An hPSC-Derived Tissue-Resident Macrophage Model Reveals Differential Responses of Macrophages to ZIKV and DENV Infection

Sequential macrophage DENV and ZIKV infection shows differential expression of CD86, IFN-β, and regulation of TNF-α and IL-1β depending on DENV serotype

Dengue virus (DENV) is an RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family, comprising four antigenically distinct serotypes. Dengue is the primary arthropod-transmitted virus globally, posing a significant public health challenge, especially in Brazil, where the largest outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) was also recorded in 2016. ZIKV shares genomic and structural similarities with DENV, and their co-circulation in Brazil provides evidence of co-infection. The innate immune response against DENV and ZIKV is mediated by pattern recognition receptors that initiate intracellular signaling, leading to antiviral or inflammatory responses. This study aims to better understand the innate immune response to ZIKV in macrophages previously infected with DENV. To achieve this, bone marrow cells from C57BL/6 mice were differentiated into macrophages (BMDMs) and independently infected with each of the four DENV serotypes for 12 h, followed by ZIKV infection for an additional 12 h. Twenty-four hours post-infection, macrophage activation markers CD86 were assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Pro-inflammatory and antiviral gene expressions were evaluated by qPCR. IFN-β was found to be down-regulated in all analyzed groups. No differences in CD86 expression were observed in ZIKV-infected BMDMs previously infected with DENV, except for serotype 4, which showed an increase in both activation markers. Conversely, TNF-α and IL-1β were down-regulated compared to non-infected or only DENV4-infected cells, correlating with increased cell viability and decreased production of the cytokine TNF-α. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that the expression of both cytokines might be regulated by miRNAs, including miR-181a-5p, which is also up-regulated in the innate immune response. Taken together, the results indicated that co-infection with DENV serotype 4 and ZIKV in mice BMDMs increases the expression of CD86, promoting macrophage activation, but reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory genes TNF-α and IL-1β, indicating enhanced cell viability what can be modulated by miRNAs.

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages as a platform for modelling human disease

Macrophages are innate immune cells that are present in essentially all tissues, where they have vital roles in tissue development, homeostasis and pathogenesis. The importance of macrophages in tissue function is reflected by their association with various human diseases, and studying macrophage functions in both homeostasis and pathological tissue settings is a promising avenue for new targeted therapies that will improve human health. The ability to generate macrophages from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has revolutionized macrophage biology, with the generation of iPS cell-derived macrophages (iMacs) providing unlimited access to genotype-specific cells that can be used to model various human diseases involving macrophage dysregulation. Such disease modelling is achieved by generating iPS cells from patient-derived cells carrying disease-related mutations or by introducing mutations into iPS cells from healthy donors using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. These iMacs that carry disease-related mutations can be used to study the aetiology of the particular disease in vitro. To achieve more physiological relevance, iMacs can be co-cultured in 2D systems with iPS cell-derived cells or in 3D systems with iPS cell-derived organoids. Here, we discuss the studies that have attempted to model various human diseases using iMacs, highlighting how these have advanced our knowledge about the role of macrophages in health and disease.

Synergy between pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages and self-renewing macrophages: Envisioning a promising avenue for the modelling and cell therapy of infectious diseases

As crucial phagocytes of the innate immune system, macrophages (Mϕs) protect mammalian hosts, maintain tissue homeostasis and influence disease pathogenesis. Nonetheless, Mϕs are susceptible to various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and parasites, which cause various infectious diseases, necessitating a deeper understanding of pathogen-Mϕ interactions and therapeutic insights. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been efficiently differentiated into PSC-derived Mϕs (PSCdMϕs) resembling primary Mϕs, advancing the modelling and cell therapy of infectious diseases. However, the mass production of PSCdMϕs, which lack proliferative capacity, relies on large-scale expansions of PSCs, thereby increasing both costs and culture cycles. Notably, Mϕs deficient in the MafB/c-Maf genes have been reported to re-enter the cell cycle with the stimulation of specific growth factor cocktails, turning into self-renewing Mϕs (SRMϕs). This review summarizes the applications of PSCdMϕs in the modelling and cell therapy of infectious diseases and strategies for establishing SRMϕs. Most importantly, we innovatively propose that PSCs can serve as a gene editing platform to creating PSC-derived SRMϕs (termed PSRMϕs), addressing the resistance of Mϕs against genetic manipulation. We discuss the challenges and possible solutions in creating PSRMϕs. In conclusion, this review provides novel insights into the development of physiologically relevant and expandable Mϕ models, highlighting the enormous potential of PSRMϕs as a promising avenue for the modelling and cell therapy of infectious diseases.

