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Liu X, Zhou Q, Meng J, Zuo H, Li R, Zhang R, Lu H, Zhang Z, Li H, Zeng S, Tian M, Wang H, Hu K, Li N, Mao L, Hou S. Autophagy-mediated activation of the AIM2 inflammasome enhances M1 polarization of microglia and exacerbates retinal neovascularization. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e668. [PMID: 39081514 PMCID: PMC11286542 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal neovascularization (RNV) disease that is characterized by abnormal blood vessel development in the retina. Importantly, the etiology of ROP remains understudied. We re-analyzed previously published single-cell data and discovered a strong correlation between microglia and RNV diseases, particularly ROP. Subsequently, we found that reactive oxygen species reduced autophagy-dependent protein degradation of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) in hypoxic BV2 cells, leading to increased AIM2 protein accumulation. Furthermore, we engineered AIM2 knockout mice and observed that the RNV was significantly reduced compared to wild-type mice. In vitro vascular function assays also demonstrated diminished angiogenic capabilities following AIM2 knockdown in hypoxic BV2 cells. Mechanistically, AIM2 enhanced the M1-type polarization of microglia via the ASC/CASP1/IL-1β pathway, resulting in RNV. Notably, the administration of recombinant protein IL-1β exacerbated angiogenesis, while its inhibition ameliorated the condition. Taken together, our study provides a novel therapeutic target for ROP and offers insight into the interaction between pyroptosis and autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianyang Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyChongqingChina
| | - Qian Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyChongqingChina
| | - Jiayu Meng
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene StudySichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Hangjia Zuo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyChongqingChina
| | - Ruonan Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyChongqingChina
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of OphthalmologyQilu HospitalCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Huiping Lu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyChongqingChina
| | - Zhi Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyChongqingChina
| | - Hongshun Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyChongqingChina
| | - Shuhao Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyChongqingChina
| | - Meng Tian
- Beijing Institute of OphthalmologyBeijing Tongren Eye CenterBeijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key LaboratoryBeijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Hong Wang
- Beijing Institute of OphthalmologyBeijing Tongren Eye CenterBeijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key LaboratoryBeijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ke Hu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of OphthalmologyChongqingChina
| | - Na Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Liming Mao
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineNantong UniversityNantongChina
| | - Shengping Hou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Beijing Institute of OphthalmologyBeijing Tongren Eye CenterBeijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key LaboratoryBeijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
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2
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Ponticelli C, Reggiani F, Moroni G. Autophagy: A Silent Protagonist in Kidney Transplantation. Transplantation 2024; 108:1532-1541. [PMID: 37953477 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent regulated mechanism that recycles unnecessary cytoplasmic components. It is now known that autophagy dysfunction may have a pathogenic role in several human diseases and conditions, including kidney transplantation. Both defective and excessive autophagy may induce or aggravate several complications of kidney transplantation, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, alloimmune response, and immunosuppressive treatment and side effects. Although it is still complicated to measure autophagy levels in clinical practice, more attention should be paid to the factors that may influence autophagy. In kidney transplantation, the association of low doses of a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor with low doses of a calcineurin inhibitor may be of benefit for autophagy modulation. However, further studies are needed to explore the role of other autophagy regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Reggiani
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Moroni
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
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3
