Peripheral Tissue Chemokines: Homeostatic Control of Immune Surveillance T Cells. Trends Immunol. 2018;39:734-747. [PMID: 30001872 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.06.003]

Insights of immune cell heterogeneity, tumor-initiated subtype transformation, drug resistance, treatment and detecting technologies in glioma microenvironment

BACKGROUND

With the gradual understanding of glioma development and the immune microenvironment, many immune cells have been discovered. Despite the growing comprehension of immune cell functions and the clinical application of immunotherapy, the precise roles and characteristics of immune cell subtypes, how glioma induces subtype transformation of immune cells and its impact on glioma progression have yet to be understood.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

In this review, we comprehensively center on the four major immune cells within the glioma microenvironment, particularly neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and other significant immune cells. We discuss (1) immune cell subtype markers, (2) glioma-induced immune cell subtype transformation, (3) the mechanisms of each subtype influencing chemotherapy resistance, (4) therapies targeting immune cells, and (5) immune cell-associated single-cell sequencing. Eventually, we identified the characteristics of immune cell subtypes in glioma, comprehensively summarized the exact mechanism of glioma-induced immune cell subtype transformation, and concluded the progress of single-cell sequencing in exploring immune cell subtypes in glioma.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

In conclusion, we have analyzed the mechanism of chemotherapy resistance detailly, and have discovered prospective immunotherapy targets, excavating the potential of novel immunotherapies approach that synergistically combines radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, thereby paving the way for improved immunotherapeutic strategies against glioma and enhanced patient outcomes.

Benzofuran-2-Carboxamide Derivatives as Immunomodulatory Agents Blocking the CCL20-Induced Chemotaxis and Colon Cancer Growth

The correlation between the CCL20/CCR6 axis and autoimmune and non-autoimmune disorders is widely recognized. Inhibition of the CCL20-dependent cell migration represents therefore a promising approach for the treatment of many diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. We report herein our efforts to explore the biologically relevant chemical space around the benzofuran scaffold of MR120, a modulator of the CCL20/CCR6 axis previously discovered by our group. A functional screening allowed us to identify C4 and C5-substituted derivatives as the most effective inhibitors of the CCL20-induced chemotaxis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Moreover, selected compounds (16 e and 24 b) also proved to potently inhibit the growth of different colon cancer cell lines, with cytotoxic/cytostatic and antiproliferative activity.

The Involvement of Cysteine-X-Cysteine Motif Chemokine Receptors in Skin Homeostasis and the Pathogenesis of Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Psoriasis

Members of the C-X-C motif chemokine receptor (CXCR) superfamily play central roles in initiating the innate immune response in mammalian cells by orchestrating selective cell migration and immune cell activation. With its multilayered structure, the skin, which is the largest organ in the body, performs a crucial defense function, protecting the human body from harmful environmental threats and pathogens. CXCRs contribute to primary immunological defense; these receptors are differentially expressed by different types of skin cells and act as key players in initiating downstream innate immune responses. While the initiation of inflammatory responses by CXCRs is essential for pathogen elimination and tissue healing, overactivation of these receptors can enhance T-cell-mediated autoimmune responses, resulting in excessive inflammation and the development of several skin disorders, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, vitiligo, autoimmune diseases, and skin cancers. In summary, CXCRs serve as critical links that connect innate immunity and adaptive immunity. In this article, we present the current knowledge about the functions of CXCRs in the homeostasis function of the skin and their contributions to the pathogenesis of allergic contact dermatitis and psoriasis. Furthermore, we will examine the research progress and efficacy of therapeutic approaches that target CXCRs.

