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Tiniakou I, Hsu PF, Lopez-Zepeda LS, Garipler G, Esteva E, Adams NM, Jang G, Soni C, Lau CM, Liu F, Khodadadi-Jamayran A, Rodrick TC, Jones D, Tsirigos A, Ohler U, Bedford MT, Nimer SD, Kaartinen V, Mazzoni EO, Reizis B. Genome-wide screening identifies Trim33 as an essential regulator of dendritic cell differentiation. Sci Immunol 2024; 9:eadi1023. [PMID: 38608038 PMCID: PMC11182672 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adi1023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The development of dendritic cells (DCs), including antigen-presenting conventional DCs (cDCs) and cytokine-producing plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), is controlled by the growth factor Flt3 ligand (Flt3L) and its receptor Flt3. We genetically dissected Flt3L-driven DC differentiation using CRISPR-Cas9-based screening. Genome-wide screening identified multiple regulators of DC differentiation including subunits of TSC and GATOR1 complexes, which restricted progenitor growth but enabled DC differentiation by inhibiting mTOR signaling. An orthogonal screen identified the transcriptional repressor Trim33 (TIF-1γ) as a regulator of DC differentiation. Conditional targeting in vivo revealed an essential role of Trim33 in the development of all DCs, but not of monocytes or granulocytes. In particular, deletion of Trim33 caused rapid loss of DC progenitors, pDCs, and the cross-presenting cDC1 subset. Trim33-deficient Flt3+ progenitors up-regulated pro-inflammatory and macrophage-specific genes but failed to induce the DC differentiation program. Collectively, these data elucidate mechanisms that control Flt3L-driven differentiation of the entire DC lineage and identify Trim33 as its essential regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Tiniakou
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Pei-Feng Hsu
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorena S. Lopez-Zepeda
- Department of Biology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin; Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine; Berlin, Germany
| | - Görkem Garipler
- Department of Biology, New York University; New York, NY, USA
| | - Eduardo Esteva
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas M. Adams
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Geunhyo Jang
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Chetna Soni
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Colleen M. Lau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine; Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Fan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine; Miami, FL, USA
| | - Alireza Khodadadi-Jamayran
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Tori C. Rodrick
- Metabolomics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Drew Jones
- Metabolomics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Uwe Ohler
- Department of Biology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin; Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine; Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark T. Bedford
- Department of Epigenetics & Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stephen D. Nimer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine; Miami, FL, USA
| | - Vesa Kaartinen
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan School of Dentistry; Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Boris Reizis
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA
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2
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Solaymani-Mohammadi S. The IL-21/IL-21R signaling axis regulates CD4+ T cell responsiveness to IL-12 to promote bacterial-induced colitis. J Leukoc Biol 2024:qiae069. [PMID: 38498592 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
IL-21/IL-21R signaling dysregulation is linked to multiple chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders in humans and animal models of human diseases. In addition to its critical requirement for the generation and development of germinal center B cells, IL-21/IL-21R signaling can also regulate the effector functions of a variety of T cell subsets. The antibody-mediated abrogation of IL-21/IL-21R signaling led to the impaired expression of IFN-γ by mucosal CD4+ T cells from human subjects with colitis, suggesting an IL-21/IL-21R-triggered positive feedback loop of the TH1 immune response in the colon. Despite recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the regulation of pro-inflammatory immune responses by the IL-21/IL-21R signaling axis, it remains unclear how this pathway or its downstream molecules contribute to inflammation during bacterial-induced colitis. This study found that IL-21 enhances the surface expression of IL-12Rβ2, but not IL-12Rβ1, in CD4+ T cells, leading to TH1 differentiation and stability. Consistently, these findings also point to an indispensable role of the IL-12Rβ2 signaling axis in promoting pro-inflammatory immune responses during Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis. Genetic deletion of the IL-12Rβ2 signaling pathway led to the attenuation of C. rodentium-induced colitis in vivo. The genetic deletion of the IL-12Rβ2 signaling pathway did not alter the host's ability to respond adequately to C. rodentium infection or the ability of Il12rb2-/- mice to express antigen-specific cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-17A). IL-21 is a pleiotropic cytokine exerting a wide range of immunomodulatory functions in multiple tissues, and its direct targeting may result in undesirable off-target consequences. These findings highlight the possibility for targeted manipulations of signaling cascades downstream of main regulators of pro-inflammatory responses to control invading pathogens while preserving the integrity of host immune responses. A better understanding of the novel mechanisms by which IL-21/IL-21R signaling regulates bacterial-induced colitis will provide insights into the development of new therapeutic and preventive strategies to harness IL-21/IL-21R signaling or its downstream molecules to treat infectious colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Solaymani-Mohammadi
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States of America
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3
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Koh CH, Kim BS, Kang CY, Chung Y, Seo H. IL-17 and IL-21: Their Immunobiology and Therapeutic Potentials. Immune Netw 2024; 24:e2. [PMID: 38455465 PMCID: PMC10917578 DOI: 10.4110/in.2024.24.e2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies over the last 2 decades have identified IL-17 and IL-21 as key cytokines in the modulation of a wide range of immune responses. IL-17 serves as a critical defender against bacterial and fungal pathogens, while maintaining symbiotic relationships with commensal microbiota. However, alterations in its levels can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. IL-21, on the other hand, bridges the adaptive and innate immune responses, and its imbalance is implicated in autoimmune diseases and cancer, highlighting its important role in both health and disease. Delving into the intricacies of these cytokines not only opens new avenues for understanding the immune system, but also promises innovative advances in the development of therapeutic strategies for numerous diseases. In this review, we will discuss an updated view of the immunobiology and therapeutic potential of IL-17 and IL-21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choong-Hyun Koh
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Byung-Seok Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea
| | - Chang-Yuil Kang
- Research & Development Center, Cellid Co., Ltd., Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Yeonseok Chung
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Hyungseok Seo
- Laboratory of Cell & Gene Therapy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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4
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Liu Y, Dang Y, Zhang C, Liu L, Cai W, Li L, Fang L, Wang M, Xu S, Wang G, Zheng J, Li H. IL-21-armored B7H3 CAR-iNKT cells exert potent antitumor effects. iScience 2024; 27:108597. [PMID: 38179061 PMCID: PMC10765065 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108597] [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: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
CD1d-restricted invariant NKT (iNKT) cells play a critical role in tumor immunity. However, the scarcity and limited persistence restricts their development and clinical application. Here, we demonstrated that iNKT cells could be efficiently expanded using modified cytokines combination from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Introduction of IL-21 significantly increased the frequency of CD62L-positive memory-like iNKT cells. iNKT cells armoring with B7H3-targeting second generation CAR and IL-21 showed potent tumor cell killing activity. Moreover, co-expression of IL-21 promoted the activation of Stat3 signaling and reduced the expression of exhaustion markers in CAR-iNKT cells in vitro. Most importantly, IL-21-arming significantly prolonged B7H3 CAR-iNKT cell proliferation and survival in vivo, thus improving their therapeutic efficacy in mouse renal cancer xerograph models without observed cytokine-related adverse events. In summary, these results suggest that B7H3 CAR-iNKT armored with IL-21 is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Liu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Yuanyuan Dang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Chuhan Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Liu Liu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Wenhui Cai
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Liantao Li
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Med-ical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Lin Fang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Med-ical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Med-ical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Shunzhe Xu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Med-ical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Junnian Zheng
- Center of Clinical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Med-ical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Huizhong Li
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Med-ical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
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5
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Ma M, Xie Y, Liu J, Wu L, Liu Y, Qin X. Biological effects of IL-21 on immune cells and its potential for cancer treatment. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111154. [PMID: 37977064 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111154] [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: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a member of the IL-2 cytokine family, is one of the most important effector and messenger molecules in the immune system. Produced by various immune cells, IL-21 has pleiotropic effects on innate and adaptive immune responses via regulation of natural killer, T, and B cells. An anti-tumor role of IL-21 has also been reported in the literature, as it may support cell proliferation or on the contrary induce growth arrest or apoptosis of the tumor cell. Anti-tumor effect of IL-21 enhances when combined with other agents that target tumor cells, immune regulatory circuits, or other immune-enhancing molecules. Therefore, understanding the biology of IL-21 in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and reducing its systemic toxic and side effects is crucial to ensure the maximum benefits of anti-tumor treatment strategies. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the biological functions, roles in tumors, and the recent advances in preclinical and clinical research of IL-21 in tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meichen Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jianhua Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lina Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaosong Qin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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6
