Control of RelB during dendritic cell activation integrates canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways

Non-canonical NF-κB signaling limits the tolerogenic β-catenin-Raldh2 axis in gut dendritic cells to exacerbate intestinal pathologies

Dendritic cell (DC) dysfunction is known to exacerbate intestinal pathologies, but the mechanisms compromising DC-mediated immune regulation in this context remain unclear. Here, we show that intestinal dendritic cells from a mouse model of experimental colitis exhibit significant levels of noncanonical NF-κB signaling, which activates the RelB:p52 heterodimer. Genetic inactivation of this pathway in DCs alleviates intestinal pathologies in mice suffering from colitis. Deficiency of RelB:p52 diminishes transcription of Axin1, a critical component of the β-catenin destruction complex, reinforcing β-catenin-dependent expression of Raldh2, which imparts tolerogenic DC attributes by promoting retinoic acid synthesis. DC-specific impairment of noncanonical NF-κB signaling leads to increased colonic numbers of Tregs and IgA+ B cells, which promote luminal IgA production and foster eubiosis. Experimentally introduced β-catenin haploinsufficiency in DCs with deficient noncanonical NF-κB signaling moderates Raldh2 activity, reinstating colitogenic sensitivity in mice. Finally, inflammatory bowel-disease patients also display a deleterious noncanonical NF-κB signaling signature in intestinal DCs. In sum, we establish how noncanonical NF-κB signaling in dendritic cells can subvert retinoic acid synthesis to fuel intestinal inflammation.

Platelet transcription factors license the pro-inflammatory cytokine response of human monocytes

In humans, blood Classical CD14+ monocytes contribute to host defense by secreting large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Their aberrant activity causes hyper-inflammation and life-threatening cytokine storms, while dysfunctional monocytes are associated with 'immunoparalysis', a state of immune hypo responsiveness and reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression, predisposing individuals to opportunistic infections. Understanding how monocyte functions are regulated is critical to prevent these harmful outcomes. We reveal platelets' vital role in the pro-inflammatory cytokine responses of human monocytes. Naturally low platelet counts in patients with immune thrombocytopenia or removal of platelets from healthy monocytes result in monocyte immunoparalysis, marked by impaired cytokine response to immune challenge and weakened host defense transcriptional programs. Remarkably, supplementing monocytes with fresh platelets reverses these conditions. We discovered that platelets serve as reservoirs of key cytokine transcription regulators, such as NF-κB and MAPK p38, and pinpointed the enrichment of platelet NF-κB2 in human monocytes by proteomics. Platelets proportionally restore impaired cytokine production in human monocytes lacking MAPK p38α, NF-κB p65, and NF-κB2. We uncovered a vesicle-mediated platelet-monocyte-propagation of inflammatory transcription regulators, positioning platelets as central checkpoints in monocyte inflammation.

Mechanisms of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F on treating rheumatoid arthritis explored by network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and disabling disease that imposes significant economic and social costs. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for treating joint disorders, and it has been shown to be cost-effective in treating RA, but its exact mechanism is unknown.

Objective

The goal of the network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking was to investigate the potential active compounds and associated anti-RA mechanisms of TwHF.

Methods

TCMSP and UniProt databases were searched for active compounds and related targets of TwHF. PharmGKB, DrugBank, OMIM, TTD, and the Human Gene Databases were used to identify RA-related targets. The intersected RA and TwHF targets were entered into the STRING database to create a protein-protein interaction network. R software was used for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Molecular docking technology was used to analyze the optimal effective components from TwHF for docking with the selected target gene.

Results

Following screening and duplicate removal, a total of 51 active compounds and 96 potential targets were chosen. The PPI network revealed that the target proteins are CXCL8, CXCL6, STAT3, STAT1, JUN, PPARG, TP53, IL14, MMP9, VEGFA, RELA, CASP3, PTGS2, IFNG, AKT1, FOS, ICAM1, and MAPK14. The results of the GO enrichment analysis focused primarily on the response to lipopolysaccharide, the response to molecules of bacterial origin, and the response to drugs. The KEGG results indicated that the mechanisms were closely related to lipid and atherosclerosis, chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, Kaposi sarcoma-associated, herpesvirus infection, hepatitis B, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, IL-17 signaling pathways, Th17-cell differentiation, and so on, all of which are involved in angiogenesis, immune cell chemotaxis, and inflammatory responses. Molecular docking results suggested that triptolide was the appropriate PTGS1, PTGS2, and TNF inhibitors.

Conclusion

Our findings provide an essential role and basis for further immune inflammatory studies into the molecular mechanisms of TwHF and PTGS1, PTGS2, and TNF inhibitor development in RA.

The noncanonical NFκB pathway: Regulatory mechanisms in health and disease

The noncanonical NFκB signaling pathway mediates the biological functions of diverse cell survival, growth, maturation, and differentiation factors that are important for the development and maintenance of hematopoietic cells and immune organs. Its dysregulation is associated with a number of immune pathologies and malignancies. Originally described as the signaling pathway that controls the NFκB family member RelB, we now know that noncanonical signaling also controls NFκB RelA and cRel. Here, we aim to clarify our understanding of the molecular network that mediates noncanonical NFκB signaling and review the human diseases that result from a deficient or hyper-active noncanonical NFκB pathway. It turns out that dysregulation of RelA and cRel, not RelB, is often implicated in mediating the resulting pathology. This article is categorized under: Immune System Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Immune System Diseases > Stem Cells and Development.

Network-based screening identifies sitagliptin as an antitumor drug targeting dendritic cells

BACKGROUND

Dendritic cell (DC)-mediated antigen presentation is essential for the priming and activation of tumor-specific T cells. However, few drugs that specifically manipulate DC functions are available. The identification of drugs targeting DC holds great promise for cancer immunotherapy.

METHODS

We observed that type 1 conventional DCs (cDC1s) initiated a distinct transcriptional program during antigen presentation. We used a network-based approach to screen for cDC1-targeting therapeutics. The antitumor potency and underlying mechanisms of the candidate drug were investigated in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

Sitagliptin, an oral gliptin widely used for type 2 diabetes, was identified as a drug that targets DCs. In mouse models, sitagliptin inhibited tumor growth by enhancing cDC1-mediated antigen presentation, leading to better T-cell activation. Mechanistically, inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) by sitagliptin prevented the truncation and degradation of chemokines/cytokines that are important for DC activation. Sitagliptin enhanced cancer immunotherapy by facilitating the priming of antigen-specific T cells by DCs. In humans, the use of sitagliptin correlated with a lower risk of tumor recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing curative surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that sitagliptin-mediated DPP4 inhibition promotes antitumor immune response by augmenting cDC1 functions. These data suggest that sitagliptin can be repurposed as an antitumor drug targeting DC, which provides a potential strategy for cancer immunotherapy.

The NF-κB signaling system in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic, chronic condition characterized by episodes of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) system describes a family of dimeric transcription factors. Canonical NF-κB signaling is stimulated by and enhances inflammation, whereas noncanonical NF-κB signaling contributes to immune organogenesis. Dysregulation of NF-κB factors drives various inflammatory pathologies, including IBD. Signals from many immune sensors activate NF-κB subunits in the intestine, which maintain an equilibrium between local microbiota and host responses. Genetic association studies of patients with IBD and preclinical mouse models confirm the importance of the NF-κB system in host defense in the gut. Other studies have investigated the roles of these factors in intestinal barrier function and in inflammatory gut pathologies associated with IBD. NF-κB signaling modulates innate and adaptive immune responses and the production of immunoregulatory proteins, anti-inflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial peptides, and other tolerogenic factors in the intestine. Furthermore, genetic studies have revealed critical cell type-specific roles for NF-κB proteins in intestinal immune homeostasis, inflammation, and restitution that contribute to the etiopathology of IBD-associated manifestations. Here, we summarize our knowledge of the roles of these NF-κB pathways, which are activated in different intestinal cell types by specific ligands, and their cross-talk, in fueling aberrant intestinal inflammation. We argue that an in-depth understanding of aberrant immune signaling mechanisms may hold the key to identifying predictive or prognostic biomarkers and developing better therapeutics against inflammatory gut pathologies.

Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 phospholipids induce immature-like dendritic cells with a migratory-regulatory-like transcriptional signature

Shifts in the gut microbiota composition, called dysbiosis, have been directly associated with acute and chronic diseases. However, the underlying biological systems connecting gut dysbiosis to systemic inflammatory pathologies are not well understood. Phospholipids (PLs) act as precursors of both, bioactive inflammatory and resolving mediators. Their dysregulation is associated with chronic diseases including cancer. Gut microbial-derived lipids are structurally unique and capable of modulating host's immunity. Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 is a Gram-positive gut symbiont with probiotic characteristics. L. johnsonii N6.2 reduces the incidence of autoimmunity in animal models of Type 1 Diabetes and improves general wellness in healthy volunteers by promoting, in part, local and systemic anti-inflammatory responses. By utilizing bioassay-guided fractionation methods with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), we report here that L. johnsonii N6.2 purified lipids induce a transcriptional signature that resembles that of migratory (mig) DCs. RNAseq-based analysis showed that BMDCs stimulated with L. johnsonii N6.2 total lipids upregulate maturation-mig related genes Cd86, Cd40, Ccr7, Icam1 along with immunoregulatory genes including Itgb8, Nfkbiz, Jag1, Adora2a, IL2ra, Arg1, and Cd274. Quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR analysis indicated that PLs are the bioactive lipids triggering the BMDCs response. Antibody-blocking of surface Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 resulted in boosted PL-mediated upregulation of pro-inflammatory Il6. Chemical inhibition of the IKKα kinase from the non-canonical NF-κB pathway specifically restricted upregulation of Il6 and Tnf. Phenotypically, PL-stimulated BMDCs displayed an immature like-phenotype with significantly increased surface ICAM-1. This study provides insight into the immunoregulatory capacity of Gram-positive, gut microbial-derived phospholipids on innate immune responses.

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) participates in the aluminum-induced down-regulation of miR29a/b1

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that aluminum (Al) is one of the environmental risk factors leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Al exposure can cause elevated levels of BACE1mRNA, β-secretase (BACE1), and amyloid beta (Aβ) in vivo and in vitro. Previous studies by our research group have shown that this is partly caused by the negative regulation of BACE1 by miRNA29a/b1 (miR29a/b1). Despite the observed the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) on many miRNAs, the upstream regulation of NF-κB protein on miR29 remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to better define the relationship between NF-κB and miR29a/b1 and the potentially relevant signaling pathways.

METHODS

On the one hand, we constructed the animal model of Al exposure by the intraperitoneal injection of aluminum-maltolate (Al(mal)3) in rats. Conversely, NF- κB inhibitors were added to adrenal phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells exposed to Al(mal)3.

RESULTS

We verified that NF-κB shows an increasing trend with Al accumulation in the brain of rats, which is accompanied by a downward trend of miR29a/b1. Notably, the suppression of NF-κB significantly increased miR29a/b1 and affected the expression of BACE1mRNA and downstream proteins.

CONCLUSION

Al-induced NF-κB can negatively regulate the expression of miR29a/b1, which then significantly enhances the expression of BACE1 and Aβ plaques.

RelB-deficient autoinflammatory pathology presents as interferonopathy, but in mice is interferon-independent

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune diseases are leading causes of ill health and morbidity and have diverse etiology. Two signaling pathways are key drivers of autoimmune pathology, interferon and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/RelA, defining the 2 broad labels of interferonopathies and relopathies. Prior work has established that genetic loss of function of the NF-κB subunit RelB leads to autoimmune and inflammatory pathology in mice and humans.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to characterize RelB-deficient autoimmunity by unbiased profiling of the responses of immune sentinel cells to stimulus and to determine the functional role of dysregulated gene programs in the RelB-deficient pathology.

METHODS

Transcriptomic profiling was performed on fibroblasts and dendritic cells derived from patients with RelB deficiency and knockout mice, and transcriptomic responses and pathology were assessed in mice deficient in both RelB and the type I interferon receptor.

RESULTS

We found that loss of RelB in patient-derived fibroblasts and mouse myeloid cells results in elevated induction of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes. Removing hyperexpression of the interferon-stimulated gene program did not ameliorate the autoimmune pathology of RelB knockout mice. Instead, we found that RelB suppresses a different set of inflammatory response genes in a manner that is independent of interferon signaling but associated with NF-κB binding motifs.

CONCLUSION

Although transcriptomic profiling would describe RelB-deficient autoimmune disease as an interferonopathy, the genetic evidence indicates that the pathology in mice is interferon-independent.

Single-cell chromatin accessibility and transcriptomic characterization of Behcet's disease

Behect's disease is a chronic vasculitis characterized by complex multi-organ immune aberrations. However, a comprehensive understanding of the gene-regulatory profile of peripheral autoimmunity and the diverse immune responses across distinct cell types in Behcet's disease (BD) is still lacking. Here, we present a multi-omic single-cell study of 424,817 cells in BD patients and non-BD individuals. This study maps chromatin accessibility and gene expression in the same biological samples, unraveling vast cellular heterogeneity. We identify widespread cell-type-specific, disease-associated active and pro-inflammatory immunity in both transcript and epigenomic aspects. Notably, integrative multi-omic analysis reveals putative TF regulators that might contribute to chromatin accessibility and gene expression in BD. Moreover, we predicted gene-regulatory networks within nominated TF activators, including AP-1, NF-kB, and ETS transcript factor families, which may regulate cellular interaction and govern inflammation. Our study illustrates the epigenetic and transcriptional landscape in BD peripheral blood and expands understanding of potential epigenomic immunopathology in this disease.

SIRT3 alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriatic dermatitis through deacetylation of XBP1s and modulation of TLR7/8 inducing IL-23 production in macrophages

Current evidence suggests that IL-23, IL-6, and TNF-α play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Although it has been established that Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) mediates the inflammatory process, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. Herein, we substantiated that the inhibition or deletion of SIRT3 increased the acetylation level of spliced form of X-box binding protein 1 (XPB1s), enhancing its transcriptional activity and IL-23a production. Pharmacologically inhibition of XBP1s with MKC8866 downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines in SIRT3-inhibited or Sirt3-KO BMDMs stimulated by IMQ. Inhibition or knockdown of SIRT3 could exacerbate psoriasis-like skin inflammation in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. Besides, a decrease in SIRT3 expression was observed in the macrophages of psoriasis patients, which increased the expression and acetylation level of XBP1s. Overall, we provide compelling evidence of the crucial role of SIRT3 in the IL-23 axis in psoriatic inflammation and novel molecular insights into the anti-inflammatory effects of SIRT3.