Modeling the human placenta: in vitro applications in developmental and reproductive toxicology

During its temporary tenure, the placenta has extensive and specialized functions that are critical for pre- and post-natal development. The consequences of chemical exposure in utero can have profound effects on the structure and function of pregnancy-associated tissues and the life-long health of the birthing person and their offspring. However, the toxicological importance and critical functions of the placenta to embryonic and fetal development and maturation have been understudied. This narrative will review early placental development in humans and highlight some in vitro models currently in use that are or can be applied to better understand placental processes underlying developmental toxicity due to in utero environmental exposures.

Zika Virus Neuropathogenesis-Research and Understanding

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is prominently associated with microcephaly in babies born to infected mothers as well as Guillain-Barré Syndrome in adults. Each cell type infected by ZIKV-neuronal cells (radial glial cells, neuronal progenitor cells, astrocytes, microglia cells, and glioblastoma stem cells) and non-neuronal cells (primary fibroblasts, epidermal keratinocytes, dendritic cells, monocytes, macrophages, and Sertoli cells)-displays its own characteristic changes to their cell physiology and has various impacts on disease. Here, we provide an in-depth review of the ZIKV life cycle and its cellular targets, and discuss the current knowledge of how infections cause neuropathologies, as well as what approaches researchers are currently taking to further advance such knowledge. A key aspect of ZIKV neuropathogenesis is virus-induced neuronal apoptosis via numerous mechanisms including cell cycle dysregulation, mitochondrial fragmentation, ER stress, and the unfolded protein response. These, in turn, result in the activation of p53-mediated intrinsic cell death pathways. A full spectrum of infection models including stem cells and co-cultures, transwells to simulate blood-tissue barriers, brain-region-specific organoids, and animal models have been developed for ZIKV research.

Macrophages derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) serve as a high-fidelity cellular model for investigating HIV-1, dengue, and influenza viruses

Macrophages are important target cells for diverse viruses and thus represent a valuable system for studying virus biology. Isolation of primary human macrophages is done by culture of dissociated tissues or from differentiated blood monocytes, but these methods are both time consuming and result in low numbers of recovered macrophages. Here, we explore whether macrophages derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-which proliferate indefinitely and potentially provide unlimited starting material-could serve as a faithful model system for studying virus biology. Human iPSC-derived monocytes were differentiated into macrophages and then infected with HIV-1, dengue virus, or influenza virus as model human viruses. We show that iPSC-derived macrophages support the replication of these viruses with kinetics and phenotypes similar to human blood monocyte-derived macrophages. These iPSC-derived macrophages were virtually indistinguishable from human blood monocyte-derived macrophages based on surface marker expression (flow cytometry), transcriptomics (RNA sequencing), and chromatin accessibility profiling. iPSC lines were additionally generated from non-human primate (chimpanzee) fibroblasts. When challenged with dengue virus, human and chimpanzee iPSC-derived macrophages show differential susceptibility to infection, thus providing a valuable resource for studying the species-tropism of viruses. We also show that blood- and iPSC-derived macrophages both restrict influenza virus at a late stage of the virus lifecycle. Collectively, our results substantiate iPSC-derived macrophages as an alternative to blood monocyte-derived macrophages for the study of virus biology.

IMPORTANCE

Macrophages have complex relationships with viruses: while macrophages aid in the removal of pathogenic viruses from the body, macrophages are also manipulated by some viruses to serve as vessels for viral replication, dissemination, and long-term persistence. Here, we show that iPSC-derived macrophages are an excellent model that can be exploited in virology.

