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Rizvi ZA, Sadhu S, Dandotiya J, Sharma P, Binayke A, Singh V, Das V, Khatri R, Kumar R, Samal S, Kalia M, Awasthi A. SARS-CoV-2 infection induces thymic atrophy mediated by IFN-γ in hACE2 transgenic mice. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350624. [PMID: 38655818 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic infections cause thymic atrophy, perturb thymic T-cell development, and alter immunological response. Previous studies reported dysregulated T-cell function and lymphopenia in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). However, immunopathological changes in the thymus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have not been elucidated. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 infects thymocytes, and induces CD4+CD8+ (double positive; DP) T-cell apoptosis leading to thymic atrophy and loss of peripheral TCR repertoire in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice. Infected thymus led to increased CD44+CD25- T-cells, indicating an early arrest in the T-cell maturation pathway. Thymic atrophy was notably higher in male hACE2-Tg mice than in females and involved an upregulated de-novo synthesis pathway of thymic glucocorticoid. Further, IFN-γ was crucial for thymic atrophy, as anti-IFN-γ -antibody neutralization blunted thymic involution. Therapeutic use of Remdesivir also rescued thymic atrophy. While the Omicron variant and its sub-lineage BA.5 variant caused marginal thymic atrophy, the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 exhibited severe thymic atrophy characterized by severely depleted DP T-cells. Recently characterized broadly SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody P4A2 was able to rescue thymic atrophy and restore the thymic maturation pathway of T-cells. Together, we report SARS-CoV-2-associated thymic atrophy resulting from impaired T-cell maturation pathway which may contribute to dyregulated T cell response during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaigham Abbas Rizvi
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Srikanth Sadhu
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Jyotsna Dandotiya
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Puja Sharma
- Regional Centre Biotechnology, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Akshay Binayke
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Virendra Singh
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Vinayaka Das
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Ritika Khatri
- Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Sweety Samal
- Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Manjula Kalia
- Regional Centre Biotechnology, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Amit Awasthi
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
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2
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Guo W, Luo J, Zhao S, Li L, Xing W, Gao R. The critical role of RAGE in severe influenza infection: A target for control of inflammatory response in the disease. Clin Immunol 2024; 262:110178. [PMID: 38460892 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.110178] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Controlling the excessive inflammatory response is one of the key ways to reduce the severity and mortality of severe influenza virus infections. RAGE is involved in inflammatory responses and acute lung injuries. Here, we investigated the role of RAGE and its potential application as a target for severe influenza treatment through serological correlation analysis for influenza patients, and treatment with the RAGE inhibitor FPS-ZM1 on A549 cells or mice with influenza A (H1N1) infection. The results showed high levels of RAGE were correlated with immunopathological injury and severity of influenza, and FPS-ZM1 treatment increased the viability of A549 cells with influenza A infection and decreased morbidity and mortality of influenza A virus infection in mice. The RAGE/NF-κb inflammatory signaling pathway is a major targeting pathway for FPS-ZM1 treatment in severe influenza. These findings provide further insights into the immune injury of severe influenza and a potential targeting candidate for the disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Chinese National Influenza Center, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Junhao Luo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Chinese National Influenza Center, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Song Zhao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Chinese National Influenza Center, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Li Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Chinese National Influenza Center, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenge Xing
- National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
| | - Rongbao Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, Chinese National Influenza Center, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
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3
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Ma L, Yan J, Song W, Wu B, Wang Z, Xu W. Early peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in predicting the severity of influenza B virus pneumonia in children. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1173362. [PMID: 37249974 PMCID: PMC10213458 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1173362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Children with influenza B virus infection have a higher susceptibility and higher severity of illness. The activation and disorder of immune function play an important role in the severity of influenza virus infection. This study aims to investigate whether early lymphocyte count and cytokines can provide predictive value for the progression in children with influenza B virus pneumonia. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of children with influenza B virus pneumonia from December 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, in the National Children's Regional Medical Center (Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University). According to the severity of the disease, the children were divided into a mild group and a severe group, and the clinical characteristics, routine laboratory examination, lymphocyte subsets, and cytokines were compared. Results A total of 93 children with influenza B virus pneumonia were enrolled, including 70 cases in the mild group and 23 cases in the severe group. Univariate analysis showed that drowsiness, dyspnea, white blood cell (WBC), lymphocytes, monocytes, procalcitonin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), fibrinogen (FIB), Immunoglobulin M (IgM), lung consolidation, total T cell count, CD4+ T cell count, CD8+ T cell count, NK cell count, NK cell % and B cell % had statistical differences between the mild and severe groups (P<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, reduced ALT (OR = 1.016), FIB (OR = 0.233), CD8+ T cell count (OR = 0.993) and NK cell count (OR = 0.987) were independently associated with the development of severe influenza B virus pneumonia. Conclusions The levels of T lymphocytes and NK cells were related to the progression of influenza B virus pneumonia in children, and the reduction of CD8+ T cell count and NK cell count can be used as independent risk factors for predicting the severity of influenza B virus pneumonia.
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Ben Khoud M, Jouy N, Driss V, Quesnel B, Brinster C. Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha/Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Receptor 1 Signaling Pathway Leads to Thymocytes' Cell Death by Necroptosis in a Mouse Model of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2023; 43:164-172. [PMID: 36927129 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2022.0229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by an increased proliferation and loss of differentiation of hematopoietic myeloid progenitors or precursors. Studies performed in AML-affected patients revealed a T cell deficiency characterized by a reduced thymic output and peripheral functional abnormalities. To assess for the thymus function during AML, we used an AML mouse model and showed a drastic thymic atrophy. We observed a massive loss among double (CD4+CD8+- DP) and single positive (CD4+/8+- SP) thymocytes. We assessed for the expression of different actors of cell death signalling pathways by RT-qPCR or Western blotting. When comparing leukemic to control mice, there was a significant increase in the expression of Mlkl gene, phosphorylated MLKL and RIPK3 proteins, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha receptors 1 on DP and SP thymocytes. These findings revealed a necroptosis cell death which was also observed in vitro when using cultured wild-type thymocytes and recombinant TNF-alpha protein. Thus, we demonstrated that TNF-alpha plays a deleterious role in thymic function during AML by contributing to extensive thymocytes' death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriem Ben Khoud
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France.,Institut Pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France
| | - Nathalie Jouy
- University of Lille, UAR2014 - US 41 - Plateformes Lilloises en Biologie & Santé- BioImaging Center Lille (BICeL) - Plateau de Cytométrie en Flux, Lille, France
| | - Virginie Driss
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France.,Institut Pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France
| | - Bruno Quesnel
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France.,Institut Pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France
| | - Carine Brinster
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France.,Institut Pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France
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Yao D, Bao L, Li F, Liu B, Wu X, Hu Z, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang X. H1N1 influenza virus dose dependent induction of dysregulated innate immune responses and STAT1/3 activation are associated with pulmonary immunopathological damage. Virulence 2022; 13:1558-1572. [PMID: 36082929 PMCID: PMC9467583 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2120951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) infection poses a substantial challenge and causes high morbidity and mortality. Exacerbated pulmonary inflammatory responses are the major causes of extensive diffuse alveolar immunopathological damage. However, the relationship between the extent of cytokine storm, neutrophils/macrophages infiltration, and different IAV infection dose and time still needs to be further elucidated, and it is still unclear whether the signal transduction and transcriptional activator 1/3 (STAT1/3) signalling pathway plays a beneficial or detrimental role. Here, we established a mouse model of high- and low-dose pH1N1 infection. We found that pH1N1 infection induced robust and early pathological damage and cytokine storm in an infection dose- and time-dependent manner. High-dose pH1N1 infection induced massive and sustained recruitment of neutrophils as well as a higher ratio of M1:M2, which may contribute to severe lung immunopathological damage. pH1N1 infection activated dose- and time-dependent STAT1 and STAT3. Inhibition of STAT1 and/or STAT3 aggravated low-dose pH1N1 infection, induced lung damage, and decreased survival rate. Appropriate activation of STAT1/3 provided survival benefits and pathological improvement during low-dose pH1N1 infection. These results demonstrate that high-dose pH1N1 infection induces robust and sustained neutrophil infiltration, imbalanced macrophage polarization, excessive and earlier cytokine storm, and STAT1/3 activation, which are associated with pulmonary dysregulated proinflammatory responses and progress of acute lung injury. The severe innate immune responses may be the threshold at which protective functions give way to immunopathology, and assessing the magnitude of host innate immune responses is necessary in adjunctive immunomodulatory therapy for alleviating influenza-induced pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duoduo Yao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Bao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine (The Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, CAMS&PUMC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infection, Beijing, China
