FoxP3 deficiency causes no inflammation or neurodegeneration in the murine brain

Spatial transcriptomic brain imaging reveals the effects of immunomodulation therapy on specific regional brain cells in a mouse dementia model

Increasing evidence of brain-immune crosstalk raises expectations for the efficacy of novel immunotherapies in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the lack of methods to examine brain tissues makes it difficult to evaluate therapeutics. Here, we investigated the changes in spatial transcriptomic signatures and brain cell types using the 10x Genomics Visium platform in immune-modulated AD models after various treatments. To proceed with an analysis suitable for barcode-based spatial transcriptomics, we first organized a workflow for segmentation of neuroanatomical regions, establishment of appropriate gene combinations, and comprehensive review of altered brain cell signatures. Ultimately, we investigated spatial transcriptomic changes following administration of immunomodulators, NK cell supplements and an anti-CD4 antibody, which ameliorated behavior impairment, and designated brain cells and regions showing probable associations with behavior changes. We provided the customized analytic pipeline into an application named STquantool. Thus, we anticipate that our approach can help researchers interpret the real action of drug candidates by simultaneously investigating the dynamics of all transcripts for the development of novel AD therapeutics.

Th17/Treg imbalance in peripheral blood from patients with intracranial aneurysm

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is highly associated with ruptured intracranial aneurysm (IA), which dramatically increases neurological disabilities or mortality in patients. The balance between T helper cells (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) plays a crucial role in regulating immune-inflammatory response. In the current study, we aim to obtain a better understanding of the role of Th17 and Treg cells in patients with IA.

METHODS

138 patients total participated in this study, including ruptured aneurysms group (Ruptured IA, RIA, N.=70 cases) and unruptured aneurysms group (Unruptured IA, URIA, N.=68 cases). Additionally, 76 cases of healthy subjects were selected as control group. The frequencies of Th17 and Treg cells were determined using flow cytometry. The serum levels of cytokines including IL-17, IL-23, IL-10, and TGF-β1 were determined using ELISA. mRNA was isolated from the whole blood. FOXP3 and RCRc mRNA expressions were detected using RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

The percentage of Th17 cells in peripheral blood from RIA patients was higher than URIA patients (P<0.01), whereas the percentage of Treg cells in peripheral blood from RIA was significantly lower when compared with URIA patients (P<0.001). The serum levels of IL-17 (P<0.01) and IL-23 (P<0.05) were markedly increased while the levels of IL-10 (P<0.01) and TGF-β1 (P<0.05) were decreased in RIA patients when compared with URIA patients. Lastly, the mRNA level of RCRc was significantly increased in RIA vs. URIA patients (P<0.001). By contrast, FOXP3 mRNA level was significantly decreased in RIA vs. URIA patients (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, we demonstrated the imbalance of Th17/Treg in patients with IA, and the frequencies of Th17 cells were positively correlated with the severity of IA-induced SAH. These results provided data to support that targeting Th17/Treg could act as an effective approach for the management of IA.

Regulatory B cells control airway hyperreactivity and lung remodeling in a murine asthma model

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a widespread, multifactorial chronic airway disease. The influence of regulatory B cells on airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and remodeling in asthma is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to analyze the role of B cells in a house dust mite (HDM)-based murine asthma model.

METHODS

The influence of B cells on lung function, tissue remodeling, and the immune response were analyzed by using wild-type and B-cell-deficient (μMT) mice and transfer of IL-10-proficient and IL-10-deficient B cells to μMT mice.

RESULTS

After HDM-sensitization, both wild-type and μMT mice developed AHR, but the AHR was significantly stronger in μMT mice, as confirmed by 2 independent techniques: invasive lung function measurement in vivo and examination of precision-cut lung slices ex vivo. Moreover, airway remodeling was significantly increased in allergic μMT mice, as shown by enhanced collagen deposition in the airways, whereas the numbers of FoxP3⁺ and FoxP3^- IL-10-secreting regulatory T cells were reduced. Adoptive transfer of IL-10-proficient but not IL-10-deficient B cells into μMT mice before HDM-sensitization attenuated AHR and lung remodeling. In contrast, FoxP3⁺ regulatory T cells were equally upregulated by transfer of IL-10-proficient and IL-10-deficient B cells.

CONCLUSION

Our data in a murine asthma model illustrate a central role of regulatory B cells in the control of lung function and airway remodeling and may support future concepts for B-cell-targeted prevention and treatment strategies for allergic asthma.