The Value of CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, and CXCL8 as Potential Prognosis Markers in Cervical Cancer: Evidence of E6/E7 from HPV16 and 18 in Chemokines Regulation

Cervical cancer (CC) is a serious global health issue, and it is well-known that HPV infection is the main etiological factor that triggers carcinogenesis. In cancer, chemokine ligands and receptors are involved in tumor cell growth, metastasis, leukocyte infiltration, and angiogenesis; however, information on the role played by E6/E7 of HPV16/18 in the modulation of chemokines is very limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether chemokines are differentially expressed in CC-derived cell lines; if E6/E7 oncoproteins from HPV16 and 18 are capable of mediating chemokine expression, what is the expression profile of chemokines in tissues derived from CC and what is their impact on the overall survival of patients with this pathology? For this purpose, RNA sequencing and real-time PCR were performed on SiHa, HeLa, and C33A tumorigenic cell lines, on the non-tumorigenic HaCaT cells, and the E6/E7 HPV-transduced HaCaT cell models. Furthermore, chemokine expression and survival analysis were executed on 304 CC and 22 normal tissue samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) repository. The results demonstrate that CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, and CXCL8 are regulated by E6/E7 of HPV16 and 18, are overexpressed in CC biopsies, and that their higher expression is related to a worse prognostic survival.

A Novel C-C Chemoattractant Cytokine (Chemokine) Receptor 6 (CCR6) Antagonist (PF-07054894) Distinguishes between Homologous Chemokine Receptors, Increases Basal Circulating CCR6+ T Cells, and Ameliorates Interleukin-23-Induced Skin Inflammation

Blocking chemokine receptor C-C chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) receptor (CCR) 6-dependent T cell migration has therapeutic promise in inflammatory diseases. PF-07054894 is a novel CCR6 antagonist that blocked only CCR6, CCR7, and C-X-C chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) receptor (CXCR) 2 in a β-arrestin assay panel of 168 G protein-coupled receptors. Inhibition of CCR6-mediated human T cell chemotaxis by (R)-4-((2-(((1,4-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(1-methylcyclopentyl)methyl)amino)-3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-en-1-yl)amino)-3-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylpicolinamide (PF-07054894) was insurmountable by CCR6 ligand, C-C motif ligand (CCL) 20. In contrast, blockade of CCR7-dependent chemotaxis in human T cells and CXCR2-dependent chemotaxis in human neutrophils by PF-07054894 were surmountable by CCL19 and C-X-C motif ligand 1, respectively. [3H]-PF-07054894 showed a slower dissociation rate for CCR6 than for CCR7 and CXCR2 suggesting that differences in chemotaxis patterns of inhibition could be attributable to offset kinetics. Consistent with this notion, an analog of PF-07054894 with fast dissociation rate showed surmountable inhibition of CCL20/CCR6 chemotaxis. Furthermore, pre-equilibration of T cells with PF-07054894 increased its inhibitory potency in CCL20/CCR6 chemotaxis by 10-fold. The functional selectivity of PF-07054894 for inhibition of CCR6 relative to CCR7 and CXCR2 is estimated to be at least 50- and 150-fold, respectively. When administered orally to naïve cynomolgus monkeys, PF-07054894 increased the frequency of CCR6+ peripheral blood T cells, suggesting that blockade of CCR6 inhibited homeostatic migration of T cells from blood to tissues. PF-07054894 inhibited interleukin-23-induced mouse skin ear swelling to a similar extent as genetic ablation of CCR6. PF-07054894 caused an increase in cell surface CCR6 in mouse and monkey B cells, which was recapitulated in mouse splenocytes in vitro. In conclusion, PF-07054894 is a potent and functionally selective CCR6 antagonist that blocks CCR6-mediated chemotaxis in vitro and in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The chemokine receptor, C-C chemoattractant cytokine (chemokine) receptor 6 (CCR6) plays a key role in the migration of pathogenic lymphocytes and dendritic cells into sites of inflammation. (R)-4-((2-(((1,4-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)(1-methylcyclopentyl)methyl)amino)-3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-en-1-yl)amino)-3-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylpicolinamide (PF-07054894) is a novel CCR6 small molecule antagonist that illustrates the importance of binding kinetics in achieving pharmacological potency and selectivity. Orally administered PF-07054894 blocks homeostatic and pathogenic functions of CCR6, suggesting that it is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Force-Regulated Calcium Signaling of Lymphoid Cell RPMI 8226 Mediated by Integrin α4β7/MAdCAM-1 in Flow