Insights into Zika Virus Pathogenesis and Potential Therapeutic Strategies

Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a significant public health threat, reaching pandemic levels in 2016. Human infection with ZIKV can manifest as either asymptomatic or as an acute illness characterized by symptoms such as fever and headache. Moreover, it has been associated with severe neurological complications in adults, including Guillain-Barre syndrome, and devastating fetal abnormalities, like microcephaly. The primary mode of transmission is through Aedes spp. mosquitoes, and with half of the world's population residing in regions where Aedes aegypti, the principal vector, thrives, the reemergence of ZIKV remains a concern. This comprehensive review provides insights into the pathogenesis of ZIKV and highlights the key cellular pathways activated upon ZIKV infection. Additionally, we explore the potential of utilizing microRNAs (miRNAs) and phytocompounds as promising strategies to combat ZIKV infection.

Developing brain under renewed attack: viral infection during pregnancy

Living in a globalized world, viral infections such as CHIKV, SARS-COV-2, and ZIKV have become inevitable to also infect the most vulnerable groups in our society. That poses a danger to these populations including pregnant women since the developing brain is sensitive to maternal stressors including viral infections. Upon maternal infection, the viruses can gain access to the fetus via the maternofetal barrier and even to the fetal brain during which factors such as viral receptor expression, time of infection, and the balance between antiviral immune responses and pro-viral mechanisms contribute to mother-to-fetus transmission and fetal infection. Both the direct pro-viral mechanisms and the resulting dysregulated immune response can cause multi-level impairment in the maternofetal and brain barriers and the developing brain itself leading to dysfunction or even loss of several cell populations. Thus, maternal viral infections can disturb brain development and even predispose to neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we discuss the potential contribution of maternal viral infections of three relevant relative recent players in the field: Zika, Chikungunya, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2, to the impairment of brain development throughout the entire route.

Primary infection with Zika virus provides one-way heterologous protection against Spondweni virus infection in rhesus macaques

Spondweni virus (SPONV) is the closest known relative of Zika virus (ZIKV). SPONV pathogenesis resembles that of ZIKV in pregnant mice, and both viruses are transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We aimed to develop a translational model to further understand SPONV transmission and pathogenesis. We found that cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) inoculated with ZIKV or SPONV were susceptible to ZIKV but resistant to SPONV infection. In contrast, rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) supported productive infection with both ZIKV and SPONV and developed robust neutralizing antibody responses. Crossover serial challenge in rhesus macaques revealed that SPONV immunity did not protect against ZIKV infection, whereas ZIKV immunity was fully protective against SPONV infection. These findings establish a viable model for future investigation into SPONV pathogenesis and suggest that the risk of SPONV emergence is low in areas with high ZIKV seroprevalence due to one-way cross-protection between ZIKV and SPONV.

Type I interferon receptor (IFNAR2) deficiency reveals Zika virus cytopathicity in human macrophages and microglia

Macrophages are key target cells of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, implicated as a viral reservoir seeding sanctuary sites such as the central nervous system and testes. This rests on the apparent ability of macrophages to sustain ZIKV replication without experiencing cytopathic effects. ZIKV infection of macrophages triggers an innate immune response involving type I interferons (IFN-I), key antiviral cytokines that play a complex role in ZIKV pathogenesis in animal models. To investigate the functional role of the IFN-I response we generated human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived macrophages from a patient with complete deficiency of IFNAR2, the high affinity IFN-I receptor subunit. Accompanying the profound defect of IFN-I signalling in IFNAR2 deficient iPS-macrophages we observed significantly enhanced ZIKV replication and cell death, revealing the inherent cytopathicity of ZIKV towards macrophages. These observations were recapitulated by genetic and pharmacological ablation of IFN-I signalling in control iPS-macrophages and extended to a model of iPS-microglia. Thus, the capacity of macrophages to support noncytolytic ZIKV replication depends on an equilibrium set by IFN-I, suggesting that innate antiviral responses might counterintuitively promote ZIKV persistence via the maintenance of tissue viral reservoirs relevant to pathogenesis.