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Genito CJ, Darwitz BP, Reber CP, Moorman NJ, Graves CL, Monteith AJ, Thurlow LR. mTOR signaling is required for phagocyte free radical production, GLUT1 expression, and control of Staphylococcus aureus infection. mBio 2024; 15:e0086224. [PMID: 38767353 PMCID: PMC11324022 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00862-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key regulator of metabolism in the mammalian cell. Here, we show the essential role for mTOR signaling in the immune response to bacterial infection. Inhibition of mTOR during infection with Staphylococcus aureus revealed that mTOR signaling is required for bactericidal free radical production by phagocytes. Mechanistically, mTOR supported glucose transporter GLUT1 expression, potentially through hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, upon phagocyte activation. Cytokine and chemokine signaling, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and p65 nuclear translocation were present at similar levels during mTOR suppression, suggesting an NF-κB-independent role for mTOR signaling in the immune response during bacterial infection. We propose that mTOR signaling primarily mediates the metabolic requirements necessary for phagocyte bactericidal free radical production. This study has important implications for the metabolic requirements of innate immune cells during bacterial infection as well as the clinical use of mTOR inhibitors.IMPORTANCESirolimus, everolimus, temsirolimus, and similar are a class of pharmaceutics commonly used in the clinical treatment of cancer and the anti-rejection of transplanted organs. Each of these agents suppresses the activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a master regulator of metabolism in human cells. Activation of mTOR is also involved in the immune response to bacterial infection, and treatments that inhibit mTOR are associated with increased susceptibility to bacterial infections in the skin and soft tissue. Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus are among the most common and severe. Our study shows that this susceptibility to S. aureus infection during mTOR suppression is due to an impaired function of phagocytic immune cells responsible for controlling bacterial infections. Specifically, we observed that mTOR activity is required for phagocytes to produce antimicrobial free radicals. These results have important implications for immune responses during clinical treatments and in disease states where mTOR is suppressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Genito
- Division of Oral and
Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
USA
| | - Benjamin P. Darwitz
- Department of
Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel
Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Callista P. Reber
- Department of
Microbiology, University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, Tennessee,
USA
| | - Nathaniel J. Moorman
- Department of
Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel
Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christina L. Graves
- Division of Oral and
Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
USA
| | - Andrew J. Monteith
- Department of
Microbiology, University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, Tennessee,
USA
| | - Lance R. Thurlow
- Division of Oral and
Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
USA
- Department of
Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel
Hill, North Carolina, USA
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4
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El-Shafai NM, Mostafa YS, Ramadan MS, M El-Mehasseb I. Enhancement efficiency delivery of antiviral Molnupiravir-drug via the loading with self-assembly nanoparticles of pycnogenol and cellulose which are decorated by zinc oxide nanoparticles for COVID-19 therapy. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107028. [PMID: 38086240 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The target of the study is to modify the efficiency of Molnupiravir-drug (MOL) for COVID-19 therapy via the rearrangement of the building engineering of MOL-drug by loading it with self-assembly biomolecules nanoparticles (NPs) of pycnogenol (Pyc) and cellulose (CNC) which are decorated by zinc oxide nanoparticles. The synthesis and characterization of the modified drug are performing successfully, the loading and release process of the MOL drug on a nano surface is measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy under room temperature and different pH. The release efficiency of the MOL drug is calculated to be 65% (pH 6.8) and 69% (pH 7.4). The modified MOL drug displays 71% (pH 6.8) and 78% (pH 7.4) for CNC@Pyc.MOL nanocomposite, while CNC@Pyc.MOL.ZnO nanocomposite gave values at 76% (pH 6.8) and 78% (pH 7.4), the efficiency recorded after 19 h. The biological activity of the MOL-drug and modified MOL-drug is measured, and the cytotoxicity is performed by SRB technique, where the self-assembly (CNC@Pyc) appears to be a safe healthy, and high viability against the examined cell line. The antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory are evaluated, where the nanocomposite that has ZnO NPs (CNC@Pyc.MOL.ZnO) gave high efficiency compared to the composite without ZnO NPs. The CPE-inhibition assay is used to identify potential antivirals against CVID-19 (229E virus), the viral inhibition (%) was reported at 37.6 % (for 800 µg/ml) and 18.02 % (for 400 µg/ml) of CNC@Pyc.MOL.ZnO. So, the modified MOL-drug was suggested as a replacement drug for the therapy of COVID-19 compared to MOL-drug, but the results need clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagi M El-Shafai
- Nanotechnology Center, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, 33516, Egypt.
| | - Yasser S Mostafa
- Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed S Ramadan
- Department of Chemistry - Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M El-Mehasseb
- Nanotechnology Center, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, 33516, Egypt.