MAdCAM-1 binds to integrin α₄β₇, which mediates the rolling and arrest of circulating lymphocytes upon the vascular endothelia during lymphocytic homing. The calcium response by adhered lymphocytes is a critical event for lymphocyte activation and subsequent arrest and migration under flow. However, whether the interaction of integrin α₄β₇ /MAdCAM-1 can effectively trigger the calcium response of lymphocytes remains unclear, as well as whether the fluid force affects the calcium response. In this study, we explore the mechanical regulation of integrin α₄β₇-induced calcium signaling under flow. Flou-4 AM was used to examine the calcium response under real-time fluorescence microscopy when cells were firmly adhered to a parallel plate flow chamber. The interaction between integrin α₄β₇ and MAdCAM-1 was found to effectively trigger calcium signaling in firmly adhered RPMI 8226 cells. Meanwhile, increasing fluid shear stress accelerated the cytosolic calcium response and enhanced signaling intensity. Additionally, the calcium signaling of RPMI 8226 activated by integrin α₄β₇ originated from extracellular calcium influx instead of cytoplasmic calcium release, and the signaling transduction of integrin α₄β₇ was involved in Kindlin-3. These findings shed new light on the mechano-chemical mechanism of calcium signaling in RPMI 8226 cells induced by integrin α₄β_7.

Bioinformatic analysis as a first step to predict the compatibility of hematopoiesis and immune system genes between humans and pigs

The shortage of allogeneic donor organs leaves its supply far short of clinical need. There are great expectations on xenotransplantation, especially with pigs' organs. With the genetic modification of donor pigs, the rejection and cross-species transmission issues have now been widely addressed. However, research on the compatibility of genes between humans and pigs was limited. We performed a systematic screening analysis of predicted incompatible genes between humans and pigs, judged by low protein sequence similarities or different predicted protein domain compositions. By combining with gene set enrichment analysis, we screened out several key genes of hematopoiesis and the immune system with possible incompatibilities, which might be important for establishing chimera and xenotransplantation between humans and pigs. There were seven chemokine genes, including CCL1, CCL5, CCL24, CCL25, CCL28, CXCL12, and CXCL16, that exhibited limited similarity between humans and pigs (similarity < 0.8). Among hematopoiesis process-related genes, 15 genes of adhesion molecules, Notch ligands, and cytokine receptors exhibited differences between humans and pigs. In complement and coagulation cascades, 19 genes showed low similarity and 77 genes had different domain compositions between humans and pigs. Our study provides a good reference for further genetic modification of pigs, which might be beneficial for xenotransplantation.

Emerging Concepts of Tissue-resident Memory T Cells in Transplantation

In this review, we summarize and discuss recent advances in understanding the characteristics of tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs) in the context of solid organ transplantation (SOT). We first introduce the traditionally understood noncirculating features of TRMs and the key phenotypic markers that define this population, then provide a detailed discussion of emerging concepts on the recirculation and plasticity of TRM in mice and humans. We comment on the potential heterogeneity of transient, temporary resident, and permanent resident T cells and potential interchangeable phenotypes between TRM and effector T cells in nonlymphoid tissues. We review the literature on the distribution of TRM in human nonlymphoid organs and association of clinical outcomes in different types of SOT, including intestine, lung, liver, kidney, and heart. We focus on both tissue-specific and organ-shared features of donor- and recipient-derived TRMs after transplantation whenever applicable. Studies with comprehensive sample collection, including longitudinal and cross-sectional controls, and applied advanced techniques such as multicolor flow cytometry to distinguish donor and recipient TRMs, bulk, and single-cell T-cell receptor sequencing to track clonotypes and define transcriptome profiles, and functional readouts to define alloreactivity and proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory activities are emphasized. We also discuss important findings on the tissue-resident features of regulatory αβ T cells and unconventional γδ T cells after transplantation. Understanding of TRM in SOT is a rapidly growing field that urges future studies to address unresolved questions regarding their heterogeneity, plasticity, longevity, alloreactivity, and roles in rejection and tolerance.

