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Møller DL, Kielsen K, Nielsen CH, Sengeløv H, Pedersen AE, Ryder LP, Müller K. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin levels after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2022; 44:1004-1012. [PMID: 35899395 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2022.2102989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an immunoregulatory, Th2-polarizing cytokine produced by epithelial cells. We hypothesized that TSLP affects immune reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) leading to increased alloreactivity. METHODS We measured plasma TSLP by ELISA in 38 patients and assessed the immune reconstitution by flow cytometry. RESULTS TSLP levels rose after initiation of the conditioning to peak at day +21 after HSCT (p = .03), where TSLP levels correlated with counts of neutrophils (rho = 0.36, p = .04), monocytes (rho = 0.58, p = .006), and lymphocytes (rho = 0.59, p = .02). Overall absolute TSLP levels were not associated with acute or chronic graft-vs-host disease (a/cGvHD). However, patients mounting a sustained increase in TSLP levels at day +90 had a higher risk of cGvHD compared to patients who had returned to pre-conditioning levels at that stage (cumulative incidence: 77% vs. 38%, p = .01). CONCLUSION In conclusion, this study suggests a role of TSLP in immune reconstitution and alloreactivity post-HSCT. lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an immunoregulatory, Th2-polarizing cytokine produced by epithelial cells. We hypothesized that TSLP affects immune reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) leading to increased alloreactivity. We measured plasma TSLP by ELISA in 38 patients and assessed the immune reconstitution by flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Leth Møller
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katrine Kielsen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Henrik Nielsen
- Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Sengeløv
- Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Lars Peter Ryder
- The Tissue Typing Laboratory, Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Klaus Müller
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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2
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Dendritic cell-derived IL-27 p28 regulates T cell program in pathogenicity and alleviates acute graft-versus-host disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:319. [PMID: 36109504 PMCID: PMC9477797 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01147-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 27 (IL-27), a heterodimeric cytokine composed of Epstein-Barr virus-induced 3 and p28, is a pleiotropic cytokine with both pro-and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the precise role of IL-27 in acute graft-versus-host disease is not yet fully understood. In this study, utilizing mice with IL-27 p28 deficiency in dendritic cells (DCs), we demonstrated that IL-27 p28 deficiency resulted in impaired Treg cell function and enhanced effector T cell responses, corresponding to aggravated aGVHD in mice. In addition, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we found that loss of IL-27 p28 impaired Treg cell generation and promoted IL-1R2+TIGIT+ pathogenic CD4+ T cells in the thymus at a steady state. Mechanistically, IL-27 p28 deficiency promoted STAT1 phosphorylation and Th1 cell responses, leading to the inhibition of Treg cell differentiation and function. Finally, patients with high levels of IL-27 p28 in serum showed a substantially decreased occurrence of grade II-IV aGVHD and more favorable overall survival than those with low levels of IL-27 p28. Thus, our results suggest a protective role of DC-derived IL-27 p28 in the pathogenesis of aGVHD through modulation of the Treg/Teff cell balance during thymic development. IL-27 p28 may be a valuable marker for predicting aGVHD development after transplantation in humans.
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3
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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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4
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Kielsen K, Oostenbrink LVE, von Asmuth EGJ, Jansen-Hoogendijk AM, van Ostaijen-Ten Dam MM, Ifversen M, Heilmann C, Schilham MW, van Halteren AGS, Bredius RGM, Lankester AC, Jol-van der Zijde CM, van Tol MJD, Müller K. IL-7 and IL-15 Levels Reflect the Degree of T Cell Depletion during Lymphopenia and Are Associated with an Expansion of Effector Memory T Cells after Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 206:2828-2838. [PMID: 34108260 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Differentially and functionally distinct T cell subsets are involved in the development of complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but little is known about factors regulating their recovery after HSCT. In this study, we investigated associations between immune-regulating cytokines, T cell differentiation, and clinical outcomes. We included 80 children undergoing allogeneic HSCT for acute leukemia using bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells grafted from a matched sibling or unrelated donor. Cytokines (IL-7, IL-15, IL-18, SCF, IL-6, IL-2, and TNF-α) and active anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) levels were longitudinally measured along with extended T cell phenotyping. The cytokine profiles showed a temporary rise in IL-7 and IL-15 during lymphopenia, which was strongly dependent on exposure to active ATG. High levels of IL-7 and IL-15 from graft infusion to day +30 were predictive of slower T cell recovery during the first 2 mo post-HSCT; however, because of a major expansion of memory T cell stages, only naive T cells remained decreased after 3 mo (p < 0.05). No differential effect was seen on polarization of CD4+ T cells into Th1, Th2, or Th17 cells or regulatory T cells. Low levels of IL-7 and IL-15 at day +14 were associated with acute graft-versus-host disease grades II-IV in ATG-treated patients (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0002, respectively). Children with IL-7 levels comparable to healthy controls at day +14 post-HSCT were less likely to develop EBV reactivation posttransplant. These findings suggest that quantification of IL-7 and IL-15 may be useful as biomarkers in assessing the overall T cell depletion and suggest a potential for predicting complications after HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Kielsen