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5
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Hong J, Wang X, Jin H, Chen Y, Jiang Y, Du K, Chen D, Zheng S, Cao L. Environment relevant exposure of perfluorooctanoic acid accelerates the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122910. [PMID: 37967710 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a synthetic alkyl chain fluorinated compound, has emerged as a persistent organic pollutant of grave concern, casting a shadow over both ecological integrity and humans. Its insidious presence raises alarms due to its capacity to bioaccumulate within the human liver, potentially paving the treacherous path toward liver cancer. Yet, the intricate mechanisms underpinning PFOA's role in promoting the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain shrouded in ambiguity. Here, we determined the proliferation and transcription changes of HCC after PFOA exposure through integrated experiments including cell culture, nude mice tests, and colony-forming assays. Based on our findings, PFOA effectively promotes the proliferation of HCC cells within the experimental range of concentrations, both in vivo and in vitro. The proliferation efficiency of HCC cells was observed to increase by approximately 10% due to overexposure to PFOA. Additionally, the cancer weight of tumor-bearing nude mice increased by 87.0% (p < 0.05). We systematically evaluated the effects of PFOA on HCC cells and found that PFOA's exposure can selectively activate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway, thereby playing a pro-cancer effect on HCC cells Confirmation echoed through western blot assays and inhibitor combination analyses. These insights summon a response to PFOA's dual nature as both an environmental threat and a promoter of liver cancer. Our work illuminates the obscured domain of PFOA-induced hepatoxicity, shedding light on its ties to hepatocellular carcinoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Hong
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
| | - Hangbiao Jin
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310032, PR China
| | - Yuanchen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310032, PR China
| | - Yifan Jiang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
| | - Keyi Du
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
| | - Diyu Chen
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
| | - Linping Cao
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China.
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6
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Kalbfell R, Cohen-Cutler S, Grisham E, Bereitschaft C, Borst AJ, Green AM, Willis DN, Yaeger L, Blatt J, Sisk BA. Infectious complications of vascular anomalies treated with sirolimus: A systematic review. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30758. [PMID: 37933207 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Initially developed as immunosuppressive agents, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are currently used widely in the management of vascular malformations and tumors. The incidence of infectious complications in the vascular anomalies (VA) population is not well defined. The goal of this systematic review was to better define the types and severity of reported infectious complications in patients with VAs treated with mTOR inhibition. METHODS This was a systematic review conducted following PRISMA guidelines evaluating all research articles focused on infectious complications in patients with VAs treated with sirolimus or everolimus. Thirty articles including 1182 total patients and 316 infections (in 291 unique patients) were ultimately included. RESULTS The majority of infections were viral upper respiratory (n = 137, 54%), followed by pneumonia (n = 53, 20%), and cutaneous infections (n = 20, 8%). There were six total infection-related fatalities, which all occurred in patients younger than 2 years. Two cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) were reported. These were infants with kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) who were also treated with steroids and did not receive PJP prophylaxis. Almost one-third (n = 96, 32%) of infectious complications were graded 3-4 according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) criteria. Details of patient age, subtype of VA, and timing of infection were lacking from many reports. CONCLUSIONS Most infectious complications reported in patients with VA on mTOR inhibitors were viral respiratory infections and non-severe. Bacteremia, infectious fatalities, and PJP are exceedingly rare. Future studies are needed to clarify the spectrum of infectious risks in VA patients and to provide guidance for infection prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Kalbfell
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sally Cohen-Cutler
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eric Grisham
- St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Christine Bereitschaft
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Alexandra J Borst
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Abby M Green
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel N Willis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lauren Yaeger
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Julie Blatt
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bryan A Sisk
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Medicine, Bioethics Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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7