Transcription factor Dmrt1 triggers the SPRY1-NF-κB pathway to maintain testicular immune homeostasis and male fertility

Bacterial or viral infections, such as Brucella, mumps virus, herpes simplex virus, and Zika virus, destroy immune homeostasis of the testes, leading to spermatogenesis disorder and infertility. Of note, recent research shows that SARS-CoV-2 can infect male gonads and destroy Sertoli and Leydig cells, leading to male reproductive dysfunction. Due to the many side effects associated with antibiotic therapy, finding alternative treatments for inflammatory injury remains critical. Here, we found that Dmrt1 plays an important role in regulating testicular immune homeostasis. Knockdown of Dmrt1 in male mice inhibited spermatogenesis with a broad inflammatory response in seminiferous tubules and led to the loss of spermatogenic epithelial cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed that Dmrt1 positively regulated the expression of Spry1, an inhibitory protein of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathway. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) analysis indicated that SPRY1 binds to nuclear factor kappa B1 (NF-κB1) to prevent nuclear translocation of p65, inhibit activation of NF-κB signaling, prevent excessive inflammatory reaction in the testis, and protect the integrity of the blood-testis barrier. In view of this newly identified Dmrt1- Spry1-NF-κB axis mechanism in the regulation of testicular immune homeostasis, our study opens new avenues for the prevention and treatment of male reproductive diseases in humans and livestock.

The NF-κB multidimer system model: A knowledge base to explore diverse biological contexts

The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) system is critical for various biological functions in numerous cell types, including the inflammatory response, cell proliferation, survival, differentiation, and pathogenic responses. Each cell type is characterized by a subset of 15 NF-κB dimers whose activity is regulated in a stimulus-responsive manner. Numerous studies have produced different mathematical models that account for cell type-specific NF-κB activities. However, whereas the concentrations or abundances of NF-κB subunits may differ between cell types, the biochemical interactions that constitute the NF-κB signaling system do not. Here, we synthesized a consensus mathematical model of the NF-κB multidimer system, which could account for the cell type-specific repertoires of NF-κB dimers and their cell type-specific activation and cross-talk. Our review demonstrates that these distinct cell type-specific properties of NF-κB signaling can be explained largely as emergent effects of the cell type-specific expression of NF-κB monomers. The consensus systems model represents a knowledge base that may be used to gain insights into the control and function of NF-κB in diverse physiological and pathological scenarios and that describes a path for generating similar regulatory knowledge bases for other pleiotropic signaling systems.

Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Leads to Inflammatory Activation through NF-κB Non-Canonical Pathway and Mitochondrial Remodeling

Neurological effects of COVID-19 and long-COVID-19, as well as neuroinvasion by SARS-CoV-2, still pose several questions and are of both clinical and scientific relevance. We described the cellular and molecular effects of the human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) in vitro exposure by SARS-CoV-2 to understand the underlying mechanisms of viral transmigration through the blood-brain barrier. Despite the low to non-productive viral replication, SARS-CoV-2-exposed cultures displayed increased immunoreactivity for cleaved caspase-3, an indicator of apoptotic cell death, tight junction protein expression, and immunolocalization. Transcriptomic profiling of SARS-CoV-2-challenged cultures revealed endothelial activation via NF-κB non-canonical pathway, including RELB overexpression and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 led to altered secretion of key angiogenic factors and to significant changes in mitochondrial dynamics, with increased mitofusin-2 expression and increased mitochondrial networks. Endothelial activation and remodeling can further contribute to neuroinflammatory processes and lead to further BBB permeability in COVID-19.

Melittin-Carrying Nanoparticle Suppress T Cell-Driven Immunity in a Murine Allergic Dermatitis Model

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and atopic dermatitis (AD) are the most common human skin disorders. Although corticosteroids have been widely used to treat ACD and AD, the side effects of corticosteroids encourage researchers to explore new immunoregulatory treatments. Here, an immunomodulatory approach based on lipid nanoparticles carrying α-helical configurational melittin (α-melittin-NP) is developed to overcome T cell-mediated inflammatory reactions in an oxazolone (OXA)-induced contact hypersensitivity mouse model and OXA-induced AD-like mouse model. Intradermal injection of low-dose α-melittin-NPs prevents the skin damage caused by melittin administration alone and efficiently targeted lymph nodes. Importantly, melittin and α-melittin-NPs restrain RelB activity in dendritic cells (DCs) and further suppresses dendritic cell activation and maturation in lymph nodes. Furthermore, low-dose α-melittin-NPs leads to relief of antigen recognition-induced effector T cell arrest in the dermis and inhibited allergen-specific T cell proliferation and activation. Significantly, this approach successfully controls Th1-type cytokine release in the ACD model and restricts Th2-type cytokine and IgE release in the AD-like model. Overall, intradermal delivery of low-dose α-melittin-NPs efficiently elicits immunosuppression against T cell-mediated immune reactions, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for treating skin disorders not restricted to the lesion region.

TRAF3 activates STING-mediated suppression of EV-A71 and target of viral evasion

Innate immunity represents one of the main host responses to viral infection.^1-3 STING (Stimulator of interferon genes), a crucial immune adapter functioning in host cells, mediates cGAS (Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase) sensing of exogenous and endogenous DNA fragments and generates innate immune responses.⁴ Whether STING activation was involved in infection and replication of enterovirus remains largely unknown. In the present study, we discovered that human enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection triggered STING activation in a cGAS dependent manner. EV-A71 infection caused mitochondrial damage and the discharge of mitochondrial DNA into the cytosol of infected cells. However, during EV-A71 infection, cGAS-STING activation was attenuated. EV-A71 proteins were screened and the viral protease 2A^pro had the greatest capacity to inhibit cGAS-STING activation. We identified TRAF3 as an important factor during STING activation and as a target of 2A^pro. Supplement of TRAF3 rescued cGAS-STING activation suppression by 2A^pro. TRAF3 supported STING activation mediated TBK1 phosphorylation. Moreover, we found that 2A^pro protease activity was essential for inhibiting STING activation. Furthermore, EV-D68 and CV-A16 infection also triggered STING activation. The viral protease 2A^pro from EV-D68 and CV-A16 also had the ability to inhibit STING activation. As STING activation prior to EV-A71 infection generated cellular resistance to EV-A71 replication, blocking EV-A71-mediated STING suppression represents a new anti-viral target.

NF-κB dynamics in the language of immune cells

Biological discovery has been driven by advances in throughput and resolution of analysis technologies. They have also created an indelible bias for snapshot-based knowledge. Even though recent methods such as multi-omics single-cell assays have empowered immunological investigations, they still provide snapshots of cellular behaviors and thus, have inherent limitations in reconstructing unsynchronized dynamic events across individual cells. Here, we present a rationale for how NF-κB may convey specificity of contextual information through subtle quantitative features of its signaling dynamics. The next frontier of predictive understanding should involve functional characterization of NF-κB signaling dynamics and their immunological implications. This may help solve the apparent paradox that a ubiquitously activated transcription factor can shape accurate responses to different immune challenges.