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages and macrophage-derived exosomes: therapeutic potential in pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a fatal chronic disease characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix and thickening of the alveolar wall, ultimately leading to respiratory failure. PF is thought to be initiated by the dysfunction and aberrant activation of a variety of cell types in the lung. In particular, several studies have demonstrated that macrophages play a pivotal role in the development and progression of PF through secretion of inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines, suggesting that they could be an alternative therapeutic source as well as therapeutic target for PF. In this review, we describe the characteristics, functions, and origins of subsets of macrophages involved in PF and summarize current data on the generation and therapeutic application of macrophages derived from pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. Additionally, we discuss the use of macrophage-derived exosomes to repair fibrotic lung tissue.

The multifaceted roles of NLRP3-modulating proteins in virus infection

The innate immune response to viruses is critical for the correct establishment of protective adaptive immunity. Amongst the many pathways involved, the NLRP3 [nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)] inflammasome has received considerable attention, particularly in the context of immunity and pathogenesis during infection with influenza A (IAV) and SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome results in the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, commonly coupled with pyroptotic cell death. While this mechanism is protective and key to host defense, aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome activation causes a hyperinflammatory response and excessive release of cytokines, both locally and systemically. Here, we discuss key molecules in the NLRP3 pathway that have also been shown to have significant roles in innate and adaptive immunity to viruses, including DEAD box helicase X-linked (DDX3X), vimentin and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). We also discuss the clinical opportunities to suppress NLRP3-mediated inflammation and reduce disease severity.

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages host Mycobacterium abscessus infection

Human macrophages are a natural host of many mycobacterium species, including Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus), an emerging pathogen affecting immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis patients with few available treatments. The search for an effective treatment is hindered by the lack of a tractable in vitro intracellular infection model. Here, we established a reliable model for M. abscessus infection using human pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages (hPSC-macrophages). hPSC differentiation permitted reproducible generation of functional macrophages that were highly susceptible to M. abscessus infection. Electron microscopy demonstrated that M. abscessus was present in the hPSC-macrophage vacuoles. RNA sequencing analysis revealed a time-dependent host cell response, with differing gene and protein expression patterns post-infection. Engineered tdTOMATO-expressing hPSC-macrophages with GFP-expressing mycobacteria enabled rapid image-based high-throughput analysis of intracellular infection and quantitative assessment of antibiotic efficacy. Our study describes the first to our knowledge hPSC-based model for M. abscessus infection, representing a novel and accessible system for studying pathogen-host interaction and drug discovery.

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A simplified chemically defined and serum-free protocol for the generation of functional macrophages from hPSCs

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An efficient human model recapitulating intracellular infection of Mycobacterium abscessus in hPSC-macrophages

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A high-throughput system testing antibiotic sensitivity with fluorescent hPSC-macrophages and M. abscessus

Macrophages derived from pluripotent stem cells: prospective applications and research gaps

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a valuable cell source able to give rise to different cell types of the body. Among the various pathways of iPSC differentiation, the differentiation into macrophages is a recently developed and rapidly growing technique. Macrophages play a key role in the control of host homeostasis. Their dysfunction underlies many diseases, including hereditary, infectious, oncological, metabolic and other disorders. Targeting macrophage activity and developing macrophage-based cell therapy represent promising tools for the treatment of many pathological conditions. Macrophages generated from human iPSCs (iMphs) provide great opportunities in these areas. The generation of iMphs is based on a step-wise differentiation of iPSCs into mesoderm, hematopoietic progenitors, myeloid monocyte-like cells and macrophages. The technique allows to obtain standardizable populations of human macrophages from any individual, scale up macrophage production and introduce genetic modifications, which gives significant advantages over the standard source of human macrophages, monocyte-derived macrophages. The spectrum of iMph applications is rapidly growing. iMphs have been successfully used to model hereditary diseases and macrophage-pathogen interactions, as well as to test drugs. iMph use for cell therapy is another promising and rapidly developing area of research. The principles and the details of iMph generation have recently been reviewed. This review systemizes current and prospective iMph applications and discusses the problem of iMph safety and other issues that need to be explored before iMphs become clinically applicable.