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Leonard WJ, Lin JX. Strategies to therapeutically modulate cytokine action. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:827-854. [PMID: 37542128 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00746-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are secreted or membrane-presented molecules that mediate broad cellular functions, including development, differentiation, growth and survival. Accordingly, the regulation of cytokine activity is extraordinarily important both physiologically and pathologically. Cytokine and/or cytokine receptor engineering is being widely investigated to safely and effectively modulate cytokine activity for therapeutic benefit. IL-2 in particular has been extensively engineered, to create IL-2 variants that differentially exhibit activities on regulatory T cells to potentially treat autoimmune disease versus effector T cells to augment antitumour effects. Additionally, engineering approaches are being applied to many other cytokines such as IL-10, interferons and IL-1 family cytokines, given their immunosuppressive and/or antiviral and anticancer effects. In modulating the actions of cytokines, the strategies used have been broad, including altering affinities of cytokines for their receptors, prolonging cytokine half-lives in vivo and fine-tuning cytokine actions. The field is rapidly expanding, with extensive efforts to create improved therapeutics for a range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jian-Xin Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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7
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Rochman Y, Kotliar M, Ben-Baruch Morgenstern N, Barski A, Wen T, Rothenberg ME. TSLP shapes the pathogenic responses of memory CD4 + T cells in eosinophilic esophagitis. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eadg6360. [PMID: 37699081 PMCID: PMC10602003 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adg6360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
The cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) mediates type 2 immune responses, and treatments that interfere with TSLP activity are in clinical use for asthma. Here, we investigated whether TSLP contributes to allergic inflammation by directly stimulating human CD4+ T cells and whether this process is operational in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a disease linked to variants in TSLP. We showed that about 10% of esophageal-derived memory CD4+ T cells from individuals with EoE and less than 3% of cells from control individuals expressed the receptor for TSLP and directly responded to TSLP, as determined by measuring the phosphorylation of STAT5, a transcription factor activated downstream of TSLP stimulation. Accordingly, increased numbers of TSLP-responsive memory CD4+ T cells were present in the circulation of individuals with EoE. TSLP increased the proliferation of CD4+ T cells, enhanced type 2 cytokine production, induced the increased abundance of its own receptor, and modified the expression of 212 genes. The epigenetic response to TSLP was associated with an enrichment in BATF and IRF4 chromatin-binding sites, and these transcription factors were induced by TSLP, providing a feed-forward loop. The numbers of circulating and esophageal CD4+ T cells responsive to TSLP correlated with the numbers of esophageal eosinophils, supporting a potential functional role for TSLP in driving the pathogenesis of EoE and providing the basis for a blood-based diagnostic test based on the extent of TSLP-induced STAT5 phosphorylation in circulating CD4+ T cells. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic value of TSLP inhibitors for the treatment of EoE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yrina Rochman
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Michael Kotliar
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Netali Ben-Baruch Morgenstern
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Artem Barski
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ting Wen
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Marc E. Rothenberg
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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8
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Chiaranunt P, Burrows K, Ngai L, Tai SL, Cao EY, Liang H, Hamidzada H, Wong A, Gschwend J, Flüchter P, Kuypers M, Despot T, Momen A, Lim SM, Mallevaey T, Schneider C, Conway T, Imamura H, Epelman S, Mortha A. Microbial energy metabolism fuels an intestinal macrophage niche in solitary isolated lymphoid tissues through purinergic signaling. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eabq4573. [PMID: 37540734 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abq4573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining macrophage (MΦ) heterogeneity is critical to ensure intestinal tissue homeostasis and host defense. The gut microbiota and host factors are thought to synergistically guide intestinal MΦ development, although the exact nature, regulation, and location of such collaboration remain unclear. Here, we report that microbial biochemical energy metabolism promotes colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) production by group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) within solitary isolated lymphoid tissues (SILTs) in a cell-extrinsic, NLRP3/P2X7R-dependent fashion in the steady state. Tissue-infiltrating monocytes accumulating around SILTs followed a spatially constrained, distinct developmental trajectory into SILT-associated MΦs (SAMs). CSF2 regulated the mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species production of SAMs and contributed to the antimicrobial defense against enteric bacterial infections. Collectively, these findings identify SILTs and CSF2-producing ILC3s as a microanatomic niche for intestinal MΦ development and functional programming fueled by the integration of commensal microbial energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pailin Chiaranunt
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kyle Burrows
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Louis Ngai
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Siu Ling Tai
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eric Y Cao
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Helen Liang
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Homaira Hamidzada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anthony Wong
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julia Gschwend
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Flüchter
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Meggie Kuypers
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tijana Despot
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Abdul Momen
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sung Min Lim
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Thierry Mallevaey
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Tyrrell Conway
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Hiromi Imamura
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Slava Epelman
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arthur Mortha
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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9
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Wu S, Huang H, Sun R, Gao DS, Ye F, Huang J, Li E, Ni A, Lu KG, Chen K, Jiang J, Morel PA, Zhong Z, Lu B. Synergism Between IL21 and Anti-PD-1 Combination Therapy is Underpinned by the Coordinated Reprogramming of the Immune Cellular Network in the Tumor Microenvironment. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1460-1472. [PMID: 37546701 PMCID: PMC10402650 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
T cell-stimulating cytokines and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are an ideal combination for increasing response rates of cancer immunotherapy. However, the results of clinical trials have not been satisfying. It is important to understand the mechanism of synergy between these two therapeutic modalities. Here, through integrated analysis of multiple single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets of human tumor-infiltrating immune cells, we demonstrate that IL21 is produced by tumor-associated T follicular helper cells and hyperactivated/exhausted CXCL13+CD4+ T cells in the human tumor microenvironment (TME). In the mouse model, the hyperactivated/exhausted CD4+ T cell-derived IL21 enhances the helper function of CD4+ T cells that boost CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses during PD-1 blockade immunotherapy. In addition, we demonstrated that IL21's antitumor activity did not require T-cell trafficking. Using scRNA-seq analysis of the whole tumor-infiltrating immune cells, we demonstrated that IL21 treatment in combination with anti-PD-1 blockade synergistically drives tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells to undergo clonal expansion and differentiate toward the hyperactive/exhausted functional state in the TME. In addition, IL21 treatment and anti-PD-1 blockade synergistically promote dendritic cell (DC) activation and maturation to mature DC as well as monocyte to type 1 macrophage (M1) differentiation in the TME. Furthermore, the combined treatment reprograms the immune cellular network by reshaping cell-cell communication in the TME. Our study establishes unique mechanisms of synergy between IL21 and PD-1-based ICI in the TME through the coordinated promotion of type 1 immune responses. Significance This study reveals how cytokine and checkpoint inhibitor therapy can be combined to increase the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoxian Wu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, P.R. China
| | - Runzi Sun
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - David Shihong Gao
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Fan Ye
- Anwita Biosciences Inc, San Carlos, California
| | | | - Ella Li
- Anwita Biosciences Inc, San Carlos, California
| | - Andrew Ni
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kevin GuoKai Lu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kong Chen
- Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jingting Jiang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, P.R. China
| | - Penelope A. Morel
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Binfeng Lu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey
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10
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Li D, Cui Z, Zhao F, Zhu X, Tan A, Deng Y, Lai Y, Huang Z. Characterization of snakehead (Channa argus) interleukin-21: Involvement in immune defense against two pathogenic bacteria, in leukocyte proliferation, and in activation of JAK-STAT signaling pathway. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 123:207-217. [PMID: 35278639 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a crucial immune regulatory molecule, belongs to the common γ-chain family of type I cytokines, and exerts pleiotropic effects on multiple immune cell types in mammals. However, the characteristics and functions of fish IL-21 remain unclear. To further investigate the molecular mechanism of IL-21 in teleosts, we first cloned and identified the IL-21 gene (designated shIL-21) of the snakehead (Channa argus). The full-length open reading frame of shIL-21 is 438 bp in length, and encodes a predicted protein of 145 amino acid residues. A sequence analysis showed that shIL-21 has the typical structural characteristics of other IL-21 proteins, containing four α-helices and four conserved cysteine residues. In a phylogenetic analysis, shIL-21 clustered within a subgroup of IL-21 proteins from other teleost species and shared its closest evolutionary relationship with that of Lates calcarifer. The expression analysis showed that shIL-21 was ubiquitously expressed in all the healthy snakehead tissues tested, albeit at different levels. After infection with Nocardia seriolae or Aeromonas schubertii, the relative expression of shIL-21 was mainly upregulated in the head kidney and spleen in vivo. Similarly, after stimulation with the three pathogen analogues lipoteichoic acid, lipopolysaccharides, and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, the expression of shIL-21 was also induced in head kidney leukocytes in vitro. A recombinant shIL-21 protein was expressed and purified, and promoted the proliferation of head kidney leukocytes, induced the expression of genes encoding critical signaling molecules in the Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, including JAK1, JAK3, STAT1, and STAT3, and induced the expression of endogenous shIL-21 and genes encoding several key proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and IL-1β). Taken together, these preliminary findings suggest that shIL-21 is involved in the immune defense against bacterial infection, in leukocyte proliferation, and in the activation of the JAK-STAT pathway. They thus extend the functional studies of IL-21 in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Fishery Drug Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510380, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Zhengwei Cui
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Fei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Fishery Drug Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510380, China.