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Li X, Peng Z, An K, Xue M, Wang Z, Xia J, Qi Z, Shu X. Temsirolimus is a promising immunomodulatory agent for enhanced transplantation outcomes. Transpl Immunol 2023; 81:101952. [PMID: 37918580 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2023.101952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying effective immunosuppressive strategies is critical for addressing immunological rejection following organ transplantation. This study explores the potential immunosuppressive effects and mechanisms of temsirolimus, a rapamycin derivative, in organ transplantation. METHODS A mouse cardiac allograft model was established using a cervical cannula technique with BALB/c donors and C57BL/6 recipients. Mice were administered temsirolimus intragastrically and graft survival was evaluated. Histological staining was used to assess pathological changes. The BrdU assay was used to measure splenic T cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to quantify regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells. ELISA and qPCR assays were used to determine Foxp3, IL-4, IFN-γ, and TGF-β expression. RESULTS Temsirolimus displayed potent immunosuppressive effects at 20 mg/kg/day, significantly inhibiting T cell proliferation (84.6%, P < 0.0001) and prolonging graft survival (median 49 days vs. 8.5 days in controls, P < 0.0001). However, median survival decreased to 34.5 days upon withdrawal. Temsirolimus also reduced splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (2.85% and 2.92%, P < 0.001) and antibody levels (IgM, IgG1, IgG2) by 11.85-29.09% (P < 0.0001) and increased Tregs, Foxp3, IL-4 (P < 0.01), and TGF-β (P < 0.05), while decreasing IFN-γ (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Temsirolimus exhibited potent immunosuppressive effects, emerging as a strong candidate to mitigate organ transplant rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianguo Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Zuojie Peng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Ke An
- Department of Physiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221009, China
| | - Mengjiao Xue
- Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Zhenzhen Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhoukou Central Hospital, Zhoukou 466000, China
| | - Junjie Xia
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361100, China.
| | - Zhongquan Qi
- Medical College of Guangxi University, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
| | - Xiaogang Shu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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8
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de Andrade IB, Alves V, Pereira L, Miranda B, Corrêa-Junior D, Galdino Figueiredo-Carvalho MH, Santos MV, Almeida-Paes R, Frases S. Effect of rapamycin on Cryptococcus neoformans: cellular organization, biophysics and virulence factors. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:1061-1075. [PMID: 37721517 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes infections mainly in immunosuppressed individuals, such as transplant recipients. Aims: This study investigated the effects of rapamycin, an immunosuppressant drug, on the cellular organization, biophysical characteristics, and main virulence factors of C. neoformans. Methods: Morphological, structural, physicochemical and biophysical analyses of cells and secreted polysaccharides of the reference H99 C. neoformans strain were investigated under the effect of subinhibitory concentrations of rapamycin. Results: Rapamycin at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 2.5 μM reduced C. neoformans cell viability by 53%, decreased capsule, increased cell size, chitin and lipid body formation, and changed peptidase and urease activity. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to assess how rapamycin affects the virulence factors and pathogenicity of C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iara Bastos de Andrade
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Alves
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiza Pereira
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruna Miranda
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dario Corrêa-Junior
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos Vinicius Santos
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rede Micologia - FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rede Micologia - FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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9
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Hunt MS, Yang SJ, Mortensen E, Boukhris A, Buckner J, Cook PJ, Rawlings DJ. Dual-locus, dual-HDR editing permits efficient generation of antigen-specific regulatory T cells with robust suppressive activity. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2872-2886. [PMID: 37481700 PMCID: PMC10556186 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive regulatory T (Treg) cell therapy is predicted to modulate immune tolerance in autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the requirement for antigen (ag) specificity to optimally orchestrate tissue-specific, Treg cell-mediated tolerance limits effective clinical application. To address this challenge, we present a single-step, combinatorial gene editing strategy utilizing dual-locus, dual-homology-directed repair (HDR) to generate and specifically expand ag-specific engineered Treg (EngTreg) cells derived from donor CD4+ T cells. Concurrent delivery of CRISPR nucleases and recombinant (r)AAV homology donor templates targeting FOXP3 and TRAC was used to achieve three parallel goals: enforced, stable expression of FOXP3; replacement of the endogenous T cell receptor (TCR) with an islet-specific TCR; and selective enrichment of dual-edited cells. Each HDR donor template contained an alternative component of a heterodimeric chemically inducible signaling complex (CISC), designed to activate interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling in response to rapamycin, promoting expansion of only dual-edited EngTreg cells. Using this approach, we generated purified, islet-specific EngTreg cells that mediated robust direct and bystander suppression of effector T (Teff) cells recognizing the same or a different islet antigen peptide, respectively. This platform is broadly adaptable for use with alternative TCRs or other targeting moieties for application in tissue-specific autoimmune or inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina S Hunt
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Soo Jung Yang
- Center for Translational Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, 1201 Ninth Avenue, Seattle WA 98101, USA
| | - Emma Mortensen
- Center for Translational Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, 1201 Ninth Avenue, Seattle WA 98101, USA
| | - Ahmad Boukhris
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Jane Buckner
- Center for Translational Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, 1201 Ninth Avenue, Seattle WA 98101, USA
| | - Peter J Cook
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.