Red blood cell-based vaccines for ameliorating cancer chemoimmunotherapy

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has shown promising antitumor effects, but its immune response rate remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, chemotherapy has been proven to have synergistic effects with ICB therapy because some chemotherapeutic agents can enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cells by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). However, it cannot be ignored that chemotherapy often shows limited therapeutic efficacy due to high cytotoxicity, drug resistance, and some other side effects. Herein, we report a strategy to improve cancer immunotherapy by utilizing red blood cell-based vaccines (RBC-vaccines) where chemotherapy-induced tumor antigens (cAgs) are anchored onto red blood cells (RBCs) via the EDC/NHS-mediated amine coupling reaction. In this work, RBC-vaccines administered subcutaneously are primarily devoured by dendritic cells (DCs) and significantly improve the efficacy of αPD-1 (anti-programmed cell death 1) treatment by increasing the infiltration of intratumoral CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells and elevating the intratumoral ratio of CD8⁺ T cells to regulatory T cells in the CT-26 colon cancer model. Finally, based on the rejection of tumor rechallenge in cured mice, the combination therapy of RBC-vaccines and αPD-1 can induce the expansion of memory T cells and thereby establish a long-term antitumor immune response. Taken together, the proposed RBC-vaccines have great potential to improve chemoimmunotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint blockade therapy, has made great contributions to the treatment of some advanced cancers. Unfortunately, the great majority of patients with cancer do not benefit from immunotherapy. To enhance the response rate of immunotherapy, we developed red blood cell-based vaccines (RBC-vaccines) against cancers where antigens were harvested from chemotherapy-treated cancer cells and then attached to erythrocytes via covalent surface modification. Such RBC-vaccines could provide a wide variety of tumor antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns without the use of any extra ingredients to trigger a stronger antitumor immune response. More importantly, the combination of RBC-vaccines with PD-1 blockade could significantly improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy and induce durable antitumor immunity.

Single-Cell Landscape of Mouse Islet Allograft and Syngeneic Graft

Islet transplantation to treat the late stage of type 1 diabetic patient (T1DM) has recently made inspiring success in clinical trials. However, most patients experience a decline in islet graft function in one to three years due to immune rejection. Although the mechanisms of immune cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), neutrophils, natural killer cells (NKs), B cells, and T cells, that mediate immune rejection have been investigated, the overall characteristics of immune infiltrates in islet allografts and syngeneic grafts remain unclear. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has provided us with new opportunities to study the complexity of the immune microenvironment in islet transplants. In the present study, we used scRNA-seq to comprehensively analyze the immune heterogeneity in the mouse model of islet transplantation. Our data revealed T lymphocytes and myeloid cells as the main immune components of grafts 7 days post-islet transplantation, especially in allografts. Moreover, our results indicated that allogeneic islet cells were transformed into antigen-presenting cell-like cells with highly expressed MHC class I molecules and genes involved in MHC class I-mediated antigen presentation. This transformation may dramatically facilitate the interaction with cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells and promote the destruction of islet allografts. Our study provides insight into the transcriptomics and diverse microenvironment of islet grafts and their impacts on immune rejection.

SARS-CoV-2 infection of human brain microvascular endothelial cells leads to inflammatory activation through NF-κB non-canonical pathway and mitochondrial remodeling

Neurological effects of COVID-19 and long-COVID-19 as well as neuroinvasion by SARS-CoV-2 still pose several questions and are of both clinical and scientific relevance. We described the cellular and molecular effects of the human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) in vitro infection by SARS-CoV-2 to understand the underlying mechanisms of viral transmigration through the Blood-Brain Barrier. Despite the low to non-productive viral replication, SARS-CoV-2-infected cultures displayed increased apoptotic cell death and tight junction protein expression and immunolocalization. Transcriptomic profiling of infected cultures revealed endothelial activation via NF-κB non-canonical pathway, including RELB overexpression, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 led to altered secretion of key angiogenic factors and to significant changes in mitochondrial dynamics, with increased mitofusin-2 expression and increased mitochondrial networks. Endothelial activation and remodeling can further contribute to neuroinflammatory processes and lead to further BBB permeability in COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 infection of human brain microvascular endothelial cells leads to inflammatory activation through NF-κB non-canonical pathway and mitochondrial remodeling

Neurological effects of COVID-19 and long-COVID-19 as well as neuroinvasion by SARS-CoV-2 still pose several questions and are of both clinical and scientific relevance. We described the cellular and molecular effects of the human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) in vitro infection by SARS-CoV-2 to understand the underlying mechanisms of viral transmigration through the Blood-Brain Barrier. Despite the low to non- productive viral replication, SARS-CoV-2-infected cultures displayed increased apoptotic cell death and tight junction protein expression and immunolocalization. Transcriptomic profiling of infected cultures revealed endothelial activation via NF-κB non-canonical pathway, including RELB overexpression, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 led to altered secretion of key angiogenic factors and to significant changes in mitochondrial dynamics, with increased mitofusin-2 expression and increased mitochondrial networks. Endothelial activation and remodeling can further contribute to neuroinflammatory processes and lead to further BBB permeability in COVID-19.

NF-κB in control of regulatory T cell development, identity, and function

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) act as a major rheostat regulating the strength of immune responses, enabling tolerance of harmless foreign antigens, and preventing the development of pathogenic immune responses in various disease settings such as cancer and autoimmunity. Treg cells are present in all lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues, and the latter often fulfill important tasks required for the physiology of their host organ. The activation of NF-κB transcription factors is a central pathway for the reprogramming of gene expression in response to inflammatory but also homeostatic cues. Genetic mouse models have revealed essential functions for NF-κB transcription factors in modulating Treg development and function, with some of these mechanistic insights confirmed by recent studies analyzing Treg cells from patients harboring point mutations in the genes encoding NF-κB proteins. Molecular insights into the NF-κB pathway in Treg cells hold substantial promise for novel therapeutic strategies to manipulate dysfunctional or inadequate cell numbers of immunosuppressive Treg cells in autoimmunity or cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the manifold roles that NF-κB factors exert in Treg cells.

HIV-1 Trans Infection via TNTs Is Impeded by Targeting C5aR

Nonadjacent immune cells communicate through a complex network of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). TNTs can be hijacked by HIV-1, allowing it to spread between connected cells. Dendritic cells (DCs) are among the first cells to encounter HIV-1 at mucosal sites, but they are usually efficiently infected only at low levels. However, HIV-1 was demonstrated to productively infect DCs when the virus was complement-opsonized (HIV-C). Such HIV-C-exposed DCs mediated an improved antiviral and T-cell stimulatory capacity. The role of TNTs in combination with complement in enhancing DC infection with HIV-C remains to be addressed. To this aim, we evaluated TNT formation on the surface of DCs or DC/CD4+ T-cell co-cultures incubated with non- or complement-opsonized HIV-1 (HIV, HIV-C) and the role of TNTs or locally produced complement in the infection process using either two different TNT or anaphylatoxin receptor antagonists. We found that HIV-C significantly increased the formation of TNTs between DCs or DC/CD4+ T-cell co-cultures compared to HIV-exposed DCs or co-cultures. While augmented TNT formation in DCs promoted productive infection, as was previously observed, a significant reduction in productive infection was observed in DC/CD4+ T-cell co-cultures, indicating antiviral activity in this setting. As expected, TNT inhibitors significantly decreased infection of HIV-C-loaded-DCs as well as HIV- and HIV-C-infected-DC/CD4+ T-cell co-cultures. Moreover, antagonizing C5aR significantly inhibited TNT formation in DCs as well as DC/CD4+ T-cell co-cultures and lowered the already decreased productive infection in co-cultures. Thus, local complement mobilization via DC stimulation of complement receptors plays a pivotal role in TNT formation, and our findings herein might offer an exciting opportunity for novel therapeutic approaches to inhibit trans infection via C5aR targeting.

Single-cell immunophenotyping of the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in late gestation

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of pregnant women have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The implications of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal and childhood well-being need to be characterized. We aimed to characterize the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection.

METHODS

We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing and T cell receptor sequencing on cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) from newborns of mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the third trimester (cases) or without SARS-CoV-2 infection (controls).