Differential effects of macrophage subtypes on SARS-CoV-2 infection in a human pluripotent stem cell-derived model

Dysfunctional immune responses contribute critically to the progression of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), with macrophages as one of the main cell types involved. It is urgent to understand the interactions among permissive cells, macrophages, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby offering important insights into effective therapeutic strategies. Here, we establish a lung and macrophage co-culture system derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), modeling the host-pathogen interaction in SARS-CoV-2 infection. We find that both classically polarized macrophages (M1) and alternatively polarized macrophages (M2) have inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, M1 and non-activated (M0) macrophages, but not M2 macrophages, significantly up-regulate inflammatory factors upon viral infection. Moreover, M1 macrophages suppress the growth and enhance apoptosis of lung cells. Inhibition of viral entry using an ACE2 blocking antibody substantially enhances the activity of M2 macrophages. Our studies indicate differential immune response patterns in distinct macrophage phenotypes, which could lead to a range of COVID-19 disease severity.

Macrophages in Microbial Pathogenesis: Commonalities of Defense Evasion Mechanisms

Macrophages are key arsenals of the immune system against invaders. After compartmental isolation of a pathogen in phagosomes, the host immune response attempts to neutralize the pathogen. However, pathogens possess the ability to subvert these assaults and can also convert macrophages into their replicative niche. The multiple host defense evasion mechanisms employed by these pathogens like phagosome maturation arrest, molecular mimicry through secretory antigens, interference with host signaling, active radical neutralization, inhibition of phagosome acidification, alteration of programmed cell death and many other mechanisms. Macrophage biology as a part of the host-pathogen interaction has expanded rapidly in the past decade. The present review aims to shed some light upon the macrophage defense evasion strategies employed by infecting pathogens. We have also incorporated recent knowledge in the field of macrophage dynamics during infection and evolutionary perspectives of macrophage dynamics.

The Use of Stem Cell-Derived Organoids in Disease Modeling: An Update

Organoids represent one of the most important advancements in the field of stem cells during the past decade. They are three-dimensional in vitro culturing models that originate from self-organizing stem cells and can mimic the in vivo structural and functional specificities of body organs. Organoids have been established from multiple adult tissues as well as pluripotent stem cells and have recently become a powerful tool for studying development and diseases in vitro, drug screening, and host-microbe interaction. The use of stem cells-that have self-renewal capacity to proliferate and differentiate into specialized cell types-for organoids culturing represents a major advancement in biomedical research. Indeed, this new technology has a great potential to be used in a multitude of fields, including cancer research, hereditary and infectious diseases. Nevertheless, organoid culturing is still rife with many challenges, not limited to being costly and time consuming, having variable rates of efficiency in generation and maintenance, genetic stability, and clinical applications. In this review, we aim to provide a synopsis of pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids and their use for disease modeling and other clinical applications.

Human stem cell models to study host-virus interactions in the central nervous system

Advancements in human pluripotent stem cell technology offer a unique opportunity for the neuroimmunology field to study host-virus interactions directly in disease-relevant cells of the human central nervous system (CNS). Viral encephalitis is most commonly caused by herpesviruses, arboviruses and enteroviruses targeting distinct CNS cell types and often leading to severe neurological damage with poor clinical outcomes. Furthermore, different neurotropic viruses will affect the CNS at distinct developmental stages, from early prenatal brain development to the aged brain. With the unique flexibility and scalability of human pluripotent stem cell technology, it is now possible to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying acute infection and latency, determine which CNS subpopulations are specifically infected, study temporal aspects of viral susceptibility, perform high-throughput chemical or genetic screens for viral restriction factors and explore complex cell-non-autonomous disease mechanisms. Therefore, human pluripotent stem cell technology has the potential to address key unanswered questions about antiviral immunity in the CNS, including emerging questions on the potential CNS tropism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Macrophages Derived From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: The Diversity of Protocols, Future Prospects, and Outstanding Questions

Macrophages (Mφ) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iMphs) represent a novel and promising model for studying human Mφ function and differentiation and developing new therapeutic strategies based on or oriented at Mφs. iMphs have several advantages over the traditionally used human Mφ models, such as immortalized cell lines and monocyte-derived Mφs. The advantages include the possibility of obtaining genetically identical and editable cells in a potentially scalable way. Various applications of iMphs are being developed, and their number is rapidly growing. However, the protocols of iMph differentiation that are currently used vary substantially, which may lead to differences in iMph differentiation trajectories and properties. Standardization of the protocols and identification of minimum required conditions that would allow obtaining iMphs in a large-scale, inexpensive, and clinically suitable mode are needed for future iMph applications. As a first step in this direction, the current review discusses the fundamental basis for the generation of human iMphs, performs a detailed analysis of the generalities and the differences between iMph differentiation protocols currently employed, and discusses the prospects of iMph applications.