| | - Fengdi Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine (The Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, CAMS&PUMC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infection, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Zibo City Key Laboratory of Respiratory Infection and Clinical Microbiology, Zibo City Engineering Technology Research Center of Etiology Molecular Diagnosis, Zibo Municipal Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Xu Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, China
| | - Ziqi Hu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangnan Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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6
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Savino W, Durães J, Maldonado-Galdeano C, Perdigon G, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Cuervo P. Thymus, undernutrition, and infection: Approaching cellular and molecular interactions. Front Nutr 2022; 9:948488. [PMID: 36225882 PMCID: PMC9549110 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.948488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Undernutrition remains a major issue in global health. Low protein-energy consumption, results in stunting, wasting and/or underweight, three deleterious forms of malnutrition that affect roughly 200 million children under the age of five years. Undernutrition compromises the immune system with the generation of various degrees of immunodeficiency, which in turn, renders undernourished individuals more sensitive to acute infections. The severity of various infectious diseases including visceral leishmaniasis (VL), influenza, and tuberculosis is associated with undernutrition. Immunosuppression resulting from protein-energy undernutrition severely impacts primary and secondary lymphoid organs involved in the response to related pathogens. The thymus—a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation of T lymphocytes—is particularly compromised by both undernutrition and infectious diseases. In this respect, we will discuss herein various intrathymic cellular and molecular interactions seen in undernutrition alone or in combination with acute infections. Many examples illustrated in studies on humans and experimental animals clearly revealed that protein-related undernutrition causes thymic atrophy, with cortical thymocyte depletion. Moreover, the non-lymphoid microenvironmental compartment of the organ undergoes important changes in thymic epithelial cells, including their secretory products such as hormones and extracellular matrix proteins. Of note, deficiencies in vitamins and trace elements also induce thymic atrophy. Interestingly, among the molecular interactions involved in the control of undernutrition-induced thymic atrophy is a hormonal imbalance with a rise in glucocorticoids and a decrease in leptin serum levels. Undernutrition also yields a negative impact of acute infections upon the thymus, frequently with the intrathymic detection of pathogens or their antigens. For instance, undernourished mice infected with Leishmania infantum (that causes VL) undergo drastic thymic atrophy, with significant reduction in thymocyte numbers, and decreased levels of intrathymic chemokines and cytokines, indicating that both lymphoid and microenvironmental compartments of the organ are affected. Lastly, recent data revealed that some probiotic bacteria or probiotic fermented milks improve the thymus status in a model of malnutrition, thus raising a new field for investigation, namely the thymus-gut connection, indicating that probiotics can be envisioned as a further adjuvant therapy in the control of thymic changes in undernutrition accompanied or not by infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Wilson Savino, ,
| | - Jonathan Durães
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Maldonado-Galdeano
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Perdigon
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Patricia Cuervo, ,
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Li YJ, Chen CY, Yang JH, Chiu YF. Modulating cholesterol-rich lipid rafts to disrupt influenza A virus infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:982264. [PMID: 36177026 PMCID: PMC9513517 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.982264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) is widely disseminated across different species and can cause recurrent epidemics and severe pandemics in humans. During infection, IAV attaches to receptors that are predominantly located in cell membrane regions known as lipid rafts, which are highly enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids. Following IAV entry into the host cell, uncoating, transcription, and replication of the viral genome occur, after which newly synthesized viral proteins and genomes are delivered to lipid rafts for assembly prior to viral budding from the cell. Moreover, during budding, IAV acquires an envelope with embedded cholesterol from the host cell membrane, and it is known that decreased cholesterol levels on IAV virions reduce infectivity. Statins are commonly used to inhibit cholesterol synthesis for preventing cardiovascular diseases, and several studies have investigated whether such inhibition can block IAV infection and propagation, as well as modulate the host immune response to IAV. Taken together, current research suggests that there may be a role for statins in countering IAV infections and modulating the host immune response to prevent or mitigate cytokine storms, and further investigation into this is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jyun Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yuan Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-How Yang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Fang Chiu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Ya-Fang Chiu,
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Zhu MM, Niu BW, Liu LL, Yang H, Qin BY, Peng XH, Chen LX, Liu Y, Wang C, Ren XN, Xu CH, Zhou XH, Li F. Development of a humanized HLA-A30 transgenic mouse model. Animal Model Exp Med 2022; 5:350-361. [PMID: 35791899 PMCID: PMC9434587 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are remarkable genetic differences between animal major histocompatibility complex (MHC) systems and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. HLA transgenic humanized mouse model systems offer a much better method to study the HLA‐A‐related principal mechanisms for vaccine development and HLA‐A‐restricted responses against infection in human. Methods A recombinant gene encoding the chimeric HLA‐A30 monochain was constructed. This HHD molecule contains the following: α1‐α2 domains of HLA‐A30, α3 and cytoplasmic domains of H‐2Db, linked at its N‐terminus to the C‐terminus of human β2m by a 15‐amino‐acid peptide linker. The recombinant gene encoding the chimeric HLA‐A30 monochain cassette was introduced into bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) CH502‐67J3 containing the HLA‐A01 gene locus by Red‐mediated homologous recombination. Modified BAC CH502‐67J3 was microinjected into the pronuclei of wild‐type mouse oocytes. This humanized mouse model was further used to assess the immune responses against influenza A virus (H1N1) pdm09 clinically isolated from human patients. Immune cell population, cytokine production, and histopathology in the lung were analyzed. Results We describe a novel human β2m‐HLA‐A30 (α1α2)‐H‐2Db (α3 transmembrane cytoplasmic) (HHD) monochain transgenic mouse strain, which contains the intact HLA‐A01 gene locus including 49 kb 5′‐UTR and 74 kb 3′‐UTR of HLA‐A01*01. Five transgenic lines integrated into the large genomic region of HLA‐A gene locus were obtained, and the robust expression of exogenous transgene was detected in various tissues from A30‐18# and A30‐19# lines encompassing the intact flanking sequences. Flow cytometry revealed that the introduction of a large genomic region in HLA‐A gene locus can influence the immune cell constitution in humanized mice. Pdm09 infection caused a similar immune response among HLA‐A30 Tg humanized mice and wild‐type mice, and induced the rapid increase of cytokines, including IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, and IL‐6, in both HLA‐A30 humanized Tg mice and wild‐type mice. The expression of HLA‐A30 transgene was dramatically promoted in tissues from A30‐9# line at 3 days post‐infection (dpi). Conclusions We established a promising preclinical research animal model of HLA‐A30 Tg humanized mouse, which could accelerate the identification of novel HLA‐A30‐restricted epitopes and vaccine development, and support the study of HLA‐A‐restricted responses against infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Min Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo-Wen Niu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Ling Liu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo-Yin Qin
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiu-Hua Peng
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Xiang Chen
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Nan Ren
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Hua Xu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
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9