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Primary Immune Deficiency, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; .,Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Rheumatology and Spine Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; and
| | - Lisa V E Oostenbrink
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Erik G J von Asmuth
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anja M Jansen-Hoogendijk
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Monique M van Ostaijen-Ten Dam
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marianne Ifversen
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Primary Immune Deficiency, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carsten Heilmann
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Primary Immune Deficiency, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marco W Schilham
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Astrid G S van Halteren
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Robbert G M Bredius
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan C Lankester
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelia M Jol-van der Zijde
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten J D van Tol
- Laboratory of Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Klaus Müller
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Primary Immune Deficiency, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Rheumatology and Spine Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; and
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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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Recent advances of long noncoding RNAs involved in the development of multiple sclerosis. Chin J Nat Med 2020; 18:36-46. [PMID: 31955822 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(20)30003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Given the rapid increase of patients with autoimmune diseases and the lack of satisfactory therapies, the discovery of novel and effective therapeutic targets have been in an urgent demand. Recent studies have revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), which provides a new opportunity of uncovering novel mechanism associated with the progression of MS. This review highlights the dysregulation of lncRNAs in the development of MS in patients and animal models. Additionally, the potential clinical relevance of lncRNAs severed as therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers are discussed.
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IL7RA genetic variants differentially affect IL-7Rα expression and alternative splicing: a role in autoimmune and infectious diseases? Genes Immun 2020; 21:83-90. [PMID: 31929513 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-019-0091-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-7 receptor α chain (IL-7Rα) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with susceptibility to immunopathologies like autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The current hypothesis about underlying mechanisms is based on the regulation of IL-7 availability for self-reactive T cells by influencing the generation of a soluble (s)IL-7Rα variant. This assumption was mainly predicated on the well-defined IL7RA SNP rs6897932, which affects alternative splicing and causes aberrant generation of the sIL-7Rα variant with potential effects on the IL-7 serum reservoir. However, more recent studies shed light on novel functions of autoimmunity risk-associated IL7RA SNPs and characterized the largely neglected effect of rs6897932 on membrane (m)IL-7Rα expression. These findings as well as a described role of impaired mIL-7Rα expression and IL7RA SNP influence on chronic infectious diseases necessitates the reevaluation of previous findings on the role of IL7RA SNPs in immunopathology.
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Ronsley R, Kariminia A, Ng B, Mostafavi S, Reid G, Subrt P, Hijiya N, Schultz KR. The TLR9 agonist (GNKG168) induces a unique immune activation pattern in vivo in children with minimal residual disease positive acute leukemia: Results of the TACL T2009-008 phase I study. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2019; 36:468-481. [PMID: 31530240 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2019.1667461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background: Preclinical studies show that TLR9 agonists can eradicate leukemia by induction of immune responses in vivo against AML and ALL. These studies demonstrated that TLR9 agonists induce an immediate NK response followed by adaptive T and B cells responses resulting in long term anti-leukemia immunity. Methods: The Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma Phase I consortium performed a pilot study on 3 patients with MRD positive acute leukemia after an initial remission on conventional chemotherapy (TACL T2009-008) with the TLR 9 agonist (GNKG168). To guide future trial development, we evaluated the impact of GNKG168 by Nanostring on the expression 608 genes before and 8 days after initiation of GNKG168 therapy. Results: Twenty-three out of 578 markers on the nanostring panel showed significant difference (p ≤ 0.05). We focused on 8 markers that had the greatest differences with p < 0.01. Two genes were increased, promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) and H-RAS, and 6 were decreased, Single Ig and TIR Domain containing (SIGIRR, IL1R8), interleukin 1 receptor 1 (IL1RL1, ST2), C-C Motif chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8), interleukin 7 R (IL7R), cluster of differentiation 8B (CD8B), and cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3D). Tumor inhibitory pathways were downregulated including the SIGIRR (IL1R8), important in IL-37 signaling and NK cell inhibition. TLR9 can induce IL-33, which is known to downregulate ST2 (IL1RL1) a receptor for IL-33. Conclusion: GNKG168 therapy is associated with immunologic changes in pediatric leukemia patients. Further work with a larger sample size is required to assess the impact of these changes on disease treatment and persistence of leukemia remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Ronsley
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA
| | - Amina Kariminia
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA.,Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Bernard Ng
- Department of Statistics and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Department of Statistics and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Gregor Reid
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA.,Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Peter Subrt