RESULTS

We identified widespread gene expression changes in CBMCs from cases, including upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes and major histocompatibility complex genes in CD14⁺ monocytes, transcriptional changes suggestive of activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and activation and exhaustion of natural killer cells. Lastly, we observed fetal T cell clonal expansion in cases compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

As none of the infants were infected with SARS-CoV-2, our results suggest that maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection might modulate the fetal immune system in the absence of vertical transmission.

IMPACT

The implications of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the absence of vertical transmission on fetal and childhood well-being are poorly understood. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection might modulate the fetal immune system in the absence of vertical transmission. This study raises important questions about the untoward effects of maternal SARS-CoV-2 on the fetus, even in the absence of vertical transmission.

Impact of intrarectal chromofungin treatment on dendritic cells-related markers in different immune compartments in colonic inflammatory conditions

BACKGROUND

Chromofungin (CHR: chromogranin-A 47-66) is a chromogranin-A derived peptide with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by a colonic decrease of CHR and a dysregulation of dendritic CD11c⁺ cells.

AIM

To investigate the association between CHR treatment and dendritic cells (DCs)-related markers in different immune compartments in colitis.

METHODS

A model of acute UC-like colitis using dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) was used in addition to biopsies collected from UC patients.

RESULTS

Intrarectal CHR treatment reduced the severity of DSS-induced colitis and was associated with a significant decrease in the expression of CD11c, CD40, CD80, CD86 and interleukin (IL)-12p40 in the inflamed colonic mucosa and CD11c, CD80, CD86 IL-6 and IL-12p40 within the mesenteric lymph nodes and the spleen. Furthermore, CHR treatment decreased CD80 and CD86 expression markers of splenic CD11c⁺ cells and decreased NF-κB expression in the colon and of splenic CD11c⁺ cells. In vitro, CHR decreased CD40, CD80, CD86 IL-6 and IL-12p40 expression in naïve bone marrow-derived CD11c⁺ DCs stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Pharmacological studies demonstrated an impact of CHR on the NF-κB pathway. In patients with active UC, CHR level was reduced and showed a negative linear relationship with CD11c and CD86.

CONCLUSION

CHR has protective properties against intestinal inflammation via the regulation of DC-related markers and CD11c⁺ cells. CHR could be a potential therapy of UC.

NF-κB signaling in inflammation and cancer

Since nuclear factor of κ-light chain of enhancer-activated B cells (NF-κB) was discovered in 1986, extraordinary efforts have been made to understand the function and regulating mechanism of NF-κB for 35 years, which lead to significant progress. Meanwhile, the molecular mechanisms regulating NF-κB activation have also been illuminated, the cascades of signaling events leading to NF-κB activity and key components of the NF-κB pathway are also identified. It has been suggested NF-κB plays an important role in human diseases, especially inflammation-related diseases. These studies make the NF-κB an attractive target for disease treatment. This review aims to summarize the knowledge of the family members of NF-κB, as well as the basic mechanisms of NF-κB signaling pathway activation. We will also review the effects of dysregulated NF-κB on inflammation, tumorigenesis, and tumor microenvironment. The progression of the translational study and drug development targeting NF-κB for inflammatory diseases and cancer treatment and the potential obstacles will be discussed. Further investigations on the precise functions of NF-κB in the physiological and pathological settings and underlying mechanisms are in the urgent need to develop drugs targeting NF-κB for inflammatory diseases and cancer treatment, with minimal side effects.

ASB2 is a direct target of FLI1 that sustains NF-κB pathway activation in germinal center-derived diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Background

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) comprises at least two main biologically distinct entities: germinal center B-cell (GCB) and activated B-cell (ABC) subtype. Albeit sharing common lesions, GCB and ABC DLBCL present subtype-specific oncogenic pathway perturbations. ABC DLBCL is typically characterized by a constitutively active NF-kB. However, the latter is seen in also 30% of GCB DLBCL. Another recurrent lesion in DLBCL is an 11q24.3 gain, associated with the overexpression of two ETS transcription factors, ETS1 and FLI1. Here, we showed that FLI1 is more expressed in GCB than ABC DLBCL and we characterized its transcriptional network.

Methods

Gene expression data were obtained from public datasets GSE98588, phs001444.v2.p1, GSE95013 and GSE10846. ChIP-Seq for FLI1 paired with transcriptome analysis (RNA-Seq) after FLI1 silencing (siRNAs) was performed. Sequencing was carried out using the NextSeq 500 (Illumina). Detection of peaks was done using HOMER (v2.6); differential expressed genes were identified using moderated t-test (limma R-package) and functionally annotated with g:Profiler. ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq data from GCB DLBCL cell lines after FLI1 downregulation were integrated to identify putative direct targets of FLI1.

Results

Analysis of clinical DLBCL specimens showed that FLI1 gene was more frequently expressed at higher levels in GCB than in ABC DLBCL and its  protein levels were higher in GCB than in ABC DLBCL cell lines. Genes negatively regulated by FLI1 included tumor suppressor genes involved in negative regulation of cell cycle and hypoxia. Among positively regulated targets of FLI1, we found genes annotated for immune response, MYC targets, NF-κB and BCR signaling and NOTCH pathway genes. Of note, direct targets of FLI1 overlapped with genes regulated by ETS1, the other transcription factor gained at the 11q24.3 locus in DLBCL, suggesting a functional convergence within the ETS family. Positive targets of FLI1 included the NF-κB-associated ASB2, a putative essential gene for DLBCL cell survival. ASB2 gene downregulation was toxic in GCB DLBCL cell lines and induced NF-κB inhibition via downregulation of RelB and increased IκBα. Additionally, downregulation of FLI1, but not ASB2, caused reduction of NF-κB1 and RelA protein levels.

Conclusions

We conclude that FLI1 directly regulates a network of biologically crucial genes and processes in GCB DLBCL. FLI1 regulates both the classical NF-κB pathway at the transcriptional level, and the alternative NF-κB pathway, via ASB2. FLI1 and ASB2 inhibition represents a potential novel therapeutic approach for GCB DLBCL.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02159-3.

Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies A Tolerogenic Dendritic Cell Signature

Dendritic cells (DC) are central to regulating innate and adaptive immune responses. Strategies that modify DC function provide new therapeutic opportunities in autoimmune diseases and transplantation. Current pharmacological approaches can alter DC phenotype to induce tolerogenic DC (tolDC), a maturation-resistant DC subset capable of directing a regulatory immune response that are being explored in current clinical trials. The classical phenotypic characterization of tolDC is limited to cell-surface marker expression and anti-inflammatory cytokine production, although these are not specific. TolDC may be better defined using gene signatures, but there is no consensus definition regarding genotypic markers. We address this shortcoming by analyzing available transcriptomic data to yield an independent set of differentially expressed genes that characterize human tolDC. We validate this transcriptomic signature and also explore gene differences according to the method of tolDC generation. As well as establishing a novel characterization of tolDC, we interrogated its translational utility in vivo, demonstrating this geneset was enriched in the liver, a known tolerogenic organ. Our gene signature will potentially provide greater understanding regarding transcriptional regulators of tolerance and allow researchers to standardize identification of tolDC used for cellular therapy in clinical trials.

The canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways and their crosstalk: A comparative study based on Petri nets

NF-κB is a protein complex that occurs in almost all animal cell types. It regulates the cellular immune responses to stimuli in the nucleus. Dysregulation of NF-κB can cause severe diseases like chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases or cancer. We modeled the two major pathways leading from the external cellular stimulation of the CD40 receptor to the nuclear translocation of NF-κB dimers, the canonical and non-canonical pathway. Based on literature data, we developed two Petri net models describing these pathways. In a third Petri net, we combined the two models, introducing crosstalk specific in CD40L-stimulated B cells. In terms of structural properties, we checked the Petri nets for their consistency and correctness. To explore differences and similarities, we compared structural properties and the simulation behavior of the models. The non-canonical NF-κB pathway exhibited a more diverse regulation than the canonical pathway. Applying in silico knockout analyses, we were able to quantify the relevance of individual biochemical processes. We predicted interrelationships, e.g., between the synthesis of the protein NF-κB-inducing kinase and the processing of the precursor protein p100. The activation of the transcription factors, p50-RelA and p52-RelB, was affected by most of the knockouts. The results of the in silico knockout were in accordance with experimental studies. The Petri net models provide a basis for further analyses and could be extended to include gene expression, additional pathways, molecular processes, and kinetic data.

A T cell-intrinsic function for NF-κB RelB in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

NF-kappaB (NF-κB) is a family of transcription factors with pleiotropic functions in immune responses. The alternative NF-κB pathway that leads to the activation of RelB and NF-κB2, was previously associated with the activation and function of T cells, though the exact contribution of these NF-κB subunits remains unclear. Here, using mice carrying conditional ablation of RelB in T cells, we evaluated its role in the development of conventional CD4⁺ T (Tconv) cells and their function in autoimmune diseases. RelB was largely dispensable for Tconv cell homeostasis, activation and proliferation, and for their polarization toward different flavors of Thelper cells in vitro. Moreover, ablation of RelB had no impact on the capacity of Tconv cells to induce autoimmune colitis. Conversely, clinical severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS) was significantly reduced in mice with RelB-deficient T cells. This was associated with impaired expression of granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) specifically in the central nervous system. Our data reveal a discrete role for RelB in the pathogenic function of Tconv cells during EAE, and highlight this transcription factor as a putative therapeutic target in MS.

Enhanced NF-κB signaling in type-2 dendritic cells at baseline predicts non-response to adalimumab in psoriasis

Biologic therapies have transformed the management of psoriasis, but clinical outcome is variable leaving an unmet clinical need for predictive biomarkers of response. Here we perform in-depth immunomonitoring of blood immune cells of 67 patients with psoriasis, before and during therapy with the anti-TNF drug adalimumab, to identify immune mediators of clinical response and evaluate their predictive value. Enhanced NF-κBp65 phosphorylation, induced by TNF and LPS in type-2 dendritic cells (DC) before therapy, significantly correlates with lack of clinical response after 12 weeks of treatment. The heightened NF-κB activation is linked to increased DC maturation in vitro and frequency of IL-17⁺ T cells in the blood of non-responders before therapy. Moreover, lesional skin of non-responders contains higher numbers of dermal DC expressing the maturation marker CD83 and producing IL-23, and increased numbers of IL-17⁺ T cells. Finally, we identify and clinically validate LPS-induced NF-κBp65 phosphorylation before therapy as a predictive biomarker of non-response to adalimumab, with 100% sensitivity and 90.1% specificity in an independent cohort. Our study uncovers important molecular and cellular mediators underpinning adalimumab mechanisms of action in psoriasis and we propose a blood biomarker for predicting clinical outcome.

RelB and Neuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation within the central nervous system involves multiple cell types that coordinate their responses by secreting and responding to a plethora of inflammatory mediators. These factors activate multiple signaling cascades to orchestrate initial inflammatory response and subsequent resolution. Activation of NF-κB pathways in several cell types is critical during neuroinflammation. In contrast to the well-studied role of p65 NF-κB during neuroinflammation, the mechanisms of RelB activation in specific cell types and its roles during neuroinflammatory response are less understood. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of RelB activation in specific cell types of the CNS and the specialized effects this transcription factor exerts during neuroinflammation.

NF-κB dynamics determine the stimulus specificity of epigenomic reprogramming in macrophages

The epigenome of macrophages can be reprogrammed by extracellular cues, but the extent to which different stimuli achieve this is unclear. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor that is activated by all pathogen-associated stimuli and can reprogram the epigenome by activating latent enhancers. However, we show that NF-κB does so only in response to a subset of stimuli. This stimulus specificity depends on the temporal dynamics of NF-κB activity, in particular whether it is oscillatory or non-oscillatory. Non-oscillatory NF-κB opens chromatin by sustained disruption of nucleosomal histone-DNA interactions, enabling activation of latent enhancers that modulate expression of immune response genes. Thus, temporal dynamics can determine a transcription factor's capacity to reprogram the epigenome in a stimulus-specific manner.

Pyruvate Kinase M2 Promotes the Activation of Dendritic Cells by Enhancing IL-12p35 Expression

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in both innate and adaptive immunity. Emerging evidence has demonstrated metabolic reprogramming during DC activation. However, how DC activation is linked with metabolic reprogramming remains unclear. Here we show that pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), the rate-limiting enzyme in the last step of glycolysis, is critical for LPS-induced DC activation. Upon DC activation, JNK signaling stimulated p300 association with PKM2 for the acetylation of lysine 433, a classic posttranslational modification critical for PKM2 destabilization and nuclear re-localization. Subsequently, nuclear PKM2 partnered with c-Rel to enhance Il12p35 expression, which is important for Th1 cell differentiation. Meanwhile, decreased enzymatic activity of PKM2 due to detetramerization facilitated glycolysis and fatty acid synthesis, helping DCs meet their need for biomacromolecules. Together, we provide evidence for metabolic control of DC activation and offer insights into aberrant immune responses due to dysregulated Th1 functions.

The Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-kB) signaling in cancer development and immune diseases

The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) family of transcription factors plays an essential role as stressors in the cellular environment, and controls the expression of important regulatory genes such as immunity, inflammation, death, and cell proliferation. NF-kB protein is located in the cytoplasm, and can be activated by various cellular stimuli. There are two pathways for NF-kB activation, as the canonical and non-canonical pathways, which require complex molecular interactions with adapter proteins and phosphorylation and ubiquitinase enzymes. Accordingly, this increases NF-kB translocation in the nucleus and regulates gene expression. In this study, the concepts that emerge in different cellular systems allow the design of NF-kB function in humans. This would not only allow the development for rare diseases associated with NF-kB, but would also be used as a source of useful information to eliminate widespread consequences such as cancer or inflammatory/immune diseases.

PRMT5 inhibition modulates murine dendritic cells activation by inhibiting the metabolism switch: a new therapeutic target in periodontitis

Background

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) catalyzes the methylation of arginine residues in multiple proteins. Recent reports have highlighted the anti-inflammatory role of PRMT5. Dendritic cells (DCs) are well-known professional antigen-presenting cells that are crucial for immune response initiation. However, whether PRMT5 participates in DC immunity processes is unknown.

Methods

In an in vitro experiment, a PRMT5 inhibitor (EPZ015666) was used to inhibit PRMT5 expression, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation was applied to mimic the inflammation context. Proinflammatory cytokine production, interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), costimulatory molecules, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression and DC metabolism were measured following PRMT5 inhibition and LPS stimulation. In an in vivo study, we first tested PRMT5 mRNA and protein expression in a BALB/c mouse ligature-induced periodontitis model. Then, we evaluated changes in periodontal tissue and DC migration to cervical lymph nodes after local treatment with the PRMT5 inhibitor.