| | - David J Rawlings
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies and Program for Cell and Gene Therapy, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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10
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Mandrioli J, D'Amico R, Zucchi E, De Biasi S, Banchelli F, Martinelli I, Simonini C, Lo Tartaro D, Vicini R, Fini N, Gianferrari G, Pinti M, Lunetta C, Gerardi F, Tarlarini C, Mazzini L, De Marchi F, Scognamiglio A, Sorarù G, Fortuna A, Lauria G, Bella ED, Caponnetto C, Meo G, Chio A, Calvo A, Cossarizza A. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of rapamycin in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4970. [PMID: 37591957 PMCID: PMC10435464 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40734-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In preclinical studies rapamycin was found to target neuroinflammation, by expanding regulatory T cells, and affecting autophagy, two pillars of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. Herein we report a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial, in 63 ALS patients who were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive rapamycin 2 mg/m2/day,1 mg/m2/day or placebo (EUDRACT 2016-002399-28; NCT03359538). The primary outcome, the number of patients exhibiting an increase >30% in regulatory T cells from baseline to treatment end, was not attained. Secondary outcomes were changes from baseline of T, B, NK cell subpopulations, inflammasome mRNA expression and activation status, S6-ribosomal protein phosphorylation, neurofilaments; clinical outcome measures of disease progression; survival; safety and quality of life. Of the secondary outcomes, rapamycin decreased mRNA relative expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-18, reduced plasmatic IL-18 protein, and increased the percentage of classical monocytes and memory switched B cells, although no corrections were applied for multiple tests. In conclusion, we show that rapamycin treatment is well tolerated and provides reassuring safety findings in ALS patients, but further trials are necessary to understand the biological and clinical effects of this drug in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- Department of Neurosciences, St. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy.
| | - Roberto D'Amico
- Unit of Statistical and Methodological Support to Clinical Research, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neurosciences, St. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Neurosciences PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sara De Biasi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federico Banchelli
- Unit of Statistical and Methodological Support to Clinical Research, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, St. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of Neurosciences, St. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Domenico Lo Tartaro
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Roberto Vicini
- Unit of Statistical and Methodological Support to Clinical Research, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
| | - Nicola Fini
- Department of Neurosciences, St. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Gianferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, St. Agostino-Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Marcello Pinti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscular Omnicenter, Serena Onlus Foundation, Milan, Italy
- Istituto Maugeri IRCCS Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Centre, Neurologic Clinic, Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Centre, Neurologic Clinic, Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Ada Scognamiglio
- ALS Centre, Neurologic Clinic, Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Centro Regionale Specializzato Malattie del Motoneurone, Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea Fortuna
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- 3rd Neurology Unit and ALS Centre, IRCCS 'Carlo Besta' Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Dalla Bella
- 3rd Neurology Unit and ALS Centre, IRCCS 'Carlo Besta' Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Caponnetto
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitatioņ Ophthalmology, Genetics, Mother and Child Disease, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Meo
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitatioņ Ophthalmology, Genetics, Mother and Child Disease, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Adriano Chio
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neurosciences, ALS Centre, University of Turin and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neurosciences, ALS Centre, University of Turin and Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Cossarizza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- National Institute for Cardiovascular Research, via Irnerio 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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