| | - Xueqing Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Fishery Drug Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510380, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Aiping Tan
- Key Laboratory of Fishery Drug Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510380, China
| | - Yuting Deng
- Key Laboratory of Fishery Drug Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510380, China
| | - Yingtiao Lai
- Key Laboratory of Fishery Drug Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510380, China
| | - Zhibin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Fishery Drug Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Immune Technology of Guangdong Province, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510380, China
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11
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Xu F, Liu C, Dong Y, Wu W, Xu J, Yan Y, Shao Y, Hao C, Yang Y, Zhang J. Ablation of Cbl-b and c-Cbl in dendritic cells causes spontaneous liver cirrhosis via altering multiple properties of CD103 + cDC1s. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:142. [PMID: 35354799 PMCID: PMC8967913 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00953-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (Cbl) family proteins are E3 ubiquitin ligases implicated in the regulation of various immune cells. However, their function in dendritic cells (DCs) remains unclear. To investigate the role of Cbl family members in DCs, we created dendritic cell double-deficient Casitas B lymphoma-b (Cbl-b) and Casitas B lineage lymphoma (c-Cbl) mice by crossing Cbl-b−/− mice with c-Cblflox/flox CD11c-Cre+ mice. We found that specific deletion of Cbl-b and c-Cbl in CD11c+ cells, predominantly in DCs, led to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and accumulation of systemic conventional Type I DCs (cDC1s) due to enhanced cell proliferation and decreased cell apoptosis. In addition to a change in DC number, double knockout (dKO) cDC1s exhibited a partially activated status as indicated by high basal expression levels of certain cytokines and possessed an enhanced capacity to prime T cells. After adoptive transfer, dKO cDC1s could drive liver fibrosis too. In further experiments, we demonstrated that Cbl-b and c-Cbl could target signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), a transcriptional repressor for the pro-apoptotic protein Bim, to promote ubiquitination-mediated degradation and cell apoptosis in cDC1s. Further extensive experiments revealed that Cbl-b mediated K27-linked ubiquitination of lysine 164 of STAT5a while c-Cbl induced K29-linked ubiquitination of lysine 696 of STAT5a and K27-linked ubiquitination of lysine 140 and 694 of STAT5b. Thus, our findings indicate a functional redundancy of Cbl-b and c-Cbl in cDC homeostasis and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xu
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Liu
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongli Dong
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyan Wu
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Xu
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunqiu Yan
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Shao
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuangli Hao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yi Yang
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinping Zhang
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Holder PG, Lim SA, Huang CS, Sharma P, Dagdas YS, Bulutoglu B, Sockolosky JT. Engineering interferons and interleukins for cancer immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114112. [PMID: 35085624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a class of potent immunoregulatory proteins that are secreted in response to various stimuli and act locally to regulate many aspects of human physiology and disease. Cytokines play important roles in cancer initiation, progression, and elimination, and thus, there is a long clinical history associated with the use of recombinant cytokines to treat cancer. However, the use of cytokines as therapeutics has been limited by cytokine pleiotropy, complex biology, poor drug-like properties, and severe dose-limiting toxicities. Nevertheless, cytokines are crucial mediators of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity and have the potential to enhance immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Development of immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination immunotherapies has reinvigorated interest in cytokines as therapeutics, and a variety of engineering approaches are emerging to improve the safety and effectiveness of cytokine immunotherapy. In this review we highlight recent advances in cytokine biology and engineering for cancer immunotherapy.
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13
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Aulicino A, Antanaviciute A, Frost J, Sousa Geros A, Mellado E, Attar M, Jagielowicz M, Hublitz P, Sinz J, Preciado-Llanes L, Napolitani G, Bowden R, Koohy H, Drakesmith H, Simmons A. Dual RNA sequencing reveals dendritic cell reprogramming in response to typhoidal Salmonella invasion. Commun Biol 2022; 5:111. [PMID: 35121793 PMCID: PMC8816929 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03038-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: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica represent a major disease burden worldwide. S. enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is responsible for potentially life-threatening Typhoid fever affecting 10.9 million people annually. While non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serovars usually trigger self-limiting diarrhoea, invasive NTS bacteraemia is a growing public health challenge. Dendritic cells (DCs) are key professional antigen presenting cells of the human immune system. The ability of pathogenic bacteria to subvert DC functions and prevent T cell recognition contributes to their survival and dissemination within the host. Here, we adapted dual RNA-sequencing to define how different Salmonella pathovariants remodel their gene expression in tandem with that of infected DCs. We find DCs harness iron handling pathways to defend against invading Salmonellas, which S. Typhi is able to circumvent by mounting a robust response to nitrosative stress. In parallel, we uncover the alternative strategies invasive NTS employ to impair DC functions. Aulicino, Antanaviciute et al investigate the transcriptional response to invasive Salmonella strains in dendritic cells (DCs). They show that S. Typhi mount a response against nitrosative stress pathways and propose a role of iron uptake and transport in preventing infection, which the pathogen can bypass. In parallel, they find that invasive Salmonella employs several mechanisms targeting more classic aspects of immunity to impair DC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Aulicino
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Agne Antanaviciute
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.,MRC WIMM Centre for Computational Biology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Joe Frost
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Ana Sousa Geros
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Esther Mellado
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Moustafa Attar
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.,Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Marta Jagielowicz
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Philip Hublitz
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Genome Engineering Facility, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Julia Sinz
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Lorena Preciado-Llanes
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Giorgio Napolitani
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Rory Bowden
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Hashem Koohy
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.,MRC WIMM Centre for Computational Biology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Hal Drakesmith
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Alison Simmons
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK. .,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
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14
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Monaghan KL, Aesoph D, Ammer AG, Zheng W, Rahimpour S, Farris BY, Spinner CA, Li P, Lin JX, Yu ZX, Lazarevic V, Hu G, Leonard WJ, Wan ECK. Tetramerization of STAT5 promotes autoimmune-mediated neuroinflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2116256118. [PMID: 34934004 PMCID: PMC8719886 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116256118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal tranducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) plays a critical role in mediating cellular responses following cytokine stimulation. STAT proteins critically signal via the formation of dimers, but additionally, STAT tetramers serve key biological roles, and we previously reported their importance in T and natural killer (NK) cell biology. However, the role of STAT5 tetramerization in autoimmune-mediated neuroinflammation has not been investigated. Using the STAT5 tetramer-deficient Stat5a-Stat5b N-domain double knockin (DKI) mouse strain, we report here that STAT5 tetramers promote the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The mild EAE phenotype observed in DKI mice correlates with the impaired extravasation of pathogenic T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and interactions between Th17 cells and monocyte-derived cells (MDCs) in the meninges. We further demonstrate that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-mediated STAT5 tetramerization regulates the production of CCL17 by MDCs. Importantly, CCL17 can partially restore the pathogenicity of DKI Th17 cells, and this is dependent on the activity of the integrin VLA-4. Thus, our study reveals a GM-CSF-STAT5 tetramer-CCL17 pathway in MDCs that promotes autoimmune neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Monaghan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Drake Aesoph
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Amanda G Ammer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Microscope Imaging Facility, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Wen Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Shokofeh Rahimpour
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Breanne Y Farris
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Camille A Spinner
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Peng Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Jian-Xin Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Zu-Xi Yu
- Pathology Core, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Vanja Lazarevic
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Gangqing Hu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Bioinformatics Core, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892;
| | - Edwin C K Wan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506;
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
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15
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Wu S, Sun R, Tan B, Chen B, Zhou W, Gao DS, Zhong J, Huang H, Jiang J, Lu B. The Half-Life-Extended IL21 can Be Combined With Multiple Checkpoint Inhibitors for Tumor Immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:779865. [PMID: 34869384 PMCID: PMC8634682 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.779865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the era of immune checkpoint blockade cancer therapy, cytokines have become an attractive immune therapeutics to increase response rates. Interleukin 21 (IL21) as a single agent has been evaluated for cancer treatment with good clinical efficacy. However, the clinical application of IL21 is limited by a short half-life and concern about potential immune suppressive effect on dendritic cells. Here, we examined the antitumor function of a half-life extended IL21 alone and in combination with PD-1 blockade using preclinical mouse tumor models. We also determined the immune mechanisms of combination therapy. We found that combination therapy additively inhibited the growth of mouse tumors by increasing the effector function of type 1 lymphocytes. Combination therapy also increased the fraction of type 1 dendritic cells (DC1s) and M1 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, combination therapy also induced immune regulatory mechanisms, including the checkpoint molecules Tim-3, Lag-3, and CD39, as well as myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC). This study reveals the mechanisms of IL21/PD-1 cooperation and shed light on rational design of novel combination cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoxian Wu
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Runzi Sun
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Bo Tan
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Bendong Chen
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Wenyan Zhou
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - David Shihong Gao
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Joshua Zhong
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Jingting Jiang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Binfeng Lu
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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16
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Jian L, Li C, Wang X, Sun L, Ma Z, Zhao J. IL-21 impairs pro-inflammatory activity of M1-like macrophages exerting anti-inflammatory effects on rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmunity 2021; 55:75-85. [PMID: 34842006 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2021.2007374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Objective:Macrophages are the main source of inflammatory mediators and play important roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interleukin-21 (IL-21) regulates both innate and adaptive immune responses and exerts major effects on inflammatory responses that promote the development of RA. However, its effect on macrophage polarisation remains unclear.Methods:CD14+ monocytes of the peripheral blood of Human healthy donors (HD) and RA, and macrophages of RA synovial fluid (RA-SF MΦs) were isolated. IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) was detected by flow cytometry. Cytokine production by MΦs from different sources pre-treated with IL-21 and/or LPS was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ELISA. CD14+ monocytes were differentiated into M1-like and M2-like macrophages via stimulation with GM-CSF, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and LPS or M-CSF, IL-4, and IL-13, respectively. To determine the effect of IL-21 on macrophage polarisation, macrophage phenotypes, gene expression, and cytokine secretion were detected by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and ELISA. TLR4 and ERK1/2 were determined by western blotting.Results:IL-21 exerted different effects on LPS-mediated inflammatory responses in various derived MΦs, and inhibited macrophages polarisation to M1-like macrophages and promote their polarisation to M2-like macrophages in HD and RA. Moreover, IL-21 inhibited LPS-mediated secretion of inflammatory cytokines, probably by downregulating the ERK1/2, in RA-SF MΦs.Conclusion:For the first time, we indicated that IL-21 inhibits LPS-mediated cytokine production in RA-SF MΦs, and impairs pro-inflammatory activity of M1-like macrophages, hereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects on RA. Thus, IL-21 might not be an appropriate therapeutic target for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Jian
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Huadong Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changhong Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Ma
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxia Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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17
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Optineurin modulates the maturation of dendritic cells to regulate autoimmunity through JAK2-STAT3 signaling. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6198. [PMID: 34707127 PMCID: PMC8551263 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26477-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Optineurin (OPTN) has important functions in diverse biological processes and diseases, but its effect on dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and functionality remains elusive. Here we show that OPTN is upregulated in human and mouse DC maturation, and that deletion of Optn in mice via CD11c-Cre attenuates DC maturation and impairs the priming of CD4+ T cells, thus ameliorating autoimmune symptoms such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Mechanistically, OPTN binds to the JH1 domain of JAK2 and inhibits JAK2 dimerization and phosphorylation, thereby preventing JAK2-STAT3 interaction and inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation to suppress downstream transcription of IL-10. Without such a negative regulation, Optn-deficient DCs eventually induce an IL-10/JAK2/STAT3/IL-10 positive feedback loop to suppress DC maturation. Finally, the natural product, Saikosaponin D, is identified as an OPTN inhibitor, effectively inhibiting the immune-stimulatory function of DCs and the disease progression of EAE in mice. Our findings thus highlight a pivotal function of OPTN for the regulation of DC functions and autoimmune disorders.