Results

The in vitro results revealed that PRMT5 inhibition attenuated DC activation and maturation by inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, ISGs, costimulatory molecules, and MHC induced by LPS stimulation. We also found that inhibition of PRMT5 blocked the DC metabolic switch to glycolysis. In the in vivo study, we found that PRMT5 inhibition reversed the severity of the lesions and slowed the migration of DCs to cervical lymph nodes.

Conclusions

The results show a critical role of PRMT5 in the control of DC activation through inhibition of the metabolic switch and indicate that PRMT5 is a promising therapeutic target in periodontitis.

Transcription Factor Activity Inference in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations. Although most of the SLE-associated loci are located in regulatory regions, there is a lack of global information about transcription factor (TFs) activities, the mode of regulation of the TFs, or the cell or sample-specific regulatory circuits. The aim of this work is to decipher TFs implicated in SLE. Methods: In order to decipher regulatory mechanisms in SLE, we have inferred TF activities from transcriptomic data for almost all human TFs, defined clusters of SLE patients based on the estimated TF activities and analyzed the differential activity patterns among SLE and healthy samples in two different cohorts. The Transcription Factor activity matrix was used to stratify SLE patients and define sets of TFs with statistically significant differential activity among the disease and control samples. Results: TF activities were able to identify two main subgroups of patients characterized by distinct neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), with consistent patterns in two independent datasets—one from pediatric patients and other from adults. Furthermore, after contrasting all subgroups of patients and controls, we obtained a significant and robust list of 14 TFs implicated in the dysregulation of SLE by different mechanisms and pathways. Among them, well-known regulators of SLE, such as STAT or IRF, were found, but others suggest new pathways that might have important roles in SLE. Conclusions: These results provide a foundation to comprehend the regulatory mechanism underlying SLE and the established regulatory factors behind SLE heterogeneity that could be potential therapeutic targets.

Single-cell immunophenotyping of the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in late gestation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of pregnant women have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. The implications of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal and childhood well-being are unknown. We aimed to characterize the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing and T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing on cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) from newborns of mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the third-trimester (cases) or without SARS-CoV-2 infection. We identified widespread gene expression changes in CBMC from cases, including upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes and Major Histocompatibility Complex genes in CD14 + monocytes; transcriptional changes suggestive of activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and activation and exhaustion of NK cells and CD8 + T-cells. Lastly, we observed fetal TCR repertoire expansion in cases. As none of the infants were infected with SARS-CoV-2, our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 maternal infection might modulate the fetal immune system in the absence of vertical transmission.

Butyrate Shapes Immune Cell Fate and Function in Allergic Asthma

The microbiome plays a fundamental role in how the immune system develops and how inflammatory responses are shaped and regulated. The “gut-lung axis” is a relatively new term that highlights a crucial biological crosstalk between the intestinal microbiome and lung. A growing body of literature suggests that dysbiosis, perturbation of the gut microbiome, is a driving force behind the development, and severity of allergic asthma. Animal models have given researchers new insights into how gut microbe-derived components and metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), influence the development of asthma. While the full understanding of how SCFAs influence allergic airway disease remains obscure, a recurring theme of epigenetic regulation of gene expression in several immune cell compartments is emerging. This review will address our current understanding of how SCFAs, and specifically butyrate, orchestrates cell behavior, and epigenetic changes and will provide a detailed overview of the effects of these modifications on immune cells in the context of allergic airway disease.

NF-κB in Cancer Immunity: Friend or Foe?

The emergence of immunotherapies has definitely proven the tight relationship between malignant and immune cells, its impact on cancer outcome and its therapeutic potential. In this context, it is undoubtedly critical to decipher the transcriptional regulation of these complex interactions. Following early observations demonstrating the roles of NF-κB in cancer initiation and progression, a series of studies converge to establish NF-κB as a master regulator of immune responses to cancer. Importantly, NF-κB is a family of transcriptional activators and repressors that can act at different stages of cancer immunity. In this review, we provide an overview of the selective cell-intrinsic contributions of NF-κB to the distinct cell types that compose the tumor immune environment. We also propose a new view of NF-κB targeting drugs as a new class of immunotherapies for cancer.

Exploring the relationships between amphibian (Xenopus laevis) myeloid cell subsets

The differentiation of distinct leukocyte subsets is governed by lineage-specific growth factors that elicit disparate expression of transcription factors and markers by the developing cell populations. For example, macrophages (Mφs) and granulocytes (Grns) arise from common granulocyte-macrophage progenitors in response to distinct myeloid growth factors. In turn, myelopoiesis of the Xenopus laevis anuran amphibian appears to be unique to other studied vertebrates in several respects while the functional differentiation of amphibian Mφs and Grns from their progenitor cells remains poorly understood. Notably, the expression of colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) or CSF-3R on granulocyte-macrophage progenitors marks their commitment to Mφ- or Grn-lineages, respectively. CSF-1R is activated by the colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) and interleukin (IL-34) cytokines, resulting in morphologically and functionally distinct Mφ cell types. Conversely, CSF-3R is ligated by CSF-3 in a process indispensable for granulopoiesis. Presently, we explore the relationships between X. laevis CSF-1-Mφs, IL-34-Mφs and CSF-3-Grns by examining their expression of key lineage-specific transcription factor and myeloid marker genes as well as their enzymology. Our findings suggest that while the CSF-1- and IL-34-Mφs share some commonalities, the IL-34-Mφs possess transcriptional patterns more akin to the CSF-3-Grns. IL-34-Mφs also possess robust expression of dendritic cell-associated transcription factors and surface marker genes, further underlining the difference between this cell type and the CSF-1-derived frog Mφ subset. Moreover, the three myeloid populations differ in their respective tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, specific- and non-specific esterase activity. Together, this work grants new insights into the developmental relatedness of these three frog myeloid subsets.

The Role of Age, Neutrophil Infiltration and Antibiotics Timing in the Severity of Streptococcus pneumoniae Pneumonia. Insights from a Multi-Level Mathematical Model Approach

Bacterial pneumonia is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases and has high mortality in sensitive patients (children, elderly and immunocompromised). Although an infection, the disease alters the alveolar epithelium homeostasis and hinders normal breathing, often with fatal consequences. A special case is hospitalized aged patients, which present a high risk of infection and death because of the community acquired version of the Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia. There is evidence that early antibiotics treatment decreases the inflammatory response during pneumonia. Here, we investigate mechanistically this strategy using a multi-level mathematical model, which describes the 24 first hours after infection of a single alveolus from the key signaling networks behind activation of the epithelium to the dynamics of the local immune response. With the model, we simulated pneumonia in aged and young patients subjected to different antibiotics timing. The results show that providing antibiotics to elderly patients 8 h in advance compared to young patients restores in aged individuals the effective response seen in young ones. This result suggests the use of early, probably prophylactic, antibiotics treatment in aged hospitalized people with high risk of pneumonia.