Human stem cell-based models for studying host-pathogen interactions

The use of human cell lines and primary cells as in vitro models represents a valuable approach to study cellular responses to infection. However, with the advent of new molecular technologies and tools available, there is a growing need to develop more physiologically relevant systems to overcome cell line model limitations and better mimic human disease. Since the discovery of human stem cells, its use has revolutionised the development of in vitro models. This is because after differentiation, these cells have the potential to reflect in vivo cell phenotypes and allow for probing questions in numerous fields of the biological sciences. Moreover, the possibility to combine the advantages of stem cell-derived cell types with genome editing technologies and engineered 3D microenvironments, provides enormous potential for producing in vitro systems to investigate cellular responses to infection that are both relevant and predictive. Here, we discuss recent advances in the use of human stem cells to model host-pathogen interactions, highlighting emerging technologies in the field of stem cell biology that can be exploited to investigate the fundamental biology of infection. TAKE AWAYS: hPSC overcome current limitations to study host-pathogen interactions in vitro. Genome editing can be used in hPSC to study cellular responses to infection. hPSC, 3D models and genome editing can recreate physiological in vitro systems.

Functional consequences of a close encounter between microglia and brain-infiltrating monocytes during CNS pathology and repair

Neuroinflammation is recognized as an important factor contributing to the development and progression of several central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Upon CNS trauma or disease, parenchymal microglia highly proliferate and accumulate in and around the lesion site. In addition, blood-derived monocytes can infiltrate the inflamed CNS in response to cellular damage and/or a compromised blood-brain barrier. Both microglia and infiltrating monocytes are characterized by multiple functional states and can either display highly proinflammatory properties or promote resolution of inflammation and tissue regeneration. Despite sharing some basic immunologic functions, microglia and monocytes display many distinctive features, which ultimately define their contribution to neuropathology. Understanding how the innate immune system participates to brain disease is imperative to identify novel treatment options for CNS inflammatory disorders. In this context, existing and newly developed in vitro platforms for disease modeling are fundamental tools to investigate and modulate microglia and monocyte immune functions within a specific neuropathologic context. In this review, we first briefly summarize the current knowledge on microglia and monocyte ontogenesis, as well as their complex and interconnected contributions to the development of various CNS pathologies. Following the well-recognized concept that both microglia and monocytes can either exert neuroprotective functions or exacerbate tissue damage, we provide a comprehensive overview of cellular models currently available for in vitro study of neuroinflammatory responses. In this context, we highlight how simplified single-cell models may not always correctly recapitulate in vivo biology, hence future research should move toward novel models with higher and multicellular complexity.

Modeling COVID-19 with Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cells Reveals Synergistic Effects of Anti-inflammatory Macrophages with ACE2 Inhibition Against SARS-CoV-2

Dysfunctional immune responses contribute critically to the progression of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) from mild to severe stages including fatality, with pro-inflammatory macrophages as one of the main mediators of lung hyper-inflammation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the interactions among SARS-CoV-2 permissive cells, macrophage, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby offering important insights into new therapeutic strategies. Here, we used directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to establish a lung and macrophage co-culture system and model the host-pathogen interaction and immune response caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among the hPSC-derived lung cells, alveolar type II and ciliated cells are the major cell populations expressing the viral receptor ACE2 and co-effector TMPRSS2, and both were highly permissive to viral infection. We found that alternatively polarized macrophages (M2) and classically polarized macrophages (M1) had similar inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, only M1 macrophages significantly up-regulated inflammatory factors including IL-6 and IL-18, inhibiting growth and enhancing apoptosis of lung cells. Inhibiting viral entry into target cells using an ACE2 blocking antibody enhanced the activity of M2 macrophages, resulting in nearly complete clearance of virus and protection of lung cells. These results suggest a potential therapeutic strategy, in that by blocking viral entrance to target cells while boosting anti-inflammatory action of macrophages at an early stage of infection, M2 macrophages can eliminate SARS-CoV-2, while sparing lung cells and suppressing the dysfunctional hyper-inflammatory response mediated by M1 macrophages.