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18
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Hodge AL, Baxter AA, Poon IKH. Gift bags from the sentinel cells of the immune system: The diverse role of dendritic cell-derived extracellular vesicles. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 111:903-920. [PMID: 34699107 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3ru1220-801r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional APCs of the immune system that continuously sample their environment and function to stimulate an adaptive immune response by initiating Ag-specific immunity or tolerance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), small membrane-bound structures, are released from DCs and have been discovered to harbor functional peptide-MHC complexes, T cell costimulatory molecules, and other molecules essential for Ag presentation, immune cell regulation, and stimulating immune responses. As such, DC-derived EVs are being explored as potential immunotherapeutic agents. DC-derived EVs have also been implicated to function as a trafficking mechanism of infectious particles aiding viral propagation. This review will explore the unique features that enable DC-derived EVs to regulate immune responses and interact with recipient cells, their roles within Ag-presentation and disease settings, as well as speculating on a potential immunological role of apoptotic DC-derived EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Hodge
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amy A Baxter
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Lin Y, Chen Y, Feng W, Zhang J, Hua R, Yin B, Yang X. STAT5 promotes chronic pancreatitis by enhancing GM-CSF-dependent neutrophil augmentation. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 110:293-300. [PMID: 34184320 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3ma1020-647r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a continuing or relapsing inflammatory disease of the pancreas, characterized by fibrosis of the whole tissue. The regulatory mechanisms of the immune microenvironment in the pathogenesis of CP are still not clear. Immune cells, especially myeloid cells, play an important role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of immune infiltration has a significant impact on CP intervention. Here, we demonstrated that transcription factor STAT5 was involved in and critical for the progression of CP. Inflammatory stress could significantly increase the expression and activation of STAT5 during CP. STAT5 deficiency or inhibition contributed to alleviating pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis in CP mice. The increased neutrophil infiltration, mediated by up-regulated GM-CSF, was responsible for the pancreatitis-promoting activity of STAT5. Our investigation highlighted the importance of STAT5 in regulating the immune microenvironment of CP. Targeting STAT5 may hold distinct promise for clinical treatment to alleviate CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuli Lin
- Clinical Research Center, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yusheng Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenxue Feng
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Hua
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Yin
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuguang Yang
- Clinical Research Center, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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20
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Inhibition of Interleukin-21 prolongs the survival through the promotion of wound healing after myocardial infarction. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2021; 159:48-61. [PMID: 34144051 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Ly6Clow macrophages promote scar formation and prevent early infarct expansion after myocardial infarction (MI). Although CD4+ T cells influence the regulation of Ly6Clow macrophages after MI, the mechanism remains largely unknown. Based on the hypothesis that some molecule(s) secreted by CD4+ T cells act on Ly6Clow macrophages, we searched for candidate molecules by focusing on cytokine receptors expressed on Ly6Clow macrophages. Comparing the transcriptome between Ly6Chigh macrophages and Ly6Clow macrophages harvested from the infarcted heart, we found that Ly6Clow macrophages highly expressed the receptor for interleukin (IL)-21, a pleiotropic cytokine which is produced by several types of CD4+ T cells, compared with Ly6Chigh macrophages. Indeed, CD4+ T cells harvested from the infarcted heart produce IL-21 upon stimulation. Importantly, the survival rate and cardiac function after MI were significantly improved in IL-21-deficient (il21-/-) mice compared with those in wild-type (WT) mice. Transcriptome analysis of infarcted heart tissue from WT mice and il21-/- mice at 5 days after MI demonstrated that inflammation is persistent in WT mice compared with il21-/- mice. Consistent with the transcriptome analysis, the number of neutrophils and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression were significantly decreased, whereas the number of Ly6Clow macrophages and MMP-12 expression were significantly increased in il21-/- mice. In addition, collagen deposition and the number of myofibroblasts in the infarcted area were significantly increased in il21-/- mice. Consistently, IL-21 enhanced the apoptosis of Ly6Clow macrophages. Finally, administration of neutralizing IL-21 receptor Fc protein increased the number of Ly6Clow macrophages in the infarcted heart and improved the survival and cardiac function after MI. Thus, IL-21 decreases the survival after MI, possibly through the delay of wound healing by inducing the apoptosis of Ly6Clow macrophages.
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21
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Abstract
Viruses commonly antagonize the antiviral type I interferon response by targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and STAT2, key mediators of interferon signaling. Other STAT family members mediate signaling by diverse cytokines important to infection, but their relationship with viruses is more complex. Importantly, virus-STAT interaction can be antagonistic or stimulatory depending on diverse viral and cellular factors. While STAT antagonism can suppress immune pathways, many viruses promote activation of specific STATs to support viral gene expression and/or produce cellular conditions conducive to infection. It is also becoming increasingly clear that viruses can hijack noncanonical STAT functions to benefit infection. For a number of viruses, STAT function is dynamically modulated through infection as requirements for replication change. Given the critical role of STATs in infection by diverse viruses, the virus-STAT interface is an attractive target for the development of antivirals and live-attenuated viral vaccines. Here, we review current understanding of the complex and dynamic virus-STAT interface and discuss how this relationship might be harnessed for medical applications.
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Aggressive NK Cell Leukemia: Current State of the Art. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102900. [PMID: 33050313 PMCID: PMC7600035 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) is a rare, lethal disease that presents many diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Recent studies have shed new light on the salient features of its molecular pathogenesis and provided further insight into the clinicopathologic spectrum of this disease. This review presents a state-of-the-art overview of ANKL, spanning its historical evolution as a distinct entity, pathobiology, and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. Abstract Aggressive natural killer (NK) cell leukemia (ANKL) is a rare disease with a grave prognosis. Patients commonly present acutely with fever, constitutional symptoms, hepatosplenomegaly, and often disseminated intravascular coagulation or hemophagocytic syndrome. This acute clinical presentation and the variable pathologic and immunophenotypic features of ANKL overlap with other diagnostic entities, making it challenging to establish a timely and accurate diagnosis of ANKL. Since its original recognition in 1986, substantial progress in understanding this disease using traditional pathologic approaches has improved diagnostic accuracy. This progress, in turn, has facilitated the performance of recent high-throughput studies that have yielded insights into pathogenesis. Molecular abnormalities that occur in ANKL can be divided into three major groups: JAK/STAT pathway activation, epigenetic dysregulation, and impairment of TP53 and DNA repair. These high-throughput data also have provided potential therapeutic targets that promise to improve therapy and outcomes for patients with ANKL. In this review, we provide a historical context of the conception and evolution of ANKL as a disease entity, we highlight advances in diagnostic criteria to recognize this disease, and we review recent understanding of pathogenesis as well as biomarker discoveries that are providing groundwork for innovative therapies.
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Abstract
Celiac disease (CD) is an enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten proteins in genetically predisposed individuals and characterized by excessive activation of effector immune cells and enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines. However, factors/mechanisms that amplify the ongoing mucosal inflammation in CD are not fully understood. In this study, we assessed whether mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR), a pathway that combines intra- and extra-cellular signals and acts as a central regulator for the metabolism, growth, and function of immune and non-immune cells, sustains CD-associated immune response. Our findings indicate that expression of phosphorylated (p)/active form of mTOR is increased in protein lysates of duodenal biopsy samples taken from patients with active CD (ACD) as compared to normal controls. In ACD, activation of mTOR occurs mainly in the epithelial compartment and associates with enhanced expression of p-4EBP, a downstream target of mTOR complex (mTORC)1, while expression of p-Rictor, a component of mTORC2, is not increased. Stimulation of mucosal explants of inactive CD patients with pepsin-trypsin-digested (PT)-gliadin or IFN-γ/IL-21, two cytokines produced in CD by gluten-specific T cells, increases p-4EBP expression. Consistently, blockade of such cytokines in cultures of ACD mucosal explants reduces p-4EBP. Finally, we show that inhibition of mTORC1 with rapamycin in ACD mucosal explants reduces p-4EBP and production of IL-15, a master cytokine produced by epithelial cells in this disorder. Our data suggest that ACD inflammation is marked by activation of mTORC1 in the epithelial compartment.