Role of chemokine systems in cancer and inflammatory diseases

Chemokines are a large family of small secreted proteins that have fundamental roles in organ development, normal physiology, and immune responses upon binding to their corresponding receptors. The primary functions of chemokines are to coordinate and recruit immune cells to and from tissues and to participate in regulating interactions between immune cells. In addition to the generally recognized antimicrobial immunity, the chemokine/chemokine receptor axis also exerts a tumorigenic function in many different cancer models and is involved in the formation of immunosuppressive and protective tumor microenvironment (TME), making them potential prognostic markers for various hematologic and solid tumors. In fact, apart from its vital role in tumors, almost all inflammatory diseases involve chemokines and their receptors in one way or another. Modulating the expression of chemokines and/or their corresponding receptors on tumor cells or immune cells provides the basis for the exploitation of new drugs for clinical evaluation in the treatment of related diseases. Here, we summarize recent advances of chemokine systems in protumor and antitumor immune responses and discuss the prevailing understanding of how the chemokine system operates in inflammatory diseases. In this review, we also emphatically highlight the complexity of the chemokine system and explore its potential to guide the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Chemokine Receptor-Targeted Therapies: Special Case for CCR8

Immune checkpoint blockade inhibitors (CBIs) targeting cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and program death receptor-1 (PD-1) or its ligand-1 (PD-L1) have transformed the outlook of many patients with cancer. This remarkable progress has highlighted, from the translational point of view, the importance of immune cells in the control of tumor progression. There is still room for improvement, since current CBI therapies benefit a minority of patients. Moreover, interference with immune checkpoint receptors frequently causes immune related adverse events (irAEs) with life-threatening consequences in some of the patients. Immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including intratumoral regulatory T (Treg) cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), contribute to tumor progression and correlate with a negative disease outlook. Recent reports revealed the selective expression of the chemokine receptor CCR8 on tumor Treg cells, making CCR8 a promising target in translational research. In this review, I summarize our current knowledge about the cellular distribution and function of CCR8 in physiological and pathophysiological processes. The discussion includes an assessment of how the removal of CCR8-expressing cells might affect both anti-tumor immunity as well as immune homeostasis at remote sites. Based on these considerations, CCR8 appears to be a promising novel target to be considered in future translational research.

The Promising Role of Chemokines in Vitiligo: From Oxidative Stress to the Autoimmune Response

Vitiligo is a common chronic autoimmune skin disorder featured with depigmented patches and underlying destruction of melanocytes in the lesional skin. Multiple factors and mechanisms have been proposed for the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo, among which oxidative stress has been widely accepted as a key factor in initiating melanocyte loss. The altered redox status caused by oxidative stress, including the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the decreased activity of the antioxidant system in the skin, surrenders the resistance of melanocytes to exogenous or endogenous stimuli and eventually impairs the normal defense mechanism, leading to the absence of melanocytes. Considering the important role of innate and adaptive immunity in vitiligo, there is mounting evidence revealing an association between oxidative stress and autoimmunity. Since the significant changes of chemokines have been documented in vitiligo in many recent studies, it has been suggested that ROS-mediated chemotactic signals are not only the biomarkers of disease progression and prognosis but also are involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo by facilitating the innate and adaptive immune cells, especially melanocyte-specific T cells, trafficking to the lesional areas of vitiligo. In this review, we discuss the interaction between oxidative stress and autoimmune response orchestrated by chemokines, including CXCL16-CXCR6 axis, CXCL9/CXCL10-CXCR3 axis, and other altered chemokines in vitiligo, and we also try to provide insight into potential therapeutic options through targeting these pathways.

Sodium phenylbutyrate inhibits Schwann cell inflammation via HDAC and NFκB to promote axonal regeneration and remyelination

Background

Epigenetic regulation by histone deacetylases (HDACs) in Schwann cells (SCs) after injury facilitates them to undergo de- and redifferentiation processes necessary to support various stages of nerve repair. Although de-differentiation activates the synthesis and secretion of inflammatory cytokines by SCs to initiate an immune response during nerve repair, changes in either the timing or duration of prolonged inflammation mediated by SCs can affect later processes associated with repair and regeneration. Limited studies have investigated the regulatory processes through which HDACs in SCs control inflammatory cytokines to provide a favorable environment for peripheral nerve regeneration.