Placental Myeloid Cells Protect against Zika Virus Vertical Transmission in a Rag1-Deficient Mouse Model

The ability of Zika virus (ZIKV) to cross the placenta and infect the fetus is a key mechanism by which ZIKV causes microcephaly. How the virus crosses the placenta and the role of the immune response in this process remain unclear. In the current study, we examined how ZIKV infection affected innate immune cells within the placenta and fetus and whether these cells influenced virus vertical transmission (VTx). We found myeloid cells were elevated in the placenta of pregnant ZIKV-infected Rag1-/- mice treated with an anti-IFNAR Ab, primarily at the end of pregnancy as well as transiently in the fetus several days before birth. These cells, which included maternal monocyte/macrophages, neutrophils, and fetal myeloid cells contained viral RNA and infectious virus, suggesting they may be infected and contributing to viral replication and VTx. However, depletion of monocyte/macrophage myeloid cells from the dam during ZIKV infection resulted in increased ZIKV infection in the fetus. Myeloid cells in the fetus were not depleted in this experiment, likely because of an inability of liposome particles containing the cytotoxic drug to cross the placenta. Thus, the increased virus infection in the fetus was not the result of an impaired fetal myeloid response or breakdown of the placental barrier. Collectively, these data suggest that monocyte/macrophage myeloid cells in the placenta play a significant role in inhibiting ZIKV VTx to the fetus, possibly through phagocytosis of virus or virus-infected cells.

[1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivative (Mol-5) is a new NS5-RdRp inhibitor of DENV2 proliferation and DENV2-induced inflammation

Dengue fever is an acute infectious disease caused by dengue virus (DENV) and transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. There is no effective vaccine or antiviral drug available to date to prevent or treat dengue disease. Recently, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a class of polymerases involved in the synthesis of complementary RNA strands using single-stranded RNA, has been proposed as a promising drug target. Hence, we screened new molecules against DENV RdRp using our previously constructed virtual screening method. Mol-5, [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivative, was screened out from an antiviral compound library (~8000 molecules). Using biophysical methods, we confirmed the direct interactions between mol-5 and purified DENV RdRp protein. In luciferase assay, mol-5 inhibited NS5-RdRp activity with an IC₅₀ value of 1.28 ± 0.2 μM. In the cell-based cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, mol-5 inhibited DENV2 infectivity with an EC₅₀ value of 4.5 ± 0.08 μM. Mol-5 also potently inhibited DENV2 RNA replication as observed in immunofluorescence assay and qRT-PCR. Both the viral structural (E) and non-structural (NS1) proteins of DENV2 were dose-dependently decreased by treatment with mol-5 (2.5–10 μM). Mol-5 treatment suppressed DENV2-induced inflammation in host cells, but had no direct effect on host defense (JAK/STAT-signaling pathway). These results demonstrate that mol-5 could be a novel RdRp inhibitor amenable for further research and development.

Differentiation and Functional Comparison of Monocytes and Macrophages from hiPSCs with Peripheral Blood Derivatives

A renewable source of human monocytes and macrophages would be a valuable alternative to primary cells from peripheral blood (PB) in biomedical research. We developed an efficient protocol to derive monocytes and macrophages from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and performed a functional comparison with PB-derived cells. hiPSC-derived monocytes were functional after cryopreservation and exhibited gene expression profiles comparable with PB-derived monocytes. Notably, hiPSC-derived monocytes were more activated with greater adhesion to endothelial cells under physiological flow. hiPSC-derived monocytes were successfully polarized to M1 and M2 macrophage subtypes, which showed similar pan- and subtype-specific gene and surface protein expression and cytokine secretion to PB-derived macrophages. hiPSC-derived macrophages exhibited higher endocytosis and efferocytosis and similar bacterial and tumor cell phagocytosis to PB-derived macrophages. In summary, we developed a robust protocol to generate hiPSC monocytes and macrophages from independent hiPSC lines that showed aspects of functional maturity comparable with those from PB.