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24
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Ma X, Zha J, He J, Chen L, Huang J, Wu W, Tian P, Qian BH, Yu L, Jiang Y, Xu B. T follicular helper cell-mediated IL-21 production suppresses FOXP3 expression of T follicular regulatory-like cells in diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients. Hum Immunol 2020; 81:452-459. [PMID: 32534760 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Based on CD25 expression, T follicular helper cells (Tfh) could be divided into T follicular regulatory (Tfr)-like subset (CD25+CD4+CXCR5+) and CD25- Tfh subset (CD25-CD4+CXCR5+). Patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) display high level of Tfr-like cells in blood and tumor. This Tfr-like subset could suppress CD8 T cell response while promote tumor cell proliferation. In this study, we investigated the transcription factors and regulatory elements associated with Tfr-like cells in DLBCL patients. Both circulating and tumor-infiltrating Tfr-like cells presented slightly higher Blimp-1 expression and significantly higher Foxp3 expression than the CD25- Tfh subset. As the IL-2 receptor, CD25 could be moderately upregulated in stimulated CD25- Tfh cells. However, stimulated CD25- Tfh cells could not upregulate Foxp3, indicating that the distinction between Foxp3-low CD25-CXCR5+CD4+ T cells and Foxp3-high CD25+CXCR5+CD4+ T cells was not due to differences in stimulation status. Regarding cytokine production, while both Tfr-like and CD25- Tfh cells upregulated IL-21 and IL-10 during stimulation, the CD25- Tfh cells presented significantly higher IL-21 and lower IL-10 expression than the Tfr-like cells, and the TGF-β expression was only increased in Tfr-like cells. Interestingly, IL-21 secreted from CD25- Tfh cells negatively regulated the expression of Foxp3 and IL-10 of autologous Tfr-like cells. Together, these results demonstrated that the Tfr-like and CD25- Tfh subsets of circulating Tfh cells presented different functions and should be investigated separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Ma
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
| | - Jie Zha
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jixiang He
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), Dongguan, China
| | - Longtian Chen
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
| | - Jianqing Huang
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
| | - Weihao Wu
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
| | - Pan Tian
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
| | - Bao-Hua Qian
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lian Yu
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China.
| | - Yirong Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), Dongguan, China.
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
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25
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Shen S, Sckisel G, Sahoo A, Lalani A, Otter DD, Pearson J, DeVoss J, Cheng J, Casey SC, Case R, Yang M, Low R, Daris M, Fan B, Agrawal NJ, Ali K. Engineered IL-21 Cytokine Muteins Fused to Anti-PD-1 Antibodies Can Improve CD8+ T Cell Function and Anti-tumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:832. [PMID: 32457754 PMCID: PMC7225340 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors that block the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) pathway can potentiate endogenous antitumor immunity and have markedly improved cancer survival rates across a broad range of indications. However, these treatments work for only a minority of patients. The efficacy of anti-PD-1 inhibitors may be extended by cytokines, however, the incorporation of cytokines into therapeutic regimens has significant challenges. In their natural form when administered as recombinant proteins, cytokine treatments are often associated with low response rates. Most cytokines have a short half-life which limits their exposure and efficacy. In addition, cytokines can activate counterregulatory pathways, in the case of immune-potentiating cytokines this can lead to immune suppression and thereby diminish their potential efficacy. Improving the drug-like properties of natural cytokines using protein engineering can yield synthetic cytokines with improved bioavailability and tissue targeting, allowing for enhanced efficacy and reduced off-target effects. Using structure guided engineering we have designed a novel class of antibody-cytokine fusion proteins consisting of a PD-1 targeting antibody fused together with an interleukin-21 (IL-21) cytokine mutein. Our bifunctional fusion proteins can block PD-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) interaction whilst simultaneously delivering IL-21 cytokine to PD-1 expressing T cells. Targeted delivery of IL-21 can improve T cell function in a manner that is superior to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Fusion of engineered IL-21 variants to anti-PD1 antibodies can improve the drug-like properties of IL-21 cytokine leading to improved cytokine serum half-life allowing for less frequent dosing. In addition, we show that targeted delivery of IL-21 can minimize any potential detrimental effect on local antigen-presenting cells. A highly attenuated IL-21 mutein variant (R9E:R76A) fused to a PD-1 antibody provides protection in a humanized mouse model of cancer that is refractory to anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Collectively, our preclinical data demonstrate that this approach may improve upon and extend the utility of anti-PD-1 therapeutics currently in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanling Shen
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Gail Sckisel
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Anupama Sahoo
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Almin Lalani
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Doug Den Otter
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Josh Pearson
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jason DeVoss
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jay Cheng
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Stephanie C. Casey
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ryan Case
- Discovery Attribute Sciences, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Melissa Yang
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Ray Low
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Mark Daris
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Bin Fan
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Neeraj J. Agrawal
- Biologics Discovery, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | - Khaled Ali
- Departments of Oncology Research, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, CA, United States
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26
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Verhoeven Y, Tilborghs S, Jacobs J, De Waele J, Quatannens D, Deben C, Prenen H, Pauwels P, Trinh XB, Wouters A, Smits EL, Lardon F, van Dam PA. The potential and controversy of targeting STAT family members in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 60:41-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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27
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Solaymani-Mohammadi S, Eckmann L, Singer SM. Interleukin (IL)-21 in Inflammation and Immunity During Parasitic Diseases. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:401. [PMID: 31867283 PMCID: PMC6904299 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality in the developing and underdeveloped countries. No efficacious vaccines are available against most parasitic diseases and there is a critical need for developing novel vaccine strategies for care. IL-21 is a pleiotropic cytokine whose functions in protection and immunopathology during parasitic diseases have been explored in limited ways. IL-21 and its cognate receptor, IL-21R, are highly expressed in parasitized organs of infected humans as well in murine models of the human parasitic diseases. Prior studies have indicated the ability of the IL-21/IL-21R signaling axis to regulate the effector functions (e.g., cytokine production) of T cell subsets by enhancing the expression of T-bet and STAT4 in human T cells, resulting in an augmented production of IFN-γ. Mice deficient for either IL-21 (Il21−/−) or IL-21R (Il21r−/−) showed significantly reduced inflammatory responses following parasitic infections as compared with their WT counterparts. Targeting the IL-21/IL-21R signaling axis may provide a novel approach for the development of new therapeutic agents for the prevention of parasite-induced immunopathology and tissue destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Solaymani-Mohammadi
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Lars Eckmann
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Steven M Singer
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
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28
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Leonard WJ, Lin JX, O'Shea JJ. The γ c Family of Cytokines: Basic Biology to Therapeutic Ramifications. Immunity 2019; 50:832-850. [PMID: 30995502 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2019.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The common cytokine receptor γ chain, γc, is a component of the receptors for interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21. Mutation of the gene encoding γc results in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency in humans, and γc family cytokines collectively regulate development, proliferation, survival, and differentiation of immune cells. Here, we review the basic biology of these cytokines, highlighting mechanisms of signaling and gene regulation that have provided insights for immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, allergic diseases, and cancer. Moreover, we discuss how studies of this family stimulated the development of JAK3 inhibitors and present an overview of current strategies targeting these pathways in the clinic, including novel antibodies, antagonists, and partial agonists. The diverse roles of these cytokines on a range of immune cells have important therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1674, USA.
| | - Jian-Xin Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1674, USA.
| | - John J O'Shea
- Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolic, and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1674, USA.
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29
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Tolomeo M, Meli M, Grimaudo S. STAT5 and STAT5 Inhibitors in Hematological Malignancies. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2019; 19:2036-2046. [PMID: 31490767 DOI: 10.2174/1871520619666190906160848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The JAK-STAT pathway is an important physiologic regulator of different cellular functions including proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and immunological responses. Out of six different STAT proteins, STAT5 plays its main role in hematopoiesis and constitutive STAT5 activation seems to be a key event in the pathogenesis of several hematological malignancies. This has led many researchers to develop compounds capable of inhibiting STAT5 activation or interfering with its functions. Several anti-STAT5 molecules have shown potent STAT5 inhibitory activity in vitro. However, compared to the large amount of clinical studies with JAK inhibitors that are currently widely used in the clinics to treat myeloproliferative disorders, the clinical trials with STAT5 inhibitors are very limited. At present, a few STAT5 inhibitors are in phase I or II clinical trials for the treatment of leukemias and graft vs host disease. These studies seem to indicate that such compounds could be well tolerated and useful in reducing the occurrence of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia. Of interest, STAT5 seems to play an important role in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal suggesting that combination therapies including STAT5 inhibitors can erode the cancer stem cell pool and possibly open the way for the complete cancer eradication. In this review, we discuss the implication of STAT5 in hematological malignancies and the results obtained with the novel STAT5 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manlio Tolomeo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Meli
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefania Grimaudo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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30
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Irradiated Bladder Cancer Cells Expressing both GM-CSF and IL-21 versus Either GM-CSF or IL-21 Alone as Tumor Vaccine in a Mouse Xenograft Model. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:8262989. [PMID: 31467912 PMCID: PMC6699310 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8262989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have established the efficacy of irradiated cancer cells overexpressing GM-CSF or IL-21 as a vaccine. Here we examined whether the vaccine efficacy was greater when both factors were overexpressed together. MB49 bladder cancer cells were transfected with expression plasmid pT7TS encoding mouse GM-CSF and human IL-21, and then irradiated with 100 Gy at 4 days later. The cells (1×107 per animal) were injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6 mice at 0, 4, 8, and 12 days after inoculation with MB49 tumor xenografts. Control animals were injected with MB49 cells transfected with pT7TS encoding GM-CSF or IL-21 on its own. Tumor growth was monitored for 45 days and compared among the groups using repeated-measures ANOVA. Vaccination with irradiated MB49 cells did not affect xenograft growth. Vaccination with irradiated cells overexpressing GM-CSF or IL-21 alone significantly inhibited tumor growth and led to significantly more CD4+ CD8+ T cells and fewer CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in the spleen and xenograft. These effects were even greater following vaccination with irradiated cells overexpressing both GM-CSF and IL-21. Irradiated bladder cancer cells overexpressing both GM-CSF and IL-21 are more effective than cells expressing either factor alone as a vaccine against bladder cancer.