Methods

We employed the HDAC inhibitor (HDACi) sodium phenylbutyrate (PBA) to address this question in an in vitro RT4 SC inflammation model and an in vivo sciatic nerve transection injury model to examine the effects of HDAC inhibition on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we assessed the outcomes of suppression of extended inflammation on the regenerative potential of nerves by assessing axonal regeneration, remyelination, and reinnervation.

Results

Significant reductions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNFα]) expression and secretion were observed in vitro following PBA treatment. PBA treatment also affected the transient changes in nuclear factor κB (NFκB)-p65 phosphorylation and translocation in response to LPS induction in RT4 SCs. Similarly, PBA mediated long-term suppressive effects on HDAC3 expression and activity. PBA administration resulted in marked inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion at the site of transection injury when compared with that in the hydrogel control group at 6-week post-injury. A conducive microenvironment for axonal regrowth and remyelination was generated by increasing expression levels of protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) and myelin basic protein (MBP) in regenerating nerve tissues. PBA administration increased the relative gastrocnemius muscle weight percentage and maintained the intactness of muscle bundles when compared with those in the hydrogel control group.

Conclusions

Suppressing the lengthened state of inflammation using PBA treatment favors axonal regrowth and remyelination following nerve transection injury. PBA treatment also regulates pro-inflammatory cytokine expression by inhibiting the transcriptional activation of NFκB-p65 and HDAC3 in SCs in vitro.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02273-1.

A biliary immune landscape map of primary sclerosing cholangitis reveals a dominant network of neutrophils and tissue-resident T cells

The human biliary system, a mucosal barrier tissue connecting the liver and intestine, is an organ often affected by serious inflammatory and malignant diseases. Although these diseases are linked to immunological processes, the biliary system represents an unexplored immunological niche. By combining endoscopy-guided sampling of the biliary tree with a high-dimensional analysis approach, comprehensive mapping of the human biliary immunological landscape in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a severe biliary inflammatory disease, was conducted. Major differences in immune cell composition in bile ducts compared to blood were revealed. Furthermore, biliary inflammation in patients with PSC was characterized by high presence of neutrophils and T cells as compared to control individuals without PSC. The biliary T cells displayed a CD103⁺CD69⁺ effector memory phenotype, a combined gut and liver homing profile, and produced interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-22. Biliary neutrophil infiltration in PSC associated with CXCL8, possibly produced by resident T cells, and CXCL16 was linked to the enrichment of T cells. This study uncovers the immunological niche of human bile ducts, defines a local immune network between neutrophils and biliary-resident T cells in PSC, and provides a resource for future studies of the immune responses in biliary disorders.

Spatiotemporal single-cell profiling reveals that invasive and tissue-resident memory donor CD8+ T cells drive gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease

Organ infiltration by donor T cells is critical to the development of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in recipients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HCT). However, deconvoluting the transcriptional programs of newly recruited donor T cells from those of tissue-resident T cells in aGVHD target organs remains a challenge. Here, we combined the serial intravascular staining technique with single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the tightly connected processes by which donor T cells initially infiltrate tissues and then establish a pathogenic tissue residency program in a rhesus macaque allo-HCT model that develops aGVHD. Our results enabled creation of a spatiotemporal map of the transcriptional programs controlling donor CD8⁺ T cell infiltration into the primary aGVHD target organ, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We identified the large and small intestines as the only two sites demonstrating allo-specific, rather than lymphodepletion-driven, T cell infiltration. GI-infiltrating donor CD8⁺ T cells demonstrated a highly activated, cytotoxic phenotype while simultaneously developing a canonical tissue-resident memory T cell (T_RM) transcriptional signature driven by interleukin-15 (IL-15)/IL-21 signaling. We found expression of a cluster of genes directly associated with tissue invasiveness, including those encoding adhesion molecules (ITGB2), specific chemokines (CCL3 and CCL4L1) and chemokine receptors (CD74), as well as multiple cytoskeletal proteins. This tissue invasion transcriptional signature was validated by its ability to discriminate the CD8⁺ T cell transcriptome of patients with GI aGVHD from those of GVHD-free patients. These results provide insights into the mechanisms controlling tissue occupancy of target organs by pathogenic donor CD8⁺ T_RM cells during aGVHD in primate transplant recipients.