Zika Virus Impairs Host NLRP3-mediated Inflammasome Activation in an NS3-dependent Manner

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus associated with severe neurological disorders including Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly. The host innate immune responses against ZIKV infection are essential for protection; however, ZIKV has evolved strategies to evade and antagonize antiviral responses via its nonstructural (NS) proteins. Here, we demonstrated that ZIKV infection unexpectedly inhibits NLRP3-dependent inflammasome activation in bone marrow-derived macrophages and mixed glial cells from mouse brain. ZIKV infection led to increased transcript levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 via activating NF-κB signaling. However, ZIKV infection failed to trigger the secretion of active caspase-1 and IL-1β from macrophages and glial cells even in the presence of LPS priming or ATP costimulation. Intriguingly, ZIKV infection significantly attenuated NLRP3-dependent, but not absent in melanoma 2-dependent caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion from both cells. ZIKV infection further blocked apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain oligomerization in LPS/ATP-stimulated macrophages. Interestingly, expression of ZIKV NS3 protein reduced NLRP3-mediated caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion in macrophages, whereas NS1 and NS5 proteins showed no effects. Furthermore, NLRP3 was found to be degraded by the overexpression of ZIKV NS3 in 293T cells. Collectively, these results indicate that ZIKV evades host NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated innate immune responses in macrophages and glial cells; this may facilitate ZIKV's ability to enhance the replication and dissemination in these cells.

Induced pluripotent stem cells in disease modelling and drug discovery

The derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) over a decade ago sparked widespread enthusiasm for the development of new models of human disease, enhanced platforms for drug discovery and more widespread use of autologous cell-based therapy. Early studies using directed differentiation of iPSCs frequently uncovered cell-level phenotypes in monogenic diseases, but translation to tissue-level and organ-level diseases has required development of more complex, 3D, multicellular systems. Organoids and human-rodent chimaeras more accurately mirror the diverse cellular ecosystems of complex tissues and are being applied to iPSC disease models to recapitulate the pathobiology of a broad spectrum of human maladies, including infectious diseases, genetic disorders and cancer.

Development of innate immune cells from human pluripotent stem cells

Mouse and human pluripotent stem cells have been widely used to study the development of the hematopoietic and immune systems. Although not all cells can be derived with the same efficiency, immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages can be easily produced from PSCs to enable development of new cell-based therapies. NK cells and macrophages are part of the innate immune system, the first line of defense against malignancies and infectious disease. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)- and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK cells can be produced at a clinical scale suitable for translation into clinical trials. Additionally, PSCs can be genetically modified to produce hESC/iPSC-derived human NK cells with enhanced antitumor activity. These engineered NK cells can express a stabilized version of the high-affinity Fc receptor CD16, chimeric antigen receptors, or other strategies to enable more potent and targeted cellular immunotherapies. Moreover, macrophages can also be routinely and efficiently produced from hESCs and iPSCs as a tool to expand our knowledge of the basic biology of these cells. hESC- and iPSC-derived macrophages can also be employed as a novel approach for cancer immunotherapy, as well as a strategy to repair or regenerate diseased and damaged tissues and organs.

Monocytes and Macrophages as Viral Targets and Reservoirs

Viruses manipulate cell biology to utilize monocytes/macrophages as vessels for dissemination, long-term persistence within tissues and virus replication. Viruses enter cells through endocytosis, phagocytosis, macropinocytosis or membrane fusion. These processes play important roles in the mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of these agents and in establishing viral genome persistence and latency. Upon viral infection, monocytes respond with an elevated expression of proinflammatory signalling molecules and antiviral responses, as is shown in the case of the influenza, Chikungunya, human herpes and Zika viruses. Human immunodeficiency virus initiates acute inflammation on site during the early stages of infection but there is a shift of M1 to M2 at the later stages of infection. Cytomegalovirus creates a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory processes by inducing a specific phenotype within the M1/M2 continuum. Despite facilitating inflammation, infected macrophages generally display abolished apoptosis and restricted cytopathic effect, which sustains the virus production. The majority of viruses discussed in this review employ monocytes/macrophages as a repository but certain viruses use these cells for productive replication. This review focuses on viral adaptations to enter monocytes/macrophages, immune escape, reprogramming of infected cells and the response of the host cells.