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31
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Significant body mass increase by oral administration of a cascade of shIL21-MSTN yeast-based DNA vaccine in mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 118:109147. [PMID: 31302418 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Base on the practical of MSTN-specific yeast-based protein vaccine in mice as described previously, this research was designed for developing a better DNA vaccine (a cascade of shIL21-MSTN yeast-based DNA vaccine) than solely MSTN yeast-based DNA vaccine to block the endogenous MSTN in the murine model. We first constructed the target vectors, including CMV-driven MSTN expression vector and a combined shIL21-MSTN vector which containing MSTN expression cassette and shIL21 (short hairpin RNA-IL21) expression cassette. After necessary validation, recombinant yeast vaccines harboring different vectors were well prepared. Subsequently, after 2-month administration, the MSTN-specific immune response was detected with western blots. The commercial ELISA assays indicated that the production of IL21 and IL6 were decreased compared with control groups. More importantly, the MSTN-specific antibody titer was much higher in the shIL21-MSTN group than MSTN group, which was consistent with the western blots result. The most important finding was significant body mass increased after oral administration of these yeast-based DNA vaccines, in which the shIL21-MSTN vaccine is slightly higher than the sole MSTN vaccine in mice. In this study, we confirmed the role of different MSTN-specific yeast-based DNA vaccines on increasing body mass in mice, to provide a good inspiration for livestock breeding through the new type of immunoregulatory method. On the other hand, we also detected the possible modulating role of shIL21 on the dendritic cell-mediated immune function which needs more practical application and deeper exploration.
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32
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Curtis JL. B Cells Caught in the Act: Class Switching to IgA in Lung Lymphoid Follicles in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2019; 199:548-550. [PMID: 30352169 PMCID: PMC6396857 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201810-1907ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Curtis
- 1 Medical Service VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Ann Arbor, Michigan and.,2 Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Division University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan
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33
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Spolski R, West EE, Li P, Veenbergen S, Yung S, Kazemian M, Oh J, Yu ZX, Freeman AF, Holland SM, Murphy PM, Leonard WJ. IL-21/type I interferon interplay regulates neutrophil-dependent innate immune responses to Staphylococcus aureus. eLife 2019; 8:45501. [PMID: 30969166 PMCID: PMC6504231 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major hospital- and community-acquired pathogen, but the mechanisms underlying host-defense to MRSA remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of IL-21 in this process. When administered intra-tracheally into wild-type mice, IL-21 induced granzymes and augmented clearance of pulmonary MRSA but not when neutrophils were depleted or a granzyme B inhibitor was added. Correspondingly, IL-21 induced MRSA killing by human peripheral blood neutrophils. Unexpectedly, however, basal MRSA clearance was also enhanced when IL-21 signaling was blocked, both in Il21r KO mice and in wild-type mice injected with IL-21R-Fc fusion-protein. This correlated with increased type I interferon and an IFN-related gene signature, and indeed anti-IFNAR1 treatment diminished MRSA clearance in these animals. Moreover, we found that IFNβ induced granzyme B and promoted MRSA clearance in a granzyme B-dependent fashion. These results reveal an interplay between IL-21 and type I IFN in the innate immune response to MRSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanne Spolski
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States.,Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Erin E West
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States.,Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Peng Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States.,Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Sharon Veenbergen
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Sunny Yung
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Majid Kazemian
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States.,Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Jangsuk Oh
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States.,Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Zu-Xi Yu
- The Pathology Core, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Alexandra F Freeman
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Stephen M Holland
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Philip M Murphy
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States.,Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
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Solaymani-Mohammadi S, Berzofsky JA. Interleukin 21 collaborates with interferon-γ for the optimal expression of interferon-stimulated genes and enhances protection against enteric microbial infection. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007614. [PMID: 30818341 PMCID: PMC6413951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mucosal surface of the intestinal tract represents a major entry route for many microbes. Despite recent progress in the understanding of the IL-21/IL-21R signaling axis in the generation of germinal center B cells, the roles played by this signaling pathway in the context of enteric microbial infections is not well-understood. Here, we demonstrate that Il21r-/- mice are more susceptible to colonic microbial infection, and in the process discovered that the IL-21/IL-21R signaling axis surprisingly collaborates with the IFN-γ/IFN-γR signaling pathway to enhance the expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) required for protection, via amplifying activation of STAT1 in mucosal CD4+ T cells in a murine model of Citrobacter rodentium colitis. As expected, conditional deletion of STAT3 in CD4+ T cells indicated that STAT3 also contributed importantly to host defense against C. rodentium infection in the colon. However, the collaboration between IL-21 and IFN-γ to enhance the phosphorylation of STAT1 and upregulate ISGs was independent of STAT3. Unveiling this previously unreported crosstalk between these two cytokine networks and their downstream genes induced will provide insight into the development of novel therapeutic targets for colonic infections, inflammatory bowel disease, and promotion of mucosal vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Solaymani-Mohammadi
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SSM); (JAB)
| | - Jay A. Berzofsky
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SSM); (JAB)
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IL-21 promotes allergic airway inflammation by driving apoptosis of FoxP3 + regulatory T cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019; 143:2178-2189.e5. [PMID: 30654048 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2018.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND IL-21 is a key player of adaptive immunity, with well-established roles in B-cell and cytotoxic T-cell responses. IL-21 has been implicated in promotion of effector CD4+ T cells and inhibition of forkhead box P3-positive regulatory T (Treg) cells, but the mechanism and functional relevance of these findings remain controversial. OBJECTIVE We sought to understand the mechanisms by which IL-21 controls effector CD4+ cell responses and Treg cell homeostasis. METHODS We used IL-21 receptor-deficient mice to study the effect of IL-21 on T-cell responses in models of asthma and colitis. We used mixed bone marrow chimeras and adoptive transfer of naive CD4+ T cells and Treg cells into lymphopenic mice to assess the cell-intrinsic effects of IL-21. Using various in vitro T-cell assays, we characterized the mechanism of IL-21-mediated inhibition of Treg cells. RESULTS We show that IL-21 production by TH2 and follicular helper T/ex-follicular helper T cells promotes asthma by inhibiting Treg cells. Il21r-/- mice displayed reduced generation of TH2 cells and increased generation of Treg cells. In mixed chimeras we demonstrate that IL-21 promotes TH2 responses indirectly through inhibition of Treg cells. Depleting Treg cells in Il21r-/- mice restored TH2 generation and eosinophilia. Furthermore, IL-21 inhibited Treg cell generation in mice with colitis. Using competitive transfer of Il21r+/+ and Il21r-/- CD4+ cells, we show that IL-21 directly inhibited expansion of differentiated Treg cells but was dispensable for TH1/TH17 effectors. We show that IL-21 sensitizes Treg cells to apoptosis by interfering with the expression of Bcl-2 family genes. CONCLUSION IL-21 directly promotes apoptosis of Treg cells and therefore indirectly sustains generation of inflammatory TH cells and related effector responses.
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Defective IgA response to atypical intestinal commensals in IL-21 receptor deficiency reshapes immune cell homeostasis and mucosal immunity. Mucosal Immunol 2019; 12:85-96. [PMID: 30087442 PMCID: PMC6301133 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-018-0056-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite studies indicating the effects of IL-21 signaling in intestinal inflammation, its roles in intestinal homeostasis and infection are not yet clear. Here, we report potent effects of commensal microbiota on the phenotypic manifestations of IL-21 receptor deficiency. IL-21 is produced highly in the small intestine and appears to be critical for mounting an IgA response against atypical commensals such as segmented filamentous bacteria and Helicobacter, but not to the majority of commensals. In the presence of these atypical commensals, IL-21R-deficient mice exhibit reduced numbers of germinal center and IgA+ B cells and expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase in Peyer's patches as well as a significant decrease in small intestine IgA+ plasmablasts and plasma cells, leading to higher bacterial burdens and subsequent expansion of Th17 and Treg cells. These microbiota-mediated secondary changes in turn enhance T cell responses to an oral antigen and strikingly dampen Citrobacter rodentium-induced immunopathology, demonstrating a complex interplay between IL-21-mediated mucosal immunity, microbiota, and pathogens.