Inhibition of host Ogr1 enhances effector CD8+ T-cell function by modulating acidic microenvironment

Immunotherapies for cancer, such as immune checkpoint blockade or adoptive T-cell transfer, can lead to a long-lasting clinical response. But the therapeutic response rate remains low on account of many tumors that have evolved sophisticated strategies to evade immune surveillance. Solid tumors are characterized by the highly acidic microenvironment, which may weaken the effectiveness of antitumor immunity. Here, we explored a promising therapeutic development deployed by pH manipulation for avoiding immunoevasion. The highly acidified microenvironment of melanoma induces the expression of G-protein-coupled receptor (Ogr1) in T cells, which weakened their effective function and promote tumor growth. Ogr1 inhibition reactivate CD8⁺ T cells and have a cytotoxic role by reducing the activity of high glycolysis, resulting in comparatively low acidification of the tumor microenvironment, and leads to tumor suppression. In addition, the adoptive transfer of Ogr1^-/--CD8⁺ T cells enhanced the antitumor responses, with the potential for immediate clinical transformation.

Organ-Specific Surveillance and Long-Term Residency Strategies Adapted by Tissue-Resident Memory CD8+ T Cells

Tissue-resident CD8⁺ T cells (CD8⁺ T_RM) populate lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues after infections as first line of defense against re-emerging pathogens. To achieve host protection, CD8⁺ T_RM have developed surveillance strategies that combine dynamic interrogation of pMHC complexes on local stromal and hematopoietic cells with long-term residency. Factors mediating CD8⁺ T_RM residency include CD69, a surface receptor opposing the egress-promoting S1P1, CD49a, a collagen-binding integrin, and CD103, which binds E-cadherin on epithelial cells. Moreover, the topography of the tissues of residency may influence T_RM retention and surveillance strategies. Here, we provide a brief summary of these factors to examine how CD8⁺ T_RM reconcile constant migratory behavior with their long-term commitment to local microenvironments, with a focus on epithelial barrier organs and exocrine glands with mixed connective-epithelial tissue composition.

Circulating immune parameters-based nomogram for predicting malignancy in laryngeal neoplasm

BACKGROUND

Malignancy prediction remains important to preoperative diagnosis and postoperative follow-up in laryngeal neoplasm.

AIM

To evaluate the circulating immune population and develop a nomogram for prediction of malignancy in patients with laryngeal neoplasm.

METHODS

A primary cohort of 156 patients was divided into laryngeal benign lesion, premalignant lesion and malignant lesion groups. Peripheral blood from patients was measured by blood routine test and flow cytometry. A nomogram was developed and applied to a validation cohort containing 55 consecutive patients.

RESULTS

Age, gender and seven circulating immune parameters exhibited significant differences between laryngeal benign lesion and premalignant lesion. The nomogram incorporated predictors, including gender, age, smoke index, proportions of monocytes, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells and CD4/CD8+ T cell ratio. It showed good discrimination between laryngeal premalignant lesion and malignant lesion, with a C-index of 0.844 for the primary cohort. Application of this nomogram in the validation cohort (C-index, 0.804) still had good discrimination and good calibration. Decision curve analysis revealed that the nomogram was clinically useful.

CONCLUSION

This novel nomogram, incorporating both clinical risk factors and circulating immune parameters, could be appropriately applied in preoperative individualized prediction of malignancy in patients with laryngeal neoplasm.

