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Eisa M, Gomez-Escobar E, Bédard N, Abdeltawab NF, Flores N, Mazouz S, Fieffé-Bédard A, Sakayan P, Gridley J, Abdel-Hakeem MS, Bruneau J, Grakoui A, Shoukry NH. Coordinated expansion of memory T follicular helper and B cells mediates spontaneous clearance of HCV reinfection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1403769. [PMID: 38947319 PMCID: PMC11211980 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1403769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Follicular helper T cells are essential for helping in the maturation of B cells and the production of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) during primary viral infections. However, their role during recall responses is unclear. Here, we used hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection in humans as a model to study the recall collaborative interaction between circulating CD4 T follicular helper cells (cTfh) and memory B cells (MBCs) leading to the generation of NAbs. Methods We evaluated this interaction longitudinally in subjects who have spontaneously resolved primary HCV infection during a subsequent reinfection episode that resulted in either another spontaneous resolution (SR/SR, n = 14) or chronic infection (SR/CI, n = 8). Results Both groups exhibited virus-specific memory T cells that expanded upon reinfection. However, early expansion of activated cTfh (CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ICOS+FoxP3-) occurred in SR/SR only. The frequency of activated cTfh negatively correlated with time post-infection. Concomitantly, NAbs and HCV-specific MBCs (CD19+CD27+IgM-E2-Tet+) peaked during the early acute phase in SR/SR but not in SR/CI. Finally, the frequency of the activated cTfh1 (CXCR3+CCR6-) subset correlated with the neutralization breadth and potency of NAbs. Conclusion These results underscore a key role for early activation of cTfh1 cells in helping antigen-specific B cells to produce NAbs that mediate the clearance of HCV reinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Eisa
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Elsa Gomez-Escobar
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Bédard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nourtan F. Abdeltawab
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nicol Flores
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sabrina Mazouz
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alizée Fieffé-Bédard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Sakayan
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - John Gridley
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mohamed S. Abdel-Hakeem
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Médecine familiale et département d’urgence, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Arash Grakoui
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Naglaa H. Shoukry
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Aggarwal V, Workman CJ, Vignali DAA. LAG-3 as the third checkpoint inhibitor. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1415-1422. [PMID: 37488429 PMCID: PMC11144386 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01569-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) is an inhibitory receptor that is highly expressed by exhausted T cells. LAG-3 is a promising immunotherapeutic target, with more than 20 LAG-3-targeting therapeutics in clinical trials and a fixed-dose combination of anti-LAG-3 and anti-PD-1 now approved to treat unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Although LAG-3 is widely recognized as a potent inhibitory receptor, important questions regarding its biology and mechanism of action remain. In this Perspective, we focus on gaps in the understanding of LAG-3 biology and discuss the five biggest topics of current debate and focus regarding LAG-3, including its ligands, signaling and mechanism of action, its cell-specific functions, its importance in different disease settings, and the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Aggarwal
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Creg J Workman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dario A A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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3
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Huo JL, Wang YT, Fu WJ, Lu N, Liu ZS. The promising immune checkpoint LAG-3 in cancer immunotherapy: from basic research to clinical application. Front Immunol 2022; 13:956090. [PMID: 35958563 PMCID: PMC9361790 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.956090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
LAG-3, a type of immune checkpoint receptor protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, is confirmed to be expressed on activated immune cells, mainly including activated T cells. LAG-3 can negatively regulate the function of T cells, exerting important effects on maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system under normal physiological conditions and promoting tumor cells immune escape in the tumor microenvironment. Given its important biological roles, LAG-3 has been regarded as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. To date, many LAG-3 inhibitors have been reported, which can be divided into monoclonal antibody, double antibody, and small molecule drug, some of which have entered the clinical research stage. LAG-3 inhibitors can negatively regulate and suppress T cell proliferation and activation through combination with MHC II ligand. Besides, LAG-3 inhibitors can also affect T cell function via binding to Galectin-3 and LSECtin. In addition, LAG-3 inhibitors can prevent the FGL1-LAG-3 interaction, thereby enhancing the human body’s antitumor immune effect. In this review, we will describe the function of LAG-3 and summarize the latest LAG-3 inhibitors in the clinic for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ling Huo
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Research Center For Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ya-Tao Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, First People’s Hospital of Shangqiu, Shangqiu, China
| | - Wen-Jia Fu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Research Center For Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Nan Lu
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Nan Lu, ; Zhang-Suo Liu,
| | - Zhang-Suo Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Research Center For Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Nan Lu, ; Zhang-Suo Liu,