Dysregulated NF-κB-Dependent ICOSL Expression in Human Dendritic Cell Vaccines Impairs T-cell Responses in Patients with Melanoma

Therapeutic cancer vaccines targeting melanoma-associated antigens are commonly immunogenic but are rarely effective in promoting objective clinical responses. To identify critical molecules for activation of effective antitumor immunity, we have profiled autologous dendritic cell (DC) vaccines used to treat 35 patients with melanoma. We showed that checkpoint molecules induced by ex vivo maturation correlated with in vivo DC vaccine activity. Melanoma patient DCs had reduced expression of cell surface inducible T-cell costimulator ligand (ICOSL) and had defective intrinsic NF-κB signaling. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed NF-κB-dependent transcriptional regulation of ICOSL expression by DCs. Blockade of ICOSL on DCs reduced priming of antigen-specific CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells from naïve donors in vitro Concentration of extracellular/soluble ICOSL released from vaccine DCs positively correlated with patient clinical outcomes, which we showed to be partially regulated by ADAM10/17 sheddase activity. These data point to the critical role of canonical NF-κB signaling, the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases, and DC-derived ICOSL in the specific priming of cognate T-cell responses in the cancer setting. This study supports the implementation of targeted strategies to augment these pathways for improved immunotherapeutic outcomes in patients with cancer.

First Insight into the Modulation of Noncanonical NF-κB Signaling Components by Poxviruses in Established Immune-Derived Cell Lines: An In Vitro Model of Ectromelia Virus Infection

Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages are the first line of antiviral immunity. Viral pathogens exploit these cell populations for their efficient replication and dissemination via the modulation of intracellular signaling pathways. Disruption of the noncanonical nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling has frequently been observed in lymphoid cells upon infection with oncogenic viruses. However, several nononcogenic viruses have been shown to manipulate the noncanonical NF-κB signaling in different cell types. This study demonstrates the modulating effect of ectromelia virus (ECTV) on the components of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway in established murine cell lines: JAWS II DCs and RAW 264.7 macrophages. ECTV affected the activation of TRAF2, cIAP1, RelB, and p100 upon cell treatment with both canonical and noncanonical NF-κB stimuli and thus impeded DNA binding by RelB and p52. ECTV also inhibited the expression of numerous genes related to the noncanonical NF-κB pathway and RelB-dependent gene expression in the cells treated with canonical and noncanonical NF-κB activators. Thus, our data strongly suggest that ECTV influenced the noncanonical NF-κB signaling components in the in vitro models. These findings provide new insights into the noncanonical NF-κB signaling components and their manipulation by poxviruses in vitro.

Role of the NF-κB system in context-specific tuning of the inflammatory gene response

The canonical NF-κB pathway instructs the expression of inflammatory genes by the RelA:p50 transcription factor in response to diverse cell-activating stimuli. However, this mainstay RelA:p50 transcriptional output must also be curated so as to provide for stimulus-type-specific and cell-type-specific inflammatory responses adapted to the local tissue-microenvironment. Here, we summarize the fundamental mechanisms regulating RelA:p50-mediated gene expressions and discuss how the NF-κB system imparts specificity in the inflammatory gene program. We put forward a conceptual framework where the dynamical attributes and the composition of the nuclear NF-κB complexes cumulatively instruct context-specific inflammatory gene patterns. We propose that integrating mechanistic knowledge and systems-level analyses may offer further insights on NF-κB-mediated inflammatory gene control in the future.

Apigenin Modulates Dendritic Cell Activities and Curbs Inflammation Via RelB Inhibition in the Context of Neuroinflammatory Diseases

Neuroinflammation leads to tissue injury causing many of the clinical symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). While T cells, specifically T_h1 and T_h17 cells, are the ultimate effectors of this disease, dendritic cells (DCs) mediate T cell polarization, activation, etc. In our previous study, Apigenin, a natural flavonoid, has been shown to reduce EAE disease severity through amelioration of demyelination in the CNS as well as the sequestering of DCs and other myeloid cells in the periphery. Here, we show that Apigenin exerts its effects possibly through shifting DC modulated T cell responses from T_h1 and T_h17 type towards T_reg directed responses evident through the decrease in T-bet, IFN-γ (T_h1), IL-17 (T_h17) and increase in IL-10, TGF-β and FoxP3 (T_reg) expression in cells from both normal human donors and EAE mice. RelB, an NF-κβ pathway protein is central to DC maturation, its antigen presentation capabilities and DC-mediated T cell activation. Apigenin reduced mRNA and protein levels of RelB and also reduced its nuclear translocation. Additionally, siRNA-mediated silencing of RelB further potentiated the RelB-mediated effects of Apigenin thus confirming its role in Apigenin directed regulation of DC biology. These results provide key information about the molecular events controlled by Apigenin in its regulation of DC activity marking its potential as a therapy for neuroinflammatory disease. Graphical Abstract.

MicroRNA-9 Fine-Tunes Dendritic Cell Function by Suppressing Negative Regulators in a Cell-Type-Specific Manner

Dendritic cells, cells of the innate immune system, are found in a steady state poised to respond to activating stimuli. Once stimulated, they rapidly undergo dynamic changes in gene expression to adopt an activated phenotype capable of stimulating immune responses. We find that the microRNA miR-9 is upregulated in both bone marrow-derived DCs and conventional DC1s but not in conventional DC2s following stimulation. miR-9 expression in BMDCs and conventional DC1s promotes enhanced DC activation and function, including the ability to stimulate T cell activation and control tumor growth. We find that miR-9 regulated the expression of several negative regulators of transcription, including the transcriptional repressor Polycomb group factor 6 (Pcgf6). These findings demonstrate that miR-9 facilitates the transition of DCs from steady state to mature state by regulating the expression of several negative regulators of DC function in a cell-type-specific manner.

Bladder neoplasms and NF-κB: an unfathomed association

Introduction: Bladder cancer is the second most common genitourinary tract cancer and is often recurrent and/or chemoresistant after tumor resection. Cigarette smoking, exposure to aromatic amines, and chronic infection/inflammation are bladder cancer risk factors. NF-κB is a transcription factor that plays a critical role in normal physiology and bladder cancer. Bladder cancer patients have constitutively active NF-κB triggered by pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and hypoxia, augmenting carcinogenesis and progression.Areas covered: NF-κB orchestrates protein interactions (PTEN, survivin, VEGF), regulation (CYLD, USP13) and gene expression (Trp 53) resulting in bladder cancer progression, recurrence and resistance to therapy. This review focuses on NF-κB in bladder inflammation, cancer and resistance to therapy.Expert opinion: NF-κB and bladder cancer necessitate further research to develop better diagnostic and treatment regimens that address progression, recurrence and resistance to therapy. NF-κB is a master regulator that can act with or on minimally one cancer hallmark gene or protein, leading to bladder cancer progression (Tp53, PTEN, VEGF, HMGB1, CYLD, USP13), recurrence (PCNA, BcL-2, JUN) and resistance to therapy (P-gp, twist, SETD6). Thus, an understanding of bladder cancer in relation to NF-κB will offer improved strategies and efficacious targeted therapies resulting in minimal progression, recurrence and resistance to therapy.

RelB suppresses type I Interferon signaling in dendritic cells

Type I Interferon (IFN) signaling plays a critical role in dendritic cell (DC) development and functions. Inhibition of hyper type I IFN signaling promotes cDC2 subtype development. Relb is essential to development of cDC2 subtype and here we analyzed its effect on type I IFN signaling in DCs. We show that Relb suppresses the homeostatic type I IFN signaling in cDC2 cultures. TLR stimulation of FL-DCs led to RelB induction coinciding with fall in IFN signatures; conforming with the observation Relb expression reduced TLR stimulated IFN induction along with decrease in ISGs. Towards understanding mechanism, we show that effects of RelB are mediated by increased levels of IκBα. We demonstrate that RelB dampened antiviral responses by lowering ISG levels and the defect in cDC2 development in RelB null mice can be rescued in Ifnar1^-/- background. Overall, we propose a novel role of RelB as a negative regulator of the type I IFN signaling pathway; fine tuning development of cDC2 subtype.