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Das S, Nasim F, Mishra R, Mishra R. Thymic and Peripheral T-cell Polarization in an Experimental Model of Russell's Viper Venom-induced Acute Kidney Injury. Immunol Invest 2022; 51:1452-1470. [PMID: 34380374 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2021.1960369] [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] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Venom pathology is not restricted to the direct toxic effects of venom. Immunoinflammatory alteration as the etiology of snake venom-induced acute kidney injury (SAKI) is a less trodden path toward the development of alternative therapeutic approach. In the present study, we have associated the crest of renal damage stage to the immunological alteration, as reflected in thymic and peripheral T cell polarization in the murine model of SAKI. Renal injury in mice was confirmed from significant dysuresis and adversely altered biochemical renal markers. Histopathological alterations, as revealed by marked tubular and glomerular damage, reaffirmed kidney injury. SAKI is accompanied by significant inflammatory changes as indicated by neutrophilic leucocytosis, increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and plasma CRP levels. Thymic immunophenotyping revealed significantly increased CD8+ cytotoxic T cell, and CD25+ both single positive population (p = .017-0.010) and CD44-CD25+ double negative population (DN3) (p = .002) accompanied by an insignificantly reduced CD4+ helper T cells (p = .451). Peripheral immunophenotyping revealed similar pattern as indicated by reduced helper T cells (p = .002) associated with significantly elevated cytotoxic T cells (p = .009) and CD25+ subset of both helper (p = .002) and cytotoxic (p = .024) T cells. The IL-10+ subset of both CD25+ and CD25- T cells were also found to be significantly elevated in the SAKI group (p ≤ 0.020) suggesting an immunosuppressive phenotype in SAKI. It can be concluded that T cells responds to venom-induced renal injury particularly through IL-10+ reparative phenotypes which are known for their immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreyasi Das
- Department of Physiology, Ananda Mohan College, Kolkata, India
- Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Farhat Nasim
- Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Roshnara Mishra
- Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
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10
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Gulla S, Reddy MC, Reddy VC, Chitta S, Bhanoori M, Lomada D. Role of thymus in health and disease. Int Rev Immunol 2022; 42:347-363. [PMID: 35593192 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2022.2064461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ, essential for the development of T-cells that will protect from invading pathogens, immune disorders, and cancer. The thymus decreases in size and cellularity with age referred to as thymus involution or atrophy. This involution causes decreased T-cell development and decreased naive T-cell emigration to the periphery, increased proportion of memory T cells, and a restricted, altered T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. The changes in composition and function of the circulating T cell pool as a result of thymic involution led to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases including the recent COVID and a higher risk for autoimmune disorders and cancers. Thymic involution consisting of both structural and functional loss of the thymus has a deleterious effect on T cell development, T cell selection, and tolerance. The mechanisms which act on the structural (cortex and medulla) matrix of the thymus, the gradual accumulation of genetic mutations, and altered gene expressions may lead to immunosenescence as a result of thymus involution. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind thymic involution is critical for identifying diagnostic biomarkers and targets for treatment help to develop strategies to mitigate thymic involution-associated complications. This review is focused on the consequences of thymic involution in infections, immune disorders, and diseases, identifying potential checkpoints and potential approaches to sustain or restore the function of the thymus particularly in elderly and immune-compromised individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surendra Gulla
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Madhava C Reddy
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Vajra C Reddy
- Katuri Medical College and Hospital, Chinnakondrupadu, Guntur, India
| | | | - Manjula Bhanoori
- Department of Biochemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India
| | - Dakshayani Lomada
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India
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11
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A comparison of the features of RT-PCR positive and negative COVID-19 pneumonia patients in the intensive care unit. JOURNAL OF SURGERY AND MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.28982/josam.961334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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12
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Hulme KD, Noye EC, Short KR, Labzin LI. Dysregulated Inflammation During Obesity: Driving Disease Severity in Influenza Virus and SARS-CoV-2 Infections. Front Immunol 2021; 12:770066. [PMID: 34777390 PMCID: PMC8581451 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.770066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute inflammation is a critical host defense response during viral infection. When dysregulated, inflammation drives immunopathology and tissue damage. Excessive, damaging inflammation is a hallmark of both pandemic influenza A virus (IAV) infections and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is also a feature of obesity. In recent years, obesity has been recognized as a growing pandemic with significant mortality and associated costs. Obesity is also an independent risk factor for increased disease severity and death during both IAV and SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review focuses on the effect of obesity on the inflammatory response in the context of viral respiratory infections and how this leads to increased viral pathology. Here, we will review the fundamentals of inflammation, how it is initiated in IAV and SARS-CoV-2 infection and its link to disease severity. We will examine how obesity drives chronic inflammation and trained immunity and how these impact the immune response to IAV and SARS-CoV-2. Finally, we review both medical and non-medical interventions for obesity, how they impact on the inflammatory response and how they could be used to prevent disease severity in obese patients. As projections of global obesity numbers show no sign of slowing down, future pandemic preparedness will require us to consider the metabolic health of the population. Furthermore, if weight-loss alone is insufficient to reduce the risk of increased respiratory virus-related mortality, closer attention must be paid to a patient’s history of health, and new therapeutic options identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katina D Hulme
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ellesandra C Noye
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kirsty R Short
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Larisa I Labzin
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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13
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Al-Suhaimi EA, Aljafary MA, Alkhulaifi FM, Aldossary HA, Alshammari T, AL-Qaaneh A, Aldahhan R, Alkhalifah Z, Gaymalov ZZ, Shehzad A, Homeida AM. Thymus Gland: A Double Edge Sword for Coronaviruses. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101119. [PMID: 34696231 PMCID: PMC8539924 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the main lymphoid organ that regulates the immune and endocrine systems by controlling thymic cell proliferation and differentiation. The gland is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for generating mature T cells into CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive (SP) T cells, contributing to cellular immunity. Regarding humoral immunity, the thymic plasma cells almost exclusively secrete IgG1 and IgG3, the two main complement-fixing effector IgG subclasses. Deformity in the thymus can lead to inflammatory diseases. Hassall’s corpuscles’ epithelial lining produces thymic stromal lymphopoietin, which induces differentiation of CDs thymocytes into regulatory T cells within the thymus medulla. Thymic B lymphocytes produce immunoglobulins and immunoregulating hormones, including thymosin. Modulation in T cell and naive T cells decrement due to thymus deformity induce alteration in the secretion of various inflammatory factors, resulting in multiple diseases. Influenza virus activates thymic CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes and a large amount of IFNγ. IFNs limit virus spread, enhance macrophages’ phagocytosis, and promote the natural killer cell restriction activity against infected cells. Th2 lymphocytes-produced cytokine IL-4 can bind to antiviral INFγ, decreasing the cell susceptibility and downregulating viral receptors. COVID-19 epitopes (S, M, and N proteins) with ≥90% identity to the SARS-CoV sequence have been predicted. These epitopes trigger immunity for antibodies production. Boosting the immune system by improving thymus function can be a therapeutic strategy for preventing virus-related diseases. This review aims to summarize the endocrine-immunoregulatory functions of the thymus and the underlying mechanisms in the prevention of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebtesam A. Al-Suhaimi
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.); (F.M.A.); (A.M.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-133-332-444
| | - Meneerah A. Aljafary
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.); (F.M.A.); (A.M.H.)
| | - Fadwa M. Alkhulaifi
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.); (F.M.A.); (A.M.H.)
| | - Hanan A. Aldossary
- Epidemic Diseases Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; or
| | - Thamer Alshammari
- Genetic Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (T.A.); (A.A.-Q.); (Z.A.)
| | - Ayman AL-Qaaneh
- Genetic Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (T.A.); (A.A.-Q.); (Z.A.)
- Clinical Pharmacy Services Division, Pharmacy Services Department, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH), Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
| | - Razan Aldahhan
- Stem Cell Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Zahra Alkhalifah
- Genetic Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (T.A.); (A.A.-Q.); (Z.A.)
| | - Zagit Z. Gaymalov
- Earlystage OÜ, Lasnamäe Linnaosa, Sepapaja tn 6, Harju Maakond, 15551 Tallinn, Estonia;
| | - Adeeb Shehzad
- Clinical Pharmacy Research Department, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdelgadir M. Homeida
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.A.); (F.M.A.); (A.M.H.)
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14
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The Mechanism behind Influenza Virus Cytokine Storm. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071362. [PMID: 34372568 PMCID: PMC8310017 DOI: 10.3390/v13071362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses are still a serious threat to human health. Cytokines are essential for cell-to-cell communication and viral clearance in the immune system, but excessive cytokines can cause serious immune pathology. Deaths caused by severe influenza are usually related to cytokine storms. The recent literature has described the mechanism behind the cytokine–storm network and how it can exacerbate host pathological damage. Biological factors such as sex, age, and obesity may cause biological differences between different individuals, which affects cytokine storms induced by the influenza virus. In this review, we summarize the mechanism behind influenza virus cytokine storms and the differences in cytokine storms of different ages and sexes, and in obesity.
