MT. The main approach employed was the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method in MR. To assess horizontal pleiotropy and remove outlier single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we utilized the Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) technique as well as MR-Egger regression. Heterogeneity detection was performed using Cochran's Q-test. Additionally, leave-one-out analysis was carried out to determine if any single SNP drove the causal association signals. Finally, we conducted a reverse MR to evaluate the potential of reverse causation.

Results

We discovered that 6 gut microbial taxa and 16 immune cells were causally related to MT (p < 0.05). Among them, 2 bacterial features and 9 immunophenotypes retained a strong causal relationship with lower risk of MT: genus. Lachnospiraceae NK4A136group (OR: 0.962, 95% CI: 0.940-0.987, p = 0.030), genus. RuminococcaceaeUCG011 (OR: 0.960, 95% CI: 0.946-0.976, p = 0.003), BAFF-R on B cell (OR: 0.972, 95% CI: 0.947-0.998, p = 0.013). Furthermore, 4 bacterial features and 7 immunophenotypes were identified to be significantly associated with MT risk: genus. Flavonifractor (OR: 1.044, 95% CI: 1.017-1.069, p = 0.029), genus. Prevotella9 (OR: 1.054, 95% CI: 1.020-1.090, p = 0.037), B cell % CD3-lymphocyte (OR: 1.976, 95% CI: 1.027-1.129, p = 0.026). The Cochrane's Q test revealed no heterogeneity (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO analyses reveal no instances of horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05). Besides, leave-one-out analysis confirmed the robustness of MR results. After adding BMI to the multivariate MR analysis, the gut microbial taxa and immune cells exposure-outcome effect were attenuated.

Conclusion

Our research confirm the potential link between gut microbiota and immune cells with MT, shedding light on the mechanism by which gut microbiota and immune cells may contribute to MT. These findings lay the groundwork for future investigations into targeted prevention strategies.

Beyond the Extra Respiration of Phagocytosis: NADPH Oxidase 2 in Adaptive Immunity and Inflammation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from the phagocyte NADPH oxidase (NOX2) are essential for host defence and immunoregulation. Their levels must be tightly controlled. ROS are required to prevent infection and are used in signalling to regulate several processes that are essential for normal immunity. A lack of ROS then leads to immunodeficiency and autoinflammation. However, excess ROS are also deleterious, damaging tissues by causing oxidative stress. In this review, we focus on two particular aspects of ROS biology: (i) the emerging understanding that NOX2-derived ROS play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of adaptive immunity and (ii) the effects of excess ROS in systemic disease and how limiting ROS might represent a therapeutic avenue in limiting excess inflammation.

Hyper-responsive Toll-like receptor 7 and 9 activation in NADPH oxidase-deficient B lymphoblasts

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immunodeficiency linked with mutations in the multi-subunit leucocyte NADPH oxidase. Myeloid-derived phagocytic cells deficient in NADPH oxidase fail to produce sufficient levels of reactive oxygen species to clear engulfed pathogens. In this study we show that oxidase also influences B-cell functions, including responses to single-stranded RNA or unmethylated DNA by endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 9. In response to TLR7/9 ligands, B-cell lines derived from patients with CGD with mutations in either the NADPH oxidase p40(phox) or p47(phox) subunits produced only low levels of reactive oxygen species. Remarkably, cytokine secretion and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation by these oxidase-deficient B cells was significantly increased upon TLR7/9 activation when compared with oxidase-sufficient B cells. Increased TLR responsiveness was also detected in B cells from oxidase-deficient mice. NADPH oxidase-deficient patient-derived B cells also expressed enhanced levels of TLR7 and TLR9 mRNA and protein compared with the same cells reconstituted to restore oxidase activity. These data demonstrate that the loss of oxidase function associated with CGD can significantly impact B-cell TLR signalling in response to nucleic acids with potential repercussions for auto-reactivity in patients.

Phagocyte NADPH oxidase and specific immunity

The phagocyte NADPH oxidase NOX2 produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and is a well-known player in host defence. However, there is also increasing evidence for a regulatory role of NOX2 in adaptive immunity. Deficiency in phagocyte NADPH oxidase causes chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) in humans, a condition that can also be studied in CGD mice. Clinical observations in CGD patients suggest a higher susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, in particular lupus, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and rheumatoid arthritis. In mice, a strong correlation exists between a polymorphism in a NOX2 subunit and the development of autoimmune arthritis. NOX2 deficiency in mice also favours lupus development. Both CGD patients and CGD mice exhibit increased levels of immunoglobulins, including autoantibodies. Despite these phenotypes suggesting a role for NOX2 in specific immunity, mechanistic explanations for the typical increase of CGD in autoimmune disease and antibody levels are still preliminary. NOX2-dependent ROS generation is well documented for dendritic cells and B-lymphocytes. It is unclear whether T-lymphocytes produce ROS themselves or whether they are exposed to ROS derived from dendritic cells during the process of antigen presentation. ROS are signalling molecules in virtually any cell type, including T- and B-lymphocytes. However, knowledge about the impact of ROS-dependent signalling on T- and B-lymphocyte phenotype and response is still limited. ROS might contribute to Th1/Th2/Th17 cell fate decisions during T-lymphocyte activation and might enhance immunoglobulin production by B-lymphocytes. In dendritic cells, NOX2-derived ROS might be important for antigen processing and cell activation.

The strength of the antibody response to the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides inversely correlates with levels of B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF)

Background

B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) is a cytokine regulating antibody production. Polymorphisms in the gene encoding BAFF were associated with the antibody response to Ascaris but not to mite allergens. In the present study we evaluated the relationship between BAFF and specific antibodies against Ascaris and mites in 448 controls and 448 asthmatics. Soluble BAFF was measured by ELISA and BAFF mRNA by qPCR. Surface expression of BAFF and its receptor (BAFF-R) was analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

Individuals with specific IgE levels to Ascaris >75th percentile had lower levels of soluble BAFF; those with specific IgG levels to Ascaris >75th percentile had reduced BAFF mRNA. Total IgE and specific IgE to mites were not related to BAFF levels. There were no differences in soluble BAFF or mRNA levels between asthmatics and controls. There was an inverse relationship between the cell-surface expression of BAFF-R on CD19⁺ B cells and BAFF levels at the transcriptional and protein level.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that differences in BAFF levels are related to the strength of the antibody response to Ascaris.