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IL-21 Attenuates FITC-Induced Contact Hypersensitivity Response via Regulation of Dendritic Cell Function. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 138:2174-2184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.03.1508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Zheng X, Zhou Y, Yi X, Chen C, Wen C, Ye G, Li X, Tang L, Zhang X, Yang F, Liu G, Li Y, Hou J. IL-21 receptor signaling is essential for control of hepatocellular carcinoma growth and immunological memory for tumor challenge. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1500673. [PMID: 30524894 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1500673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical inflammation-associated cancer. IL-21 regulates both innate and adaptive immune responses and has key roles in antitumor and antiviral responses. However, the role of IL-21 in HCC development is poorly defined. In the current study, we explored the role of IL-21R signaling in HCC growth by using IL-21R knockout mice and HCC mouse models. We discovered that IL-21R signaling deficiency promoted HCC growth in tumor-bearing mice. We showed that IL-21R deletion reduced T cells infiltration and activation as well as their function but increased the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor tissues to enhance HCC growth. Furthermore, loss of IL-21R signaling in tumor-bearing mice resulted in an imbalance of the systemic immune system characterized by decreased antitumor immune cells and increased immunosuppressive cells in the spleen and lymph nodes. In addition, we revealed that IL-21R signaling is critical for the expansion of antitumor immune cells in the memory immune response to tumor rechallenge. Finally, we showed that the transcriptional levels of IL-21 in the peritumoral region and IL-21R within the tumor are associated with survival and recurrence of HCC patients. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that IL-21R signaling is essential for controlling the development of HCC and immunological memory response to tumor challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchun Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengcong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunhua Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guofu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Libo Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fuqiang Yang
- Liver Disease Research Center, The 458th Hospital of PLA, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangze Liu
- Liver Disease Research Center, The 458th Hospital of PLA, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongyin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinlin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Lin JX, Leonard WJ. The Common Cytokine Receptor γ Chain Family of Cytokines. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2018; 10:cshperspect.a028449. [PMID: 29038115 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a028449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21 form a family of cytokines based on their sharing the common cytokine receptor γ chain (γc), which was originally discovered as the third receptor component of the IL-2 receptor, IL-2Rγ. The IL2RG gene is located on the X chromosome and is mutated in humans with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID). The breadth of the defects in XSCID could not be explained solely by defects in IL-2 signaling, and it is now clear that γc is a shared receptor component of the six cytokines noted above, making XSCID a disease of defective cytokine signaling. Janus kinase (JAK)3 associates with γc, and JAK3-deficient SCID phenocopies XSCID, findings that served to stimulate the development of JAK3 inhibitors as immunosuppressants. γc family cytokines collectively control broad aspects of lymphocyte development, growth, differentiation, and survival, and these cytokines are clinically important, related to allergic and autoimmune diseases and cancer as well as immunodeficiency. In this review, we discuss the actions of these cytokines, their critical biological roles and signaling pathways, focusing mainly on JAK/STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) signaling, and how this information is now being used in clinical therapeutic efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Xin Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1674
| | - Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1674
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40
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Dress RJ, Wong AYW, Ginhoux F. Homeostatic control of dendritic cell numbers and differentiation. Immunol Cell Biol 2018; 96:463-476. [DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Regine J Dress
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN); Agency for Science; Technology, and Research (A*STAR); Singapore 138648 Singapore
| | - Alicia YW Wong
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN); Agency for Science; Technology, and Research (A*STAR); Singapore 138648 Singapore
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN); Agency for Science; Technology, and Research (A*STAR); Singapore 138648 Singapore
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41
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Mechanisms and consequences of Jak-STAT signaling in the immune system. Nat Immunol 2017; 18:374-384. [PMID: 28323260 DOI: 10.1038/ni.3691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 741] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Kinases of the Jak ('Janus kinase') family and transcription factors (TFs) of the STAT ('signal transducer and activator of transcription') family constitute a rapid membrane-to-nucleus signaling module that affects every aspect of the mammalian immune system. Research on this paradigmatic pathway has experienced breakneck growth in the quarter century since its discovery and has yielded a stream of basic and clinical insights that have profoundly influenced modern understanding of human health and disease, exemplified by the bench-to-bedside success of Jak inhibitors ('jakinibs') and pathway-targeting drugs. Here we review recent advances in Jak-STAT biology, focusing on immune cell function, disease etiology and therapeutic intervention, as well as broader principles of gene regulation and signal-dependent TFs.
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Able AA, Burrell JA, Stephens JM. STAT5-Interacting Proteins: A Synopsis of Proteins that Regulate STAT5 Activity. BIOLOGY 2017; 6:biology6010020. [PMID: 28287479 PMCID: PMC5372013 DOI: 10.3390/biology6010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) are key components of the JAK/STAT pathway. Of the seven STATs, STAT5A and STAT5B are of particular interest for their critical roles in cellular differentiation, adipogenesis, oncogenesis, and immune function. The interactions of STAT5A and STAT5B with cytokine/hormone receptors, nuclear receptors, transcriptional regulators, proto-oncogenes, kinases, and phosphatases all contribute to modulating STAT5 activity. Among these STAT5 interacting proteins, some serve as coactivators or corepressors to regulate STAT5 transcriptional activity and some proteins can interact with STAT5 to enhance or repress STAT5 signaling. In addition, a few STAT5 interacting proteins have been identified as positive regulators of STAT5 that alter serine and tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5 while other proteins have been identified as negative regulators of STAT5 via dephosphorylation. This review article will discuss how STAT5 activity is modulated by proteins that physically interact with STAT5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A Able
- Adipocyte Biology Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
| | - Jasmine A Burrell
- Adipocyte Biology Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
| | - Jacqueline M Stephens
- Adipocyte Biology Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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Sun Y, Iyer M, McEachin R, Zhao M, Wu YM, Cao X, Oravecz-Wilson K, Zajac C, Mathewson N, Wu SRJ, Rossi C, Toubai T, Qin ZS, Chinnaiyan AM, Reddy P. Genome-Wide STAT3 Binding Analysis after Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Reveals Novel Target Genes in Dendritic Cells. J Innate Immun 2016; 9:126-144. [PMID: 27866206 DOI: 10.1159/000450681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
STAT3 is a master transcriptional regulator that plays an important role in the induction of both immune activation and immune tolerance in dendritic cells (DCs). The transcriptional targets of STAT3 in promoting DC activation are becoming increasingly understood; however, the mechanisms underpinning its role in causing DC suppression remain largely unknown. To determine the functional gene targets of STAT3, we compared the genome-wide binding of STAT3 using ChIP sequencing coupled with gene expression microarrays to determine STAT3-dependent gene regulation in DCs after histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition. HDAC inhibition boosted the ability of STAT3 to bind to distinct DNA targets and regulate gene expression. Among the top 500 STAT3 binding sites, the frequency of canonical motifs was significantly higher than that of noncanonical motifs. Functional analysis revealed that after treatment with an HDAC inhibitor, the upregulated STAT3 target genes were those that were primarily the negative regulators of proinflammatory cytokines and those in the IL-10 signaling pathway. The downregulated STAT3-dependent targets were those involved in immune effector processes and antigen processing/presentation. The expression and functional relevance of these genes were validated. Specifically, functional studies confirmed that the upregulation of IL-10Ra by STAT3 contributed to the suppressive function of DCs following HDAC inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Sun
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA
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Zhang Y, Zhou M, Wang Z, Yang J, Li M, Wang K, Cui M, Chen H, Fu ZF, Zhao L. Recombinant rabies virus expressing IL-21 enhances immunogenicity through activation of T follicular helper cells and germinal centre B cells. J Gen Virol 2016; 97:3154-3160. [PMID: 27902338 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that the lack of interleukin-21 (IL-21) signalling could affect specific antibody induction after rabies vaccination. Here, to further investigate the over-expression of IL-21 on the immunogenicity of rabies virus (RABV), a recombinant RABV expressing murine IL-21, designated LBNSE-IL21, was constructed and evaluated in a mouse model. It was found that in mice immunized with LBNSE-IL21, there was a substantial increase in the number of T follicular helper cells and germinal centre B cells but no enhancement of dendritic cell activation. Furthermore, significantly higher rabies virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) titres were produced in mice immunized with LBNSE-IL21 than in mice immunized with the parent virus LBNSE in the first six weeks, resulting in higher protection. Together, these results suggest that LBNSE-IL21 can induce a rapid and robust VNA titre, and it has the potential to be developed as a promising rabies vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Ming Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Zhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Mingming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Kunlun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Min Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Huanchun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Zhen F Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,Department of Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Ling Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
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Willi M, Yoo KH, Wang C, Trajanoski Z, Hennighausen L. Differential cytokine sensitivities of STAT5-dependent enhancers rely on Stat5 autoregulation. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:10277-10291. [PMID: 27694626 PMCID: PMC5137441 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines utilize the transcription factor STAT5 to control cell-specific genes at a larger scale than universal genes, with a mechanistic explanation yet to be supplied. Genome-wide studies have identified putative STAT5-based mammary-specific and universal enhancers, an opportunity to investigate mechanisms underlying their differential response to cytokines. We have now interrogated the integrity and function of both categories of regulatory elements using biological and genetic approaches. During lactation, STAT5 occupies mammary-specific and universal cytokine-responsive elements. Following lactation, prolactin levels decline and mammary-specific STAT5-dependent enhancers are decommissioned within 24 h, while universal regulatory complexes remain intact. These differential sensitivities are linked to STAT5 concentrations and the mammary-specific Stat5 autoregulatory enhancer. In its absence, mammary-specific enhancers, but not universal elements, fail to be fully established. Upon termination of lactation STAT5 binding to a subset of mammary enhancers is substituted by STAT3. No STAT3 binding was observed at the most sensitive STAT5 enhancers suggesting that upon hormone withdrawal their chromatin becomes inaccessible. Lastly, we demonstrate that the mammary-enriched transcription factors GR, ELF5 and NFIB associate with STAT5 at sites lacking bona fide binding motifs. This study provides, for the first time, molecular insight into the differential sensitivities of mammary-specific and universal cytokine-sensing enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Willi
- Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.,Division of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kyung Hyun Yoo
- Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.,Department of Life Systems, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 140-742, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaochen Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zlatko Trajanoski
- Division of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lothar Hennighausen
- Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Huang Y, Matsumura Y, Hatano S, Noguchi N, Murakami T, Iwakura Y, Sun X, Ohara N, Yoshikai Y. IL-21 inhibits IL-17A-producing γδ T-cell response after infection with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin via induction of apoptosis. Innate Immun 2016; 22:588-597. [PMID: 27554052 DOI: 10.1177/1753425916664125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate γδ T cells expressing Vγ6 produce IL-17A at an early stage following infection with Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). In this study, we used IL-21 receptor knockout (IL-21R KO) mice and IL-21-producing recombinant BCG mice (rBCG-Ag85B-IL-21) to examine the role of IL-21 in the regulation of IL-17A-producing innate γδ T-cell response following BCG infection. IL-17A-producing Vγ6+ γδ T cells increased in the peritoneal cavity of IL-21R KO mice more than in wild type mice after BCG infection. In contrast, the number of IL-17A-producing Vγ6+ γδ T cells was significantly lower after inoculation with rBCG-Ag85B-IL-21 compared with control rBCG-Ag85B. Notably, exogenous IL-21 selectively induced apoptosis of IL-17A-producing Vγ6+ γδ T cells via Bim. Thus, these results suggest that IL-21 acts as a potent inhibitor of a IL-17A-producing γδ T-cell subset during BCG infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinxia Huang
- 1 Division of Host Defense, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,2 Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yumiko Matsumura
- 1 Division of Host Defense, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shinya Hatano
- 1 Division of Host Defense, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Naoto Noguchi
- 1 Division of Host Defense, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tesshin Murakami
- 1 Division of Host Defense, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Iwakura
- 3 Center for Animal Disease Models, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan
| | - Xun Sun
- 4 Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Naoya Ohara
- 5 Department of Oral Microbiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yasunobu Yoshikai
- 1 Division of Host Defense, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Wu Y, van Besouw NM, Shi Y, Hoogduijn MJ, Wang L, Baan CC. The Biological Effects of IL-21 Signaling on B-Cell-Mediated Responses in Organ Transplantation. Front Immunol 2016; 7:319. [PMID: 27602031 PMCID: PMC4994014 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-mediated rejection has emerged as one of the major issues limiting the success of organ transplantation. It exerts a highly negative impact on graft function and outcome, and effective treatment is lacking. The triggers for antibody development, and the mechanisms leading to graft dysfunction and failure, are incompletely understood. The production of antibodies is dependent on instructions from various immunocytes including CD4 T-helper cells that secrete interleukin (IL)-21 and interact with antigen-specific B-cells via costimulatory molecules. In this article, we discuss the role of IL-21 in the activation and differentiation of B-cells and consider the mechanisms of IL-21 and B-cell interaction. An improved understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in antibody-mediated complications after organ transplantation could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies, which control humoral alloreactivity, potentially preventing and treating graft-threatening antibody-mediated rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Sector Nephrology & Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nicole M van Besouw
- Sector Nephrology & Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam , Rotterdam , Netherlands
| | - Yunying Shi
- Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Martin J Hoogduijn
- Sector Nephrology & Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam , Rotterdam , Netherlands
| | - Lanlan Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Carla C Baan
- Sector Nephrology & Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam , Rotterdam , Netherlands
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48
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Cheng Q, Wang Z, Ma R, Chen Y, Yan Y, Miao S, Jiao J, Cheng X, Kong L, Ye D. Lipoxin A4 protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis by promoting innate response activator B cells generation. Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 39:229-235. [PMID: 27494686 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Sepsis is a serious disease that leads to severe inflammation, dysregulation of immune system, multi-organ failure and death. Innate response activator (IRA) B cells, which produce granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), protect against microbial sepsis. Lipid mediator lipoxin A4 (LXA4) exerts anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects, and it has been reported that LXA4 receptor ALX/FPR2 is expressed on B cells. Here, we investigated the potential role of LXA4 on IRA B cells in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis. We found that LXA4 significantly promoted the expansion of splenic IRA B cells and increased GM-CSF expression in splenic B cells with LPS stimulation. After splenectomy, LXA4 treatment did not change the serum or peritoneal IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in LPS-induced sepsis. LXA4 accelerated the migration of peritoneal B cells to spleen for their differentiation into IRA B cells, whereas this effect was independent of peritoneal macrophage. Furthermore, LXA4 enhanced the phosphorylation level of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) in splenic B cells. These results suggest that LXA4 protects against LPS-induced sepsis by promoting the generation and migration of splenic IRA B cells, and the underlying molecular mechanism may be related to STAT5 activation. It might provide new insights and therapeutic approaches for treating sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Cheng
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Ruihua Ma
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yongtao Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shuo Miao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jingyu Jiao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xue Cheng
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Lingfei Kong
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Duyun Ye
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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49
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Zhao X, Cao M, Lu Z, Wang T, Ren Y, Liu C, Nelson D. Small-molecule inhibitor sorafenib regulates immunoreactions by inducing survival and differentiation of bone marrow cells. Innate Immun 2016; 22:493-502. [PMID: 27440860 DOI: 10.1177/1753425916659702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib has been used for the treatment of liver cancer. However, its clinical impact on human immunity system remains poorly known. Our previous study has shown that sorafenib modulates immunosuppressive cell populations in murine liver cancer models. Here, we continue to report that low doses of sorafenib promotes the survival of murine bone marrow cells (BMCs) in a dose-dependent manner by up-regulating the anti-apoptotic protein survivin. Sorafenib induces differentiation of BMCs into suppressive dendritic cells that inhibit autologous T-cell proliferation and stimulate CD4+ T cells to express increased IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α, and reduced levels of IL-6 and CD25, which indicates that sorafenib-induced dendritic cells represent a distinct cellular subset with unique properties. Taken together, our findings suggest that in addition to its anticancer effects, sorafenib has an immunoregulatory property that is apparent at low doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangxuan Zhao
- Department of Radiology, China Medical University Shengjing Hospital, Shenyang, China
- Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, Dalian, China
| | - Mengde Cao
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zaiming Lu
- Department of Radiology, China Medical University Shengjing Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Ton Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ying Ren
- Department of Radiology, China Medical University Shengjing Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David Nelson
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
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50
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Wang Y, Wang LL, Yang HY, Wang FF, Zhang XX, Bai YP. Interleukin-21 is associated with the severity of psoriasis vulgaris through promoting CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th17 cells. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:3188-3196. [PMID: 27508040 PMCID: PMC4969456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, but little is known about their relationship in psoriasis. Herein, we investigated whether IL-21 could regulate Th17 cell induction in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. 32 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 13 healthy controls were recruited. Flow cytometry was used to detect the frequencies of cells mainly secreting IL-21 (including IL-21+CD4+ T and IL-21+ Th17 cells) and Th17 cells. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum content of IL-21. Severity of the psoriasis was evaluated by a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. In addition, the differentiation of CD4+ T cells with IL-21 and the different frequencies of IL-21+CD4+ T cells, IL-21+ Th17 cells and Th17 cells were assessed, as were serum levels of IL-21 in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis before and after treatment. Our results showed that the levels of IL-21, IL-21+CD4+ T cells, IL-21+ Th17 cells and Th17 cells were significantly increased in patients and positively associated with PASI score (P < 0.01). Moreover, the levels of IL-21, IL-21+CD4+ T cells and IL-21+ Th17 cells were positively correlated with the frequency of Th17 cells (P < 0.01). In vitro experiments demonstrated that IL-21 could promote CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th17 cells. After a 4-week treatment of acitretin and a topical therapy, all the immune markers observed in patients decreased significantly (P < 0.01), but the levels remained higher than those in healthy controls (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that IL-21 might promote Th17 cell induction in psoriasis and might be a potential immune marker for targeting this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Clinical Institute of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology, China-Japan Friendship HospitalBeijing, China
| | - Li-Li Wang
- Clinical Institute of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology, China-Japan Friendship HospitalBeijing, China
| | - Hao-Yu Yang
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology, China-Japan Friendship HospitalBeijing, China
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijing, China
| | - Fei-Fei Wang
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology, China-Japan Friendship HospitalBeijing, China
- Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijing, China
| | - Xue-Xiu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yan-Ping Bai
- Clinical Institute of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing, China
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology, China-Japan Friendship HospitalBeijing, China
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