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15
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Luo M, Xu L, Qian Z, Sun X. Infection-Associated Thymic Atrophy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:652538. [PMID: 34113341 PMCID: PMC8186317 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.652538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a vital organ of the immune system that plays an essential role in thymocyte development and maturation. Thymic atrophy occurs with age (physiological thymic atrophy) or as a result of viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection (pathological thymic atrophy). Thymic atrophy directly results in loss of thymocytes and/or destruction of the thymic architecture, and indirectly leads to a decrease in naïve T cells and limited T cell receptor diversity. Thus, it is important to recognize the causes and mechanisms that induce thymic atrophy. In this review, we highlight current progress in infection-associated pathogenic thymic atrophy and discuss its possible mechanisms. In addition, we discuss whether extracellular vesicles/exosomes could be potential carriers of pathogenic substances to the thymus, and potential drugs for the treatment of thymic atrophy. Having acknowledged that most current research is limited to serological aspects, we look forward to the possibility of extending future work regarding the impact of neural modulation on thymic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Luo
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingxin Xu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengyu Qian
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Sun
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
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16
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Elfaki Y, Robert PA, Binz C, Falk CS, Bruder D, Prinz I, Floess S, Meyer-Hermann M, Huehn J. Influenza A virus-induced thymus atrophy differentially affects dynamics of conventional and regulatory T-cell development in mice. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1166-1181. [PMID: 33638148 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Foxp3+ Treg cells, which are crucial for maintenance of self-tolerance, mainly develop within the thymus, where they arise from CD25+ Foxp3- or CD25- Foxp3+ Treg cell precursors. Although it is known that infections can cause transient thymic involution, the impact of infection-induced thymus atrophy on thymic Treg (tTreg) cell development is unknown. Here, we infected mice with influenza A virus (IAV) and studied thymocyte population dynamics post infection. IAV infection caused a massive, but transient thymic involution, dominated by a loss of CD4+ CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes, which was accompanied by a significant increase in the frequency of CD25+ Foxp3+ tTreg cells. Differential apoptosis susceptibility could be experimentally excluded as a reason for the relative tTreg cell increase, and mathematical modeling suggested that enhanced tTreg cell generation cannot explain the increased frequency of tTreg cells. Yet, an increased death of DP thymocytes and augmented exit of single-positive (SP) thymocytes was suggested to be causative. Interestingly, IAV-induced thymus atrophy resulted in a significantly reduced T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity of newly produced tTreg cells. Taken together, IAV-induced thymus atrophy is substantially altering the dynamics of major thymocyte populations, finally resulting in a relative increase of tTreg cells with an altered TCR repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassin Elfaki
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Philippe A Robert
- Department of Systems Immunology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christoph Binz
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine S Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dunja Bruder
- Infection Immunology Group, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Control and Prevention, Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Immune Regulation Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Immo Prinz
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Floess
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Michael Meyer-Hermann
- Department of Systems Immunology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute for Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technical University Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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17
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Foth S, Völkel S, Bauersachs D, Zemlin M, Skevaki C. T Cell Repertoire During Ontogeny and Characteristics in Inflammatory Disorders in Adults and Childhood. Front Immunol 2021; 11:611573. [PMID: 33633732 PMCID: PMC7899981 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.611573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the first day of life, a newborn has to deal with various pathogens from the environment. While passive immune protection is provided by diaplacental maternal antibodies, the development of cellular immunity is ongoing. A mature immune system should be able not only to defend against pathogens, but should also be able to differentiate between self- and non-self-antigens. Dysregulation in the development of cellular immunity can lead to severe disorders like immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. In this review, we explain the role of T cell immunity in antigen detection and summarize the characteristics of a mature TCR repertoire as well as the current state of knowledge about the development of the TCR repertoire in ontogenesis. In addition, methods of assessments are outlined, with a focus on the advantages and disadvantages of advanced methods such as next generation sequencing. Subsequently, we provide an overview of various disorders occuring in early childhood like immunodeficiencies, autoimmunity, allergic diseases and chronic infections and outline known changes in the TCR repertoire. Finally, we summarize the latest findings and discuss current research gaps as well as potential future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Foth
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sara Völkel
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Bauersachs
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Zemlin
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Saarland University Medical School, Homburg, Germany
| | - Chrysanthi Skevaki
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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18
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Li M, Chen Y, Chen T, Hu S, Chen L, Shen L, Li F, Yang J, Sun Y, Wang D, He L, Qin S, Shu Y. A host-based whole genome sequencing study reveals novel risk loci associated with severity of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:123-131. [PMID: 33393450 PMCID: PMC7832503 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1870412] [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] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus has remained in a seasonal circulation since being recognized in 2009. Although it followed a mild course in most patients, in others it caused a series of severe clinical illnesses. Epidemiologic studies have implicated that host factors have a major influence on the disease severity of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. However, an understanding of relevant genetic variations and the underlying mechanisms is still limited. In this present study, we used a host-based whole genome sequencing (WGS) method to comprehensively explore the genetic risk loci associated with severity of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. From the common single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) analysis, we identified the abnormal nominally significant (P < 1 × 10−4) common SNVs enriched in PTBP3 gene. The results of rare functional SNVs analysis supported that there were several novel candidate genes might confer risk of severe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 diseases, such as FTSJ3, CPVL, BST2, NOD2 and MAVS. Moreover, our results of gene set based analysis indicated that the HIF-1 transcription factor and IFN-γ pathway might play an important role in the underlying mechanism of severe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. These findings will increase our knowledge about biological mechanism underlying the severe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and facilitate to design novel personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongkun Chen
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Chen
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shixiong Hu
- Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Luan Chen
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Shen
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangcai Li
- Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Yang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Sun
- Changsha Central Hospital, Changsha 410004, People's Republic of China
| | - Dayan Wang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin He
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengying Qin
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuelong Shu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.,National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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19
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Identification of potential mRNA panels for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) diagnosis and treatment using microarray dataset and bioinformatics methods. 3 Biotech 2020; 10:422. [PMID: 33251083 PMCID: PMC7679428 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-020-02406-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of the present investigation is to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between SARS-CoV-2 infected and normal control samples to investigate the molecular mechanisms of infection with SARS-CoV-2. The microarray data of the dataset E-MTAB-8871 were retrieved from the ArrayExpress database. Pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment study, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, modules, target gene–miRNA regulatory network, and target gene–TF regulatory network have been performed. Subsequently, the key genes were validated using an analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. In SARS-CoV-2 infection, a total of 324 DEGs (76 up- and 248 down-regulated genes) were identified and enriched in a number of associated SARS-CoV-2 infection pathways and GO terms. Hub and target genes such as TP53, HRAS, MAPK11, RELA, IKZF3, IFNAR2, SKI, TNFRSF13C, JAK1, TRAF6, KLRF2, CD1A were identified from PPI network, target gene–miRNA regulatory network, and target gene–TF regulatory network. Study of the ROC showed that ten genes (CCL5, IFNAR2, JAK2, MX1, STAT1, BID, CD55, CD80, HAL-B, and HLA-DMA) were substantially involved in SARS-CoV-2 patients. The present investigation identified key genes and pathways that deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and could be used for SARS-CoV-2 infection as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.
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20
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Kinsella S, Dudakov JA. When the Damage Is Done: Injury and Repair in Thymus Function. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1745. [PMID: 32903477 PMCID: PMC7435010 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though the thymus is exquisitely sensitive to acute insults like infection, shock, or common cancer therapies such as cytoreductive chemo- or radiation-therapy, it also has a remarkable capacity for repair. This phenomenon of endogenous thymic regeneration has been known for longer even than its primary function to generate T cells, however, the underlying mechanisms controlling the process have been largely unstudied. Although there is likely continual thymic involution and regeneration in response to stress and infection in otherwise healthy people, acute and profound thymic damage such as that caused by common cancer cytoreductive therapies or the conditioning regimes as part of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), leads to prolonged T cell deficiency; precipitating high morbidity and mortality from opportunistic infections and may even facilitate cancer relapse. Furthermore, this capacity for regeneration declines with age as a function of thymic involution; which even at steady state leads to reduced capacity to respond to new pathogens, vaccines, and immunotherapy. Consequently, there is a real clinical need for strategies that can boost thymic function and enhance T cell immunity. One approach to the development of such therapies is to exploit the processes of endogenous thymic regeneration into novel pharmacologic strategies to boost T cell reconstitution in clinical settings of immune depletion such as HCT. In this review, we will highlight recent work that has revealed the mechanisms by which the thymus is capable of repairing itself and how this knowledge is being used to develop novel therapies to boost immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad Kinsella
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jarrod A. Dudakov
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Zhao D, Yao F, Wang L, Zheng L, Gao Y, Ye J, Guo F, Zhao H, Gao R. A Comparative Study on the Clinical Features of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Pneumonia With Other Pneumonias. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 71:756-761. [PMID: 32161968 PMCID: PMC7108162 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 288] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has raised world concern since it emerged in Wuhan Hubei China in December, 2019. The infection may result into severe pneumonia with clusters illness onsets. Its impacts on public health make it paramount to clarify the clinical features with other pneumonias. Methods Nineteen 2019-nCoV pneumonia (NCOVID-19) and fifteen other pneumonia patients (NON-NCOVID-19) in out of Hubei places were involved in this study. Both NCOVID-19 and NON-NCOVID-19 patients were confirmed to be infected in throat swabs or/and sputa with or without 2019-nCoV by real-time RT-PCR. We analyzed the demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and radiological features from those patients, and compared the difference between NCOVID-19 and NON-NCOVID-19. Results All patients had a history of exposure to confirmed case of 2019-nCoV or travel to Hubei before illness. The median duration, respectively, was 8 (IQR:6~11) and 5 (IQR:4~11) days from exposure to onset in NCOVID-19 and NON-NCOVID-19. The clinical symptoms were similar between NCOVID-19 and NON-NCOVID-19. The most common symptoms were fever and cough. Fifteen (78.95%) NCOVID-19 but 4 (26.67%) NON-NCOVID-19 patients had bilateral involvement while 17 (89.47%) NCOVID-19 but 1 (6.67%) NON-NCOVID-19 patients had multiple mottling and ground-glass opacity of chest CT images. Compared to NON-NCOVID-19, NCOVID-19 present remarkably more abnormal laboratory tests including AST, ALT, γ-GT, LDH and α-HBDH. Conclusion The 2019-nCoV infection caused similar onsets to other pneumonias. CT scan may be a reliable test for screening NCOVID-19 cases. Liver function damage is more frequent in NCOVID-19 than NON-NCOVID-19 patients. LDH and α-HBDH may be considerable markers for evaluation of NCOVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahai Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Feifei Yao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Anhui, China
| | - Lijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Zheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yongjun Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Ye
- Infectious Disease Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Rongbao Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Infection Causes Host Immunomodulation through Induction of Thymic Atrophy. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00950-19. [PMID: 31932328 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00950-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is an important bacterial pathogen of swine and is also an emerging zoonotic agent that may be harmful to human health. Although the virulence genes of S. suis have been extensively studied, the mechanisms by which they damage the central immune organs have rarely been studied. In the current work, we wanted to uncover more details about the impact and mechanisms of S. suis on specific populations of thymic and immune cells in infected mice. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays revealed that S. suis infection induced apoptosis in CD3+, CD14+, and epithelial cells from the thymus. S. suis infection resulted in a rapid depletion of mitochondrial permeability and release of cytochrome c (CytC) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) through upregulation of Bax expression and downregulation of Bcl-xl and Bcl2 expression in thymocytes. Moreover, S. suis infection increased cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9. Thus, S. suis induced thymocyte apoptosis through a p53- and caspase-dependent pathway, which led to a decrease of CD3+ cells in the thymus, subsequently decreasing the numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the peripheral blood. Finally, expression dysregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum, including interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-12 (p70), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-10, was observed in mice after S. suis type 2 infection. Taken together, these results suggest that S. suis infection can cause atrophy of the thymus and induce apoptosis of thymocytes in mice, thus likely suppressing host immunity.