CXCL14 Preferentially Synergizes With Homeostatic Chemokine Receptor Systems

Reflecting their importance in immunity, the activity of chemokines is regulated on several levels, including tissue and context-specific expression and availability of their cognate receptor on target cells. Chemokine synergism, affecting both chemokine and chemokine receptor function, has emerged as an additional control mechanism. We previously demonstrated that CXCL14 is a positive allosteric modulator of CXCR4 in its ability to synergize with CXCL12 in diverse cellular responses. Here, we have extended our study to additional homeostatic, as well as a selection of inflammatory chemokine systems. We report that CXCL14 strongly synergizes with low (sub-active) concentrations of CXCL13 and CCL19/CCL21 in in vitro chemotaxis with immune cells expressing the corresponding receptors CXCR5 and CCR7, respectively. CXCL14 by itself was inactive, not only on cells expressing CXCR5 or CCR7 but also on cells expressing any other known conventional or atypical chemokine receptor, as assessed by chemotaxis and/or β-arrestin recruitment assays. Furthermore, synergistic migration responses between CXCL14 and inflammatory chemokines CXCL10/CXCL11 and CCL5, targeting CXCR3 and CCR5, respectively, were marginal and occasional synergistic Ca²⁺ flux responses were observed. CXCL14 bound to 300-19 cells and interfered with CCL19 binding to CCR7-expressing cells, suggesting that these cellular interactions contributed to the reported CXCL14-mediated synergistic activities. We propose a model whereby tissue-expressed CXCL14 contributes to cell localization under steady-state conditions at sites with prominent expression of homeostatic chemokines.

Rejuvenation of three germ layers tissues by exchanging old blood plasma with saline-albumin

Heterochronic blood sharing rejuvenates old tissues, and most of the studies on how this works focus on young plasma, its fractions, and a few youthful systemic candidates. However, it was not formally established that young blood is necessary for this multi-tissue rejuvenation. Here, using our recently developed small animal blood exchange process, we replaced half of the plasma in mice with saline containing 5% albumin (terming it a "neutral" age blood exchange, NBE) thus diluting the plasma factors and replenishing the albumin that would be diminished if only saline was used. Our data demonstrate that a single NBE suffices to meet or exceed the rejuvenative effects of enhancing muscle repair, reducing liver adiposity and fibrosis, and increasing hippocampal neurogenesis in old mice, all the key outcomes seen after blood heterochronicity. Comparative proteomic analysis on serum from NBE, and from a similar human clinical procedure of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), revealed a molecular re-setting of the systemic signaling milieu, interestingly, elevating the levels of some proteins, which broadly coordinate tissue maintenance and repair and promote immune responses. Moreover, a single TPE yielded functional blood rejuvenation, abrogating the typical old serum inhibition of progenitor cell proliferation. Ectopically added albumin does not seem to be the sole determinant of such rejuvenation, and levels of albumin do not decrease with age nor are increased by NBE/TPE. A model of action (supported by a large body of published data) is that significant dilution of autoregulatory proteins that crosstalk to multiple signaling pathways (with their own feedback loops) would, through changes in gene expression, have long-lasting molecular and functional effects that are consistent with our observations. This work improves our understanding of the systemic paradigms of multi-tissue rejuvenation and suggest a novel and immediate use of the FDA approved TPE for improving the health and resilience of older people.

The health status alters the pituitary function and reproduction of mice in a Cxcr2-dependent manner

This study explores the effects of microbiota on reproductive function of Cxcr2 knockout animals. Cxcr2 is involved in the control of pituitary action and the subsequent development of mammary gland, uterus and ovary.

Microbiota and chronic infections can affect not only immune status, but also the overall physiology of animals. Here, we report that chronic infections dramatically modify the phenotype of Cxcr2 KO mice, impairing in particular, their reproduction ability. We show that exposure of Cxcr2 KO females to multiple types of chronic infections prevents their ability to cycle, reduces the development of the mammary gland and alters the morphology of the uterus due to an impairment of ovary function. Mammary gland and ovary transplantation demonstrated that the hormonal contexture was playing a crucial role in this phenomenon. This was further evidenced by alterations to circulating levels of sex steroid and pituitary hormones. By analyzing at the molecular level the mechanisms of pituitary dysfunction, we showed that in the absence of Cxcr2, bystander infections affect leukocyte migration, adhesion, and function, as well as ion transport, synaptic function behavior, and reproduction pathways. Taken together, these data reveal that a chemokine receptor plays a direct role in pituitary function and reproduction in the context of chronic infections.