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA.,Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nobuko Hijiya
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IIllinois, USA
| | - Kirk R Schultz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA.,Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
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Massey JC, Sutton IJ, Ma DDF, Moore JJ. Regenerating Immunotolerance in Multiple Sclerosis with Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant. Front Immunol 2018; 9:410. [PMID: 29593711 PMCID: PMC5857574 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system where evidence implicates an aberrant adaptive immune response in the accrual of neurological disability. The inflammatory phase of the disease responds to immunomodulation to varying degrees of efficacy; however, no therapy has been proven to arrest progression of disability. Recently, more intensive therapies, including immunoablation with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), have been offered as a treatment option to retard inflammatory disease, prior to patients becoming irreversibly disabled. Empirical clinical observations support the notion that the immune reconstitution (IR) that occurs following AHSCT is associated with a sustained therapeutic benefit; however, neither the pathogenesis of MS nor the mechanism by which AHSCT results in a therapeutic benefit has been clearly delineated. Although the antigenic target of the aberrant immune response in MS is not defined, accumulated data suggest that IR following AHSCT results in an immunotolerant state through deletion of pathogenic clones by a combination of direct ablation and induction of a lymphopenic state driving replicative senescence and clonal attrition. Restoration of immunoregulation is evidenced by changes in regulatory T cell populations following AHSCT and normalization of genetic signatures of immune homeostasis. Furthermore, some evidence exists that AHSCT may induce a rebooting of thymic function and regeneration of a diversified naïve T cell repertoire equipped to appropriately modulate the immune system in response to future antigenic challenge. In this review, we discuss the immunological mechanisms of IR therapies, focusing on AHSCT, as a means of recalibrating the dysfunctional immune response observed in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Massey
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,Neurology, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian J Sutton
- Neurology, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David D F Ma
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John J Moore
- Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Kielsen K, Enevold C, Heilmann C, Sengeløv H, Pedersen AE, Ryder LP, Müller K. Donor Genotype in the Interleukin-7 Receptor α-Chain Predicts Risk of Graft-versus-Host Disease and Cytomegalovirus Infection after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Front Immunol 2018; 9:109. [PMID: 29456530 PMCID: PMC5801419 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is challenged by acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD and cGVHD) and viral infections due to long-lasting immunodeficiency. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a cytokine essential for de novo T cell generation in thymus and peripheral T cell homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the impact of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs6897932 in the IL-7 receptor α-chain (IL-7Rα) which has previously been associated with several autoimmune diseases. We included 460 patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT after a myeloablative conditioning. Patients had a median age of 26.3 years (0.3-67.0 years), and 372 (80.9%) underwent HSCT for malignant diseases. Donors were matched sibling donors (n = 147), matched unrelated donors (n = 244) or mismatched unrelated donors (n = 69), and the stem cell source were either bone marrow (n = 329) or peripheral blood (n = 131). DNA from donors was genotyped for the IL-7Rα single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6897932 using an allele-specific primer extension assay (CC: n = 252, CT: n = 178, TT: n = 30). The donor T allele was associated with a higher risk of grades III-IV aGVHD (HR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.8, P = 0.034) and with significantly increased risk of extensive cGVHD (HR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.6, P = 0.025) after adjustment for potential risk factors. In addition, the TT genotype was associated with a higher risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection post-transplant (HR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.2-4.3, P = 0.0068). Numbers of T cells were significantly higher on day +60 in patients receiving a rs6897932 TT graft (CD3+: 109% increase, P = 0.0096; CD4+: 64% increase, P = 0.038; CD8+: 133% increase, P = 0.011). Donor heterozygosity for the T allele was associated with inferior overall survival (HR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.3, P = 0.0027) and increased treatment-related mortality (HR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.3-4.0, P = 0.0047), but was not associated with the risk of relapse (P = 0.35). In conclusion, the IL-7Rα rs6897932 genotype of the donor is predictive of aGVHD and cGVHD, CMV infection, and mortality following HSCT. These findings indicate that IL-7Rα SNP typing of donors may optimize donor selection and facilitate individualization of treatment in order to limit treatment-related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Kielsen
- Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Rheumatology and Spine Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Primary Immune Deficiency, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Enevold
- Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Rheumatology and Spine Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carsten Heilmann
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Primary Immune Deficiency, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Sengeløv
- Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Elm Pedersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Odontology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars P Ryder
- The Tissue Typing Laboratory, Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Klaus Müller
- Institute for Inflammation Research, Department of Rheumatology and Spine Disease, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Primary Immune Deficiency, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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