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Nikolouli E, Elfaki Y, Herppich S, Schelmbauer C, Delacher M, Falk C, Mufazalov IA, Waisman A, Feuerer M, Huehn J. Recirculating IL-1R2 + Tregs fine-tune intrathymic Treg development under inflammatory conditions. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 18:182-193. [PMID: 31988493 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-019-0352-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The vast majority of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are generated in the thymus, and several factors, such as cytokines and unique thymic antigen-presenting cells, are known to contribute to the development of these thymus-derived Tregs (tTregs). Here, we report the existence of a specific subset of Foxp3+ Tregs within the thymus that is characterized by the expression of IL-1R2, which is a decoy receptor for the inflammatory cytokine IL-1. Detailed flow cytometric analysis of the thymocytes from Foxp3hCD2xRAG1GFP reporter mice revealed that the IL-1R2+ Tregs are mainly RAG1GFP- and CCR6+CCR7-, demonstrating that these Tregs are recirculating cells entering the thymus from the periphery and that they have an activated phenotype. In the spleen, the majority of IL-1R2+ Tregs express neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) and Helios, suggesting a thymic origin for these Tregs. Interestingly, among all tissues studied, the highest frequency of IL-1R2+ Tregs was observed in the thymus, indicating preferential recruitment of this Treg subset by the thymus. Using fetal thymic organ cultures (FTOCs), we demonstrated that increased concentrations of exogenous IL-1β blocked intrathymic Treg development, resulting in a decreased frequency of CD25+Foxp3+ tTregs and an accumulation of CD25+Foxp3- Treg precursors. Interestingly, the addition of IL-1R2+ Tregs, but not IL-1R2- Tregs, to reaggregated thymic organ cultures (RTOCs) abrogated the IL-1β-mediated blockade, demonstrating that these recirculating IL-1R2+ Tregs can quench IL-1 signaling in the thymus and thereby maintain thymic Treg development even under inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Nikolouli
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Yassin Elfaki
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Susanne Herppich
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Carsten Schelmbauer
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Delacher
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), Chair for Immunology, University Regensburg and University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christine Falk
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation, IFB-Tx, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ilgiz A Mufazalov
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ari Waisman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus Feuerer
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), Chair for Immunology, University Regensburg and University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany. .,Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Liu B, Bao L, Wang L, Li F, Wen M, Li H, Deng W, Zhang X, Cao B. Anti-IFN-γ therapy alleviates acute lung injury induced by severe influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 infection in mice. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2019; 54:396-403. [PMID: 31780358 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2019.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Severe infection with influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus is characterized by acute lung injury. The limited efficacy of anti-viral drugs indicates an urgent need for additional therapies. We have previously reported that neutralization of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) could significantly rescue the thymic atrophy induced by severe influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 infection in BALB/c mice. A deeper investigation was conducted into the influence of neutralizing IFN-γ to the BALB/c mice weight, survival rate, and lung injury. METHODS The BALB/c mice was infected with severe influenza A (H1N1)pdm09. Monoclonal antibodies against IFN-γ were injected into the abdominal cavities of the mice. After neutralization of IFN-γ occurred in mice infected by severe ∖ influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, observing the influence of neutralizing IFN-γ to the BALB/c mice weight, survival rate, lung injury. RESULT Our results here showed that anti-IFN-γ therapy alleviated the acute lung injury in this mouse model. Neutralization of IFN-γ led to a significant reduction in the lung microvascular leak and the cellular infiltrate in the lung tissue, and also improved the outcome in mice mortality. Several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1α, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the chemokines including G-CSF, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in serum samples were found to be significantly reduced after anti-IFN-γ treatment. CONCLUSION These results suggested that IFN-γ plays an important role in acute lung injury induced by severe influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 infection, and monoclonal antibodies against IFN-γ could be useful as a potential therapeutic remedy for future influenza pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Linzi District People's Hospital, Huangong Road, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Linzi District People's Hospital, Huangong Road, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China; Zibo City Key Laboratory of Respiratory Infection and Clinical Microbiology, Huangong Road, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China; Linzi District People's Hospital Affiliated to Binzhou Medical University, Huangong Road, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China
| | - LinLin Bao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC), Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious, Beijing, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Linzi District People's Hospital, Huangong Road, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China; Zibo City Key Laboratory of Respiratory Infection and Clinical Microbiology, Huangong Road, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China; Linzi District People's Hospital Affiliated to Binzhou Medical University, Huangong Road, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Fengdi Li
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC), Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious, Beijing, China
| | - Mingjie Wen
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Diseases, Beijing, China; Clinical Center for Pulmonary Infections, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Deng
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC), Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Cao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Diseases, Beijing, China; Clinical Center for Pulmonary Infections, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
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25
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Cao Q, Gao X, Lin Y, Yue C, Wang Y, Quan F, Zhang Z, Liu X, Lu Y, Zhan Y, Yang H, Li X, Qin D, Birnbaumer L, Hao K, Yang Y. Thymopentin ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by triggering the production of IL-22 in both innate and adaptive lymphocytes. Theranostics 2019; 9:7490-7505. [PMID: 31695782 PMCID: PMC6831468 DOI: 10.7150/thno.35015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disease, notoriously challenging to treat. Previous studies have found a positive correlation between thymic atrophy and colitis severity. It was, therefore, worthwhile to investigate the effect of thymopentin (TP5), a synthetic pentapeptide corresponding to the active domain of the thymopoietin, on colitis. Methods: Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice were treated with TP5 by subcutaneous injection. Body weight, colon length, colon weight, immune organ index, disease activity index (DAI) score, and the peripheral blood profile were examined. The immune cells of the spleen and colon were analyzed by flow cytometry. Histology was performed on isolated colon tissues for cytokine analysis. Bacterial DNA was extracted from mouse colonic feces to assess the intestinal microbiota. Intestinal lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs), HCT116, CT26, and splenocytes were cultured and treated with TP5. Results: TP5 treatment increased the body weight and colon length, decreased the DAI score, and restored colon architecture of colitic mice. TP5 also decreased the infiltration of immune cells and expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. Importantly, the damaged thymus and compromised lymphocytes in peripheral blood were significantly restored by TP5. Also, the production of IL-22, both in innate and adaptive lymphoid cells, was triggered by TP5. Given the critical role of IL-22 in mucosal host defense, we tested the effect of TP5 on mucus barrier and gut microbiota and found that the number of goblet cells and the level of Mucin-2 expression were restored, and the composition of the gut microbiome was normalized after TP5 treatment. The critical role of IL-22 in the protective effect of TP5 on colitis was further confirmed by administering the anti-IL-22 antibody (αIL-22), which completely abolished the effect of TP5. Furthermore, TP5 significantly increased the expression level of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (RORγt), a transcription factor for IL-22. Consistent with this, RORγt inhibitor abrogated the upregulation of IL-22 induced by TP5. Conclusion: TP5 exerts a protective effect on DSS-induced colitis by triggering the production of IL-22 in both innate and adaptive lymphocytes. This study delineates TP5 as an immunomodulator that may be a potential drug for the treatment of UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuhua Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Xinghua Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Yanting Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Chongxiu Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Fei Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Zixuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Xiaoxuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Yuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Yanling Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Hongbao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Xianjing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
| | - Di Qin
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing sport institute, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210001, PR China
| | - Lutz Birnbaumer
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA, and Institute of Biomedical Research (BIOMED), Catholic University of Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina
| | - Kun Hao
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, PR China
| | - Yong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, PR China
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Insights into Thymus Development and Viral Thymic Infections. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090836. [PMID: 31505755 PMCID: PMC6784209 DOI: 10.3390/v11090836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell development in the thymus is a complex and highly regulated process, involving a wide variety of cells and molecules which orchestrate thymocyte maturation into either CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive (SP) T cells. Here, we briefly review the process regulating T-cell differentiation, which includes the latest advances in this field. In particular, we highlight how, starting from a pool of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, the sequential action of transcriptional factors and cytokines dictates the proliferation, restriction of lineage potential, T-cell antigen receptors (TCR) gene rearrangements, and selection events on the T-cell progenitors, ultimately leading to the generation of mature T cells. Moreover, this review discusses paradigmatic examples of viral infections affecting the thymus that, by inducing functional changes within this lymphoid gland, consequently influence the behavior of peripheral mature T-lymphocytes.