Reduction in Human Epidermal Langerhans Cells with Age Is Associated with Decline in CXCL14-Mediated Recruitment of CD14+ Monocytes

The skin provides the first line of physical and immunological defense against environmental insults. However, the age-related changes in the immune function of human skin are unclear. Here, we investigated the age-related changes in epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs), which play a sentinel role in the initiation of the immune responses in the skin. We found a significant reduction in the number of epidermal LCs in sun-protected skin with age. Among the possible explanations for this reduction, the number of CD14⁺ CD207⁺ CCR6⁺ dermal-resident monocytes that can differentiate into epidermal LCs was markedly reduced with age (P = 0.0057). Among the chemokines that can recruit these cells into the skin, the expression of CXCL14 was significantly down-regulated in epidermal keratinocytes with age. In addition, we discovered that young skin recruited a significantly higher number of monocytic THP-1 cells compared with old skin ex vivo. This recruitment was blocked by CXCL14 neutralizing antibody and conversely promoted by CXCL14 treatment. Collectively, our findings indicate that decreased CXCL14-mediated recruitment of CD14⁺ monocytes in human skin results in the reduction of epidermal LCs with age, and CXCL14 may provide a therapeutic target for the prevention of age-related reduction in LCs.

Serum concentration of angiogenic (CXCL1, CXCL12) and angiostasis (CXCL9, CXCL10) CXC chemokines are differentially altered in normal and gestational diabetes mellitus associated pregnancies

BACKGROUND

The present study was aimed and designed to determine the serum levels of CXCL1 and CXCL12 as angiogenesis along with CXCL9 and CXCL10 as angiostasis, chemokines in, Gestational diabetes mellitus mothers (GDMM) and normal pregnancy mothers (NPM) and neonates who delivered by them.

METHODS

We have recruited 63 pregnant GDMM and 63 normal pregnant mothers at the third trimester of pregnancy to this cross-sectional study. Cord blood specimens were obtained from neonates who were delivered from GDMM and NPM. The serum and cord blood levels of chemokines were measured by ELISA in studied groups. Data were analyzed by chi-square and student's t test between two groups. The P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that the serum levels of CXCL1, CXCL9 and CXCL12 were increased in GDMM, while no alteration was found in the serum levels of CXCL10 when compared to NPM. We have observed that in neonates the serum levels of angiogeneic chemokines followed an inverse fashion when compared to angiostasis chemokines. Interestingly, CXCL1 and CXCL12 were both increased in neonates who were delivered by GDMM, while, CXCL9 and CXCL10 were decreased in neonates delivered by GDMM.

G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)-Mediated Calcium Signaling in Ovarian Cancer: Focus on GPCRs activated by Neurotransmitters and Inflammation-Associated Molecules

G-coupled protein receptors (GCPR) involve several signaling pathways, some of them being coupled with intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) mobilization. GPCRs were involved in migration, invasion and metastasis of different types of cancers, including ovarian cancer. Many studies have discussed the essential contribution of GPCRs activated by steroid hormones in ovarian cancer. However, ovarian cancer is also associated with altered signals coming from the nervous system, the immune system or the inflammatory environment, in which GPCRs are ‘sensing’ these molecular signals. Many studies have been oriented so far on ovarian cell lines (most of them being of human cell lines), and only few studies based on animal models or clinical studies have been devoted to the expression changes or functional role of GPCRs in ovarian cancer. In this paper, we review the alterations of GPCRs activated by neurotransmitters (muscarinic receptors, serotonin receptors, dopamine receptors, adrenoceptors) or inflammation-associated molecules (bradykinin receptors, histamine receptors, chemokine receptors) in ovarian cancer and we discuss their potential as histological biomarkers.

T-cell positioning by chemokines in autoimmune skin diseases

Autoimmune skin diseases are complex processes in which autoreactive cells must navigate through the skin tissue to find their targets. Regulatory T cells in the skin help to mitigate autoimmune inflammation and may in fact be responsible for the patchy nature of these conditions. In this review, we will discuss chemokines that are important for global recruitment of T cell populations to the skin during disease, as well as signals that fine-tune their localization and function. We will describe prototypical disease responses and chemokine families that mediate these responses. Lastly, we will include an overview of chemokine-targeting drugs that have been tested as new treatment strategies for autoimmune skin diseases.