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Zoldan K, Ehrlich S, Killmer S, Wild K, Smits M, Russ M, Globig AM, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Boettler T. Th1-Biased Hepatitis C Virus-Specific Follicular T Helper-Like Cells Effectively Support B Cells After Antiviral Therapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:742061. [PMID: 34659236 PMCID: PMC8514946 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.742061] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating Th1-biased follicular T helper (cTfh1) cells have been associated with antibody responses to viral infection and after vaccination but their B cell helper functionality is less understood. After viral elimination, Tfh1 cells are the dominant subset within circulating Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-specific CD4 T cells, but their functional capacity is currently unknown. To address this important point, we established a clone-based system to evaluate CD4 T cell functionality in vitro to overcome experimental limitations associated with their low frequencies. Specifically, we analyzed the transcription factor expression, cytokine secretion and B cell help in co-culture assays of HCV- (n = 18) and influenza-specific CD4 T cell clones (n = 5) in comparison to Tfh (n = 26) and Th1 clones (n = 15) with unknown antigen-specificity derived from healthy donors (n = 4) or direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-treated patients (n = 5). The transcription factor expression and cytokine secretion patterns of HCV-specific CD4 T cell clones indicated a Tfh1 phenotype, with expression of T-bet and Bcl6 and production of IFN-γ and IL-21. Their B helper capacity was superior compared to influenza-specific or Tfh and Th1 clones. Moreover, since Tfh cells are enriched in the IFN-rich milieu of the HCV-infected liver, we investigated the impact of IFN exposure on Tfh phenotype and function. Type I IFN exposure was able to introduce similar phenotypic and functional characteristics in the Tfh cell population within PBMCs or Tfh clones in vitro in line with our finding that Tfh cells are elevated in HCV-infected patients shortly after initiation of IFN-α therapy. Collectively, we were able to functionally characterize HCV-specific CD4 T cells in vitro and not only confirmed a Tfh1 phenotype but observed superior Tfh functionality despite their Th1 bias. Furthermore, our results suggest that chronic type I IFN exposure supports the enrichment of highly functional HCV-specific Tfh-like cells during HCV infection. Thus, HCV-specific Tfh-like cells after DAA therapy may be a promising target for future vaccination design aiming to introduce a neutralizing antibody response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Zoldan
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Ehrlich
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Saskia Killmer
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Wild
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maike Smits
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marissa Russ
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Globig
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maike Hofmann
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Boettler
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Ma S, Zheng Y, Fei C. Identification of key factors associated with early- and late-onset ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. Future Oncol 2020; 16:2821-2833. [PMID: 32885674 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To uncover the molecular mechanisms of early-onset ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (EOOSC; patients <50 years old) and late-onset ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (LOOSC; patients ≥50 years old). Materials & methods: Bioinformatics was utilized to identify the key factors. Results: 478 EOOSC and 899 LOOSC individual differentially expressed genes were identified and enriched in different pathways. The expression of key genes LAG3, LRRC63 and MT1B significantly influenced the overall survival of EOOSC patients. The expression of key genes RDH12, NTSR1, ZSCAN16, CT45A3 and EPPIN_WFDC6 significantly affected the overall survival of LOOSC patients. Conclusions: The molecular mechanisms of EOOSC and LOOSC appear to be different, so that patients might be treated individually in respect of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation & Regulation Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, PR China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Genenexus Technology Corporation, Shanghai, 200438, PR China
| | - Chengwei Fei
- Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, PR China
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Hu S, Liu X, Li T, Li Z, Hu F. LAG3 (CD223) and autoimmunity: Emerging evidence. J Autoimmun 2020; 112:102504. [PMID: 32576412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules play pivotal roles in maintaining the immune homeostasis. Targeting these molecules, such as the classical Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA4) and Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD1), achieves great success in treating cancers. However, not all the patients respond well. This urges the immunologists to identify novel immune checkpoint molecules. Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3; CD223) is a newly identified inhibitory receptor. It is expressed on a variety of immune cells, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, Tregs, B cells, and NK cells. Its unique intracellular domains, signaling patterns as well as the striking synergy observed in its targeted therapy with anti-PD1 indicate the important role of LAG3 in maintaining immune tolerance. Currently, a variety of agents targeting LAG3 are in clinical trials, revealing great perspectives in the future immunotherapy. In this review, we briefly summarize the studies on LAG3, including its structure, isoforms, ligands, signaling, function, roles in multiple diseases, as well as the latest targeted therapeutic advances, with particular concern on the potential association of LAG3 with autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suiyuan Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Tianding Li
- Software Center, Bank of China, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanguo Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fanlei Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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