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27
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Losada-Barragán M, Umaña-Pérez A, Durães J, Cuervo-Escobar S, Rodríguez-Vega A, Ribeiro-Gomes FL, Berbert LR, Morgado F, Porrozzi R, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Aquino P, Carvalho PC, Savino W, Sánchez-Gómez M, Padrón G, Cuervo P. Thymic Microenvironment Is Modified by Malnutrition and Leishmania infantum Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:252. [PMID: 31355153 PMCID: PMC6639785 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Detrimental effects of malnutrition on immune responses to pathogens have long been recognized and it is considered a main risk factor for various infectious diseases, including visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Thymus is a target of both malnutrition and infection, but its role in the immune response to Leishmania infantum in malnourished individuals is barely studied. Because we previously observed thymic atrophy and significant reduction in cellularity and chemokine levels in malnourished mice infected with L. infantum, we postulated that the thymic microenvironment is severely compromised in those animals. To test this, we analyzed the microarchitecture of the organ and measured the protein abundance in its interstitial space in malnourished BALB/c mice infected or not with L. infantum. Malnourished-infected animals exhibited a significant reduction of the thymic cortex:medulla ratio and altered abundance of proteins secreted in the thymic interstitial fluid. Eighty-one percent of identified proteins are secreted by exosomes and malnourished-infected mice showed significant decrease in exosomal proteins, suggesting that exosomal carrier system, and therefore intrathymic communication, is dysregulated in those animals. Malnourished-infected mice also exhibited a significant increase in the abundance of proteins involved in lipid metabolism and tricarboxylic acid cycle, suggestive of a non-proliferative microenvironment. Accordingly, flow cytometry analysis revealed decreased proliferation of single positive and double positive T cells in those animals. Together, the reduced cortical area, decreased proliferation, and altered protein abundance suggest a dysfunctional thymic microenvironment where T cell migration, proliferation, and maturation are compromised, contributing for the thymic atrophy observed in malnourished animals. All these alterations could affect the control of the local and systemic infection, resulting in an impaired response to L. infantum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Losada-Barragán
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Grupo de Investigación en Biología Celular y Funcional e Ingeniería de Biomoléculas, Departamento de Biologia, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Umaña-Pérez
- Grupo de Investigación en Hormonas, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jonathan Durães
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sergio Cuervo-Escobar
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andrés Rodríguez-Vega
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flávia L Ribeiro-Gomes
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Malária, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz R Berbert
- Laboratório de Pesquisas sobre o Timo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Morgado
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renato Porrozzi
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Laboratório de Pesquisas sobre o Timo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Neuroimunomodulação, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo C Carvalho
- Computational Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Group, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratório de Pesquisas sobre o Timo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Neuroimunomodulação, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Myriam Sánchez-Gómez
- Grupo de Investigación en Hormonas, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Gabriel Padrón
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Association of polymorphisms in inflammatory cytokines encoding genes with severe cases of influenza A/H1N1 and B in an Iranian population. Virol J 2019; 16:79. [PMID: 31196204 PMCID: PMC6567579 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-019-1187-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The increased levels of blood cytokines is the main immunopathological process that were attributed to severe clinical outcomes in cases of influenza A, influenza B and people with influenza-like illness (ILI). Functional genetic polymorphisms caused by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in inflammatory cytokines genes can influence their functions either qualitatively or quantitatively, which is associated with the possibility of severe influenza infections. The aim of the present case-control study was to investigate the association of polymorphisms in inflammatory cytokines genes with influenza patients and ILI group in an Iranian population. Methods Total number of 30 influenza B, 50 influenza A (H1N1) and 96 ILI inpatient individuals were confirmed by Real-time RT-PCR and HI assays. The genotype determination was assessed for defined SNPs in IL-1β, IL-17, IL-10 and IL-28 genes. Results The frequencies of the IL-1β rs16944 (P = 0.007) and IL-17 rs2275913 (P = 0.006) genotypes were associated with severe influenza disease, while the frequencies of IL-10 rs1800872 and IL-28 rs8099917 were not associated with the disease (P > 0.05). Also, the absence of A allele in IL-17 rs2275913 SNP increased the risk of influenza A (H1N1) infection (P = 0.008). Conclusions This study demonstrated that influenza A- (H1N1) and B-infected patients and also ILI controls have different profiles of immune parameters, and individuals carrying the specific cytokine-derived polymorphisms may show different immune responses towards severe outcome.
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Majumdar S, Adiga V, Raghavan A, Rananaware SR, Nandi D. Comparative analysis of thymic subpopulations during different modes of atrophy identifies the reactive oxygen species scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine, to increase the survival of thymocytes during infection-induced and lipopolysaccharide-induced thymic atrophy. Immunology 2019; 157:21-36. [PMID: 30659606 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of immunocompetent T cells entails a complex pathway of differentiation in the thymus. Thymic atrophy occurs with ageing and during conditions such as malnutrition, infections and cancer chemotherapy. The comparative changes in thymic subsets under different modes of thymic atrophy and the mechanisms involved are not well characterized. These aspects were investigated, using mice infected with Salmonella Typhimurium, injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an inflammatory but non-infectious stimulus, etoposide (Eto), a drug used to treat some cancers, and dexamethasone (Dex), a steroid used in some inflammatory diseases. The effects on the major subpopulations of thymocytes based on multicolour flow cytometry studies were, first, the CD4- CD8- double-negative (DN) cells, mainly DN2-4, were reduced with infection, LPS and Eto treatment, but not with Dex. Second, the CD8+ CD3lo immature single-positive cells (ISPs) were highly sensitive to infection, LPS and Eto, but not Dex. Third, treatment with LPS, Eto and Dex reduced all three subpopulations of CD4+ CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes, i.e. DP1, DP2 and DP3, but the DP3 subset was relatively more resistant during infection. Fourth, both CD4+ and CD8+ single-positive (SP) thymocytes were lowered by Eto and Dex, but not during infection. Notably, LPS lowered CD4+ SP subsets, whereas the CD8+ SP subsets were relatively more resistant. Interestingly, the reactive oxygen species quencher, N-acetyl cysteine, greatly improved the survival of thymocytes, especially DNs, ISPs and DPs, during infection and LPS treatment. The implications of these observations for the development of potential thymopoietic drugs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamik Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Vasista Adiga
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Abinaya Raghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Dipankar Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.,Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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30
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Zhang F, Sun X, Zhu Y, Qin W. Downregulation of miR-146a inhibits influenza A virus replication by enhancing the type I interferon response in vitro and in vivo. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 111:740-750. [PMID: 30611999 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Albeit microRNAs (miRNAs) have become increasingly appreciated for their essential roles in innate immune responses to viral infections; however, it is unknown how host miRNAs regulate influenza A virus (IAV)-induced inflammation. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of miR-146a in IAV replication in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, we found miR-146a was significantly upregulated in A549 cells with IAV infection. Overexpression of miR-146a promoted IAV replication, while downregulation of miR-146a repressed replication. We found that miR-146a diminished type I interferon (IFN) responses by decreasing IFN-β production and IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression. Furthermore, we found the IFNs level and IAV replication regulated by miR-146a inhibitor was partially reversed by depletion of interferon receptor (IFNAR) 1 or 2. In addition, we found that miR-146a directly targets tumor necrosis factor receptor association factor 6 (TRAF6), which is involved in the production of type I IFN, and TRAF6 overexpression reversed the replication-promoting effect of miR-146a on IAV. In vivo, inhibition of miR-146a alleviated IAV-induced mice lung injury and promoted survival rates by promoting type I antiviral activities. It is, therefore, concluded that downregulation of miR-146a inhibits IAV replication by enhancing type I IFN response through its target gene TRAF6 in vitro and in vivo, suggesting miR-146a antagomir might be a potential therapeutic target during IAV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuming Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Xiaofang Sun
- Clinical Laboratory, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Ya Zhu
- Clinical Laboratory, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Wangsen Qin
- Clinical Laboratory, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China.
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31
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Liu Z, Su DM, Yu ZL, Wu F, Liu RF, Luo SQ, Lv ZY, Zeng X, Sun X, Wu ZD. Soluble antigens from the neurotropic pathogen Angiostrongylus cantonensis directly induce thymus atrophy in a mouse model. Oncotarget 2018; 8:48575-48590. [PMID: 28548945 PMCID: PMC5564709 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A.C.) is a neurotropic pathogen; stage-III larva invade the human (non-permissive host) central nervous system (CNS) to cause eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis accompanied by immunosuppression. In an A.C.-infectedmouse (another non-permissive host) model, CNS damage-associated T cell immune deficiency and severe inflammation were proposed to result from activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory agents. Additionally, while defects in thymic stromal/epithelial cells (TECs) are the major reason for thymic atrophy, TECs do not express the glucocorticoid receptor. Therefore, activation of the HPA axis cannot fully explain the thymic atrophy and inflammation. Using an A.C.-infected mouse model, we found that A.C.-infected mice developed severe thymic atrophy with dramatic impairments in thymocytes and TECs, particularly cortical TECs, which harbor CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocytes. The impairments resulted from soluble antigens (sAgs) from A.C. in the thymuses of infected mice, as intrathymic injection of these sAgs into live mice and the addition of these sAgs to thymic cell culture resulted in thymic atrophy and cellular apoptosis, respectively. Therefore, in addition to an indirect effect on thymocytes through the HPA axis, our study reveals a novel mechanism by which A.C. infection in non-permissive hosts directly induces defects in both thymocytes and TECs via soluble antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Liu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Ming Su
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Zi-Long Yu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui-Feng Liu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Qi Luo
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Yue Lv
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Zeng
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Sun
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong-Dao Wu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-Vectors Control, Guangzhou, China
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32
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Li J, Lu J, Zhang S, Wang J, Wang H, Liu F, Fang M, Duan X, Liu W. Differential immune response of influenza A virus-infected dendritic cells and association with autophagy. Future Virol 2017. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2017-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aim: We sought to study the responses of dendritic cells (DCs) after direct stimulation by different influenza A viruses. Materials & methods: Using bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) as a model, we measured the expression of surface markers, cytokine production and the priming effect on CD4+ naive T cells. Results & conclusion: We found that all of the tested viruses induced BMDC maturation. Cytokine expression assays also demonstrated that activated BMDCs secrete higher levels of cytokines. Similar to the maturation degree, well-stimulated BMDCs induced higher levels of naive CD4+ T-cell activation. Furthermore, we found that the PR8 and WSN influenza A viruse-induced BMDC functional activation was at least partially influenced by autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jiao Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Fei Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Min Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xuefeng Duan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
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33
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Majumdar S, Nandi D. Thymic Atrophy: Experimental Studies and Therapeutic Interventions. Scand J Immunol 2017; 87:4-14. [PMID: 28960415 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is essential for T cell development and maturation. It is extremely sensitive to atrophy, wherein loss in cellularity of the thymus and/or disruption of the thymic architecture occur. This may lead to lower naïve T cell output and limited TCR diversity. Thymic atrophy is often associated with ageing. What is less appreciated is that proper functioning of the thymus is critical for reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with various clinical conditions including infections and transplantation. Therefore, therapeutic interventions which possess thymopoietic potential and lower thymic atrophy are required. These treatments enhance thymic output, which is a vital factor in generating favourable outcomes in clinical conditions. In this review, experimental studies on thymic atrophy in rodents and clinical cases where the thymus atrophies are discussed. In addition, mechanisms leading to thymic atrophy during ageing as well as during various stress conditions are reviewed. Therapies such as zinc supplementation, IL7 administration, leptin treatment, keratinocyte growth factor administration and sex steroid ablation during thymic atrophy involving experiments in animals and various clinical scenarios are reviewed. Interventions that have been used across different scenarios to reduce the extent of thymic atrophy and enhance its output are discussed. This review aims to speculate on the roles of combination therapies, which by acting additively or synergistically may further alleviate thymic atrophy and boost its function, thereby strengthening cellular T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry & Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - D Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry & Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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34
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Xue C, Wen M, Bao L, Li H, Li F, Liu M, Lv Q, An Y, Zhang X, Cao B. Vγ4 +γδT Cells Aggravate Severe H1N1 Influenza Virus Infection-Induced Acute Pulmonary Immunopathological Injury via Secreting Interleukin-17A. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1054. [PMID: 28912779 PMCID: PMC5583159 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus remains a critical global health concern and causes high levels of morbidity and mortality. Severe acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are the major outcomes among severely infected patients. Our previous study found that interleukin (IL)-17A production by humans or mice infected with influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 substantially contributes to ALI and subsequent morbidity and mortality. However, the cell types responsible for IL-17A production during the early stage of severe influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 infection remained unknown. In this study, a mouse model of severe influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 infection was established. Our results show that, in the lungs of infected mice, the percentage of γδT cells, but not the percentages of CD4+Th and CD8+Tc cells, gradually increased and peaked at 3 days post-infection (dpi). Further analysis revealed that the Vγ4+γδT subset, but not the Vγ1+γδT subset, was significantly increased among the γδT cells. At 3 dpi, the virus induced significant increases in IL-17A in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum. IL-17A was predominantly secreted by γδT cells (especially the Vγ4+γδT subset), but not CD4+Th and CD8+Tc cells at the early stage of infection, and IL-1β and/or IL-23 were sufficient to induce IL-17A production by γδT cells. In addition to secreting IL-17A, γδT cells secreted interferon (IFN)-γ and expressed both an activation-associated molecule, natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D), and an apoptosis-associated molecule, FasL. Depletion of γδT cells or the Vγ4+γδT subset significantly rescued the virus-induced weight loss and improved the survival rate by decreasing IL-17A secretion and reducing immunopathological injury. This study demonstrated that, by secreting IL-17A, lung Vγ4+γδT cells, at least, in part mediated influenza A (H1N1) pdm09-induced immunopathological injury. This mechanism might serve as a promising new target for the prevention and treatment of ALI induced by influenza A (H1N1) pdm09.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Xue
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingjie Wen
- Department of Immunology, The Research Centre of Microbiome, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Bao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fengdi Li
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Lv
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yunqing An
- Department of Immunology, The Research Centre of Microbiome, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, The Research Centre of Microbiome, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Cao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,Center for Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Beijing, China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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35
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Ansari AR, Liu H. Acute Thymic Involution and Mechanisms for Recovery. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2017; 65:401-420. [PMID: 28331940 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-017-0462-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acute thymic involution (ATI) is usually regarded as a virulence trait. It is caused by several infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi) and other factors, including stress, pregnancy, malnutrition and chemotherapy. However, the complex mechanisms that operate during ATI differ substantially from each other depending on the causative agent. For instance, a transient reduction in the size and weight of the thymus and depletion of populations of T cell subsets are hallmarks of ATI in many cases, whereas severe disruption of the anatomical structure of the organ is also associated with some factors, including fungal, parasitic and viral infections. However, growing evidence shows that ATI may be therapeutically halted or reversed. In this review, we highlight the current progress in this field with respect to numerous pathological factors and discuss the possible mechanisms. Moreover, these new observations also show that ATI can be mechanistically reversed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rahman Ansari
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CVAS), Jhang, Pakistan.,University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Huazhen Liu
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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36
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Majumdar S, Deobagkar-Lele M, Adiga V, Raghavan A, Wadhwa N, Ahmed SM, Rananaware SR, Chakraborty S, Joy O, Nandi D. Differential susceptibility and maturation of thymocyte subsets during Salmonella Typhimurium infection: insights on the roles of glucocorticoids and Interferon-gamma. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40793. [PMID: 28091621 PMCID: PMC5238503 DOI: 10.1038/srep40793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is known to atrophy during infections; however, a systematic study of changes in thymocyte subpopulations has not been performed. This aspect was investigated, using multi-color flow cytometry, during oral infection of mice with Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). The major highlights are: First, a block in the developmental pathway of CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) thymocytes is observed. Second, CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes, mainly in the DP1 (CD5loCD3lo) and DP2 (CD5hiCD3int), but not DP3 (CD5intCD3hi), subsets are reduced. Third, single positive (SP) thymocytes are more resistant to depletion but their maturation is delayed, leading to accumulation of CD24hiCD3hi SP. Kinetic studies during infection demonstrated differences in sensitivity of thymic subpopulations: Immature single positive (ISP) > DP1, DP2 > DN3, DN4 > DN2 > CD4+ > CD8+. Upon infection, glucocorticoids (GC), inflammatory cytokines, e.g. Ifnγ, etc are induced, which enhance thymocyte death. Treatment with RU486, the GC receptor antagonist, increases the survival of most thymic subsets during infection. Studies with Ifnγ-/- mice demonstrated that endogenous Ifnγ produced during infection enhances the depletion of DN2-DN4 subsets, promotes the accumulation of DP3 and delays the maturation of SP thymocytes. The implications of these observations on host cellular responses during infections are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamik Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Mukta Deobagkar-Lele
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Vasista Adiga
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Abinaya Raghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Nitin Wadhwa
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Syed Moiz Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | | | - Omana Joy
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Dipankar Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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37
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Alves da Costa T, Di Gangi R, Thomé R, Barreto Felisbino M, Pires Bonfanti A, Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa L, Sartori A, Burger E, Verinaud L. Severe Changes in Thymic Microenvironment in a Chronic Experimental Model of Paracoccidioidomycosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164745. [PMID: 27736987 PMCID: PMC5063316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell maturation takes place within the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ that is commonly targeted during infections. Previous studies showed that acute infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), promotes thymic atrophy that is associated with the presence of yeast cells in the organ. However, as human PCM is a chronic infection, it is imperative to investigate the consequences of Pb infection over the thymic structure and function in chronic infection. In this sense, we developed a new experimental model where Pb yeast cells are injected through the intraperitoneal route and mice are evaluated over 120 days of infection. Thymuses were analyzed in chronically infected mice and we found that the thymus underwent extensive morphological alterations and severe infiltration of P. brasiliensis yeast cells. Further analyses showed an altered phenotype and function of thymocytes that are commonly found in peripheral mature T lymphocytes. We also observed activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the thymus. Our data provide new information on the severe changes observed in the thymic microenvironment in a model of PCM that more closely mimics the human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Alves da Costa
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosária Di Gangi
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Thomé
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Barreto Felisbino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda Pires Bonfanti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandrina Sartori
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eva Burger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Liana Verinaud
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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38
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Duan X, Lu J, Zhou K, Wang J, Wu J, Fu Gao G, Fang M. NK-cells are involved in thymic atrophy induced by influenza A virus infection. J Gen Virol 2016; 96:3223-3235. [PMID: 26346306 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
NK-cells have traditionally been viewed as innate effector lymphocytes that serve as a first line of defence against a range of viruses and tumours. More recently, the importance of NK-cell immunoregulatory functions has been highlighted. NK-cells can inhibit antiviral T-cell responses, and also play an important role in controlling harmful T-cell activity in autoimmunity and transplantation settings. Moreover, immunopathological effects of NK-cells during infection have been reported. Nevertheless, the phenotype and function of NK-cells in the thymus during influenza virus infection is not understood. In the present study, we demonstrated that influenza A virus (IAV) infection in mice led to severe thymic atrophy caused by increased thymic T-cell apoptosis and suppressed proliferation. We found that NK-cells played a critical role in this phenotype. IFN-c production by NK-cells was a contributing factor for thymic atrophy during IAV infection. Taken together, our data indicate that NK-cells are involved in the thymic atrophy associated with IAV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Duan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jiao Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Kai Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jihua Wu
- Department of Pathology, 306 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, PR China
| | - George Fu Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Min Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
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Targeted disruption of influenza A virus hemagglutinin in genetically modified mice reduces viral replication and improves disease outcome. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23746. [PMID: 27033724 PMCID: PMC4817130 DOI: 10.1038/srep23746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus can cause acute respiratory infection in animals and humans around the globe, and is still a major threat to animal husbandry and public health. Due to antigenic drift and antigenic shift of the virus, development of novel anti-influenza strategies has become an urgent task. Here we generated transgenic (TG) mice stably expressing a short-hairpin RNA specifically targeting hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A virus, and investigated the susceptibility of the mice to influenza virus infection. We found that HA expression was dramatically disrupted in TG mice infected with WSN or PR8 virus. Importantly, the animals showed reduced virus production in lungs, slower weight loss, attenuated acute organ injury and consequently increased survival rates as compared to wild type (WT) mice after the viral infection. Moreover, TG mice exhibited a normal level of white blood cells following the virus infection, whereas the number of these cells was significantly decreased in WT mice with same challenge. Together, these experiments demonstrate that the TG mice are less permissive for influenza virus replication, and suggest that shRNA-based efficient disruption of viral gene expression in animals may be a useful strategy for prevention and control of a viral zoonosis.
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Hu XP, Shao MM, Song X, Wu XL, Qi L, Zheng K, Fan L, Liao CH, Li CY, He J, Hu YJ, Wu HQ, Li SH, Zhang J, Zhang FX, He ZD. Anti-influenza virus effects of crude phenylethanoid glycosides isolated from ligustrum purpurascens via inducing endogenous interferon-γ. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2016; 179:128-136. [PMID: 26190352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ligustrum purpurascens Y.C. Yang (Oleaceae) is traditionally recorded as "Ku Ding Cha", a kind of functional tea in southern China for about two thousand years, which has been reported with sore throat alleviating and pathogenic heat expelling effects. However, there are no scientific studies demonstrating its antiviral activity. THE AIM OF THE STUDY This study is aimed at investigating the anti-influenza virus effects of phenylethanoid glycosides isolated from L. purpurascens (LPG) as well as its corresponding mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro, hemagglutination assay was employed to detect the influenza virus titer; In vivo, C57BL/6J mice were given oral administration of LPG (100mg/kg, 300mg/kg, 900mg/kg) or ribavirin (100mg/kg) once daily for 5 successive days. Meanwhile, on the second day, mice were infected intranasally (i.n.) with A/FM/1/47 H1N1 virus. Mice survival rate and other clinical index were monitored for 15 days. Infected mice were sacrificed to measure the lung lesion and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Flow cytometry analyses spleen lymphocytes and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) level. The IFN-γ knockout mice (IFN-γ(-/-) mice, C57BL/6J) which had been verified lacking IFN-γ through Western Blot, were applied in the death-protection test to identify the role of IFN-γ played in LPG antiviral effect. RESULTS In vitro, LPG at 0.5mg/ml inhibited Influenza A Virus H1N1 type (H1N1) infection of MDCK cells. In vivo, LPG at 300 and 900mg/kg significantly decreased the mouse lung index (p<0.05), alleviated influenza-induced lethality and clinical symptoms, and therefore enhanced mouse survival (p<0.05). More detailed experiments demonstrated that antiviral cytokine IFN-γ was involved in the antiviral effect of LPG. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LPG (900mg/kg) significantly induced secretion of IFN-γ by splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells (p<0.05). Moreover, LPG (900mg/kg) protected wild-type C57BL/6J mice from H1N1 injury, whereas LPG-mediated survival protection disappeared in IFN-γ(-/-) mice. CONCLUSION These results suggest that up-regulating endogenous IFN-γ by LPG may represent a novel therapeutic approach for H1N1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-peng Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Min-ming Shao
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Xun Song
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xu-li Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ling Qi
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Kai Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Long Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Cheng-hui Liao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Chen-yang Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jiang He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ying-jie Hu
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Hai-qiang Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shi-he Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Feng-xue Zhang
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China.
| | - Zhen-dan He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Institute of Biotherapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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Postnatal persistent infection with classical Swine Fever virus and its immunological implications. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125692. [PMID: 25938664 PMCID: PMC4418595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that trans-placental transmission of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) during mid-gestation can lead to persistently infected offspring. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of CSFV to induce viral persistence upon early postnatal infection. Two litters of 10 piglets each were infected intranasally on the day of birth with low and moderate virulence CSFV isolates, respectively. During six weeks after postnatal infection, most of the piglets remained clinically healthy, despite persistent high virus titres in the serum. Importantly, these animals were unable to mount any detectable humoral and cellular immune response. At necropsy, the most prominent gross pathological lesion was a severe thymus atrophy. Four weeks after infection, PBMCs from the persistently infected seronegative piglets were unresponsive to both, specific CSFV and non-specific PHA stimulation in terms of IFN-γ-producing cells. These results suggested the development of a state of immunosuppression in these postnatally persistently infected pigs. However, IL-10 was undetectable in the sera of the persistently infected animals. Interestingly, CSFV-stimulated PBMCs from the persistently infected piglets produced IL-10. Nevertheless, despite the addition of the anti-IL-10 antibody in the PBMC culture from persistently infected piglets, the response of the IFN-γ producing cells was not restored. Therefore, other factors than IL-10 may be involved in the general suppression of the T-cell responses upon CSFV and mitogen activation. Interestingly, bone marrow immature granulocytes were increased and targeted by the virus in persistently infected piglets. Taken together, we provided the first data demonstrating the feasibility of CSFV in generating a postnatal persistent disease, which has not been shown for other members of the Pestivirus genus yet. Since serological methods are routinely used in CSFV surveillance, persistently infected pigs might go unnoticed. In addition to the epidemiological and economic significance of persistent CSFV infection, this model could be useful for understanding the mechanisms of viral persistence.
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